hmmm... that essay

well first i began by looking at CyberCulture. i started with this broad topic to try and narrow down to something more specific. i got the book CyberCulture Theorists by David Bell to begin. in the process of looking on the library catalogue, and then attempting to locate the book itself (which i managed to do and i was quite proud), and looking at the other books on the shelf i also picked two more books. Cyberpunk by Katie Hafner and John Markoff, and Cyberpsychology edited by Angel j. Gordo-Lopez and Ian Parker. i kinda don't really know where this is going. i think i like the cyberpsychology side, even looking into the effect of media and advertising on society. ummm... yeah...

so what about the scavenger hunt

i used a couple of search engines. icerocket and dogpile. these are not the usual search engines i used. [normally google only cause i remember how to spell it] although now i use these all the time. i like them a lot more than google, there seems to be less junk. usually with google the first five results can be ok, most the time there are two of the one site, and once you get past 5 you need to try another search. with icerocket and dogpile i seem to be able to find what i was after relativly quickly. i'm tending to lean toward icerocket over dogpile.

the scavender hunt

1. weight of the world's biggest pumpkin
www.bigpumpkin.com congratulates Ron Wallace on his 1502 pound pumkin on Oct 7 2006.. 681 Kg (approx)

2. What is the best way (quickest, most reliable) to contact Grant Hackett?
go post a comment on his blog. (http://granthackett.bigblog.com.au/index.do)

3. what is the lenght of a giraffe's toungue?
a giraffe's tongue can extend 40cm. (http://www.africanfauna.com/giraffe.php)

4. How would you define the word 'ontology'? In your own words, what does it really mean ?
the study and the philosophy of existence and being.

5. What was David Cronenberg's first feature film?
"stereo" in 1969 it had a total running time of 65min (http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/02/cronenberg.html#film)

6. When was the original 'Hacker's Manifesto' written?
the mentor 1986 (www.mithral.com/~beberg/manifesto.html)

7. Why do all phone numbers in Hollywood films start with '555'?
to prevent public ringing the numbers on the film (www.telephonecollecting.org/code.htm)

8. What is the cheapest form of travel from Crete to Rhodes?
probably ferry about 120 euros (http://www.athensguide.com/ferries.html)

9. What song was top of the Australian Pop Charts this week in 1965?


10. Which Brisbane band includes Stephen Stockwell on keyboards and vocals?
Black Assassians (www.griffith.edu.au/school/art/staff/stockwell.htm)

my communication technologies

i'm probably not as involved in as many communication technologies as others, but i do take advantage of it a little. my main ones would be mobile phone (using the multimedia messages and abusing the text message features) and email, although now that i have moved away from home i'll prob use blogs and instant messaging a load more to chat to friends and family.
over time it seems that the use of these technologies has moved from a practicality to a social use and to establish one's status. my first mobile phone was when i was in year 11 in 2004 and best feature of mine was that it could compose it's own ringtones (it wasn't the most advanced but was still pretty flash). at the time the main purpose was for socialising with my friends through text messages, but as time went on it became more practical just for short communication between myself and my parents. this usually consisted of "yes, i'll be home at 5" or "can so and so please come over today". i think that because of this communication it also put my parents at ease and they let me stay out a little later with the knowledge they can call me to find out where i was or i could call them if i got into any trouble. these days my phone is used for practicality, because with a few years i have become wise to the cost of socialising over text messages, and since i have resorted to other forms of socailising (most popular with me would be going to hang out and go skating... usually free!). the mobile phone that i currently have can do loads more than want i utilise, but it all costs money.
this world of the internet as a social epicentre is quite new to me. in the past i have only resorted to the internet for answers to my questions. "when did Munch paint The Scream and why?" and "where is the nearest pet shop?" (unfortunately it doesn't provide answers to questions like "what is the answer to this philosophy essay?"). i think now that there is distance between me and my friends and family the internet is definately going to be more of a social tool.

There's a First Time For Everything

This month is full of firsts.

small ones, big ones, enormous ones.

Most of them haven't yet totally become apparent.

let's start with the obvious ones...
First time blogging. I don't feel that i haven't blogged because i don't know much about it. And not because i don't agree with it. but rather because i haven't had a need for it. There are two purposes for this blog. the obvious being for the course. the less obvious is for communication with friends. not directly through this blog but at least i'll have the know-how.
First time at Uni. yeah that's not as obvious. i'm not straight out of school. i had a year off for work. which i really liked but i was still very eager to start studying again. i worked full-time in a college. part-time as an after school hours care assistant, and part-time as a "promotions officer" was my created title. practically i did what ever was asked and what i thought of to promote the school.(which involed a lot of add design) the school started as a primary school (in Darwin, meaning there aren't a great number of private schools and they don't differ too much from public. although this one does. i'm not being bias to say that, i really wish this school was around when i was in school.)and this year took on its first year 8's to become a College.
First time in the Gold Coast. this one is quite common. but for someone who has lived almost all of their life in Australia, and had a father in the air force and in those eight years moved around quite a bit, and has been pretty much everywhere else in australia, i feel pretty stupid. i absolutly love it here. love the weather. love some of the people. (we've crossed paths with a few knuckle heads)love the beaches. (this leads on the next first)
First time surfing. ooo yeah. it was great. not going to say much about this. i've only been a few times its not like i'm pro. but hey i really love it.
First time out of home.and away from Darwin where i have spent the last 10 years getting hot and sweaty and dodging crocodiles. (can you believe someone from townsville asked if there are crocs walking the streets. i didn't think he was serious.) am i home sick? oh no of course not i'm not weak...mummy?! its ok though. i have one ups on everyone else. i'm not doing it alone. i've got my fiance with me.
and finally this afternoon will be the
first time in our new house after living in a carvan park for the past 2 months i am glad to leave the funny canvan folk for my own bed (even if it is just an air mattress) and my own shower (yay i don't have to wear the pluggers anymore) and my own backyard. love it!

there's nothing more fun, anxious, nerving, exciting or enjoyable about firsts.