So, not that anyone has been checking, but it has been almost 9 months since I updated this blog. 9 months! What the hell?! I mean, it's probably because my life has been so exciting. Take a look.
- I went to Lansdowne College and did a whole Government and Politics A-Level in one term. Then I got an A*. So that was a lot of work.
- I reapplied to university, this time for English Literature. I got into 4 out of 5, after another interview at Warwick, and accepted a place there.
- As The World Turns ended. That was pretty heartbreaking.
- I went to see Kelly Stoltz at the Borderline as well as Jonathan Richman and Johnny Flynn at The Luminaire, my favourite music venue which has now shut down.
- I went to a family wedding in Scotland and learnt some super-cool cèilidh dancing (which, I would like to add, I was much better at that many of the 'truly' Scottish people).
- I gave blood twice, one time which went well and one time which was quite horrible.
- I bought six teefury t-shirts.
- I completed NaNoWriMo and tried (but failed again) to complete ScriptFrenzy.
- I started, and completed, watching The Office (US version) and am now something of an addict. I also watched the first season of Mad Men.
- I got a Tumblr in order to waste time when I should have been revising for exams.
- Some family came down to London (aunt, second cousin, Scottish people etc.) and I got to hang out with them and do awesome touristy stuff.
- I went to a party and was really boring but made some awesome friends called Geek Corner. And, despite IT NOT BEING A RUSE AND NO ONE NEEDING TO LEAVE THE ROOM, there is this guy...
- I had Christmas at home.
- I went to see The Room three times.
- I turned 19.
- I went to St. Ives for a long weekend - soaked in the awesome, had the best meal of my life, had the whole guest house to myself and so preceded to do a lot of loud dancing late at night.
- Tried and failed to be a part of a collaborative vlogging project.
- Got many jobs, mostly looking after other people's children but sometimes looking after handbags as well.
- Voted Yes to AV (after much, much deliberation).
- Lost most of my friends to all four corners of the globe.
When I put it like that, see, you might be mistaken for thinking the reason I have been so bad at updating my blog is because I've been so busy. The real reason is... I don't know what the real reason is. I don't think it's the busy thing - since exams have ended especially there have been plenty of days where I've done less than nothing and could easily have written this exact blog post.
And also don't think it is because I haven't had enough things to blog about. I could have blogged about my brief foray into private education or the last ATWT or the decision to make Maxxie a girl in the American Skins or why I can consistently win NaNoWriMo but not ScriptFrenzy. I even drafted some of these, left them to ferment on my desktop for days but to no avail.
Maybe the answer, weak though it may be, is that you just forget. It's just as easy to get out of the rhythm of blogging as it originally was to get into it. Or maybe, much like meeting up with a friend you haven't seen for years, you quickly get to the stage where there's too much to catch up on. But I tried, and at least now maybe I'll remember about this blog.
And, if not, at least you know where my Tumblr is now. :P
Monday, 16 May 2011
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
BEDA #29/30/31 - Goodbye Cruel World
So, this is it guys. I know I've missed a couple of days out but it was all pretty standard holiday stuff: saw a great White shark, got a Catcher In The Rye t-shirt, ate my first clam, drinks at a gay bar with my parents, watched the Prime Time Emmy's (and was mostly pleased) a second Peanuts bobblehead... the usual.
So what have we learned this month? Well...
- I write more when I'm taking part in an externally, preferably Internet, organised writing event.
- The reason I thought I wasn't good enough for Cambridge was because I wasn't.
- America has a lot of wasteland that I can describe very badly.
- Baseball is awesome.
- I really, really like Dr Reid Oliver but I want Nuke endgame.
- John Green is awesome.
- I am too socially awkward for YouTube gatherings.
- It's not a good idea to get a tiny piece of headphone stuck in your laptop.
- I am definitely an atheist.
- When your friends get mugged at gun-point, it's scary.
- Harry/Severus slash is awsome.
- Nothing good happens after 3am, even my blog posts.
- I always feel better with a plan.
- I am very bored a lot of the time.
That's it. August over. I have an epic (possibly too strong a word) plan for next year I intend to blog about soon. Thanks for reading!
So what have we learned this month? Well...
- I write more when I'm taking part in an externally, preferably Internet, organised writing event.
- The reason I thought I wasn't good enough for Cambridge was because I wasn't.
- America has a lot of wasteland that I can describe very badly.
- Baseball is awesome.
- I really, really like Dr Reid Oliver but I want Nuke endgame.
- John Green is awesome.
- I am too socially awkward for YouTube gatherings.
- It's not a good idea to get a tiny piece of headphone stuck in your laptop.
- I am definitely an atheist.
