crud crud crud crud crud crud! I am so screwed! How do other people deal with the amount of work at Uni while still retaining a social life? Admittedly I've been a bit lazy when it comes to looking over the lecture notes beyond typing up the science subjects and what I needed to do the maths homework, but still! I was aware that I was going to have a maths text next week and wasn't too worried. I could do a little revision the weekend beforehand and no problems there. Maths is easy for me. But now I've been told I've got an environmental science test the exact same day. And I've discovered there is an ominous blank space on the earth science timetable that could easy be for a test on Monday. Oh dear god, if it is... I'm doomed! ... I'll admit I'm calmer than I was early which is why I can actually type that without freaking out. I've spent this evening (which I would have prefered to have spent with the IO group and watched cartoons [after the dreaded AGM]) catching up on the lectures I hadn't bothered to type up because I was ill. Illness is no excuse for procrastination if I can still move my fingers enough to type! Damn it! Why must these tests count for 10% of the final grade. I hate this whole concept of 'continous assessment'. It just means I'm working my butt off all year to get the exact same result. I'm not built for continous stress! Anyway, early night tonight, cos it's an early start tomorrow (not to mention a long day), so I'm off to watch a single anime episode and to bed. crud crud crud crud crud crud crud....
Xilmin visited the elves at 09:23 p.m.
Friday, October 21, 2005
::sigh:: This is the cruelest of cruel times for me. No net and no knowing how long it will take to get back. Damn the BT call service people and their incompetency! I phone them. I tell them what I want. They tell me they were going to do something else but tell me they will try to stop it happening. It happens anyway and the world falls out from under my feet (the internet world that is). And then I try to get the internet back up but of course I need written confirmation that this was all one big BT screw up. I think I'm getting a confirmation of something, but I suspect that it ain't for the right thing. I tried to phone up about it, I get one person who when trying to transfer me to another department cuts me off. Then I get someone who doesn't speak very good english and I suspect may not have any idea what the word 'error' means and consequently it was a rather round-a-bout conversation up to the point I got fed up trying to explain and just accepted that there was something coming in the post that is more than likely the wrong thing. I wanted my dinner. I was not going to try and explain simple english. I mean, I know these immigrants need jobs, but surely they can find jobs where the skills they have are of use rather than attempting one which they clearly don't have the skills for. Then again, no british competent person would want to work in a BT call centre. ::growl:: And yet the people at Demon (the internet provider) are very helpful and friendly and not in a 'customer satisfaction' way but in a normal way. Customer satisfaction is the most infuriating thing any call centre imploys. They have to ask permission to put you on hold then thank you profusely that you're still there when they come back, which just takes up valuable time that could be spent off the phone doing something considerably more productive. And then at the end of the conversation they of course have to ask you if you were satisfied with the service they provided. So often the answer is one big 'hell no', but if you actually say that you get trapped explaining 'how to better improve their services'. And I'm sure it's not moral boosting to any immigrant to have someone yell abuse about their uselessness at english (and yet they take these jobs. They must realise that not everyone will be understanding about it). ARGH! The whole system is ridiculous. The guy I was talking to at Demon was even critising it (in a professional area, he probably shouldn't be doing that XD ). He explained they have 2 entirely different departments that should really work together, but instead one department seems put there to stop you getting in touch with the 2nd department regardless of how necessary it is. At Demon there is one woman who her entire job is to continually chase up BT to fix all their problems. Jeez! She's chasing up them just now for me while I wait for the written confirmation to arrive to forward on to them. And only then will I get my net back. So yeah, it will likely take a week or more with the time in the post and whatever (and even longer if this isn't the right thing coming). I'm sure once Demon have this confirmation, they can probably put the internet back up in less than an hour, no problems. ::sigh:: It's tough though. Not just because I can't download. I don't have any back-up sources to check the definitions of terms I'm gradually collecting (the glossary I've made of Earth Science is on to it's third page). And sometimes I would like the ability to check my translations of my own notes was accurate. But while the textbook is very interesting, the lectures and the textbook don't entirely overlap. For instance, there is one feature of volcanism that has two terms (ones european and the other is american, I think), but of course the book only lists one and I'm in need of checking the spelling of the other one. :S And... oh crud! I've got a test to take online for Earth Science as well (we get one every week). Guess I'll have to do it here (I'm in the university library just now). But that will likely mean I won't get such good grades cos I tend to look up the textbook while I'm doing it. Cheating yes, but still, I'm not going to put down a wrong answer if I can get a right one. :P I'll need to cram this weekend and come in on Monday to do it. But then I've got the fieldtrip this Saturday. ::would like to bang her head against this table but suspects it will attract a bit too much attention:: Sunday is not going to be very relaxing. Must force information into my head somehow...
