Hello
I come to inform you that this blog shall be not updated very regularly at all, for the simple reason, there is a better one to go to. This blog may be updated from time to time, but overall i find that this new project (or not so new....) is going to be much more fun than writing about myself to no one.
In any case, see ya around
Josh
Friday, 9 May 2008
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Lets eat breakfast!
Wow.
At last I have time to add something to this sparsely populated blog. I'd post more, but I'm sure the majority of people reading this realise that I should be doing revision. This usually involves me spending this browsing around the various revision websites, simply because I am infront of a computer.
I contemplated doing some old fashioned news watching, finding some article that annoyed every nerve in my body and writing and ranting about it. But I managed to see the BBC breakfast news a few mornings ago, and decided to rant about that.
I used to be a sucker for early morning TV as i was in too much of a coma to do anything else. Now, since I've taken to going on the 'net early and browsing stuff on that, TV comes in second or third best. Now, to be honest, there are two channels you watch in the morning, either BBC breakfast, which is not really breakfast at all, as i've had more substantial meals on a school trip, or GMTV (GOOOOD MORRNNNINNG TV, yet they never actually say it). I used to watch GMTV, but eventually got tired of insane presenters, completely irrelevant and cheap reporting and basically it being a complete load of offensive crap.
Since, I've watched the BBC version, which is filmed in a big open studio, with big screens and a sofas etc, and a coffee table, where it and what's on top of it never actually change. The presenters were ok, but i really only tune in to the sport section (7:35, the bloke is the best presenter they have). But recently, one of the female presenters has suddenly devalued the entire show and its contents.
Its been about 3 weeks or something in a row where at certain points, she's burst into tears, laughing her bloody head off over, I dunno, may as well be every single comedy show ever conceived has been flashed in front of her eyes, in the space of 15 seconds. I aint bothered about the fact she may be laughing at something generally funny. But what boggles my mind is that they return from a link up of someone talking about covering your garden in tarmac (opened my eyes it did), to her holding a instrument made out of car parts, unable to talk and doing her best impression of a acidic reaction.
Had she never seen the bloody thing before! It can't of been that new, as they have to be briefed on what topics they are going to do. I could not believe they had let her onto a live show, the other presenter even tried calming her down, but he failed, but if he'd managed to calm her down, he possibly would of been hired as some kind of therapist. So thats enough crummy news for me, sorry Mr Sports guy, but the BBC sport website is easier for my sanity.
In other news, next Thursday, it seems likely that half of the teachers at school will go on strike. I did go looking round for more details, but failed. We are been give more information tomorrow but word is that you can either come in to a special place and do coursework or something, or stay at home, though that last option seems unlikely. Amongst all this, word around the students is that they are going to go on a predictable strike about teachers being able to look through your mobile phone if they confiscate it, for illicit material etc. Please grow up guys and just keep your hidden away, as you'll lose any strike or protest. I won't be joining, as it causes far more trouble than its worth, and my phone camera is too crap to take a decent video of a teacher and make it look like they have danced around the class room then thrown a student out the window.
Cya next time, whenever that is!
Josh
EDIT: Hopefully, me and my next level buddy Matt will soon be recording a podcast of some description. Just need to spend some money first....
At last I have time to add something to this sparsely populated blog. I'd post more, but I'm sure the majority of people reading this realise that I should be doing revision. This usually involves me spending this browsing around the various revision websites, simply because I am infront of a computer.
I contemplated doing some old fashioned news watching, finding some article that annoyed every nerve in my body and writing and ranting about it. But I managed to see the BBC breakfast news a few mornings ago, and decided to rant about that.
I used to be a sucker for early morning TV as i was in too much of a coma to do anything else. Now, since I've taken to going on the 'net early and browsing stuff on that, TV comes in second or third best. Now, to be honest, there are two channels you watch in the morning, either BBC breakfast, which is not really breakfast at all, as i've had more substantial meals on a school trip, or GMTV (GOOOOD MORRNNNINNG TV, yet they never actually say it). I used to watch GMTV, but eventually got tired of insane presenters, completely irrelevant and cheap reporting and basically it being a complete load of offensive crap.
Since, I've watched the BBC version, which is filmed in a big open studio, with big screens and a sofas etc, and a coffee table, where it and what's on top of it never actually change. The presenters were ok, but i really only tune in to the sport section (7:35, the bloke is the best presenter they have). But recently, one of the female presenters has suddenly devalued the entire show and its contents.
Its been about 3 weeks or something in a row where at certain points, she's burst into tears, laughing her bloody head off over, I dunno, may as well be every single comedy show ever conceived has been flashed in front of her eyes, in the space of 15 seconds. I aint bothered about the fact she may be laughing at something generally funny. But what boggles my mind is that they return from a link up of someone talking about covering your garden in tarmac (opened my eyes it did), to her holding a instrument made out of car parts, unable to talk and doing her best impression of a acidic reaction.
Had she never seen the bloody thing before! It can't of been that new, as they have to be briefed on what topics they are going to do. I could not believe they had let her onto a live show, the other presenter even tried calming her down, but he failed, but if he'd managed to calm her down, he possibly would of been hired as some kind of therapist. So thats enough crummy news for me, sorry Mr Sports guy, but the BBC sport website is easier for my sanity.
In other news, next Thursday, it seems likely that half of the teachers at school will go on strike. I did go looking round for more details, but failed. We are been give more information tomorrow but word is that you can either come in to a special place and do coursework or something, or stay at home, though that last option seems unlikely. Amongst all this, word around the students is that they are going to go on a predictable strike about teachers being able to look through your mobile phone if they confiscate it, for illicit material etc. Please grow up guys and just keep your hidden away, as you'll lose any strike or protest. I won't be joining, as it causes far more trouble than its worth, and my phone camera is too crap to take a decent video of a teacher and make it look like they have danced around the class room then thrown a student out the window.
Cya next time, whenever that is!
Josh
EDIT: Hopefully, me and my next level buddy Matt will soon be recording a podcast of some description. Just need to spend some money first....