- When your friends get mugged at gun-point, it's scary.
- Harry/Severus slash is awsome.
- Nothing good happens after 3am, even my blog posts.
- I always feel better with a plan.
- I am very bored a lot of the time.
That's it. August over. I have an epic (possibly too strong a word) plan for next year I intend to blog about soon. Thanks for reading!
Sunday, 29 August 2010
BEDA #28 - Plymouth, America And Bobbleheads.
BEDA #29 - Plymouth, America And Bobbleheads
So I'm tired, again. Holidaying really takes it out of you.
Today we went out to Plymouth, the place where the Mayflower landed. We got the train from South Station to Plymouth Station which turned out to be miles out of town. Like, properly far away. The old train sheds were falling down, the Walmart was shut up and everyone who got off the train got straight into a car. We hailed this local bus and went in a massive circle all around town. We passed through about eight outlet malls and everyone else who got on the bus knew the driver well enough to kiss his cheek as they got off.
It was weird. It reminds you that most of America is dead space between populated areas. Highways and out-of-town furniture stores and big yellow traffic lights. It looks exactly like you want it too as well; orange wasteland with scrubby green trees, bright blue sky and smoking black road.
Finally we were in Plymouth town. They had this waterside festival on which was like Queens Park Day times one hundred. Most of the stalls were kid orientated but we did manage to pick up a Red Sox bobblehead.
The bobblehead story is one of those family private jokes that I assume siblings share but, as an only child, I can only talk about with my parents. Basically my mum had a Yankee bobblehead that I broke as a child. About the only thing I ever broke so it became quite a big deal. So glad to have a replacement - and I carried it around all day like some weird form of punishment.
So we went on the Mayflower II and a boat ride around the harbour and then back on the train. I fell asleep a little bit but I woke up in time for some good food. There were a lot of screeching women but otherwise a very nice place.
I am going to fall into bed now - I've wacthed all the OnDemand episodes if 30 Rock so I know it's sleeptime.
So I'm tired, again. Holidaying really takes it out of you.
Today we went out to Plymouth, the place where the Mayflower landed. We got the train from South Station to Plymouth Station which turned out to be miles out of town. Like, properly far away. The old train sheds were falling down, the Walmart was shut up and everyone who got off the train got straight into a car. We hailed this local bus and went in a massive circle all around town. We passed through about eight outlet malls and everyone else who got on the bus knew the driver well enough to kiss his cheek as they got off.
It was weird. It reminds you that most of America is dead space between populated areas. Highways and out-of-town furniture stores and big yellow traffic lights. It looks exactly like you want it too as well; orange wasteland with scrubby green trees, bright blue sky and smoking black road.
Finally we were in Plymouth town. They had this waterside festival on which was like Queens Park Day times one hundred. Most of the stalls were kid orientated but we did manage to pick up a Red Sox bobblehead.
The bobblehead story is one of those family private jokes that I assume siblings share but, as an only child, I can only talk about with my parents. Basically my mum had a Yankee bobblehead that I broke as a child. About the only thing I ever broke so it became quite a big deal. So glad to have a replacement - and I carried it around all day like some weird form of punishment.
So we went on the Mayflower II and a boat ride around the harbour and then back on the train. I fell asleep a little bit but I woke up in time for some good food. There were a lot of screeching women but otherwise a very nice place.
I am going to fall into bed now - I've wacthed all the OnDemand episodes if 30 Rock so I know it's sleeptime.
Saturday, 28 August 2010
BEDA #27 - Hot Day, American Restaurants And Trout Fishing In America
Greetings! I'm too tired for a long post because today was boiling hot. And it's only gonna get worse. It's the kind of sun that can give you a headache even when it's behind you. At least there's a lot of water around to breeze it up.
Before we got out I finished my book 'Trout Fishing In America'. It was definitely the most American book I have ever read. It was very strange but not alienatingly so, and the narrator had a genuine and unique voice. It was one of those books filled with ideas and strong images which will haunt me forever. I'm reluctant to recommend it though because I can see it's strange enough that most people would not like it.
So we started the day by booking a trip to Cape Cod; I am so excited to go! Then we went to the public gardens and got on a swan boat. It was powered by one poor college student pedalling but it didn't last very long. There was a boy in front of us telling inappropriate jokes very loudly. His dad tried to distract him by pointing out ducks and taking about a trillion photos of him.
Then we wandered around Beacon Hill, a very beautiful part of Boston. It was exactly what you want New England to look like. And I got to order a grilled cheese in a cafe - I felt so American! Then my mum bought a Red Sox Christmas decoration - and we're back to tourist. Then did a quick shuttle boat trip to get a look at the harbour, which displays a beautiful skyline.
