March 2004
I got 100% in Latin and now have a thesis to start.
1st March 2004 - David, Bp. and Conf.
I was going to write, but I'm tired, so I shant.
3rd March 2004.
Well, Sunday I didn't do all that much that I can remember - so I probably didn't do all that much at all. I suspect I stuffed around at home, I'm sure if I'd done anything actually interesting it'd come to mind. I think I dropped seventh season Buffy to Katie and picked up my season six DVDs.
Monday I had Hare Krishna lunch with Dot and then spent the afternoon stuffing around with her. It was fun, I was having a manic day - something lent does to me every year, and Dot was suffering the effects of having tried those "Herbal High" pills, which may not stay legal much longer.
Yesterday the weather was crappy and I have a bit of a cold, so I didn't leave the house all day. I just stuffed around a WHOLE lot.
Today I went into varsity for a while, Hare Krishna lunched. Then I wandered around varsity a bit more, bumped into Dot and hung out for a while and then went to Dent school to lie back for three hours with my mouth open. They used so much anaesthetic right from the start that I had already left before I could feel my nose. So I'm now feeling very not good. Stupid anaesthetic of doom. My whole body feels wrong and my head is throbbing. If I'm goign to have to feel like this I should atleast have got in some recreational drug fun before hand. Except I'm still pretty sure with how stupidly I seem to react to pharmaceuticals that recreational drugs would just kill me before I had the chance to feel this bad.
In lighter news I bumped into a few of my Latin classmates today - we are mostly all really friendly, which is very cool - a couple of people didn't get the kind of marks I was expecting, but mostly all those I was friendly with seem to have done quite well.
Anyway, I feel crap, and now the home renovation noise from next door has died down I might go curl up in bed and wait for Angel.
I hurt so much, my gums are sore and swollen, my head is throbbing. Errrrrgh.
8th March 2004.
I'm old. I realised today that I find 18 year olds completely unattractive. They have started to look like children to me. My brain has got so old it sees 18 year olds as children. I'm an old man.
That said, the fact I find them entirely unattractive for their youth probably means I'm not going to turn into a dirty old man.
Ummm, what have I been upto since I last wrote.
Thursday, I stayed in bed until almost two in the afternoon, when the throbbing in my head finally stopped. Then I decided to go to town and enjoy the sunshine. This just lead to me hating everybody. I was still feeling a little sick, and town was full of muscular guy being topless and prettier than me. It was like the whole world was pointing out how everyone else was better than me. Not something that lead to me being a happy chappy.
Friday I was still not quite right. But I went to the Chem meeting about the first lab, then stuffed around until I went to Alana's for dinner. Her mother had cooked up fish especially. It was all good. Then I came home to have a quiet night - when Midget rang and was more than a little snarky at me about the fact I didn't want to go out. I was severely unamused.
Saturday was flatmate was hungover and very grumpy about how much noise our neighbours were making at 10am. It was quite funny, my flatmate can be SO grumpy and childish. Didn't really do much on Saturday, just stuffed around and drooled over my hot neighbour. In the evening Midget rang telling me to visit again, and I decided I would, if just to prevent me spending the night ranting at my ex. It was actually quite nice, once I got over the general annoyance of the fact I keep visiting her and she is still grumpy I don't visit enough - which is rich considering she hasn't visited me a single time the whole time she has been flatting. That and I visit her far more than I visit anyone else. Infact I visit her about as often as I visit everone else I know put together. She really has no justification to be grumbly.
Sunday, the hot neighbour had a plumber around and powertools running from 7:30 in the morning, whihc was kind of annoying, but fortunately my flatmate had stayed at his partner's, otherwise things could have got ugly on the nasty neighbour relations front.
Today I taught my first chem lab of the year, it was SO slow, and boring, and I have to teach it three more times this week. Afterwards I had lunch with Alana, before we went to the Temple of Doom: Ritual Sacrifice in Ancient Peru exhibition at the museum. It was pretty cool, we spent about three hours at it.
9th March 2004.
Today, I fluffed around all morning, then after Hare Krishna lunch I went to Chem. I was all set to be on time when I bumped into that-first-year (who is now in fourth year), and couldn't not stop for a chat. Chem was ok, my supervisor is good, and the class is mostly ok. And that is about all I have to say. I'm off to get me some sleep, I need to start getting some readings done tomorrow, or my masters will never happen. Might get a hair cut tomorrow too, my hair is getting tall.
March Tenth Statement of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama
Today we commemorate the 45th anniversary of the
Tibetan People’s Uprising of 1959. I pay tribute to the many brave Tibetan men
and women who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibetan freedom. They
will always be remembered.
