Popcorn: The Smell of Cinema

For anyone who knows me well enough (or even those who have only just met me), they are aware that I have a love for movies and going to the Cinema. I can't place when my love for cinema began exactly. Seeing a new film on the BIG screen, the surround sound, munching on some sort of confectionery while you watch, (usually Malteasers for me).

It is a past time I will never get tired of. Perhaps it's just one of those things I was always meant to enjoy. Or maybe there's a deeper reason I enjoy the occasion of going to the Movies. It started long before I went with friends. It could of been when Mum took me as a child to see Bambi (one of my earliest memories). I mean I recall being pretty engrossed in the film while my sisters couldn't sit still. (admittedly they are younger than me though).

Or perhaps it is because of my Dad who to this day I still go to the cinemas with to enjoy a latest release film. He has taken me to see a number of movies over the years. Apollo 13, Independence Day and all the Star Wars movies just to name a few. And as I've got older I have taken him to see a few movies.

Perhaps it was both my parents combined who could of been responsible for the love I have of film and Cinema. Whatever the case, I love cinema and going to the movies. Which is why I designed a brochure about going to the Cinema and the different types of Cinema there are. Well for a Uni assignment. I don't think there would be a need for such a brochure in the real world. People like going to the movies and seem to already know about the Cinemas that they have available to them.

Basically the assignment was to design a DL Brochure around any subject we desired, so long as what we designed looked good and was designed in some way that could represent the subject matter. The information within the brochure was entirely up to us. And so I present to you my DL Brochure design for the assignment, a brochure about Cinemas and going to the movies which I have appropriately (I feel) titled "Popcorn."

Everything was designed by me and the photography was taken by myself as well. The next part of the assignment is to create a webpage with the same subject matter. It wont go live onto a server, but perhaps I'll take a screenshot when it's complete and blog about it later.

Student vs Working Man

As I do my best to keep up my blog this year (and hopefully years after this one), I still don't post as often as I would like, or as often as I should. Not that there's any pressure to keep this blog up to date, it probably will serve no purpose other then reminding my future self of what my life was like at this time. But in order for me to do that properly I should be posting more regularly.

This years return to my blog began with a very lengthy post of what lay ahead for me in 2012. I had started the year with a full plate that will keep me occupied for some time and since that first post 3 months has already passed and a lot has happened. At least a lot of Uni work. Because who would of thought, Uni is hard work and very time consuming.

Once upon a time when I was a 'working man' with nothing but a Job that would occupy half or most of my days I would often scoff at Uni students who said they had it tough. I would think 'how easy' Uni students got it and how they were 'always on holidays' and barely at Uni. From an outside perspective it seemed they weren't doing much. I always thought you had to be smart to go to Uni but with my friends seeming like they were always on holidays I didn't think they did a lot. I would always see people from Uni out on the weekends, or on Uni night and going to parties. And then every time I turned around they were on holidays for like a month! I used to work 4.30am most weekends out on the back dock of Woolworths, which was freezing in winter and hard work. 'Uni students don't know what tough is', I would think. And the discounts! Student prices. I would get frustrated that they got things cheaper. Just because I worked didn't mean I could always afford things, I wanted a discount too!

Now, I have a full stomach because I've had to eat my own words. Since starting Uni I've come to the conclusion that those Uni students who were always out on the town and never appearing to do Uni was either because they were bludgers and not doing all their work, or they were doing a shit load of work that I never saw them do. Either way I'm understanding that even with all the holidays you might get at Uni, they are well deserved. If your a hard working Uni student that is.

Now I go on Uni holidays in 3 weeks and have a break for at least a month and I gotta tell you I can't wait to have some time off. While Uni might not seem as physically demanding as my previous job I will say that at times it can take it's toll. With assignments always in the back of your mind it's a different kind of stress then I used to experience at Lawrence and Hanson. At L&H when the day finished I could forget about things and go home to relax. Uni doesn't stop and wait, it's always there until you complete it, there's no going home to rest if you have an assignment due the next day. And as for physically demanding regarding Uni, there's only so many late nights / early mornings or all nighters the body can handle before it wants to shut down and rest.

