Bloggin' From Uni

Currently Listening to: Deni Hines - "It's Not Over" (w/ The Rockmelons)

Again, strange, but true. I'm at the library right now, updating while waiting for the Arts office to open so I can enroll in this summer school course on Australian Migration Issues. Just dropped my cousins off at North Sydney...they're the reason I haven't been blogging recently; playing driver (but in a good way) for them, as they are on holiday here until next Tues...

Don't take that as a "man, I'm sick of spending time with them" kinda comment; I love my cousins. In fact, I've been going out and doing stuff in Sydney that I don't normally do, the tourist thing. Driving to the Hunter Valley (my wine collection has begun, and NO, that doesn't mean I'm getting old~), losing money at the Star City Casino (I know, the gambling luck that is my Asian birthright escapes me), and just a lot of other more out of the normal stuff...I feel as if I've been on holidays for a few weeks, yet I only finished exams on Monday!

I headed out to Goodbar last nite, and when I hopped in Mikes car, he told me that De La would be there! De La Soul!! In Sydney!!! They are here for the Gatecrasher Soundsystem on the weekend, but were puttin' on a show at the Goodbar, promoting their new album Bionix. Now, I've never been a huge De La fan (Tribe was always my group of choice back then), but they are still goin' strong, while the Abtract Poetic, the 5 Foot Freak and Ali Shaheed have parted ways. Plus, it's not everyday hip-hop acts from the States show up down under.

It's a shame, because the crowd just wasn't really into it...I don't think half the people had ever HEARD of De La until that night. It was like watching Deni Hines bless Coolangata with a version of "Pull Up To The Bumper" live on Channel [V]...and they just stood there. Most artists have to put up with unreceptive audiences, but as I was saying to Mike, good shit is good shit, no matter who you are or what you do. Just one of the reasons why I haven't totally written off Harry Potter...

Yet...*grin*

P.S. Oh, big thanx to everyone for their ideas about the presen. I appreciate it!! I ended up getting a gift voucher from the "Urban Spa" in the City...nice place for people to have a facial, massage, and all that other good stuff.

China On My Mind...

Currently Listening to: The Roots - "You Got Me" (Instrumental)

So, what does everyone think about cloning?

It's life, but not as we know it... This opens whole new possibilities, the ones that sci-fi writers have only dreamt and written about. However, while they may SAY it's just for "therapeutic" purposes such as cloning organs and treating disease...I'm not sold. Although I'd like to think that this would help us all, most likely it will be just like trips into the final frontier; a case of something that only the truly rich can afford. Business is business after all, and high medicine is no different. Am I being cynical? If you think so, raise your real right hand.

I spent some time with an old family friend today who is studying in Melbourne, so we don't see each other much. However, Aivee and I have known each other since I can remember (and I can only remember back to about when I was 6), and it's kewl how as we get older, our thoughts seem to be more in sync. My lil' sister has all grown up, strong and directed. *smile* A healthy dose of conversational Vitamin C was consumed (that's coffee, cigarettes and cake), and she broke down whats been happening, and let me know how it's going to be with her life in the near future. Spending the summer in Shanghai too...I'm more envious than the first kid out in game of musical chairs~

Lots of people seem to be heading north this summer; I have friends jetting to both the mainland and Taiwan, and that makes me think of the end of next year, when I will eventually finish up at uni (*planning* to head to Taiwan and the Mainland at the end of 2002). The funny thing is, that although next year will be my sixth year at UNSW, I only feel as if I've been there for about 2 years. By that, I mean it's only recently that I've been moving towards getting the whole university experience. Getting more involved with campus activities, volunteer stuff, finding out more about what I'M about. These last 2 years have been a personal revelation in so many ways, as my time alone at uni has forced me to to take a step sideways and look at who I am, what I want, and where I'm going. My uni grades have been the best they ever have been, and I'm getting the most involved I have ever been.

Hell, I'm even beginning to enjoy beer more...yep, things are definately changing *grin*

Oh, if anyone has any good ideas about engagement presents, PLEASE let me know...preferably before saturday~

The Aftermath

Currently Listening to: the crickets outside in the dark...

