So! I have good news...

I was talking to my favourite teacher - well, one of them - who happens to be the head of English @ our school. She thought it was somewhat bizarre that I hadn't gotten an interview for the editorial position, and told me she'd check it out...
So an hour later (by now at home) I get a phone call from her, saying she did talk to our SS Head of School. Apparently, they're not finished the process yet and I should get an email soon. Of some kind. I wasn't off-track though - they had only given one interview so far, and they had said they would interview everyone in the last week of school. Go figure.
I guess these high-up-administrative-types get busy too. Oh well. I don't blame them. As long as I haven't been left behind in the dirt without a second glance... :)

Going away tomorrow...haven't packed yet...but I will...tomorrow morning ;)

This is a celebratory update. Second Term is over, year 12 is more than half over, and I'm going on camp tomorrow! (No more parents for a week - woohoo!! They've been being crazier than usual lately. But so have I. Oh well.) Anyway - the big celebratory thing is that I can now CHILL without feeling GUILTY!! Which is so good. And in celebration of me being able to "waste" my time on funky quizzes:

1. What is your name? Eliza Gabrielle

2. What colour pants are you wearing right now? Chocolate brown cords

3. What song are you listening to right now? Not. no headphones and in a library.

4. What are the last four digits of your phone number? 3870

5. What was the last thing u ate? two chocolate chip cookies and toast. oh, and probably some toothpaste. bring on lunch :)

6. If you were a crayon, what colour would you want to be? sky blue

7. Where do you want to go on your honeymoon? hmmm...somewhere that interests us both...i think i could live with going anywhere that was historically interesting and had a really comfy hotel room with room service ;)

8. Who do you want to spend the rest of your life with? As if I know! And if I did know, would I tell you :P ! No...I have some friends who I will always talk to. At least, I hope so!

9. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Um. Alex. Typical. Jayt only just missed out!

10. What's the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? hair, eyes, smile, voice. outstanding features (ie, does this person have an afro? a pierced head? blue skin? you get the deal)

11. Do you like the person that sent you this? Wasn't sent it. But yes, Jace is cool :)

12. Your fave drink? diet coke. raspberry diet coke. lemon diet coke. um...and all the stuff in josie's fridge! and apple cider.

13. alchoholic? champagne. yum.

14. How do you eat a pop tart? with my mouth. duh.

15. What makes you happy? Music. hugs. long conversations involving awesome connections. dancing. shopping. (sad but true). flying. first kisses (sometimes). writing. reading. sleepovers - in fact, just spending time with crazy friends doing fun stuff. It's all about all of that.

16. What's the next CD you're gonna get? Probably one from alex, unless i get $$ that I can afford to spend on CDs. I'd like to get George...

17. Hair colour? red

18. Eye colour? Bluegrey

19. Height? 167cm

20. Do you wear contacts? mostly, yea.

21. Siblings and their ages? Angas (15), Charles and Cecily (10)

22. who do you think of as a best m8? um...Doig, Jayt, Kay, Alex, Leonie. In no order. My life seems to centre oddly around these ppl.

23. What's the best thing to do? How can I possibly name just one?

24. Have you ever won any special awards? only an academic scholarship.

25. What are your future goals? too many to list. (i'm in a hurry - I'll come back!)

26. Fave music? see above

27. Fave food? Columbos pizza

28. Fave movie? Tootsie

29. Fave day of week? hmmm...Sunday. Or Friday. Or maybe Saturday. Any of the above! :)

30.fave month? December and January

!31. Do you like to dance: Yeah baby!

32. Are you to shy to ask someone out? Someone I desperately want to be going out with - of course!

33. What's the stupidest thing you have ever done? uhhh...too many...all the normal sorts of stuff...walking into poles...kissing idiots...renegging on friends...arguing with people you just shouldn't bother arguing with...all that sort of stuff.

34. On the phone or in person? depends on the topic

35. Summer or winter? Spring and autumn.

36. Do you want your friends to write back? Yea!!!! People should comment...I love the comment function...

37. Who is least likely to respond? I'm guessing ppl who don't read my updates!

38. whats your nickname? Ava. Feel free to call me Ava! yay...

39. who do u av a crush on at the mo? shhh...it's a secret. A very long-term, not very secret secret, but I'm trying!!

