Some like Snickers, others like Mars. I like Twix bars.

I was talking to a friend at school today, about the normal things, her boyfriend (who is also a friend of mine), and also some stuff that was new and strange to me. She was talking about moving out of home next year to go to uni in Melbourne. With her boy friend of course. It got me thinking. About how little time there is until the end of high school. About how I'm moving into adulthood. About how I'll have to move away to Melbourne to go to uni. And it scares the shit out of me.

OK, maybe thats a bit of an overstatement, but the near certainty of me moving out is very daunting. Now before you ask "Aaron, possibly you don't have to move out. Why don't you go to uni in Geelong?" Well idiot, I've already explored that option, and the only teaching they do down here is primary school teaching, and I refuse to become a glorified babysitter. I want to talk to (more?) intelligent people, instead of passing people for doing well during nap time. Even though my friend who I was talking to will also be doing teaching as well (she'll be doing media and I want to do English) but at least she'll have someone to support her up there.

As all my family are in Geelong, I have to find a place to stay up there. I mean, it's fine for me to rent, but I would have to find a room mate, because I am not going to live by myself and pay for all of the rent. Or I could live on campus, but the fees are astronomical. It would be easier for me to live on campus, but i think i will be paying off the fees until I'm a decrepite old dude complaining about the kids and their Gameboys and Nintendos. That isn't very appealing... or maybe it is. Being an old dude who complains would be fairly good... but I'm getting off track. I could ask to stay with my best friend, but I think he will still be living at his parents' house.

I guess I will have to figure out what to do next year. If I don't, I guess I'll be in a bit of trouble.

Common sense and it's replacement

I want to start off by saying that this post is one fuelled not by anger or annoyance, but by pity. Pity towards all the people who have a cry because they don't like something and , thinking we all think like them, and have it banned or altered, thus ruining it for the rest of us.

I would like to say that OH&S SUCKS! Yes, being safe is great, but when the need to have a licence to climb up a small ladder, it is going too far. Whats next? You have to wear a helmet while walking down the street? Stretching before reaching for the mail in the letterbox? It's political correctness gone way, way too far. But why are all these rules brought in? Well, from what i've noticed, it is from everybody suing each other. These laws are brought in to prevent idiots falling over and gaining a multi-million dollar compensation claim becauuse he decided to put some home-made rockets on the back of a shopping trolley while using a ramp to try and get the trolley airborne. Yeah, it's great that idiots sue companies for idiot actions, and they nearly always win.

I was shocked to hear that a person in the USA sued a local dry-cleaners for $10 million for losing his pants... AND HE WON! What the fuck? When is it ok for a sook with lost trousers to decide he will make a ruckus and get lots of money, while looking like an idiot and also forcing a local business to close because of a small mistake? I say to him "Harden up, stop bitching and also stop whining about your lost pants. Oh boo hoo, your pants went missing, GET A LIFE!" Thank Christ another court voided the ruling so the laundromat didn't have to pay for this idiots selfish acts. But it gets me thinking about similar events which are seen in newspapers everyday.

If I get stabbed, raped and then assaulted, the criminal would get 10 years in prison (at the most,) yet if I sue a handyman for leaving a wooden plank that I kick and bruise my toe, I'd get a bloody huge payout at the expense of the poor guy's financial well being, as well as a mention in a newspaper about "how I'm fighting carelessness" or something like that, yet the criminal probably wouldn't get a mention because it's not important enough. For all that it is worth, I am sure those who read this will agree in me saying that political correctness will not only remove the need of common sense, but will also create the inability to tell right from wrong for yourself. Why do we allow our society to go down this potentially disastrous road?

Review of "Retro"... no you can't buy it at a store, its an indy film, idiot

2082. A taxi driver picks up a random guy off the street wanting to go to Pilot Bay. Pilot Bay is known only for the drug trade, and sure enough, the passenger's meeting is in fact a trap, and the taxi driver and his passenger need to try and survive their pursuer's attacks.

Thats "Retro" in a nutshell. A good popcorn flick, it certainley doesn't push any boundaries when it comes to the story, which plods along at a fairly inconsistant rate, going through the motions of every other action movie plot, minus one or two plot twists that were out of left field, but the special effects are insanely good, especially since it's extremely low budget. From the fireworks to the car crashes, it certainly is a visually amazing film. It also sounds very good too, which shows the attention to detail the director showed during filming and post-production.

The acting is very good, particularly from Carlin Grant as the mysterious taxi driver, as he adds character to a fairly (seemingly) dark person. The presentation of the film, shown in a comic inspired style, adds a certain slick edge to the already futuristic setting, which also makes it stand out from other action movies. Also, the gang members look like a mash between a clown, Leatherface and a Sex Pistols audience, but they still manage to look unique, without alienating the audience.

