Nova Caine

 

Based on an epic modern poem first suggested to me by a novel:  'Paint it Black' by Janet Fitch.
( Prose of Modern London and the Blood-Flesh Woman )

 

My priorities are

• Take a Senior First Aid class
• Learn how to drive, or make progress in this area
• Start looking for flats close to uni, even if I'm not going to move any time soon
• If I can find another job, I will. I'm not having as many problems as before, but if I can obtain and keep a better deal, I'm taking it.
• Get some drama volunteering in and some scripts done
• See Melbourne when I have the mindset and money
• Be a bit wiser and happier as well as being older
• Ideally be able to move out, or at least assert some sort of independence
• Earn a little more money, but plenty of skills
• Find out what I'm really good at  (comments are welcome)

Hello to anyone who reads this. I'm warning you that you might get more regular entries, because I'm seriously considering taking a year off university studies. I felt both emotionally drained and crushed a few weeks ago. Even though I want to study, I can't follow through with it. I need better skills and a better mindset. I'm also prone to loneliness. I've got to get rid of it.

Clean up my desk
Get possibly cheap black ballet flats and Jonathon Astons
Organise my desk
Clean out bureaucratic drawer
Get Twinings English Breakfast Tea (I know it's fussy, but it's just not the same with other brands!)
Get new eye make-up
Take photos of artwork (camwhoring for the shy)
Visit the gym at least once
Save up small coins and decide where they go
Find a good high-interest savings account

Funnily enough, it was the bank account that came last, not the gym! The interest rate isn't high, at 4%, but it's better than nothing, and the bank is easy to get to. I've got a little over $100 in the small coins, and another $100 left in the original envelope, so that's all going in as soon as I section it off! That will bring it to the very small total of $550, but I'm happy enough. This is what I have left over after Christmas and uni books, so I hopefully won't be touching this amount for a while! I've arranged to set up the accounts so the savings get $50 on a fortnightly basis, on the day I get paid, but I'll put any extra in on pay days.  I can now make another list, or get on with the New Years one.

Clean up my desk
Get possibly cheap black ballet flats and Jonathon Astons
Organise my desk
Clean out bureaucratic drawer
Get Twinings English Breakfast Tea (I know it's fussy, but it's just not the same with other brands!)
Get new eye make-up
Take photos of artwork (camwhoring for the shy)
Visit the gym at least once
Save up small coins and decide where they go
Find a good high-interest savings account

7.5 out of 10- Three Quarters through! Yay!
I'm going to ask my brother about the high-interest savings account, which is the only thing I need help with. I'm nearly done and it's about time!

Yes, I know the first two pictures are daft... Shut up, Argyle.
( Here's what I produced )

First off, I'm hoping to make this year an improvement on the last one. 2008 was...character-building- that's right, character-building- to say the least. I was able to survive, now I can succeed! I hope I'm going to be reasonably mature by the time I turn 20 in April, but this time I want to have some fun.
( Well... )

Some things seemed to have gone really right this week!
( Nova's happy details )

•  

So...Karma. It works, bitches!</div>

Short Term
Clean up my desk
Get possibly cheap black ballet flats and Jonathon Astons
Organise my desk
Clean out bureaucratic drawer
Get Twinings English Breakfast Tea (I know it's fussy, but it's just not the same with other brands!)
Get new eye make-up
Take photos of artwork (camwhoring for the shy)
Visit the gym at least once
Save up small coins and decide where they go
Find a good high-interest savings account

6 out of 10, not bad at all...

Before I cement myself into my studies, I've decided to make some future plans for myself. Pass or fail, these ones should be going ahead!

( Listy, listy, list! )
I'm actually quite content. I've had an honestly difficult time over the past year, but it's turned out to be a fast-track to the social development I never let myself have in high school years.
( Woeful text- read only if you love me. )( Read more... )
I really want to obtain some more skills, too. Something practical, useful, potentially live-saving. I feel like I'm ready to move up to a higher level. I've even cut down my spelling mistakes, a recent stressed-out habit I used to have. I can't go around writing essays about beautiful Shakespeare plays all my life, nor wearing purple eyeshadow as fake bruises without a theatre to do it in. I've been putting off learning to drive too, as it frightened me. I've been a passenger in my dad's car, I know what sorts of people they let out on the streets!  Who knows, I might actually do something interesting!

