Orbis Terrarum

Zombie

2012-02-17T06:47:00.000-08:00

48 hours later...

Ok, so here's the story. Katy - my housemate - had an essay due in Thursday afternoon but she had a heck of a lot to do. So, in an effort to be a team player, promised I would pull an 'all nighter' with her until she had got it done. Now, not going to sleep for 24 hours has become something of a normality since I have been at uni. (Well, maybe not normality but its no longer a phenomena for me to stay up at ridiculous o'clock). However, as the slumberless hours wore on into the afternoon we were both feeling the effects. The day was a series of highs and lows. From being in absolute hysterics - of both kinds - to non-stop dancing for half an hour. It was extremely interesting - especially the sight of Katy fueled by copious amounts of Red Bull and Transform-A-Snacks.
Now, at this point I came to the realisation that in order to sufficiently revise for my test at 9am on Friday morning I was going to have to go another night without sleeping. I guess I could have not gone to institute but I never seem to take the most sensible route - plus there were certain people that I wouldn't have minded seeing that should have been there, so that made my decision.
I got back from Chorley, sipped up some Blue Bear and sat at my laptop doing nothing productive. My mind was liquid but I was adamant that I would stay up and revise.
To cut a long story short, I didn't end up doing any revision yet still didn't get any shut eye. The night just consisted of Facebook, staring at past papers and have some good long chats with Freddy.
As a result, the test was awful and I'm pretty sure I nodded off more than once whilst in the hall. I just hope I haven't completely failed it. Once I got back I just completely crashed out on the sofa for a fair few hours.

I do have to say though, there is something intriguing about staying awake when everyone around me is sleeping. I can still see the transition of night into day but somehow, it is at that moment that I seem to diverge into a different world to everyone else. Time seems to change for me. I see people waking up, running early morning errands, going to lectures etc. but it feels like I'm on a parallel plane ... in my own domain with an unique and objective view of the world around me. I have to admit, there is something enthralling about it which nearly counter balances the nausea and headaches that come with the territory.

I should conclude with some words of reflection and hindsight but I can't say that I won't stay up for 48 hours again ... or maybe even longer. I never do seem to learn.

Study Sessions

2012-02-15T19:29:00.000-08:00

Today we had a revelation to move downstairs around in hopes of doing some work for once. It was a nice idea. It worked for a little while but ultimately ended in strange conversations and some interesting 'frapes'. However, I do think it could have some potential so I'm hoping the rest of the house will let us keep it this way.

I really need to get some work done.

Also went to see 'The Descendants' tonight. First time going to the cinema in ages and was a nice little trip. It wasn't an amazing film but it was a bit of a thought provoker which I enjoyed. It also didn't cop out like every other Hollywood blockbuster with a predictable happy ending, which was refreshing.

Romantic Starbucks Excursion

2012-02-14T09:14:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of Valentines day I decided to take a rare trip into town. I found a cosy corner upstairs in a surprisingly quiet Starbucks and treat myself to a calorific, caramel hot chocolate and an extortionate, yet scrumptious, muffin; whilst having a romantic date with my Geopolitics book. I felt too much like a student but i secretly enjoyed it. I think I shall have to frequent there more often in future.

On another note, I'm going to take a small moment to rant about Valentines day.

I've never liked the idea of it. Its an excuse for guys, as well as girls, to only show their affection on one particular day of the year. Notions of love shouldn't be calculated and forced because of the hollow traditions of a capitalist society. They should be more spontaneous and thoughtful. I'm not saying that people aren't sincere in what they do, give or say on V-day but it seems too commercialised and pressurised. In my opinion it is just another day for companies to con people into buying tacky and distasteful gifts that give momentary gratification.
I admit, it is a sweet idea but I can't help but cringe and the soppy cards and creepy teddy bears. Maybe I'm just not a romantic, or just a bitter singleton ... either way I just do not like it.

2012-02-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye ft. Kimbra

Can't get enough of this song at the moment.
I'm rather glad that it is topping the charts. Its about time the mainstream listeners were exposed to some decent music!
Once you get over the 'Ba-ba-black sheep'-esque melody it becomes quite catchy and I especially like the transition from verse to chorus ... gives it some 'oomph' - as it were. Its one of those songs makes you visualize a story that you immediately become immersed in. The combination of emotions behind Wouter a.k.a Gotye's voice, the lyrics and finally Kimbra's feature give it the multiplicity that has made it successful.

... In other words, give it a listen because its pretty good stuff.

Orbis Terrarum

2012-02-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

I seem to have developed an obsession with the phrase, 'Orbis Terrarum' which I understand to mean simply 'The World' in Latin.
I don't really have any particular link to the Latin language, I guess it just makes everything sound so classic and regal. The World/Earth/Globe however, has fascinated me for a long time. It is everything physical that was, is and will be. It holds so much beauty, history and culture and every place is rich in stories and secrets. I dream of travelling for months on end discovering new sights, sounds and smells; making conversation with locals, reading about old buildings from the historical abbeys to the smallest, most insignificant priory, walking the endless undulating hills and forests, swimming the seas and climbing through caves. Even though man - being the inquisitive creature he is - has explored every nook and cranny there is, I still find there is a certain thrill out of discovering the world for ourselves. Wondering how many people have been in this particular spot? Why and when were they there, who were they with, what did they think? With discovery comes knowledge and though it may be trivial and of no particular importance, I find my thirst for knowledge is never quenched.

-Edna St Vincent Millay

O world, I cannot hold thee close enough!
    Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!
    Thy mists, that roll and rise!
    Thy woods, this autumn day, that ache and sag
    And all but cry with colour! That gaunt crag
    To crush! To lift the lean of that black bluff!
    World, World, I cannot get thee close enough!

    Long have I known a glory in it all,
    But never knew I this:
    Here such a passion is
    As stretcheth me apart,—Lord, I do fear
    Thou'st made the world too beautiful this year;
    My soul is all but out of me,—let fall
    No burning leaf; prithee, let no bird call.

Blogging Virgin.

2012-02-12T09:10:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought I'd finally try this blogging thing out. I'm not promising anything witty, profound or intellectual, just a compilation of thoughts, music and art that I discover and enjoy.

... It will be interesting to see how long I keep it up.