Saturday, 29 March 2008
Return of the fat arsed work bandit...
Rather than dwell on the title too much (otherwise I'm going to get in a lot of trouble) I feel i need to rant. Now I'm all for revision, as much as it feels like a incredible pain for a bunch of poxy tests that are supposed shape my life, but that's another story. What I am against is spending quite a while doing work, finishing it, handing it in, moving on to looking at some more rubbish topics, to be then told (just before the holidays where i was aiming to relax for a short period before kicking into a lot of revision) 'All that work you did, it's not right'.
For those affected, they know exactly what I am talking about. Now this is different to been given a piece of coursework back as a draft and told what you need to change (usually within a short period of handing it in, you get it back). This is a case of handing it in waiting for over a month, when your mind has moved on to different things, and getting it back, not being told really what you need to do to get a better mark, but get yelled at for 'not putting this in, this in....I told you all this needed to put this in'.
This is usually all met with glancing looks around between the class, the patented 'o shit' position on the desk with your head in your hands and overall a probable feeling of being dumped in a big pile of the brown stuff (coloured if you buy stuff from the ice cream van). Now we have to go back and in some case re make half the work that we have already done, because all of us haven't done something we apparently 'were all told to do'. Now unless I'm being stupid, doesn't it tell you something if 20 plus people haven't done something, that is 'vital' to getting a good grade, we were not told about it.
To be perfectly honest, this has been a problem since the start. Every piece of work in that subject that we have handed in (or me anyway) has not been anywhere close to right first time. I have my own theories for this issue. We have rushed and rushed to get through the bulk of the work, but this plan to get it all done has spectacularly as we have spent more time going back and going over the majority of our work. In my opinion, rightly or wrongly, if there was such a issue time wise, all our lessons should of been planned out better and we should of worked through each piece with more detailed, with regular check on our progress and any issues would be notified.
By doing this, at least we would of had a smaller chance of messing it up and it would allow us to spend less time doing work over and over again.
And also of made people have a feeling of not 'This is the worst subject I have ever done and wished i didn't pick it' to being actually be able to cope with it. However its too late for that now.
For those affected, they know exactly what I am talking about. Now this is different to been given a piece of coursework back as a draft and told what you need to change (usually within a short period of handing it in, you get it back). This is a case of handing it in waiting for over a month, when your mind has moved on to different things, and getting it back, not being told really what you need to do to get a better mark, but get yelled at for 'not putting this in, this in....I told you all this needed to put this in'.
This is usually all met with glancing looks around between the class, the patented 'o shit' position on the desk with your head in your hands and overall a probable feeling of being dumped in a big pile of the brown stuff (coloured if you buy stuff from the ice cream van). Now we have to go back and in some case re make half the work that we have already done, because all of us haven't done something we apparently 'were all told to do'. Now unless I'm being stupid, doesn't it tell you something if 20 plus people haven't done something, that is 'vital' to getting a good grade, we were not told about it.
To be perfectly honest, this has been a problem since the start. Every piece of work in that subject that we have handed in (or me anyway) has not been anywhere close to right first time. I have my own theories for this issue. We have rushed and rushed to get through the bulk of the work, but this plan to get it all done has spectacularly as we have spent more time going back and going over the majority of our work. In my opinion, rightly or wrongly, if there was such a issue time wise, all our lessons should of been planned out better and we should of worked through each piece with more detailed, with regular check on our progress and any issues would be notified.
By doing this, at least we would of had a smaller chance of messing it up and it would allow us to spend less time doing work over and over again.
And also of made people have a feeling of not 'This is the worst subject I have ever done and wished i didn't pick it' to being actually be able to cope with it. However its too late for that now.
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Haha techno trickery works for once
Hello there,
This week i bought a massive hard drive for my 'ps triple' upgraded it (resulting in the terrifying experience of nearly fudging the entire thing up) swapped it round, and installed Yellow Dog Linux 6 on it. Now i have dabbled in linux distros before and found the hardest part of using them is getting out of your mind the things you take for granted whilst using windows. For example, nearly every video player on the web uses flash, or some version. Linux comes with one version called 'gnash' which kinda half works, but not with youtube. But instead of simply going to adobe.com and downloading the new one, you have to do all kinds of fairly complicated stuff for a windows users to get it to work, unless your lucky and there happens to be a .rpm to download.
But, overall, I'm pretty happy with hows its gone. I have the wireless internet working with it, I did some coursework yesterday, have browsed the net, used IM and even done some image editing on it. And I'm writing this blog on it. The good thing is that this linux distro does come with all the open source alternatives to microsoft products, many of which i use anyway. The IM client is quicker than WLM if less flashy, Open office has impressed me and the system is quite stable.
There are a few issues with it. It uses virtual desktops, which are great as you simply switch between them using either the hotkeys or your mouse, but can often get unorganized. I have already managed to create a undeletable folder and the 'shelf' which acts like a very customizable start menu (similar to a mac OS) sometimes gets in the way and no matter what i change, it wont act right...But i reckon these problems will dissapear the more i use it. I still will rely on my windows PC for some things, but this works quickly and efficiently. I'm (slowly) learning more about how all this command line business works, but damn it takes some getting used to, I admit I'm a complete n00b at linux!
The main problem with doing this is you have no times to actually play some games rather than do homework on your playstation (oh the irony). I've completed pretty much all the Orange Box, played TF2 for a bit, blasted around paradise city in burnout and now have bought Unreal Tournament 3. I know for you to enjoy online games you need to put time into them but currently i want to play online:
Apologies for the geeky post, I'm in a geeky mood!
Josh
This week i bought a massive hard drive for my 'ps triple' upgraded it (resulting in the terrifying experience of nearly fudging the entire thing up) swapped it round, and installed Yellow Dog Linux 6 on it. Now i have dabbled in linux distros before and found the hardest part of using them is getting out of your mind the things you take for granted whilst using windows. For example, nearly every video player on the web uses flash, or some version. Linux comes with one version called 'gnash' which kinda half works, but not with youtube. But instead of simply going to adobe.com and downloading the new one, you have to do all kinds of fairly complicated stuff for a windows users to get it to work, unless your lucky and there happens to be a .rpm to download.
