Much Ado About Random Things

Aimless Wanderer

2008-05-16T22:25:00.003+10:00

Will someone hurry up and produce a fully functioning time machine so that I can go back and/or forward in time whenever I please! Yes, I am being selfish here and rather impatient, but I seem to always be stuck in one of those mid-life-crisis-type ruts that only indecisive young adults find themselves in on a daily basis. Or maybe it's just me...

Well if no-one's going to build a time machine any time soon, can someone just give me direction?! Or a sign?! Or is the sign "destined to wander aimlessly until you land in a pit of indifference"? More than likely...

Well... if that's the case, there's at least one good thing to come out of this... I'm quite good at reading the signs... Maybe a job at the RTA then??

Baby!

2007-08-16T23:29:00.000+10:00

Sadly, this cute little munchkin is not me! It's the newest addition to the Cappano-Mapagu Family! Isn't she just adorable!? The picture alone makes you want to squeez the chubby cheeks!

Welcome to the family, beautiful girl!

The One Who...

2007-04-23T01:10:00.000+10:00

When you think of the perfect guy, the first thought that might spring to mind is some fictional romance character that just serves to give women false hopes that there's such a guy out there. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm sure there's the rare Noah Calhoun out there, but let's be real people! I'm not going to kid myself into thinking that there is such a guy out there. But even if there was, I'd much prefer...

The one who can make but laugh with all the goofy things he says...
The one who can make things better just by being around...
The one who will do seemingly small things that mean a lot to you...
The one who says the occasional stupid thing but says the right things all the time...
The one who might have made you frustrated but can take all your other frustrations away...
The one who you can talk to under the stars about anything but can stay silent under that same sky without feeling awkward...
The one who is scared of heat-hating aliens but not of freaky clowns (or spiders...)...
The one who will bag out the good-looking male celebrity but can admit where the appeal is...
The one who you can disagree with and still laugh about it *ahem*supermanrocks*ahem*...

The one who gives the best hugs...

The one who can make you feel just as loved with a kiss on the forehead as well as on the lips...

The one who makes a darn good pillow...
The one who makes you feel beautiful when you're at your worse...
The one who will fend for your honor against prejudiced, long-haired hobos...
The one who inspires all the cheesey lines in the world...
The one who will sleep most of the day away but will wake up if it means being there for you...

The one who may not be perfect... but is all of the above... and that's what I love about him.

Let's Appreciate More

2007-03-11T01:46:00.000+11:00

Ok... so this entry may have more than 1% thought and so this may be borderline false advertisement of the blog but what the hell do I care being up at 1:48 in the early morning. Turns out not very much...

As my mum loudly shows how proud she is for guiding the way to the party, I finally understood why people talk themselves up or at least feel the need to talk themselves up. It's because they feel under appreciated. No one appreciates the things they work so hard for; the little things we take for granted. And so it was with this great epiphany that I propose to make people feel a little more appreciated like they deserve.

I should let you know though, if you talk yourself up and you are doing it simply because you're an arrogant, obnoxious and narcissistic douche bag then you are excluded from the appreciation clause.

A Room With Reviews: Work Experience at FILMINK

2006-11-18T18:52:00.000+11:00

Well it's more or less a room with reviewers (two to be exact) rather than reviews. It's the magazine that has reviews... and the room was filled with magazines... And so it is by clever association and appalling "pun"-manship *snort* (... yes I do realize how lame that was...), I've titled this edition's blog.

It was a pretty sweet experience, getting to go to screenings and seeing how everything operates in the film mag business. I've never used shift+f7 so much in my life, writing reviews for the movies I had watched during the week. I think I've receieved a major 'adjective' overload at some point. Combine that with sleep deprivation and you pretty much have a toxic combo that can be made extremey lethal with the potent additive, B.O. (Bad Odour. Commonly found on packed Cityrail trains).

Now, I'm not one for cheap promotions *cough*http://www.filmink.com.au/home/*cough*, nor am I one to show complete bias *cough*Decemberissueoutnow*cough*, so I won't say anything about how good it was *cough*FILMINKrocks*cough*. But seriously, I've found some various screenwriting ideas just by doing work experience there, so I might get onto that little project for the remainder of the 3 month holiday until Uni suffocates me with their insipid essay questions and incessant lectures on the evils of plagiarism.

A big thanks to Dov, Brian, Erin, Richard, Dina and the FILMINK crew for welcoming me there and showing me a world that actually functions before 12PM! I've learnt a lot and have expanded on my, "It's alright..." reviews I'm so notorious for. (I've now added, ".. it could've been better..." WOOT!)

Golden tip: Never underestimate the value of hard work or the witty repertoire of magazine editors. It might just lead you to where you need to be!

Just a Little Message...

2006-10-16T21:38:00.000+10:00

Ok, so here's the rundown... thinking that your 'small' actions won't have that much of an affect is probably one of the most naive thoughts that will cross your mind because the way I see it, small things can start a chain of events that affect different people.

So when you choose to give someone the silent treatment beause you feel like being a prat, don't think it'll only affect just you and the person you're not talking to. Here's a tip: If you're not going to talk about it rationally, then stop being a jerk and get over it! I don't see what you achieve by acting all sulky, except maybe showing people a fine example of what it is to be an ass. But if looking like an ass was your intention all along then *clap**clap* BRAVO! Mission accomplished, so just stop already!

Your impersonation of a mute ass is amazing... but so is alien probing... It doesn't mean it's something we'd like to see daily.

Highlight of the month

2006-06-27T23:42:00.000+10:00

As sad as this may sound, the highlight of the month would have to go to tonight's little mishap of almost falling off my bed and taking an unusual amount of time trying to get back on without hitting my head or completely falling off. But what did I expect when stupidly sliding backwards on the edge of the bed in complete darkness? Clearly not that!

All I can say is thank GOD for the protruding bed frame that saved me from making one of the most ungraceful falls of my klutzy career. Though it's about time those bed frames did something other than give me multiple bruises!

