BLARGH!! I'm a ghost!!

Did I fool you?
  ¶ 8:27 pm  

 

Update from Brins


I think I'll take a break from doing summaries of the week for now (unless something crops up which I'd like to mention), since there's nothing going on worth mentioning, and I'm only human. It's not like you want to hear about my life anyway...

...even though this is a curricular compendium...

...but nevertheless, there's no philosophy club on either today or next week, which is an absolute outrage, but nevermind. As a consolation of sorts, I've put up a list of philosophers on the menu bar which have been covered so far in the club for you to look up (does anyone else think Descartes looks like Rowan Atkinson?).

I took that tune down as well, partly because you're probably getting tired of it, and partly because it wasn't working last I checked. If you want another one or the same one back up again, let me know. I'm preparing for Halloween now, anyway. Speaking of Halloween, I've just noticed that that site's it's gotten back on its feet since last I mentioned it. Just typical.

Don't forget to come here on Halloween, or you'll most liably not be sorry
  ¶ 7:12 pm  

 

Seasonal expectations from Brins


Halloween is almost here, my friends. Sunday 30th October is the cue for all ghosts and spirits to rise from the gates of the abyss to wander the world of the living. Or at least, that's what I read. Bah, look at halloween.com for more information, they know more than I do.

That site's really gone downhill these days. But, oh well.

Too bad I won't be going guising, and I don't have a pumpkin, so the best I can do is wait for a visitation from a manifestation of some form (which I bet won't even happen)...

... however, you might be in for a spooky surprise if you come a-browsing the CICC on halloween night.

Suspense...
  ¶ 6:03 pm  

 

Update from Brins


A little update: I added the last essay to the essay section to the right. I plan to put up a list of philosophers from the philosophy club as well at some point.

Update complete
  ¶ 6:31 pm  

 

A generic post from Brins
Really, I have nothing special to say today. It's approaching the end of the holiday and nothing special has happened, really, which is fine by me. However, now I've got school to look forward to...

But that's not for another two days. In the meantime, I've been reading an almost-interesting book as you can see, 'Mysteries of the Unexplained'. I don't exactly read a lot of books, but this one's quite fascinating, actually, recording a whole bunch of unexplained mysteries (although that was kind of hinted in the title), most of which I've never heard of. I never knew about Caspar Hauser, at least.

Anyway, I'll see you all later

  ¶ 10:55 am  

 

Good evening; this is Brins


I've been spending this holiday period of mine (yes, I have a holiday now; the October break, which lasts up until next Monday I believe) revising and accomplishing homework for the upcoming term and beyond.

'WHY?!', you say? 'What kind of boring individual would do such a thing with their holiday?', you say? To both of these questions, I respond: Fine.

But really, for the betterment of the school year, there is no more economical a pursuit than some good old cramming several months in advance during your holiday period. Besides, I have a strange naggling chip at the back of my mind which vibrates rapidly if I'm not doing something beneficial to my studies. I can't go five hours without doing revision of some form. It's always been like that really, starting with Standard Grade back in S3 and beyond. I feel guilty to neglect study for any length of time. Still think I'm a boring individual?

Well, that's a matter of opinion. Anyway, it pays off.

Here's some useful information: Revise throughout the whole year. Now, I know I'm abnormal and don't have all the social mechanisms and reputations to maintain, but that's just my personal advice to you all. Most do nothing until one week before tests or exams, which just doesn't work. And another thing: they tell you about 'revision plans', 'timetabled revision', 'schedules and graphs, flowcharts' and so on. Am I the only one that finds that scary?!

Here's what I've done my entire exam life, and by Locke, it works better than anything else I know of: look briefly at a book or two from random subjects every so often. For 10 seconds, even. Just glance through it, whenever the feeling passes. Even once a day, twice a week, just keep it up; the information is instilled in your head, and when you come to look over it seriously nearer exam time, you'll likely find yourself surprised at how much you know already; then it's a simple matter of filling in notches and tying loose ends.

And yes, it works. Believe me.

Wow, it's been a while since I wrote an essay. That was fun!
  ¶ 9:48 pm  

 

A summary of the week from Brins


Alas, the summary of the week is a day late, but don't worry: I'll cover everything.

