Stolen From teh Zo...

1. Height? 1.8 something m (I think I'm about 1.87m)

2. Have you ever smoked heroin? Nope. Don't see a need to do so either.

3. Do you own a gun? No. I do however possess a razor sharp mind. ;)

4. Who would you let eat crackers in your bed? No one. I refuse to sleep on crumbs.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not outwardly.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? They is ok. Curry is better. Lasagna is the best.

7. What’s your favorite Christmas song? "Hey Frickin' Nonny" by Tom Smith

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? First thing is usually water. I won't say no if someone gives me hot chocolate though. *nudge nudge*

9. Is your bathroom clean? Ya.

10. Can you do push ups? A few.

11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? I don't wear any. Although, I have seen some nice pieces. If I had to wear something, it would have an ankh.

12. Do you like painkillers? They can be useful. Don't use 'em much though.

13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? Not got a clue. Apparently I have pretty eyes though.

14. Do you have A.D.D.? No. I'm just bouncy and don't like sitting still.

15. What’s your name? Martin.

16. Middle Name? Theo.

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? "Why did Firefox crash", "I wonder if I'm still sick" and "I has Death Note manga!"

18. Name the last 3 things you bought. Hogsback stuffs, a coke and a chelsea bun.

19. Who is your favorite visual artist? Escher.

20. You’re stuck on an deserted island with two other people, who would you want to be stranded with? Someone(s) who can get me fast and safely back to the people I'd rather be with. Since there are more than two anyway.

21. You’ve won a major award and have thanked your family, who else would you thank? Family, current friends (not the ones who I make because I've won a major award). Special mention to the Freers.

22. Current worry? Work.

23. Current hate? Builders outside my window.

24. Favorite place to be? My own mind. Although others are frightened by it.

25. How did you bring in the New year? I think I was reading. Don't really see the point in celebrating more of the same.

26. Where would you like to go? Germany, Scandinavia, SE Asia.

27. Do you own slippers? Not for a number of years.

28. What shirt are you wearing? Black KWV shirt what I won at the brandy tasting.

29. Do you burn or tan? The yellow-face burns us. 'Nuff said.

30. Favorite color(s)? Green, Blue. I have a fair amount of red clothes.

31. Would you be a pirate? Idealised version, yes. Real one, not a chance.

32. Are you gay? I is happy. Heterosexual though. :P

33. What songs do you sing in the shower? I've been told I shouldn't sing anyway....

34. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child? Nameless, creeping horrors.

35. What’s in your pockets right now? Cellphone, wallet, keys.

36. Where are you? My room.

37. Best bed sheets as a child? Clean ones.

38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? Splintered left forearm.

39. You’re on a trip around the world and have to select five landmarks to visit, what would you pick? Pyramids, K2, Tromso in Norway, Angel Falls, Cape Canaveral for a launch.

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? One at home. None here unless a laptop counts.

41. Who is your loudest friend? They all are?

42. Who is your quietest friend? Quiet friends?

43. Does someone have a crush on you? Kay. Apparently a number of other females too, but I don't notice it.

44. Do you wish on shooting stars? No. Wishing doesn't help much. Wish it did though.... :P

45. What is your favorite book? RBV.

46. What is your favorite candy? Anything made by Haribo.

47. What song do/did you want played at your wedding? Um.... not got a clue to be honest. I don't intend to get involved in the planning of it, if it ever happens.

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? I'm not going to die, but if I had to choose, probably Heaven Can Wait by Iron Maiden.

49. What were you doing at 12AM last night? Being sick probably.

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? "Argh!"

Argh.

Been a busy couple of weeks:

Various society stuffs (RUMC and Neko mostly)
Work (Pracs are taking longer)
Admin issues with Kay and Zoe.

Although, that basically sums it up.

