I feel like shite. 3am nights before school spent worrying/studying/getting what I suppose equates to being dumped is tiring stuff. Thats right I had 3 1/2 hours sleep last night. ugh.

Dad rocks, although he’s snaky at the best of times and doesn’t like to get stuffed around by anyone.
I told him on Wednesday that my phone had died, as it had, and showed him a list of suitable and cool looking replacements – he goes out to this Crazy John’s place (a legitimate phone retailer, just a crazy name) and waits for almost an hour while the dodge sales staff screw him over. After all that time, they told him that he needed a company letterhead to put it onto the business’s account, and he stormed off in a huff… He’s like that though. One time when he was getting seen to about some urgent dental work he was kept waiting like 15 minutes in the waiting room and just left because the dentist apologised for having such a ‘busy schedule’. As crazy as that sounds, dad was fair enough to do so, as the dentist was a prick and wasn’t busy at all. Of course it doesn’t help my case though. I kinda need that phone, and my other one isn’t un-breaking.

Pete

As 2004 is my year off, and Rhys and Pete’s gigantic trip around the world seems set to go off, we both decided to apply to the cheapest possible way to get into the Olympics. Rhys and I are going to be Aussie volunteers at the games (applications/interviews pending). We applied today. ROCK ON

Pete

I hate having money – I always end up blowing it.

I decided today was the day, as I had two hours between school and swimming, to go down to Dymocks in Glenferrie Road to pre-order the new Harry Potter book, as if I didn’t, it was likely I wouldn’t find a copy for months after June 21. Anyhoo, as I was looking around in my general browsingness I stumbled over Chuck Palahniuks new book (Fight Club author). Seems trippy, and I decided to buy it. Then, as I made my way to the front desk, I saw a Michael Moore book (Number one in the US, UK and many other parts throughout the last year and a bit). I had heard this was a laugh and an eye opener so I picked it up and discarded the Palahniuk one. This time, the ‘Awful Truth’ presenter deals with the real rotten heart of corporate and political America. The first chapter, which I read on the tram to swimming attacks George Bush, the phony president who really LOST the election, but is somehow the president elect.

Anyhoo, now my hard saved and horded cash has dissappeared too quickly and I’m sad. At least I have something to keep my cash strapped self busy for the next week or so.

Pete

My Nokia 8210, which Nokia have admitted to being a bodgy model, finally died properlly today. I’ve had an inconsistently on/off screen for about a year now, with lines across it and unreadable patches as well as a faulty speaker for a week or so. But today, as I called mum to get permission (I forgot my form) to see the TOK movie, it dropped out randomly during the call, and the same for the rest of the day, in about 5 others. I had to use a friends phone eventually, and danced a merry jig at the prospects of getting rid of the crapheap it was.

I suppose that is actually a bit harsh. It really has treated me well. 2 years old, and its been used mediumly-heavily for most of that time. The strangest thing however is how easy it was to talk dad into getting me a replacement. I suppose the way he sees a phone is a constant check on me, and without one I could be anywhere doing anything, get stuck and get fucked. The replacement will either be a Sony Ericsson T300 (the cooly colour screen one with a funktastic camera) or another nokia, just a different model. I think I might actually prefer the Nokia, it may be crappier and look simpler, but it works the same, is cheaper and I trust Nokia with my life… Well, except with this one

As pathetic and materialistic I sound, I’ll miss the old phone though. Rest in Peace 8210, you served me well.

Pete

Dear lord I hate tok.
We had the third installment of our school’s TOK festivals today. It started with a relatively low key lecture on literature as a way of knowing, which I slept soundly through, then a deaf woman talking about cochlea implants. It was somewhat interesting to hear from the recieving end of the said medical breakthrough. She (actually signed to an interpreter, who talked for her) said that she was almost certain that she was speaking for about 80% of the deaf community when she claimed that cochlea implants are a waste of time, money and research. She was happy to stay 100% deaf, as were many others, instead of having invasive head surgery to install machinery that is faulty and does not bring good sound anyway. It was also interesting to know the deaf Olympics are being held in Melbourne soonish. Must add to list of cool and weird sporting thigns to go to.

