This has been a crazy semester for me. I'm redeveloping both of my courses, which is a bigger challenge than I thought it would be. I'm teaching some new technologies that I haven't used before, so there's a lot of learning involved before I can even start preparing lecture and lab materials. I barely get time to do the other things that I'm now responsible for at work, let alone any kind of social activities. My car seriously needs a mechanic but I just haven't had time to take it. I have a serious issue with the radiator or radiator hoses which means I need to pour about a 3L bottle of water into it every day or two. Fortunately I'm only doing short trips so it doesn't have time to heat up much, but the noise it's making is quite unsettling.

I can't believe it has been over two months since I last posted. Naughty me.

Whenever I'm feeling particularly masochistic, I read websites like answersingenesis.org, a young earth creationist fundamentalist christian apologetics site. I highly recommend their article called 'What’s the best “proof” of creation?'. It is aimed at christians, teaching them the best way to argue with and convert evolutionists. They start off with some useful information about which arguments not to use - specifically a few famous ones that are fairly widely known to be hoaxes or lies. Then they explain that the difference between creationists and evolutionists is not in the facts, but in the interpretation of the facts - a very useful perspective on the issue.

My current PC is nearly 3 years old now and is getting a bit past its use-by date. I'm planning on buying or building myself a new PC over the next couple of months.

Well, it sure has been a long time since I last posted. This time I have not one excuse, but many:

Well, the outcome of the election obviously wasn't what I was hoping for, but at least I made some money from it.

I'm a swing voter. I've voted Labour in the past, but there are a few things they've done that leave me dissatisfied. National has promised not to do anything really bad during it's first term in office, so I am truly undecided about which party I'd like leading the government.

I know you are all in awe of my mad procrastination skillz (go on, admit it!). Well, now you too can learn this amazing ability in the comfort and privacy of your own home!! Introducing the revolutionary new Complete Procrastination Flowchart System (patent pending), specially formulated for daily use! All you have to do is follow these quick, easy steps and in just 12 hours a day you too can be transformed into a procrastinator*.

The 2008 Ig Nobel Awards have been announced. These awards are given to research "that cannot, or should not, be reproduced." Some of my favourites from previous years include research into curing hiccups through "digital rectal massage", research into the brain activity of a locust watching Star Wars, testing whether we swim slower in syrup or water, and an investigation into the validity of the 5 second rule for food dropped on the floor.

When I was in Standard 2 at primary school we had Bible Study classes for two hours every week. The first time, a few students went away to another room and the rest of us were ushered down to sit on the mat. A very smiley woman named Mrs Brown came and perched her ample backside on one of our tiny chairs and told us stories about Jesus. I don't remember any of the stories, but I do remember singing a song about how "Jesus is the apple of my eye, and that's why I'm bananas for the Lord".