Metamorphosis

n. pl. met·a·mor·pho·ses

1. A transformation, as by magic or sorcery.


2. A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function.


3. Biology. A change in the form and often habits of an animal during normal development after the embryonic stage. Metamorphosis includes, in insects, the transformation of a maggot
   into an adult fly and a caterpillar into a butterfly and, in amphibians, the changing of a tadpole into a frog.


4. Pathology. A usually degenerative change in the structure of a particular body tissue.

So now that the PhD is done I find myself in an interesting situation. Because I've been working hard, and at slightly odd hours I've been going out a lot less, I've lost contact with a lot of people, but I feel now like I have a clean slate. If I was ever going to change something about myself now would be the obvious time. So I'm left to reflect on what I'd like to change.

Firstly I'd like to do some more sport/exercise. I don't do enough, I've probably never really done enough, so I'm going to join the Uni gym again. Play some football, badminton. I'd like to restart fencing and tai chi. Maybe even do some weights (puny, puny arms).

Secondly I'd like to eat better. I eat reasonably healthily (vegetarian an' all) but I've of late forgotten meals. I'd also like to eat more organic, locally produced stuff. Take a bit of a moral highground now that I can afford it. Would be good to go out for food a bit more, and eat a larger variety of food. Guess I need to learn some new recipes.

Third I'd like to drink less. Not a lot less, but I've found myself enjoying going out and not getting completely hammered. It's nice remembering conversations clearly, and not having the morning guilts.

Fourth I'd like to meet that special someone. I know I don't get a choice in the matter but I think I've done my time, and the Universe owes me one. Been doing a bit of dating, will try and do more. I've enjoyed meeting people that I perhaps wouldn't ordinarily meet, and I figure the more people you know the more likely you are to meet that illusive "one". (Not sure I believe in the "one", but thats another post...)

Fifth - buy some new clothes and trainers. All my clothes are falling apart and are a bit whack. Maybe buy some CD's and DVD's too. Go on a bit of a capitalist glut. Yay money!!

Thesis Complete!

All done and submitted. Bit of an anticlimax, but I do feel generally chirpier! It's a bit like leaving school, except it's weirder because you're older. I certainly feel like a load has been taken off my shoulders.

You Are Not Us

Ok so the band finally has a name (You Are Not Us), a myspace page (myspace.com/youarenotus) and a blog (youarenotus.blogspot.com/). Maybe we'll have a gig sometime soon too!

The final countdown!

Ok so I'm in the last few weeks of thesis writing. I'm aiming to get it done by the 28th of September, so I can go home for Mum's birthday. Don't worry dear reader I'm not wasting keystrokes writing my blog, I'm waiting for a program to complete so I get the final plots for my physics chapter done. All very exciting.

It's been a weird summer. I've not really enjoyed any of the sunshine, just been holed up in my room writing. (Don't get me wrong I have had a bit of a life, just not as much as I'd have liked.) Having this monkey off my back is going to be great, I feel like my life is on pause and as soon as I submit it can restart (ignoring viva and corrections for the time being!!).

So what will I do with all my free time, well, I'm thinking:

1. Start boarding again. It's been too long since I've had scabbed knees.


2. Start playing some sport. Probably badminton and football. I'd also quite like to start fencing again.


3. Get back into digital art. I've not done any significant amount of decent stuff since 2002!!


4. Get some gigs with the band. Think this will happen regardless, things are starting to come together nicely. Still need a bloody name though!!!!


5. Start writing tunes on the MPC. It's great, I love it, I spent a lot of money on it, so why the hell don't I use it!!!

And of course go out and see all my friends that I've failed to see for ages.

Right the plot job is complete, back to work. Though it is nearly lunch time....