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Statistics |
| Unique Visitors: 16 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 23127 |
| Visitors Out: 138 |
| Total Visitors Out: 138 |
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| cognitive dissonance. |
| 2008-11-13 04:10:24 |
Every so often, something happens and I realise the limits of our brains. Yes- though I'm a narcissist, I too have these limits. It often makes me wonder just how we actually managed to get past the 1 celled stage and get to where we are. It also makes me wonder if these stupid limits are evolution/some higher-deity/natures way of laughing at us.Take for example the other night. I went out to my......
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| the last week of nepal: genesis |
| 2008-11-04 06:01:13 |
The last (and arguebly the best) week of Nepal began with a difference. A bus ride of a difference. In all our time in N......
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| week 3-5c: the touristy post |
| 2008-09-16 00:19:24 |
Now, I realise that even after oh-so-many posts about Nepal, I have yet to do the typical "touristy" photo blog post. So sucks to all of you, because that's exactly what this post will be.But anyway: highlights of our boring weeks:- playing LOTS of cheat/500 (both card games)- watching "Sky Captain and the world of tomorrow) - it's a horrible movie. God awful. But so funny if you don't take it seriously. Look out for the miniature live rhino on an office desk. The movie never explains why it's there or how it's even relevant to the story.- Dinner with Daphne - she was one of our original housemates. She moved to a different accomodation and invited us over for dinner. We had chocolate mousse- which was strange, as only the day previous, I had been craving mousse!- Finding Higher Ground/Red...
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| an update on things. |
| 2008-09-06 04:41:50 |
Remember a few posts ago I told you about my photography?Well I don't know if the 3 that are up in the shop have sold ( I haven't checked recently- but last time they hadn't), but the other thing I did is also start to submit to microstock stuff...And while they only give me about $0.25 per image, I;d like to say, that a few days ago, I went past the 100 sales mark. It feels like a milestone, even though it only means U$25.That's something I tell you! Small, but significant. If only to me.That is all.script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| week 3-5: a summary of sorts. part I |
| 2008-08-27 04:38:50 |
After the events of the first week, the next few were certainly more relaxed. This is when we explored our temporary home of Kathmandu. We learnt how to catch the bus to and from Thamel. Now this may seem very rudimentary (and it is) but since this was Nepal, it required the skill of an army black-ops personel at times.For one thing, you had to find the right bus. You’d think this was fairly obvious. It wasn’t. There’s a guy who jumps out of the bus at all stops and announces where it’s going. The Nepalese way of “announcing” is to mutter so fast, that you sound like a rapper on speed. The place where we stayed was called Ja-wa-la-khel. A mouthful, but hey you’re in a foreign country. If you kept your ears open for that, you’d never find the bus. Due to the speed of mutteri...
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| maybe a professional |
| 2008-08-20 23:09:27 |
Now how do you define someone as a professional?It's a trivial thing, but I suppose I choose to define someone as a professional when they start being paid for whatever it is that they do.For example, you can have a bumming arts student who does drama. The moment they start getting paid for doing it (however little) I'd consider them a professional. Sure they're not making their livelihood out of it, but someone is willing to pay them to do whatever it is that they do.The reason this has popped up in my mind is this: I'm doing the photo shoot for a party tonight. I've done a few of these and they're quite fun. However, I was just told that I was going to be paid for this. Not much, like $50 + drinks, but hey, it's a start. Does that make me a professional?I'm leaving it to your comments to decide.script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| marketing gimmicks |
| 2008-08-09 20:26:24 |
There's a myriad of 'em. An abudnace of sales techniques, clever advertising and bad puns that all try to do one thing: make you buy something that you prbably don't need. And no, just using Lynx deodorant IS NOT going get you that hot chick, especially if you have an eye impediment, or make you need a clicker to count the number of chicks that check you out.It's this incredible number of techniques, colloquially known as "marketing gimmicks" (yep- that's the official name...from me) that makes the advertising industry as popular as ice cream in sub-zero temperatures. Everyone hates telemarketers, street marketers, home marketers and used-car marketers. Well, marketers of all things really. And if you don't then...just go. You don't need to read any fur...