Hehehehehe. Argyle, I assure you it's adorable, but nowhere near as much as Attolia's immortal "Hot tea with Honey" haiku. She'll be eating cake every day for the rest of her life if I have any say in it.  Ah, she'll outlive us all with her cuteness, cosplay and seamed stockings...
Speaking of which, are they Jonathon Aston's? I got a pair last month and they appear to be the best that I've ever had.

I'm glad to finally have a happier post for everyone!
My hearing problem as of a few days has been rectified, and my conjunctivitis is nearly gone, because this has been one of the few occasions in which I have sensibly used my prescribed medication- I must be starting to grow up My current flu is a little irritable, but it will be put to bed soon enough. Right now, I'm pleased that I can hear more than just the sound of blood rushing around my head.
( Counselling...much better with an intelligent one! )

Strictly as a one-off experiment, I went to visit a clairvoyant the same afternoon I saw the counsellor. Traditionally, I would never pay in advance for one of these places, but I had a good feeling about the people there. Quite a bit of the advice (around 30%) was based on common sense, and while people may bemoan this, I think it's a good idea if someone turns up with enormous problems that obstruct rational thinking. While I'm sticking to my original idea of taking it with a grain of salt, I wasn't disappointed. I even had a small laugh to myself as I left...even the psychic says that I should move out!

Work seems to have stepped into the Twilight Zone over the past two weeks. Last week, I was working quite a few days in a row and not always with co-workers that I got on with. I once called Kids Helpine when I was on the bus, because I was scared that if I didn't, I would start a fire-worthy argument. ( Lots of unhappy ranting :( )
I'm starting to seriously think of getting a second job when university holidays starts, and then giving the cafe two weeks notice if things don't pick up. The good customers are becoming far less in number, as are the co-workers and I'm not sure how long I can be somewhat productive for.

I'm wondering right now if I should bother writing something for Argyle's birthday, whether it be a more finished write-up of Squalor, a one-shot character bio or one of the few short pieces I can gather up. After all, Argyle is like a cousin and a brother and occasionally like a younger sister when he gets bitchy.
Maybe not the short piece; you would either think I was hopelessly sentimental or taking the mickey. In that case, let's hope it's the second- I'd hate for my mind to fall apart  ("like a wet cake" too!) because I already have an unpleasant feeling of loneliness that comes and goes. And I miss Felix, that likeable cynical bugger. Never thought that I would miss his company a lot, but I do. He's wormed his way in like...a wormy, likeable thing. I've even considered getting a doll for companionship, but I would have to hide him or her, I have no hiding space and I don't even want to have to hide the dear one. It's probably for the best, I should make sure I'm able to take care of myself before I consider any dedication to others, whether they're of flesh or resin.
Time to be studious, charitable or at least distracted from my slight current funk!

Tomorrow, I shall be paid as well as any overdrafts and  I will set up my account to a linked savings account with 8.5% interest rate. I'm thinking I will put between 10% and 25% in savings, depending on whether I get Friday work and when I have overdrafts (which are thankfully becoming much rarer). This fortnight, it will be 10% as I want to buy some more basics. I got a lovely pair of long black sheer stockings, though sadly unseamed and unpatterned, recently but I have found no time to do any photo-spamming with them, my black skirt, various blouses and makeup pallettes. I'd better get a move on with that, because I found something that sounds like enormous fun:

Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School
http://www.drsketchyperth.com.au/
http://drsketchymelbourne.com/ For all my Melbournites
It may look a bit tarty, but considering that this is a life-drawing class they're pretty heavily covered. After I've lost a bit of weight and I'm somehow able to go out at night, I'd like to consider sending them a few photos because this group specifically wants those that aren't like the average life model (I think, according to an article, average groups want androgynous size eights that are quite tall- whether or not that size eight lady is prettier as a size ten). If you look closely, you can see that some of the women actually have cellulite, and it's not 'ugly' or airbrushed. 
I reckon that you can wear discreet but slinky clothes and I can easily think of someone who's too sweet to be raunchy burlesque, but would be perfect as a model. I really think she would be accepted if she was interested and would be perfect for the shy sketchers. But I am not naming names because I don't want to appear like I'm pushing this young lady, nor do I want to be lynched by concerned loved ones.

