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Quickie Netcafe update...
Apr. 26th, 2001 03:06 pmYeah, I can't handle being without the Net for more than a few days. ;) *grins* Actually, I can, but I'm bored and I felt like a bit of time alone in my head. Hanging around, checking the boards and the livejournals, is a good way to wind down.
I knew that second caffe latte was a mistake. *grins*
Lessee, I've been down in Melbourne for a couple of days, and I've been enjoying myself. Michael picked me up from the station as he promised (on time too, not like a certain housemate!) and drove me back to his place. Rathdowne Street (La Porchatta's) for dinner, and then... Well, that's all I'm saying for _that_ evening.
Went to the Dawn Service on Anzac Day. Reading Raph's journal entry about Anzac Day made me think about the whole deal, and about being Aussie. I come from a family where the last three generations have been to war. I've seen first hand the results of that. That's why I consider myself a pacifist, because I know the terrible waste and cost of war. But I'm also proud of my father and my grandfather and my great-grandfather, because of the sacrifices they made, and the courage they showed in fighting for their country. I know the politics bahind the conflicts, and the stupidity surrounding the wars, Vietnam especially, but I can still feel proud of my family.
Something that was said at the service struck me especially: "There is now a generation of people that has never known war first-hand." Of course, that handily ignores the Gulf War, since that's the one no-one talks about now. *pulls face* But I like the sentiment, even if it's not 100% correct. It's something to aim for, a generation that doesn't know war.
I also ended up seeing not one, but two movies yesterday. Stuck for something to do, Michael, Adam (his housemate and a karateka) and Melissa, Adam's girlfriend and I headed into the city and eventually ended up watching "Momento", with Guy Pearce. A very cool movie, with some interesting ideas about memory and existence and perception. Does something exist if you don't remember it? Just what is truth when you have no permanence? *grins* Fits in nicely with your post earlier, Yasmin, about memory. Honestly, you're gonig to have to stop borrowing my brain like that. ;)
Of course, I had to absolutely hoon up to Carlton to meet Yasmin for her birthday outing. Good thing I've borrowed BRM's mobile - I hate the damn things, but it's so bloody handy! "In The Mood For Love" was quite a different pace to "Momento", but a beautifully crafted film. Lots of interesting cinematic touches. :) And of course, Maggie Cheung is a goddess to be worshipped. So yes, I did like it. And I enjoyed dinner with Yasmin and her kendo friend Clare. *giggles* Get any type of martial artists together and the talk inevitably turns to the best means to inflict pain. *winks* Ask Acetal. He endured Yas and I comparing notes during the pre-AusCon sessions.
I got back to Michael's place around midnight; I walked from Yasmin'a place, which was about fifteen minutes' worth along Lygon Street. People are always asking me if I'm frightened to walk city streets alone and night, and in all seriousness, I'm not. I'm not trying to be a hero, or to bignote myself, but I rarely feel uncomfortable doing it. And not just because of the black belt thing - that's beside the point, since self-defence is a whole different ballgame to actual martial arts - I feel comfortable in Melbourne, and sometimes i enjoy my late-night walks. Last night was windy, and a bit cold as a result, but the skies were clear and the air was relatively fresh because of the wind and overall it was a nice night to be out. Yasmin wouldn't agree with me, being the tropical bird she is *grins and winks*, but I find something bracing about cold weather. It reminds me I'm alive.
It was nice to get into a lovely warm bed with a warm body to curl up into, tho'. This thing with Michael is pretty much physical, but there's something ineffably comforting about having someone to sleep with.
I just had lunch with Craig, one of the karate guys. *sighs* Pity he's a) married, and b) proud father of an adorable baby boy, because I certainly could go for him. He's a lovely bloke, one of those huggy types - we call him the "big teddy bear' in the karate club, because he's always great to cuddle up to - and very easy to talk to. I told him about BRM, and the Michael thing, and we had a great time just sitting in the sun and chatting and having coffee. *grins* He's too tall for me anyway. I'd need to carry a step ladder around. But he understood the whole "reliving the early twenties" thing - we both got into long-term relationships early on in university (he's been married almost ten years, and is only a couple of years older than me) - and he agreed that I was probably catching up on the stuff I'd missed back then. I certainly feel twenty-ish at the moment.
