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Name: Michael
Birthday: 7/18/1985
Interests: Music (Rock/Punk/Emo/Ska), Web design, meeting rad people, clubbing, going to gigs. Fav bands: Muse, The Ataris, Dashboard Confessional, Brand New. I'm a Rock drummer.
Expertise: Contageous smiling
Occupation: Student
Message: message me
Member Since:
7/26/2004
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| So there are just a few days left until I start my PhD. When trying to think of how I'm gonna feel when I first step into my office, I start thinking about the excitement (of starting something new), the anticipation (of meeting my fellow students that I'll be spending a lot of my time around), but also unavoidably, the loneliness of being in a place so close yet so far away from my friends. Should I do some nice things to decorate my office desk? Photos of the ones I care about? Plants? Or maybe if I keep the office untouched it would mean I would be less distracted, making me work harder, meaning I get to spend more time doing fun things!
For those who don't know, my research interests are in HCI (human computer interaction). HCI researchers study both the broader and finer details of the way we work with computers, from new touch screen devices to make using computers more natural, to experimenting with how a new technology fits in with the current society. It's less geeky than other computer sub-fields because we actually work with humans!
As my supervisor submitted a short paper on my undergraduate final year project (Colour Player) to a research conference called HCI 2006, I went to my very first conference! I have vivid memories of the student helpers at the registration desk looking at me like I'm some punk with green hair - much the opposite of the norm of PhD students! But then again, I have yet to start. Meeting loads of people with the same passion as me at the conference was the main pleasure. Please believe me when I say that HCI researchers are the outwards-passionate type of geeks as opposed to the seclusive type. Most of the people I met, and not just the students, were actually really cool people! Anyway I have loads to write but I should keep this short to not bore you. Ask me and I'll tell you more!
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| I just spent a few hours printing off a ream of lecture notes for 5 exams, each only 1.5 hours each and 10 credits. A REAM! That's 500 sheets. Woaah.... I should get organised for my exams. What are all your techniques for organising your exam "revision"? (or "learning", as it may be with most of us).
I took one of those "who's your type" tests today (thanks Kent). This is my result. It's quite interesting, and probably true :)
"Your type is the girl next door"
Cute, fun, and sweet, your ideal girl is just a stone's throw away -
she's the girl next door. She's Sandra Bullock, Billie Piper, and Meg
Ryan all rolled up into one. Naturally pretty rather than glamorous,
she's unpretentious and generous. She loves animals and children, and
is great with both. You're attracted to her strong values and
traditional ways. Although she demands great respect, she's not
particularly high-maintenance. Her ideal date is more likely to be
dinner and a film than heading out for a night on the town. She's
careful yet spontaneous - a bit of the guy's girl, a bit of a cover
girl (the nice kind), and just a hint of the hippie chick. But she's
got an appeal that's all her own, which is why you can't stay away. Her
winning smile, bright eyes, and loving nature make you want to hold on
tight and never let go.
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| My new blog is at http://mvoong.blogspot.com/. At the moment I've just copied over the blog entries but expect a post sometime soon!
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| I'm back! Celeste tagged me, so I've gotta think of 5 facts about myself. So here goes:
- I open up to people far too easily far too soon
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I trim my own hair in the shower
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I'd much rather listen to music than watch TV
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I'm an agnostic that wants to be convinced to believe, as it would make life more intelligible
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I was fat in only one period of my life - as a baby
Next:
Lily Hoa
Elliott Wallace-Green
Cyn L
Kwan Lai
Edwin Lai
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. I wanna thank the blog rings 
for being so interesting, 
for introducing me to Xanga, and Xanga for giving me ideas to steal for my new site (
.
If you want to find out about the kinds of bands I like and listen to,
click