This is getting silly now - I've said I'm gonna be dedicated to blogging too many times, and too many times have I not bothered with it for weeks. Today this stops! Mind you, I did manage to start using Twitter more often (only cause I need it for part of my course, but still counts!)
Anyway, I'm gonna rant about something that was bothering me when I was watching TV earlier today (I really should pay for my TV license).
First of all, my problem with game shows on TV. Take BBC1 for example, the BBC is obviously run by us (by us I mean tax payers, even though I don't pay tax), and it's pretty clear that they don't want any more money coming from their own back pocket to pay for better game shows. For example, Pointless, Weakest Link, Eggheads, Mastermind, the list goes on!
All of these are mentally challenging shows, where you actually have to put effort into winning money. But the money you win, compared to the likes of shows from other TV channels, is nothing!
These shows (if you win) will see you get a couple of thousand pounds, tops, for actually making an attempt to do something.
Compare all those BBC shows to ones such as Deal or No Deal, the Cube, and even Million Pound Drop. Although these might take a small amount of mental effort (except Deal or No Deal, of course), to win money. However, this amount of money is ridiculous!
£250,000 for opening boxes, compared to just £1000 for trying to beat a bunch of geniuses in a quiz, tsk.
Obviously the BBC don't have as much money poured into their shows as the likes of Channel 4 and ITV, but what I'm saying is maybe these other channels are giving out too much money for little effort.
It's hard to say really. Are BBC not giving enough money to their game show winners, or are the other channels giving too much? They need to find a middle ground.
Thursday
Monday
Charity Muggers and Whatnot
Everyone knows who these people are. These are the ones that stand in the streets, asking you for a word or two about some charity, or a company such as Love Film, and today I witnessed it first hand, but not for the first time.
Of course, there are those that stand in the prime positions - at the enterance of the university, to throw flyers at student in the hope that this will persuade them to go out to their club. Well I for one can say that my decision is not influenced by what it says on a flyer, I think they need to come up with a new marketing scheme rather than standing there with a face on, handing out the flyers.
However, I'm a sucker for it. I'm too much of a nice guy to say no when these leaflets get shoved in my face, so I just end up filling my pockets with junk that I'm eventually going to throw in the bin.
My friend, however, sees it as an opportunity to make the promoters look like idiots. He can say no to anything, so when he gets asked something in the street, or offered a flyer, he bluntly tells them no.
Today was a prime example of his determination not to give in to them. Here is how the conversation went.
"Excuse me guys, do you watch films?"
"No."
"Do you have a games console?"
"No."
"Do you want to take a flyer?"
"No."
"It has free stuff in it!"
"I don't want one."
The irony is, he's a games computing student, so obviously could have answered yes to some of these questions, but instead, he just makes it an awkward situation for everyone. I felt so awkward that I felt inclined to spologise to the lady for his stubbornness.
You see it every day, no matter what city you are in. People will always reject talking to these people, unless they are genuinely interested (which seems to be rare), or they don't like sounding mean, like me.
But like I say, it would be better if people were approached in a different way, because nobody wants to stop and talk in the street when they have places to go and people to see, that's why they say no to these people.
As for me, I will try to be a bit more like my friend in future and stop being a sucker - I will be able to do it eventually!
Of course, there are those that stand in the prime positions - at the enterance of the university, to throw flyers at student in the hope that this will persuade them to go out to their club. Well I for one can say that my decision is not influenced by what it says on a flyer, I think they need to come up with a new marketing scheme rather than standing there with a face on, handing out the flyers.
However, I'm a sucker for it. I'm too much of a nice guy to say no when these leaflets get shoved in my face, so I just end up filling my pockets with junk that I'm eventually going to throw in the bin.
My friend, however, sees it as an opportunity to make the promoters look like idiots. He can say no to anything, so when he gets asked something in the street, or offered a flyer, he bluntly tells them no.
Today was a prime example of his determination not to give in to them. Here is how the conversation went.
