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Shoulder Angel

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Gah! [Jun. 13th, 2007|04:12 pm]
[Tags|, , , ]
[mood | annoyed]
[music |Expo '86, Death Cab For Cutie]

Oh goody. Something else to worry about...

From: Somebody relevant at Seeker
To: me
Subject: Superannuation Compliance
To all casual employees,

Seeker is required by law to pay superannuation contributions to a complying superannuation fund for all casual employees. Based on this information could you please supply details of superannuation funds that you hold whereby contributions can be made on behalf of Seeker.

If you do not have a complying superannuation fund you will need to organise one to be set up. Once this has been done could you please email all details to myself asap

*sigh* It's probably a good thing, but I really didn't need something else to do right now. Yay! Let's find a super fund!
-Mmaster
linkBe an Angel

[Apr. 20th, 2007|06:02 pm]
[Tags|, , , , , , ]
[mood | accomplished]
[music |Pschybilly Stomp, The Meteors]

Today felt like a long day. I actually felt accomplished at the end of it, as opposed to other days. My ankles don't want to move for a week or three, though; unfortunately, the next week's going to be hectic as Hell, so...

Today was Western-ish type areas. The map stretched from the eastern edge of Summer Hill to the western edge of Greenacre. I went through Belfield. Then, lacking the on-hand cash to purchase a private bus ticket, I walked to Strathfield South, and did a registration there. That wasn't too painful.

...What was painful was the 2.6k walk (in hot sun for the majority) over to Chullora to cover that area of the map. After that effort, I headed to an ATM to get bus money. (And food money, but we won't mention that.) I had lunch, and then did a registration thereabouts. I then had sufficient time for one more reigstration, so I paid money to catch a bus over to Burwood, from there to somewhere else, and from that somewhere else to Ashbury (the only area of the map looking distinctly empty).

I did a registration there, though I think I made the shop owners a little suspicious with all the hanging around the shop and not catching buses afterwards.
At just before five o'clock, while I was again noting things down while I waited for the phone to realise that it should do stuff, some random guys drove up. The guy in the front passenger seat wound down his window.
*He speaks unintelligibly, because of the music in my ears
*I remove an earphone
Mm: Sorry?
Him: We're just taking a survey: do you think I'm attractive?
Mm: ...I can't see you. I'm not wearing my glasses.
Him: Well, put them on, they're on your head.
Mm: I'm sorry, but I should be getting back to work. *indicates clipboard*
Him: Okay. *They drive off, laughing uproariously*
Mm: ... *shakes head* *goes back to work*
...Okay?

-Mmaster
linkBe an Angel

Kill the messenger; I swear it's not me, just someone I used to know... [Apr. 18th, 2007|08:25 pm]
[Tags|, , , , ]
[mood | calm]
[music |Standing On The Outside, Cold Chisel]

Today was more or less a write-off.

I did a half day of work, and decided my ankles were hurting too much to continue. I'll catch it up over the weekend, probably.

Once I decided this, I realised that I'd dropped my ticket somewhere during the day, and had to buy another one. Fortunately, it was expiring today anyway, but it was still annoying.

I got home, and studied a little bit of Database Fundementals and watched Spooks. More of the latter than the former; I suck at multitasking.

And now, Spicks'n'Specks is due to begin. See you later.
-Mmaster
linkBe an Angel

I have a title that I know will sell a million copies; I'm gonna call it "Tropic of Calculus". [Apr. 17th, 2007|10:23 pm]
[Tags|, , , ]
[mood | sore]
[music |Stayin' Alive, Ozzy Osbourne]

Rar. Today feels worse than it actually was, because I am now exhausted.

I did Glebe, Balmain, and a break for lunch, and then South Sydney and Kings' Cross. Again, I ran into people while scootering, though only two of note.

I started from the ProgSoc room. On the bus stop, waiting for the bus, Kate passed by. We chatted, briefly, and then I caught a bus.

While in Glebe, I ran into curly-haired James three times (once at the end of each trip, and once back at home base - he was travelling in one direction, I was travelling in both). And I then ran into him again when I was waiting for a bus after lunch. ...Okay?