Then we went to an American restaurant. And I mean really American. Like neon signs and dimly-lit bar with bottled beet and free re-fills if coke. It served Boston Beans and lobster rolls and cheeseburgers. The background music was stadium rock and the TV screens were showing the Red Six game (which I got quite hooked too) and high school American football. It was perfect: especially when the waitress gave us free clam chowder because we'd never had it.
Now it's OnDemand time. Until tomorrow fair readers, until tomorrow.
Before we got out I finished my book 'Trout Fishing In America'. It was definitely the most American book I have ever read. It was very strange but not alienatingly so, and the narrator had a genuine and unique voice. It was one of those books filled with ideas and strong images which will haunt me forever. I'm reluctant to recommend it though because I can see it's strange enough that most people would not like it.
So we started the day by booking a trip to Cape Cod; I am so excited to go! Then we went to the public gardens and got on a swan boat. It was powered by one poor college student pedalling but it didn't last very long. There was a boy in front of us telling inappropriate jokes very loudly. His dad tried to distract him by pointing out ducks and taking about a trillion photos of him.
Then we wandered around Beacon Hill, a very beautiful part of Boston. It was exactly what you want New England to look like. And I got to order a grilled cheese in a cafe - I felt so American! Then my mum bought a Red Sox Christmas decoration - and we're back to tourist. Then did a quick shuttle boat trip to get a look at the harbour, which displays a beautiful skyline.
Then we went to an American restaurant. And I mean really American. Like neon signs and dimly-lit bar with bottled beet and free re-fills if coke. It served Boston Beans and lobster rolls and cheeseburgers. The background music was stadium rock and the TV screens were showing the Red Six game (which I got quite hooked too) and high school American football. It was perfect: especially when the waitress gave us free clam chowder because we'd never had it.
Now it's OnDemand time. Until tomorrow fair readers, until tomorrow.
Friday, 27 August 2010
BEDA #26 - Freedom Trail, Sunshine And As The World Turns
Hello all! The sun came out in Boston today so we took the opportunity to do the Freedom Trail, which traces a route between the oldest and most historic parts of Boston (and often the US) including many related to the American War Of Independance. We started at the blah blah blah; if you wanna list, Google it. Yes, it was all very interesting and picturesque but much more importantly I watched my first full episode of ATWT. Here is the liveblog what I wrote during it.
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Watching a whole episode of As The World Turns for the first time. Liveblog!
- Reid is so cute with his little OCD ways.
- Luke - could you be more obvious? Although you have a fair point...
- Since when were Will and Gwen in town?
- I don't know how any of the people are related. Whose Gwen's mum? Whose Will's mum? And why are they staying with Emily?
- I've always liked Henry. But am I supposed to be happy about him and Barbara or creeped out?
- Also, did not know Paul was her son. I need some kind of Oakdale family tree. Although it's a bit late now.
- Oh, Barbara is Will's mum too. So Paul is his brother.
- Wait, Paul is Henry's brother too?! So much incest in this town.
- Just because Chris wants to lie to his partner-person doesn't mean he should force or expect Reid too.
- Luke advising people to let people worry about them?! Shocker (!)
- Reid is sweet but a bad liar. Just tell Katie!
- It's weird to watch this in decent quality.
- Reid has the cutest facial expressions. I just wanna pinch his cheeks.
- I feel tension between Barbara and Emily. Power struggle for Paul's affection.
- How often have Henry and Barbara been on/off?!
- Those are some seriously shocked and awed faces.
- Also, Will and Gwen have been in town and not met up with Luke? Rude...
- There are A LOT of adverts. And they are weird. Do they have to read out the possible side-affects of nasal spray? It makes it sound scary.
- Way to attempt to cheer everyone up Emily. It's a bit like doing a cheerleader routine at a wake.
- What's Fairwinds?!
- 'You're in and out of heels.' That did make me lol.
- The show is ending soon Paul. I doubt there's enough time for them to marry AND divorce.
- You tell him Reid!
- It's not all your fault Luke. Chris is acting like a twat. I do not like him.
- I've always liked Will and Gwen. They're the Nathan and Haley of Oakdale.
- That was one sunshine smile Luke.
- Very true Henry. No one in Oakdale should be casting stones.
- What, so Barbara is about to marry her ex-husband's son? To give Paul his credit, that is weird.
- They do have to read out all the possible side-affects. How do they ever sell medicine?!
- Dear Activia, 'desserty' is not a word.
- Luke and Noah are still together in the bumper. That's so sad.
- Ooh a political ad. That's weird to see.
- Wait, Parker is Will's brother too?! This show makes my head spin.
- So Hal is Parker's dad? The cop who got shot on the job? Or did I make that name up?