Yeah, that was a big rant. I think I needed that. But I've got a maths lecture in about 10-15 minutes. Algebra today. Not nearly as fun as calculus (yes, I do find calculus rather enjoyable :P ), but we're starting something new today so maybe, just maybe, it might be interesting. I hope so because I'm regretting watching 2 episodes of anime instead of just 1 last night. I need sleep! :S Ok ok, I really need to head off. Itekimasu!
Xilmin visited the elves at 10:50 a.m.
Sunday, October 9, 2005
I have yet more reason to hate Windows! It refuses to connect to the net. Of course Saku's computer doesn't have a problem and neither does Linux (which is why I'm not a panicking wreck). I have no idea what's wrong and neither does my dad. I've done a virus check, messed around setting IP addresses and things but nothing makes a bloody bit of difference. Damn that irritates me. And without an actual hardware fault, I can't even ask for my computer to be replaced under guarantee. Of course, that's the sensible thing for the companies to do. Anyone who guaranteed Windows to do anything but fail would be bankrupt within a week. It's ridiculous. I have renewed hate for Bill Gates and all in his dominion. Well, it's back to Linux now. It was nice to have a break and see a Windows that is pretty nifty and pleasing to the eye, but overall, it's still just the same piece of crap with nicer wrapping. >(
I'm already later than I meant to be with sorting things in Linux for downloads and stuff. Least I get to sleep in a little since I dont' have a lecture until 12... I think... better check... No, it's 11. I was getting the usual Maths lecture confused with Wednesday's Maths tutorial. That means I need to leave the flat at half 10, so I have to get up just before 10. It ain't bad, but I'd better get to bed anyway. Still got to get supper and my nightly anime to watch. Oyasumi!
Xilmin visited the elves at 11:31 p.m.
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
'We'? Who did 'we' refer to? I think I'm either being blind or paranoid. Either way... 'we'? Nah, I shouldn't think to hard... ::successfully distracts herself by finding out how to solve the 'nonogram' puzzle in the IO magazine TBD she got tonight:: Anyway, I don't have time for this. I need to do dishes because I won't have time tomorrow... well actually I will because I don't have anything to do tomorrow night. I know I shouldn't procrastinate when the flat still smells of tonight's meal (and yup, I set the fire alarm off again) but... nah, I need my sleep. I'll read a little more Thud (the new Discworld book) with my supper and go to bed. I have a 9-5 day tomorrow which ain't gonna be pretty but least I have a break for lunch until today. :S
Xilmin visited the elves at 10:57 p.m.
Sunday, October 2, 2005
I'm feeling officially overwhelmed with things. I only just finished writing up my notes from my lectures tonight. And that was only 2/3 of usual lectures since the first one was devoted to describing the way the university and the course works and other stuff I'd heard before. This week I really need to make sure I don't put off writing my lectures to the next day because then I end up with multiple lectures to do and not enough time to do them all in. Tuesdays I'm going to have to remember to do them in the afternoon before I go out. And as to Wednesdays... Oh boy, that's going to be a tough day. 11-5 (giving me a bit of time to catch up on sleep) but then I'm out again in the evening for IO. And then Thursday is 9-5 giving me not much time to catch up on anything I may have missed. I suppose Friday being 9-12 is going to be the day I study like mad so I have a free weekend. I don't want everything dumped on to a Sunday like it was today. And it wasn't all that much yet.