Last weekend Kay was away so I went out with Markles, Brad, Evol, Zoe and SJ. Was quite a lot of fun. Went to Champs where some drunk twit almost ended up with broken fingers for trying to feel Zoe up while Evol had his arms around her. Also had a random session at Steers: just talking rubbish for the most part. Which reminds me, I owe Evol about R20. *makes note*
Zoe was really tired, so Evol walked her back while the rest of us waited outside Champs for him and Markles to get back. After they got back, we figured we might as well just head back up to res.
Forgot to mention that we met up with Cathleen (from TP) and Dale. When we got back up the Hill, I went to fetch Pratchett books for her and then we sat and talked for ages.

Saturday night Brad and Markles decided to try and take SJ on in a drinking competition. I don't think I need to point out that Brad and Mark failed to win. Miserably. Swaying was very noticeable.... Anyway, a whole bunch of people I knew were on the mosaic, so I joined them. After that we went to the Old Gaol for a bit. Then we went back up the Hill, where I sat talking with Cathleen for ages again.

The rest of the week was pretty humdrum, but I got to climb a fair bit, so it's all good. Signed up for Goju Ryu, RUMC, RUCUS, Neko and ROCSOC. The last is sort of expected as a Geology student. The talks should be useful as well though.

Other than that, Kay and Zoe are really annoying me. Just for the record. Not going to go into it, ask if you really *have* to know. I'll decide if you're right though. :P

Right, more work now.

Updateses time again

Quite a bit has happened since I last posted.

First, I still don't know if I passed my supp, since I am now, along with everyone else I've spoken to, locked out of ROSS. Highly helpful. I don't feel good about it though.

Other than that, I spent the last weekend of my holiday getting high and sunburned at the top of van Reenen's Pass.

To clarify, there was a climbing comp which I entered with a friend's brother. We didn't expect to place, but we had fun. On-sighted a 20 so the weekend wasn't a total loss. If I had been able to actually climb a bit more in the holidays, I might have done better. Need to con someone into taking me climbing next year. Can call it training. ;) Any volunteers?

I also got to spin fire. [cue glowy eyes] That was so awesome! No photos, but I didn't burn myself doing it, so it's all good. Also, I was told by the guy whose poi I borrowed, that I "wasn't too bad" so I'm fairly pleased with myself.

Going back to Rhodes on Thursday. w00t of note that one.

Story time part the derx....

Story 2. (Not a sequel, although I am working on one, it isn't working how I want it to.)

Attempt to enjoy....

*goes off to read more Schlock Mercenary*

Story type thing....

Um yeah. Here we go.

Bear in mind that I managed to cut it down to 47 words from about 3k. It was an attempt to see how long I could avoid coming to a point....

Actual story.

Attempt to enjoy....

*goes off to read more Schlock Mercenary*

...

Not much happening, need to get the hell out of here for a while. Oh yes, going to see about applying for my German passport, just so's I got one again. We shall see.

On the plus side, managed to write 3k worth of totally pointless story. Not too much worse than what I've heard other people write too.... Might post a link to it at some stage.

For some reason I'm not sleeping. Only got to sleep at 0600 this morning, woke at 1600. Really annoying me, let alone my folks, who are now moaning that "they never see me despite me coming home to visit". Meh. Over it.

Justforthehellofit.

Just felt like posting again, mostly because I need to vent a bit.

I AM SO FUCKING SICK OF THIS PLACE! I NEED TO ACTUALLY GET AWAY FOR A FEW DAYS WITHOUT MY FAMILY AROUND.

OK. Done. Post over.

*returns to watching Ergo Proxy (It is Truth. Very good so far, which isn't very far, but anyway. meh.)

Updateses?

Yes! Lo! It are an update!

Um yeah. Not much to really say. Been doing very little of anything practical.

First, the Christmas haul. This was depressingly useful, all shirts and socks and so fort. But fear not Splat Fans! I do have a voucher for Exclusive Books so all is not lost!

Um yeah. I'm not getting out enough.