_Inhale_

Last exam for 2001 today. 3 hours. Not great, but decent. Chilled out with some friends at the bar afterwards over a cold beer (I don't normally drink beer, but it seemed right at the time), and shot the breeze about jobs (or lack thereof), the future (which was slightly more positive), the coming summer, and how some of us knew the other in year 2...strange, but true. Now I usually don't meet many good people in the one class, but I'm goin to miss our 3 hour seminars, the group work(?), and our trips to the quad store and chats at the break. Accounting class was never meant to be this fun. *smile*

Unfortunately, we lost the soccer...what a way to go out; black flagged on the last lap...Chelsea doesn't seem to be doing much better in England either. We haven't lost in 7 games...but how many have we won? Grrr...there goes another season~ Well, at least it's not another 4 years...

Gotta tie up some loose ends at uni...write my list of things to do...give my take on Notting Hill...

Party. Read. Listen. Think. Write. Sleep. Repeat.

_Exhale_

More Random Thoughts...

Currently Listening to: Wyclef Jean - Gone 'Til November (Remix)

Hmm...just a quick blog today. Eathing cereal and trying to type isn't easy, but I gotta get out of the house soon...gotta get to the Church on time! *smile*

So here are a few more random thoughts...

_Sad to say, but it was only a matter of time before "Asian Gangs" re-emerged again...better make sure I don't go out with too many of my friends at the one time; I might be thought to be part of a gang! Oh yeah, better hide my trenchcoat too_

_If I could draw and be witty at the same time, (okay, so I can't draw at all), I'd be doing stuff like this_

_If you were thinking about downloading Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, don't. If you already have, then you know it's TOO LATE...._

_Finally, now that the Taliban are finally crumbling in Afghanistan (what TOOK them so long?!?!?), who wants to hazard a guess where Osama B is hiding now? Best guess wins around $50 million from the U.S.Government, tax free!_

Okay, gotta go do this tie up, and get to the ceremony...laaaaaaaaate!

More Random Thoughts...

Currently Listening to:

Hmm...just a quick blog today. Eathing cereal and trying to type isn't easy, but I gotta get out of the house soon...gotta get to the Church on time! *smile*

So here are a few more random thoughts...

_Sad to say, but it was only a matter of time before "Asian Gangs" re-emerged again...better make sure I don't go out with too many of my friends at the one time; I might be thought to be part of a gang! Oh yeah, better hide my trenchcoat too_

_If I could draw and be witty at the same time, (okay, so I can't draw at all), I'd be doing stuff like posted by Ben @ Sunday, November 25, 2001  0 comments

More Random Thoughts...

Currently Listening to:

Hmm...just a quick blog today. Eathing cereal and trying to type isn't easy, but I gotta get out of the house soon...gotta get to the Church on time! *smile*

So here are a few more random thoughts...

_Sad to say, but it was only a matter of time before "Asian Gangs" re-emerged again...better make sure I don't go out with too many of my friends at the one time; I might be thought to be part of a gang! Oh yeah, better hide my trenchcoat too_

_If I could draw and be witty at the same time, (okay, so I can't draw at all), I'd be doing stuff like posted by Ben @ Sunday, November 25, 2001  0 comments

Lethargy and Lipton Teabags

Currently Listening to: Michael Jackson - The Way You Make Me Feel

Wow, it HAS been a while since I last blogged. But for those who don't know, I've been *studying* for my final exam this year, and to say the least, it's not going to great. I mean, I've had so long to prep for this, and I still feel, well, not 100% (or even 85%) about this paper...still, when my mind hasn't been invaded by Value Chains and the top 10 leadership principles of e-business (who comes UP with these things?!?!?), it has been working...so here are a few thoughts from the past few days.

Brain Waves

_Michael Jackson has still got it. Watching his 30th (can u believe it?!?!) Anniversary show, he can still move; he makes Usher look like Al Gore_

_"The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho is still such a great book; a much better fairy tale then Harry Potter_

_Getting a head massage at Noddy's on Kampus when I got my hair cut was so relaxing; Liz does it so well, I almost fell asleep in the chair_

_TLC's album CrazySexyCool is a classic, and is good for so many situations...like getting a head massage_

_I thought my ebonics was trunk-tight, but when Mary J. says "let's get it perculatin'" and "let's get krunk up on it", I gots NO idea...fool_

_And for those who thought Melody Pops were gone, Chupa Chups has brought them back!!...well, to UNSW at least_

Hmm. Well. That's about it; products a slow week filled with rote learning and cups of milky sweet lipton tea...

