My Life on the Net

I’m sure some of you will be happy to know that my mother is feeling much better.  She’s been out of hospital for about 6 days and all of her medication has finally working.  She’s happier, pain-free and from what I’ve heard – is able to walk at full enough speed again.

Unfortunately, this ability for her to co-exist with the rest of the world normally has faced a significant downfall. With my sister also moved out of the home she’s trying to find something to do – something to connect to.

That’s me and my education.

She’s phoning a lot right now, and I’m sure this is her trying to compensate the house being empty most of the time.  While I’m being nice and even once in the while phoning back (some of you may know that I’m not exactly skilled in the act of phoning someone ‘out of the blue’), she’s been led to believe that I’m bored out of my mind.

This all came down to a little chat in which my mother informed me that she was going to call up the university and tell me I’m not being challenged enough.  Of course, I gave the usual retort that any son or daughter would say in this situation… “If you do that I’m never talking to do again.”

First year university is pretty rudimentary – you’re getting used to a new system of education and it takes a while to adjust. Also, not everybody is at your particular level of knowledge.  For example, I don’t know anyone in my class except from me who would be able to say “Oh yeah, I’ve been making websites as a kind of hobby since 2001”.   Some people in my class seemed completely fascinated by the <marquee> tag.  Yes, some of them were that bad.

I’m finding second year pretty interesting.  My timetable isn’t too cluttered so I have the opportunity to work on my own projects a lot more.  The subjects themselves should be quite interesting – Designing Interfaces, Web Scripting (the one thing I haven’t done too much of), Law, Information Design, Web Multimedia and a few more things that should keep me more than interested (and busy) this current year.  Sure, I know the basics to most of these subjects but since all of my information is self taught I’m sure there’s gaps in my information.

She’s coming up this weekend, so hopefully she won’t complain about the buzzer not working to my flat or the fact that I have to cross a busy road to get to university.  Or who knows what else.

So, this is a message to all parents out there.

We’re fine. We don’t need to be meddled with.  If we did, we’d ask.  Until we do, get another hobby so you’re not annoying your kids too much.

p.s. I’m totally starting NaBloPoMo again tomorrow. I’m missing it in a strange way, so expect a flood of posts in the very near future.

So I missed a week, it’s not like someone’s going to throw me out and yell “If we ever see you again, we’ll send the dogs”.  Things should be back to normal momentarily.

So, it’s another Sunday Stealing, where we nick another meme and share it with everyone.  Make sure you check out everyone else’s, it’s kind of the point.

My favourite age:

Whatever it is, I haven’t reached it yet.  Always hope that the next year is going to be better.

My best friend(s):

It’s going to sound odd, but my best friend is someone I’ve never met.  Despite this, we probably know more about each other than you’d ever imagine.

My celebrity crush:

Ehm… Let’s be boring and say Angelina Jolie.

My defining characteristic:

I probably have one, but I don’t know it.

My most evil moment:

Probably something not noteworthy.

My favourite food:

Pies and pastries.  Which might expect the little bit of fat on my belly right now… *poke*

My grossest injury:

I think I’m a little *safe*.  I’ve never had many injuries so I suppose the worst thing was when my big toe got infected for a few days.  Don’t worry – I wont share pics.

My biggest hatred:

When people try and force their beleifs onto you.  I respect your beleifs, I just don’t want you to lecture me on how my life is irrefutably sinned.

My most illegal activity:

Even if I did tell you, I don’t know who’s reading… Let’s just keep it a secret for now.

My need for justice:

That some legislation would come out so it’s a pretty big offense to stop a photographer shooting in public places, or it was actually taught as part of primary education.  There are way too many photographer’s getting stopped in streets for doing something completely legal, some of them being cops that just don’t know the law.

My most knowledgeable field:

Anything geek.

My life’s goal:

I don’t know. I think I’m just going to wing it.

My mother’s influence:

She taught me one of the most definitive lessons of life - right and wrong, and she went into details.  However, sometimes I wish she didn’t put me on such a short leash when I was a kid - and think she’s partly the reason I don’t socialise much.

My nerdiest point:

Probably waving to someone but realised I was waving with the whole Vulcan (Star Trek) welcoming hand gesture.  Thankfully, the words "live long and prosper" did not utter my lips.

My oldest memory:

Sometime in nursery.  I was uncomfortable because we had to sit, feet crossed, on the floor.