"Excuse me guys, do you watch films?"
"No."
"Do you have a games console?"
"No."
"Do you want to take a flyer?"
"No."
"It has free stuff in it!"
"I don't want one."
The irony is, he's a games computing student, so obviously could have answered yes to some of these questions, but instead, he just makes it an awkward situation for everyone. I felt so awkward that I felt inclined to spologise to the lady for his stubbornness.
You see it every day, no matter what city you are in. People will always reject talking to these people, unless they are genuinely interested (which seems to be rare), or they don't like sounding mean, like me.
But like I say, it would be better if people were approached in a different way, because nobody wants to stop and talk in the street when they have places to go and people to see, that's why they say no to these people.
As for me, I will try to be a bit more like my friend in future and stop being a sucker - I will be able to do it eventually!
Saturday
Not very Happy Feet
Joining the rugby social at university comes with its perks and pitfalls; the perks being able to meet some great people and play a sport you love, and the pitfalls being forced to do ridiculously embarrassing but hilarious stuff, one of which I did last night.
We all bought black leggings, yellow socks, and body paint. Then, we all rubbed eachothers torso with the black paint, to make ourselves look like penguins. Of course, this was all a good laugh, since we were drinking whilst we were getting ready, but still, embarrassing.
We waddled to the Engine Shed in our outfits, of course attracting a lot of attention on the way, but the problem was, once we got there we weren't allowed in!
We had gone to the effort of dressing up for the night out, but apparently the managers at the Engine Shed thought we were too loudy and rowdy to be let in, so instead, we had a 30 minute argument with them, then waddled into town to find another bar to go to.
The SU at Lincoln have been complaining that they want to get more involved with sports and societies, and build better relationships, but how do they expect that to happen when we're not even allowed in our own SU?
Furthermore, in our defence, there are other societies at the university (not mentioning any names) which are ten times more rowdy than us, and get let into Engine Shed every week. Hopefully the recent SU elections will be able to bridge the gap between the societies and the union, as they're missing out on potential profit from customers, and we're not being able to have a fun and hassle free night.
However, the night was still fun, as fancy dress always is, and I found £15 lying on the floor outside the Engine Shed, so I waddled home with more money in my pocket than I went out with!
There are ups and downs to every night, I guess.
We all bought black leggings, yellow socks, and body paint. Then, we all rubbed eachothers torso with the black paint, to make ourselves look like penguins. Of course, this was all a good laugh, since we were drinking whilst we were getting ready, but still, embarrassing.
We waddled to the Engine Shed in our outfits, of course attracting a lot of attention on the way, but the problem was, once we got there we weren't allowed in!
We had gone to the effort of dressing up for the night out, but apparently the managers at the Engine Shed thought we were too loudy and rowdy to be let in, so instead, we had a 30 minute argument with them, then waddled into town to find another bar to go to.
The SU at Lincoln have been complaining that they want to get more involved with sports and societies, and build better relationships, but how do they expect that to happen when we're not even allowed in our own SU?
Furthermore, in our defence, there are other societies at the university (not mentioning any names) which are ten times more rowdy than us, and get let into Engine Shed every week. Hopefully the recent SU elections will be able to bridge the gap between the societies and the union, as they're missing out on potential profit from customers, and we're not being able to have a fun and hassle free night.
However, the night was still fun, as fancy dress always is, and I found £15 lying on the floor outside the Engine Shed, so I waddled home with more money in my pocket than I went out with!
There are ups and downs to every night, I guess.
Friday
Bloody Trains
En route home to sunny Hull! It may be considered a priviledge that I get free trains across Europe because my dad is a train driver, but it sucks when Hull is only an hour drive from Lincoln, but on train it takes just under three. Nevermind, more time to blog and whatnot!
Anyway, I'm home for the weekend primarily because its the Hull rugby derby which I can't miss! That's on Sunday so until then I'll just be catching up with family and friends, then back to Lincoln after the rugby.