The Storm

Currently Listening to: Zhou Jie Lun (Jay) - LongJuanFeng (Tornado)

Of all the four elements, I've always loved wind the most. I've been scared of fire (apparently, I almost burned the house down as a child) water (early swimming lessons were a nightmare), and earth (feeling earthquakes in Taiwan was no joke either). However, even when tornados hit Taiwan, I never felt that worried. Sure there was sheet metal flying through the air, and trees being uprooted, but...wind is my element. I love the feeling of how it rushes over you, lifts and somethimes fills your clothes, just as if you were flying. How it cools you on a hot summer day, or makes you want to snug up closer to your partner during the winter months. It carries birds in flight, pollen from flowers, and leaves in those perfect circles. To me, the wind is happy freedom.

Today's fierce storm in Sydney was nowhere near a tornado, but walking outside in the gusty breeze, I felt the best I've been in a long time...reading this came in a close second...

This great song by Jay, however, always makes me feel a little sad...

"Love comes quickly just like a tornado...
Can't get away from the storm winds encircling, with no way out..."

That's a pretty poor translation, but for those who haven't heard the song/understand the mandarin better, that's the gist. Hmm...come to think of it, the song really doesn't have much to do with what I'm thinking. If you haven't been able to tell already, the songs and their titles usually tie in with my moods; more accurately, I find them the right track to match my mood. Nothing is by chance! *grin*

As I mentioned to a friend the other night, do you ever reach a point in your single lives (for those who are), and realise that all the little romantic snippets that would hopefully lead you to a feature film in fact turn out to be something that gets cut to shreds on the editing floor of reality? Well, I'm there right now...not to say that this is really the case, but it's just a feeling. And feelings are something I normally go with (for good or for bad..that's just my izm).

So, in an attempt to live out the theory that I need someone to complement me, not complete me, I've been giving thoughts as to how I'll be spending my (at this point seemingly single) summer holidays. Listing tomorrow...back to the books. Did no work yesterday, as I was at the Autosalon with the Faan crew and had dinner at Newtown...*Happy Birthday Reenie!*

Forever...But Not In That P.Diddy Kind Of Way

Currently Listening to: Maxwell - Lifetime

Hmm...just woke up. Aghhh...slept at 2 am last nite, trying to understand Internet Business Models and all it's components. While not the most rivetting of stuff, I've had a LOT worse...

"Would You Recommend This Course To Others?" Big tick yes.

My sister has always been really protective of her room...perhaps it's a girl thing, a privacy thing, I dunno. Still, she seems to have relaxed about it these days, and well, since she's in Europe, she can't do much about it anyway! Still, whenever I do manage to see someone's room or bedroom (which isn't too often), one of the first things I always check out is their books and CDs. I've always thought you can tell a lot about a person from the books they read and the CDs they listen to. Not that it's a clear indication, but if you get into a girls room and her books are mostly written by feminists, you have to tread just that little bit more lightly. Not that that's happened...*grin*

So checkin out my sister's books (her CDs are downstairs, and are not on the great side...sorry Jie!), she seems to have very classic reading tastes. Basically, her shelves are full of the "right" books to have and have read. However, I've never been a huge fan of Austin or Forster, and while Eddings is great, I never got into other fantasy books those by Fiest. Oh, and what I THOUGHT was the whole "Three Colours" series turned out to be all the Harry Potter books. Don't get me started on that though, although friends have told me that I should actually read a whole book before dissing it. True, but...but...

One book I AM interested is this...I have no idea what it's about, but with a hella kewl title like that, how can you not look twice?

In searching for the book itself, I came across quite a number of sites devoted to it...seems a lot of people think about living forever out there. Me? Naw...I need some pressure on me to get me moving. If you could live forever, why get out of bed? Why try to be happy? Why not try tomorrow? Or the next day? Why bother doing anything at all?