So the lesson in all of this is never try to slide backwards on your bed in the dark, or if you're prone to doing it anyway then may I suggest purchasing a bed with bedframes that stick out!

Until next time...

I HATE YOU.

2006-06-17T16:36:00.000+10:00

Dreams have a funny, sneaky way of coming in and disrupting your normal thought processes. Just when you think everything is fine and you feel fine, something like this comes along and makes you wonder if everything really is fine.

Things like this can't happen! I'm OVER it. OVER! As in, should-not-be-having-couple-dreams sort of over! Stupid subconscious. I hate you subconscious. Making me dream destructive, self-undoing things like this.

I'm not going back there. I'd convinced myself entirely I was not there anymore. And it was working, it really was. It wasn't even convincing, it was just how I felt. Do feel, I mean. Disregarding the subliminal joy I felt during the dream, it's pretty much imperative I don't let myself feel that way in real life. Because like I said, letting myself feel that kind of joy only he can elicit from me is the key to my undoing. I almost fell apart once, because of him. Almost. Imagine if I did completely crumple. And the beauty of it is, he has no idea he did that to me.

That's the funny thing about this sort of thing isn't it. The absolute power someone has over you without even knowing they have it. And you, not even realising this power they hold over you until you step back and look at yourself from afar. It's not like you explicitly gave consent to them. They coaxed it out of you, and you silently gave it to them, without a fight. Because deep inside, it's what you wanted. You wanted to be owned by someone. To be theirs. But at the same time, you wanted them to be yours. Only when that part of the bargain didn't come through, it was too late. You signed the contract, and you couldn't get yourself out. Funnily enough, you didn't feel ripped off, even though you should've. It's funny isn't it.

But you know, it's a lucky thing I'm not there anymore.

A Little Bit of Advice...

2006-03-08T22:11:00.000+11:00

... Whatever you do never say, "things can't get any worse than they are now", or any variation of this statement because chances are there is some supernatural force that is hellbent on proving you wrong!

What is it with Last-ditch-effort-for-positivity phrases that seem to attract the crappiest luck? It's like some huge cosmic joke to take the last bit of dignity you have left! "Hmm... So far we've made her sleep deprived, missed the bus, walk 30 minutes in the rain, have her teacher single her out and make her look stupid, trip over and fall on her face, and then get yelled at by some random elderly person. That should be enough... Oh wait... no she still has some dignity... Let's have her sprain her ankle running for the train!!"

Ok so maybe I exaggerate on the series of circumstances but there's almost a guarantee that if your day isn't going that great and you don't acknowledge that you're having the WORST day (even though you may not be), something will make sure you feel that it's one of the worst! And they will not stop until you've surrendered your dignity and just admit that THEY have won.

So in the great words of the Nike marketing team: JUST DO IT!! Before your day gets worst... Because things can really get worst than they already are.

The "Turn-Off" Edition

2006-01-08T18:50:00.000+11:00

This is a special edition blog that I dedicate to all you single females out there who can't for the life of you figure out why you can't find that special someone and have come to the conclusion that maybe there's something seriously unattractive about you. This blog is especially dedicated to a certain flippin' awesome friend of mine, who is cruising the single wave with me, knowing what it's like to be crushed but also knows how to get back on that board to wait for that perfect wave. In the mean time, we just peruse the hot guys on the shore. You know who you are!!! ;)

Now I don't think we females ask for much from a guy... or maybe we do... but there are things we DEFINITELY do not ask for! And so here, i compiled a list of turn-offs that most (sane) girls can vigorously nod their approval and where guys can self-consciously look at the list and examine whether they embody any of the following:

Bad Breath (or bad personal hygiene in general): I understand that bad breath/hygiene can be attributed to both males and females, so women take note also. There is nothing quite as unattractive as your date turning blue on account of holding their breath, praying to God that if He existed He would create a cyclone of fresh air to blow past giving the much needed life support. Or at the very least literally knock the bad breath out of you. You'd be lucky if she could even face you for more than a minute, if she's not searching elsewhere for fresh air. Take a note from the movies: if brushing takes too long, take a mint (or more)! That way you get to eat and your breath is left minty fresh! =)
Smoking: Ok suuuuuuuure. You go to a hip and happening place and there you see a sexy James Dean type with his appropriately loose but fitting jeans and he's looking all brooding and sexy with his cigarette. But picture this... You walk up and he smiles only to be met with nice yellowing teeth, and his smoky breath. Well that's certainly attractive! =P. Ok so not unattractive enough for you. Well how about this little scene... same James Dean-like character, 25 years later, coughing up his lungs and with a bit of a belly developing. Sexy huh?!
Self-pity and/or Self-deprecation: The whole "O woe is me!" thing does not show how sensitive you are. It shows how PATHETIC and WHINY you are. Unless you have a valid excuse for being self-pitiful, do not come to us saying, "Oh I don't think so and so likes me... I'm so uuuuuuuuuuuuuuugly.... Blaaaaaaaah" because while we've got enough decency to comfort you, rest assured we are trying to suppress the eye roll bursting to get out. You don't like when we do it, so what makes you think we like it when you do?
Huge Ego: We like when you ask questions about us every so often, but when you ask us on the off chance that we'll reciprocate (which we will 85% of the time) so that you may tell us all the things that make you so wonderful in your subtle (or not so subtle) way, we're just going to think your a narcissistic buttplug. Sure, it's funny when you guys joke about being the greatest but when you're serious (and rest assured, we will know when you believe in what you say even if you meant it as a joke) then watch us cringe our noses and raise our eyebrows. I realize this may lie in contradiction to number 3 but if you repeat the self-deprecating lines we'll just assume that you're saying it so that you can hear us say the opposite, consequently confirming what you secretly believed of yourself and boosting your ego at the same time. WIN-WIN situation.... FOR YOU!!! One of these days, we're just not going to say anything and then where will the ego be? No doubt there'd be lots of nights spent in front of the mirror... Don't get me wrong. Egotistical people are very amusing... But not when you're dating one!
Bitching about their friend(s): The only circumstances when this is acceptable is if the girl happens to be bitching about her friend at the time and even then the only acceptable contribution is a "Yep" and a nod every few insults from you. Unless you want to get a severe glaring from both your girl (AND her friend... news travels fast among females), I suggest you keep the negative thoughts about the friends to yourself if you want to avoid a one-way ticket to "Grovels-ville" - Population: YOU. Unless of course you intended to travel to "Break-up county".