My perfect date:

A sunny day on an empty and sandy beach.

My unanswered question:

How?

My random fact:

I have over twenty freckles on my back.  Take that!

My stupidest decision:

Listening to my art teacher when he said "you just don’t have the eye for it" - and therefore not thinking of doing anything too art related for the rest of my life. I should have listened to my life drawing teacher who said "you’re probably one of the best here".  Meh,

My favourite television show:

Just one?  If I was to say by overall enjoyment per episode – I’d have to say Firefly.  If I was to say overall enjoyment per entire run, I’d have to be a geek and say the X-Files.

My style of underwear:

Boxers… unless I’m wearing a kilt.

My favourite vegetable:

Potato.  You can make clocks out of it, chips out of it, mash out of it, crisps and a whole load of other stuff. It’s the swiss army knife of vegetables!

My weakest trait:

Socialising.

My X-Men Power:

Telekinesis - just think of the awesome!

My strongest yearning:

To meet someone very awesome.

My moment of Zen:

You’ll have to live without knowing.

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So, I’ve spent the last few days settling into the new place. I managed to get internet the first day but due to how tired I’ve been feeling lately I decided against writing a boring post that nobody wants to hear.

So now that I’m back in Dundee, what do I think of the place?  It’s nice.  It’s extremely close to stores, gyms and the university which is all very handy for me.  However, if I could change one thing – it would be that most of the people on my floor are French.

This may seem like an odd thing to get annoyed about, but just imagine introducing yourself to a whole load of French people, where you yourself know very little of their language.  The last french class I took was back in 2005.  I can ask simple questions, give simple remarks back but most of my mind doesn’t remember a thing.  And when they’re together, they’ll speak French – leaving my Scottish ass feeling a little out of place.

I’m used to being by myself most of the time anyway – in a way I like it, but I am missing the contact of talking to friends and such.  Not all is lost, and with university starting on Monday I can get myself back into social norms.  It’s just a little… odd.

But in all sense, this is a nice place to stay. The caretaker is nice, the view is exactly what was pictured, and I am still enjoying getting used to this place again.

But what’s worst of all?

Someone stole my milk.

I’ve been busy… Like, I haven’t had a chance to sit down at a computer unless it’s work related in the past few days… It’s Sunday morning, 5am, and it’s the only time I’ve had to get out a reasonable post about anything.  This happens and in less than five hours I’m on the road and heading to my new accommodation for the year.

That being said, I’ll be touch and go for the next few days. I’ve got people to meet, drinks to drink and who knows… they’re might even be a little partying…  but I’ll try and get you some pictures and other sorts of stuff as I can.

Let’s get started with another Sunday Stealing shall we?  This one’s about our blogs.

1. How long have you been blogging?

Hmm… it’s a difficult question to answer.. I tell some people it’s about two years, and mylifeonthenet started in April 2007.  However, I was blogging much before that - just not regularly… or competently.

2. Any advice to beginners?

Everything gets better through time.  Don’t get yourself worried about statistics on traffic and when you write - know what your readers want to see know the most,  It’s for you, but they have to read it!  One book I got that gave me some excellent ideas was "No One Cares What You Had for Lunch" by Maggie Mason.  This title is entirely true.

3. What are the good things blogging has brought to your life?

It’s helped me with my dyslexia and It’s given me a way to express myself in a non-standard form which isn’t as hard to keep as a diary.  It’s also given me a way of connecting with other people across the globe and make friends in ways I didn’t even think were possible.

4. What would you consider the pitfalls?

It’s a lot of work and there’s a lot of management on the side. For every good comment there’s three spam, and you need to be on your toes in terms of curbing it.  There’s also an increased chance if you’re an artist something could get stolen - but I like to live on the edge.

5. Tell us about your blog name. Ever think of changing it? If so, to what? Why?

So, I changed my blog name to My Life on the Net in April of last year because it just sounded right.  I didn’t want to start the normal male blog everyone is used to where a guy can talk more about his gadgets than his life.  I find gadgets as tools, and while I do love them, I won’t talk over the earth about them.  I find real life a lot more interesting.

Before that, I did have my blog at my place of work, Fused Reality Studios - but it neither was appropriate or as easy to find than I hoped for.

But no, I won’t be changing my blog name any time soon.

6. Knowing what you know now, was starting a blog a good thing for you? Why or why not?

I think it was awesome for me to start a blog. It’s giving me the need to write regularly and improve my writing.  What else can I ask  for?