But, overall, I'm pretty happy with hows its gone. I have the wireless internet working with it, I did some coursework yesterday, have browsed the net, used IM and even done some image editing on it. And I'm writing this blog on it. The good thing is that this linux distro does come with all the open source alternatives to microsoft products, many of which i use anyway. The IM client is quicker than WLM if less flashy, Open office has impressed me and the system is quite stable.
There are a few issues with it. It uses virtual desktops, which are great as you simply switch between them using either the hotkeys or your mouse, but can often get unorganized. I have already managed to create a undeletable folder and the 'shelf' which acts like a very customizable start menu (similar to a mac OS) sometimes gets in the way and no matter what i change, it wont act right...But i reckon these problems will dissapear the more i use it. I still will rely on my windows PC for some things, but this works quickly and efficiently. I'm (slowly) learning more about how all this command line business works, but damn it takes some getting used to, I admit I'm a complete n00b at linux!
The main problem with doing this is you have no times to actually play some games rather than do homework on your playstation (oh the irony). I've completed pretty much all the Orange Box, played TF2 for a bit, blasted around paradise city in burnout and now have bought Unreal Tournament 3. I know for you to enjoy online games you need to put time into them but currently i want to play online:
- Call of duty 4
- Warhawk
- Team Fortress 2
- Unreal Tounament 3
- Burnout: Paradice
- And other games to go on occasionally,,,,
Apologies for the geeky post, I'm in a geeky mood!
Josh
Friday, 14 March 2008
Well it was a first go i suppose
Hello again,
Though I would upload a recent short video I made for a IT presentation. Now I kinda took inspiration from both Charlie Brooker and Ben 'Yahtzee' Croshaw in making this video. Now before you thing 'what a judgmental load of crap, hes totally wrong about everything', I may well be, but this was for a ICT powerpoint on various things, and its my first go, may do more in the future, but its whether I have the skill and time to do so. By the way, these will be about as close as i'll get to doing a video blog, I lack the technology!
The video is on Instant Messaging:
(audio is a bit quiet to begin with)
Though I would upload a recent short video I made for a IT presentation. Now I kinda took inspiration from both Charlie Brooker and Ben 'Yahtzee' Croshaw in making this video. Now before you thing 'what a judgmental load of crap, hes totally wrong about everything', I may well be, but this was for a ICT powerpoint on various things, and its my first go, may do more in the future, but its whether I have the skill and time to do so. By the way, these will be about as close as i'll get to doing a video blog, I lack the technology!
The video is on Instant Messaging:
(audio is a bit quiet to begin with)
Help...please!
Oh boy...
Well, since being told that we needed to complete 5 essays for Thursday, all on topics which are about as easy to write about as the cultural relevance of a plank of wood. I'd done one and a half up till yesterday and thought to myself (in one of these random moments) 'Tomorrow I'm gonna get up at 7am and write some essays'. Both my mate and my girlfriend looked at me like I'd proclaimed I was turning my bedroom into a brothel.
After lots of questions about my sanity, which I was doubting myself, at about 10pm last night I signed of WLM (but left the PC running itunes' 'really good' library wizard, which managed to put the odd album from my library into separate tracks, yet calls them albums), and went upstairs to watch the movie I said I never would get chance to watch. Its not exactly brilliant, ok its kinda shoddy with occasionally acting as stale as zombie bread, but its decent enough.
Then, against better judgment, I play Half Life episode 1 for a bit longer. Then went bed and woke up at 7. Now, basic motor functions are limited when I have a day off and I get up at the normal time. I went downstairs, and just had to put some podcasts on (as the friend who had claimed to join me failed to turn up, claiming his computer had broke, knowing him, I believe it) and sat and wrote 1 and a half essays.
And boy was it boring. I mean boring like, I got distracted at one point with paperclips. So basically I would recommend doing this as a last ditch attempt to get some work done, whether you want to or not. It was truly awful, but its better than me doing it into the early hours, but that sucks even more.
So basically, I've still got two to do, but have just over a week to do them, so will find some time, the problem being is that I don't really have much of an idea of what the write for the two I havent done, not without tonnes of innuendos anyway...
Josh
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Before we explode...
Well, you join me on the week from hell. No, the apocalypse is not coming round the corner, in fact to the majority of people in this world who ain't living in some war ravaged gutter hole where having the aspiration of finding a bed is deemed 'ambitious', it will seem a rather normal week.
Normally, a day off school is treated as a good moment. A long weekend, the ability to do nothing all day, or to catch up with work etc. But this day, for my year anyway, is different. This is the end of the world, as some teachers are calling it. Now I am not work shy or anything, but Friday is the day most of the coursework needs to be pretty much finished...woop-de friggin-woop.
Now for some topics (those without coursework now feel the ultimate blessing) its all done, but seeing as the day has sneaked up on us all like a 2 stone ninja, its suddenly turned into a mad rush to get everything finished. Cue everyone going insane.
Am I worried? Well, if you'd asked me that yesterday, the answer would be yes, today, well less so. I learnt that overall, its not crucial for coursework to all be in on that day, some teachers are only picking certain ones, and giving them preliminary marks.
So why the panic. Well I'm afraid to say it, but its the only way us humans seem to operate near our full capacity, well us ones in Britain anyway. We are pushed constantly to achieve targets, and told to panic if we fail to meet them. Now obviously, feeling like your head is going to melt is not a an ideal situation, but the more pressure we are put under, the better it all works.
Well that's enough of that rant, now what else I have been up to...