- Aw Reid, how romantic (!)
- Okay, they are really cute.
- 'The whole enchillada'? That's some beautiful, elegant imagery there Reid.
- Man, another kiss and a half!
- Cockblocked by a rattle, that's a new one.
- 'To be continued...' That sounds like the kind of thing someone says before they die.
- Your sunshine smile's not bad either Reid.
- Is this pre-school just on the road in Old Town? Is there anything Oakdale does't have? An airport, a hospital, multiple daycares, a university... not bad for a small town.
- Emily doing adverts?! Ha ha ha.
- There was a really sudden lighting change...
- Gwen is totally the voice of reason.
- Luke has a good mock-serious face. A worse lie-to-Katie face though...
- The Bold and The Beautiful looks way worse than As The World Turns. Why isn't it cancelled?!
- Surely Chris is not gonna keep lying!
- Who's John Dixon?!
- Why are Henry and Barbara living at The Lakeview?
- Henry, I don't think you're allowed to withdraw marriage proposals.
- Wait, I still don't know who John Dixon is?!
---------
So there you have it. See you tomorrow for something a little more cultural. Maybe.
-----------
Watching a whole episode of As The World Turns for the first time. Liveblog!
- Reid is so cute with his little OCD ways.
- Luke - could you be more obvious? Although you have a fair point...
- Since when were Will and Gwen in town?
- I don't know how any of the people are related. Whose Gwen's mum? Whose Will's mum? And why are they staying with Emily?
- I've always liked Henry. But am I supposed to be happy about him and Barbara or creeped out?
- Also, did not know Paul was her son. I need some kind of Oakdale family tree. Although it's a bit late now.
- Oh, Barbara is Will's mum too. So Paul is his brother.
- Wait, Paul is Henry's brother too?! So much incest in this town.
- Just because Chris wants to lie to his partner-person doesn't mean he should force or expect Reid too.
- Luke advising people to let people worry about them?! Shocker (!)
- Reid is sweet but a bad liar. Just tell Katie!
- It's weird to watch this in decent quality.
- Reid has the cutest facial expressions. I just wanna pinch his cheeks.
- I feel tension between Barbara and Emily. Power struggle for Paul's affection.
- How often have Henry and Barbara been on/off?!
- Those are some seriously shocked and awed faces.
- Also, Will and Gwen have been in town and not met up with Luke? Rude...
- There are A LOT of adverts. And they are weird. Do they have to read out the possible side-affects of nasal spray? It makes it sound scary.
- Way to attempt to cheer everyone up Emily. It's a bit like doing a cheerleader routine at a wake.
- What's Fairwinds?!
- 'You're in and out of heels.' That did make me lol.
- The show is ending soon Paul. I doubt there's enough time for them to marry AND divorce.
- You tell him Reid!
- It's not all your fault Luke. Chris is acting like a twat. I do not like him.
- I've always liked Will and Gwen. They're the Nathan and Haley of Oakdale.
- That was one sunshine smile Luke.
- Very true Henry. No one in Oakdale should be casting stones.
- What, so Barbara is about to marry her ex-husband's son? To give Paul his credit, that is weird.
- They do have to read out all the possible side-affects. How do they ever sell medicine?!
- Dear Activia, 'desserty' is not a word.
- Luke and Noah are still together in the bumper. That's so sad.
- Ooh a political ad. That's weird to see.
- Wait, Parker is Will's brother too?! This show makes my head spin.
- So Hal is Parker's dad? The cop who got shot on the job? Or did I make that name up?
- Aw Reid, how romantic (!)
- Okay, they are really cute.
- 'The whole enchillada'? That's some beautiful, elegant imagery there Reid.
- Man, another kiss and a half!
- Cockblocked by a rattle, that's a new one.
- 'To be continued...' That sounds like the kind of thing someone says before they die.
- Your sunshine smile's not bad either Reid.
- Is this pre-school just on the road in Old Town? Is there anything Oakdale does't have? An airport, a hospital, multiple daycares, a university... not bad for a small town.
- Emily doing adverts?! Ha ha ha.
- There was a really sudden lighting change...
- Gwen is totally the voice of reason.
- Luke has a good mock-serious face. A worse lie-to-Katie face though...
- The Bold and The Beautiful looks way worse than As The World Turns. Why isn't it cancelled?!
- Surely Chris is not gonna keep lying!
- Who's John Dixon?!
- Why are Henry and Barbara living at The Lakeview?
- Henry, I don't think you're allowed to withdraw marriage proposals.
- Wait, I still don't know who John Dixon is?!
---------
So there you have it. See you tomorrow for something a little more cultural. Maybe.
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