So, if my memory is accurate, it's been 4 weeks since I started my new lifestyle, in terms of a comitted dietary change.

Over the past 4 weeks, I've lost a grand total of 7kg. None too shabby. Of course, despite this, I've still not noticed any changes in myself physically. Of course, given that I constantly see myself, that could be a good reason ;)
It's like not noticing my lizard is growing.

My insane project of collecting an entire marine chapter is slowly moving along too. I've managed to assemble over 300 of the little blighters. I know there are people out there who think it's a complete waste of time and money...but I'll do it :)

ANyway, that's it really, I think I'm going to head out for a walk and buy myself some crockery...if I can find anything I like in my price range.

OK, so a brief update I spose. I've managed to lose almost 4 kilos in the last two weeks. I'm guessing mainly thanks to the diet I started last sunday.
Win!
This is unhealthy weight loss.
Fail.
It's only unhealthy weight loss if I don't keep up my change of lifestyle longterm.
Win!
I've managed to keep it up for jsut over a whole week now and don't forsee any problems keeping it up indefinitely.
Win!
My new eating habits are saving me a shed load of money.
Win!

Lots of win up there :)

My surviving lizard is going well. I've applied for a higher level job at work that I'm reasonably confident I'll get. There's some other stuff which I've told...well actually quite a few people now. I should be getting a house. I'm waiting on the building contract, finalised plans and then I need to get unconditional approval for the loan...as well as a solicitor to go over it all. Fun and games no? But much excitement to be had!

Today marks the day of my changing my diet...hopefully permanently. While I've been exercising regularly, the weight isn't coming off, it's hovering about the same level, so I will need to change my diet more than I have already to compliment the exercise. Time will tell I guess. If that doesn't work, well, I guess I'll have to see a health professional or something.

I'm hoping to lose about 20kg by christmas. Which will put me about 10kg off my target weight.

I'm goign to follow a similar plan that a mate has done and it has worked wonders for him. I just hope I can stick to it.

So apparently I'm not good with animals. One of my lizards died a few days ago :( The other one is alive and kicking though. I hope, certainly seems to be.

But life goes on etc. Had a great day at work today, for a change. Nice and busy, plenty of stuff to do. Pretty much busy all day, except for a brief lull during lunch. First time, well, close to since I started the job. Got to meet some of the gradlettes today. At the risk of sounding stereotypically male, mmm, tasty. I have to say, while the work is a bit slow, the scenery at work is top rate :)

I'm still waiting on housing pricing, whether or not I'm going to get one or not and my loan application to go through. Grr. So want a house.

OK. This is so awesome, I couldn't *not* share.

http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=13408&count=0

So I may or may not be about to go into incredibly large amounts of debt soon. It all depends on a couple of factors. Well mainly it depends on if I can actually get in on the Ownplace scheme to get a nice affordable house. And I guess it also depends on if I can get a loan. I don't see a problem on that front, but I can't guarantee I'll get one given the current climate.

So. The tank is at my place as are the lizards :) I'm still looking to get a stand though, so at the moment it's sitting on the floor on a wooden board.

I still need to get a few things, like some branches to stick in the tank for some variable heat levels for the things :)

But here are my new babies, I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to call them, but Prime and Grimlock are the leading contenders:

I went indoor rock climbing for the first time ever yesterday. And I managed to complete 4-5 climbs, which I thought was pretty good for myself, given I wasn't even expecting to be able to do more than 1-2. I did rediscover my dislike of heights though. But, despite that, I think I'll give it another go.

In other news, I'll be getting my pet lizards + tank tomorrow. I'm still trying to figure out where I'll put the tank though. That being said, I'm about to go look at a place that will have a lot more space as a possibility of renting. It's available in April, but it looks like a nice place from the pics, so it will be good to get a proper look at it before I decide if I'm going to commit to moving there.

I guess I'll post more later, I really should get going.