So there you have it! Just a few turn-offs that stick out as cringe-worthy and in need of attention. There are obviously more turn offs, but I gather they go without saying. I didn't JUST do it for the benefit of the females who happen to read this, but I also did it for the guys out there, so they may recognize their mistakes before they even make them! lol, only kidding... I'll give you all the benefit of the doubt.

If any females disagree with more than one of the listed (or just disagreeing with number 1 even), then a word of advice: SEE A PSYCHIATRIST or save yourself the trouble and check yourself in at the local mental institution! And I say that in the most concerned and caring way possible... =)

The resolutions that will probably never be...

2006-01-02T13:38:00.000+11:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Yep! It's that time of year where everyone gets drunk and has an excuse to kiss the fellow drunken stranger because they just happen to be standing next to you when the countdown had ended. Or does that only happen in movies?

Anyway, since this is officially the first blog of 2006, I'm making this the resolution blog where I will list my resolutions for this year, that I will probably break within the first month. Not by choice mind you... it's kinda a natural progression for anyone... like growing teeth. You try finding someone who actually sticks with their new years resolution(s)!!!

Resolutions for 2006 (in no particular order):

Be more helpful
Speak my mind more (though of course there is a limit to what I can say... Hold on... that sounds as if it defeats the purpose of the resolution.. Eh, I trust you get what I mean.)
Stop being so cynical (I need to enlist the help of the stupid people to not be so stupid this year for this to work)
Not be so lazy (this may tie in with resolution number 1)
Write more blog entries (this may tie in with resolution number 4)

Hmm... 5 resolutions... nice start... no doubt I'll come up with more as the year progresses. So who wants to wager when I'll break all of them..? Do I hear January 23rd???

I'll leave you to decided! Arrivederci!

The year is coming to a close...

2005-12-30T23:35:00.000+11:00

Well, well, well. It's been a while since i last wrote something on here, so to break the blogging drought I thought I'd write something before the year ends.

Can you believe it? A whole year just breezing past like one angry tornado! Though I don't suppose tornadoes really just "breeze", especially if they're angry... Anyway, that's not the point.

Now I can recap my year, but that would take up too much of my very precious time that I don't have a lot of! HAHAHAHA!! That's a good one!! Anyone who knows me, is well aware that I have TOO much time on my hands!! They would also know that I am possibly one of the laziest people ever to grace this side of Sydney, which consequently is the real reason I won't recap the year. Oh and of course I wouldn't want to bore all you blog readers out there, like I am so accustomed to doing! (NEW YEARS RESOLUTION: Stop boring people)

Well this month has been excruciatingly hot, especially when you're the only household in Sydney without a fricken Air con. My house has also been charmingly dubbed, "The Sauna". Maybe if i sneakily mention the new name our house has been given to my parents, they may feel guilty enough to get one... Or maybe they'll do what they always do, and ignore me until I walk defeated, to my room, in front of the fan, and pass out from the heat.

Can't wait for New Years... 44 degrees (Celcius)!! Looks like I'll be making an unwanted visit to my family's house, who have sweet, sweet cool air because of their clever purchase of an air conditioner.

Well, until next time... I'll be seeing you next year! Keep it real!!

Ancient Pick-Up Tactics

2005-10-18T00:47:00.000+10:00

I'm not sitting here because of my enthusiasm for race horses; but I will pray that the chariot driver you favour may win. I am here, in fact, so that I might sit beside you and talk to you. I didn't want the love which you stir in me to be concealed from you. So, you watch the races, and I'll watch you. Let's each watch the things we love most, and let's feast our eyes on them.

Hee. Isn't Ovid a sweet guy. Going to chariot races to pick up chicks. Must have been the hot spots of ancient Rome.

Trains...

2005-10-13T22:56:00.000+10:00

... completely annoy the crap out of me when it's running late and are packed to the point of knocking knee caps and desperately trying to avoid eye contact with the person sitting across from you.

Today, I sat at Fairfield station, 5 minutes before the train SHOULD HAVE arrived to take me to Ashfield. But Surprise, Surprise! The train was delayed and so starts my day of sitting next to a lady smelling strangely of Turkish Delight... and she was Asian, so I don't know where the fragrance could've come from.

15 minutes later...
... and my train is 10 minutes late. What?! Cityrail wasn't on time?!?! OMG! Alert the media because Cityrail NEVER DISAPPOINTS its commuters!! God Forbid Cityrail is late, destroying its perfect reputation for punctuality and reliability!

Another 5 minutes rolls on by and the train finally pulls into the station. The train is packed but I manage to find a vacant 3-seater in the corner facing 2 girls. After stepping on a few toes, I managed to get myself 'comfortable' (and I use the term extrememly loosely), before a nice enough couple takes a seat beside me, effectively cutting off the space I was relishing in after being in an elderly sandwich while waiting at the station.

The train ride...
... was spent waiting for my stop while the lady-half of the couple sitting next to me attempted to read over my shoulder of the text I was defacing.

Approaching Ashfield station...
... and I go to get up so I can get onto the platform, but being the ever graceful moron that I am, got up while the train was still in motion, thus, as I say, "excuse me", the train halts and I end up falling on male-half of couple. Needless to say, I was embarrassed muffling a very sincere, "sorry", before power walking red-faced off towards my destination.

