[nevermore nevermore]

I have now developed an official fear of crows and ravens and all black birds cawing incessantly.

As I was on my way to Uni yesterday to grab the newspaper and settle a few things, I rode my bike while wearing sunnies as it was a lovely spring day. Perfect for riding or walking. Driving is overrated.

Along the Upfield bike path, as I was admiring nature, cycling slowly and basking in the warm glow of the sun, a raven came flying straight at me. The sentence doesn't have much appeal in it, I'll try again. A frickin' big black raven flew straight at me! Hell bent on gouging my eyes out! Out of the corner of my eye, noticed it and tried to swerve my bike as fast as I can while still obeying the common laws of physics. Swerve as I may, the bird got stuck in my bike frame and it could not come out by itself. I was panicking, you would too if a big black bird stuck between your thighs, and I then did something I never knew I could. I literally jumped off the bike in an acrobatic fashion gracefully even Chuck Norris would blush. The bird then managed to free itself from the frame, still in an agitated state I noticed that there are 3 or 4 more ravens coming to that very spot, cawing loudly as if mocking me. Laughing at my hilarious circumstances or probably they are waiting to also gouge my eyes out. Slowly picked up the bike and rode away as if nothing had ever happened.

I have now made a new enemy. Them fricking' ravens. Found out on wikipedia that a group of crows is also called a "murder". They won't even know what hit them.

An excerpt from The Raven, a poem by Edgar Allan Poe:

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door —
Only this, and nothing more."

[damn dirty apes]

Training while fasting is bad, doing fitness work in training while fasting is even worse. There are times when I felt like giving up, but my team mates kept pushing me on (this is getting sappy and a bit clichéd). I was this close to collapse due to exhaustion and even hurl one or two vomit projectile. The only thing that kept me going is glory at the end of the road and chocolate cakes (the chocolate cake certainly had more influence).

Felt like I need to pass out for a while. As in the words of the Duke of Wellington,"Never miss a chance to pass water, I never do."

[kiss me, I know physics]

Spring break. The two sweetest words I have heard for a long time. Well, that and deep fried chocolate cake.

So many things to do but so little time.:

-Australian Uni Games. Woo hoo.
-The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
-Catch up on Electrodynamics, Subatomic Physics and even that other loathsome pedantic subject.
-Explore the great suburb that is Brunswick. Might even consider Fitzroy.
-Simpsons, Simpsons and more Simpsons. Have I mentioned Simpsons yet? No, Simpsons.
-Probably shave.
-Go see Glory Tuesday work their magic.
-Learn how to fly
-Feed a lion
-Try not to wake up at the crack of noon

[confuse your stomach with your heart]

On Sunday, I HAD to go for rugby training whether I like it or not. Although the passion is there, the energy and vigour is lacking as, yup, you've guessed it, it's the fasting month. Fasting does not give you the license to be a wimp and sit around you arse all day long waiting for the sun to set.

Had a good session although I noticed that my fitness level is a bit off, I'm gasping much earlier than usual and under less strenuous circumcision. Did I just say circumcision? I mean circumstances. Easily attributed to lack of moisture and the sweltering heat of the day, which is at 17 degrees. Come back old man winter.

Probably due to fatigue and longer recovery period, I unfortunately injured myself. Had a groin muscle tear. It's an old injury which I thought had fully healed. I was wrong, which seems to be happening a lot these days, especially at maths. And it hurts like hell. Can hardly lift my leg when I got back. I nearly cried, I want my mother. I don't want to do this anymore. Please someone, call my mom. *slaps myself in the face*. Thank you for the slap. I need that. Now, where was I before I became a big hairy bag of whining slob? Oh yes, the injury.

Ran it under the cold shower, some improvement. Tried to sleep it off. After I had my fair share of the meal during the break of fast, popped 2 painkillers. (Question: How on earth did I managed to get my hands on painkillers? Hmmm.) The painkillers gave me a bad case of lightheadedness and I feel that I need to spew. Lay down on the bed for a while, felt better although there is still a hint of vertigo. That's it I'm done with this whole training thing. I'll never step foot on to a rugby paddock again. Never. Until the next training day that is.

THE WORLD HAS ENDED. BYE BYE.

Have been fortunate enough to do Subatomic Physics this semester. Which is a pretty cool subject. The lecturer is a very experienced lady, she also works on the LHC experiment, although sometimes you have to strain to hear her speaking. Having to do with Subatomic Physics, the lecture is often littered with discussions about the LHC. Yesterday, when the first proton beam is injected, I am proud to say that I was there. Well, I was at the physics building watching the satellite link. For those of you saying that Subatomic Physics are for losers, I'll get out of your way now.

Moments like these makes me proud to say that I'm doing physics. Other times I will only be laughed at.

By the way, the world hasn't melted,exploded, decayed, (insert verbs often used by doomsayers here) or consumed by a black hole generated by the LHC...yet.

Huh? Hadron? What the hell?

Hadrons are particles that are responsive to the strong force.

BULLS***. I'm out of here.

Journey to Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Clouds v1.1

Taken at Christchurch International Airport. Waiting for our next flight to Wellington. We actually missed our first flight at 430, we were late by 5 minutes and the gate is already closed. Had to take the next flight at 730. To pass the time we acted like my grandfather actually owns the airport; no security barrier nor velvet rope was a deterrent to us. That is until we were kicked out of the airport. They told us that we were being too rowdy. Eat my shorts.

At Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. We are deeply sorry if during our visit there we have offended the proud race of Maori or anyone else within the vicinity with our less than desirable behaviour. We promise that if we were ever to walk again on the soils of the great land that is Aotearoa, we will first kiss the ground and offer ourselves to serve the overlord of the land.

Taken at Christchurch Cathedral Square. Although it is easy to point fingers and lay the blame on us, I can assure you that we did nothing of the sorts that is undesirable to have cause this man to despair. By no means have we stolen his Baked Potatoes or start calling him names until he could not withstand the insult anymore and simply broke down and cry. Far from the truth. We were actually playing hide and seek with him. We made him count to 3689 seconds (~30 minutes) in which time we were already well away from the Square and rushing to board our flight to Wellington. If I am not mistaken, he is still searching for us to this day. If ever you were to be in Christchurch (highly recommended), do be a kind soul and let this man know that we have simply stopped playing the silly hide and seek game.

I'm buggered.

[when it hits the fan]

Where was I on the 31st of August? On a rugby field busting my ass off, playing in shithouse weather (as eloquently stated by one Welton). It's not like I have a choice. Well actually I do, but as most of you already knew, I usually make a less than reasonable decision, or to put it in other words, stupid. Yes, stupidity and me, we both are like this *intertwining middle and index finger*.