Last Tuesday, its was my Birthday, what can I say, it was pretty 
'The Orange Box' has 5 games made by Valve in it, I can't be bothered to go through each one, as it can be found on the newly uploaded episode of 'The Next level', but seeing as I never had the chance to pick up a copy on PC, I decided to sit down and play Half Life 2, mainly so I could start on the episodic expansions for it ASAP. For a game that is fairly old (for some of you) its an incredible experience, which I completed in less than a week, and addicted me more than even the original Half Life (which I really need to go back and play again now!)
I have been on some of the other games in that collection, but mainly have been split between HL2 and Burnout. As I mentioned, I also was given a book, and I do really like a good read. Its not a story or anything, but is funny, clever and relevant, which gives it a thumbs up in my mind. Also, I really need to get round to watching the movie I got, but seeing as I hardly never ever watch movies, it may take a while.
That was a slightly longer blog than expected, but nevermind eh!
See Ya round
Josh
Sunday, 2 March 2008
What you don't know can't be real....
Today I attended a course at my karate club, I won't go into the details, mainly so you fools don't try make your own energies combust...
It was done by this very well trained instructor from Crewe, who does RyuKyu Kempo. Now its kind of controversial as to whether it works or not, as I discovered when I got home and did some research.
Many videos on youtube are filled with comments claiming its a fraud it doesn't work. The instructor at this course admit some people abused this, claiming that they could do things they couldn't. But, from what I have seen today, I know that however odd it seems, it is real.
This did get me thinking though, why are we as people all over the world so close minded about everything. Yeah, something's on this earth are strange and confusing, none more than the human body. So why can't you doubting peeps just think 'ok that's odd, but the guy seems to know what he's on about, I'll just take it as it comes'.
Anyway before I go off on a crazy rant, my arm and chest are still kinda tingly from where he demonstrated something on me, using me...so I'm going to stop typing now..
Josh
(PS: I've wrote this using windows live writer, it seems a pretty good tool for the job!)
Friday, 29 February 2008
Website creation can be one hell of a pain!
Hello!
Well so much for me posting regular... I do have a valid excuse though, sheer amount of work. And trust me, there has been alot. Stuff from school work, to house work to other random work, and it hasnt stopped for the past week and a bit.
My main project of late is using a website called 'Weebly'. I was asked by my karate instructor to help them create a website for their newly created karate association. Because of my nature, I agreed, and after going through various options of how to make it, 'weebly' appeared.
I needed to set it up as quickly as possible, and did not have time to spend trying to build one up from scratch. Now i have designed the odd free webpage in the past, but most of them have faded into obscurity, but this one is official, and we are hoping to evolve as time goes by, Here is the website, its still a tad rough round the edges, but has been built in about a week, with another week just building up content for it.
The great thing about weebly is that its all WYSIWYG designing, and is fairly customisable too. It would be nice if it was a bit more flexible adding pictures, but its totally free, and if your smart, can get a decent url without the weebly prefix, as weebly charge you to make your own...It also allows html, a link to flickr and all other cool things, which many free website creators don't allow.
So that was one project, I also attempted to make a 'Yahtzee' style video for a IT project (cannot upload it now, will do soon). Now I'm quite into the kinda humour that Ben 'Yahtzee' Crosshaw, and similary Charlie Brooker (youtube the name) use, however crude and cynical it is.
The editing of the next level show is going ok from what the editor tells me, which means it should be fine, because as soon as you let me near editing software, things break...
So that kinda ties up my recap blog, will think of summat more interesting to write soon...before my mind dries up again...
Josh
Well so much for me posting regular... I do have a valid excuse though, sheer amount of work. And trust me, there has been alot. Stuff from school work, to house work to other random work, and it hasnt stopped for the past week and a bit.
My main project of late is using a website called 'Weebly'. I was asked by my karate instructor to help them create a website for their newly created karate association. Because of my nature, I agreed, and after going through various options of how to make it, 'weebly' appeared.
I needed to set it up as quickly as possible, and did not have time to spend trying to build one up from scratch. Now i have designed the odd free webpage in the past, but most of them have faded into obscurity, but this one is official, and we are hoping to evolve as time goes by, Here is the website, its still a tad rough round the edges, but has been built in about a week, with another week just building up content for it.
The great thing about weebly is that its all WYSIWYG designing, and is fairly customisable too. It would be nice if it was a bit more flexible adding pictures, but its totally free, and if your smart, can get a decent url without the weebly prefix, as weebly charge you to make your own...It also allows html, a link to flickr and all other cool things, which many free website creators don't allow.
So that was one project, I also attempted to make a 'Yahtzee' style video for a IT project (cannot upload it now, will do soon). Now I'm quite into the kinda humour that Ben 'Yahtzee' Crosshaw, and similary Charlie Brooker (youtube the name) use, however crude and cynical it is.
The editing of the next level show is going ok from what the editor tells me, which means it should be fine, because as soon as you let me near editing software, things break...
So that kinda ties up my recap blog, will think of summat more interesting to write soon...before my mind dries up again...
Josh
Sunday, 17 February 2008
The Cult of the Rabbit Song
Hello!
I thought it would be nice to recap on some of the things that have occured in the last couple of weeks that you may be fairly interested in...maybe not but hey this is my blog and (here comes stubborn Josh) I'll write whatever I want.
Well before school broke up for half term, me and my mate took it upon ourselves (as we have done for what seems the past three years) to sort the forms assembly out. Fun...Not that we mind doing it, but getting ideas and stuff to work it difficult.
Now because we're an unimgainative, yet nostaligic bunch, and it is technically our last year at school, we based it on memories. Now planning for this assembly began around the end of December...thats when we realised that this was going to be more difficult than completing a 'Richard and Judy' TV show marathon (my personal idea of hell by the way).
We had a few ideas, some good, some which would apply to about...2 people in the year; 'Thats not quite the point', 'yeah but I think its funny'.... And some god damn worrying. Now we actually began to get things to come together, we knew how it was going to work and what sections we were going to have.
