You break my back / You won't break me

While the realisation that it's already March 16th (and almost a quarter of the way through semester) horrifies me, I've been busy doing plenty of things that matter to me. That alone makes it worthwhile, whenever I feel time slipping by. Even uni work is getting churned through at a decent rate of knots, despite having 5-6 pieces of writing to finish each week (and around 20 readings).

jilavre has firmly re-addicted me to the firestaff, although all those MPEGs of poi and contact juggling make the other toys awfully tempting. I'd like to learn some contact juggling moves for the staff, as it seems to open up a new range of tricks and transitions. Even if practice doesn't make perfect, it'll go a long way to making me more fire resistant... my hair's longer than it ever was when I used to play amongst the flames. I haven't really learned anything new in the last few years - admittedly, I've only practiced once a year at best. I think it's time an old stick insect learned some new tricks.

Golgotha was lots of fun, although the second level was bitterly disappointing - it's the first event that I haven't spent all night on the upstairs dance floor. There were only a handful of people dancing whenever I climbed up the stairs, and the choice of music wasn't really inspiring anyone to dance. I'm sure it sold plenty of drinks, though... lots of people standing around the bar, wishing that they could find a song they wanted to hear. Downstairs was much more reliable, and soooo much better than the ground level at the MegaBar. I'd happily go back to that venue again. Lots of familiar faces, and I spent a good chunk of the night catching up with people I haven't spoken to in ages.

aeliel has been in ohmygodit'sholidays mode for the last week, now that the school term has made way for the Commonwealth Games. It's been great to watch... sometimes, I think I can see the layers of school-term tension falling away. Thankyou, CWG, for cutting the first term mercifully short :) We should have six week terms every year. Maybe without the madness of the games + Melbourne festival running amok in the city, though...

I haven't been getting a whole lot of sleep lately, as my back appears to have the (literal) mother of all knotted muscles in it. Regardless of how many other knots I get rid of, the central point manages to send tendrils creeping up and down my spine within the day... birthing new knotted muscles to unleash on my poor spine. Lon suggested accupuncture. I've considered doing it myself, with a 60mm holesaw... sure, it'd be messy, but it would remove the sore area. Some time soon, I'll try to dig up contact details for an Osteopath (I think kitling left some details in a post I made ages ago).

Failing that, it's off to Chiba for a vat-grown replacement spine. I just hope my credstick can cope with the number of upgrades I need...