Let's compare life to...

A simple coin toss.


Fate or physics? Are we in control of the events due to unfold, or are we in the ever uncertain hands of destiny? 


I'm not sure anymore, whether life is controlled by us, or destiny.


We're all thrown into each-other through-out the duration of our lives. Not one person we encounter is controlled by us. We don't choose who are parents are. We can't decide who is waiting in front of us in Starbucks and we have absolutely no control over who we will fall in love with, or how we will meet them.


We toss the coin, we make it spin, but where it lands or what side it lands on is not up to us... it's up to something else.


And that "something else" always seems to put things right.


Lauren xxx


*NOTE: It was tails.*

Don't forget the victims of our hateful society

By now, you have probably heard of 14 year old Jamey Rodemeyer, a gay teen who was bullied to death for something as trivial as his sexual orientation.


Upon hearing of this story, I was moved to tears. I was appalled. I was disgusted... Like most of the world. It's an emotionally charged story that makes for incredibly hard reading. However, it is a story that we must pay attention to, as it reflects the frightening new depths that our society is willing to sink to.


Like many teens, Jamey was an avid blogger and enjoyed talking to his peers on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The only difference (or perhaps, another similarity) between him and the rest of us is his sexuality... a difference that his classmates soon used as a pathetic excuse to abuse this poor young boy.


When Jamey blogged about his experiences with bullying, he was merely met with another wave of insults and nasty comments from his tormentors. 


Bullies wrote...

“I wouldn’t care if you died. No one would. So just do it … It would make everyone WAY more happier.

"Go kill yourself, you're worthless, ugly and don't have a point to live." 

There is no excuse for these kind of comments. They are tasteless, sick and down-right inappropriate. Telling someone that people wouldn't only be indifferent to their deaths, but would actually be happier as a result, is not only untrue, but incredibly malicious.


Feeling alone and hate upon, Jamey asked his online friends what it would take for him to be taken seriously:

"I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens. What do I have to do so people will listen to me?"

In a perfect world, Jamey wouldn't have been bullied in the first-place.

In a just world, Jamey would have got the support he not only wanted, but needed as soon as the bullying began to get out of hand. 

Instead, Jamey felt abused and alone, with only his friends and Lady Gaga's music to support him.

Lady Gaga was one of his biggest influences, whom he thanked both in his It Gets Better video and his final tweet. The hope that he seems to have in the video for the future was tragically lost, or rather, destroyed by the homophobes around him. 

The homophobes need to realise that their words and actions resulted in a death of an innocent young boy, and there's nothing that they can do or say that can bring him back to his friends or his family...

You can't hide from the truth, and the truth is... they are the reason that he's not alive right now.

They cannot hide behind their religion.

They cannot hide behind their pathetic reasoning.

They cannot hide behind their opinions. 

There is no-where to hide, the truth tears through every single one of their measly excuses. There is no excuse for homophobia. A life is precious, regardless of the ethnicity, sexuality, personality, religion, tastes, opinions or morals of the person. Homophobic comments make people feel like pieces of dirt, and why? Because they dare to love someone? The only difference between heterosexuals and homosexuals is the gender of the people we love. And if that's a good enough reason to hate someone, then my heart truly breaks for how truly pathetic humanity has become.

One of Jamey's last posts were lyrics to Lady Gaga's 'The Queen', in which he almost makes a plea to his friends and his family not to forget him.

"Don't forget me when I come crying to heaven's door"

Word of Jamey's tragic tale spread like wild fire through the social media, reaching two of his idols, Lady Gaga and Hayley Williams, in a matter of days.

HAYLEY WILLIAMS: Realized that Jamey and I had actually spoken on twitter before... Puts it in an entirely new perspective knowing we connected at one point. My heart is broken for him.

LADY GAGA: The past days I've spent reflecting, crying, and yelling. I have so much anger. It is hard to feel love when cruelty takes someones life. Jamey Rodemeyer, 14 yrs old, took his life because of bullying. Bullying must become be illegal. It is a hate crime. 