However, we realised that we were missing quite a large gap...Now its time for me to explain. Now this isnt ruthless self promotion, but in year 9 me and this same mate wrote a song about a Rabbit, well more of a rap really. We named it (originally) 'The Rabbit Song'. It was performed in music and went down pretty well, mainly because it was crazy. The second time I performed it, with the assistance of my mate clicking away, was in the middle of a German hotel. Yeah, I honestly don't know what they thought, after a lad clutching a cuddly rabbit and wearing a funny hat got up and did a song (by the way, I was asked to do it by a few people, I didn't just randomly get up and do it).
So we decided 'crap we need use some time up, better get the hat out'. This meant that 1. I had to sit at the front with my mate and perform a fairly improvised sketch about memories with him, with two other members of the form as well (so don't feel left out), occasionally shout and wake up the form members who were supposed to be doing stuff on stage. Then run round to the back, get my hat and rabbit, and wait for my introduction to be finished, tell my mate to go play the piano and do the song....
Surprisingly enough, I have avoided being ripped into about it. We got some of the audience clapping, yet they seemed to slip into a coma, but the form members behind me were awesome and really got into it, specially for a song with the musical properties of nails down a chalkboard.
So that was that It was pretty awesome how things went, and was enjoyable to perform on stage again....as camp as that sounds, its a awesome feeling. Then school ended. For the half term. Then me and my mate (he hasn't got a name), decided we should revive the internet video game show that was attempted to make in the middle of last year...This meant taking over my house for 2 days and shooting enough footage for a feature length film and still missing bits out. Was fun all the same.
Anyway thats a round up that has taken me a while to write so until next time.
Peace
Josh
I thought it would be nice to recap on some of the things that have occured in the last couple of weeks that you may be fairly interested in...maybe not but hey this is my blog and (here comes stubborn Josh) I'll write whatever I want.
Well before school broke up for half term, me and my mate took it upon ourselves (as we have done for what seems the past three years) to sort the forms assembly out. Fun...Not that we mind doing it, but getting ideas and stuff to work it difficult.
Now because we're an unimgainative, yet nostaligic bunch, and it is technically our last year at school, we based it on memories. Now planning for this assembly began around the end of December...thats when we realised that this was going to be more difficult than completing a 'Richard and Judy' TV show marathon (my personal idea of hell by the way).
We had a few ideas, some good, some which would apply to about...2 people in the year; 'Thats not quite the point', 'yeah but I think its funny'.... And some god damn worrying. Now we actually began to get things to come together, we knew how it was going to work and what sections we were going to have.
However, we realised that we were missing quite a large gap...Now its time for me to explain. Now this isnt ruthless self promotion, but in year 9 me and this same mate wrote a song about a Rabbit, well more of a rap really. We named it (originally) 'The Rabbit Song'. It was performed in music and went down pretty well, mainly because it was crazy. The second time I performed it, with the assistance of my mate clicking away, was in the middle of a German hotel. Yeah, I honestly don't know what they thought, after a lad clutching a cuddly rabbit and wearing a funny hat got up and did a song (by the way, I was asked to do it by a few people, I didn't just randomly get up and do it).
So we decided 'crap we need use some time up, better get the hat out'. This meant that 1. I had to sit at the front with my mate and perform a fairly improvised sketch about memories with him, with two other members of the form as well (so don't feel left out), occasionally shout and wake up the form members who were supposed to be doing stuff on stage. Then run round to the back, get my hat and rabbit, and wait for my introduction to be finished, tell my mate to go play the piano and do the song....
Surprisingly enough, I have avoided being ripped into about it. We got some of the audience clapping, yet they seemed to slip into a coma, but the form members behind me were awesome and really got into it, specially for a song with the musical properties of nails down a chalkboard.
So that was that It was pretty awesome how things went, and was enjoyable to perform on stage again....as camp as that sounds, its a awesome feeling. Then school ended. For the half term. Then me and my mate (he hasn't got a name), decided we should revive the internet video game show that was attempted to make in the middle of last year...This meant taking over my house for 2 days and shooting enough footage for a feature length film and still missing bits out. Was fun all the same.
Anyway thats a round up that has taken me a while to write so until next time.
Peace
Josh
Sorry Mr blogger
Hiya
Well firstly I haven't forgotten about this blog, and secondly, yes I will post more soon. However...February has managed to rush by faster than George Bush when he hears that oil has being found in the back garden of the white house...Hence me writing this at 20 past 12 at nite/in morning. This half term break almost everyday has been occupied with either wandering around the area with people, filming an internet video game TV show and hanging out etc.
I love writing blogs, but to put simply I have not had the time. I will begin to write more regulary once I get back into the swing of things, but to be honest, the few people who read this deserve more interesting articles than a load of random gibber jabber.
So may post some more soon!!
Cya
Josh
Well firstly I haven't forgotten about this blog, and secondly, yes I will post more soon. However...February has managed to rush by faster than George Bush when he hears that oil has being found in the back garden of the white house...Hence me writing this at 20 past 12 at nite/in morning. This half term break almost everyday has been occupied with either wandering around the area with people, filming an internet video game TV show and hanging out etc.
I love writing blogs, but to put simply I have not had the time. I will begin to write more regulary once I get back into the swing of things, but to be honest, the few people who read this deserve more interesting articles than a load of random gibber jabber.
So may post some more soon!!
Cya
Josh
Friday, 1 February 2008
Tough luck Becks!
Hello again (WARNING FOOTBALL ORIENTATED BLOG)
Well, the new England manager (Fabio Capello...he aint really that new now) recently unvieled his proposed squad to play Switzerland on February 6th. Now in the media there has been one hell of a build up towards this, with many suggesting that the hero/villian, his lordship himself (not my words by the way) David Beckham, should be in the squad, so to join the hallowed halls of 100caps (man i made that sound greater than it should of been).
He recently claimed, that despite playing zero football matches for a fair while, and when he does, they have been in the great mickey mouse league across the pond, that hes match fit. He also claims that after training with Arsenal for a couple of weeks, he is super sharp and on top of his game. Pah...how on earth does a training situation prepare you for the real thing. At the end of the day, when Beckham was playing in a top class team (Real Madrid), he was dropped by Capello anyway. He then, respect for doing so, fought his way back into the team, and then the (doomed) England side. But he still can't expect to play for LA Galaxy and the same to happen.