Other things to say... Saku has moved her stuff in. She's coming up tomorrow. I'm wondering how she's going to deal with my relaxed attitude to germs and general cleaning, as well as the fact I can't cook or wash dishes successfully (my brother phoned tonight just to complain his pans hadn't been cleaned properly :S ). The only good thing about having me as a flatmate is I'm generally quiet and don't bring people round. She can just endure my weird taste in music and my rambling to myself, particularly since she'll spend quite a bit of time in the room next to mine with absolutely no sound proofing. She's bring it on herself! XD
Also, I'm putting on weight. I need to go to the gym. I've not actually weighed myself, admittedly, but I feel like my trousers are tighter. As a student, should I not be getting thinner? Oi. Admittedly it isn't helping that my mum left a chocolate roll cake thing that I polished off for desert this evening. And there is the fruit loaf as well. And she gave me a pizza. Yeah, I need to go the gym. I've paid for it anyway. I might as well use it. It's just a problem of fitting it in. Since Saku wanted to go shopping or something on Monday (where I shall refuse to spend money, for reasons I'll go into in a moment), that leaves Tuesday afternoon when I should be studying, and after that is Thursday evening, when I really should be studying. More than likely, the first opportunity will be Friday. Maybe I should cycle in to Uni at some point. Even tomorrow, since the first lecture is at 11. Well, the weather forecast looks alright on the BBC website. ::checks another site:: Well, it agrees for Monday, so it should be ok (although they disagree about Wednesday... guh, the weather is so unpredictable). Well, I'll see if I have the time. I'll need to shower tomorrow so I may not, what with wanting to sleep in as well. ;) Kinda wish I knew how long it took to get there though. That would help. About half an hour, I'm guessing... Hmmm
Now, to the money thing. I have discovered I've spent over £100 in four days. Half of that went to the membership fee for the mountaineering club and the gym. However the fact that the other half is made up of nothing bigger than £20. Admittedly I did buy 7 books when I went into Future Shock (the shop that IO members get a discount). And when the guy said, if I buy 7 I get 2 free... Well then, as I have no self-determination, of course I got 7. Admittedly with all of them but 1 being second hand, and the discount anyway, it works out at £2.25 or so each. Still, that same day I was also buying the new Discworld book ::squeek:: It's going to be brilliant! Of course it is. It may not feature Rincewind, but it's got Vimes, and with Vimes it's almost a given that Vetinari will appear at least once. ::grin:: So of course I wasn't not going to buy that. Add to that, some stationery and food and other essentials, that adds up to another £50-odd. It is not a promising beginning to living on my own. Added to that, my parents have informed me that Saku's mum paid her rent for this month to them, and they're keeping half of it. That seriously pisses me off. I know they're going into minus figures into their bank account, but Saku's rent and my miniscule loan are my only sources of income. I know I have money in the bank for now, but the fact is I don't want to eat my way through all of it in just a year or less. So therefore no more buying things except obviously the bare essentials like food and toilet paper and all that kind of stuff. But tomorrow, I am taking a sandwich with me. It's cheaper than going to Greggs or Subway or whatever every day. I'll only do that if it's wet. It's not exactly pleasant wandering streets in the rain with only sodden bread to eat. :S
I think that's everything I really wanted to say. I need an early night anyway. Although I know it's not going to be that early. Once you add on the time it takes for my nightly anime, time to sort out the stuff for tomorrow and then the time I spend listening to music before I finally try to sleep, it will probably be quite late. Particularly given that today I made the ultimate Porno Graffitti CD with all their music I have on it. Nearly didn't fit, but then I changed the bitrate and actually had some free space. To be honest though, when I see them all in one place, it doesn't look like nearly as much as I thought. Still, it is one almighty CD and it's going to be difficult tearing myself away from it to actually go to sleep. ::sweatdrop:: Still, the sooner I leave here, the sooner I'll get to sleep, so I'm off. Ja!
Xilmin visited the elves at 10:26 p.m.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Wine is officially the most disgusting drink I've ever tasted. What is the appeal? That's it! A donut and an apple are not enough to remove this taste. I'm going to look for something else! ::returns:: Right! Milk and a frusli bar. Ah, fruslis. I knew there was something I forgot to buy in today's shopping (even although the basket was really heavy, it was mostly bogged down with apples and carrots). Right, a record of tonight's events. In fact, I'll just do the entire day.