So. I spent a lot of money today. Well technically yesterday given that it's after midnight. I also have nothing to actually show for it yet :P But, I am now, officially a pet owner. Well, technically I got two pets. Of the same species. And a tank to keep them in. And all the bits and pieces to setup the tank. Yes, I actually splurged on a pair of bearded dragons. They're so cute. I'm eager to get the setup...err...setup. But I am house sitting at the moment and my car can't fit the tank in it if I tried. But I have transport assistance sorted out when I need it. So all is good with the world on the pet front.

Also today (yesterday, whatever...damn pedants) I went to the doctor. I've had this irritating thing in my eye for a little while that jsut never went away. The last day or two it got really annoying, so I went and saw a doctor about it. Luckily, it was just a piece of debris and nothign serious. It still feels a little scratchy, but I'm sure that will go away soon now that the particle has been removed.

This message brought to you by too much energy.

So. Stuff. As I think I've already mentioned, I've changed by habits a bit. I find myself *actually trying* to keep my house clean. It's been about a month now I think. Which is a world record for me. I don't think I've managed to keep a place clean for more than a week before.
On top of that I've been regularly exercising, which I'm also sure I've mentioned before. But I've managed to do it consistantly for almost 3 weeks now.

I spent a large amount of money on one of these.

Mainly so I can make my life easier as I convert this into something riderless and generally more pleasant to look at but still as angry. But it should make my hobby life simpler in general anyway.

I should find out towards the end of this month, or at the start of next month if I'm going to be buying a house. I'm excited but scared at the same time. It's a huge decision and it's a lot of money. You know, I don't know why I'm posting here, I'm pretty sure I've covered almost everything already in past posts :P

On another note, I updated MSN...now it won't login. Not 100% sure why, so I've installed Trillian in the meantime. Turns out I can remember my ICQ account number and password. It's been years since I've used ICQ. It looks liek noone else uses it anymore either :P

Oh yeah, I guess I should say something in the vague direction of a Watchmen comment. I saw it last Saturday. I enjoyed it, but I think the comic covers more and is, overall, better. I've got a friend who disagrees, but each to their own :) I recommend you go see it if you haven't. Reading the comic is up to you though, I'd also recommend doing so, but I'd probably leave it until after the movie in hindsight.

Now time for some blasphemy in the eyes of some. I finally saw V for Vendetta for the first time earlier this week. I really enjoyed it, even if some things were pretty predictable at points (and no, I have not read the comic for this one). Mind you, the only reason I saw it was because it was $10 at JB and I picked it up when I went in to go buy I Am Legend. Then I also picked up Layer Cake, Iron Man, The Hulk (the new one, not the Eric Banna one), Lock Stock and Smokin Aces. I'm kinda happy that all that only set me back $90. Of course, I'm yet to actually watch any of the other movies I bought apart from V for Vendetta :P

I'm feeling a bit lost at the moment though. Well, maybe not lost, just weird and different. Almost like I was someone else, but not quite. But generally I've been feeling pretty good. That could be linked with the vaguely healthier lifestyle I seem to have adopted :P
On a vaguely, but not really related note. I seem to have a penchant of finding friends who are somewhat mentally...unstable (to put it nicely :P). I don't know if it's just me or that all humans are mentally fubar. I suspect that the human race in general is just fucked up.

OK. So while I appear to be somewhat fitter than I thought I was, which is good, I'm still not fit enough to ride to work. I can just do my place to my mate's place in Ainslie. But I think I pushed myself a little too hard and feel a bit queasy. But hey. I only got off to walk the bike twice for a couple of minutes on the way back and not at all the way there. Now if only using up all this fat was that easy...