Final comment from me: I hope everyone has a great week while I'm not away, that no big gossipy stuff happens that I miss out on and no-one breaks a leg or anything, and that ppl who have holidays enjoy them to the max!! Carpe diem - it's much overused, but true.

And how good was 'Dead Poet's Society'?! I need to see that again...second fave movie. One of my fave 'crying' movies, actually. Cause I figure, my fave movie can't be something that makes me cry, even if it is good crying. (And in that movie, sometimes it's not. But it's still brilliant.)

For those who are somewhat confused...
That was my good friend Jayt. She is an absolute legend (and when I remember what her URL is I will post it) but I think one time I logged on on her comp, pressed the wrong buttons, and now she can get in under my name...that's not good. But it's ok. She would never write anything bad :) But if you ever read a post (supposedly by me) detailing my alien escapades on mars or some such, you can be worried!

Yea...she's right about the editing thing too. It was really disappointing (hey, my html worked!) but all the important people know I have the capability, it's just that the evil executives didn't give me the job. Anyway - I also found out that an old teacher (who I gave merry hell - I was going through that teenage awkward stage at the time which basically meant I refused to soften all the blunt things I was saying - true but not nice) is on the selection panel.
Which makes me a) angry at them, b) understanding and c) angry at myself - oh, and d) regretful. But at least I get it now. It's not indiscriminate discrimination - if that makes any sense - it's just that she doesn't like me. Which, in her experience, makes sense too. (See Jose - you were right. It's her wanting to get back at the little annoying Year 8 who made her job hell for six months! It is also worth noting that she quit after six months - I think because she couldn't handle the trauma!! ;) )

Moving on...

I'm going away for a week, starting Saturday (through Friday). Won't have access. It'll be a good week tho, and the following week I'll probably be at school (even though it's the holidays...go figure...I'm a sucker for punishment) so I will have access, which is nice.

I sang today, even though I am losing my voice. It was ok. People liked it. I hope my throat gets better soon...my voice is kinda imperative... ;)

Jayt - sounds good man. We can definitely skip the stozza interview in favour of someone far more interesting! I will call you. By the time you read this I probly will have. :)

Oh - for all those who are further confused, my nickname is Ava.

And it's too bad you didn't get the editorial thing, man, but I guess we know you've got the skills and the ability, and it's just kind of a shame you haven't been given the chance to show everyone else. We should do a split together, and you can do all the work, and it'll be the same kind of deal, but with no colour printing, and no three page interview with the Stuzmaster Deluxe.

Hi all. Ava, I think I accidentally logged in as you while trying to just get here to READ your stuff. Or perhaps I've taken over your body and mind and you haven't realised. Eliza I need to talk to you, bad ***ff is going down. I hope you are okay and it's nice you are Repunzel.
You take care now,
Love Jayt.

So, I figured it was about time for another 'depressed and mad' update. Not really. But I am not happy.

I applied for that editing position I really wanted - and deserved - the interviews were scheduled today, and I didn't get one.

Why do I never, EVER, get positions in our school? I keep giving up trying, and then another cool thing comes up, and I think 'maybe I could get this one. I am good at this, after all', and I apply. I should know by now that I'll just end up disappointed all over again.

The worst part is, my friend, who deserves the part no more than me, did get an interview. Now things will be weird. We thought we'd be doing it together...

It's just because the conflict's been solved :D :D :D well, one of them anyway.
I was so crazified by Umair's "yay!" update that I had to do it too! It's a quizmania day...because I have no profoundness left, it's all gone into my immune system...