MSRACHELGARNER:  I never got to meet you, never got to know you but i still love you. #makealawforjamey 

ISPEAKTHEFAME: Life is hard but there's always someone that will listen. Be strong and never let bullies win. Rest in peace Jamey Rodemeyer.

DIXON MUNRO: Rest in peace Jamey Rodemeyer. You beautiful soul.  

Only a tiny majority of people affected by his story actually knew him in real life, and yet, we treat his death as if he was one of our own friends... one of our own family...

A generation weeps for a boy we never knew, naively praying for these tears to be the last.

Getting Started With ANTLR:Basics

Yeah! It's after a lapse of a month or so that there is a post in this blog! :)
Well, this post drives you towards the basics of ANTLR. Previously, we had learnt about setting up of ANTLR as an external tool. 

RECAP! It's here:
antlr-external tool:)
So, here we go....

What is ANTLR?
• ANother Tool for Language Recognition, is a language tool that provides a framework for constructing recognizers, interpreters, compilers, and translators from grammatical descriptions containing actions.

What can be the target languages?
• Ada
• Action Script
• C
• C#; C#2
• C#3
• D
• Emacs ELisp
• Objective C
• Java
• Java Script
• Python
• Ruby
• Perl6
• Perl
• PHP
• Oberon
• Scala

What does ANTLR support?
• Tree construction
• Error recovery
• Error handling
• Tree walking
• Translation

What environment does it support?
ANTLRWorks is the IDE for ANTLR. It is the graphical grammar editor and debugger, written by Jean Bovet using Swing.


What for ANTLR can be used?
• ""REAL"" programming languages
• domain-specific languages [DSL]

Who is using ANTLR?
• Programming languages :Boo, Groovy, Mantra, Nemerle, XRuby etc.
• Other Tools: HIbernate, Intellij IDEA, Jazillian, JBoss Rules, Keynote(Apple), WebLogic(Oracle) etc.

Where is that you can look for ANTLR?
You can always follow here http://www.antlr.org
• to download ANTLR and ANTLRWorks, which are free and open source
• docs,articles,wiki,mailing list,examples.... You can catch everything here!


Row your Boat....

• Basic terms

• Lexer : converts a stream of characters to a stream of tokens.
• Parser : processes of tokens, possibly creating AST
• Abstract Syntax Tree(AST): an intermediate tree representation of the parsed input that is simpler to process than the stream of tokens. It can as well be processed multiple times.
• Tree Parser: It processes an AST
• String Template: a library that supports using templates with placeholders for outputting text

• General Steps

• Write Grammar in one or more files
• Write string templates[optional]
• Debug your grammar with ANTLRWorks
• Generate classes from grammar
• Write an application that uses generated classes
• Feed the application text that conforms to the grammar

A Bit Further....

Lets write a simple grammar which consists of
• Lexer
• Parser

Lexer: Breaks the input stream into tokens

Lets take the example of simple declaration type in C of the form "int a,b;" or "int a;" and same with float.

As we see we can write lexer as follows:

//TestLexer.g

grammar TestLexer;

ID  : ('a'..'z'|'A'..'Z'|'_') ('a'..'z'|'A'..'Z'|'0'..'9'|'_'|'.'|'a'..'z'|'A'..'Z')*;

COMMA: ',';

SEMICOLON:';';

DATATYPE: 'int' | 'float';

As we could see, these were the characters that were to be converted to tokens.

So, now lets write some rules which processes these tokens generated and may it create a parse tree accordingly.