Will attempt to visit Markles at some stage but Sun City has fallen through. [sadness]

Oh wells. Um results.

Got one supp (Maths) and failed Che 102. Rest are OK. My fault though. Need to at least attempt to work a bit more this year. Take that as a resolution if you so wish. ;) Not that I can make any that I actually keep.

On the plus side, I'm entering the Rory Lowther Comp with Paddy. Look out world, The Dreaded Piano Clubbers of Lurgi are coming! Bootle in your trembs! Mwahahahahahaha!

New Year. It did happen. I thin I was watching Ghost in the Shell Stand Alon Complex 2nd Gig. Really not sure though. I've been rather creative today: finished off DH stuff that's been lying around since October.

Anyway, this is a singularly unenlightening post done merely for the sake of posting and therefore I believe I shall shut up (cue cheers) now.

*does as promised and fades into foreground to finish Cowboy Bebop*

Homeses!

Um yeah. It took me a while to get home.

My fault entirely: I went to visit Paddy so I only got home on Tuesday evening. The first week and a bit I was with Paddy. Or more precisely, on an SU (Scripture Union) camp. Was... interesting. Not going to talk too much about it though.

Other events? Went climbing with the Freers last weekend. Was all misty and cold. And my climbing was not particularly up to scratch. Need to get onto rock proper before Rory Lowther. (Is a climbing comp first weekend in February.)

Other than that, been reading a lot, almost finished DNAngel as well. Going to start on Ergo Proxy next, sounds really awesome. Holidays and free time for the w00t!

Actually saw my cousin yesterday. Dunno how long it's been but anyway. He's the sound engineer for a band/group named Ghapi. Was nice to see him for a bit.

Um... Not much else really. Kay is nagging for me to get up to Lake Kariba for New Year but we don't got imali. So that's a no go. Which is a real pity. But I can't go and that's the end of it. I'd rather not think about the fact that I'm only going to see her in February, but that's the way the wafer crumbles.

Chiqua is coming home today, was gallivanting up in Jozi for a while with Craig. Not quite sure what's happening there, but I daresay I'll find out. All else fails, tickling won't.

We are going to have a braai today. Red meat.... Um yeah... Res meat is not the greatest. To put it mildly.

Markles is in the Netherlands but is back on the 1st of January. He has got some stuffses for me so I need to see him soon after he gets back.

Anyway, I have to get back to some serious loafing and see how and when and if I can visit Evol, Tally and Zo. Will keep posting at infrequent intervals.

Post 40 and quota death....

My exams have gone well so far. I don't think I've made any monumental stuff-ups at any rate. We shall see.

Last one is later today (Maths 1E1 which I'm feeling fairly ready for) then I need to pack and get ready to leave. Least I get an afternoon with Kay. *does uber-happy dance*

As it is now, not much to say, except that this year has been totally fantastic, I've met so many cool people (some as warped as myself :D ) and just generally had a blast.

On the downside, I didn't do as well as I had hoped, but anyway, it's in the past, all I can do is try harder I guess.

On a side note, I've been going to Goju-Ryu sessions recently, just to do something. And I must say it's a great deal of fun. Even (attempted to) follow a few kata in today's session. I'm definitely doing it next year, as well as continuing to climb.

Anyway, not much else to say, I've been cooped up in my room attempting to study for a while. Hope it pays off.

Now to burn my quota and head home!

*vanishes in cloud of pixel dust*

List of Top 50 Cool Bookses

Stolen from Warpeddragon.

This is a list of the 50 most significant science fiction/fantasy novels, 1953-2002, according to the Science Fiction Book Club. Bold the ones you've read, strike-out the ones you hated, put a hash after those you started but never finished and put an asterisk beside the ones you loved.

1. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Foundation Trilogy, Isaac Asimov # (I wants it....)
3. Dune, Frank Herbert *
4. Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein
5. A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin
6. Neuromancer, William Gibson
7. Childhood's End, Arthur C. Clarke *
8. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick **
9. The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley
10. Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury #
11. The Book of the New Sun, Gene Wolfe
12. A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M. Miller, Jr.
13. The Caves of Steel, Isaac Asimov (I think I have it somewhere....)
14. Children of the Atom, Wilmar Shiras
15. Cities in Flight, James Blish
16. The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett *
17. Dangerous Visions, edited by Harlan Ellison
18. Deathbird Stories, Harlan Ellison
19. The Demolished Man, Alfred Bester
20. Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany
21. Dragonflight, Anne McCaffrey
22. Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card
23. The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Stephen R. Donaldson
24. The Forever War, Joe Haldeman
25. Gateway, Frederik Pohl
26. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling
27. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams **
28. I Am Legend, Richard Matheson
29. Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice
30. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin
31. Little, Big, John Crowley
32. Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
33. The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick (also on my list)
34. Mission of Gravity, Hal Clement
35. More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon
36. The Rediscovery of Man, Cordwainer Smith
37. On the Beach, Nevil Shute
38. Rendezvous with Rama, Arthur C. Clarke (Didn't like the sequels)
39. Ringworld, Larry Niven (Attempting to track down the sequels)
40. Rogue Moon, Algis Budrys
41. The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien
42. Slaughterhouse-5, Kurt Vonnegut # (Busy with it ;))
43. Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson
44. Stand on Zanzibar, John Brunner
45. The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester
46. Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein * (Better than the movie, without effort)
47. Stormbringer, Michael Moorcock
48. The Sword of Shannara, Terry Brooks #
49. Timescape, Gregory Benford
50. To Your Scattered Bodies Go, Philip Jose Farmer

Lazee dazes....

OK. So I had 17 days.

I've treated myself to a week off.

That's right Splat-fans: a week off. I have done the following work this last week:

Zip.
Zero.
Niks.
Nada.
Nothing.

Needless to say, it's been most pleasant.

Last week was OK. 4 exams, but still. I think Chem went OK. Physics prac was good. Geology I don't think I wrote enough, but then again, their mark allocation was a bit funny... We will see. Some more time to study would of been nice too. Physics theory, despite not really having enough time to study for, was OK. I think I did reasonably well.

I haven't really done much of anything this week. Read a fair amount, played computer games. Would have lived at the wall if it was accessible. Talking of climbing: I might be getting new shoes. At least, I'm going to see, Mike has organised/heard about some Mad Rock Locos going for R200, which is pretty darn cheap. So I might get a pair and stash them away for future use.

Plans for the next couple weeks: Start studying again tomorrow. Pack. Get photos for a passport done. Write the exams (Comp Sci and Maths). Head back to KZN. But probably not home for a while.

Anyway, like I said, not much has been going on. Been taking it very easy of late.

I've seen quite a lot of Kay too, which is a bonus. *does happy dance*

Time to go do some more serious procrastination now. ;)

*Aston vanishes into ceiling*

2/7. 3 tomorrow.

Yes, it is an arb title. Allow me to elaborate:

Two of my seven exams are past history. One of them (Chemistry) with any luck, forever. *permits self random happy dance on ceiling*
I think I passed, at least: I put an answer down for everything except biological building blocks, which bored me to tears and was apparently a difficult section anyway. Not that I was able to do anything in it, so I certainly thought so.

The other was the Geology practical (a week ago), which I have succeeded in not totally screwing up almost half of it, so we'll see how I do. My class mark was 70% which is good, especially since I didn't work that hard at it. *permits self second happy dance on ceiling*

Ahem.
What else...?

I have a grand total of FOUR exams this week. Che 102 theory today, Phy 102 Prac tomorrow, Glg 102 Theory on Friday and Phy 102 Theory (ouch) on Saturday.
I then have a seventeen day gap. I mean, that's longer than the September holiday was. *rolls eyes* Malicious bloody timetable computer.