I wasn't planning on blogging about this, but it needs to be said as I've just witnessed it first hand, and I witness it every time I get a train, anywhere.
When everyone's stood at the platform waiting for the train to roll in, there's the women with prams, the businessmen who are constantly rushing for no reason, the chavs, and the down right impatient people, who consider it a contest to see who can get on the train the fastest. It's ridiculous!
You can see the train in the distance, it should come to a stop in around 50 seconds time, but there are people trying to guess where the best place to stand is to get on the train before everyone else. Not only that, you can see everyone edging closer and closer to the platform edge, just wait till it gets there goddamn it!
But not only that, it gets worse. These people, once the train has stopped, gather around the doors, all with their hands hovering over the button to open them. Not once does it cross their mind that there might, just maybe, be people waiting to get off the train! So then there is the awkward moment when the doors open, there are 20 people desperate to get on, and 20 people desperate to get off, and it just turns into a shambles.
In the meantime, I stand and watch, quite smug, as another mistake these people make is that they only queue up at the nearest door on the carriage, therefore leaving the furthest away one empty.
While they're all still trying to get on while others are trying to get off, I stroll over to the other door, sit down at a table and get my laptop out before any of them have even got on the train!
Bloody useless some people.
Anyway, I'm home for the weekend primarily because its the Hull rugby derby which I can't miss! That's on Sunday so until then I'll just be catching up with family and friends, then back to Lincoln after the rugby.
I wasn't planning on blogging about this, but it needs to be said as I've just witnessed it first hand, and I witness it every time I get a train, anywhere.
When everyone's stood at the platform waiting for the train to roll in, there's the women with prams, the businessmen who are constantly rushing for no reason, the chavs, and the down right impatient people, who consider it a contest to see who can get on the train the fastest. It's ridiculous!
You can see the train in the distance, it should come to a stop in around 50 seconds time, but there are people trying to guess where the best place to stand is to get on the train before everyone else. Not only that, you can see everyone edging closer and closer to the platform edge, just wait till it gets there goddamn it!
But not only that, it gets worse. These people, once the train has stopped, gather around the doors, all with their hands hovering over the button to open them. Not once does it cross their mind that there might, just maybe, be people waiting to get off the train! So then there is the awkward moment when the doors open, there are 20 people desperate to get on, and 20 people desperate to get off, and it just turns into a shambles.
In the meantime, I stand and watch, quite smug, as another mistake these people make is that they only queue up at the nearest door on the carriage, therefore leaving the furthest away one empty.
While they're all still trying to get on while others are trying to get off, I stroll over to the other door, sit down at a table and get my laptop out before any of them have even got on the train!
Bloody useless some people.
Monday
I am back. Apparently
It's been a while since New Year now, and I'm not usually one for resolutions, but I have two belated ones this year; one is to start saying no to people and to say what I really feel, and the second is to start bothering with Birthday and Christmas presents with Elliot (we've never bothered in the 7 years of knowing eachother, what a better time to start when I'm £300 overdrawn...).
The first resolution has been a long time coming really. For too long I've thought that I haven't done what's right for myself, and apparently you should always look out for number 1, so that's what I'm gonna try doing from now on.
It's not that I'm going to start being selfish, just less selfless, which I think is much needed.
I've not blogged for a while now - partly due to how busy I was in the first term and also because I've just been plain lazy. Part of my assignment is to blog now so, gonna start getting used to it. The same goes for tweeting; I always say I'm gonna stick to it but never have the motivation! I mean it this time though. No more Mr None Blogger Guy.
I don't get my emotions out that often really, I usually tend to keep them to myself. But I think even though nobody will probably read what I'm actually typing, it's good to get it out of my head. So prepare for a rant sometime soon, can feel one coming on!
The first resolution has been a long time coming really. For too long I've thought that I haven't done what's right for myself, and apparently you should always look out for number 1, so that's what I'm gonna try doing from now on.