After all, it is a long time...and if you're stuck with this forever, then perhaps an early death isn't such a bad thing...*shudder*

Music From Another Room

Currently Listening to: Paula Abdul - Rush Rush

I got receently reminded of this classic track the other night (thanx Waxy *grin*)...what a great slow jam. Not one of those "get down and freak me right here" like R.Kelly's "Sex Me" (hmm...I think Ger still has my 12 Play CD), it's one of those nice chill out slow jams...like "The One" by Prince.

I've recently moved into my sister's room while she is off trippin on Contiki Tour in Europe, so as to make way for my cousins who are flying in for another cousins wedding. The house is getting crowded now, but funnily I feel as if I have more space and freedom. I guess it's being in a new room, with an awesome view, and most of the people are downstairs most of the time now. I'm upstairs buried in my books, the door closed, with my thoughts and...a strange sort of peace.

Study is starting to gear up a bit, so that's on the up (if that's possible!)

11pm. Back to it...more on the music from another room thing tomorrow...

Treading Water...Badly

Currently Listening to: Nelly Furtado - I'm Like A Bird

"I don't know where my soul is...I don't know where my home is..."

I've been in a semi-study daze these last few days. Mobile phone, computer and TV screen radiation have combined to giving me a massive headache. Learning about E-business strategy is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Plus, I'm getting more edgy these days...I feel as if I'm struggling to keep my head above the water line...Need to concentrate on my books!

I'll write later...after I finish off watching Notting Hill...

Slowly but Surely

Currently Listenint to:Toshi Kubota - Sunshine, Moonlight

Ever hear a song that isn't that great, but for some reason you still love it anyway? Think Mambo No.5, and all of Nelly's songs. This is one of them...I've always liked Toshi's stuff, and this is from his first English album. Yeah, the beats are so-so, and the his English is a bit off, and this is infinitely better, but it's still all good. Just shows how some practice and hard work can get you places...

Cleaning out my room to make way for my cousins who are arriving soon for another cousin's wedding, I found some old poetry I wrote like about a year ago...reading it again, it seemed so..so..shit. Yep, I couldn't believe it was my stuff. Same when I read through my old diaries...at least I can go back and change my stuff online. If your stuff is on plastic or paper, there's no going back.

Out to dinner tonight with the fam, so gotta get back to the books...one more exam...on the 26th!

Then it's summertime...ohohhhhhhhh....*grin*

Sexual Saturday, Sombre Sunday

Currently Listening to: Pharoahe Monch, Common, Talib Kweli - The Truth

Sexual Saturday? Hahaha...that takes some explaining. Went to my friends Di, Jay and Ben's birthday lunch on sat, and since they are all turning 23, 23+23+23=? Got it...But it was a great day weatherwise yesterday, and if it weren't for the flies, it would have been just perfect! So if you know any of the people in question, and haven't wished them a happy birthday yet, don't forget!

Speaking about forgetting, by the time I left the BBQ, I had to rush home and get ready for my cousin Jeremy's Bucks Night...An interesting thing about Bucks nights is seeing just how freaky your cousins can really be. I'm not sure if it was the whole vibe of the night, or the drinking games we were playing (good old cheong sam!), but by the time the 'entertainment' arrived at the service apartment we were at, everyone was pretty buzzed. Now, while paying for strippers and the such isn't really my thing, in the spirit of things it was all fun and games, and everyone was kewl about the whole thing. New tricks were seen, more beer was had, and I'll never look at ice-cubes the same way again...*wink*

Sombre Sunday? Well, for those who don't know, I haven't been a big fan of John Howard for a while now, and his third term as PM hasn't made me feel any better about him. To me, he's capitalised on the WTC Tradgedy, the war in Afghanistan and the whole Boat People issue. A perfect move politically, but otherwise, I think it's quite petty to play on the fears of a nation. Respect to Tony Blair for postponing Britains elections during this time of crisis. As Jawaharlal Nehru wrote, "History is writter by the victor", and now, with the Labor Party thoroughly defeated, liberals are quick to put pen to paper. One of the main reasons stated on the LIberal win by Mr Howard's former chief adviser Grahame Morris was becauase "Australians did not like being told they were racist over siding with the government over asylum seekers".