Due to the 18 minute length, there wasn't much oppurtunity for character development, but the writer managed to pull it off. The audience has a chance to relate to the characters, as well as experience a twist that was very unexpected. Full credit goes to Director Tom Carroll for being able to engage the audience in such a short amount of time.

All in all, "Retro" is a good action flick which is only held back by a very predictable and inconsistently paced story, but which is still very enjoyable.

3 1/2 stars- A very good film, but could still improve... maybe for the sequel...?



"Retro" poster

The Generation Gap

About a week ago, I was accused of stealing money from my mum's purse. About a week ago, I was grounded indefinetely. OK, I wasn't accused, but i am still being punished for something i didn't do. There are 2 possible outcomes.
1. My sister stole it or
2. Mum lost it.
I am so sick of someone blaming someone else (me in this situation) because they don't know what happened to their money. It is so unfair and also undermines my word and those involved.

If I were to lose $5, I couldn't blame it on my parents, because the possibility of them taking it is minimal, and they are older than me, so i can't do anything about it. As i am only 8 months from legally being an adult, I am in the most frustrating stage of my life to date. The unfairness of what parents think is right and the repercussions that follow are similar to that of a household which doesn't listen to all family members.

I am always trying to take everything in stride, but with this, I am unable to as i am being unfairly punished. And that is really shit. It's shit that i can't do anything, and its shit i have been punished, while my parents have no proof. I am pissed off at authority, and mostly, I am pissed off at my parents. Their decision is fucked and I have lost lots of respect for them. Normally I am a very passive person, but this decision put a dint in my cupboard (well, I did it but the decision got me that pissed off.)

I am going to fight this, and if need be, totally ignore them and their punishment. Why should I sit around, twiddling my thumbs feeling sorry for myself and destroying stuff in my room, instead of hanging out with my girlfriend (yeah, I have one) or hanging out with friends?

Face Palm!

As i stare at the computer, i am trying to start up my facebook page. Yes, i bet your thinking "he's only getting a facebook page now, errr, what a loser." Well, i say to you that i was looking after my dying brother, now how do you feel, jerk. Anyway, i'm setting it all up and i get an email for everything that happens. I have received 32 emails in 3 hours. It occured to me that the facebook guys think we're idiots and need an email we have a new comment. Speaking of which, i have one now. I've been accepted, again. Hooray for me. Well. actually it's good someone didn't go "He's only adding me now, errr, he must be a loser." I told you, i was looking after my dying invisible friend, i mean, totally real brother.

So anyway, i'm trying one of the quizzes and it says that that i am a rebel. What the hell?! I am the biggest rule follower ever (I think, i haven't met everyone who ever lived.) I know their for fun, but why do they mock me! WHY! I don't need to know that i would be Ken Rosenberg from GTA: Vice City or a dust bin. I wouldn't be so shitty if i got some good results.

But yeah, i forgot where i was going with this, so yeah, bomb the eskimoes or they will invade our shores!

Why?

As I stare at the computer screen, i think back to earlier today on the school bus, and some comments that i overheard some people say. The gist of it was... "Those fuckin' Muslim's and their terrorist activities..." OK, We live in a time when a small part of the Muslim faith committ terible acts across the world, but it is unfair to say that we, as a "multicultual" country, should persecute the group because a minority committ the crimes.

I was always brought up with the notion that "although we are all different, we are all great" and I find these comments particularly offensive, even though I'm not Islamic. It also brings to mind that in this months "Rolling Stone" magazine, there was an article about racism in Australia. The main concern was that, since the Cronulla riots, racism has been growing, but under the name "Patriotism." I find that, anyone that is patriotic to a country that can view any group of people negatively based on a few peoples' actions, are ignorant, idiots and should try and live in a place where they are the ones persecuted.

Jews, African Americans, Aboriginals and those of Asian decent have all been persecuted from one time or another. What is the group of people that haven't been on the receiving end of racist remarks? The Christian Anglo-Saxon descendants. The ones who believe that they are so good, so righteous, are also the ones that have created the biggest ignorance, based stereotypes and hatreds. I consider myself lucky that I'm a white Australian. I'm not constantly targeted by racial remarks or hate attacks, but I still feel that we, as a nation, have moved away from the everyones equal mentality, as the news always reports on Al-Qaida terrorist attacks, where as nothing is said about the white guy who shot 20 people.

Even in school, I hear racial slurs al the time. I don't say anything, unless it is really bad, and even then I'm met with a roll of eyes. Am I too soft, or is Nigga still racist? (Rhetorical Question, I know it's still racist.) Calling someone a name, like dickhead or something is okay, but when someone stars paying out someones heritage, religion or beliefs, it is a serious problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

The most annoying thing, EVER!

I look at my computer, wondering why people are idiots. No, not everyone. Just people who use abbreviations while talking. Hey, instead of saying LOL, why don't you actually laugh. Instead of saying ROFL, why don't you just roll on the ground and laugh (OK, not the best idea, but still stop saying it.) It seriously gives me the shits. On the computer, that's OK, I'll use it on the pc, but in real life? There's no point.