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| going on sale. |
| 2008-08-03 06:53:15 |
Just a small post to say that later this week, some of my photography will be up for sale. It's going up at a hairdressing salon in North Melbourne: Agape Hair design studios.Three pieces are going up: Hundred years of fun, Japanese Gardens and Traffic Jam. I currently have no idea how I feel about all that. On one hand, I'm happy that some of my pieces might get some exposure and also might actually get some money out of it, so that I can buy some much needed (and expensive) upgrades to my equipment. On the other, it kinda puts my work up for public scrutiny and scorn. I suppose at the end of the day, the latter will (hopefully) provide motivation for me to improve. Or I'll just quit =PIf all goes to plan (and I highly doubt it will!) I might be able to make enough from this to justify th...
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| readership. |
| 2008-07-30 03:27:40 |
It has come to my attention that my readership on this blog has grown. Do I sound upset about this? Hell no! Slightly stupified? Very much so...Now originally, the blog was only read by the likes of Lexy and Jimbo. The other day, a random colleage sent me a message on the book of faces, saying my writing was very entertaining. My ego accepted this compliment very humbly and decided that being "humble" is for wussies hence growing to the size of an oversized giant squid (yes, that kinda big- look here). I dreamt of days where I would tople TuckerMax, one of my idols, and become the next top story blog forever! ...Oh yes, reality. Actually, reality turned out to be far...stranger. I was out to dinner and a friend's girlfriend, whom I barely see (you know...
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| please explain. |
| 2008-07-26 07:14:14 |
Ok ok, so I've been a lazy-arsed pig and haven't been blogging much. Sorry! Geez! I didn't realise that many of you cared!I'll post a new story (hopefully finish Nepal stories) soon.But explain to me this: if you're browsing a blog, why cloak your IP? Coz seriously - I know there's only about 2 of you paranoid enough to do so. And for one of them, I can tell. As for you, oh great anonymous one, no, I won't write any stories about you on here. I promised that much. It'll be on another anonymous blog. Or already is.Maybe that's why there haven't been posts on here?(No - I'm lying - I'm just lazy =P)script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| set on strange. |
| 2008-07-19 00:09:42 |
Ever wonder how your life got be what it is? Like, what made you like ice-cream? Or why you get strange desires to listen to Britney Spears on Tuesday? Or why when your dissecting things, you think of Doritos? No? Well...erm. neither do I...But you know what I mean right? There are just things in your life that happen because you like things/did things. Do you know why?For me, I think the following summarises a LOT:"...oh I don't know, it seems my life is set on "strange" and I've lost the manual and know how to change the setting back."That's my life in a nutshell. And it's getting stranger. Or maybe it's me? That's enough rambling for now.script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| still alive. |
| 2008-07-10 04:24:41 |
Contrary to popular belief, I am indeed alive and relatively well.Yes, that's right, I don't have an excuse for not posting stuff. Well, I do. And hence I didn't. But I'm sure you;re not interested in that.I am on holidays. That's right. Free time and still no posts. What could this possibly mean?! It means this: I'm not used to it! Time, at least, this much time, freaks me out. It's like look out at an ocean and going "Shit! That's a lot of water!" The same thing happens to me when I get too much time: I panic and hide in the depth of my subconscious, unable to look at the behemoth of a monstrosity in front of me. This is otherwise known as sleep, yet another foreign state for me, though lately we have been getting acquainted on a regular basis.So, for all the fellow readers out there, I ...
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| recent addiction |
| 2008-06-28 06:31:53 |
It's been time for uni work, job applications and presentations. It's at these stressful times that I procrastinate the most. Yep - I'm very effective at wasting time during the moments where I shouldn't be.
And during my holidays, I'm very effective, even at work! Go figure.
But the recent lot of procrastination has heralded some exciting discoveries: the videos! I shall now share with you that which has amused me for the last few weeks. Mic, you've seen a few of these already.
Without further ado, here it is: Everyday Normal Guy.
script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| small post |
| 2008-06-24 09:08:25 |
It was strange. Very strange. I walked through from the service station to that coffee shop I always go to. It was like this place was welcoming me home...Sure, the wind was fierce and the sea, choppy, but that dim glow of the lights in the horizon that blinked like the beating of hearts and the warm, yellow glow that bathed the path in a golden light were all familiar things- almost a part of me.All this, in semi-poetic form means one thing: I went for a walk in St Kilda beach! And I was/am happy!It's tradition, you see- I have to go there every so often. No no, it's not because of the locals (for those unfamiliar- it's the red light district of Melbourne) but rather because, well, St Kilda is where certain friends and I always catch up. It's where so many things happened.And tonight, it'...
