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It has been eleven days since I last posted a journal entry, but not without reason. Last Friday I submitted the final (c20K words) research essay for the Master's in Climate Change Science and Policy (MCCSAP) with the snappy title: "Climate Change Impacts, Adaption, and Just Financing for Small Developing Pacific Island Countries" (thank you to the hundreds of you on Facebook who sent their congratulations). My main aims and conclusions is that adaption is more important than mitigation in the Pacific and that adaption funding can come from the "loss and damages" clause in the Paris Accord. Today, with the others in the programme, I completed the final compulsory requirement, a presentation on research findings. Because resistentialism applies ("Les choses sont contre nous!") my laptop decided to die this morning (the charger is not powering the device). Fortunately, I had the foresight to (a) have a spare laptop at hand and (b) backup my presentation last night to Google Drive. Whilst the presentation was successful, I still have to get my laptop fixed or at least the data off it before I go to Supercomputing Asia next week. What is going to take a little more getting used to the fact that this is now the first time in five years that I have not been a full-time student and a full-time worker simultaneously.
Whilst most of the last fortnight has seen me buried in finishing this research essay and presentation, I have had the opportunity for some social occasions. Last night Nitul and his mother took me to join the studio audience for The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, which I confess I knew very little about not being much of a TV watcher - but it was very entertaining! Much of Sunday was spent with Mel S., for the Fitzroy implementation of the Midsumma Festival, and Friday evening was learning the Merrilyn New Vogue Dance from Nick with Liana and Julie. Several days ago, I travelled with Alison B. to attend Django's most excellent birthday party. I didn't quite get the chance to speak to everyone I wanted to (I did spend a lot of time with the host and Adam F), but I did make the acquaintance of one Ruby M., who has most remarkable alt-musical knowledge and taste well beyond their years. I have also had the opportunity to visit a certain consulate in the past fortnight for business purposes - but there are all sorts of complexities around that that deserve their own post once things have settled down a bit - and I have composed my own thoughts of the matter.
Whilst most of the last fortnight has seen me buried in finishing this research essay and presentation, I have had the opportunity for some social occasions. Last night Nitul and his mother took me to join the studio audience for The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, which I confess I knew very little about not being much of a TV watcher - but it was very entertaining! Much of Sunday was spent with Mel S., for the Fitzroy implementation of the Midsumma Festival, and Friday evening was learning the Merrilyn New Vogue Dance from Nick with Liana and Julie. Several days ago, I travelled with Alison B. to attend Django's most excellent birthday party. I didn't quite get the chance to speak to everyone I wanted to (I did spend a lot of time with the host and Adam F), but I did make the acquaintance of one Ruby M., who has most remarkable alt-musical knowledge and taste well beyond their years. I have also had the opportunity to visit a certain consulate in the past fortnight for business purposes - but there are all sorts of complexities around that that deserve their own post once things have settled down a bit - and I have composed my own thoughts of the matter.