Overall, Capello has not shocked me really with any of his choices. The five players picked from Aston Villa are not a surprise as they have all been playing well and have great guidance from Martin O'Neil. Many of the choices all seem fairly standard, and the goal keeping change is welcome.
I was discussing with a friend how he would play the actual team. From what I know of his style of football, it is typical Italian...defence, defence, defence and then a counter attack...Now this aint in no way paticulary attractive football for the most part, and not really how England sides have played before. Now we came up with the conclusion of him picking Carrick, Hargreaves and Barry he may be aiming to simply play a 3/5/2 or a 4/5/1 formation, with two holding midfielders, possibly a left footer (Barry) and a right footer. These could then be used to pass out to the quicker wingers.
The main driving force would be Gerrard in the centre, but the main problem with England at the moment is up front. The last paring that worked was Heskey/Owen, but both of those have been a bit iffy of late. When asked about forwards, I simply didn't know. We must, at the end of the day, judge Capello on the games rather than the squad he picks. He seems to have set his own precedence against the FA as they would of made quite a bit of cash from Beckhams milestone, but we'll wait and see what happens...
Josh
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Like the setting of a odd horror film...
Hiya
I'm tired today.
May have something to do with having what appeared to be a long week at school, topped of by me waking up this morning at 6:30 thinking 'I AM COLD', and frantically wrapping myself round the nearest radiator, praying to the heating gods it would come on.
I had to get up early anyway, I had karate to go to. But was planning at getting up at 8am....but seeing as my alarm would only listen if I moved the mountain of crap that is piled up on top of it, I was always going to be up early. So out I went for the morning, then came back home for about 15 minutes, then going back out again to the big city...bearing in mind anywhere bigger than my village makes me turn into a starstruck potato.
My leg was hurting after karate, but with not visual clues to the pain, I took the rough with the smooth and walked quite a few many miles today. We (yeah, I didn't go for a walk round everywhere on my own) trudged everywhere, through country lanes, past drug littered paths, and almost got killed by a BMW driver with no concept of corners.
One thing really stuck out in my mind though. The amount of people who were doing the same. Admittedly, we went much further afield and set a new precedent for random 'really thrilling walks', but everyone was at it. We kept seeing the same people, walking back down the same road they had just walked up. We occasionally stopped and chilled somewhere, but there was still random people, wandering about in a state of confusion.
It reminded me of the scene in 'Shaun of the Dead' (awesome movie by the way, it must be if I'm mentioning it) where Shaun goes to the shop to buy a Cornetto, completely oblivious to the fact that the streets are filled with the living dead. I may be naive, but surely, there must be something to do. And I discovered that there was. Wander aimlessly.
I also got quite confused that when I was sitting in the park, I saw a Land Rover Discovery, identical to that of my friends in looks, go past on the back of a AA truck. Then I read his blog, saying that his car did in fact break down and return home on the back of a rescue truck. Coincidence or not, still its been a damn strange day.
I was also invited to a party tonight, but I passed. Mainly for two reasons, possibly 3. I'm tired and was up very early, my leg still hurts fairly bad and would be turning up to this party on my own. Now this ain't just a random party of somebody my age, its a 40th birthday party, so me turning up and only knowing a few people, who wouldn't really have anything to do with me, makes me feel like I should give it a miss (if for some random reason you read this, I do appreciate the invite!)
Anyway, enough for the random blog!
Cya Round
Josh
I'm tired today.
May have something to do with having what appeared to be a long week at school, topped of by me waking up this morning at 6:30 thinking 'I AM COLD', and frantically wrapping myself round the nearest radiator, praying to the heating gods it would come on.
I had to get up early anyway, I had karate to go to. But was planning at getting up at 8am....but seeing as my alarm would only listen if I moved the mountain of crap that is piled up on top of it, I was always going to be up early. So out I went for the morning, then came back home for about 15 minutes, then going back out again to the big city...bearing in mind anywhere bigger than my village makes me turn into a starstruck potato.
My leg was hurting after karate, but with not visual clues to the pain, I took the rough with the smooth and walked quite a few many miles today. We (yeah, I didn't go for a walk round everywhere on my own) trudged everywhere, through country lanes, past drug littered paths, and almost got killed by a BMW driver with no concept of corners.
One thing really stuck out in my mind though. The amount of people who were doing the same. Admittedly, we went much further afield and set a new precedent for random 'really thrilling walks', but everyone was at it. We kept seeing the same people, walking back down the same road they had just walked up. We occasionally stopped and chilled somewhere, but there was still random people, wandering about in a state of confusion.
It reminded me of the scene in 'Shaun of the Dead' (awesome movie by the way, it must be if I'm mentioning it) where Shaun goes to the shop to buy a Cornetto, completely oblivious to the fact that the streets are filled with the living dead. I may be naive, but surely, there must be something to do. And I discovered that there was. Wander aimlessly.
I also got quite confused that when I was sitting in the park, I saw a Land Rover Discovery, identical to that of my friends in looks, go past on the back of a AA truck. Then I read his blog, saying that his car did in fact break down and return home on the back of a rescue truck. Coincidence or not, still its been a damn strange day.
I was also invited to a party tonight, but I passed. Mainly for two reasons, possibly 3. I'm tired and was up very early, my leg still hurts fairly bad and would be turning up to this party on my own. Now this ain't just a random party of somebody my age, its a 40th birthday party, so me turning up and only knowing a few people, who wouldn't really have anything to do with me, makes me feel like I should give it a miss (if for some random reason you read this, I do appreciate the invite!)
Anyway, enough for the random blog!
Cya Round
Josh
Sunday, 20 January 2008
Ahhh chillage!