This year marks 50 years since my visit to mainland China in
1954 to meet with the then Chinese leaders, especially Mao Tse-tung. I remember
very well that I embarked on the journey with deep concerns about the future of
Tibet. I was assured by all the leaders I met that the Chinese presence in Tibet
was to work for the welfare of the Tibetans and "to help develop" Tibet. While
in China I also learned about internationalism and socialism which deeply
impressed me. So I returned to Tibet with optimism and confidence that a
peaceful and mutually beneficial coexistence could be worked out. Unfortunately,
soon after my return China was embroiled in political unrest unleashed by
radical political campaigns. These developments impacted the Chinese policy on
Tibet resulting in more repression and rigidity leading finally to the Tibetan
People's Uprising in March 1959.
My hope is that this year may see a significant breakthrough in
our relations with the Chinese Government. As in 1954, so also today, I am
determined to leave no stone unturned for seeking a mutually beneficial solution
that will address both Chinese concerns as well as achieve for the Tibetan
people a life in freedom, peace and dignity. Despite the decades of separation
the Tibetan people continue to place tremendous trust and hope in me. I feel a
great sense of responsibility to act as their free spokesman. In this regard,
the fact that President Hu Jintao has personal knowledge about the situation and
problems in Tibet can be a positive factor in resolving the Tibetan issue. I am
therefore willing to meet with today’s leaders of the People’s Republic of China
in the effort to secure a mutually acceptable solution to the Tibetan issue.
My envoys have established direct contact with the Chinese
government on two trips to China in September 2002 and in May/June 2003. This is
a positive and welcome development, which was initiated during the Presidency of
Jiang Zemin. The issue of Tibet is complex and of crucial importance to Tibetan
as well as Chinese peoples. Consequently, it requires careful considerations and
serious deliberations on both sides before taking any decisions. It will take
time, patience and determination to lead this process to a successful
conclusion. However, I consider it of highest importance to maintain the
momentum and to intensify and deepen this process through regular face-to-face
meetings and substantive discussions. This is the only way to dispel existing
distrust and misconception and to build trust and confidence.
Consequently, I have instructed my envoys to visit China at the
earliest date to continue the process. I hope that they will be able to make
this trip without much delay. This will help in building trust and confidence in
the present process among Tibetans as well as among our friends and supporters
around the world - many of whom remain strongly skeptical about the willingness
of Beijing to engage in a genuine process of rapprochement and dialogue.
The current situation in Tibet benefits neither the Tibetans
nor the government of the People’s Republic of China. The development projects
that the Chinese Government has launched in Tibet - purportedly to benefit the
Tibetan people - are however, having negative effects on the Tibetan people’s
distinct cultural, religious and linguistic identity. More Chinese settlers are
coming to Tibet resulting in the economic marginalization of the Tibetan people
and the sinicization of their culture. Tibetans need to see an improvement in
the quality of their life, the restoration of Tibet’s pristine environment and
the freedom to decide an appropriate model of development.
I welcome the release of Ani Phuntsok Nyidrol, even as we
recognize the injustice of her sentence and continue to urge for the release of
all political prisoners in Tibet. The human rights situation in Tibet has not
seen any marked improvement. Human rights violations in Tibet have a distinct
character of preventing Tibetans as a people from asserting their own identity
and culture. The violations are a result of policies of racial and cultural
discrimination and religious intolerance.
Against this background we are encouraged and grateful that
many individuals, governments and parliaments around the world have been urging
the People’s Republic of China to resolve the question of Tibet through peaceful
negotiations. Led by the European Union and the United States there is growing
realization in the international community that the issue of Tibet is not one of
human rights violations alone but of deeper political nature which needs to be
resolved through negotiations.
I am also encouraged by the recent improvements in the
relationship between India and China. It has always been my belief that better
understanding and relations between India and China, the two most populous
nations of the world is of vital importance for peace and stability in Asia in
particular and in the world in general. I believe that improved relations
between India and China will create a more conducive political environment for
the peaceful resolution of the Tibetan issue. I also strongly believe India can
and should play a constructive and influential role in resolving the Tibetan
problem peacefully. My ‘Middle-Way-Approach’ should be an acceptable policy on
Tibet for India as it addresses the Tibetan issue within the framework of the
People’s Republic of China. A solution to the Tibetan issue through this
approach would help India to resolve many of her disputes with China, too.