Too many people on facebook to post this there :P Have I ever mentioned I like limiting my exposure? I'm also bored, hence I'm subjecting you who can read it to it :D

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU CHANGED IN 6 YEARS


-------------6 years ago----------

1.) How old were you?: 22
2.) Where did you go to school? ANU
3.) Where did you work? Maccas
4.) Where did you live? Cook (ACT)
5.) Where did you hang out? Bridge lounge? Does that count?
6.) Did you wear glasses? no
7) Who was your best friend(s): NFI. Still don't know.
8.) How many tattoos did you have? 0
9.) How many piercings did you have? Zilch
10.) What car did you drive? that would have been the Excel.
11.) Had you been to a real party? depends on your definition of a "real party", but I'd go with yes
12.) Had You had your heart broken? no
13.)Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? single

-------------3 years ago----------

1.) How old were you?: 58
2.) Where did you go to school? ANU
3.) Where did you work? maccas
4.) Where did you live? Cook
5.) Where did you hang out? Bridge lounge still. Or clubbing / pubbing in civic.
6.) Did you wear glasses? supposed to have been.
7.) Who were your best friend(s)? Still NFI. Not really sure I'd label any of my friends as my "best friend"
9.) How many tattoos did you have.? 0
10.) How many piercings did you have? Still zip, nada, zero.
11) What car did you drive? still the Excel
12) Had your heart broken? still nope
13. Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? single...now there's a shock!

--------------------Today--------------------

1.) How old are you?: 28...I think
2.) Where do you go to school? I don't.
3.) Where do you work? AusAID
4.) Where do you live? Watson
5.) Where do you hang out? wherever life will take me / put up with me :)
6.) Do you wear glasses? starting to more, but still not really.
7.) Who are your best friend(s)? Still don't have a best friends list.
i9.) How many tattoos do you have.? Nope.
10.) How many piercings do you have? 700. Just where noone can see them.
11) Had your heart broken? still no
12) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? single...are we seeing a pattern here? :D

WHAT WERE YOU DOING...
1 MINUTE AGO: trying to think of something to do
1 HOUR AGO: exercising *gasp* I'm shocked too!
1 DAY AGO: hmmm, pick work, exercise or dinner.
1 YEAR AGO: Just starting my current job, but as a contractor. Wow...has it really been a year?


I LOVE: space. It's so pretty.
I HATE: Slackers, layabouts and being overweight.
I FEAR: Spiders and heights to a degree. The thought of being alone for the rest of my life.
I FEEL: Weird. It's been very odd the last several weeks.
I HIDE: Often, but not everything. I *think* Im' starting to open up more.
I MISS: My memory is too short to remember anything I miss.
I NEED: Nothing really. There are things I want, but nothing I need.
I KNOW: Enough to get me in trouble, but not enough to help me.
I THINK: Far too much. Well, about some things anyway :)

First piercing: 800 years ago.
First credit card: Yes? Still have it, well the replacement of it when it got renewed. Only have the one.

Last big car ride: that would be up to the North Coast and back for New Years.
Last movie seen in theaters: I don't remember
Last food consumed: left over pizza
Last person you texted/called: That would be Kelly
Last CD played: Rosenrot - Rammstein
Last drink drank: Dihydrogen Monoxide - despite it's many dangers

SHORT ANSWER..
I AM: me
I HAVE: a life
I LIKE: friends
I WISH: I wish, I hadn't killed that fish.
I DANCE: rarely
I CRY: once a blue moon.

FAVORITES..
NUMBER: 42...well that's not true, I'm just ripping off Douglas Adams there. 5 and 1.
COLOR: blue
DAY(S): Thursday
MONTH(S): May
SEASON: Winter


IN THE LAST 2 DAYS, HAVE YOU...
CRIED?: no
HELPED SOMEONE?: given that my job is to help people, I'd be worried if I hadn't.
GOTTEN SICK?: Physically? No. Of people, yes.
GONE TO THE MOVIES?: no. Still want to see Valkyrie though. I wonder if it's still showing.
SAID 'I love you'?: Ha. Not even as a stupid comment between friends.
TALKED TO AN EX?: no
WRITTEN IN A DIARY?: does LJ count?
HAD A SERIOUS TALK?: not really.