To start with, I was late for my first lecture, Earth Science, because the subway line I would usually take was shut down. Not a good start at all. So I had to get on the subway going the wrong way round the circuit. One, it took forever to arrive. Two, I only just managed to fit in and pretty much had to duck to make sure my head didn't get caught when the door closed. Talk about sardines in a tin! Three, about two stations on, I heard the announcement that the other line was working again. By the time I heard that I couldn't get off, and on the next stop to switch wouldn't really be worth it because I was already on the opposite side of the circuit and boths side would take just as long. Thankfully I wasn't much longer than 15 minutes late, and I wasn't the only one (more people came in even later). I didn't miss much anyway. It was just basically going over what I'd already read in various handouts and at the enrolment.
::escapes her mum's phone call:: Every night! Ngnarg!
Anyway, then I went to check out when my maths lecture was. Turned out I was in the 11am class, so I had an hour to do whatever I liked. Wandered into the university library again and perused the oriental section. There are some translated old novels there, but it's all very formal language that requires a lot of concentration. So I wandered out of there and went to check out the Hillhead library. There I ended up reading a bit of a Robert Rankin book. Amusing. Been meaning to read his stuff for a while.
Maths was possibly even worse than the introductory lecture. The guy went over the 'idea of graphs'. Not even actual sketching or anything, but just the 'idea' and how it is related to an equation. ::groan:: If it's going to ease me into work like this, then it ain't going to be a problem. That reminds me, I got given an exercise sheet. Hope he wasn't expecting it done in one night. He hasn't handed out the solution sheet for the one he gave out during the enrolment, so I'm sure it's fine.
Then it was to subway for lunch. That deal I got for there, it turns out, is not as brilliant as the sales guy made it out to be. Not much of a surprise there I suppose but still. It's not unlimited subs for a fixed price a month. It's unlimited buy-one-get-one-free deals which is completely pointless for just one person! Infuriating. And as their phone lines are useless, their website and email even more so, I've written an extremely polite letter. When I get irritated like that over money, I get pretentious. XD
Then to Environmental Science. He said he would take about 20 minutes. He took 40 during which he ranted on global climate change and pollution and how the different theories aren't as simple or as perfect as they are made out to be. Interesting, but very long winded. And that wasn't even a lecture lesson. It was supposed to be an introductory lecture going over the key points of the subject. ;)
Then it was back to the flat, then shopping in Morrisons at Partick (ok, I may accept my brother is right. With a monthly train ticket, it is the most convenient supermarket with decent stock. The Co-op in Govan sucks! Although I'd still prefer to go to Asda as I know it's cheaper, but it involves dragging my bike up and down three flights of stairs :S ). And then I made almost the most digusting meal yet (the four-cheese sause still beats it). I wanted fried potatoes. I should have really looked harder on the net for a decent recipe for it. Instead, I just winged it. I chopped up potatoes and fried them. Should have known there was more to it than that. The initial taste wasn't bad. It was once you bit into them you noticed they were still a little hard, and the after-taste was awful. And the fried eggs retained that same taste as I did them in the same pan. Least the beans were ok, but heating them isn't exactly taxing. I think I should stick to what I know I can do. Like boiled potatoes. And maybe I should give up trying to be healthy and poisoning myself and just stick with the easy stuff like chips (which I have in the freezer but haven't touched since they were bought over two weeks ago). Although I really need to make sure I keep track of best-before dates. Admittedly I just eat the stuff anyway, but it can't be good for me. ::rolls eyes::
Now to the evening (jeez, this seems like one unbelievably long day!). At half five was the gaming society meet. Played a game called Kill Doctor Lucky which was fun. But I didn't get to do any role-playing, although I watched one for a bit. Instead I headed to the cheese and wine night for the mountaineering club. First there was a slide show that had me in doubts about joining. And I didn't meet anyone I was particularly interested in spending time with. But the need to get out of Glasgow kept pushing me towards this. But the entire membership costs £50. That's £20 to join the club, and another £30 for the gym (you need to join because of insurance cover or something). And if I understood this right, there was more money to be forked out for every meet. I'm wondering if this is really going to be worth it. Spend a lot of money to hang around with people I don't really get on with just to get out of Glasgow. I really don't know. I can't go to this weekend meet because this is when Saku's moving up (although I'm kinda glad cos it sounds completely beyond me, with drinking and general drunken stunts. I'm relying on the fact the following meets will be calmer). There is a trip to the Lake District two weeks after that, so I'll give it a shot anyway. If I don't like it, I'll get my fitness from the gym and make my own way up to youth hostels if I get desperate for the hills. That way, at least I'll get my worth out of the £30 at the gym, and I only really lost £20 and whatever I have to pay for the trip. And the wine and cheese after that was horrible. But I didn't have much choice in the matter and had to have some of both. While the taste is mostly gone, I can still sense it on the back of my throat. How anyone can drink it regularly is beyond me.