...I don't think I'd ever actually been to King's Cross before. Admittedly, three o'clock in the afternoon isn't exactly the seediest of hours, but still.

I finished up my work around 3:30. It seemed a little early, but I had to get to Gordon by around five, and I was allowing an hour's travel time; half an hour isn't sufficient to move to a new location, register, and do a run or two. I admit to not particularly hurrying, but with reasonably good connections from King's Cross to Gordon, it still took me most of that time; I think I got in to the office around 4:45. There was the obligatory quater-hour or so, where Robert rushed around finding new maps and the like, and then a quarter of an hour reading my results to him to make sure he understood. He spent a lot of time patting me on the head; even if I don't like my results, apparently they do.

I then scootered back to the station, and caught a train just as it was about to leave. I finally made it back to the ProgSoc room around 6:20. Thomas had promised Chris and me a quick background of calculus, because there was some seminar happening. I half listened, and got some of the gist, though I can't say I understood the majority (though that may be more the fault of a brain gone into standby).

The three of us attended the seminar. I had to fight against yawns, though that wasn't so much the effort of the lecturer as being fairly tired; and also having missed the first in the series. Most of the rest seemed to also have background knowledge that I don't. I don't remember if I ever studied calculus, but if I did, it's escaped. I managed to follow most of what the guy was saying (though I'd be hard-pressed to remember the majority); it was mostly when the guys in the audience with background piped up on somewhat tangential topics that I tended to lose the thread.
Since Chris and I hadn't been present at the previous one, at the end, he asked us "How we were doing". My response: "Well, I'm still awake."

After that, since none of us had eaten, Chris, Thomas, and I headed to Oporto's (since it was likely the only thing open at 8:30). I dislike Oporto's, mostly because I don't like the sauce. So this time, I tried the nuggets instead. They were an improvement, but not by much; lacking the sauce meant they were fairly dry and moderately flavourless. I wasn't particularly hungry anyway, though, so I suppose it's no great loss. *shrugs* The chocolate mousse wasn't too bad, though.

As I was sitting in the ProgSoc room, I pushed at my ankle in an odd way, and it decided to hurt. I rolled my eyes, and dragged out the bandage I keep for just this reason. After I'd bandaged the ankle in question, Chris and I headed off towards Railway Square. We arrived just in time to see the 437 go sailing past. Sigh.

I caught a 438, and called my parents in the hope that they might be able to pick me up from the shops. But since they were still out, I sighed and scootered home.

I now need to crash, because I have work in the morning and am about to fall over where I sit. ...Yay.
-Mmaster
linkBe an Angel

Lay me down in the bed that I made; starved for sleep by the shrill serenade... [Apr. 13th, 2007|09:59 pm]
[Tags|, , , ]
[mood | bored]
[music |What You Live By, Harvey Danger]

I spent the day scootering around five different locations in the Inner West. Since they've managed to reduce the hikes, it felt like I spent more time moving between locations (and trying to find suitable spots) than doing actual testing.

Content is lacking, so have some song lyrics.

Happiness Writes Write, Harvey Danger
Ariella, 7:30; I don't want to get up yet
Listen to the morning music, cursing the alarm you set
As you know, I've never been a praying man
I don't need a God to make me feel all right
But if you wonder why I never wrote you a song
It's because happiness writes white

I tried to put it into words, but the words just sound like mistakes
I tried to find a set of chords, but you know how long that takes me
I can't trust my fingers, I can't trust my tongue
The work is too important and we're no longer young after all
When I consider what you put up with, I'm amazed you still have skin
When I consider what you mean to me... It's everything
It's everything

Ariella, 11:30; I don't want to go to sleep
Turn the TV off, already; curse the hours we have to keep
As you know, I've never been a confident man:
I've been in the tall grass all my life
Until you came along; now, there's one less thing wrong
Even though happiness writes white

I know happiness writes white

It's bouncy and happy. And similar in theme to that song that whatsisface did as a closing number on Spicks that time that probably noone but me remembers. ...Yes.