However, being part of a blogging experience has brought one downside - and that is the large amounts of items that take up a lot of time on Google Reader thanks to the hundreds of blogs I subscribe to.

7. How do you think blogging, bloggers, or the blogosphere has changed since you started?

It’s definitely become more widespread.  There’s people anywhere, many with no or little technical experience, learning how to make the most of what they now have… And to that, I tip my hat to them.  They are making the blogging community a lot more interesting since it’s no longer just techies running around boring each other with solutions to problems or their jobs at hacking old Macintosh SEs into aquariums (I’m not doing that… well… I am…)

8. Ultimately, what would you like your blog to accomplish for you or others?

Ah, definitely the ultimate question.  Well, my blog can stand around in quite a few levels - it’s there as a promotional tool, a very small revenue stream, a diary and a way for sharing the things I love.

For everyone else, I want them first and foremost to enjoy themselves.  I want them to learn what I’m doing and the things I’ve done, while having fun and learning something new.  I want to change a viewpoint, get rid of stereotypes and give someone something to think about… however small.

Oh, and before I forget…  I also want my blog to stop global warming, give us world peace, meet with aliens and cure cancer.

 

I’ll be back soon.  I’ll miss you guys while my internet is down, and I’ll only have limited access.  So, have a good week!

Well, I’m writing this from my iPhone thanks to the fact my computer and it’s monitors are completely packed.

And I can’t find my laptop because it’s currently hiding from me. EEPCs are so small that way. Don’t worry - I’ll find it tomorrow to write a better post.

Just to show you how messy my move is right now (from attempting to find everything I need) here’s a few picks.

I’m sure I’ll find everything… Well, I hope. There’s also a pic of the boxes most of my stuff is in. Those minimalist urges are really helping me pack small.

 

If you’re like most teenagers, you’ve found yourself hoarding a lot of stuff in your room.  It’s years of things – be it boxes for your products or trinkets from your travels… it all adds up.  So, I’m sure you’ll be wanting to get rid of some of it for when you’re moving out of your parents house and making it on your own.

Compartmentalise

Boxes take a lot of space.  Even little boxes, like the ones used for your movies and games, are often overlooked.  It’s cheap enough to buy a CD folder that can take 200 or so disks before running out of space.  They’re normally rather cheap, like this $30 one that holds up to 320 disks, or a much smaller and compact one like I do that only holds up to a hundred.  I picked up my first one for $2, but quality varies by price.

BOOKS ARE EVIL

If you’re a reader, you’ll know how much space your library can take up.  Sure, you’ll need books for your studies but most personal books are available in variety of different ways – like using eBooks and borrowing books from your local library. Not only are you saving space, money and time travelling to the book store – but you’re saving the environment! I recommend Stanza for eBooks if you’ve got an iPhone or iPod Touch as it’s got a load of free books on their repositories.  For those in the US, don’t forget that the eBook readers could be an alternative, but right now these are a little too expensive in the UK.

All Paper is EVIL TOO

Ah yes, it is.  Take a scanner with you and a copy of Evernote.  Then with anything you receive just scan it in, shred if it’s sensitive, recycle and Evernote will be able to read and search all of the text and categorise it for when you really need it.

While I’ve been at home this year it has become really helpful in collecting my notes, as with multiple computers, it syncs automatically to it’s server and is available on the web, pc, mac, linux and on the iPhone.

Reassess Your Wardrobe

We all carry useless junk.  Most of it is clothes, shoes you never wear and pairs of jeans that haven’t fitted you in years – but you secretly hope you’ll fit in before Christmas.

If you need it, take it.  However, if you don’t think you’ll need it for a few months then you can always put it aside and when your parents come to visit they can bring it up… or you can just buy something new and improved after you move.  This will save the much needed space in your small wardrobe.

Hide the Cable Clutter

While most students transition to laptops when they move to university there are a few that still bring their desktops, and their cable clutter with them.  It can look messy and generally uncomfortable.  If you’ve got the money, it’s always worth just getting a good laptop – but if not get a cheap cable tidy kit, or if you’re on a tiny budget, cable ties to make many cables into one thick bundle that will look a lot less of a problem.