Meh... would have liked to be Gwenyth Paltrow's character in Sliding Doors, but instead of missing the train, the train actually comes on time... Maybe then my future wouldn't have consisted of a flushed face and an odd craving for Turkish Delight...

Procrastination: Student's Satan

2005-09-02T22:33:00.000+10:00

There is a new villain striking at the hearts of students across the globe. The new epidemic known as PROCRASTINATION is when a person holds off from doing a task, distracted by powerful social forces. While this outbreak is prevalent in students, reports have shown that no one is immuned to it - not even those of high intelligibility.
Extremes of procrastination vary depending on an individual's willpower and motivation. Many cases have been reported, including one involving a University of Western Sydney student who, for confidentiality purposes will be known as X. With an assessment due the next day, X was seen online chatting to a friend rather than completing the task. X had said, "I should be doing readings for my assessment due soon, but meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh." This clearly shows the blatant seriousness of the condition.
Parents are worried that their child will fall victim or that their condition will worsen as the work get more tedious. They fear that their child's academic performance will suffer greatly as a consequence of this. A fear that is not entirely unfounded.
It is suspected that if the educational curriculums do not change to accommodate more enjoyable tasks, then procrastination will continue to spread its evil on future students.
We can only hope it will not go so far...

Birthday Dinner and a Kodak Moment

2005-07-04T10:50:00.000+10:00

Saturday. July 2nd 2005

It was a hella cold night in Sydney, and I was close to being cyrogenically frozen right outside my front gates, when a beeping sound signalled the beginning of the night. There in the dark street, stood my friend, Lina - the speshal gal for the evening - next to a white car. We exchanged greetings before I hopped into the back seat saying "Hi" to Lina's boyfriend, whom sat in the driver's seat ready to go and pick up Viv and Tina. A few trips and shifts later, me, Viv and Tina were settled in the back with as much space between us as magnet to fridge.

Speeding down many unfamiliar roads, with Samantha tailing us, to get to our destination, Lina performed the great ritual of gift opening. And my oh my did she get some hefty gifts! Especially gifts that could easily be used as blackmail should they get into the wrong hands *smirk*... Or could give you massive bruises should you even attempt to talk about it. Kinda makes you wonder what it is doesn't it? Well I could tell you... BUT I DON'T WANT TO!! But rest assured, the item itself cannot physically harm you... Just the person who gave it! But in all seriousness the gifts were given from the heart *Cue "Awwws"* and Lina appreciated each and everyone, though I'm guessing she didn't appreciate getting drawn on... even if it was for demonstrative purposes.

So we get to the place of destination - Big Johns. Though we had reservations we still had to wait for bloody tables so we stayed outside in the sub zero conditions in front of heaters so as to defrost ourselves so that we may have use of our body parts when eating. Imagine using forks if your hands are frozen in place. *Shudders*

30 minutes of circular lectures about redeemable products, we finally got seated and ordered an abundance of food, which was delicious, save for Tina and Viv's too cheesey lasagne. It's safe to say that they have both eaten enough cheese to last them their lifetime and the lives of a million rats.

Alas, the night had come to an end when Viv's sister arrived to pick us up like a trusty soccer mum! Before that though, Lina, Tina, Viv and I sat outside the steps of the Pharmacy next door, just talking and laughing, and as cheesey as it sounds, I couldn't stop the nostalgic feeling that crept over me. I smiled at the scene as I remembered similar times when younger versions of the 4 of us would be in the same state, and I was left wondering if, in 10 years time, will find ourselves in the same position - Just like a sappy teen movie about friendship! Well whatever the future holds, at least we have these Kodak moments snapped up in out memories...

And we have this blog to remind us...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINA!! (July 4th, 2005) This is for you! It's no acrosstic poem but the sentiment is there! Hope you had a great one!

Note: Hey guys, SUPERFLUOUS means more than necessary; excessive. Haha, see what happens when you rely on an unreliable source! But I was close enough. I was never any good at explaining things, consult my assessment grades if you don't believe me! So Tina, stop with the superfluous abuse!!

Rising From the Ashes

2005-06-29T13:19:00.000+10:00

She rose from the ashes of the Godforsaken town, suffocated by the limits of nothingness that surround her. Breaking free is all she wanted... Breaking free is what she needed... Breaking free is what she would do...

Her flight to a distant place full of contradictions: It's where she starts... It's where she'll end. A familiar atmosphere blurred by the unfamiliar strokes of a hand painting a new landscape. Dreams fade as reality takes form, sending her soaring higher towards a Heaven only few of us can realize...

To be fooled by her beauty is to underestimate her power. Her fiery searing a mark on all critics; An incredible strength to carry the burdens of those bigger precedes the shedding of a sympathetic tear to heal only those worthy...

Moments of tribulations will test her... And on the verge of insanity, incineration will overtake her. Reduced to ashes... She will rise once again to start over the cycle and to forever be immortal in a world of self-proclaimed Gods...

Suffer, love.

2005-06-29T04:05:00.000+10:00

There is something wonderfully agonising about feelings. Is it that they are so formlessly pure in essence? Or is it because there is something you almost cannot restrain about them? The mere act of opening your mouth to him, the possibility that at any stage, it might just give you away is so tantalisingly sweet, and yet before you do it, something begs at you to reconsider. And you close your mouth, at the same time closing your heart to whatever phantasmagoric sequence of images and events you were so intent on believing.

Suffer, love, indeed.

Who am I?

2005-06-17T23:50:00.000+10:00

Can someone truly answer that question with the honesty and the pinpoint accuracy necessary for that question to hold any truth? Any meaning?

It's one of those existential questions, taunting all and daring anyone brave enough to venture the deepest of inner depths just to answer a seemingly simple question.

Often, not many have the courage or the motivation to even search past their name. "Who are you?" they would ask and I would answer with my name. But is that who I am? Just some coherently strung letters attached to a tangible entity? Merely a surface open for all those to judge? Perhaps. But maybe I deserve it for my cowardice stemming from my fear of what is unknown. So as punishment, I be what they want me to be. I am what you want me to be.