Well, as I walked away from that, I passed the gaming society again, and sat down to watch the end of the game I saw earlier. They lost. But it seemed such brilliant fun. Next Tuesday, screw the meet in the pub for the mountaineering club. I'm roleplaying! They've got wargaming going on this Saturday. Don't know if I can make it for that since I don't know exactly when Saku's coming up. Would like to check it out though. They were showing me the models they use for it in a magazine. So cool! You know, I think I could really get into gaming. Plus, the people were brilliant. I can be more myself around other geeks. :D
Well, that was my day. I sure had a lot to say. I'm not going to go into the weekend back home or anything else. I'd better get to bed. I don't need to get up all that early. First lecture isn't until 11. But still, I could do with some sleep, even if I'm not that sleepy right now... although maybe one more go at a sudoku puzzle (new addiction which I'd hoped to stay away from but evidently failed). Let's see if I can get a time above average. I feel depressed when I don't manage that. I have no life, as the urge to do going probably states. :P
Xilmin visited the elves at 12:07 a.m.
Basics
Name: Xilmin Nerrar (might as well be when I'm on the net ;) ) Nick: Xi (I have more, plenty more!) Gender: Female Age: 19 Birthday: 1st Nov (gimme a pressie! :P ) Sign: Scorpio Home: Scotland E-mail:xilmin@coolgoose.co.uk
Favs
Food: Ketchup (or anything with ketchup! [I mean anything]) Drink: Irn Bru! Colour: Red, Blue, Yellow, White, Black, Green (depending on my mood) Time: Morning Season: Summer Activity: Computers, anime, drawing, writing, reading, dreaming and thinking Music: Anime/J-pop, Rock, Metal, Classical (anything but boy-bands and opera!) Author: Terry Pratchet Movie: Lord of the Rings, Matrix, Star Wars (there's loads more) TV show: Red Dwarf Anime: Jungle wa Itsumo Hale Nochi Guu, Jubei-chan, Full Metal Alchemist, Planetes, Bleach, Honey & Clover, My Hime, Azumanga Daioh, Kyou Kara Maou, Samurai 7, Konjiki no Gash Bell, Melody of Oblivion, Fruits Basket, Excel Saga, Hoshi no Koe, Figure 17, Samurai Champloo, Chrno Crusade, Read or Die, Full Metal Panic, Stellvia of the Universe, Shadow Skill, Macross Zero, Hyper Police, Matantei Loki Ragnarok(There are very few anime I don't like ;) ) Manga: Houshin Engi, Parfait Tic, Demon Diary, Koi wa Itsumo Arashi Youni, Koori no Mamono no Monogatari, Love Mode, Menkui, Sakende Yaruze, Soshite Haru no Tsuki, Eternal Sabbath, Tokko, Shin Angyo Onshi, Paradistar, My Name is Zushio, Apocripha, Midare Somenishi, Chrno Crusade Seiyuu: Okiayu Ryoutarou, Koyasu Takehito, Ishida Akira, Hoshi Souichirou, Hayami Sho, Miki Shinichirou, Matsumoto Yasunori, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Paku Romi, Sakurai Takahiro, Seki Tomokazu, Miyamoto Mitsuru, Inoue Kazuhiko, Morikubo Shoutarou, Midorikawa Hikaru, Yamaguchi Kappei, Seki Toshihiko