//TestParser.g

grammar TestParser;

options {

language : Java;

}

decl:DATATYPE ID (',' ID)* ;       

Running ANTLR on the grammar just generates the lexer and parser,TestParser and TestLexer. To actually try the grammar on some input, we
need a test rig with a main( ) method as follows:

// Test.java

import org.antlr.runtime.*;
public class Test {
public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
// Create an input character stream from standard in
ANTLRFileStream input = new ANTLRFileStream("input"); // give path to the file input
// Create an ExprLexer that feeds from that stream

TestLexer lexer = new TestLexer(input);
// Create a stream of tokens fed by the lexer
CommonTokenStream tokens = new CommonTokenStream(lexer);
// Create a parser that feeds off the token stream
TestParser parser = new TestParser(tokens);
// Begin parsing at rule decl
parser.decl();
}
}

We shall see how to create an AST and walk over the tree in the next blog post...

Happy learning....! :)

Only love can cure us now.

Another month, another needless death caused by the hands of homophobic bullies...


What is there to say that has not already been said? Once again, I am shocked and appalled by the insensitivity that I have seen in relation to societies treatment of the LGBT community, and, once again, I am left baffled to why more people haven't spoken up on the matter...


Anyone who tackles such issues is labelled to be gay, my question is, why does having a caring attitude towards this persecuted community automatically earn you abuse or labeling? Since when did the word "gay" become an insult rather than a descriptive term? 


The popularity of the internet and the progression of social networking sites such as twitter and facebook should result in teenagers and other generations being better supported in their endeavours and soothingly convinced that their sexuality is not something that defines them as a person, that they should not feel judged, alone or ashamed. 


It's wrong that so many people will be bullied (a shocking majority of them online) to the point where they will attempt to take their own life. How can someone justify their actions when it leads to someone attempting suicide?


There is no justification.
There is no excuse.
There is no reason.


If we do not accept that our words and actions have a profound effect on others, the issue of gay suicide will only get worse. 


Remember the victims of homophobic bullying. Without them, history will only repeat itself. We need to keep their names and faces fresh in our minds:

Tyler Clementi
Seth Walsh
Asher Brown
Billy Lucas
Jamey Rodemeyer...


To show your support for these teens, along with anyone else that is struggling with the same issue, please join me in drawing a heart on your wrist every day for a week. 

I know it might not seem like much but...

A symbol of support is a symbol of support, it doesn't need to be exuberant or in your face to be powerfully effective... 


If we don't do something, the hate will only multiply into absurd new levels. Homophobia will become common, as will gay suicide rates. Perhaps drawing a simple heart on your wrist doesn't seem like much, perhaps it doesn't seem like anything, but it's a symbol of loving support. It's a symbol that you care.


As Martin Luther King Jr once wrote...

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that"

And with the level of hatred that is plaguing humanity at the present moment, one thing is certain...

Only love can cure us now.

Star Wars on Blu-ray

My shiny new Star Wars complete saga Blu-ray boxset arrived in the mail yesterday, I have to admit to being more excited about seeing all the new special  features than I was about seeing the movies again but now that the discs are actually here I find that I don't really care, I hope it's the combination of insomnia and fatigue rather than this geek fanboy's heart dying.

I'm not just stealing your ping pong ball, I'm stealing your dignity.

No doubt a filthy image would flash into

Ross' head right now if he saw the 

above image.

I blame Russell Howard.

Today is Monday (one of the three days which do not exist in Rebecca Black's calender, if you haven't noticed) and do you know what that means?

I pretty much get an extended weekend.

Regardless, it's my duty to drag my lazy ass out of bed and make my way (slowly) to school. For what?

Core P.E. and a skive self study art.

Linzie is all alone in registration in the Mornings if I'm not there, so I always try to make it to the bus stop on time... it doesn't always work. 

Today however, it did. Always good!

It was just really awkward on the bus, because it was horribly busy and therefore you couldn't look in any direction without feeling as though you are staring at someone... 

Buses bring out the worst in people.

Regardless, I was on time (Hallelujah.) and in perfect timing to watch Linzie attempt to, once again, sell tickets to the first and second years to a disco.

Key word here is attempt.

Like when you attempt to push a pull door.

Or when you attempt to grow facial hair.