Hi
I was going to attempt to think of some rant to write. What has really wound me up this week, what caused my blood to boil and fists to clench. And, for once, there was very little to be wound up about. Sure if i was the uber pessimist, a could say 'well more money would be nice, and this weather is really getting me down' but its simply not.
Money wise, unlike my sister, i tend to save it. This isn't because I'm a miserable miser, who's idea of charitable is watching 'Children in Need' and going 'awwwww...shame' but not sending any money in. I will quite gladly help people out, but quite simply, I've worked out that by saving money, I get better things. And my way of earning basically is, fixing the odd computer for friends (not my friends by the way, they know toooo much) but just people my family know.
A member of my family though, quite does literally see £ signs in his eyes constantly, now he may have some kind of medical condition, but he just is obsessed with earning money...then spending it on trainers....which got trashed. But seeing as he is constantly having money from somewhere, it doesn't seem to matter. Now I ain't accusing him of being spoilt, he does work hard. But does appear a tad obsessed.
As for the weather, well apart from me putting more strategic planning into walking the dogs than....i was going to use the american army, but I certainly put more planning into cleaning my teeth than they do invading...Basically every time I have to walk them (the dogs not the army, but that is an idea), for some reason its always raining. But armed with my hat and thick waterproof boots off I go....and return looking like I had, on purpose, jumped in a stream and rolled in mud after...(shh don't tell anyone). But the rain really doesn't bother me, just seems to give people excuses to go 'ahhh bloody weather, its raining cats and dogs' (how, i always ask).
So I'm chilled. I'm refusing to moan about anything. I'm on target at school, and so long as I don't transform into a tracksuit wearing, knife lover, it should stay that way. So no rant today....and hell if my current ideas dissapear, well i dont know what I will write about....probably that the grass could be greener or something....
Peace
Josh
I was going to attempt to think of some rant to write. What has really wound me up this week, what caused my blood to boil and fists to clench. And, for once, there was very little to be wound up about. Sure if i was the uber pessimist, a could say 'well more money would be nice, and this weather is really getting me down' but its simply not.
Money wise, unlike my sister, i tend to save it. This isn't because I'm a miserable miser, who's idea of charitable is watching 'Children in Need' and going 'awwwww...shame' but not sending any money in. I will quite gladly help people out, but quite simply, I've worked out that by saving money, I get better things. And my way of earning basically is, fixing the odd computer for friends (not my friends by the way, they know toooo much) but just people my family know.
A member of my family though, quite does literally see £ signs in his eyes constantly, now he may have some kind of medical condition, but he just is obsessed with earning money...then spending it on trainers....which got trashed. But seeing as he is constantly having money from somewhere, it doesn't seem to matter. Now I ain't accusing him of being spoilt, he does work hard. But does appear a tad obsessed.
As for the weather, well apart from me putting more strategic planning into walking the dogs than....i was going to use the american army, but I certainly put more planning into cleaning my teeth than they do invading...Basically every time I have to walk them (the dogs not the army, but that is an idea), for some reason its always raining. But armed with my hat and thick waterproof boots off I go....and return looking like I had, on purpose, jumped in a stream and rolled in mud after...(shh don't tell anyone). But the rain really doesn't bother me, just seems to give people excuses to go 'ahhh bloody weather, its raining cats and dogs' (how, i always ask).
So I'm chilled. I'm refusing to moan about anything. I'm on target at school, and so long as I don't transform into a tracksuit wearing, knife lover, it should stay that way. So no rant today....and hell if my current ideas dissapear, well i dont know what I will write about....probably that the grass could be greener or something....
Peace
Josh
Friday, 18 January 2008
Where the hell is the routine i was promised!
OK sorry to my, well about 2 readers, but I have been even busier this week than before, but now seeing as it is the weekend, i will get the chance to probably break my more that one blog a day rule and write a couple over the weekend, depending on how the ideas 'flow'.
Even though it appears that everyone is now back and school and settled, they clearly are not. I refer to this general tiredness and being irritable as 'second week back syndrome'. The first week back, you've met back up with everyone after the break, and you talk and talk and talk. But then the after effects of late nights and long lie ins catch up with you, thus 'second week back syndrome'. However, a friend of mine did say that she would probably be suffering from 'seventh week back syndrome' and so on.
So I will probably blog some more later, but at the moment, I have slipped back into the caveman thinking of 'No sleep=dead No food=dead...must get both...' so unless I'm going to fill the rest of this blog with 'ug' I'll be off now....
Cya
Josh
Even though it appears that everyone is now back and school and settled, they clearly are not. I refer to this general tiredness and being irritable as 'second week back syndrome'. The first week back, you've met back up with everyone after the break, and you talk and talk and talk. But then the after effects of late nights and long lie ins catch up with you, thus 'second week back syndrome'. However, a friend of mine did say that she would probably be suffering from 'seventh week back syndrome' and so on.
So I will probably blog some more later, but at the moment, I have slipped back into the caveman thinking of 'No sleep=dead No food=dead...must get both...' so unless I'm going to fill the rest of this blog with 'ug' I'll be off now....
Cya
Josh
Saturday, 12 January 2008
NO, STOP IT, LEAVE ME ALONE!
Hello
Now I really should explain the really should explain the meaning behind the fairly ambiguous title. Yesterday, we had an assembly at school, which was about global warming. Now I am not against doing my bit to save the environment, but for crying out loud, the Nazis didn't try and convince people as much as this.
The assembly started with a video off youtube (the centre of unbiased and informed debate...) about the floods in the North of England last summer. Yeah, it looked pretty goddamn awful up there, with no water supplies and ruined houses. But the key thing is that at the end of the vid, it thanked people that helped them, but did not blame the fact that there possessions had been destroyed on global warming.
The assembly then contiuned on about light bulbs in your house and how energy efficient they are etc etc. The problem I find when ever I have to listen to these assemblies is that it is fairly patronising, we hear it enough about the world ending, fairly depressing for some people and makes us all feel guilty.