After my bodacious birthday, I have come out with something I've been waiting for for years:
my very own digital camera! Do you know what this means, friends?! Perhaps you'll be seeing some more interesting pictures on the CICC before you know it.

I also received my very own guitar, courtesy of my dear cousin Air, to whom I once again express my thanks. Now I can start a rock band or something.

But it's been a fine week, with nothing out of the ordinary happening - as is the norm with me - but unfortunately, I'm afraid I missed out on everyone's favourite: the Philosphy Club (notice capitalisation), but then so did everyone. I was at an important meeting for the upcoming talent show in which fun will surely commence. Everyone else missed it due to some court case that budding lawyers were recommended to attend.

I'm not much for law, though.

Did you expect more? Now honestly, you should know me worse than that. Yes, I can now officially play Mozart's 40th Something-or-other on the keyboard/piano, so there you go.

Did you expect more? Well, nevermind.

Enjoy your weekend
  ¶ 10:37 am  

 

A musical update from Brins


This is just an update note to inform you that I have successfully uploaded a tune to the CICC, which you should hopefully be hearing now if your speakers are turned on.

If you are hearing nothing, check your Control Panel and ensure you have a sound card installed. If you don't, contact the technical support line of the company you bought your computer from. So there's my technical advice for the day.

Nevertheless, I like that tune, and perhaps you do as well. Be sure and let me know if you feel otherwise and want it eradicated, because I won't know if you want it here otherwise.
  ¶ 7:42 pm  

 

A Mondayne post from Brins


This post is rather pointless, but then no post is really pointless on a curricular compendium, now is it? No, it's not.

The latest news is that nothing special is happening, my Birthday's on Friday (feel free to send me a birthday email or comment or something), and the October break is looming over the horizon. If we can just get through some more schooling, my friends, we're home free!

Of course, those of you who don't have a holiday... well, nevermind. You'll get one later. Afterall, when you think about it, it's impossible to experience true joy without suffering. Indeed, the greater the suffering, the greater the resulting joy and appreciation of things formerly taken for granted. Henceforth, we can conclude that resultant joy is directly proportional to initial suffering, as summarised by the equation:

Jr*t = Si*t

Argh, sorry about that; I had Physics last thing today. Still, there's an optimistic note for you, which would go hand in hand with the concept of all tragic or traumatic incidents - regardless of how horrible or depressing - seem to ultimately result in some good, whether directly or indirectly. That's a harder one to understand right off, you'd have to think for a bit to see where that's going.

But that's enough, have a nice day
  ¶ 6:15 pm  

 

A summary of the week from Brins


Alright, it's time to summarise the week again. Let's get started.

First and foremost, it was an average week. Excluding the sponsored walk (excellent conditions for that, very sunny), not a lot's been going on. The odd test/test results here and there, but nothing out of the ordinary. Speaking of the sponsored walk, it was quite a let down, actually. It's the last one I'll ever see, and my year really didn't make it go out with a bang. It brings me back to last year's 118 cameo...

...more on that story later...

But I know what you all want to hear, and that's the philosophy club, isn't it? Alright, alright, you'll get it. This time we were studying famous Scottish philosopher David Hume and his theory about nothing existing. He took Locke and Berkeley's theories as far as the bit about everything existing as a sensation in our minds, but then took it on to consider that everything is volatile, in that we can only prove things using the grounds that they have occured a certain way in the past. As it is impossible to have experienced something in the future, it is impossible to conclude that the results will be the same in the future. It's deeper than that, but to sum it up: we can't prove anything exists. Going one step above Descartes, we can't prove we exist either. So there.

Interesting thing I found out, though. Scientists acknowledge that none of science is proven. Everything, from gravity to force, is 'theory'. There is no official scientific fact. I just never knew that before, that's all. All the current theories could be completely wrong, thus rendering my physics advanced higher all for nought.

I'm afraid that's all I have for you, gang. Work is continuing on Operation Embarrass 2, but aside from that, I'm signing off for now.