So it's not because they had better policies, better leadership, better vision...according to them, one of the main reasons was because Australians couldn't handle someone calling them racist. So to prove a point, they voted accordingly. Looks like some spite to me...

"You want the truth? You can't HANDLE the truth!!"

The Inspiration

Currently Listening to: Common Sense - Resurrection (Extra P Remix)

Picked up the new issue of Faan Mag today at my second favourite record store, Anthem Records on George. Flippin through it, I naturally re-read my article again first (that's just my izm), and then started again from the top...now I know this may sound like blatent plugging, but in all honesty, this issue is really good. Really really. From front cover (Chiou is like WHOA) to the end, almost everything is good to go check out; I think there's something for everyone.

At Art's b'day dinner the other night, I met his brother Derek, who is a budding actor. It's great to meet people from the whole Faan crew, and Derek is really kewl; real easy to get on with. He also told me how one of his friends cut out one of my articles and pinned it on his wall...when I heard that, I couldn't stop smiling inside. It's these little things that make all this worth it. Getting out to interviews, struggling with words and ideas, walking that line between teaching and telling. So if you read my stuff in Faan mag, or anything I write that you think is something that touches a note with you (good, bad, or even for discussion), I'll always be glad to hear from you. Don't just come down to hard on me...I get a bit sensitive about my isht. *grin*

After "all-you-can-eat" yum cha today (what a hella kewl idea!) with some ex-work friends, I had coffee with a friend at North Sydney. It's always great to catch up with friends, esp when you know they are so busy. But being Friday afternoon and all, it was a nice and laid back coffee and white chocolate mousse tart at Zeo Cafe. Now for those who may think that I come up with this isht from scratch, you'd be only half wrong. I get so much inspiration to write from my conversation with friends, just listening to them; and hey, it beats Expressing my Outlook.

Thoughts for today...

_Moving too fast from group situations to one-on-one dates pressurizes things, and usually ends things with a loud pop in your face...if it's going to happen, it's going to happen_

_White chocolate mousse is something everyone should try_

_Peace to everyone who've given me inspiration, love to those who helped me get this job, and blessings to those who brought the congratulations_

Currently listening to: Brand New Heavies - You Are The Universe

Dear Benjamin,

Thank you for your application for undergraduate employment with (Insert Company Name).

The respose to these undergraduate opportunities has far exceeded our expectations, both in quantity and quality, and has made the selection process extremely difficult. Whilst your application has been carefully considered, we must advise that we will not be asking you to attend an interview at this time.

Thank you for your time and interest in (Insert Company Name) and I wish you every success in your future career.

Yours sincerely...

*sigh* I don't know about you, but everytime I get one of these letters, I can't help but take it a bit personally. I've gotten so many before, so you'd think I'd be over it by now. But no...each new one seems to crush my hopes just that little bit more. So when life decides to give me a break, no matter how small, I'm always pretty grateful...

What I'm trying to say through all this is that I got a job. Yep, I'm now one of the three writers for Blitz Mag on UNSW campus for 2002, the quote unquote, "Definitive What's On." However, it's just a part time job,and even then, I was trying for editor, but apparently someone who is "more well qualified" beat me to it, and it was "such a HARD choice to make, Ben"...

Was I disappointed? Sure I was...but enough bitching. Right now, I'm just happy to be feeling a little bit of success. Plus, I think everyone remembers their first real job, just like everyone remembers the first person they kissed, the first time they had sex, and the place where they first heard their favourite song.

Now knowing how much I love music, I have quite a few favourite songs, and this is definately one of them. Nugget, if you're reading this, thanks for introing me to this track...your taste in music is the best! British Funk at its best, it's right up there with Incognito's "Positivity"; if anyone knows any good acid jazz/funk bands/tracks, don't hesitate to leave a comment for me...

"You're a driver, not a passenger in life...You are the Universe..If you can concieve it, you can achieve it.."