It is 54 years since the establishment of the People’s Republic
of China. During Mao Zedong’s period much emphasis was put on ideology, while
Deng Xiaoping concentrated primarily on economic development. His successor
Jiang Zemin broadened the base of the Communist Party by enabling wealthy people
to become part of the Communist Party under his theory of "The Three
Represents". In recent times Hu Jintao and his colleagues were able to achieve a
smooth transition of leadership. During the past decades China has been able to
make much progress. But there have also been shortcomings and failures in
various fields, including in the economy. One of the main causes of the
shortcomings and failures seems to be the inability to deal with and act
according to the true and real situation. In order to know the real and true
situation it is essential that there be free information.
China is undergoing a process of deep change. In order to
affect this change smoothly and without chaos and violence I believe it is
essential that there be more openness and greater freedom of information and
proper awareness among the general public. We should seek truth from facts -
facts that are not falsified. Without this China cannot hope to achieve genuine
stability. How can there be stability if things must be hidden and people are
not able to speak out their true feelings?
I am hopeful that China will become more open and eventually
more democratic. I have for many years advocated that the change and
transformation of China should take place smoothly and without major upheavals.
This is in the interest of not only the Chinese people but also the world
community.
China’s emergence as a regional and global power is also
accompanied by concerns, suspicion and fears about her power. Hosting the
Olympic Games and World Exposition will not help to dispel these concerns.
Unless Beijing addresses the lack of basic civil and political rights and
freedoms of its citizens, especially with regard to minorities, China will
continue to face difficulties in reassuring the world that she is a peaceful,
responsible, constructive and forward-looking power.
The Tibetan issue represents both a challenge and an
opportunity for a maturing China to act as an emerging global player with vision
and values of openness, freedom, justice and truth. A constructive and flexible
approach to the issue of Tibet will go a long way in creating a political
climate of trust, confidence and openness, both domestically and
internationally. A peaceful resolution of the Tibetan issue will have
wide-ranging positive impacts on China’s transition and transformation onto a
modern, open and free society. There is now a window of opportunity for the
Chinese leadership to act with courage and farsightedness in resolving the
Tibetan issue once and for all.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my
appreciation and gratitude for this consistent support that we have been
receiving throughout the world. I would also like to express once again on
behalf of the Tibetans our appreciation and immense gratitude to the people and
the Government of India for their unwavering and unmatched generosity and
support.
With my prayers for the well-being of all sentient beings.
The Dalai Lama
March 10, 2004
13th March 2004 - Last day for Lent to begin.
On Wednesday I got my hair cut, pretty much the same as last time, a few differences in hairdresser styling, but otherwise about the same deal. Then my night lab was horrible, it has all the worst kids I have. After the lab I went out with Rachel, Chris (aka Mr Rachel) and Midget for a while, before coming home to watch Angel and sleep.
Thursday I had lunch with Dot and then headed to chem and had my final lab for the week, before an evening of blobbing.
Yesterday I headed in in the morningm had my chem staff meeting thing, then went at sat at my English office desk, just for the sake of it. I had lunch with Alana and stuffed about at varsity some more before heading home. Just as I was about to make dinner Oli rang me up and invited me to a bbq at his place, so I got some chicken sausages and headed over. It was fun, bbqing and playing cricket in the thin nasty gap between his house and the wall holding up the neighbour's yard, and somehow managing to not knock the bbq over with the ball. All round a good night.
This morning I couldn't be bothered doing anything, I was even too lazy to play puter games, so I thought I would go for a walk to Woodhaugh, and maybe to Ross Creek if the mood struck me. Well, I kept on walking and ended up going to the top of Flagstaff and back. It was a quite nice walk, a good day. My legs on start to hurt when I was coming up the motorway to get back to my flat. What surprised me were just how many people there were on the pineapple track. It was kind of crowded. And did spoil the effect a bit. But I'm willing to forgive the fact as one of the joggers was wearing about as little as can be worn without being arrested and was fantastically good looking. Made up for everything really.
Anyway, my legs are kind of sore, I think I might go curl up comfortably and watch TV. As good as a four hour walk/jog is, it really takes it out of you.
17th March 2004 - Patrick, Bp. and Conf.
Either the fumes from this week's copper lab are getting to me, or I'm sick. Bugger it. I was going to do a day of readings, instead it became a day of napping instead. So I got no reading done at all, and even for all the napping I still feel kind of crap. I should go make dinner and get ready for the night shift at work.
Not actually much to say of recent days anyway, just teaching chem and stuffing around. Nothing interesting at all.
Oh my gawd brother - you have letters after your name! Remember though that true knowledge requires knowing as little as possible. Be humble my friend without downgrading yourself constantly and you WILL find that to which you are seeking...
21st March 2004 - Benedict, Ab.