It's not that I'm going to start being selfish, just less selfless, which I think is much needed.
I've not blogged for a while now - partly due to how busy I was in the first term and also because I've just been plain lazy. Part of my assignment is to blog now so, gonna start getting used to it. The same goes for tweeting; I always say I'm gonna stick to it but never have the motivation! I mean it this time though. No more Mr None Blogger Guy.
I don't get my emotions out that often really, I usually tend to keep them to myself. But I think even though nobody will probably read what I'm actually typing, it's good to get it out of my head. So prepare for a rant sometime soon, can feel one coming on!
Thursday
I haven't been bothered to update this in the past few days, I thought I'd give it some time to let a few more things happen before I blogged again.
Just to let you know - Carnage was pretty awesome. We went to a few clubs and bars before ending up in Ritzy, but in every place we went the music was exactly the same in each one, I think I heard every song in the charts about 4 times...
I wouldn't mind a few more places in Lincoln which have a bit of a better taste in music.
Just to let you know - Carnage was pretty awesome. We went to a few clubs and bars before ending up in Ritzy, but in every place we went the music was exactly the same in each one, I think I heard every song in the charts about 4 times...
I wouldn't mind a few more places in Lincoln which have a bit of a better taste in music.
Monday
My premonition was probably correct
6pm. I have under 2 hours to get through half a crate and a bottle of Cactus Jack's. Let's do this!
I'm more prepared than the rest of my flatmates for the night - the stethoscope and mask I found, on eBay are awesome!
In other news, my Vaccines ticket came yesterday, never been more excited. Well, it's also Arctic Monkeys next month, and that's just about par for excitement.
I might actually use the gig to help me in one of my modules - I need to write a report on anything I want, I reckon a Vaccines gig would be a pretty interesting way to get use my journalistic skills.
I'll let you know how I'm feeling tomorrow and how the night went. Also gonna start reading the book I've been assigned to tomorrow, if I can get my head round it.
Wish me luck, it's gonn be carnage.
I'm more prepared than the rest of my flatmates for the night - the stethoscope and mask I found, on eBay are awesome!
In other news, my Vaccines ticket came yesterday, never been more excited. Well, it's also Arctic Monkeys next month, and that's just about par for excitement.
I might actually use the gig to help me in one of my modules - I need to write a report on anything I want, I reckon a Vaccines gig would be a pretty interesting way to get use my journalistic skills.
I'll let you know how I'm feeling tomorrow and how the night went. Also gonna start reading the book I've been assigned to tomorrow, if I can get my head round it.
Wish me luck, it's gonn be carnage.
Saturday
Here We Go Again
Okay, so full-time blogging is officially under way, as is Twitter (who'd have thought a Journalism course would be so simple).
I'm into my fourth week at Lincoln now, so far so good! I'm 'home' this weekend and it does feel like I'm just a visitor in Hull, and Lincoln is my real home (it's hard to explain..).
It's Carnage on Monday, and yeah, it literally is going to be. Yesterday I was just laughing to myself about how drunk I expect to be; I'll let you know on Tuesday how it went (if I'm still alive).
But yeah, I love where I live and the people I've met, here's to the next three years at Lincoln!
I'm into my fourth week at Lincoln now, so far so good! I'm 'home' this weekend and it does feel like I'm just a visitor in Hull, and Lincoln is my real home (it's hard to explain..).
It's Carnage on Monday, and yeah, it literally is going to be. Yesterday I was just laughing to myself about how drunk I expect to be; I'll let you know on Tuesday how it went (if I'm still alive).
But yeah, I love where I live and the people I've met, here's to the next three years at Lincoln!
Wednesday
FC 2011 start to the season
So, we’re now 4 weeks into the season, and the fans are able to have more of an opinion and a view on what the rest of the season will bring.