1. Are you an innie or an outie? an innie. much cuter.
2. Have you ever worn bell-bottoms? um...not really...my flares aren't that flared, sadly
3. Have you ever written a song? Yea, but they all suck. and I forget them. maybe when I've finally learnt to play guitar, i'll get off my ass and do it properly.
4. Can you make change for a dollar right now? uh. no. I am owed $$ tho...hmm...
5. Have you ever been in the opposite sex's bathroom? sadly yes. ew gross to the max.
6. Have you ever smelled your own feet? all the time! they're attached to my body, I can't really get away from them.
7. Do you like ketchup on or beside your french fries? sometimes... depends if they have chicken salt already. working at nandos makes you such a chip expert.
8. Can you touch your toungue to your nose? nooooooo....
9. Have you ever been a boy/girl scout? Definitely not. You would not catch me in one of those festy brown uniforms ever. Plus, doesn't it involve the ourdoors somehow?!
10. Have you ever broken a mirror? Not with my hands... ;P 11. Have you ever put your tongue on a frozen pole? No. I do eat (and throw, of course) snow though.
12. What is your biggest pet peeve? What, I have to choose just ONE? Ok, ok...I guess - and this is really stupid - my siblings leaving their clothes on the bathroom floor. They do it EVERY TIME, no matter how many times I ask them not to.
13. Do you slurp your drink after its gone? Milkshakes - oh yeah!
14. Have you ever blown bubbles in your milk? Yep.
15. Would you rather eat a Big Mac or a Whopper? If I had to choose, whopper. But chicken is so much better.
16. Have you ever gone skinny-dipping? once
17. When you are at the grocery store, do you ask for paper or plastic? Down under, we don't get a choice!
18. True or False: You would rather eat steak than pizza? pizza all the way!
19. Did you have a baby blanket? of course!
20. Have you ever tried to cut your own hair? My fringe a little bit. My hairdresser flipped.
21. Have you ever sleepwalked? Nope. I have sleep-sung though.
22. Have you ever had a birthday party at McDonalds? No.
23. Can you flip your eye-lids up? Euuuw...no.
24. Are you double jointed? No. But I can crack more than fifteen different joints!
25. If you could be any age, what would you be? 22.
26. Have you ever gotten gum stuck in your hair? Don't remind me...
27. Have you ever thrown-up after a roller coaster ride? No way! I have the best motion senses...it's all good...
28. What is your dream car? a nice convertible. deep blue.
29. What is your favorite cartoon of all time? the simpsons for humour. the little mermaid for graphics and loveability.
30. Would you go swimming in shallow waters where, one year earlier, a shark had attacked a child? WHAT!? NO!! That's crazy...
31. How many cavities do you have? None :D
32. Have you ever eaten a dog biscuit? Uh...no. We don't have a dog, thank goodness.
33. If you were in a car sinking in a lake, what would you do first? Get out...duh...
34. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? Never had the chance. Which is probably a good thing.
35. Can you pick something up with your toes? Yep! I am v. flexible :)
36. How many remote controls do you have in your house? Goodness knows...um...about 8 maybe?
37. Have you ever fallen asleep in school? only in sick bay.
38. How many times have you flown in an airplane in the last year? twice? three times? don't remember.
39. How many foreign countries have you visited? uh, go look in my profile. not enough.
40. If you were out of shape, would you compete in a triathlon if you were somehow guaranteed to win a big, gaudy medal? who writes these ridiculous questions? no! that would involve exercise! speed swimming...ugh...
41. Would you rather be rich and unhappy, or poor and happy? happy. who would choose to be rich if you had to be unhappy!
42. If you fell into quicksand, would you try to swim or try to float? uh. swim? i hope to never be in this position!
43. At what age did you first try to drive a car? I don't drive...unless dogems count...ahh dogems :D :D
44. Do you ask for directions when you are lost? Of course. You get to talk to new people!
45. Have you ever had a Mexican jumping bean? A what?!
46. Are you more like Cinderella or Alice in Wonderland? Cool question...um...I think like Alice. I ask annoying questions and challenge people to think about things. (But I'm not on drugs, so that wrecks that analogy ;) )
47. Would you rather have an ant farm with no ants or a box of crayons with broken points? crayons. they still work. who wants an empty ant farm? what would you do with it?
48. Do you prefer light or dark bread? Both with different things.
49. Do you prefer scrambled or fried eggs? scrambled
50. Have you ever been in a car that ran out of gas? almost...we were counting the k's in the tasmanian wilderness...we almost missed the boat! that was scary...
51. Do you talk in your sleep? Haven't we already had this question? Yea..sometimes.
52. Would you rather snovel show or mow the lawn? Shovel snow, but not for too long. It's so pretty!