And now, to attempt to gather my wits into a straight line. I need to either eat something, or attempt DSPP. ...Of course, I'll probably just read novels instead.
-Mmaster
linkBe an Angel

You know you're on your stamping ground, when... [Apr. 12th, 2007|05:38 pm]
[Tags|, , , , ]
[mood | working]
[music |Happiness Writes White, Harvey Danger]

Today was the first day of this round of testing for Seeker. They called us in at lunchtime, included us in the weekly staff barbecue, and gave us hats. (HAT! ...Even if it's a baseball cap...) Then they sent us off to do a half day of testing.

Since I was coming to ProgSoc this evening, I volunteered to do the city. Home base for the first one was the ProgSoc room.

As I was heading down Paramatta Rd, I walked with Subfuture, who happened to be rolling one of those hire-able steam/vacuum (I think the first) cleaners. When I stopped to make notes outside Oporto's, he continued on towards Broadway.

On the way back, I ran into Jane, who was heading over to Broadway shops to open a bank account. And, a little further on, William Wallace.

I returned to the room (or, more to the point, the door; since I was too lazy to enter and then re-leave). I then did the second run for that point, uneventfully.

After I'd completed that, I had something of a taxing decision to make, given that I still had an hour or so to fill (and the ProgSoc runs had been incredibly short). I examined the map for a few minutes, and decided to head up Harris street towards Pyrmont.

As I was scootering down Broadway towards Harris street, I waved to Bernadette and Evan as I passed.

I went along Harris Street, looking for somewhere relevant to choose as home base. I came to a convenience store that seemed perfect for the purpose, being a reasonable distance from the previous point. As I was unloading my bags to drag out my clipboard, I encountered Ryan Heise. I prodded him about not paying his fees, and we chatted briefly.

I asked the shopkeeper where I was on the map. After he'd pointed it out, he decided he liked me so much that "You need any help? Ask!". I felt I should buy something, since he'd been so helpful, so I asked him how much the Coke was. "For you, whatever you want!" ...I only had $1.25, but he seemed satisfied. ...Okay? Not that I'm complaining, but I'd never thought of myself as that loveable...

The trek from the convenience store was more like the ones from last time, in terms of distance. As I was on the return trip, I ran into another person I recognised; one of the guys who was a yellowshirt at our IT camp - his name escapes me, but he's permanently affixed to that girl who's name also escaped; you know the pair. Anyway, he was waiting for a bus home from work.

Since the phone re-registered at almost exactly 5 o'clock, I noted down the details then packed up to head out. As I wandered into Building 10, I encountered Jane who was waiting for Thomas. We headed to the room, and I opened it up for ProgSoc night.

...Woo, party on...
-Mmaster

EDIT: So, we ran into Selphie and Subfuture while we were heading up to the food court. ...And I saw Jaye McClaren during dinner. After he randomly polite-kissed me on the head, Jane declared him totally gay, especially since I observed to them that I barely knew the guy - and Liz pointed out I have "body space issues". What the hell?
linkBe an Angel

[Jan. 26th, 2007|08:09 am]
[Tags|, , , , ]
[mood | amused]

Admittedly, he wasn't quite as interesting as Random Parking Ticket Lady. But still.

Yesterday, on the final one of my runs, I encountered a man who was trying to hail a taxi. ...Standing on what amounted to the corner of a major-ish back road.

( Sure, the roads are yellow; but there wasn't much more traffic than a suburban street. )


Him: I'm trying to get a taxi. But none of them are stopping.
Mm: That would be because they're all already engaged. See that light at the top? If it isn't lit, they aren't going to stop.
Him: I'm from Newcastle. I've got a friend that's going to bail me out in Manly, if I can get there.
* Repeat the above conversation several times over
Mm: You'll have better luck if you walk back to the main road. How did you get here?
* He makes a walking motion with his fingers
Him: I shouldn't even be here. I should be on the road, playing music with my band.
Mm: I'm going back to the Post Office, right now. Did you want to come? You'll have better luck up there.
Him: Nah, it's too far to walk.
Mm: ... ...Fine. Do you have a mobile?
* He fumbles in his pockets and drags one out
Mm: The next taxi that comes along, check the number on the side, and call it.
Him: I would, if I had any charge on my phone.
Mm: ... *sighs* *points across road* Look. There's a pay phone; just there! If you have enough money for a taxi, you have enough money for a phone call.