Now people might be inclined to argue that it's the 'working man' that has it tougher, while others will say that the 'Uni Student' has it pretty tough depending on which side of the fence they sit on. I find myself in a somewhat unique position of experiencing being a full time working man before becoming a full time Uni Student and only casual working man. Ive experienced both sides and I think I can safely say they are both difficult in their own ways. But I think that that's just life, It ain't easy no matter what your doing. And while there are times that Uni can be a bit of a struggle I would never go back on my decision to go. I'm glad to be calling myself a Uni student and I know the hard work is going to pay off.

2012: The Year My Life Begins

They say 2012 is the year the world ends. But I think 2012 is the year my life begins. I say this because I truly have a big year ahead of me. I have goals, things I wish to achieve and this year, I'm doing something about it!

You see I myself am my worst enemy. I generally don't have enough confidence in myself to do the things that I probably should of done some time ago. And the stupid thing about that is I know I'm doing it, yet still couldn't help myself. This year is my first year at Uni, something that I probably should of been saying 4 years ago after I finished TAFE. But that word, 'Uni', it frightened me. It represented something that to me sounded so scary and difficult. What if I failed? This is not a good attitude to have, and I'm ashamed in myself for having it, but I still couldn't get passed that fear. I never considered myself a Uni student. Only smart people go to Uni don't they?

So I never went. I never even tried actually. Once I finished TAFE I got my diploma and just kept working at Woolworths. Which is fine, but I was just cruising along, happy in my safe little world. I then moved to Newcastle and got another job, a full time job as a Storeman for an electrical wholesaler. And I cruised along there too. Thoughts of Uni did linger in my mind, but I was still afraid and so I would dismissed these thoughts and keep cruising along.

3 - 4 years pass since I finished TAFE in 2007. It's now 2011, how quickly time flies. I'm still working as a Storeman for L&H and I'm hating it. Ive never hated something so much and I've never been so stressed and overworked in my life. And it was in this year, in 2011 that I started looking at myself. I thought about my passed, about where I was in life at the moment, and where I wanted to be. Who I wanted to be. I thought about all the things that I wanted to achieve and realized that I wasn't going anywhere, that I was stuck. But this time rather then mope around, complaining; 'woe is me', I decided I had to do something. That if I wanted a change, I had to make it happen, me. I realized that I had to believe in myself and take a few risks. And so that's what I did.

About halfway through November in 2011 after another terrible day at work I went home, got on the internet and applied to The University of Newcastle. There was a course I liked the sound of; Bachelor of Visual Communication Design. It would be another 2 months before I knew weather or not I was to be accepted in the course, but I already begun planning leaving my current job and what I was going to do when I was accepted.

January 2012 was a big month for me. A lot happened in just a couple of weeks. I new I would need a casual job/s whilst I was studying as well, so I set out and handed out as many resume's to as many places as I could think of around Newcastle looking for casual work. I had written a short cover letter explaining my situation, about how I was to be attending Uni and would give anything a go. In one day (I was on my holidays from work), I handed out 23 resume's to various bar's and clubs. I got lucky, and within a week I had 3 job interviews to attend.

January 19, 2012 I received a text message from the University of Newcastle, I had been accepted! It was all starting to happen. I accepted my offer, I was now a University student. All I had to do next was get at least one of these jobs that I was being interviewed for. However this wasn't the only thing on my mind. I had some other big plan's that were happening over the weekend. Other plan's that would also be life changing.

January 21st 2012, I asked the love of my life Naomi Anderson to marry me, to which I'm glad she said yes. And while it might still be a year or so before we 'tie the knot' or be able to afford our own place together I didn't let those things stop me from what I wanted to do. I love her and wanted her to know how I truly felt. Why wait for the 'perfect moment'? Or to be financially secure. Love isn't rational. I know I want to be with her forever, so I took the steps to show her and everybody else that. Like I said earlier, I know what I want, and this year I'm doing something about it.