It’s been a mixed bag to FC’s start to the season really, with the loss at Cardiff to Rovers, then another two losses to Leeds at home and Huddersfield away. The past week gave the 18th Man something to cheer about, with a 42-18 victory against Crusaders. Obviously, they’re not the most challenging opposition in the league, but a win is a win, right?
As Agar has said, last season we lost all the same fixtures but still managed to finish a respectable place in the table, so why is it that everyone still has a problem with the way the season has started off?
It seems to me that the fans have been rather divided with the past few weeks events, with all the talk about Richard Agar’s future being thrown around, and how some people are not happy with him being the coach. I know these people pay good money to see their team on a Friday night, but give the man a break! The season has only just begun; even with one victory in four, we are still above a fair few other teams in the league. Obviously I appreciate people will have their problems with Agar, not only from the new season but from the start of his coaching career with Hull, but once the season gets more into the swing of things, then I think people will be able to judge more.
Another big talking point surrounding the club over the past month is the recruitment. With two great signings recently in Sam Obst and Cameron Phelps, these players are filling in gaps we had some problems with last season. Obst has looked really strong in his partnership with Horney, and I think they both were worthy of the man of the match against Crusaders.
Furthermore, there are growing rumors of Martin Gleeson making a move to the KC too, which again, I think would be a great move for the club.
In my opinion, once the new signings get into their stride and the players get to know one another after a few games, there will be less complaining fans when we start to get more victories over the next few weeks.
Talking of the upcoming fixtures, this weekend sees us travel to Wigan, which I’m sure everyone knows will be a tough battle. Part of me is saying that maybe, just maybe, we can pull it off. But the other half is saying that there’s not as much a chance of winning as I’m hoping. However, Wigan’s performance last week was said to be slightly under par, so hopefully with a lot more confidence after last week’s win, we can pull it off!
It’s been a mixed bag to FC’s start to the season really, with the loss at Cardiff to Rovers, then another two losses to Leeds at home and Huddersfield away. The past week gave the 18th Man something to cheer about, with a 42-18 victory against Crusaders. Obviously, they’re not the most challenging opposition in the league, but a win is a win, right?
As Agar has said, last season we lost all the same fixtures but still managed to finish a respectable place in the table, so why is it that everyone still has a problem with the way the season has started off?
It seems to me that the fans have been rather divided with the past few weeks events, with all the talk about Richard Agar’s future being thrown around, and how some people are not happy with him being the coach. I know these people pay good money to see their team on a Friday night, but give the man a break! The season has only just begun; even with one victory in four, we are still above a fair few other teams in the league. Obviously I appreciate people will have their problems with Agar, not only from the new season but from the start of his coaching career with Hull, but once the season gets more into the swing of things, then I think people will be able to judge more.
Another big talking point surrounding the club over the past month is the recruitment. With two great signings recently in Sam Obst and Cameron Phelps, these players are filling in gaps we had some problems with last season. Obst has looked really strong in his partnership with Horney, and I think they both were worthy of the man of the match against Crusaders.
Furthermore, there are growing rumors of Martin Gleeson making a move to the KC too, which again, I think would be a great move for the club.
In my opinion, once the new signings get into their stride and the players get to know one another after a few games, there will be less complaining fans when we start to get more victories over the next few weeks.
Talking of the upcoming fixtures, this weekend sees us travel to Wigan, which I’m sure everyone knows will be a tough battle. Part of me is saying that maybe, just maybe, we can pull it off. But the other half is saying that there’s not as much a chance of winning as I’m hoping. However, Wigan’s performance last week was said to be slightly under par, so hopefully with a lot more confidence after last week’s win, we can pull it off!
Thursday
We're human beings..
Childhood is supposed to be enjoyable, right? People are supposed to be able to live their younger years eithout a worry on the brain, as these are the things which will be occupying our heads later on in life; when worries are supposed to happen.
If this is true, then it baffles me why there are some people on this planet, who want to make life difficult for others. Should we have to worry about other peoples’ opinions because of what we wear, how we look, and all those other petty concerns? I think not, especially at this age.
