Somehow, when I heard that the American company Kraft was launching a bastardized version of Vegemite named "iSnack 2.0", I wasn't really surprised. I merely thought 'only an Yank...' (there was more, but for the sake of being politically correct...).

Seriously, which idiot thought that altering a hugely successful product from the 1920's and choosing a name like "iSnack 2.0" was a good idea? How does a name that incorporates references to the 'i' series of technology and internet linguo, seem like a good idea to have as the name of a food product? It doesn't even relate to the original product!

And now, after the universal negative reaction to this name, they're calling it 'Vegemite Cheesybite'...it's better, but not by much...

Last night, I found a new reason to hate the VISTA OS I have on my laptop.
So, last night, I turned my computer on to browse the internet and finish some online uni work. I stepped out of my room for five minutes to get a drink. When I came back to use my laptop, the mouse was centered in the screen, and wouldn't respond. For some reason, the built in mouse pad wasn't working. So I plugged in a USB mouse, went into the control panel and searched for the built in mouse driver. For some reason, my computer only recognised the hardware for the USB mouse, and said there was no hardware installed for the built in mouse. So, I went online to the HP help service, and halfway through typing out the search inquiry, the keyboard stopped responding. So I went back to the control panel, and checked the keyboard hardware, which the computer claimed was installed and working properly. So, I logged off, and logged into my admin account, and found that the mouse still wouldn't work, the mouse hardware was still missing, and five minutes after logging on, the keyboard stopped working. So, I rebooted the computer, hoping that would solve the problem...no such luck. So, for the next couple of hours, I downloaded several new VISTA updates and other windows/HP updates, ran spyware/malware checks, deleted all my old pictures and documents after backing them up, and rebooted the computer half a dozen more times and restored the system. Nothing I did fixed the problem.
So, I give up for the night, and planned to call the tech support guys this morning, and fix it then. I closed the screen, and looked at the bottom of the laptop, checking if there was any signs of overheating. I removed the battery pack, and replaced it after concluding there were no signs of overheating/melting.
So, first thing this morning, I powered up my laptop...to find that both the mouse and keyboard were working once more, and the computer now recognised the built-in mouse hardware.
I'm going to be severly ticked if I found out these problems were solved by simply removing and replacing the battery pack.

Also got to cut open and eviscerate a rat yesterday in my bio prac. It was an interesting experience, and the smell of the formaldehyde wasn't as bad as our prac supervisors made it out to be.


Postie

Been a while since I did a journal, so here's what's new.

A brief summary of the past month...

I'm back at uni, studying five days a week, and working two half days.
I've driven out to Bathurst three times, once with a friend to see an old friend doing uni out that way. Once because I had nothing better to do one Friday night, and once to see that same friend perform in a uni drama show.
I was brought along to the after party of that show, and found out the hard way that drama students are weird (maybe it's just my perspective as a science student).
I gave up my last Saturday helping out at the gymkhana of my old school.
I attempted to purchase a replica German 9mm Luger, but gave up because of NSW gun laws. I needed to join a gun club, bolt a police approved safe to the concrete foundation of my house and apply for a gun license, before I could even legally purchase the damn thing. Naturally, I live in one of the two states in Australia where you have to have a safe and a gun permit to even own a replica.
Artwise, I have a folder filled with 'almost finished' cartoons and comic strips, that I intend to finish, eventually.
Healthwise, I'm screwing my body up by going to bed around 1:30 to 2:30 in the morning, and getting up 6:30 to 7:30 in the morning on an almost daily basis, but can't really be bothered to change my habbits

Until later

Postie

Hey all.

It's been a while since I've done an journal, so here's what's new.

Finished uni this week, which was fun yet stressful. Had to hand in two different photo assessments, both on days when I had exams. On the plus, I think I went well in my exams (though chemistry was...painful to say the least), and now have at least 6 weeks for work before the next semester.

Art wise, I'm in the process of finishing off 4 or 5 comic strips, have finished a second pastel piece and started on a third.

Until something else comes up.

Postie

Hey all...

Started trying my hand at working with pastels, and taking classes to learn how to effectively use them. Finished one landscape, and started work on another work, which will hopefully be finished when I do the next class.

Work and uni are continuing. Work is great fun, and uni continues to be interesting and challenging.

Until something else comes up...

Postie