January 23rd the day of the Job interviews. The first at The Warners Bay Hotel turned into a 4 hour trial, after which he offered me the job. The second was at Sunglass hut at Charlestown. Unfortunately I was unsuccessful here. Last interview was at the Honeysuckle Hotel, where they also offered me a job. I took the one at Honeysuckle Hotel, I liked it there better. The next day I walked into L&H and I quit.

So there you have it, the beginning's of a massive year ahead, the first steps into what certainly feels like the beginning of my life. I have direction again and am starting to believe in myself. I officially finish up at L&H on Friday the 10th of Feb. (And I can't fucken wait to get out of that hell hole!!). Ive already started my new job at the Honeysuckle Hotel and am loving it so far. And on Feb 27th . . . I start my first day at Uni. Bring it on

Time Is Worth More then Money

Although It's Nice to have the cash

Well it seems that I cant quite live up to the promise I made to myself and the internet by keeping this blog up to date. As it seems once again I have not posted for many months. Fortunately for this I can not get fired or yelled at for you see this is my blog, and Ill do what I want.

Today is Monday, a day that I have (much like Garfield in one of may favorite comic book hero's) begun to hate. It is the day after the weekend filled with hopes and dreams that I unfortunately return to work. I really shouldn't complain. After all many have had this routine before me, and many will still have it after me. But I'm sure anyone who works a Monday - Friday job feels the same way and who am I to go against the trend, it makes so much sense.
Unfortunately work does feel like its occupying most of my time. And while this is normal for everyone as they grow older I just wish I had more hours in the day. There is so much want to do, and sometimes I feel there's so little time to do it. I can't help but think that this feeling is aided by the fact that the weather has been pretty, well, shit lately. If its not raining I'm stuck at work missing the last few breaths made by that days sun. Needless to say I can't wait til summer and daylight savings.

Yesterday I celebrated 7 months with the most beautiful girl I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. My amazing girlfriend Naomi. We went to the movies and saw 'Friends With Benefits'. We had intended to go on a walk after, but the weather didnt permit this. So after getting rained on we went back to her place to hang out before getting some 'Grill'd healthy burgers' for dinner. You can't beat the 'baa baa burger' there. Also got two new liddle facts. Eventually. After Naomi stole them from me, lol. It has been an amazing 7 months and I couldn't be happier.

Although this post started with work and lack of time off, it will end with the thoughts of having a 5 day weekend ahead of me. Which is kind of nice. Panaho is back in the country and we are doing some much needed catching up, over some much needed drinks.
Heading down to Sydney for the day on friday and then going to an end of term party with students from NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) which should be good as they might be the next Mel Gibson or Sam Worthington's of the world. Saturday will see us return to Newcastle where we will chill with TV shows, and movies like the good old days. Panaho will also get to meet my lovely lady. All in all its shaping up to be a good weekend.
I'll keep you posted on what happens.

Until then, I hope you find the time to have fun in your life. I'm starting to discover that time is worth a lot, and we really don't get much of it.

Re-born

From the moment I complete this post my blog has officially been "re-born". It has been well over 2 years since my last post and to say a lot has changed in that time would be an understatement. A lot can happen in a week, a day, 5 minutes. So you can imagine that a hell of a lot can happen in 2 years. Not only though am I giving this old blog life again by posting to it I have also re-designed it, made it look a little crisper I think and tidied up a few things. If your going to be re-born do it with some style and ad some changes I think.

Since my last post on what was as I recall a rather "good Saturday" I have had many good Saturdays. Heck I've had many good weekends. Even weekdays. My last post saw me coming to the close of 2008, which by all rights as I recall was a fairly good year. However 2009 was just around the corner and it proved to be a damn good year. If you ignore the minor detail of all the stresses that come with moving to a new town and selling a house, then 2009 was an awesome year. It was for me, a party year. Or so the first 6 months was anyway. But Im not going to get into that, as I'll be here all night typing, and you'll have a lot of reading ahead of you. (That is of course if anyone does happen to read this). So to summarize; Partying, turned 21, more partying, moved to newcastle, a little bit of partying and new job.