_______ Best ________
1. Male Friend: If I'm forced to choose, probably Dallas, but really the answer is more N/A.
2. Female Friend: I would probably lean towards Tegan or Kathy if I had to choose one. They're certainly the ones I'd be most willing to confide to.
3. Best Age: About now I reckon. But there's still plenty more of the future to come.
4. Best Memory: What's a memory?

_______ Worst ________
1. Time Of Day: I'm so not a morning person
2. Day Of The Week: Sunday
3. Food: calamari
4. Memory: almost drowning when I was about 8

_______ Last ________
1. Person you saw: Some random. That I knew? Kara and Dale.
2. Talk on the phone: Gwen
3. Person you kissed: oh gods. I actually don't know.
5: Instant Msg: Kelly

_______ First ________
1. Kiss: Kelly - for those that didn't arleady know.
2. Serious b/f or g/f: still waiting for a serious one
3. Job: maccas

_______ Today ________
1. What are you doing now: Thinking about my life.
2. Tonight: finishing this and then probably watching firefly.
3. Wearing: Shorts / underwear
4. What did you eat for lunch: Vegetable "Sushi"

_______ Tomorrow ________
1. Is: Coming
2. Got any plans: Work, more work, ride to a mate's place for some games.
3. Goal: Lose 25 kilos. Get promoted. Get out of servicedesk and into something more demanding / interesting.
4. Dislikes about tomorrow: the chance that something could go wrong when I'm setting up some important stuff for work tomorrow afternoon.
5. Likes about tomorrow: It's Thursday?

Yay for silly meme type thingies.

Ahh, time to get something off my chest.

Today at work there was a problem with a certain IT aspect of work. I told one of the people responsible about it and when I asked what went wrong so I could tell the people affected, I was told to just outright lie. Just to make something lame up that would never have flown. I still don't 100% believe the eventual reason I was given.

I wish more people had a better work ethic...or a work ethic at all for that matter.

Hmm, still angry. Oh well.

So. I think the humanity is slowly seeping out of me. More and more I'm finding myself completely unsurprised by events that not so long ago would have probably shocked me. Not only that, but I seem to have next to no compassion left. Things have happened recently that I know I should feel something about, but nope. Nothing (or at least next to nothing). So I'm sitting here only being mildly concerned that I no longer seem to be concerned about what happens to my friends.

I've also noticed that I seem to be a lot more snide and bitter about things, regularly putting people down as a joke. While I intend it to be a joke, it can't be nice for the other people. But on a deeper level, I'm not sure if I actually mean it or not.

On the plus side, I've practically become OC about keeping the house clean. If you can call that a plus.

On another note, I want to find somewhere I can go and be completely oblivious to the rest of the world for a couple of hours. I keep thinking sensorary deprivation tanks...but do they actually exist? There'd always be something to smell, see, feel, hear or taste. Can you possibly deprive all those sensations of any input?

So to sum it up, I think I'm becoming a bastard (to use a general term for it) who is increasingly wanting to withdraw from the world. Thing is...I don't think I really care.

Yay another update. It's amazing what boredom will drive you to :P

So. Drama. There is far too much in the world and I know far too many people experiencing it lately. It's almost as if I'm some bizarre drama magnet. To all those who know me and are having dramas at the moment...try not knowing me and see if that helps :)

Of course, I'm able to create my own dramas out of thin air as well. And I subject my friends to them, which they really shouldn't have to put up with. But meh.

I cleaned my house on the weekend. A bit randomly, but I don't want to go into the real reason behind it :P Bathroom could probably use a little more work and the oven definitely needs a cleaning out. I'm not sure there's a lot I can really do about my room though. No the real challenge is keeping it this way instead of leaving it to get all messy again.

In other news which others would probably be excited by, but I'm not so much, I'm going off to East Timor for work in a couple of weeks. It's just for some PR / training with the local staff, so nothing massively important. It's also only for about 3 days.For someone who's done a lot of travelling already in their life, it's not a big deal for me, but I can see why others would be excited about it if they got to go.