Back to money matters, I have two choices on what to save the small percentage for- either my own apartment, or for a trip to Melbourne at the end of the year. My own apartment means I'll have some privacy and freedom from well-meaning but stifling rules that loved ones won't budge on.

The sinus problems are back, bringing oedema along, so now parts of my hands and eye area are swollen, my energy's gone, my mind's cloudy and my nose hurts. But enough, I can't go on moaning forever, especially not when Argyle's naming a faction after my swollen eye. Anyway, sick Nova is sick. I intend to go out on Thursday and Friday.
I know I've done my next semester timetable ages ago, but I am very well chuffed at how it's turned out. My classes are only Law ones, because after last term, I actually got sick of reading- except for Jane Eyre, which is now very much-loved. One of the few romances in which the low point is genuinely sad. Thankfully, I'm over my bibliophobia, now perusing Crime & Punishment along with numerous mangas and Korean manwhas (of which Forest of Gray City, DOLL and Nana are currently  favourites)
The classes for Torts (a lot in itself), Evidence and Constitution (often said not to be needed) take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. ONLY TWO DAYS!
But before you start squealing "Five day weekend!" (like Argyle) I have offered to work on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so in reality, I only get Monday and Thursday off- and those days are mainly going to be spent doing the reading I was too tired to do on the uni days. 8D
Still, I might be able to go out for a mental detox (and blow tonnes on things I shouldn't even be reading in the first place) and the good thing about those weekdays is that I'm less likely to be bombarded by horribly noisy families, whinging mothers and spoilt surly teens- I get sensory overload very easily for someone of my shape. 
PS Nova got a pay raise!

I might be able to get a Retrospective Withdrawal, as the counsellor at university is happy to back me up. All I have to do is write a letter, but it won't be easy, so I might leave it for a few days. I know that I have at least two people apart from my family wanting to help me out- one who got his letter yesterday too. I might publicise The Hardback Theory a bit more later on.
Tomorrow might be spent going to Garden City- picking up supplies as I get paid (hopefully just enough to wipe out any possible debt); tawny eye shadow so I can wear my red lipstick- Maybelliene Diamond Shine in Merlot -, eye shadow buds, charcoal eye-liner and lithium batteries: I want to use my digital camera to take photos of my Year Twelve artwork, and I'm heading off to Fremantle to check my working times. 
I've also eliminated quite a few unnecessary tasks from my notebook, and might consider some photo-spamming to shew off my somewhat new charcoal coat, black jeans, new heeled boots and pearly grey jumper or my older peach one. Hot, hopefully especially as my posterior's lifted off the ground via walkable elevation.
The sinus problems are gone, and I might even start writing/painting again. Right now, I feel a bit drained. Off to skim through Questionable Content!
 

After suffering a near-breakdown from the unstable past three months, I am now sleeping in a proper bed and have the means to organise my life. The new semester starts in August, but I want to get ahead and get everything I can do now before I get bogged down in statutes, evidence and the bloody Constitution! I'm now using the mostly blank note pages from my 2007 planner, but have purchased a beautiful new notebook too, and I think $20 is still a relatively low price for sanity.
I figured I should get this organised too. Names will be changed, but they shall know who they are.
This week has been good for finishing off things- last week was getting rid of debts. Monday was spent securing $100 worth of phone credit, having my lovely black Witchery jeans taken up and composing Argyle's letter, while Tuesday had me indulging in my noodle dish penchant (recently acquired), getting information on SmartRider purchase in Perth and obtaining another workshirt and the price of a hardback edition of Saul Bellows' The Adventures of Augie March (the hot chocolate and marshmallows were very much appreciated, Krystal) in Fremantle. On Wednesday, I tackled Murdoch University and made some headway on Thursday, while taking on a sinus problem. Left side of face is now very painful and sleeping is impossible. Friday morning was spent on family matters. Sunday will be spent working from 10am to 4pm, and Saturday might just be all about getting a good night's sleep. Hahahaha, like that's going to happen.