So can anyone truly answer the question? Sure, but they'd give an unfair answer to such an unjust question. I mean what's the point? To quote from one of the great movies of Generation X: "You see us how you want to see us... in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions."

And so we do.

2005-04-17T01:31:00.000+10:00

Because everybody's after love.

Where's the squirrel and duck?

2005-03-10T02:02:00.000+11:00

Still waiting on pictures of the special relationship between the squirrel and duck...

Dreaming...

2005-01-24T21:12:00.000+11:00

Like most people i tend to dream - Both conciously and subconciously. I do realise that the difference between conciously dreaming and sub-conciously dreaming is the amount of control you have over what you see and how you interpret it. But everyone knows that that's easier said than done.

I've come to realise that no matter what type of dream it is, you arise from it with either a sense of clarity or confusion. For me, I'm often left in a state of confusion.

In some sick and twisted way, dreams reflect some form of fantastical reality that only your mind can conceive. But I dont get it... There are things I dream of that I don't want to conceive yet there it is in my subconcious waiting to be played when the lights go out, like a private theatre room. Is it my mind's way to punish me for exercising it on the random treadmill?! Hmmm Wouldn't be surprised.

Right now, my dreams have been so warped that it's becoming a constant horror movie marathon. What happened to the days of dreaming of Oz?... I'll ask Dorothy and I'll get back to you... Until next time...

Relapse

2005-01-09T02:34:00.000+11:00

You know... I really thought I could do it. I thought I could overcome this, but maybe I can't.
I don't know how to resolve it.
I don't have the courage.

Maybe it's time I gave up on you.
But I can't.

Graduation Day

2004-12-21T20:19:00.000+11:00

Now before you start bombarding me with "CONGRATULATIONS" and hand over the traditional graduation gifts, I should let you know that I did not graduate today. In fact, the graduate happened to be my good buddy, Tina (Maria Cristina... Yeah that's her real name... and if your next question falls along the lines of "why do people call her Tina instead of Maria or Cristina?", I will only give you this 4-word phrase.. "It's a Filo Thing") Landayan, whom I got to know during my tragic high school years and is one of the Top 5 people on my 'Hit List' after she decided to demonstrate some infernal wrestling move that involved hair pulling... with her FEET!!!!!!! Yes she stepped on my hair, whilst i was vulnerably lying on the pavement, without my knowledge since my first reaction to her asking, "I'm going to do a wrestling move on you" was to get my backside (lame pun intended. Haha) off the pavement before she could make her move. Little did I know she had already made it!! Hey will you look at that! I'm going off track. Sorry i just got caught in the 'reminiscing' moment that usually comes with graduating territory. So with all those irrelevant things said, except for parts relating to 'Graduation', all "CONGRATULATIONS" should be directed at Tina! *The crowd goes wild chanting "Tina! Tina! Tina!...* whilst all graduation presents should still be given to me. lol, Only kidding! But if of course you still feel the need to congratulate me and give me gifts for my dedication to the procrastinating processes then I welcome them with open arms!!

So for all those with the perceptive skills of Paris Hilton, I attended and mini-celebrated Tina's Graduation. As a special present to Tina and for all those who unfortunately could not witness this monumental event, I shall preserve this special occasion by recounting the events so that people can read about it for many generations to come... Or at least until my Blog gets deleted...

TINA’S GRADUATION DAY, 21st December 2004
So there I was... Sitting right up the back of the almost-packed auditorium, in the "nose-bleed section" as they affectionately call it. All by my lonesome since I couldn't find Tina's parents (the downside of being short in a room full of tall people... Can't see over people's heads!), I waited patiently, listening to the awesome mini-orchestra playing at the front left-hand side, until the ceremony begun. And it FINALLY did.

Instantly I was hit with one of the most craptacular speeches I've heard from a Dean/Principal of an institution EVER. And believe me I've attended enough assemblies and graduations to compare. Not only was her speech BORING but it was full of useless statistics (which I think was only some ruthless promotion so that the guests could send more money their way when their youngest child is old enough to attend) and basically congratulated almost every class year except for the actual class graduating today! So here's a statistic for her... 99% of speeches given by a dean or principal at ceremonies are boring... 1% of those speeches spark violent tendencies within an audience... And we all know which percentage she falls under! So finally I survived the speeches and managed to keep myself from grabbing a pen and stabbing it in my eye, because i guarantee that would've been less painful torture. (And yes EXAGGERATION is my specialty). They announced the graduates and there was clapping after EVERY SINGLE ONE!! What ever happened to the usual announcement of "Please hold your applause until the end"? Thanks to that, the ceremony extended for an unnecessary 10 minutes and i had to endure a moronic young teenager in front of me clapping obnoxiously! It took all my strength not to 'accidentally' hit her with my bag. (Hmmm... I'm painting quite a violent picture of myself, but I'm not usually this violent! REALLY! I'm quite pleasant!) Now don't get me wrong, there were good bits to the graduation even though no-one managed to fall flat on their face much to my and Tina's disappointment (Damn graceful graduates!). One of them was when Tina's name got called out and she received her Advanced Diploma! And the awesome orchestra! Anyway, an hour and a half and a million random thoughts later, the ceremony ended and i was out of the claustrophobic hell that was the auditorium.

Now what's great about graduation ceremonies is the FREE refreshments after it! They had delectable cakes and cookies, along with the quaint coffee and tea and the best part was that I actually got to eat some!! Unlike my brother's graduation where i didn't get to eat anything because by the time i got there people had stuffed them in their own grumbling stomachs, they actually had a vast amount of refreshments to feed other grumbling stomachs and MY OWN! Oh it almost makes enduring that irrelevant speech worthwhile! Oh the wonders of food.