People (some more than others) like to walk around, making other people feel shit about themselves for no apparent reason. What have we done to deserve this? Nothing whatsoever, we do not deserve this one bit. But still, you persist.
From the age of about 14 this has been the case for me; I’ve been treat by others like an absolute pile of shit, and it really got to me back then. It eventually got to the point that I physically tried to break my own arm, just so I could have a few days at home, isolated from these people. How ridiculous.
But now, I think that I’ve reached an age where rather than standing down and letting other peoples words affect how I’ve lived, I can grow a pair and show these bullies (cause that’s what they are, in my opinion) exactly what it was like to be on the receiving end of said remarks.
This is to you, you know who you are.
I don’t associate myself with you any more, and I have absolutely no intentions of doing so at any point later on in life; you’ve caused me enough years of misery, so I do not plan on wasting any more of my life around you. I think you need to realise that now, I can see you for what you actually are - horrible, nasty people, who don’t give a toss about other peoples’ feelings, and you never will. To be honest if you are reading this, you’re probably sat there thinking I’m talking a load of shit. This is cause you’re absent minded and ignorant, and you don’t see the emotional damage you’ve caused in my life.
Thankfully, I have other people in my life, who are the complete opposite of this minority of idiots, and they actually treat me like a human being should be treat. Without these people, I would probably be still stuck in the rut that you have slowly put me in over the years.
I can now see that there are other people in the world, and due to this, I can see that I do NOT give 2 shits about what you thought, think, or ever will think about me. A bunch of idiots like you aren’t going to stop me living my life the way it should be lead, and looking back, I can remember how it actually made me feel, and I would like to replenish this feeling with plenty of joyful, memorable times in the future, without you in my life.
Just because I’m not like you and I’m not what you think I should be, I’m no less of a person than you. As a matter of fact, if anything I am a better person than you all, for putting up with years of bullying, and coming out the other side, still able to get over everything and move on.
You are pathetic, vile mean people and I have put up with you for far too long. This marks a turning point - a turn in the opposite fucking direction!
I wish not to hear from you again in my life, and I really hope that nobody has to put up with what I have during my childhood.
We’re fucking human beings, right?
If this is true, then it baffles me why there are some people on this planet, who want to make life difficult for others. Should we have to worry about other peoples’ opinions because of what we wear, how we look, and all those other petty concerns? I think not, especially at this age.
People (some more than others) like to walk around, making other people feel shit about themselves for no apparent reason. What have we done to deserve this? Nothing whatsoever, we do not deserve this one bit. But still, you persist.
From the age of about 14 this has been the case for me; I’ve been treat by others like an absolute pile of shit, and it really got to me back then. It eventually got to the point that I physically tried to break my own arm, just so I could have a few days at home, isolated from these people. How ridiculous.
But now, I think that I’ve reached an age where rather than standing down and letting other peoples words affect how I’ve lived, I can grow a pair and show these bullies (cause that’s what they are, in my opinion) exactly what it was like to be on the receiving end of said remarks.
This is to you, you know who you are.
I don’t associate myself with you any more, and I have absolutely no intentions of doing so at any point later on in life; you’ve caused me enough years of misery, so I do not plan on wasting any more of my life around you. I think you need to realise that now, I can see you for what you actually are - horrible, nasty people, who don’t give a toss about other peoples’ feelings, and you never will. To be honest if you are reading this, you’re probably sat there thinking I’m talking a load of shit. This is cause you’re absent minded and ignorant, and you don’t see the emotional damage you’ve caused in my life.
Thankfully, I have other people in my life, who are the complete opposite of this minority of idiots, and they actually treat me like a human being should be treat. Without these people, I would probably be still stuck in the rut that you have slowly put me in over the years.
I can now see that there are other people in the world, and due to this, I can see that I do NOT give 2 shits about what you thought, think, or ever will think about me. A bunch of idiots like you aren’t going to stop me living my life the way it should be lead, and looking back, I can remember how it actually made me feel, and I would like to replenish this feeling with plenty of joyful, memorable times in the future, without you in my life.