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| i stole a post! |
| 2008-06-13 21:37:06 |
There was a time where I felt... I can't even begin to describe it. I just remember saying "just don't" a LOT. I found this post on another blog, ExposedNYC, but I think it summed up that feeling oh-so-well.----------- Don’t get my hopes up. Don’t even let me get to know you because everything I learn just makes you more appealing. Don’t agree with me - politically, morally, musically - and then treat us as if we have nothing in common. Don’t rattle off your story because it sounds a bit too much like mine. Just stop reading me mind and telling me everything I want to hear. Don’t expect me to make every first move, and don’t think I’m satisfied because you rapidly respond to every move I make. Don’t leave me with just enough interest not to give up, but just enough doubt to...
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| friday nights. |
| 2008-06-13 21:05:17 |
I love a good Friday night, like tonight.It was a long and arduous week. And nothing beats a nice dinner and sitting and chatting with friends at the end of it.Also saw the invention of a new drink: Japanese Rhapsody- ask for it @ Blue Diamond. But you gotta ask the (to borrow the term from a friend) "Manhattan Boy" - he's the American dude.I am happy.script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| when it falls. |
| 2008-06-11 04:10:27 |
Though I'm using the title of Zero 7's second album, judging by the mellow tunes and sultry vocals, we we're obviously not talking about the same kind of fall.As summarised by a friend earlier today "When it rains, it pours!" And you know what? She was fucking right.These next few days are going to be exciting mix of all my bad qualities. I just cannot wait for friday, when (hopefully) I'll be going to Crown for dinner with cheesecake. I just simply cannot wait...script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| delays. |
| 2008-06-09 08:47:38 |
My blogging is very delayed to begin with. I still haven't finished the Nepal stories. In fact, I'm only up to week 2. But that's ok - given where "blogging" is on my list of things at the moment, I'm not fretting too much.Why?Well most of you who are reading this will be in the same boat. Job applications! Cover letters are killing me in the "here-is-a-semi-generic-piece-of-drivel that I made in 3 hrs to cover whatever you told me was important to your organisation" kinda way. I'm just regurgitating their websites into letter form. Why I even need to to this is a big question. In Aus, there is a set number of positions and a set number of graduates. There is a large gap between no. of positions and numbers required (numbers required is greater) which ensures that I should (hopefully) be e...
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| sweetest thing. |
| 2008-06-03 09:49:12 |
Me: So when did you start getting so serious about all this?Her: When I looked forward to coming home to you tonight....Probably the nicest thing anyones ever said to me.script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| just a logo. |
| 2008-06-03 02:34:37 |
Here is the new logo for this blog.New posts are being worked on right as I type. Well not really, since I'm typing this and editing a very simple button on photoshop. But you know what I mean!script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| Week 2: continued. |
| 2008-05-23 10:36:23 |
So where was I? Oh yeah, the fuckers! Building the resort on the other side to freak us out! Not that the plan had anything to do with the fact that there was ample space on the other side or anything. No, it was just to scare us.As we get off the bridge on the other side, realizing that I have never been that relieved to have my feet on solid ground, I see her: an Asian chick with a mischievous face and a dark coat that hides all the curves of her body. At this stage, this is all I happen to know. Since my current concern is only with refraining from making love to the ground since I love it so very much, I am very much able to forget she even exists.Next the bungy master (yep- that’s what he called himself- no joke!) tells us about the technique of falling. “The what?” you ask? I a...