If you also think that all of your gadgets are taking up too much space, and want to further reduce the messy clutter that can be caused by external hard disks, routers, modems and power-strips there’s always the pegboard approach.  Simply cable-tie everything to a cheap piece of pegboard and hide it under your desk and nobody would know… However, if you want to affix it to the underside of your desk to conceal it – make sure that it’s affixed non-destructively as you may have to pay a fine if the desk is damaged in any way.

DO You Really Need an Alarm?

If you’ve got a computer there’s not really much need for an alarm.  There’s some great examples of web and software based applications that can wake you up in the morning, but there’s always your phone – with most hosting an alarm feature in one form or another.

My favourite web-based alarm is kukuklock as it’s simple enough for even the drunkest of students to operate.

Keep Your Door Open

You’d be surprised how much this helps.  If you’re room is messy people will be less inclined to come in and say hi, so think about them when you’re hiding stuff and make it nice and welcoming.

You Need No TV

Most of us has watched tv most of our lives.  It’s something you start to think is a necessity in your life, but most of these shows are now available online.  There’s hulu in the US as far as I know.  In the UK, there’s many services including BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 Catch Up. As far as I know you don’t need a TV licence for these services, so you’re fine.

However, if you stop watching tv every night you’ll notice how much time you’ve got left to enjoy yourself, get outside and enjoy the clean air.

Landline Not Required

Thinking of getting a local number when you move?  Don’t bother.  If you’ve got a mobile phone that can do most of the work, but if you really need a landline phone purchase a local number from Skype and use your computer to send and receive calls.

Beat the Clutter in Less than 5 Minutes a Day

Unclutter has an excellent blog post with ten tips of how to beat clutter in five minutes.  It’s a great start for those students that are only getting used to fending for themselves.  Simple tips like making your bed each morning help so much in beating the clutter that won’t take much of your day.

 

For some of you starting university soon, I hope this helps a little to make your room a little cleaner and a little more easy to look after.  Have fun!

Ok, so I took the week off. It’s been a busy one, and while during NaBloPoMo I was drained – afterwards I was brimming with brilliant ideas.  That happens. They’re getting worked on… a couple of big posts that should be pretty good for those new college/university students moving away from home.

Anyway, here’s another Sunday Stealing…. make sure you check the rest of them here.

Have you ever…

1. gone on a blind date?

Nope.  Not that I wouldn’t find it an interesting experience… but knowing me earlier in life I would have probably just ran away scared.

2. skipped school?

Yeah, a few times.  But never really the entire day, but if I did it was always after getting permission from the parental units.  I was a woos like that.

3. watched someone die?

Don’t think so.  I remember being outside the hospital room while my grandfather passed, but never watched it.  I don’t know if I really could.

4. been on a plane?

Ha, definitely.  I love flying way too much.

5. been on the opposite side of your country?

I would ask which direction is opposite, but i’ve been to every corner – so it doesn’t really matter.  We’re a small country.

6. swam in the ocean?

Yep.

7. had your booze taken away by the cops?

I’m way too sly for that… ;)  But no, not even had the situation where that could have been possible.

8. lettered in high school sport?

I have no idea what ‘lettered’ could be, but I’m going to say it means like… been good at it. Which, my geeky self can say without feeling bad about it – no.

9. cried yourself to sleep?

A few times.

10. played cops and robbers?

In like primary school… and on Grand Theft Auto 4 with friends. Good game…

11. sung karaoke?

Let’s just say, I once made a woman cry from my performance (in a good way).  But that was a long time ago, and before my voice broke and I lost all confidence singing.  I used to be in a choir!

12. paid for a meal with coins only?

Only at fast food joints.

13. done something you told yourself you wouldn’t?

A few times I think. Like saying “I’m sure I won’t pass my french exam..” Well, I got an A baby!

14. cheated on an exam?

Guess how I got that A?  I’m kidding.  But yeah, once or twice.

15. made prank phone calls?

With friends, never by myself.

16. laughed until some sort of beverage came out of your nose?

Yes, at a birthday party – and a LOT of people were looking.

17. caught a snowflake on your tongue?

Who hasn’t?

18. written a letter to Santa Claus?

Once I think.  I didn’t get results – so I thought why bother again?

19. watched the sunrise with someone you care about?

Excluding family, I’m holding that spot for someone…

20. been kissed under the mistletoe?

Not that I remember.

21. ever been arrested?

Why would I do that?  I wouldn’t be able to get into the US!

22. gone ice skating?

One of those beginner’s luck things with me.  Second time I did it I failed pretty much…  Hopefully the third time will be ‘lucky’.

