So long as I'm avoiding do my ever-present homework I might as well come here and say something.
I know I've neglected this blog of late, and there are a number of reasons behind it. Most of them I've already been over... the big ones are the stress caused by school, the stress caused by my parents and the stress caused by my current living situation. That is to say that I'll be moving at least three times in the next five months, which creates challenges. Certainly I'm looking forward to the end result (no question there), but the road there is at times turbulent. In other words, I've got a hell of a lot of stuff on my mind and rarely to I have any particular desire to share it here. As my life becomes less and less of a pathetic joke and more like the existence I've always wanted for myself, I find this journal becoming less important to me. I will not lie - the only real reason I ever come here anymore is because Nova still encourages me too. As time has progressed I've grown distant from my readership and thus any desire to actually document anything is minimal.
On that somewhat dark note, this entry begins.
Firstly, I'll take a moment to address the current Ontario College Teacher's Strike. I'm not affected by it; two years ago my university nearly walked out, but a deal was closed in the dying moments. At this point there have essentially been no classes for any college students in the province for two weeks and if this continues the academic year will be lost. When I try to imagine that I feel sick to my stomach. There are so many things wrong with it... the money is an obvious one. Tuition and books cost a fortune. Even if that were to be refunded, it doesn't account for so many other factors such as living accomodations or travel expenses. Moreover, the investment in time is lost... an entire year is thrown down the drain for these students, and for what? Some greedy union reps who force their members to walk a picket line? It's a complete slap in the face to the students who are already dealing with enough problems (tuition freeze ended this year, my schooling's gonna cost 200 dollars more next year). I sincerely hope that the academic year is not lost; additionally, all college students should have their tuition for this semester (January-April) refunded in light of this. Even though the strike has only been going on for two weeks, the premise still stands. If you went to a movie theatre and the projector died in the last twenty minutes of the film, you'd still demand a refund (even though you did see 90% of the movie). All of this only further entrenches my beliefs that "striking" should be made illegal for all essential services, and the definition of essential service should be greatly broadened. This tyranny of the workforce (particularly with teachers) needs to stop. Even if they are justified in their demands, which they very well may be, making the students pick up the tab is unfair, unreasonable and quite frankly insane. Should this academic year be lost I would suggest to all college students in the province that they loot their campuses and respective unions until they feel they have been duly compensated. (A class action lawsuit works too, but is less directly effective). This madness needs to end.
On a lighter note, I've finished Phantom Brave and begun Makai Kingdom. I'm beginning to see why so many people are addicted to the NIS strategy games... they truly are enjoyable and make you want to stay awake into the wee hours of the morning. So far I can't decide which one I like best... Phantom Brave had the best story of the three (in my mind), while Makai Kingdom has the most originality to its gameplay. Disagea had the easiest interfaces and some very cool gameplay ideas. All things considered the three installments might actually equal out for me in the end. All that'd be left then is to wait for Disgaea 2, which is released in August. Nova submitted some ideas for "Random Names" to the creators as part of a contest. Essentially people can submit their favourite custom names and the sites membership will vote on the 20 best ones, which will then be included in the listing of random "default" names for the characters you create (if you don't want to name them yourself). Nova's names are extremely creative and I hope to see at least one of them make the final cut. I'll post up more information on this if any developments occur.
Trying to juggle six courses at once is no easy task, but I'm doing it well. I still have quite a bit of so-called "free-time" on my hands. That is to say, if I could actually put my mind into what I'm doing I bet I could get it done a lot faster and have free time. For example, the paper I've been writing this afternoon... if I could just focus on it and write it I could have it done in an hour, then have the remainder of the day to myself. But sadly I lack the motivational capacity, and so here I am avoiding doing any further work. I think next year will be better because actually being employed will give me a drive to do my homework. So instead of having a whole day to spend on one paper, I'll only have a few hours tops and that will actually motivate me to do the work I have. Plus I'll be making money... I'm quite poor at the moment. I would get a job, save for the fact that I have to move home in five weeks and thus finding any sort of real employment is impossible. I've got my eyes open for any temp stuff, as I only need a little bit of extra cash to finish out the semester.
I can't wait for next year. I'll be living with Nova here in Ottawa - we'll both have to juggle school and work, but it'll be so worth it. As I mentioned, I'll be motivated both by my reduction in free time and by having her around, and I'll finally have a proper source of income. And once next year (my final year) wraps up I'll be free to start the rest of my "real" life and no longer have to pay into this scam known as post secondary education.
All things considered I'm doing all right. And it does still feel good to put my thoughts into words and throw them out into the online void... maybe I'll do it again, if the mood strikes me. Until then....
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