If I have learnt at least one thing this morning it is this: do not get too excited at the prospect of putting away wood. It began as any ordinary day with a wee bit of a sleep in, before I was required to rise. Our nextdoor neighbour, Mr Compton, is involved in sourcing wood for fire consumption. Dad decided that we would get a few trailer loads through him and I was to be a helper in its collection and delivery. It all began well. When we arrived the trailer was already filled to the brim and after a short struggle it was on the back of the car. The major work was already over in under 20 mins. We arrived home and as he was backing the trailer down our driveway I ran excitedly around the house. This was to be my downfall. For some reason during one of my many energetic leaps my back just went. It went alright, I don't know how but I knew it went. It was like being winded but from the back. It was hard to breathe for a second and then the incredible pain began to sink in. I hobbled inside and was administered some sort of pain relief by mother. I proceeded outside to help unload the trailer. That was not much fun at all. After it was emptied I hunted for some more drugs. They may have helped but not enough. Next time I might head to the whiskey first. So if you ever have to put wood away, do not jump for joy.

I was not much more than one day in Masterton before I had already left it. My parents were going to the Finn brothers concert that night I thought that I may as well come for the ride. A day ealier I was also under the assumption that I would be seeing the Finn brothers that night, but as it turns out they were performing for two nights and I was going to the latter. So after picking up Dad from the airport after his brief South Island excursion I was deposited at the Oriental Bay flat. I spent a lovely evening catching up with old friends, sipping Scrumpys, and walking the windy way. In the morn I got up brightish and early before heading off to Vic to finally meet my supervisor for next year. For some reason I built an approximate picture of what I expected her to look like. She is much much shorter than I expected, possibly even shorter than my mother. But no matter at all. We had only enough time for a brief chat and tour of the department. I now have some light reading material to glance at and get some ideas for my project that I will begin next year. Exciting stuff. After that I made a short visit to Real Groovy, scoured and collected a bunch of the goods, joined their club and got a cup. Then I proceeded to carry out my devious plan to surprise a dear friend who was feeling a bit run down. So jumped on the Flyer and with some help waited at cafe for my friend to arrive and be surprised. It worked, mmwwhhahah. Afternoon was filled with chatter and Red Dwarf. The brilliant day was capped off with the Finn brothers concert. Mintastic.

My favourite album at the mo: From a Basement on the Hill

Who would have thought. I am back in Masterton. I cruised the town this morning and little has really changed. A few shops have moved, a few shut down and a few demolished. But the biggest change is at church where i am now one of the oldest 'youth', if i may still claim that title. I now hang out with people 3-7 years my junior. But it is rather cool being able to be a major storyteller since I have more stories to tell. Had a pretty good sermon from the Lion Catcher on Sunday morn. It was on the theme of rememberance suggesting that remembering people should be or result in mercy. I liked that and also that when God remembers us, he brings life to us.

In the remembrance of anarchy, we last night celebrated with explosions and flashings of light. This was the first time in a long time I had been involved in such an event. In recent times past I have preferred to spend my explosive activities at any time I could acquire cheap/free KNO3, dry ice or realised the effort required to undertake such plans. I lay up my mantle many years ago, having finished my schooling years with little time to spend seeing what happened when.... My cousin seems to have taken up my mantle having devised and produced a canon requiring AA battery ammunition. He has taken it well past my smoke bomb days. Yesterday in an attempt to regain my youth I decided it was time to revisit those days and produce a smoke mixture to be proud off. Alas my skills have left me as while I was in the caramelisation process I noticed a flare and subsequent release of smoke. My quick reflexes allowed the removal of the mix from the heat source and placement on a clear area of concrete before it really started going for it and it did. Having not finished preparing this batch, its smoke stack left a little to be desired, a disappointing result. So I turned to hydrogen balloon making. This simple procedure had been enjoyed for many years. However, being the good boys that Daniel and I were we never managed to blow anything up with them and tonight wasn't going to change this. After some patience we managed to make a couple of reasonably sized balloons that produced acceptable flashes of flame followed with heat waves. One success.

The flat is alive with boxes. It seems that everyday this week new boxes have been arriving. Some full to be stored or to be lived from. Others empty to be filled and subsequently transported. Not one room has been spared by the cardboard beast. My room has been a filling station. The selected boxes of times past have readily consumed my earthly belongings with zest. Pity their feeder lacks such enthusiasm, for it is a struggle to keep packaging away for more than 10 mins. But slowly my room has lost its character. The disused, unread books have been packed, the international roast cans have been recycled and unfavoured clothes have been rubbish sacked. Once I have finished my mission my room will be taken over with yet more boxes. These boxes, however, belong to another master, Master Daniel to be sure. For arrived he this week with all the treasures of his trove. We managed to stategically place these items all around the flat so as to retain its livability. At the moment he is a couch dweller but when I depart he shall take over my little corner of the world. The changing of the guard. On this date I shall end 3 years of flattage shared with the noble Seth and brother Matthew. Good times a plenty have been had. But now they must come to the end, well only in a livin sense for I shall be down to visit again this dark Dunedin.

Well, well, well. It has been awhile. I sit surrounded by boxes. Boxes half filled with four years of life. Still more to cram in but its a start. A mere week ago I finished my exams. With that exam I had completed my course. I had never really thought about that moment as it was so distant to me. But the date krept closer and there was no stopping it. I brought to an end four years of chemistry at dunedin. I have not quite finished with chemistry yet. No, no, is still have at least three more years of chemistry up in wellington. A change in venue thats all. I believe it was the right choice in the end. occasionally have doubts but each time I reaffirm my decision. That decision resulted in a moment of fame, brief though it was. Two phone interviews and at least one newspaper article. Found meself on the web even: example. Good for a laugh.