23. been skinny dipping outdoors?

Let me thing about that for a minute….  Ehm…  Well… no.

24. had a nickname?

Jack.  As in the random people who thought I looked like Jack Osbourne when I was younger.

25. been on TV?

Not directly, but I’ve been in the background of a few things when I was younger.

 

Right. I’ll be back tomorrow. Pinky swear.

I’m not keeping to my own schedule of Monday/Wednesday/Friday. I’d love to blame NaBloMoPo for turning me into a blog whore.

The Video

Didn’t think I’d forgotten about you did you?  Well, here’s the video from the night.

Shave video #1 - Broadcast your self LIVE

Shave #2 - Broadcast your self LIVE

Shave #3 - Broadcast your self LIVE

the ‘rents

I’ve been wearing a cap all day. Not because I’m annoyed about my new hairstyle but rather because I couldn’t be bothered explaining myself to the parents.  Well, while in the hospital with them both today my dad asked the question… You didn’t do it did you?

Well, daddy, I did.

It’s not that I didn’t really want him to know, it was that I wanted him to understand why I did it.  He has no concept of my beliefs or I doubt, even my personality.  He hasn’t known me for over a year, and I’ve changed.  I’m not afraid of taking risks anymore.

I do agree that my current hairstyle is a little short, and in future I’ll keep to a #1 or #2. That’s not important.  What I find quite… disgusting… is that I don’t think he even cares why I did it.

He said I looked like an inmate, like a soldier or who knows what else.  I simply told him I was doing it for good, and money was raised to further good.

I have knowledge, I have beleifs that far outweigh yours. I know about other religions from around the world and while I may not practice them entirely, I understand their significance and hold some meaning towards them.

Hair grows back, and while I don’t care what you think – I’d love if you actually thought about why I did it.

Sheesh, if I expected this much contraversy I would have asked for an interview with BBC News.  So, I thought I’d start September with a little extra for you to understand why I’m doing this thing.

Firstly, just because it’s called ‘the big shave’ doesn’t mean I’m getting out the shaving oil and placing a blade to my scalp. It’s going to be something akin to a buzz cut, but it will be nonetheless what I need, mentally, to get myself out of this rut.

I respect many cultures and their practices, especially what such religious acts mean for themselves or their family.  I, as an agnostic, don’t exactly beleive that any of this matters – but it does to the person who is doing the act.  Some Eastern cultures, like i’ve talked about before, sacrifice something in the hope of change.  That’s exactly what I’m going through tonight.

Sure I’m nervous about it. Sure I’ve got second thoughts, but there’s meaning and a drive behind it.  My first video when I talked about it may have been just a spur-of-the-moment thing, but I haven’t spent the time up to this just thinking of doing it for the hell of it.  I researched it, wondered why others did it to and there was always a significant meaning behind an act.

My mother has been in an out of hospital for more than half of this year.  It’s scary, and there’s been times I’ve been literally in tears when something has happened. I’ve been angry, I’ve been worried, and most of all I’ve been wanting it to change.  When my mum was having problems with some aspects of her personality I started growing a beard, telling myself that I’d shave it off when my mother came back.  My mother is still in hospital, and while I haven’t told you one percent of the stories that have happened concerning her (because they’re just TOO shocking to tell) it doesn’t mean the symbolism of my actions should be disapproved.

In thirteen days there is a change that will affect not only myself, but the rest of my family.  It’s the time where all of my mother’s children are moving out of the city.  Already my mum is taking it a little to the heart, and it’s scary to realise that this could be such a heart-felt problem for her, when she’s already lost so many connections.  I wanted to symbolise this and sacrifice something to show what it meant to me.

Some may ask why I want to make this a fundraiser for Cancer Research UK as well.  Too many people in my family have had problems with Cancer, and while my mother isn’t one of them my family has had major changes due to this. My dear Uncle Alan died from Cancer just last year, my Aunt has had to have life changing surgery and my mother has had preventive measures taken.  Half of the reason my mother is in hospital today is because of this, not because she has had it herself but because of how it has affected the family.

Now, I’d talk to you more about it but while I’m someone who normally contains his emotions in tightly sealed boxes I’m finding it hard to stop them rushing to the surface.  I just hope you can understand that I’m not just doing this because I’ve got nothing better to do - there’s true reason behind it, and all I need is a little bit of support though this dark time.