53. Would you rather be bitten by a poisonous snake or constricted by a python? Uh...bitten?
54. Have you ever played in the rain? Yeah!!
55. Which do you think is more dangerous: an angry bear or a hungry white shark? Who writes these sadistic questions!?
56. Would you climb a very high tree to save a kitten? Um. Yes. I like trees and kittens. And I haven't climbed for way too long...ah the memories...
57. Can you tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? They both bite. Hard. That's all I need to know.
58. Do you drink pepsi or coke? Neither if I can avoid it. Diet Coke all the way.
59. Whats your favorite number? 2
60. If you were a car, would you be an SUV or a sports car? What's an SUV? (Man, can't you tell I'm a girl?!)
61. Have you ever accidentally taken something from a hotel? No, I do it on purpose! Although not towels...yet...
62. Would you blow your nose at the dinner table? Depends who had come to dinner!
63. Have you ever slipped in the bathtub? ow...yea...
64. Do you use regular or deodorant soap? normal, nice dove stuff.
65. Have you ever locked yourself out of the house? not that I can remember. that's other people's job.
66. Would you rather make your living as a singing cowboy or as one of the Simpsons voices? SIMPSONS! Of course!!
67. If you could invite any movie star to your home for dinner, who would it be? Rachel Griffiths. (See previous updates.)
68. Have you ever made a semi truck honk? yes. dammit.
69. Which would you rather live with: a huge nose or crossed eyes? the nose. but i wouldn't like it.
70. Would you hang out with someone your best friend didnt like? Yeah, I do that already.
71. Would you hang out with someone your best friend liked, but you didnt like? why would i?
72. Have you ever returned a gift? um, i gave one to the salvos. does that count? it was a bizarre gift anyway...my strange aunt gave me a bright blue sun visor with bright coloured fake flowers on it. i have no idea why...
73. Would you give someone else a gift that had been given to you? only if it was a book i already had or something.
74. If you could attend an Olympic Event, what would it be? figureskating, or gymnastics.
75. How many pairs of shoes do you own? umm...15?
76. If your grandmother gave you a gift that you already Have, would you tell her? depends which grandma
77. Do you sing in the car? yea! or anywhere else...
78. Would you rather jump into a dumpster or into a vat of honey? honey, if I HAD to choose. i had a jar of honey land (open) on my head once. that was funny. there goes half a bottle of shampoo! lol...i was so late for school...
79. What is your favorite breed of dog? not really a dog fan. i like my friend charlie's dogs. I think they're whippets.
80. Would you donate money to feed starving animals in the winter? I'd prefer to go feed them myself.
81. If you were a bicycle, would you be a stingray or a mountain bike? a stingray
82. What is your least favorite fruit? cantelope.
83. What kind of fruit have you never had? ?? one of those exotic japanese ones. although I have had starfruit.
84. If you won a $5,000 shopping spree to any store, which store would you pick? Borders!! or readings...but borders is bigger. (CD/book/video/magazine mecca)
85. What brand sports apparel do you wear the most? don't wear sports apparel!
86. How many letters will/did I earn in my high school career? we don't do it like that. but i got debating colours...and music and drama i really should have too.
87. Among your friends, who could you arm wrestle and beat? um. almost nobody. trish maybe? i don't have many stick thin friends, none of us are really stupid enough to diet detrimentally.
88. If you had to choose, what branch of the military would you be in? ooh, the air force! those planes are so cool.
89. Would you ever parachute out of a plane? yep. awesome...confronting my fear of heights...but i think someone would have to push me!
90. What do you think is your best feature?um...my hair i guess...people always say my hair...at least for physical. mental is too hard.
91. If I were to win a grammy, what kind of music would it be for? ????????could be ANYTHING...??????
92. What is your favorite season? autumn. it's beautiful.
93. How many members do you have in your immediate family? 5
94. Which of the five senses is most important to you? sound
95. Would you be a more succesful painter or singer? Singer.
96. Have you ever ridden a tortoise? say WHAT!
97. How many years will/did you end up going to uni? probably 5. more if i decide to do other stuff. i'll probably be there forever, really.
98. Have you ever had surgery? nooo...only minor electric shock stuff on my eyes...
99. Would you rather be a professional figure skater or professional football player? oh, a figure skater!! I wish...
100. What do you like to collect?
Um. Friends. Books. Music. Clothes. I would collect shoes, but I don't have enough money. And I'd rather spend it on clothes and books and music anyway...