2010 . . . well, it wasnt as exciting as 2009. Im not saying it was a bad year, but 2009 rocked! Although the last 4 - 3 months of 2010 were pretty good. I met some cool people who im now fairly good friends with. I met a girl in November who I felt an instant connection with, staying up til sunrise talking and kissing. We would later go on 3 dates in a row, which might of broken some dating "rules" but they were great. However after that it would be almost another month before I'd see her again. Not that we didnt stay in contact, its just a month can be a long time waiting to see someone you really like. Im glad to report now though that she is my girlfriend now, and we've been together for 2 months on march 21.

The beginning of this year however, 2011 would see me back at my "hometown" of Wagga Wagga. But I gotta say, I dont miss it there at all. Newcastle is way better. 2011 has still really only just begun, but I think its going to be a good year. Panaho is returning to Australia and I think its time the TAFE boys had a reunion. I called the TAFE at newcastle today to enquire about Photoshop night classes so I can refresh my memory in the program and maybe start to get back into designing some things with the possibility and hope of earning some extra money.
Also I need to buy that bike, as well as actually give john a call to have a drink with him. I want this year to be a productive one.

Anyway, that's about it for now, until next time I come back with something worth typing. Hopefully this time though it wont take me 2 years to post again

- Lachlan

Why do Peaches and Nectarines have to look the same?

Seariously... why do they?
I work in retail and am a supermarket checkout operator so I see peaches and nectarines quite often lately. Its not hard to tell when you can really see them or hold them, but if they are in a plastic bag then it can be really hard to tell the difference. The only main difference I know is that Peaches are kinda furry, where as Nectarines are not. Its just a thought and something that annoyes me sometimes when I work.

Big week at work this week. Its like Easter so yeah, apparently busiest time of the year. Even busier then Christmas! So I worked all day yesterday 8 til 5 and it was so busy! I reckon I did like 4 hours of trolleys. Add that to the 3 hours I did the day before and I was glad to get home thursday arvo, lay on the couch watching TV and drinking Rum and Coke.
Speaking of Easter its earlier this year, why is that? Theres probably a reason somewhere explained on the internet or something but I couldnt be bothered looking it up. Daylight Savings this year is extended too. Crazy.

Cant wait for the weekend. Dont have to work the back dock which means no early mornings, yay! It does however mean a late night, lol. Cause Im going out and hopefully it will rock. Cant Wait.

Lachlan Jordan in Before the sun rises and the Mysterious phone calls.

"I didn't know there was a 5AM mass at Church before. I didn't even know there was a 5AM. Why didn't anyone tell me?!" - Chris Griffin, Family Guy

Well it actually wasn't 5AM, but even earlier. I woke up this morning before the alarm at around 3.19AM. I thought to myself, man this time 2 weeks ago I was awake, but still from the night before.
This morning was my first back dock shift, which ment the ungodly early morning start of 4.30AM. As I sit here and type this I can tell I am going to sleep well tonight. Im almost falling asleep now. Thats probably a good thing, it means that I will have an early night and be able to sleep because I have to do it again tomorrow.

Getting up at 3.30 and driving to work at around 4 meant that it was still dark. I was working before the sun had even rison. Infact as I worked I could slowly see it becoming lighter as it brought on the day called Saturday. But today was pretty good. Got to do some new things and because you are constantly doing things then time seems to fly. I mean I did 8 hours work and it didnt feel like 8 hours.

The second half of my blog title "the Mysterious phone calls" means, well, just that. In the past week I have been recieving some rather early phone calls. The first was a number I did not recognise, and it began with 923, so I believe it is not Australian, as the Aussie numbers begin with a 61. That number called again today, twice infact and an hour apart from each other, one at 5.47 the other at 6.47. Also I recieved a phone call at 2.30AM the other morning from an unknown number. I also got a call today at 3.42AM which I managed to answer but I think they hung up. It lasted probably only a second, but I think I could hear people in the background. Strange. Perhaps this mystery will be solved soon, or not, I dont know. (I hope I do solve it because its annoying me). Anyway I will keep you posted.