Have a nice weekend


  ¶ 6:37 pm  

 

A walking post from Brins

Guess what, gang? The sponsored walk's on this Friday (tomorrow) at school, which constitutes everyone walking around in a circle for two hours.

Ingenious concept. Ranks next to scout bag packing in my book.

I don't know what the charity is this year, but frankly, no-one cares; it's going to some good cause or another, and that's good enough for any of us.

You'll get the traditional summary of the week from me tomorrow, but other than that, I am now a system administrator for the school network. That means I have my own webspace on the school computer network (not this one, another one). I'd link to it, but I'm not sure if that would get me sued, so I won't. Feel free to search for it, though!

I'll see you all tomorrow, then. I'll be the one walking in a circle.
  ¶ 4:54 pm  

 

An embarrassing post from Brins
See that picture? That's the title screen for the epic game I'm making, Operation Embarrass 2: A Job For Dave. It's the sequel to the original Operation Embarrass I made last Christmas for a friend of mine (Dave, incidentally). Hopefully this new game will carry on the legacy of outstanding quality begun by the original, and provide laughs galore for all who play it.

The plot: October 2nd, 2004. Dave has left University, but disaster has struck! He doesn't want a job! Now, it's up to our heroes (myself and my friend) to get to Glasgow and track down Dave... but will they convince him to find a job in time?! And will they get him a good job?!

The adventure begins...

Continuing from the hilariously original original, where our heroes had to embarrass Dave so much that he would lose all his friends and go to University in the first place (and the incredibly funny plot twist where Dave turns insane and attacks you), this travesty of a game will bring you boundless amusement.

Too bad I can't upload it, but I might keep you posted with pictures.

Yes, that is all I wanted to say

  ¶ 5:57 pm  

 

A musical post from Brins


You know, I was just thinking. This is my curriculum's compendium, and it's about time I referred to something involving my interestests, isn't it? I know that most of you aren't interested in that, so I'll make this very brief.

I compose music in some of my spare time, since I've got a modern keyboard that can record stuff and so on. I never really got a chance to do it before, and it's actually quite fun. Since several months ago when I started, I've made about 50 tunes- some long, some short, in a variety of styles. I really ought to publish some of them some day (or whatever it is you do with music. 'Release', I suppose); could be quite amusing.

Anyway, there you go. The thought just came into my head.

If I ever find a way to upload things onto the CICC, I might put some of the tunes up here. The lesser ones, at least. I can't be bothered to combat copyright infringement...

Have fun, gang
  ¶ 1:24 pm  

 

A summary of the week from Brins


Another normal week. There isn't really much special to be said for this week, and I have yet to see something bad happen to counter my statement from the previous post. Yes, it's just a nice, normal week at the CICC.

Yes, I did make it to the philosophy club this week, at which we studied Berkeley (if that's how it's spelled) and his bloffering on the idea of everything in the Universe existing to us only as an idea in our heads. Confused? Let's put it in another sense: what he's saying is, whatever we see, feel or hear is not what is inherently there, but rather what we are experiencing in thought. He uses a very interesting argument to back that up - which I find quite feasible - that it is impossible for us to experience or even conceive sensation (whether seeing, smelling, imagining etc.) without thinking about it. With that, he claims that we cannot see or do anything without thinking about it, henceforth what we see and do are merely our thoughts. While he acknowledges that things exist, he believes our perception of them existing (in any way, shape or form) is confined to our thoughts.

He kind of slipped up when he started going into the idea of objects ceasing to exist when we weren't in their vicinity... or did he?

No, because then he concluded that the Universe was God's mind, and so it always existed (he was a bishop, you see.) That last one seems a bit hazy to me, at least in its wording, but there you go. Of course, around Berkeley's time, philosophers like him were trying to convince aethists and sceptics of the existence of God, and so it was any old excuse to get Him involved in their theories, really.

I certainly can see great sense and logic in what Berkeley's blabbering on about for the most part, even if it may well be a load of cobblers' buckles.

But enough about that, I'm sure you want to be going about your business. Goodbye, meinem leibschenes!

P.S.: Happy birthday, Rob!
  ¶ 6:44 pm