Wonder if I can get to East London or something for a few days. Would love to go to Sunrise on Sea. Pity granny moved to eShowe in a way. *sighs* Oh wells.

Right! Work time.

*Aston vanishes to do some werkses*

Update time....

Happy Hallowe'en!
w00t! Over studying. Need to update this thing....

Apologies for the long break. Had other stuff. So this will be a reasonably long post. Pull up a bollard and have noodle.

First up: Birthdays: Brad's and Evol's.

Brad's was last week Saturday (blimey it's been a long time...). So Brad is turning 19. He calls us up and invites us for PIZZA! On him! w00t of note....
After that we decide that we are going for a walk. It's about 21:00 already (I think), but we go to the bot gardens. Strolled along the paths, Evol and I apparently on a sugar high (lies I tell you! Lies!) then decided to go up to the Monument. Sat around there for a while.
Then Brad mentioned this rock. The "BA Rock". So we went looking. Turns out it's right next to the highway away from Grahamstown. Climbed on top and just lay there, looking at the stars for a while (which were pretty good away from town [less light pollution]).
By then it was close to 02:00 so we traipsed back. Leslie was very sweet and walked Tally all the way up the hill, even though there were three of us to escort her. Poor guy. And he lives about as far down the hill as possible.

Next up: Evol's birthday. Was on the very last day of lectures that Evol was turning 19. So we went out to Spur for supper. Crumbed mushrooms.... Nyum-nyum.
After that, and solving some of the world's problems, we moved over to the Old Gaol. Which is an old gaol, now reformed to become a B+B. Kay met us there. :D Yay!
Heehee. Brad was pulling his moves on this girl, who seemed rather nice. Turns out she's a masters Fine Arts student. About as far from 1st year BSc with maths and physics as you can get.... Oh wells. They seem to get on OK and he's been to a party with her so we'll see....
Then on Saturday I skipped bouldering at Alicedale, rather reluctantly (I was looking forward to it) to go to Evol's surprise party, all machinated by the Zo herself, involving an awesome chocolate cake, tons of food, and a kidnapping to get him there.
See, she got Mark, Brad and me to come down early. Then she phones Evol (who is doing maths) and invites him for ice-cream. On her. As he gets near to Allen Gray, we jump out at him (not from behind, none of us want broken limbs) and tie a scarf around his eyes. We then lead him all over the place, including through the GLT, picking him up every now and again in an attempt to confuse him.
When we got to the bot gardens, everybody got in front of him and I untied the scarf. As it fell from his eyes, everybody yelled "SURPRISE!".
As they say in the papers, "a good time was had by all".

That night we had one hell of a thunderstorm. Stu's room got soaked, luckily the hail (!) missed his laptop. I got rained on sitting about 1.5m away from the open window. One thunder crack was so loud it set off a car alarm. It was pretty cool actually. Which caused another problem I'll mention further down. (Also water related....)

What else of note... Kay and I have been going steady for 3 months on the 25. Right before Zoe and Graham's 5 month mark (26) and Tally and Leslie's 1 month mark (I think 27...). Which is all rather freaky.... Actually can't believe it's been three months. Oh wells, they were good.

On Friday I had this drinks thing at the Geology Department. Trying to convince everyone to continue with Geology 2. I'd already made up my mind. I'm doing it. Met James (honours geology student and one of the demonstrators) at the Old Gaol later and he was telling me how he has three companies after him already with jobs. I'll take it to second year at least. Will see what happens after then. It's a possible major, along with comp sci.

I've been studying this week. Had my geology prac exam today. We'll see, but I think I did OK. Next up: chem. Blegh. So over it. All I need (and want) is a pass to be frank. Got this nasty clump: 7, 8, 10 and 11 November. Not gonna be pretty.

I'm feeling reasonably confident about geology, less so about physics (but I'll get there) and totally bummed about chem. Really should have paid more attention in lectures. 20/20 hindsight I guess.

Oh wells.