Conversation in the future: "Oh bill, what's happening?"
"Nothing."
"Oh, LOL."
"Yes, ROFL."
"Bill FTW!"
"BRB."
"K!"
(comes back)
"Did you see the CMATC?"
"No, WIC?
"Y"
"YGDDFHH."
"TTS^S936473.0-5@."
"-BREG--_0x&554546?"">:{{"

Confusing, isn't it? That's what it's like to me when people are using computer abbreviations in day to day conversations. Heres an idea... GET A BETTER VOCABULARY! God, it's not that hard.

Uuugggghhhh....

As i stare at the computer screen, i know exactly what i'm going to talk about. The good old, "take alot of shit" topic which is homework. Do teachers like the lack of fun that they provide us when homework is given out? Probably not, but someone needs to take the shit of my rant, and i don't know who in the education system plans the homework, (by the way, SCREW YOU!), but i don't know so it will be the teachers, as they just give it out.

I know revision is important, but we teenagers have jobs, social lives, and a desree of laziness never seen before by mankind. Yes, learning about World War 1 is all good... the first thousand times, after that it just gets boring. I say we all revolt! Trash some cars, tip some cows. Although it won't change anything, our point will get across. The only problem is that i don't know what our point will be. I mean, "no homework" is kind of clichè. We should have something like "Homework is shit. Teachers do your bit!" It may not be the best, but it's more than what you've probably come up with, so jog on.

With that, I don't think that Enter scores should play a part in getting into uni. I mean, marks should be counted, but what about volunteer work? Why is it that it doesn't play a major part in getting into uni. Screw the person who thought that system up too. Why is it that we, the youth of today, have to put up with the decisions of old men who i believe make these desicions, as they make them extremely quickly, with no thought or evaluation of what we want, as they want to get back to their granny naps and impressions of Hugh Heffner by dating 20 year old women and wearing silk pyjamas in public. Ok, i get it, you get to date heaps of young women. Put on some pants as we don't want to see your wrinkly "old fella." (This is to the preverbial old man at the head of the decision making part of the education board, not Hugh Heffner, as he brought us Mojo and Playboy and wearing silk pyjamas in public. Only he can pull it off, so don't try it for the love of god.)

On the topic of old men, don't ever have your school athletics sports in Corio. I know it sounds like a negative stereotype, but some old dude walked past the ground, looking at us, and i know it wasn't Alzheimers. He was creepy, in fact, i would call him "Captain Suss" of the "H.M.S Don't Tell Your Parents What I Showed You With The Sock Puppet."

First Ever!

Although the title may make you presume it, I'm not a tool.

Hello, to my first blog, full of random thoughts and ideas. Yes, I may be a random kid, but that doesnt mean anything in an Australian high school... except that your a random kid.

I am staring at a computer screen wondering what should i write about. War? Why the government sucks? The possible invasion by eskimoes (First random comment)? Or, like many teenagers, i will complain about life and not lift a finger to improve said life. I mean why should I? I am a generation Y-er (?) and I am totally unable to do anything responsible, or if the media will have you believe, anything good at all. If i were to try and improve my local community, I'm sure that news crews would come to my area re-goodification and edit the captured footage to somehow show me hunting endangered whales or running down the street nude, flashing old ladies. Yes, I want to get into the media industry. I would be a kick ass journalist, or so I think, and i will take the world by storm with my unashamedly real view on everything, (Also saying "Poppycock" wouldn't hurt the *gasp*-o-meter.) Then i come back to reality and my epic doing alright at school.

Yes, the topic of school has risen. I am in my last year at high school, and all i can really say i learnt that will benefiet me greatly is the fact that my maths teacher is an absolute champ. Now you may be thinking... "Uugghh, he's a teacher, you must have had a stroke." 2 things. Firstly, i haven't had a stroke, and secondly "shut up, you ignorant pillock (have no idea what pillock means but it sounds totally awesome.)" Mr. O'connor kicks more ass than an "ass kickulator." He helps when it is needed and he also sometimes brings in muffins for the class. Thats right, totally awesome, not healthy, chock full of make you die at age 35 muffins. The cherry on the preverbial cake is that he makes them himself (or so he says.) That mixed with the awful but still amusing jokes and you have possibly the best teacher ever, apart from my aunty, but that has nothing to do with the fact that she is a principal and related to me. *cough.*

On reflection, all my teachers are pretty good this year. And by that i mean help when your stuck, but still make you do work, not piss fart around during Yr 7 French and all you do is make a cake and epicly pass that year. It happened, but we had an art teacher who i suspect had no french language at all. It was still a pretty good class though.

I will now leave all 2 people who will read my blog a last thought.

Is it right to ask out a good friend of someone, *cough*, it is the question every teenager asks at one point or another. I want to here your thoughts by submitting your vote on the side bar.