Or when you attempt to show a PMSing tigress

the latest series of Jersey Shore.

You get the point, it was a disaster. Not one single person remotely interested in buying tickets.

*rolls eyes* First years. Spoil sports.

P.E.

Mr Shaw single-handedly solved the disco sales problem...

We should tell them that the new head of P.E. is going. Apparently, they love him.

You might think, "Awww, cute!" but we are speaking about the same year that have someone giving out blow-jobs to guys casually... THEY ARE TWELVE.

Half of them are wee monsters... the other half are truly adorable... it's hard to paint them all with the same brush. 

Regardless, we just hovered around a heater like moths to a flame and waited for the bell to ring. 

In P.E., not much happened.

I ran downstairs from fitness (Where, ironically, you don't do anything apart from laze about) to the ping pong area, waited for Laura to miss the ping pong ball and BOOM. I snatched the ball up and ran back upstairs with it.

Laura ran after me and as soon as she got upstairs... I launched the ball back towards Jennifer, her Ping Pong partner. 

She was so pleased.

SELF STUDY ART

Abbreviated form is SSA, which also stands for Secretly sit around, which is what most of our class does.

Borat approves of this display of 

authorized rebellion.

We were running about, trying to find Mr Whyte for Megan (she needed to find him so she could ask him about getting the rights to Oliver) and trying to find a jacket for Megan's super awesome Sponsored walk costume.

I'll try getting a picture of her, it's going to be good!

Anyways, he was in a meeting when we went to his office (A headteacher? In a meeting? What's that about?) so we waited and boom. He appeared.

Megan froze and pointed dramatically at him.

Like this, but not so aggressive.

He just pauses... and then slowly glances around him. She continues her gaze. He keeps a straight face as he begins to realise she's gawking at him.

MEGAN: I need to talk to you about a script!

MR WHYTE: *indifferently* What script?

MEGAN: *somewhat nervously* Uh... for Oliver? Can we do the play for the se...

MR WHYTE: Yes. *disappears* 

He's really like a ninja... a busy, stressed out ninja.


I don't know, he never seems to have time for us pupils. Criticism does not exist within the four walls of the school and voices fall upon deaf ears, their only concern now-adays lie with exam results and league tables... it's terrible! 


Had a nice time with Megan though, before she had to run off to Torry to do English.


Then I went home, grabbed my camera and went out again...


Got some shots, but nothing that's on my laptop, so alas, you'll have to do without my pictures, you're not missing out on much!


Bought impulsively... again. I shouldn't be trusted with money. 


This time, I'm going to blame Hayley Williams.

Her glasses.

I bought her glasses *sighs*

I don't even suit the glasses! And the lenses are really reflective, haha! They make me look cross-eyed, but I love them regardless.

As said, I shouldn't be trusted with money.

Lauren xxx

Friends With Benefits

Romantic-comedies. The mere sight of those two words will have males running towards the hills and your average art-house hipster tutting loudly whilst shaking his head in disapproval. They are the carbon copies of every single other film in the genre and remain popular despite the genre's reputation for having:

• A poor plot
• Terrible actors
• A high level of predictability
• Cringe-worthy "jokes"
• A lack of originality
• Embarrassing cliched moments

Yet, these films make million upon millions and why? Us women love a good old, soppy film and a slice of eye candy to satisfy our hunger. A satirical take on its own genre, "Friends with benefits" still has a "slice of eye candy" for us to drool over (in the form of ever handsome, Justin Timberlake) but adds another dimension for us all to enjoy, genuine hilarity, a good script and (most surprisingly) talent.


Much like previous 2011 release "No Strings Attached" (Female lead being played by Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis' cast-mate in "Black Swan"), the plot investigates what happens when friends become more than just friends, but in a purely physical manner. "Emotionally unavailable" graphic designer Dylan (Justin Timberlake) moves to the hustling, bustling city of New York after getting dumped by his slightly insane ex-girlfriend (Emma Stone) and a reasonable amount of persuasion by beautiful head-hunter Jamie (Mila Kunis), who is also recently single. Jamie and Dylan quickly form a friendship, and after watching a truly terrible romantic comedy, they conclude that friends should be able to have sex without it having to equate to anything more than that and immediately go about trying to prove their own theory to be correct.