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| shameless plug. |
| 2008-05-16 22:31:39 |
Well due to all this travel, I've been taking a lot of photos, but also due to said travelling, I've been lazy in editing them and polishing them up.Except for last week, where instead of working on blog stories etc, I went nuts and edited a few photos/HDR'd them together etc.The results are these:rHope ya like them! Check out my deviant-art gallery for more(link is on the right hand side under "other projects")script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| first anniversary. |
| 2008-05-12 21:12:36 |
Sorry about all the lack of blog posts of particular substance. Will get there at some point, but not today.For today, it's been exactly one year since a major life event. So let's set a sombre tone and pay my respects....Enough of that. So here's a funny photo I found. =Pscript src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| nepal odyssey: timelapse-wk.one |
| 2008-04-25 02:48:50 |
If week one had to be summarized in one word (and it doesn’t) that word would be “adjustment”. This week revolved around adjusting to all things Nepal: the power cuts, the lack of hot water, the cold weather (we were in Darwin/S’pore for the previous 4 days), the dirt, the customs, the language. It was a pleasantly gentle learning curve, probably due the relative nice-ness of all the people. The hospital started to make more sense and we overdosed on momo (aka. bad dumpings) like crack addicts with enormous lung volumes. We met the inhabitants of Shalom Guesthouse: the always cheerful Daph, the quiet Cat, the Didi – our housekeeper and many more. Of note was Bong, one of Jimbo’s high school friends who studies at the rival university, who ind...
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| needing opinions. |
| 2008-04-23 05:58:38 |
Dear readers,I'm in a bit of a rut. I've been maintaining and updating the blog entries on my laptop (aka. writing them on Word and uploading) but sadly, here in M'asia, I can't readily bring my laptop to uni, hence the lack of updates.I've written a few up, so they will be posted as soon as I load them on my USB drive and bring them over, but my problem is this: what would you prefer? Should I finish the Nepal stories? Should I do a simulataneous Nepal/M'asia posts?Your opinion counts! So either comment or vote in the poll. You have until Sunday!script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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| what would you do? |
| 2008-04-23 05:57:30 |
There are times in life where you feel like jumping onto bandwagons. Not because you really want to, but mainly because everyone else is and they're going that much faster that you feel like you're left behind...So what would you do when the following occurs in the space of a month:1) the last person you hooked up with about a month ago gets engaged2) someone you used to really care about gets a partner3) you pseudo-lil sis gets a boyfriend4) your resi gets engaged5) one of your closest chronically single friends finds someone...What do you do?a) of the 5 or so girls that have shown interest recently - pick one that you like and get it onb) go out with someone you think is hot, but is younger than you (never before has this happened and is really not that big a dealc) go out and meet ran...
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| more s'pore |
| 2008-04-23 05:52:00 |
Our first day consisted mainly of trying to find as many hot asian women as we possibly could. By "we" I mean "me" and it was a far more difficult task than you'd think!Notice the "hot" specifier in the previous statement? That gave the most amount of trouble. Plenty were cute. Some were even pretty. Almost none were sexy/sultry/sophisticated-esque looking - the type I like. And since I'm he centre of this blog universe, they're the only ones that count. Also the streets were pretty empty (or I jus filtered the crap ones out). Being a very hot/humid/sticky/sweaty (sounds kinda... porno-is doesnt it?) country that S'pore is, not many people are out during the day, unless they're driving or are in shopping centres. Sadly I was told that uni holidays had ended a wk prior to our arrival. Sigh....
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| Nepal Odyssey: white isn’t my choice |
| 2008-04-23 05:50:58 |
We arrived at the airport after a struggle. One interesting billboards we found along the way on the bus-stops along the way were of this Asian girl, just lying there, with a sign "White is my choice". I still have no idea about what the ad was about, but lets say the sign proved quite ironic later.Even James Bond isn't immune from yellow fever. Hmm...what to hold? handle bars or a hot asian woman's hand?Maybe this sexist graph can give us an idea as to why women like guys in general? Gold-diggers!We rush through the airport to the budget terminal as our remaining check-in time can be easily counted in seconds. Jimbo and I were just exhausted from clubbing, and I also had food poisoning. Speed became quite and issue. We (finally) arrived at the counter and managed to check in and sat for ...
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| and time flies when you're... chopping up brains? |
| 2008-04-11 11:11:43 |
Oh dear God!It's been 6 wks since I've been back already. In less than a day, I'll be on a plane and off to M'asia.Will try to finish Nepal stories ASAP. And this time, I'll keep a travel journal/weekly updates going on the blog so I'm not that far behind...That is all.script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/raffyisblack?i=" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"
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