Wednesday night after work Midget and Katie came around to use me for my video player, and as such were at my house until almost two in the morning. I wasn't great company, as I was feeling sickly still, but they'd brought Pirates of the Caribbean, and I was willing to stay awake to watch it again, it's damn funny.
Thursday my head ws still achey so I was a little grumpy. I had lunch with Dot, which was nice, then I went to work, which wasn't. There is no eye candy in my Thursday class, and there are a couple of annoying students, plus I was very sick of the copper lab. Not helping was when I bumped into Si - who is in theory my best friend - and he completely ignored me. In itself that's not all that uncommon an event, I think he is ashamed of having me as a friend. It's just that I was grumpy and took it irrationally personally.
Friday I went in to varsity early as Midget had whined at me until I agreed to meet her, and then she stood me up, after I had gone in to varsity especially. I was very unamused. So I killed a bunch of time, went to the English department morning tea, went to my chem staff meeting. After that I bumped into my latin lecturer, Charlotte, and stood in the foyer of Burns chatting to her for about an hour and a half. We bad mouthed the annoying mature student, and someone from her office whom I both know and intensely dislike from school. It was fun.
Last night I went to icky Neal's 21st, and managed to not talk to him quite well. I chatted to a friend - whom I had a huge crush on about five years ago, and though I never really had a chance, it was made out that maybe I had at the time. It was a very nice ego boost. Somedays the ego needs a little feeding. And then I came home and for some reason lay awake for a couple of hours with insane crap running through my head. Disturbingly it was mostly FormerBit related. Turns out I still have a little bit of anger bottled away on that front. Which I can't say I'm happy about. That said, I still have huge issues about my ex from over five years ago now, so I guess still having some resentment about how I was dumped somewhat more recently shouldn't be a huge surprise. I'm a nut. Oh well.
Today I have done bugger all worth mentioning. My getting stuff done for my masters - it's not exactly happening.
23rd March 2004 - Creation of Adam.
I actually started working on toward my masters today. Go me.
25th March 2004 - Annunciation of Our Lord.
I spent a chunk of this evening at A&E. My brother took a blow to the head at school and it was looking like he was going to have to stay the night, but at a bit after 8 they decided it was ok for him to go home. Now I have to go around in the morning and babysit him as he isn't allowed to be left alone for a couple of days. It was a little scary, he couldn't even remember who is was for a while. Though it looks like he should probably recover - though when the brain is involved one can't be sure of too much.
Anyway, this week I haven't done much. Pretty much just teaching chem labs and stuffing about.
On Tuesday I started actually doing stuff for my masters - finally. On Wednesday I have afternoon tea with my FormerBit, who was in town for the day. It was quite nice. Though the part of my brain that wants us to be friends was being drowned out by the screaming of another bit of my brain that was all "look at the body". I'm SO bad. Afterwards I went to my office and did some study in there. A good habit I should try to get into.
Today I had lunch with Dot, taught some chem and then had the whole brother is hospital thing. And now I'm being grumpy as I'm ranting at Si and it doesn't appear he's at his puter. I need to find me an attentive friend.
29th March 2004.
On Friday I went to my meeting in the morning then went shopping and got a present for Euan. In the evening I went to his 21st with Gnatacia. It was fun, even if I was about the only sober person there, it made for a good night. And one of Euan's friends was very very drool worthy. On the way home I stopped at a friend's flat warming and discovered my pot smoke intolerance has got much worse. I lasted berely two minutes at the party before the 2nd hand smoke had me wheezing so much I had to leave.
Saturday I spent sitting around home feeling gross with my chest stinging. Stupid people, who can't even obey the law for my benefit, making me sick. Darn them. In the evening I went to my pet lesbian's farewell party. She's off to a real job in the North Island. So I've now lost yet another friend, and my 'in' with the lesbian community. It was a fun party though, me and a big group of drunken lesbians. We ended up in town and it was mostly ok, though the lesbians pretty much forgot I existed and I ended up hanging out with a girl I know from playwriting.
Sunday I didn't do too much until the evening when I went to my Grandparent's for dinner and then to the Stations of the Cross at St Patrick's Basilica. Dot was performing at it, so I felt I had to go. That said it turned out to be pretty cool, and I even got dragged along to the after function. It turned out I had been dragged along so the lot of them could try and make me join the Cantories chior.
Today I was sleepy in the lab, not a good look. And a few of my stupider students decided that my studying the arts made me stupid. It reduced my already lacking desire to help them out in any way at all quite considerably. Then I had Krishna lunch and hung out with Midget before going to the dentist. Other than that my day has been pretty uneventful.