I left to go back to the post office at that point, but I think he was moving in the general direction of the phone booth as I left.

*shakes head*
-Mmaster
link2 Divine Judgements|Be an Angel

"Coherncy"? By the way: emo. Waah. [Jan. 23rd, 2007|11:10 pm]
[Tags|, , , , , , ]
[mood | exhausted]
[music |Wake Up, The Living End]

Yesterday was long. And stuff. Up at six to be at Gordon by nine, then home to do however long it was in each direction, then the dog party, then trivia.

...Just as I was about to get off the bus at the Lansdowne, I received a message from Nora saying that they'd changed the venue. ...What? They've apparently decided to go to the Great Northern in Chatswood, instead. My response was something to the effect of "Then I can't make it after this week." ...I probably wouldn't have gone this week, either, except I was on a DayTripper funded by work. ...And already halfway there.

I got off the bus at Central, and caught a train over to Chatswood. I ask the train people how to get to the hotel. Their response was "But that's halfway to Artarmon!". I shrugged, and they gave me directions to the effect of "Follow the Pacific Highway".

I walked it. In the rain. Muttering about the multiple ways in which I desired their deaths.

I got there, walked all the way around the building only to discover that I would have done better to go through the front door. I told them that I couldn't get there again, and they all seemed surprised at my vehemence. "Why didn't you catch a bus?!?" ...Because I didn't know there was one.

We were firmly ensconced in the smokers' area, so there were smokers to my left and directly in front of me. Making my eyes sting, and my cough trigger badly. Derek had chosen a table directly in front of the host, and proceeded to heckle him throughout the evening. The host annoyed me, but that may just have been that I was already in a bad mood.

There were, I admit, a few moments of amusement... But I simply can't get to Chatswood on a Tuesday evening on a regular basis.

At the end of the evening, Derek and Hagan were telling each other how much they liked the venue - possibly mostly because it was close to where they lived. I continued muttering. Hagan offered to give me a lift to a bus stop which he, probably quite rightfully, claimed would get me home faster. He said that it went to the QVB, but I caught the bus having no particularly clear idea of where it was going.

When the driver stopped the bus with a note of finality, I made my way to the front and had this conversation:
Mm: Can you tell me where I am?
Driver: *unintelligible mumble*
Mm: ...Please?
Driver: City! QVB!
Mm: Can you point me in the direction of the QVB, then?
*Driver points dead ahead
Mm: Thank you...

I walked over to George Street, and checked the timetable. When I discovered that the bus wasn't due for twenty minutes, I'd had enough. I'd been crying to the point of hysteria since I was dropped off next to a bus stop that I had no knowledge of (I kept having the Simpsons quote running through my head: "I'm in this place where I don't know where I am!"), and that was the last straw.

I called Mum, and asked her to come and pick me up. She sent my father, in pajamas and sandals, to do so. While I waited, an ambulance came screeching to a halt in front of the Hilton. Several relevant people hopped out, assembled the bed, and wheeled it into the building - despite the lights and siren, they didn't seem in any great hurry, though.

Dad took pity on me and offered to give me a lift to Gordon this morning, allowing me to get an extra half hour's sleep. I still woke up with the major desire to go back to bed and call in sick. But I somehow got myself together sufficiently to get up and get going.

We got to Gordon with almost an hour to spare (but, if we had left later, the time would probably not have been comparable, due to traffic). To kill some time, we got take away coffee (him) and hot chocolate (me) and drank it while we waited. I could feel my mood improving as I sipped - though at the end of the drink (I was still finishing it as I walked into the office), I still had the desire to fall asleep on the table.

I got my marching orders, and then waited till Richard and Matt did the same - we left together. Walked over to the station, caught the train to Central.