Karate camp starts tomorrow eveing. Can't wait. :) But I won't be online again until Monday (my time) probably. I'll let you know how it goes. Gotta head off and give Yasmin her birthday present. ;)
I knew that second caffe latte was a mistake. *grins*
Lessee, I've been down in Melbourne for a couple of days, and I've been enjoying myself. Michael picked me up from the station as he promised (on time too, not like a certain housemate!) and drove me back to his place. Rathdowne Street (La Porchatta's) for dinner, and then... Well, that's all I'm saying for _that_ evening.
Went to the Dawn Service on Anzac Day. Reading Raph's journal entry about Anzac Day made me think about the whole deal, and about being Aussie. I come from a family where the last three generations have been to war. I've seen first hand the results of that. That's why I consider myself a pacifist, because I know the terrible waste and cost of war. But I'm also proud of my father and my grandfather and my great-grandfather, because of the sacrifices they made, and the courage they showed in fighting for their country. I know the politics bahind the conflicts, and the stupidity surrounding the wars, Vietnam especially, but I can still feel proud of my family.
Something that was said at the service struck me especially: "There is now a generation of people that has never known war first-hand." Of course, that handily ignores the Gulf War, since that's the one no-one talks about now. *pulls face* But I like the sentiment, even if it's not 100% correct. It's something to aim for, a generation that doesn't know war.
I also ended up seeing not one, but two movies yesterday. Stuck for something to do, Michael, Adam (his housemate and a karateka) and Melissa, Adam's girlfriend and I headed into the city and eventually ended up watching "Momento", with Guy Pearce. A very cool movie, with some interesting ideas about memory and existence and perception. Does something exist if you don't remember it? Just what is truth when you have no permanence? *grins* Fits in nicely with your post earlier, Yasmin, about memory. Honestly, you're gonig to have to stop borrowing my brain like that. ;)
Of course, I had to absolutely hoon up to Carlton to meet Yasmin for her birthday outing. Good thing I've borrowed BRM's mobile - I hate the damn things, but it's so bloody handy! "In The Mood For Love" was quite a different pace to "Momento", but a beautifully crafted film. Lots of interesting cinematic touches. :) And of course, Maggie Cheung is a goddess to be worshipped. So yes, I did like it. And I enjoyed dinner with Yasmin and her kendo friend Clare. *giggles* Get any type of martial artists together and the talk inevitably turns to the best means to inflict pain. *winks* Ask Acetal. He endured Yas and I comparing notes during the pre-AusCon sessions.
I got back to Michael's place around midnight; I walked from Yasmin'a place, which was about fifteen minutes' worth along Lygon Street. People are always asking me if I'm frightened to walk city streets alone and night, and in all seriousness, I'm not. I'm not trying to be a hero, or to bignote myself, but I rarely feel uncomfortable doing it. And not just because of the black belt thing - that's beside the point, since self-defence is a whole different ballgame to actual martial arts - I feel comfortable in Melbourne, and sometimes i enjoy my late-night walks. Last night was windy, and a bit cold as a result, but the skies were clear and the air was relatively fresh because of the wind and overall it was a nice night to be out. Yasmin wouldn't agree with me, being the tropical bird she is *grins and winks*, but I find something bracing about cold weather. It reminds me I'm alive.
It was nice to get into a lovely warm bed with a warm body to curl up into, tho'. This thing with Michael is pretty much physical, but there's something ineffably comforting about having someone to sleep with.
I just had lunch with Craig, one of the karate guys. *sighs* Pity he's a) married, and b) proud father of an adorable baby boy, because I certainly could go for him. He's a lovely bloke, one of those huggy types - we call him the "big teddy bear' in the karate club, because he's always great to cuddle up to - and very easy to talk to. I told him about BRM, and the Michael thing, and we had a great time just sitting in the sun and chatting and having coffee. *grins* He's too tall for me anyway. I'd need to carry a step ladder around. But he understood the whole "reliving the early twenties" thing - we both got into long-term relationships early on in university (he's been married almost ten years, and is only a couple of years older than me) - and he agreed that I was probably catching up on the stuff I'd missed back then. I certainly feel twenty-ish at the moment.
Karate camp starts tomorrow eveing. Can't wait. :) But I won't be online again until Monday (my time) probably. I'll let you know how it goes. Gotta head off and give Yasmin her birthday present. ;)