After lunch we all headed into the city to watch a prescribed film at one of those academic theatres. It was called ‘choosing sides’ or something – it was about the aftermath of WWII and the american flushing of German Ex-Nazi’s, in particular musicians. It’s long and tedious, but an interesting film.

Thats three day long festivals down, one to go. How I will not miss TOK when it’s gone… ahhhh

Pete

Neville’s funeral was today. The church service was amazing, full of the obligatory sniffles and wet eyes, and I found it difficult to hold myself together throughout the hour and a half long readings. However, when the coffin started to move away, and Ruby Tuesday by Melanie (odd choice of song for a funeral I know, but if you knew Nev, you’d understand and smile) started to play, I thought I had made it. We all followed outside, to where the hearse was loaded, and as it drove away my self-supposed strength broke and I cried. It was amazing to release it all, and I feel it was somewhat neccesary to move on. Crying rocks.

Pete

School was tough today – and I’m certain the unexpected heat didn’t help, I’m sure we got up to mid thirties sometime today. Yep we did, 35 (95 fahrenheit) at 2ish. Thankfully its cooled down considerably now. It should be clear but cool tomorrow. Purrrfect. The good weather will be a blessing I suppose: Nev’s funeral is at 11:30am. I suppose I automatically get the day off school, but I think I’ll pop in in the afternoon to see some teachers and go to sport training. Heh talk about my priorities.

In a rantish fashion, I don’t know where my current relationships with anyone are going. My family seems more distant than ever before, friendships with people that have been there for me unconditionally in the past are slipping, and the finer parts of all my relationships, online and offline seem to be failing – friend, foe or otherwise. I dunno, I’m confused. I just need to get this year over and done with and I’m free for all this crap, and whatever else I want to worry about.

Pete

(Assume Pirate tone) Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (/piratetone)

Wow I just made a geek joke! mwahah
Anyhoo spent most of this arvo in the bay sailing around on Andrews newly painted and sparkly Hobie 16. He’s spent most of the time since we last used it working on either it, the trailer or the aquisition of parts, so I can understand his longing to actually USE the bastard instead of constantly looking after it. If you still don’t know what I’m on about, a Hobie 16 is the 16 foot version of the famed Hobie Catamaran (LINK). She sails like a gem. It was so much fun, although I almost died about 3 times, once by a falling mast, once by a hull flying at my head when I jumped off and Andrew and Daniel turned to pick me up at like 30km/h , and once when I slipped out of the trapeze harness. Meh, it would have still been worth it I think i need some photos next time… heheh

Pete

meh i was wrong about the footy last night- it wasn’t a terribly good match. I am, however a fan of the 9 point goals. Confusing no end, but adds a bit of spice to the preseason.
On a completely different subject, I now have dodgy, free cable TV. Unfortunately there is a price for everything, and in this case you have to watch it on a computer screen and it looks crap because the computer needs to decode the signal. Still it is quite useful considering things like the pay-per-view Tyson match tomorrow arvo is forty dollars usually and its free on this. Not that I’m a boxing nut. Infact not that I like boxing at all. Heh I once read some guy likening boxing to ballet. Except there is no choreography and the dancers punch each other in the head.

Pete

A tragic month for Aussie cricket. Shane Warne, my personal god and one of the games biggest names was disqualified from the World Cup for testing positive to an illegal diuretic a few weeks ago. He flew straight back to Melbourne, and has been keeping a low profile since then. His trial infront of the drugs tribunal went ahead yesterday, and the decision was made today. A year ban from all forms of the game. Whether this was just (many believe he should have gotten at least two, many believe he should have gotten off) remains to be seen. I personally believe that it was a fair decision. No matter what extenuating circumstances or how silly his mother was, professional sportsmen are ultimately responcible for what goes into themselves. If Shane had paid more attention, this wouldn’t have happened. The diuretic is banned because it can be used as a steroid masking agent. Whether of course he had this drug as a mask also remains to be seen. Poor old Warney, but you brought this upon yourself mate.

Pete