Heehee. Just had Remy and Sarah come knocking for trick or treat. Had to turn them away empty-handed. I gots no treat. :( Wonder if I can dress up as myself and get some chocolate from someone.... Probably not.

Oh yes, I might be getting up to Jo'berg in December. 10 to the 17. Hope so, Tally said she might be able to organise for me to stay with her or something at Sun City. Failing that, Evol said he has some floor space I can borrow. If that also fails, I think we'll stay in Pretoria or something. I want to get to a Hinis restuarant at least once though....

On a less entertaining sidenote: we have no water. To whit:
"The University and parts of town have no water. On investigation it has been told to me that the power lines feeding the Waainek pump station are down. Municipal electricians are trying to establish the fault and effect repairs as soon as possible. We are placing water tankers around the campus to assist with toilet flushing. I have asked the Municipality to assist in this regard, however the schools also need assistance. I apologise for this inconvenience and will keep you informed of progress."

No sign of anything yet.... Gonna be ugly in a couple days if they don't get something going. [crosses fingers]

Anyway, long post, but a great deal seems to have happened.
*Aston returns to bookses*

Filk, Milkshakes and Tests

Hehe. First of all, I've been burning my quota on Filk. It's a strange genre where almost anything goes, but often has a space or fantasy theme. Of course that's a very general definition. I'll happily talk more to them as wants to know. [smile]

Meantime, try Random Factors to see some of what's available at pretty reasonable prices. (hint at mother: I'm looking into prices to ship to SA, already sent two e-mails....)
That's not everything by any means though, there is far more if you are willing to look around. Of course it's easier in the US where you can get to SF Cons....

I did pass that maths test. :) Got a decent 67% for it too. Got three tests this week though. Meh. Physics on Friday, Comp Sci and Geology on Wednesday and then a Geology prac test next week Tuesday, and Chem multiple guess next week Friday. So over tests. The exams are almost here. Why do we have to write them??

Went and had milkshakes with Kay at the Red Cafe' today. Was really cool. Also saw Lucky Number Sleven over the weekend. Stupid name, but really awesome movie.

Went to Thornies again, this time with Dale and Aiden. Had an interesting moment while traversing: looked down and saw a bolt about half a meter below my feet. Wasn't very high though. As an aside, the place was flooded. The normal puddle is totally covered over.... Can still climb though.

Otherwise, life continues as per normal.

[Aston vanishes behind cloud of ink]

Baen's Universe and other stories.

Woohoo! Just finished my maths test, went ok I think. Even if Graham didn't share his potion of intelligence with me. (Meanie!) Will have to see though.

The main reason I'm posting this is to promote Jim Baen's Universe, an online SF/Fan magazine that comes out every two months. I've attempted to ram a few stories down various friend's throats, but I thought I might as well do this too, and help the cause.

THE LINK TO CLICK!!!

If you are at Rhodes, it is possible to use their subscription to read it (contact me and I'll tell you how), if not, you'll have to wait till they introduce lower subscription rates for foreign countries, unless you can get PayPal to work.

They publish a wide variety of stuff: SF and Fantasy by established authors, a few serial stories (The Fish Stories are absolutely brilliant), a few factual articles (usually pertaining to space or science) and a column on DRM (Digital Rights Management) [for the record, they are against it].

All in all it's well worth checking out. They also pay the authors and artists well above the normal going rate so it's worth supporting them for that.

Anyway, I need to get back to my Comp Sci.

Have lovely [insert time till next post here] lifeforms, anthropomorphic manifestations or AIs.

[Aston vanishes in cloud of pixels]

The Splash Diaries

The events I am about to relate all took place in a small university town named Grahamstown in the ten days between my last letter and this one.

I seem to be posting less. I guess it's because nothing is really happening. Meh.