Oh, and someone asked me today if I could have some star to turn up to my door, who I would want? I told her Elva, but since you may not know what she looks like B, click or right click and openthis. Better than Namie? *grin*

Currently listening to: Amuro Namie - Please Smile Again

Love this song, ever since I heard it in Taiwan...can't understand it, but then again, not all music is meant to be...I think i like this song all the more due to the great clip (well, more acurately, Namie)...this one's for you CC *grin*)

Blogback is down, so I don't know where all the comments have gone...I take a break from my essay, only 500 words to go, and what do I find? All the comments gone into a black hole; again, I stress I'm no techie...

I'm an analog man living in a digital world.

For everyone looking for something to play with, click here. It's hella addictive, in almost a tetris-kinda way...

I'm out like the Yankees...

Currently listening to: Erykah Badu - ...& on

Monday..where did my weekend go? Into this essay I'm slavin' over...and of course, Art's B'day dinner on sat nite! It was really good to meet more of the people who help make up Faan as a whole. And XXL afterwards, which would have been okay if I'd been in the mood...still trying to find the words to say on so many things, but with regards to the current refugee situation, someone broke it down with this. So I'll digress for a bit...

Here's my philosphy,
Writing papers for my university,
Degree to which I'm bound for some time,
While lookin' at this screen is slowly killing my mind...

I grabbed mama's gun today. Can u tell? *grin* Was kinda bored, so I drove back to Borders and got it...well worth the extra wait. In fact, when it comes to actually buying CDs, I'm a lot more picky than I used to be. I think if it were about 3 years ago, my room would be full of Jagged Edge and P. Diddy CDs. I'm not sure what it is about me, but it seems I average around 2 years before I pick up a quality CD.

I think in general, it's the fact that I have such high expectations, that I want to make sure I really want something before I go out and get it...

...and if I do get it and I'm disappointed, then I won't feel as if I jumped on the bandwagon of "oh, shit is HOT!" Music album cases in point:

Maxwell: Urban Hang Suite (2 years after it came out)

Common: One Day it'll All Make Sense (3 years after it came out)

Mos Def and Talib Kweli are: Black Star (3 years after it came out)

In reverse, I bought Maxwell's Embrya album the day it came out in Australia...and didn't like it until about a year later...

I guess that now can wait for the future...

On a different note, if you're always on the lookout for kewl new Chinese cinema like I am, then you might have heard that Beijing Rocks now more than ever. I guess according to who you ask...

"Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own"
--Paulo Coelho, "The Alchemist"

Currently listening to: India Airie - Video

I'm sure you've all heard it on the radio. It was getting some air-play a while back, and I listened to it again at Borders at Maquarie this afternoon; so I went home and downloaded it. Now don't take me for someone who bootlegs all their music; if I feel like a CD is worth picking up, I'll pick it up. That, and my 56k modem won't let me DL whole albums. But seriously, I like owning real CDs. Makes me feel as if I'm supporting the artist, even though their record lable may be milking them for all it's worth.

"It really just depends on, whatever feels good in my soul..."

I was actually pretty good today...had a look at some magazines that I normally buy, a book that I want to read about the end of histroy, but I still didn't pick up anything...

The new issue of Faan I am told comes on early next week, so get it where you can, and if you don't know where you can, have a look here. Pick it up, read it, then re-read my article and let me know what you think (shameless plugs). But seriously, I'm always waiting to hear some feedback on what I write. I'm still waiting for one of my articles to make it to the cover though. I guess I just can't compete with cover girls (but as I've said many times before, Chiou is really beautiful. Really REALLY... *grin* ) and Autosalon...

Spent last night at the UNSW Dis-Orientation party, drinking Kahlua, and trying to win prizes; but all I ended up with was a plastic keyring, a swizzle stick and two lollipops. Still, if I'd hvae bought as many drinks as Kiat and CC, I'd have wanted a t-shirt too! It was kewl to hang out with some people who I don't normally see...big up to Yong for driving us home in CC's car.

Tonight is gonna be spent at home, trying to get this 60% Asia and the International Political Economy essay done by Monday..

*sigh* I'm a peaceful man, but today I should have picked up mama's gun to be my problem solver...