Mick Bullen - Project Citirail

That's right folks.

I have scored my major project with citirail. I don't get to touch their timetable (yet), and instead am working on developing a system which detects illegal versions of software on citirail computer systems (because company's can be sued big big bikkies if there is illegal software on their computers... like million dollar bikkies).

Should be an exciting challenge, and is a real answer to prayer, as my group has been desperately searching for a project.... and after going from company to company, 38 times... we finally have scored a brilliant project!

A Church, some friends, and a tonne of good memories

The past week of Ancon has been one of the best weeks of the year... I quite honestly felt dissapointed that it was all over, such was the time that I was having.

I've come away thoroughly challenged, and very practically challenged... which is a fair bit different to previous Ancon's. "Churching by grace" will be quite difficult to play out in some circumstances, but its a challenge which I'm really keen to be working out in my context - particularly in relating to other leaders within youth group, and particularly with relating to other people of my church.

Lukabyo was a bit dissapointing this year. Downed in the final by arts... but honestly - that is just how it goes sometimes. I was dissapointed to lose, particularly given the strong form in the lead up to the finals series, and I was dissapointed that there was so much angst on the field. However my primary disapointment came at myself for my own actions within the game, as I did get quite a long way too carried away at one particular point in the semi final. (I have apologised, and things are sweet though). But yeah, some stuff needs to change a bit with my attitude to those sort of activities... I really do need to keep my cool a lot more than I do.

Worthy of mention is the giant swing! THE MOST FUNNEST SWING EVER! The drop is good - the speed is good - and frankly I had soo much fun with it. I'm not quite sure what my facial expression was like but it was well worth the experience.

Also worthy of mention is the exceptionally well designed game concocted by Tim and Sean.

Likewise, the ever wonderful science faculty crew, and the fellowshipping with all of you still remains the absolute highlight. While Katay's teaching is fantastic, it is always the fellowship, the encouragement that I get from the friendships there that the real excitements of the conference. It's a true blessing to have friends such as these.

Finally - coolest Ad ever seen, and not out in Australia for several weeks yet:
www.bigad.com.au (need sound for best effect... just click yes to the popup)

Current song: Lost Prophets - five is a four letter word

When Mick cleans his room he finds...

Twas an interesting afternoon digging though my room(moving things around a bit). I found a remote controlled car that was my favourite when I was 7. I found a pair of school socks behind my cupboard.

I also found a whole bunch of song lyrics that I wrote during the year 12 superholidays. It's an interesting thing to read back on what you would write at that stage. 3.5 years ago, I would say that I was mildly depressed, and was going through a time that sucked.

That being said - I also had a whole lot more creative flair lyrically then, than I do now. Amazingly so. Some of the stuff really struck me as quality imagery. It was scary - that was me. that was the guts of who I was. It also made me think - praise God... you can do a lot of stuff over 4 years, and I thankyou for who I am.

Anyways, didn't think this opportunity to embarrass myself could go to waste. I typed out a bit of one of the songs that I wrote:

"Looking back... with perfect symmetry,
of poor mistakes, Mistakes-that follow me
Full of glass... are the memories
of when hope beheld my face.
shattered frame... your a fragment
So what do you have to say?"
-Mick Bullen. Age 17.

On an entirely more positive note: Had a work presentation - which went off brilliantly!! Client loved the program and could not stop thinking of more things they could do with it- and was willing to pay really well to have those additional feature put in. I was just stoked that they were happy with the program to be quite honest.
So praise god there!

Note for anyone who missed it: Soup Plus Big band was awesome, as was the company shared.

Current Song: Incubus - Summer Romance.

Satellite imagery in your loungeroom

sorry to some people... but this is so ultimately cool that its not funny...It requires cable internet and a reasaonble graphics card to run... but my goodness... its cool

its called Google earth. Essentially its satellite image in which you can ZOOM into places... so much so that you can potentially see your house from there.
http://earth.google.com/
It is about 10 megabytes to download and the requirements are there... but it is rediculously cool.
I've found my house, and Tim Pedley's house. I found sydney uni, and the opera house and the harbour bridge.

I found the start of the great wall of china...
This thing is THAT cool!

screenshot:
http://users.bigpond.net.au/Cookiemonster/satelite/sydneyuni.jpg (carslaw building... thats not full zoom either... I can zoom enough to make out the blue chairs of carslaw level 3 :))

Holidays...

Holidays... why the heck are they so much busier than during uni time?

I have filled every single day this week with at least 1 thing. + I have a whole tonne of work which needs to get done. + everything else. It's funny how we crave holiday so much - yet they are also the period when we have the least amount of free time.

regardless - I am so thoroughly enjoying myself right now. Had "lads night" at the churhc yesterday. Myself and a few of the guys around my age, and all of the youth group guys all had a football / video / pizza / sleepover night at the church. It was really excellent, just to have time just to chill, to yell at the big screen projector as NSW romped the Maroons, and to spend some time mixing with both guys my own age and youth. Glow in the dark footballs... oh they are gold, one of the best games of footy played on the lawn outside the church. Great Night - 4am was designated lights out. I'm absolutely stuffed this morning though.

For anyone who missed it also. The fundraiser barbecue: 16th July, 7pm Mellor residence. $60 more and we see some interesting hair styles for myself and Mr Pedley. I need some suggestions for Tim's hair... if you have any particularly cool - fire them off here... I have no intention of holding back with these :P

WOOOOOHOOOOO!! *bounce*

well - the exam is over... my phone went off during the exam with 10 minutes to go... it had somehow managed to switch itself back on in my pocket ... made things very very interesting as the supervisor was right in front of me.
BUT FREEDOM!!!!

I could not be more relieved walking out of that exam room. The next bunch of hours are really a bit of a blur... lots of stuff certainly happened. A short series of cartwheels later - BTW can someone who can do them teach me how to land on my feet from them? - and the Lansdowne Hotel awaited, as did a small horde of exceptionally over excited folk! (Tim, Iain, Karto, Bronni, Em, Sonia, Katie).
After a short time of pubbing - the lads took of to catch War of the World... I hate the ending... it sucked. rest was sheer brilliance though... can't fault it. From there Pizza a Oatley pub, pool at Emma's, and Xbox and cards at Katies housesitting sort of mash together into an evening that finished at 4am.
Bestest of nights - and Karto - you are deservedly a legend for driving us all over the city.

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Today has been cool. got up at 6am for my run, and then went back to bed til 10 :)
Wedding today - was really nice. What more do you say about a wedding? was good.

current song: Apocalyptica - Romance
have a good one all!

Mick