Monday afternoon was good: Graham, Zoe, Kay and myself went on a sort of double date. I say sort of because it was just an excuse to have some fun. Most of it at Zo's expense funnily enough....
Graham and I were almost forcibly thrown out of the Red Cafe' by Zoe. Kay wasn't impressed either. Philistines. Don't appreciate wordplay.

Incidentally, Red Cafe' make some really nice dessert shakes: Bar One, Oreo or Peppermint Crisp. *shudders in delight*

In other news, I've made it onto the RUMC commitee for next year! Very chuffed, Dale is also on the comm and also chuffed by it. I also got the award for dedication to climbing. Yay! I was the only person to have attended 100% of the internal league fixtures so am rather stoked. Speaking of climbing, I have Montagu pics....

---

o Dale sitting on the ledge we had lunch on while climbingAnother Day in Paradise. That was one awesome day: 7 pitches (individual climbs after the other) and 165m high. Was just so.... woohoo!

---

---

o One of the few pictures I have of me climbing. This was on one of our "warm-ups" to Another Day in Paradise, and was at Sloth Crag. (The name of the route eludes me) Photo credit to Dale Morris.

---

I had a geology field trip last weekend. It was fun, but I'd rather have stayed in Grahamstown. Caught up on sleep or something. Plus I wouldn't have the write-up to do. Workload is pretty hectic: three write-ups (two Geo, one Physics) due on Thursday and Friday respectively, Physics test on Friday, tut due tomorrow, Maths test next week Tuesday, normal CS prac due next Wednesday and of course the usual heap of pracs every afternoon. Work. Blegh. Gets in the way of having fun.
Meanwhile, lectures continue apace. Chem is still really boring, CS is interesting, Maths goes well, Geology is pretty cool (this stratigraphy stuff is fun) and Physics, well that hasn't gone so well recently. Managed to get 42% despite getting all eight multiple guess questions (worth 48%) wrong, so I'm pleased at that at least.

Somewhere in there I need to put together an entry for the programming competetion. Gonna try and make a binary display clock. Just need to figure out how.... Got some ideas though.

I really can't wait to have only three subjects next year. Going to be so lovely. Will still be a boatload of work, but I'll have more time to procrastinate doing it. So maybe more regular blog updates....

Completely unrelated, I'm going to try move into Piet Retief next year, since all the CB gang seem to want to move. Place won't really be the same without them so I'd rather move somewhere where I know some of the people a bit better than I do those in here.

What else is going on in Splatland? Not really much. I'm still breathing, still making puns, still having the weekly arb sessions on Thursday before maths (the whole bunch of us have a common free which is cool). Means I get another chelsea bun from the blockhouse.

Maybe I should change this blog's name to "The Splash Diaries". What do you think loyal readers? I say this because it's been raining for the last two days. The only reason I'd like to move off the hill is so that I don't have to walk in the rain as much.

I've recently discovered a band called Tunng. Really, really weird, but very cool music. Sort of folk music with electric synths in it. Try get hold of some.

Hope you like the new look by the way.

Aston out.

Ack!

Argh! Argh! I say again: Argh!

I have four tests in a week already. This time next week I will have written four tests. Painful, especially on top of tuts and pracs. Can't wait to be able to drop a couple subjects. Been thinking, I might take geology to second year, along with comp sci 2 next year while I finish MAT 1E2.
Cockamany way to set up a degree but anyway....

Holiday was good at least. Led a 21 (onsight flash *does happy dance* [means I did it without falling, but with some advice]). Dale and I also did a 165m high route. Seven pitches. That was a totally awesome day. Have a pic or two from then that I need to get from Mike and post here.
Was just a brilliant vac. Going to take a break from serious climbing for a while though, I have a suspicion that I'm going to bugger up my wrist soon.

What else is going on...?

Not much really. It's back to the daily grind of lectures and pracs. Might get to the beach on Sunday, which will be nice.

Kay seems to be feeling better. She went home in the holiday, which seems to have done some good.