While I was waiting for a train to Ashfield, I called up Dad and asked him to pick up the scooter - I've been using it, but it's been raining overnight and I didn't want the gears being jammed. I caught the train, and met Dad. He asked me if I really wanted to give it to him - the rain had mostly stopped; but I gave it to him anyway, on grounds that I don't think my ankles could have stood for another day at the strange angles riding the scooter entails. I'll see how they feel tomorrow morning, and decide whether to take it then.

Cue spending the rest of the day traipsing over Ashfield. ...Yay...


My tomorrow will be interesting (Actual results may vary):
* Wake up at Gods only know what time
* Bus in to the city
* Drop Tristian, and a change of clothes, in the ProgSoc room
* Bus to Central
* Train to North Sydney
* Test North Sydney
* Call boss
* Test North Sydney
* Train to Gordon
* Drop off results
* Delight in freedom
* Train to Central
* Bus to Building 10
* Get changed
* ProgSoc
* Collapse
...Yay! *Slashdies*

-Mmaster
linkBe an Angel

[Jan. 17th, 2007|11:32 pm]
[Tags|, , ]
[mood | amused]
[music |Blow Your Tears, Racoon]

Today, while at Manly, I had some very distressed Indian (I think she was Indian) woman think I was booking her for parking without a ticket, because I was standing next to her car writing on a clipboard. She kept gesturing to her daughter, who had both feet in casts: I'm not sure of the significance of that.

I finally convinced her to calm down, and went on my way. I sent a message to Dedney, telling him about it. This interchange followed:
Dedney: Haha! That's the funniest thing I've heard all day! And the reason you didn't ask her for a fifty dollar fine was...? :-P
Mm: I'm nice? :P
Dedney: And that's why you're fifty dollars poorer! Think of all the hats you could have bought! :O

*shakes head* Yes dear.
-Mmaster
link

[Jan. 16th, 2007|07:30 am]
[Tags|]
[mood | blah]

Gragh.

Yesterday morning, I woke up at five am feeling nauseous. I went back to sleep, woke up at seven, and felt better.

Then, as I was going to bed, the same feeling struck. I crashed on the lower bunk with a bucket.

This morning, I don't exactly feel nauseous. I do, however, feel moderately lousy. It's nothing particularly definable, though.

Since I can't face the thought of breakfast, it's off to work, I suppose. It'll take me the hour-and-a-half to get there.

*sighs*
-Mmaster
linkBe an Angel

You want apologies? Girl, you might hold your breath until your breathing stops forever... [Jan. 12th, 2007|09:35 pm]
[Tags|, , , , ]
[mood | sleepy]
[music |Dance Dance, Fall Out Boy]

Yesterday I walked (well, scooter'd) probably about ten kilometres, maybe more, maybe less.

Today the number was probably closer to sixteen kilometres... Or more. Plus the rapid-fire trip to get back to the office in time.

I woke up at 4:30 this morning. *shakes head* I ended up starting at 7:45, in an attempt to beat the heat. It ended up being that I spent an hour longer than expected, and I still only just managed it. ...And they gave me one map with three points on it for Monday? This bodes not well.

I'm hungry but don't want to eat.

*giggles* I just got a phone call from Chris...
* Phone rings. Loud noise in the background of the call.
Mm: Hello?
Chris: Hi, Margaret. Do you know if Liz is working tonight?
Mm: I have no idea.
Chris: Because, I'm here, and I can't see her.
Mm: ... ...Did you try asking the staff?
Chris: ... ...That would be an idea, wouldn't it?
Thomas claims there's no reason it should have occurred to him. ...Other than the fact that we ask every time we visit?

*tired smile*
-Mmaster

EDIT:
QOTD:
"Carbon monoxide can kiss my gas!" -Matt
link1 Divine Judgement|Be an Angel

[Jan. 11th, 2007|07:02 am]
[Tags|, , ]
[mood | nervous]
[music |I have Britney Spears as sung by penguins in my head]

Nervous? I'm terrified as Hell, thanks for asking.
-Mmaster
link3 Divine Judgements|Be an Angel

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