Being a romantic comedy, you should be able to guess the ending from a mile off, however, the fact that director Will Gluck ("Easy A") was involved in not only the directing, but the screenwriting for this movie should be enough to convince you that this movie won't be entirely unoriginal. This is proven early on through use of pseudo-cynicism, poking fun at rom-com's cliches and cheesy dialogue. Gluck's directing is intelligent, with the impersonal first night of sex that Jamie and Dylan spent together seeming a world apart from first, genuinely tender night of love the two shared later on in the film. Through use of dialogue, music and camera shots, Gluck was able to manipulate the audiences reactions to the different scenes. Comedic moments came quick and heavy during the first half of the film, with recurring gags becoming apparent as the film progressed (Captain Sully and "John Fucking Mayer"). The second half focused more on character development and drama, but still contained a fair few laugh out loud moments (Dylan having to be rescued by helicopter being one of them). Following up the runaway success of last years charming comedy "Easy A", Gluck proves that he is without a doubt, a director to watch.


Mila Kunis proves herself fit for leading lady, with "Black Swan" already proving to audiences everywhere that she is more than a capable actress. Her multi-faceted portrayal of the seemingly tough, yet ultimately sweet Jamie makes it hard to not admire her acting talent. The audience genuinely care for the films characters and their tragic back-stories will move the most stone-hearted member of the audience, if only for a second. Justin Timberlake's portrayal of a young man struggling to deal with his Father's Alzheimer's was heart-warmingly realistic, despite the fact that it was shown in ridiculously small doses. His work on "Friends With Benefits" doesn't quite equate to "The Social Network", but it's an impressive performance none-the-less for such a mainstream musician. Emma Stone's short, yet hilarious cameo appearance in the film made me and my friend smile, as I'm sure it made many people in the audience. Stone is fast becoming everyone's favourite actress, due to her smart choice in roles, her sharp wit and her fantastic acting talent. The fact that this is the second film that she appears in that Will Gluck has directed is a promising sign that the two will have a working relationship to rival Nolan/Caine, Burton/Depp or Scorsese/De Niro. Despite my love for "Easy A" star Emma Stone, I was not certain about her previous on-screen Mother, Patricia Clarkson. The quirkiness of her character seemed to work perfectly for her previous role in "Easy A", but didn't quite seem to click during her portrayal of Jamie's alcoholic and somewhat promiscuous Mother. It was a hit or a miss for her character during the films run time, it's debatable whether this was because of the actresses' performance or the cluttered presentation of the character and her back-story in the script. 


The soundtrack for the movie was expertly chosen by Halli Cauthery and Ryan Perez-Daple, ranging from the melodic and utterly beautiful I Will Follow You Into The Dark, the thought-provoking Take A Bow to the upbeat, somewhat urban remix of classic New York, New York. It's a great soundtrack, that seems to fit the action on screen most times without sounding mis-matched. When compared to other films in the genre, this soundtrack sounds as if it were compiled by angels.


The reason however, that the film is memorable is not because of its fantastic soundtrack, but rather the razor sharp wit of the script. The film focuses more on the comedy than it does on the romance, I'm sure the majority of you will be glad to hear, and the few truly romantic moments that the film has are so beautifully written, you'll forgive the script writers for creating them. It's a fun plot, the script is filled with more quotable references than you'll know what to do with and a fair few scenes of heart-warming moments to display the casts' acting talent. 


Males of the world, rejoice. This might just be one "chick flick" you don't mind your girlfriend dragging you along to see.


And if you're still not sold on the film?

It's 109 minutes spent with the lovely Mila Kunis.

Have I managed to convince you yet?