Next. I have waaaay too many minatures. And lego. And dvd's. Before anyone says it, no, you can't have any of them :P I might actually sell off some of my miniatures. It goes against my pack rat nature though :)

In other news, I'm looking at purchasing a house. Things were all fun and exciting...but it looks like I probably won't be getting myself into massive debt just yet. Which is kind of a shame. I would really like my own place. It's one of the last two major things on my list of "things I want out of life". Of course there are still a bajillion little things that I'd like to do, but yeah.

Wow...so I haven't posted on this thing for over 4 months. I'll bet I can sum everything up in a single paragraph if I really wanted to :P

Probably the biggest thing to have happened is that I got a new job. Which is my old job. Doesn't make sense? Well I became a public servant in December. Just in time to get paid leave over the Christmas break. It's exactly the same job I had as a contractor, jsut permanent. The hourly rate is almost what I was on as a contractor which is sweet! So yeah, that was a cool plus.

Work itself has been pretty dead over the last month or so, so it's been a bit boring, but things are picking up again which is awesome. I hate having nothing to do. I've asked my manager about some training courses I'm interested in doing to develop my career as well, so we'll see what happens there.

Other biggish things less interesting to others, but cool to me. I placed 22nd at the Warhammer 40k tournament at CanCon on teh Australia Day long weekend (out of 92 players and with a list that was, imho destined to lose almost all it's games, but somehow didn't). I managed to place 1st overall at an event called MOAB up in Sydney in October. I'm still a little stunned at that. The weekend at MOAB was sheer endurance, with 11 games over the weekend or so. I just kept winning. That and my dice just didn't let me down the whole weekend. Now I've finally placed 1st at an event I can happily relegate myself to middle of the field for the rest of my life and just enjoy my games instead of being ultra-competitive.

Next up. A pet. I'm keen on getting one, pending permission from the landlord. Now my place isn't exactly what I'd call cat or dog friendly due to the massive *unfenced* back yard (plus I don't really want a cat anyway). So I was originally thinking jsut a pet scorpion. Something small, and nifty. But I decided it was more of a gimmick pet than a serious pet that I could actually interact with. So, I decided I'd follow the latest trend of trying to be original but failing and get myself a lizard. Specifically a bearded dragon. I went to a lizard pet store place in Kambah to have a look around and make sure that this is something I really wanted. Especially since a beardie can live for up to 10-15 years. So yeah. I'm still keen on the idea, but something else is potentially looming on the horizon that may delay that.

No this is the scary thing. I think I'm about to cross the final threshold of becoming a "responsible" adult. I'm seriously contemplating buying a house. With the combination of 21 grand from the government for buying a brand new house, the LDA offering affordable housing for new home owners and having some money, I think I can seriously get myself my own place. It's a strange feeling. It's something I've always wanted but always thought it was too far out of reach. But now it looks like it might be attainable.and with interest rates as low as they are now, a loan, while still a very expensive propposition, isn't as scary as it once was. But this talk of getting my own place smacks of responsiblity. Since when was I responsible? But it's time to start going into super saving mode. Cut back on all my non-essential expenses etc. The more money I can get saved before I settle on anything the better.

Oh and finally, my excesses before I decided to become quasi responsible have led me to this.

Spleen vented. That is all.

So I have a new baby. It weighed in at 5.9 kg. Mother and baby are doign fine :)

Date:	2008-06-12 17:55
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	annoyed
Music:	Jask feat. Jocie - Surrender your love

I'm officially tired of religious twits. I started a thread based on the funkyness of the fact that a scientist has managed to observe and evolutionary change in E.Coli. So naturally, it starts going to creationism vs evolution. So as a moderator, I make a post that says, discussion of creationism vs religion is banned from this thread. And I cop abuse form this twit who thinks he's gods gift or something. Grr. Annoyed. ANGRY! Can't form proper sentences :P Why can't people jsut go ooo, funky rather than bring religion into it?

I'm probably one of the few people who doesn't like 4 day long weekends...I'm so bored! I need something to do! GAHHH!

*goes crazier*