So after shutting up my stomach for a limited amount of time, Tina and I said our "goodbyes" to her parentals and headed out into the city to grab some much deserved lunch! Already Tina was faced with an important decision to make immediately after graduating... Chinese, Italian or friend chicken for lunch? And as hard as it was, she tackled the decision head on by deciding on eating at "PIZZA HUT". But the important decisions didn't end there! OH NO! At Pizza Hut Tina had to decide what fruit she wanted to eat from the wide range of fruits available... it was either watermelon or.... WATERMELON!! You can imagine the predicament right? But once again, she proved she could handle the hard choices and made the correct one. Pizza Hut was fun. Sitting at a sticky table with our pizza-filled plate talking about anything, while receiving smiles from a lonely young boy seated 2 tables away from us and waiting for the pasta to be cooked. The only reason you eat in at Pizza Hut is for the pasta! You don't leave Pizza Hut without having pasta! Unless of course you're allergic to it then you would obviously avoid it with all your power!

...3 platefuls and 5kgs later we decided to walk off the added weight and headed for a book store right near Central station in hopes of finding something to occupy my time. Unfortunately all hopes were diminished, so now all i have to occupy my time is going online and updating blogs... Sad... but true.

With (my) hopes crushed, we called it a day and I gave Tina one last "Congratulations" before she stepped onto the millenium train to go home and let all the graduating feelings sink in! Or as she said, "I'm going home and then sleeping"...

This Blog is for you Tina! CONGRATULATIONS and GOOD LUCK FOR THE FUTURE!!

Bees

2004-12-16T20:59:00.000+11:00

I think bees should only sting stuff it's own size. How come something so small with such a small pointy thing hurt so bad! Most of you are probably thinking that this bee stung me. well you're WRONG! It bit my dog, and the poor thing was running around crazy! I thought it only bit his leg coz he was limping. But about half n hour later his whole face was swollen... poor thing. But he looked so funny... So yer it's slack that i laughed, but i know you all would have too. So Bees suck!

I also saw these pictures of the Squirrel and Duck. I think they are quite cute and very unique indeed. I think you should breed them ... and call the species... a squck LOL

A Squirrel and a Duck

2004-12-11T01:36:00.000+11:00

What's new with yourself? Been asked that question lately? There never seems to a decent response to that question until today! So when approached with the question with what was new with myself I actually had a decent response: I have pet Squirrel and a Duck. Believable? Have you ever seen a Squirrel and a Duck together? If not I guess I will have to show you one day, because it's one of the most rarest sights you will ever see.

There are many reasons why it is a rare sight. Many have led to believe that Squirells do not exist in Australia apart from in captivity (Actually I'm not to sure); but they do. Now the task of getting the two together was no easy feat and in time I will release photo's I have of them (I do not keep the pets at my house at this point in time they are in a hidden location where the rarity can not be disturbed).

The pictures I have are bizzare, I have one of the Squirrel sleeping on the Duck's back, one of the Duck apparently trying to eat the Squirrel and many other pieces of rare photography. I will stop bragging on about how I got a Squirrel and a Duck together (and if you see this elsewhere they copied me) and just remind you that next time someone asks you if you having anything new with yourself, there's always SOMETHING new.

P.S I will keep everyone updated on the release of these photo's.

The Grudge, and X-Box Games... Krispy Kreme Donuts, and 80s Fame!

2004-12-08T00:09:00.000+11:00

If you put them in a bowl, and mixed them all together you would get my BiRtHdaY (age is not an issue) spent with some of my closest friends from high school!

DECEMBER 6TH, 2004:
The day started off like any normal summers day in December. My alarm clock went off at 8:00am and I sub-conciously cursed it to no end, whilst struggling to open my eyes. Once I had achieved that great morning feat I was met with the sight of my sister bustling around the room anxiously getting ready for work. I groan, realising that if my sister is still at home instead of in her car silently (or maybe not so silently... road rage can get the better of us.. even the quiet passive ones) hating the rush-hour traffic, then I know it's way too early to get up. Either way, my sister's "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" singing got my lazy butt out of bed! That and the fact that I had to get ready to start the day hanging out with friends. So after mumbling my grumpy "thanks" to everyone of my family who greeted me a "Happy Birthday", I got ready to begin the days activities. Now I can go into a play-by-play of everything like I did previously of my morning, but it's late... i'm tired... and I just plain COULD NOT BE BOTHERED!

And so it begins...

I meet with Vivien Dinh, a good friend of mine that I've known since she offered me her apple in Kindergarten (even though she doesn't recall), at the train station to haul our asses to the cinemas where we met up with Lina Inmala (another good friend I've known since I was a wee child the height of my Grandpa's knees... Haven't grown much right guys? RIGHT! And yes that was a passing joke at my height.. or lack thereof), Sarah Bargashoun (awesome girl I met in high school), Nam Nguyen (CrAzY [and I mean that in a good way] guy whose first sentence to me was "Do you have a pen i could borrow?"... Who knew that would be the start of a great friendship full of intellectual, if not weird conversations), and Khang Nguyen (Cool guy whom graced us with his presence at the beginning of year 11. And we thought that we could scare him with some co-ed stories what with him coming from an all boys school... I can only say that we were WRONG!). So the gang met up, purchased tickets and watched a well-known Japanese turned Hollywood horror flick, "The Grudge", where I came out sporting a small grudge of my own towards Nam, who thought it would be witty to scare me during a... well... scary bit. The movie was confusing (REALLY NEED TO WARN US ON FLASHBACKS!! DO THE EDITING RULES NOT APPLY TO JAPANESE MOVIES!?!? No I don't suppose they do...) However, I did learn valuable mental notes I will take with me 'til my dying day. One - Don't own a black cat; Two - Stay away from little boys who a) sport a blue tinge to their complexion, b) can make creepy creaking sounds with their vocal chords; Three - Do not buy house with an in-built closet and/or an attic/basement. Better yet, do not buy house with in-built closet that leads to an attic/basement; Four - Never owning white bedsheets... EVER AGAIN!; Five - If ever I visit Japan, I'm booking a hotel!
And they say tv and movies teach you nothing!