Just because I’m not like you and I’m not what you think I should be, I’m no less of a person than you. As a matter of fact, if anything I am a better person than you all, for putting up with years of bullying, and coming out the other side, still able to get over everything and move on.
You are pathetic, vile mean people and I have put up with you for far too long. This marks a turning point - a turn in the opposite fucking direction!
I wish not to hear from you again in my life, and I really hope that nobody has to put up with what I have during my childhood.
We’re fucking human beings, right?
Tuesday
Doctor Depp
So, Johnny Depp apparently to play Doctor Who in an upcoming movie? Are we okay with this? Well, like a prison brothel, it has its pros and cons. Here they are.
Pro: He can act. This is an advantage for actors, albeit one who in recent years, seems to have been less useful in landing a leading-man role in Hollywood than having (arguably) a perfectly defined face.
Con: He’s an American. This shouldn’t matter – he’s got a perfectly good English accent, as he has demonstrated on a number of occasions – but various hyperventilating weirdo’s will clog up half the internet telling us why it’s not acceptable. Until we develop technology which will be able to filter the internet’s continuous whining out, Depp’s nationality is a problem for everyone.
Pro: He’s excellent at the quirky, oddball, ethereal characters. Edward Scissorhands, the Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka – all not-quite-sane, not-quite-human creatures, with an air of vulnerability that could be very interesting in the Doctor.
Con: They’re all sort of the same quirky, oddball, ethereal characters.And have a tendency to run together in the mind somewhat. It will be a problem if you’re watching him clamber into the Tardis and wonder why it isn’t a glass elevator. It will also limit the possibilities for the different aliens he can meet if there is a big sign up in the designers’ office saying “Must not look like an Oompah-Loompah”.
Pro: He’s very beautiful. What? What? Can’t I appreciate male beauty? It’s true you know. He’s a ‘gleaming cut-glass beauty’. It’ll bring in female fans to Doctor Who like never before.
Con: He’s not really meant to be beautiful. Yes, this Matt Smith chap is quite good-looking in a bony-faced sort of way, but since a significant minority of Doctor Who fans are overweight men in their middle forties who work in IT and have Monster Munch crumbs on their T-shirts, the producers probably don’t want to alienate their core audience by making the star too intimidating. The geeks have to be able to fantasise about sleeping with Amy Pond – it’s going to make life much harder if Johnny’s beautiful visage keeps reminding them of their inadequacies.
Pro: It’ll bring Doctor Who into the Hollywood mainstream. More money! Better special effects! The Doctor will finally “break America”! It’ll all be brilliant.
Con: It’ll bring Doctor Who into the Hollywood mainstream. Jarring, tacked-on love interests! Loss of all traces of wit or self-awareness! The Doctor as ghastly action hero! It’ll be completely appalling.
So – has that cleared everything up for you? Excellent, glad I could help.
Monday
The Internet - Embrace!
In a world that seems to get smaller every day, how do you remain anonymous? How do you keep the things you want to yourself while still sharing your personal thoughts and information with the people you want to.
This is a question that we ask ourselves every day now, but I'm not convinced it’s the best way to approach the issue.
Everyone has a certain desire for privacy, but as the Internet grows and the services we use become more intelligent and targeted, true privacy becomes more and more eroded. In many ways, the Internet is becoming the greatest truth serum ever invented. Interrogators world-wide have spent years trying to find the concoction that will force their captors to spill the beans, but soon they’ll have to search no longer.
Today’s reality is that what you do in “real life” is now readily accessible on the web and how you behave on the Internet directly reflects on how people view you in real life. There is no separation of the two; they are one in the same.
I see this as a good thing, and choose to embrace it rather than hide from it.
