Random Ranting

My definition of Hell

2006-11-26T17:37:00.000-08:00

Everyone has an idea of what hell will be like. This is my idea.
Ever gone to bed without brushing your teeth, and then when you wake up your breath is so bad you can taste it? That's what your breath is like in hell.
Your nose will of course be running, and all you have is a wet, used handkerchief. But not only that, someone will be following you everywhere, and they'll have a runny nose too, and they'll be sniffing every 2 seconds. I've sat in front of someone like that during an exam, and there is nothing more irritating.
Your ears will feel like they do when you're in a plane and you can't pop them.
You will have foot cramps in both feet.
And you will definitely, definitely, need to pee. Badly.

If I've missed something, let me know. what's your definition of hell?

Dysfunctional advertisements

2006-11-23T04:03:00.000-08:00

Can we please get rid of the radio ads for treatment of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation? Every ad break, even during breakfast radio programs, contains one of these ads, letting men know that they are, um, unsatisfactory. I don't want to hear about it!! Like any other medical problem, if it's really that bad you can go find a treatment for yourself, without help from the radio.
And while i'm at it, get rid of the ads for feminine hygiene products and thrush treatments. They're unnecessary.

What about my plans?

2006-11-13T03:09:00.000-08:00

I just watched possibly the worst episode of 8 Simple Rules ever made. The makers decided to continue making the show even after the guy who played the dad had died. This episode was all about the dad dying, and the family dealing with it afterwards.
At one point the mum, Katey Sagal, argued with her mother over this all being "part of God's plan". Instead of taking the intended words of comfort, she asks her "what about my plans? I know this life isn't meant to be fair, but no one told me it would be this cruel".
It hit me that this isn't just a woman who is overreacting after a sudden traumatic experience. This is her voicing the minds of every single person on this earth, every day. God wants us to live they way He wants us too, serving Him and bringing more people into his kingdom, and the whole time we have to realise that this world is temporary, and could be destroyed at any time. But we don't want to accept this. We want to serve our own interests, and make ambitious plans for the future, and we fully expect them to be fulfilled.
Maybe this is why it's so hard for us to come to terms with obstacles in our lives. We get upset over people dying, and that's understandable. But more than that, we get angry if we don't get the right marks, or we don't get the job we want. But what's the greater tragedy: not getting what we want, or not understanding why that happens?
Someone very close to me is currently going through a very hard time. A friend has died at a young age, and a family member has been permanently affected by a horrible disease that threatened to take their life. Pray that this person would come to see that, even through this heartache, God is in control

Halloween sucks

2006-10-31T15:40:00.000-08:00

Halloween should not be celebrated in Australia. All those who feel that Australia is becoming too like America should agree with me, as this is only a traditional American festival that was begun as an important part in the harvest cycle. It’s the more enjoyable version of Thanksgiving, another holiday that marks a significant event in American history and has no relevance to Australians.
If the appeal of Halloween to children is the idea of dressing up, then why don’t we also celebrate Chinese New Year in this country? Not only are the costumes even more exciting, but we’ll be appreciating the Chinese people who contribute to our multicultural society.
One might argue that, to embrace every culture in Australia and not recognise only the Christian holidays of Easter and Christmas, we should also celebrate Halloween, a pagan festival that seems more welcoming to non-Christians. But the reason we do celebrate Christian, Jewish and other holidays in Australia is because they are global, not exclusive to only one country like Halloween. I also doubt anyone could really be offended by Easter and Christmas, since our shopping centres around those times are filled with chocolate bunnies or elves and men with white beards who act to make people believe that these holidays were created without any consideration for God or any other deity. But the truth is, they were not created to be another excuse for kids to demand presents and food, just as Halloween was not created so that kids could attack strangers' houses with eggs and teenaged girls could happily walk around in public wearing little more than underwear and a hat or ears.
As a child I went to parties. Many were dress-up parties, and we all jumped at the chance to dress up as witches/animals/fairies, and went home happy after eating much confectionery and even getting our own lolly bag to take home with us. I’m sure kids today still do this, and it seems that, as a result, Halloween is now redundant in Australia. With these such parties happening all year round, combined with Easter bunnies and Santas giving out freebies twice a year, do we really need another night when kids demand lollies from strangers? I think we should spare the children: let them celebrate in their own homes if they want to, but don’t put them in danger of knocking on the door of someone who hates telemarketers. Chances are they won’t have tolerance for children disturbing them in the middle of dinner either, no matter how impressive their costumes.