Walking out of the cinema, we parted ways with Sarah and headed to the food court to stuff our faces with the usual fast food junk, where we ran into Peter Gulevski (Fellow High school alumni) whom scarily has a blonde mullet that clashes with his spikey, brown hair. After that, we said "bye" to Lina, as she went on her way to earn a hard-working living, and cruised to Viv's house for some gaming time with the X-Box! I've noticed that most girls are only good at the fighting games since all it requires us to do is press any button and something good will come out of it.

So there's half my day spent. I came home after leaving Viv's house, separating from my 3 friends. (For some reason I'm thinking of that monkey song where there on a bed and one by one they all roll off the bed, similar to that annoying beer bottle song! I think the song is reminiscent of the fact that one by one my friends left =P). At home, I sat around and waited for Kelly White (Awesome and creative chick who helped me through so much in High school with her spectacular memory of the funniest quotes! Not to mention an excellent DVD Buddy!) and Angela Kunicki (Another Kick Ass friend whom I've known since FoReVeR [starting from Kindergarten anyway] and is one of the coolest and funniest girls!) to arrive so that I can start part 2 of my Birthday. As I was waiting, listening to my... Discman (Not going to write cd title in fear that it will give grounds for people to torment me)... I was surprised to see floating balloons in the front door only to be hiding Kel and Ang behind it screaming "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"! lol By the way they are psychadelic balloons and I commend Kel for her great taste in balloons as she hand picked them!! After a few minutes in my room catching up, we headed down to Krispy Kremes where we added at least a kilo from those fatty (but delectable) donuts and caught up some more on our life's events. Unfortunately, it was hindered by a call from my cousin requesting for door keys so they can lock the doors and go out since there are no keys at home! Anyway that whole key thing is such a long story that I'm going to skip it altogether and fast forward to the part where we went to Ang's house to see her sister's twins (Both boys named Josh and Robert.. CONGRATULATIONS again Julie and Mark). They are the CUTEST things ever!! Kind of makes you want kids of your own but then you remember the responsibility, and the reality of age comes into play and you realise that you wish your older brother(s) and/or sister(s) would hurry up and give your parents grandchildren already so that way you get to see cute babies without the responsibility! So after cooing over the babies for a short while another incident happened with the keys and so I had to head back to my house. After that i said "See ya" to Ang and Kel brought me home. But instead of staying there I ended up going to Kel's house where I spent the time envying her of all her cool things and watching 80s movies and arguing with Kel about who is better looking... Andrew Macarthy or James Spader?... The "Superman" ringtone that cut through the speech of Molly Ringwald's character in "Sixteen Candles" signalled the fact that it was time to come home and end my birthday day!

And that was that! Pretty long I know... but it was a long but AwEsOmE day!!

Well that's it for me Diary! I'm sorry but I didn't hear back from that cute boy from the market. I'm afraid he doesn't like me.. WHY DOESN'T HE LOVE ME?! *tear* (HAHA! Only kidding! There is no cute boy from the market... or any other random guy [so don't get ideas... VIV!] i just thought to put that in because isn't it tradition for every girl to have a diary entry that has some drama involving some random 'cute' guy?)

Take Care,

Ria

So that was my day... Pretty hectic huh? Cherish the moment I let you read one of my diary entries! lol. Only joking! Anyway I'm going to jet! Ciao!

SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE BIRTHDAY GREETINGS I RECEIVED! THANKS! =)

Strawberry ravioli

2004-11-21T00:17:00.000+11:00

So... I was supposed to write this oh....a good week ago...and i haven't because i've been REAL busy. actually i lie, i've got nothing to do and i'm just idle. well actually, i don't lie because i have to wake up at insane times to go to the hospital to do more insane unpaid work. i would tell you what i get up to, but somehow i don't hink it'll be the hot topic at anyone's dinner party.

'oh did you know this old dude pulled out his catheter the other night?'
'shocking, i kneow.'

oop. getting a little sidetracked here, all this catheter talk. anyway, lucie loo drove dondon and i to starf's big scary house (it could be haunted you know) and when we got there it was about half past seven. so i ate some of his (strawberry...haha!) ravioli (which tasted so friggin good cos i was so so in need of food) and we spooked lucie loo and donna a bit...and put up the 'juno is the best' msg on his fridge, just as a friendly reminder (sorry i took away your 'melanie' one mel) then we settled down for some priestly heath ledger. yes, i know, heath ledger a priest? on what crack addicted universe? but hey, whatever floats your boat man.

so we weren't really paying attention to the movie cos we were too busy ad-libbing the speech...well...ria and i were anyway...who knows, maybe the others were paying attention but one minute he was a priest and the next he was rolling around with some girl in the bed. priestly action? i think not. there was this scary bit where these 2 kids turned into scary looking things (my mind is racking thinking of synonyms for 'scary looking things') and i yelped...i admit it. but chocolate and peanut oreos made everything better. just like grosling does! yesiree.

so after the movie...which....i can't really pass a verdict on cos i wasn't watching properly, mel and pam left...so we were left to our own devices to scare the living shit out of each other by way of telling each other about all kinds of supernatural hoodoo...really, i've been scared too much these past 2 weeks. i guess that means no grudge for me man! unless you bribe me with some grosling or oreos or something. i might comply then.

so i don't know what time it was, but we left after about an hour of freaking each other out. hey that's pretty good for a week old ocassion. or was it it 2 weeks ago?

The Latest Terms of the Millenium

2004-11-21T00:12:00.000+11:00

Yes! You heard right! Today was the day that "Games Day" (Hosted by June See) produced and announced the latest terms of the Millenium to replace the dull and drab ones that are "like soooooooooo 1990s"!