Anyways, I'm sure many of you will agree, I need my beauty sleep and plenty of it *meaningful glance at Chiqua*, so I'm going to hit my lovely clean sheets now.

Aston out.

Holiday and Post 30!

Woohoo!!! Flee at rast! No more work for a week.

I'm going to Montagu! *skips around room for a minute*

*calms down* Ahem. Not too much has happened. Or rather stuff has happened but I've been too sleep deprived to write it down.

Let's see....

Mark almost fainted at the Old Gaol. Think it was the Amarula reacting with a Degoran he had taken that morning. Still not really certain though....

I passed a maths test! Woohoo!!! That's actually great news it means I can maybe get into 1E2.... hehe.

I think I placed reasonably well in the internal league. Not sure but I think I finished in the top 10 so I'm pleased.

Geology is still cool, chem is still boring the pants off me, comp sci has become a lot more comprehensible now that we have a new lecturer, physics is still the shiznizz.

Res is so empty right now. Feels really weird.... Tristan's left, Stuart has moved into digs for the vac, Geoff left this afternoon, Zoe this morning, Graham this evening, Mark, Joe and Marceleno all leave early tomorrow. Kay is still here and will be for the whole vac. Feel sorry for her. Can't find enough space in my luggage unfortunately. And to cap that off, she's sick. Hope she gets better really soon.

As for myself loyal readers, I leave tomorrow morning at 05h00. Far too early for a student, especially me. Actually, what the blazes am I still doing up? It's too late for me to think coherently enough to answer that question.

Term Summary:
Was a pretty good term: I found a girl crazy enough to like me (a future Fort England case I believe), my climbing has improved, my marks are still decent and I actually managed to find the time to finish a novel somewhere along the line....

So all in all, despite not actually knowing where all my time has gone, this term was great.

I am so keen for this holiday: a week's worth of climbing. I think I'll need another holiday after that.... Must see what I can organise....

*Aston vanishes in cloud of sparkly lights and chalk dust*

One of *those* days....

Ever had one of those days where nothing seems to go right? And ever written a test on one of those days?

At least today wasn't one of those.... *evil chuckle*

Wrote three tests today. That's right, count 'em. In order:

1. Geology (DAWNIE) was OK. Went a bit blank on the structural side of it but I should still pass.
2. Computer Science was also OK. Despite not really being sure what's going on with Java, I still seem to have gotte similar answers to the others, so I think I passed that one too.
3. MATHS *cue wailing and gnashing of teeth* Hopefully passed. Answered a lot more than in the past at east. Need to work on optimisation though, I bombed on that section a bit.

So, of three tests, I'm happy about two and think I did better than I have done in the past in the third. So it's all good.

Montagu saga: seems that we have lost all our official transport, since they need the busses on the days we need them for all the people to get to the airport and back. So we need to make a plan there. Means we might go on the train, or get a bus, or use private cars.

Dale and I practised multipitches on the climbing wall the other day. We did three pitches on a 10m high wall. Rather sad really.... Even more sad, thereare no holds on the wall for this reason:

There's a big comp on Saturday. Might take part, but with some of the best climbers in SA expected to show up, I doubt I'll place. Will have to see since Dave has said "there's a charge of R20 for entering the comp - this is to ensure that we don't get random poor people climbing :) Actually I think most of it goes to charity - basically we rob the poor to give to the poor-er :) Anyway, to cut a long story short the registration is gonna happen from 9 to 10 at the wall on Saturday... Oh ya, there's a R500009803.27 entry fee if your name is Martin."

Wonderful no? Puts me out of the running a bit. But I think I'm definitely getting better with my climbing, I managed a 100 point haul yesterday, my first. The routes were a bit easier though I think.

What else is there...? Lectures continue apace. Two more tests to go. Then vac. Woohoo!! Climbing!

Gonna miss Kay though. And all the other people. Gonna be so stuffed when I get back, I'll need a real holiday.

Ah well, physics tut calls....

Aston, out.