2006-10-27T20:23:00.000-07:00

According to the latest ninemsn voting poll, Sheik Al Hilaly should be replaced for his comments regarding female rape victims. And I agree with that. But by whom?
He will be replaced by another man, one who has also studied the Koran in great detail, and who lives the life of a righteous Muslim man.
This is the same man we are trying to have removed from his role as mufti. Sheik Al Hilaly knows his Islam, and this knowledge is why he made his comments. If we replace him, we'll just have another man publicly sharing his opinion that women should be hide their own beauty to protect themselves, because this is what he has been taught, this is what Muslims believe.
Men are put above men in the Koran and in Muslim society. But women need to cover themselves in their presence or else they will be attacked, because Muslim men cannot control themselves. this is what Sheik is actually saying: "men are, at the heart, uncontrollable beasts. They cannot keep themselves from performing selfish, horrendous acts against women, and even the slightest glimpse of a woman's skin can send them into a frenzy. But Mohammed says they're better than women, so we'll treat them that way. Every man gets 4 wives, and if he wants to kill one of them that's his right. Women just have to do whatever they can to protect themselves from these animals that we call righteous. Praise to Allah."
We are told that true followers of God are identified by their actions, bred by love. Islam is pure evil.

2006-10-12T21:37:00.000-07:00

Now that I've been invited to join the proposed 'progressive liberals club', I figure it's about time I formed an opinion on some of the major issues at uni. Today, I'm tackling VSU.
Under VSU, I have the choice over whether or not I pay $600 to USU. It has been argued that, as Sydney uni students, we should all contribute to the running of the SRC and the union in the same way that we, as Australian citizens, pay taxes to the government.
I agree that we should all pay taxes. But the amount a person pays in tax is dependent on their income and living situation, whereas at uni, everyone pays the same $600 regardless of their tuition fees or timetable (and hence probability of getting a decent income)
So, if I did pay union fees, what would I be paying for?
Obviously, the union provides a whole bunch of services in the form of a range of different food outlets. Generally though, these stores maintain their cheap prices by serving crap food (exhibit a: lasagne at manning). I also think that somehow uni students do not need a donut king within a short walking distance from their lecture theatre. If you need a dose of saturated fat, there's a kebab shop near redfern station.
It's likely that under VSU these outlets will be forced to privatise. In an effort to get better profits while competing with each other, they will have to provide better food at only slightly higher prices. I'm happy to pay a little bit extra for better quality food, especially considering my massive $600 saving I'll be making at enrolment next year.
I've also heard people complain that they've lost their jobs at the uni stores due to redundancies. Boo freakin' hoo. It happens. I've been made redundant. So I went out, and got a better job! You don't have to look far, I can think of two union outlets that are always offering part-time staff positions.
Am I sounding too liberal? If you think I've made a huge error in judgement, please let me know. I still have until next year to form a final opinion.

2006-10-11T22:51:00.001-07:00

Here's a video of our kitten:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFWPg2Ty8jw

I reckon it's more interesting if you watch it while listening to 'Helter Skelter' by the beatles...just a thought

2006-10-11T22:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of our kitten:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFWPg2Ty8jw

I reckon it's more interesting if you watch it while listening to 'Helter Skelter' by the beatles...just a thought

2006-09-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hey all
check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxeQN2GWAzw

fun times. wish I'd been it

2006-08-29T00:32:00.000-07:00

"Religion easily—has the best bullshit story of all time. Think about it. Religion has convinced people that there's an invisible man...living in the sky. Who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn't want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer, and burn, and scream, until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you. He loves you and he needs money." ~ George Carlin

George Carlin is ignorant. He is arrogant and selfish. He is disrespectful and, like so many people I know, refuses to believe that he is not in control of his own life. But no, he doesn't know what's best for his own life. No one does. Because he hasn't seen every single event in history, he hasn't made people the way they are, he doesn't understand how they work. And one day, George Carlin will realise that he needs God, and he'll be happy that God does love him.

Otherwise, George Carlin will suffer for eternity.

gosh...idiot!