That was loooong. But fun!

I'm exceptionally artistic! Find your soul type at kelly.moranweb.com. Virtues: You look for immense creativity and individuality in people, including yourself. You're not happy with anything less than brilliant, and you focus on being expressive. You value energy, liveliness, and upbeat personalities, but you're not supportive of moodiness when you yourself can be unreliably moody. Seeking activity, you like the bustle of business but need the secluded atmosphere of a studio or private corner. Aspirations: You feel the need to express your talents, whether it be through writing, drawing, singing, dancing, composing, performing, or photographing. While you strive to ever improve your work, you want to display it as soon as possible when your impatience kicks in. You want to be a prodigy but you might not have the means right at your fingertips. Trust me, do NOT move to New York to do it. Yeesh! Quirks: Conformists bother you because of their lack of individuality. You're often late or unreliable. You're showy and refuse to share the spotlight. You only tell little white lies. You worm your way into the hearts of others, but be careful; some people despise the show-offs. Factors: Surround yourself with activity and you'll always have material to work with. Involve friends and family in your projects so they don't feel like envious outsiders. Future: Show business or not, you'll settle down happily if you're among those who appreciate your natural talents and desire to perform. Don't stay in one place too long, and don't be too hasty in defining your relationships. Who are you to judge what only time will tell?
I am Rapunzel! Find your fairy tale character at kelly.moranweb.com. No comment. (Except - how much do I have the hair thing happening!? It's all good...) Now maybe if I grew it, and grew it, and grew it, and grew it... Umm...I think I like this band...I can't remember off the top of my head...

You are 40% evil! [?] You're more good than evil, but not by much. You've drank straight from the carton of milk in the refrigerator, and maybe kicked the neighbor's cat, but you're still good. Kinda.

Now, is this a good thing? >:D hehehe...

Find your emotion!

Right...hmm...go figure!

I have now reached that point where things in my mind have become so strange that I am actually able to see that they are strange, while still being in the middle of their strangeness, and continuing down the same path of that strangeness...if that makes any sense at all.
It has been an excessively long term. 11 weeks. That's way too long. I am trying very hard not to get sick, and I'm worried that it's not really working particularly well. I got an A+ for my Lit sac tho, so that's good.

You'll have to excuse the marks comment. Nobody else will listen to me talking about marks: my friends just get annoyed, my parents expectations just keep rising, and my teachers expect...well, they expect me to be brilliant too. So it's not good. I have enough pressure all by myself without anyone else. And if I try to say anything about it to my friends they tell me I'm lucky that it comes easily to me (what!?!?) and to shut up.
You'd think it would be easier getting *good* marks in year 12 than otherwise, but I'm beginning to doubt it!

NB. Brent and Mike - Hotmail is not working again - I can read your messages but not respond. It's frustrating!! I'm working on it though...[note this anyone else who emails me too!]

Life is crazy at the moment. It's coming out in eveerything that I do. I can feel it in my shoulders, my neck, my back. Even the back of my throat is telling me I need a rest. And I know that in the holidays I won't rest. I have camp the first week, and after that I'll have a million things on. Plus schoolwork. I think I've reached that point where all I want is for it to be over.

But I'll feel better in the morning.

'Extraordinary ways to talk about the ordinary.' Check out some Bruce Dawe poetry, if you're in the mood and interested. Particularly for people who don't like poetry. If you think you don't like poetry, it's worth reading some of this...

So this weekend I'm taking it easy. Goodness knows I need it :). Going to the movies with a good friend tonight. Going to try to cheer her up. Distract her from rampant boyfriend woes and the stress of Year 12. Only five school days til the holidays...

I have a politics essay to write this weekend. Hmmm...I love school. I know that sounds like the most ridiculous thing to say, but. I'm so lucky I do. :) I think I'm just happy about my exam results. Full marks for Politics and History, 29/30 for English. Lit we won't get back til next week, so that's ok. I don't think I want that one back though...

We're about to start creating our English writing folios. I can't wait! :) :) :) While we're on that topic:
If anyone has any experiences of sexual harassment, from any perspective, that they would be willing to share with me, or any information, links, anything, that might be of use, I would appreciate it so much. I'm planning to write a piece of some kind based around it, and anything that might spark off an idea would be hugely useful.

Gotta go!