If I make the decision to attend an event, I make it knowing that anyone with web access will know that I was there if they want to. When I pose for a picture with friends, I think about how it will be tagged on Facebook the next day. If I say something at a coffee shop or at a gathering, I think about how it will look if it’s quoted in a tweet.
That doesn't mean I’m constantly in fear that I’ll say or do something wrong and find the whole world laughing or shouting at me, it just means that making decisions now carry that weight and I’m okay with it.
In many ways, this makes my life a lot easier. I don’t even consider the idea of putting on a front anymore because it’s so easy to see through. By committing to “just be Tommy” every minute of every day, I can do whatever I like, stress free, because the world expects nothing different from me and I have nothing to hide from it.
Websites like WikiLeaks are here to stay, and the whole world just got a lot more honest and transparent, whether it wanted to or not. Rather than hide from the change or try to fight it, why not embrace it instead? Why not allow your true self to shine through in every action you take?
Trying to hide from the real you is exhausting and, if history is any indication, an exercise in futility.
Welcome to the new, honest, and open world of the Internet. You might not be here by choice, yet here you are anyway. Why not introduce yourself?
Friday
'Children Still Exist'
This evening has not been productive.
With the next delightful section of my exams around the corner, I said to myself a few months ago that I would revise in good time. It is now two months until these exams, and what have I done?
Yep, I’ve done knack all.
Instead, tonight consisted of pressing my nose against a computer screen, with a blank word document up (I had no intentions of doing work; I just like to think that I was trying). I need more motivation, can someone lend me some please!
Secondly, on tonight’s agenda was to catch up with TV (the inventor of Sky+ is my God), but that wasn’t completed either. In fact, what have I actually done instead?! It’s not like watching TV is challenging or effortful, I’m just a demotivated soul.
In light of this crappy evening, I am happy to say my UCAS has been sent off! It would have been sent off a couple of weeks ago, but seeing as I spelled Edinburgh wrong in my statement, the process was delayed (hmm, an aspiring journalist that can’t spell Edinburgh…).
To add to this cheeriness, I now know that I will be the proud new owner of an iPod as of Christmas. Maybe that was a mistake; I have no luck with expensive things, they always break. For example, my iPod touch now consists of about 4 dints in the back, a cracked screen all the way across it, a broken speaker, and the backlight no longer works. All this happened in the space of 18 months, how?! I am just a liability I guess. Don’t trust me with your things.
So in reflection, tonight has had its good and bad points. Although I did sod all regarding my school work, my universities are now notified of my existence and I am almost in the Christmas spirit.
Speaking of Christmas spirit, in 4 days’ time I will be opening up window number one in my advent calendar (nobody is too old for Christmas chocolate!). And then, the countdown begins. The excitement will probably build up so much that on some occasions, I may have to open two windows on my calendar in one day; I blame Jesus for being born so late in the month.
Although there is this Christmas excitement in my mind, there is also my Scrooginess coming out from time to time. Firstly, weather. I mean come on! I don’t think it’s been this bloody cold since the Ice Age, especially seeing as I have to bike to school every day in Antarctic conditions. I actually fell off my bike yesterday due to the bad weather. How embarrassing. My bike may be a crappy £30 quid job from Sports Direct, but it shouldn’t allow me to slip so easily on ice! Maybe I should put the bike away for the next couple of months, I feel unsafe riding at this time of year.
Secondly, I just hate kids. Hate isn’t even a strong enough word for them. In fact, you know what is worse than kids? Kids at Christmas. I don’t particularly appreciate 4ft over-excited creatures attempting to throw snow balls at me and telling me to get a haircut, not at all really.
Christmas would be nice if it was warmer and there were fewer kids, perhaps I should move to Australia and live in a hut with an electro-magnetic fence surrounding it, to stop the kids disturbing my peace.
Rant over.
Actually, I could compare tonight’s shenanigans with Christmas; there are up’s, and there are some down’s too.
Tonight –Unproductive but feeling good.
Christmas – advent chocolate, but children still exist.
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