2006-08-09T03:12:00.000-07:00

Pop culture has taken over me. This morning I was, as every nerd does at some stage, reading the SMH quick crossword. The clue came to me: 'man of many skills', and straight away the (wrong) answer came to mind: Napoleon Dynamite
Disturbed by my frame of mind, it got me thinking: why is that movie so damn funny? What is it about Napoleon Dynamite that has made thousands of teens (Laurie Dircks shockingly not included) laugh hysterically for not only the length of the film, but also many months later as they continue to throw whatever quote they can into everyday conversation ("what do you think I should put in my CV?" "nunchuck skills, computer hacking skills...")
Is it because the sight of Jon Heder in puffy sleeves reminds me of the tragic outfits worn at ravo formals? Or because seeing Deb eating alone makes me feel better for my own lonely childhood? Whatever it is, I'd like a reason why guys with red afros are suddenly really popular

The Famine

2006-08-03T01:16:00.000-07:00

Hey all!
In 8 days (11th August) I'll be starting the worst punishment someone could give themselves in the name of charity since the great shave for cancer...the World Vision 40 Hour Famine
I, together with Nobbsy, Rash and Sprinter, will be journeying up to the Blue Mnts to spend 40 hours in the company of 3 men, with nothing to eat but barley sugars. This will only be made slightly less unbearable by a vast quantity of water, tea and juice available, but I will be very happy for the 2 breaks I get in the middle as I sacrifice myself to the greatest pleasure, sleep.
But the reason I'm doing it is not some sick human experiment, but for the poverty and hunger suffered by thousands of people all around the world. So, to give this weekend a purpose, we really need some sponsors!!
If you would like to donate any money (even $1 is fine!) please get in touch with me or any of the aforementioned guys, who as yet have not raised any money...
So please help us out, I'd really like to say I'm starving myself for a reason

2006-07-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

God will look to every soul like its first love because He is its first love

~ C.S.Lewis ~

Back to Uni!

2006-07-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

Fun, fun, fun, it's time to turn the alarm back on, drop the doona from your shoulders and start eating packed lunches again because it's time to go BACK TO UNI!!!!!!!

I want to die.

For some reason, the wonderful people at Sydney Uni still believe that maths students, whether by choice or under obligation, enjoy getting up at 6am every day to listen to the original role-play nerds drone on about algebra and stats for an hour at 8am. WRONG!
Just because we have, for whatever reason, chosen to study maths this semester, this does not mean we are all either potential members of Nerds FC, psychotically driven med students or college kids who can just roll out of bed five minutes before their first lecture. While I am a self-professed nerd studying med science, I am not so keen for academic success that I am happy to wake up in the dark, wait in the cold for the train and spend $3.30 every morning for coffee (without which my brain would be useless)
And if it wasn't for the morning train rides with Rob and Nobbsy at 7am, my social life would be almost non-existent (yes that's right, Rob Asher knows me better than some of my oldest school friends. I'm scared too) So many times last semester I was invited out to the pub/club/party/mate's house but I couldn't go cos I had 8am maths the next day, and knew that if I went out I'd most definitely fall asleep in the middle of every class (I'm falling asleep right now writing thiszzzz........)
So anyway, I guess I should be happy. This semester I only have 4 8am starts. Wednesdays I start at 9.
Single tear.

The Headbutt

2006-07-17T06:07:00.000-07:00

This is the best online quote I've found so far regarding Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on Materazzi in the World Cup final:

(from "That's How It Happened" http://howithappened.com/2006/07/genius-of-zizou.html)

"I'm quoting Zidane way out of context, but to me, his willingness to headbutt Materazzi makes him more of a hero, not less. Admittedly, since France went on to lose, he's something of a tragic hero, but a hero none-the-less. If someone insulted my race, or my religion (if I had one), I wish I'd be as ready to attack them, no matter what the circumstances. Zidane's action highlights for the world the fact that the racial unity of France is more important than winning the World Cup."

While I hate the idea of violence being caused by racism, I'd rather see the racist party get pummelled.

Dumbest Ever Ad Campaigns

2006-07-13T06:17:00.000-07:00

Dodo - internet that flies
It started with the annoying song. It's like the face of that Pensioners Insurance woman, as soon as I see it, I turn it off.
But let's look it this concept more closely. They're using a dodo to suggest that they have the fastest internet connection, meaning they're better than every other internet server. The dodo is extinct, therefore not fitter, not better, not faster.

The Kyle and Jackie O Show
Every ad is another picture of these two, with Kyle trying to look suave, and Jackie O trying to look sexy. But they're on radio. You can't see them, why does it matter what they look like?

You get a lot more with Snugglers
This is an ad for diapers. I don't want more in my baby's diapers. That's gross.

Mortein
That fly keeps coming back in every new ad. He's not dying, no matter how strong the fly spray is! It doesn't work!!!

And finally, I'm sure you've heard this one before...

Shane Warne, the face of Advanced Hair
They want to portray themselves as a company that makes men less repulsive to women. By using the most repulsive man in Australia. It'd like putting Amanda Vanstone in CoverGirl commercials.