Annie

Warning! This post will contain a few pictures, so, heads up dial-up users ;).

It’s fun! Using the big cameras (yes, I know, I have the terminology down! :D) are a lot of fun, although at first glance they look daunting and heavy. The pictures I took from them were bad so I opted for my digital point and click camera. Now, what would a post like this be without pictures? Here’s a few out of the hundreds I took of my makings :).

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Some of you may know them as cell phones, others may know them as the bane of their existence :P. I think…no…I know I hate mobiles. Do I have one? Yes. Why? It was forced upon me, believe it or not.

I have no problem with makers embracing technology but some owners deserve to be slapped. Why?

Case 1

The worst case is music, or more specifically loud music. I don’t have a problem with people playing music on their phones. However, abusing the volume function is a no. Why must some mobile owners insist on playing their music loud? It becomes so infuriating that I’m tempted to just bring out my mallet and whack the life out of the offending mobile - and sometimes the owners. If you decide the play music at least have the decency to use the earphone provided or - for the more dearer option - get a personal music player. Using the earphones also help when wanting to share music with a friend or whoever. Bear that in mind.

Case 2

Poor grammar and lack of punctuation. I know, I know, using less letters means more words but that doesn’t mean you can type in a completely different language. Combining text speak with non-existent punctuation just makes texts harder to read and understand. Just curious, but, does anyone else type in standard English? Here’s a note to some text-ers: “Only use capitals when they are necessary, please!”

Case 3

Using a mobile whilst driving. You’re driving as if the road is meandrous, please leave your mobile to ring. It’s not only stupid but also dangerous. Ever wondered why the ban, points deduction and fine started?

What makes owning a mobile stressful are some incompetent call centre operators. When I’ve asked for my mobile and contract to be cancelled because it’s almost the end of my contract, that’s what I expect - especially when I’m told it’s done. What I don’t expect is to get billed again, when my phone has been disconnected and I was told it had been cancelled. I also don’t expect to have to cancel my contract 4 times and have the bill increased another twenty-odd pounds! If this fifth attempt doesn’t work then I’m going to rid the existence of companies associated with mobiles - starting with Samsung. Don’t know how I’m going to do that though…hah.

/rant

I think it’s about time I made myself a layout but I’m not sure how I want it to look.  I know I’ve got other things going on, with university, work, competitions and my other site and all but heck I need something to occupy me if I’ve got nothing else to do.  Busy it good :D.  That’s besides the point anyway.  I’ve searched the ‘net but nothing seems to shine a light bulb.  How do you go about producing a layout?

Happy Chinese New Year to all who celebrate it.

I might be heading towards the wrong profession according to ChinaToday.com:

“Rabbit: You are the kind of person, that people like to be around affectionate, obliging, always present. You have a tendency, though, to get too sentimental and seem superficial. Being cautious and conservative, you are successful in business but would also make a good lawyer, diplomat, or actor.”

All is good though in the Rabbit pen as we’re considered the luckiest zodiac. The Rabbit’s forecast for 2008 in the words of moonslipper.com:

“During the final couple of months of 2007, the Rabbit will need to keep a close eye on his finances in order to avoid hardship during the Year of the Rat. 2008 will prove to be a very social and fun year, with a highlight on romance and get-togethers with friends. For the unattached Rabbit, this could well be the year to meet their soul mate. It will be important for Rabbits to be careful and avoid risk-taking during the Year of the Rat. Also, he needs to be aware that gossip and rumours may abound during the middle months of the year and that joining in with the whispers should be avoided - it could ultimately damage the Rabbit’s reputation. Home and hearth will be especially important this year - providing a safe and cosy sanctuary from a busy and eventful year. April and October will provide particular opportunities to travel and socialise.”

I love the way they refer to people as “he”. I know I’m a little too into football but that doesn’t make me a man. :/ Anyway being the clinical person I can be sometimes let’s see what the astrologist foresees… Jeez, things aren’t looking up on the finance department, being a university student and all. Must avoid that by turning to the Bank Of Daddy! (I’m only joking by the way, I don’t like having to borrow/use other people’s money. Makes me feel bad for receiving money today. Feels more gratifying spending money which has been self earned. Anyway, I’m babbling.). So, I’m a guy, who could potentially face adversity in the financial department but still find a soulmate. They say love brings more happiness than money…is it true? Can’t be! :P. To sum up my year, I’ll be one of those guys whose money could go down the pots if I’m not careful. Despite that potential financial downfall I could still find a soulmate because of my social and fun personality. With the social and fun personality though I may be prone to hearing rumours and gossip, possibly becoming a gossip queen (sorry, king) myself. That’s a no go according to moonslipper.com.

Right…

Well, if any of you are interested in knowing what 2008 holds for you just leave a comment with your date of birth and I will read your future like Mystic Meg :D. With a Chinese philosophical touch.

Thank…you…Andrew! I “went to work”, okay I only work Wednesdays. Let me rephrase that, I made a visit to work earlier this morning asking my manager for advice on the medal. (turns out the teacher who was meant to help me doesn’t even work on Fridays. Thanks…)

The only other person who can advise me is my manager. He said the casting would take 10 days, time which I don’t have. I’ve been given reading week to complete my medal. He had a look at my drawing and said it’d be quicker to make it straight out of silver, I thought that. He’s offered to let me use his workshop during the week (except Wednesdays when it’s my work day). The silver has been taken care of but I’m going to try and pay him back.

This is the schedule:

Sunday - Get ideas for the Adventurous Moissanite competition. I’ll also be working on those after workshop hours. Get my templates for the medal sorted.

Monday - Work out the metal thickness. Scribe templates onto silver, saw out the silver and file edges nice and flush.

Tuesday - Get the layers soldered together, probably not the base though as that will be engraved later.

Wednesday - Go to work like always.

Thursday - Get the base of the medal engraved. Thank you to the guy who’s going to do that (sorry, I can’t remember his name - he just got mentioned this morning).

Friday - File and get the medal looking nice and polished. Possibly get some texture but if I can’t then I’ll quickly get it done at university, where I can buy a texturing wheel.

Saturday - If I get the renderings for my design done then I’ll pick one for the rendering project which is due in on the 29th February.

Phew!

Thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement.

<edit @ 4/02>Just remembered I also have to get a jewellery design rendered and make more designs for my saucer.</edit>