Tuesday 31 August 2010

HTML5 Showcase

Boring title?

You are sooooooo wrong. Check this out.

http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/

Run it in chrome, y'all.

TheSovietChairman.

Saturday 28 August 2010

Friday 27 August 2010

Eventful

A week in hospital looking after a sick bunny turned out to be the blessing I needed. One-on-one time was great, having solid days on end just to swim through conversations and to reminisce and enjoy the hospital cuisine. There were a few tears shed. She doesn't like being left in anyone else's hands, however (in)competent they turned out to be.

Being a doctor in a sick bed has advantages: Private rooms, spare beds for fiancés, friends coming in to "compromise one's care" with extra treatment and tasty noodles, etc.

All this took place when she was supposed to be moving into the new house. Praise God for the community He's built up around her- the choir ladies did a great job setting up the house with donations and gifts. Her med team friends were kind and the nurses did what they could to make us comfortable.

But what a house! I slept in front of the fire last visit, on account of the blue hue apparent in my face and digits. Saving gas is one thing, but... goodness, that was cold. The big, squishy mattress in front of the fire helped. Thanks, My Love, for your understanding and compassion.

Then: The party. Friends from all over came to share with us in the celebration of our engagement, as well as her house warming and birthday! Thanks to those who came. The party was well over-catered, but in the long run, the abundance of red meat left in her freezer should go some way toward helping with the anaemia.

Our friend's little boy now associates My love with me, I'm very pleased to say. He's the cutest little guy and gets all the attention at parties and on the wards. Kat told me how he ran into the living room and ran laps around the sofa, before looking up and asking, "Where Evan?"

I'm off to get some $4 pizza with friends from Bimbo's.

I'm sorry for not being around. I do love you.

Note: I didn't publish this post until now. The pizzas yesterday were delicious. The talk by Don Carson was inspiring. The birthday walking was fun. The pancakes were tasty. The sleepover was entertaining. The big brekky this morning rocked my stomach. The stomach pump this afternoon should be a hoot.

Almost as much fun as the group project I'm heading off to complete.

I had a great time, sneaking up to Bendigo to celebrate with My Love. Chicken nuggets and a Cantonese movie. Nice. And cuddles.

Have a great day, y'all.

Especially, Kei.

*Hugs*

Happy Birthday!

TSC

Wednesday 11 August 2010

The Mini Reviews are up

And that's no lie. You'll notice the link to the page in the side bar.

I intend to review (very briefly - hence 'mini') books, games, TV shows, music and more. These Mini Reviews are intended to give you an idea of stuff you may not have heard of, but I really enjoyed. The idea came to me while watching Korean dramas. I was overwhelmed by a sense that there is so much media out there that I have access to, but I sometimes feel like I have no idea where to start.

I'll keep the page updated with things I've seen/read/played via recommendation from my international/adventurous friends. Some reviews will be of more mainstream stuff as well, but there you go.

Anyway... Enjoy. I did.

TheSovietChairman

Monday 9 August 2010

Old diary entries

I don't like to use this blog as a diary. That's what a diary is for. However, I found an old diary from the start of the year and remembered scribbling these pages in the Shanghai Dumpling House in the CBD.

The boat picture was done the following day, just before midnight at Eastern Beach, Geelong.

Gettin' it together

It's started. The gym timetable's on the wall, the washing's done, I've got all the supplies I need: Soy milk, bought in bulk; Weet-Bix, or at least the no name equivalent; Cruskits, light; Vegemite; Fruit. I'll buy my main protein more regularly - so I won't stock up on that - and I'll stick to lean meats.

Bring it.

I've got pretty strong will power when it comes to food and exercise. Study doesn't come so easily. My diary is now full of assignment due dates and there's a study guide in each notebook.

My essentials:

- God's Love
- Healthy pantry
- Gym clothes
- Pain killers
- Sketch book
- Friends
- Kat (Also a friend, but more important for various reasons)

Don't worry. It's not all business. I'm good at making time for fun.

Friday 6 August 2010

Justice and Going out with a splash of colour

At The Vic this week, Chris Mulherin facilitated a discussion on justice, what it means and how we should think about it.

We discussed the idea of inherent human dignity, as different from relative dignity. We discussed euthanasia and abortion and human trafficking and even why it's potentially theologically heretical to suggest that a Christian shouldn't vote for a non-Christian.

We discussed how the foundations of our Western discernment of the inherent equal value given to humans lies in our Judeo-Christian heritage and the teachings of Christ. It isn't something we naturally come to, as it can be seemingly logical to understand the different worth of people from different castes.

We talked about the dangers of tying rights to attributes. A student in a Uni class maintained that a human doesn't have rights until they can understand they have them, using this as a pro-abortion argument. However the (hopefully) inherent value understood to be given to all God's creations leads us to understand that this argument doesn't stand when applied to the mentally handicapped. We (hopefully) have an inherent understanding of the dignity they're entitled to (as being very distinct from social dignity, or perceived dignity) and the argument falls apart.

I feel very grateful for my brand of feminist upbringing and for God's blessing on my life.

I've also come to a rather momentous decision. Don't be afraid. I've thought about it and I think it's for the best.

It's been three and a half years. My friend Divya first got me onto it. You've seen pictures and you've heard how therapeutic it's been. Thank you, Divs. Thank you all those who have donated to my enjoyment. But it's time. People who've known me for a long time will back me up in saying that I was colourful enough before, and so too will I be afterwards.

I am giving up the colourful nails.

Tonight I donated my nail polish collection. It's going to a good home, and for those around me who still want to borrow a bottle or two, I can send you down the road to visit them all.

I've never cared what people have said about me because of it. I've never cared what anyone thinks, as long as I haven't hurt anyone in the process. And in the past, I'm sure I haven't. Sadly, I can no longer say this is true.

Here's my last shot at digital (get it?!) beauty. Last night I had no idea that this would be the last time, but I think it's a fair final effort.


Also, I'm in the process of reworking my name. I don't want people to get confused. I've got an explanation in the side bar and in the questions page, but I'm still concerned that people will be put off. I'm not a closet communist, nor would I ever hope to be chairman of anything really.

I don't want to be spineless or a pushover and I'm always my own person, but I think compromise is part of being an adult. And if some simple changes around here will create better relations and save people from copping flak, then it's the least I could do.

I hope that in this spirit I'll be met in the middle concerning other simple things.

Much love, as always,

TSC

P.S. In much lesser news- I'm messing around with the header. Whadya think?

P.P.S. I will work hard and love you as best I can, A.T., turning to God for guidance and learning day by day to better serve you, just as you will serve me. Don't have fear. Have faith in God's plan for us and the work He will do in our lives. I'm so proud of you. Congratulations on your GP training placement. I hope your rest brings you to a better state of health. Have confidence. My prayer is that you see the blessings of working as hard in your social, spiritual and family life as you've done so far in your career. I hope this never loses its value and is a reminder of my life-long commitment to a life lived for God, in partnership with you: I love you. Don't feel inadequate. Ask and it shall be given. I'm looking forward to a life filled with joy, where difficulties are worked through together, as an unbreakable unit, with God's help.

Wednesday 4 August 2010

She's back

And the world smiles.