At the first annual "Games Day", Host June See, participating members, David Miu, Pamela Pinawin, Rachel Matthews, Ria Mapagu, Tanya Chan, and Wayne See proceeded to play various games and founded the new hip terms in the process. Games included Random Hockey, No-Rules footy, Vocab-expanding Taboo, 1-sec Monopoly, and Enemy-induced Simpsons Game.

Food and drinks were provided for the participants to sustain their energy for the duration of such an exhaustive day. 5-star meal of pizza, fries and cookies were laid out on the games field and proved to be both scrumptious and well-appreciated by players thanks to the mastery service of the host and Rachel Matthews.

During gaming of "Vocab-expanding Taboo", the issue of using Pamela's short-hand name "Pam" to replace the word "sheltered" came to the players attentions. This reason is due to the idea that sheltered seems to describe Pam. In the spirit of the new term, players proceeded to find a word that best describes what they are notorious for, which resulted in the following terms:

- June = Going out/To go out
- Tanya = Skeptical
- Rachel = Drive
- David = Alcohol
- Pam = Shelter(ed)
- Ria = Hair

After successfully applying these words into a semi-coherent sentence, "Games Day" had pronounced the new terms as the trendiest in the new Millenium!

So it is recomended that people jump on the "Term-tastic" bandwagon and adopt the crazy new words that will surely make you the trendiest kid in the playground and goes beyond being 'too cool for school'!

But it doesn't end there! You too can also make your name into a hip new term that can also double as a secret code among your friends! That's Right! All you have to do is find a word that describes or associates with your personality and just replace that word with your name. IT'S AS EASY AS LETTING YOUR RIA OUT AND JUNE-ING TO THE BAR AND GETTING DRUNK ON 10 Litres OF DAVID!!

So get Term-ing people!

Blog-port (Blog+Report - For all of you not in tune with the lingo) By Ria Mapagu (Proud Participant of the First Annual "Games Day")

NOTE: "Games Day" is Tanya about drinking David and Rachel-ing. Best take Pam for the night at a sober friend's house!

Christmas songs

2004-11-13T14:15:00.000+11:00

Ok... So when your mum wakes you up after only a couple of hours sleep to clean up, the last thing you want to hear is CHRISTMAS SONGS blaring in the background. Especially since it's only mid-November indicating there is still a good MONTH away 'til the big day. Now me being a Catholic, I'm just as excited as the next devoutly Christian person, but REALLY MUM & DAD, are the songs necessary at this time!? When one is half conscious and is dusting, Christmas songs doesn't exactly whip them up into a cleaning frenzy!

But more to the point of Christmas songs... after spending most of my morning dusting to the sounds of Christmas, I've come to the conclusion that Christmas songs are becoming a little depressing. Sure, you can throw in a few bells jingling and a santa "ho, ho, ho"-ing, but it doesn't disguise the depressing lyrics that are crooned with it!

Example 1 - "I saw mummy kissing santa clause..." Oh geez! What kind of lyrics is that? It's a bit disturbing for kids, and if I'm not mistaken, it has adulterous connotations! That's taking the whole, "Christmas Spirit" thing to a whole new level!

Example 2 - "Daddy, please don't get drunk this Christmas. I don't wanna see my mumma cry..." Well i think the lyrics speaks for itself. *cough*ALCOHOLISM*cough*

Are we replacing the traditional Christmas songs of Christ's Birth and Christmas cheer for Christmas songs that subliminally address depressing issues? Haha.. No! I think it's just the randomness of my hyperactive thoughts!

Blog?

2004-11-13T02:34:00.000+11:00

Blog derives from web log, that's pretty creative.

Purple monkeys are cool

2004-11-13T02:10:00.000+11:00

Yes. It's official. Purple monkeys are cool! They're the IN thing! so everyone, I URGE you, go out and buy yourselves a purple monkey today! (Try and get them real, too, it kind of adds to the whole 'exotic animal' experience.)

Speaking of carpets, my carpet smells good, even if it is an ugly colour (personally, i would have chosen orange, but hey, whatever floats the real estate agent's boat man). Must be all the stuff i spray everywhere to try and make myself smell pretty.
I so happy! because today was last day of exams and now i can do whatever i want! like tp-ing people's houses for extended periods of time! and wasting my eyes away sitting in front of my ps2 for hours and hours! Hahaha i was about to write 'horse' instead of hours. heehee! I want a pair of lime green chucks. 'Cos then i can compare my shoes to limes in the supermarket and go 'i'm greener than you!' and just feel like the world makes sense again.

Anyway, all this chatter has made me a little tired. Bye girls and boys!

A few thoughts...

2004-11-13T00:50:00.000+11:00

Most of my thoughts seem to go out on the random tangent a lot of the time... especially if I'm sitting in the still silence of my room. Ergo, the creation of this blog where i can share all my random thoughts that happen to pop up.

The more i think about it, my random thoughts aren't so random. My thoughts are often sparked by one thing or another, whether it be that annoying fly buzzing around me (in which case I'll be thinking why did God create such an annoying speciman... seriously, WHAT PURPOSE DOES A FLY HAVE?!) or the fact that I haven't seen the carpet of my room in a couple of days... or have they changed the carpet of my room into my sister's clothes? Quite frankly i wouldn't care since my carpet is hideous. It's been through so much... trodden on by filthy shoes, drowning from the waters of a broken aquarium... and now, it's putting up with my mental abuse of calling it "hideous". Poor carpet. Is euthanasia illegal for carpets? I think it's suffered enough.

Hmmm... so that's what i mean about my random thoughts. But then is it really classified as "random" if something sparks the chain of events leading up to that thought? I guess not. Random thoughts is "Purple monkeys are cool"... Random thoughts are those thoughts that make people say, "What the...??". Well, while that may be the conventional connotations to random thoughts, i think i'll just redefine it so that it fits in with the whole theme of this blog.

"Random Thoughts" - Any thoughts that you want to express, that may seem out of character from your normal train of thought.... OH SCREW IT! Random thoughts is just any thought that you want to share! There! Now that that's settled I'm going to leave.

Happy Randoms!