Another problem is if you look back through the years, i mean further than your last birthday, you'll discover that the earths climate has been a fickle old think for many years, and pieces of metal being powered by a series of little explosions were not around during the ice age. I can imagine now some Neanderthals travelling around in BMW 3 series (not that difficult considering who drives them now).
So I walked out of the assembly 1. bored and 2. more of a cynic than I was when I came in. To be perfectly honest, the only reason how house makes use of energy efficient bulbs and turn things off standby is to keep the bills down. I find it difficult to simply blame everyone who leaves a light on for bad weather.
Now another fact is that theses floods have never happened before because it just so happens that we had a bad summer, and have built on flood plains. Why do you think that many towns have really high flood markings. Its not because they want to con us, its because one year, 150 years ago for example, they had a bad summer. Its only now because we insist on building every house like the Empire state building that the water suddenly finds nowhere to go.
People did moan about flood defences, which was fair enough, as we have the technology to watch big brother all day (heaven forbid) surely we could keep an eye on the water levels. I was talking to somebody yesterday who said they remembered winters being colder and summers being scorching, but admitted that not every year, even couple of years were like that. It changes. We as people don't stay the same forever, so the atmosphere will not either.
I could continue but to end this blog. Don't get stressed about killing the planet, it will still be their and its gonna get fun when the oil runs out...
Cya
Josh
Now I really should explain the really should explain the meaning behind the fairly ambiguous title. Yesterday, we had an assembly at school, which was about global warming. Now I am not against doing my bit to save the environment, but for crying out loud, the Nazis didn't try and convince people as much as this.
The assembly started with a video off youtube (the centre of unbiased and informed debate...) about the floods in the North of England last summer. Yeah, it looked pretty goddamn awful up there, with no water supplies and ruined houses. But the key thing is that at the end of the vid, it thanked people that helped them, but did not blame the fact that there possessions had been destroyed on global warming.
The assembly then contiuned on about light bulbs in your house and how energy efficient they are etc etc. The problem I find when ever I have to listen to these assemblies is that it is fairly patronising, we hear it enough about the world ending, fairly depressing for some people and makes us all feel guilty.
Another problem is if you look back through the years, i mean further than your last birthday, you'll discover that the earths climate has been a fickle old think for many years, and pieces of metal being powered by a series of little explosions were not around during the ice age. I can imagine now some Neanderthals travelling around in BMW 3 series (not that difficult considering who drives them now).
So I walked out of the assembly 1. bored and 2. more of a cynic than I was when I came in. To be perfectly honest, the only reason how house makes use of energy efficient bulbs and turn things off standby is to keep the bills down. I find it difficult to simply blame everyone who leaves a light on for bad weather.
Now another fact is that theses floods have never happened before because it just so happens that we had a bad summer, and have built on flood plains. Why do you think that many towns have really high flood markings. Its not because they want to con us, its because one year, 150 years ago for example, they had a bad summer. Its only now because we insist on building every house like the Empire state building that the water suddenly finds nowhere to go.
People did moan about flood defences, which was fair enough, as we have the technology to watch big brother all day (heaven forbid) surely we could keep an eye on the water levels. I was talking to somebody yesterday who said they remembered winters being colder and summers being scorching, but admitted that not every year, even couple of years were like that. It changes. We as people don't stay the same forever, so the atmosphere will not either.
I could continue but to end this blog. Don't get stressed about killing the planet, it will still be their and its gonna get fun when the oil runs out...
Cya
Josh
Saturday, 5 January 2008
Back to the routine
So Xmas has come and gone and we now have all either forced our chocolate bloated selves back to work or school or are preparing to do so. For all the massive build up, it all seemed to go quite quick.
Quite a few people I have spoke to said that they haven't felt paticulary 'Christmassy' this year. Maybe it's because we have all worked and worked right up to a few days before the 25th and just haven't felt in the mood. I know for one I was busy editing a Media Studies project on Xmas eve. Or it may be because we are simply a bunch of scrooges.
Now I usually only enjoy New Year if I am going a party of some kind. I don't really enjoy just sitting around at home. This year we did go a party, and I did probably drink a little bit too much, but felt fine apart from the predictable sandpaper tongue....but i was well enough to come in and play on the playstation for a hour at around 3am....whoops!
But hey it was fun, even though it did have a bit of drama in it, but I better not go into that....So this week its been all stations go really. My group in media studies needed to film and get a DVD finished before we go back and at the moment we appear to be on track, even with the amount of balls up we managed...Many folks are moaning about having to do media studies instead of a A-level, but for crying out loud just make the best of it.
In other news, Stoke City face Newcastle tomorrow in the FA cup. Now I won't be going to the match, mainly because most of my friends couldnt really give a stuff about going watch a football match. I don't mind though really, as its on the BBC. Do we stand a chance...for once its not so much wishful thinking as the potters come up against a premier league team, as Newcastles form has been quite sketchy of late and Stoke, although have drawn the last three games, have all the best players back and fit.
If we lose, oh well, but for once it does appear that we're doing alright. Having said that, we will only know how well we are doing in late spring...gulp...
So I better prepare myself for school on monday...No doubt I have forgotten everything I needed to remember, but I have (for once) remembered we have a IT exam so have done some revision for that. I hopefully should start posting a bit more regulary when I get back in the routine of things, as to be perfectly honest, far more important things have been happening that posting in this blog!
Josh
Quite a few people I have spoke to said that they haven't felt paticulary 'Christmassy' this year. Maybe it's because we have all worked and worked right up to a few days before the 25th and just haven't felt in the mood. I know for one I was busy editing a Media Studies project on Xmas eve. Or it may be because we are simply a bunch of scrooges.
Now I usually only enjoy New Year if I am going a party of some kind. I don't really enjoy just sitting around at home. This year we did go a party, and I did probably drink a little bit too much, but felt fine apart from the predictable sandpaper tongue....but i was well enough to come in and play on the playstation for a hour at around 3am....whoops!
But hey it was fun, even though it did have a bit of drama in it, but I better not go into that....So this week its been all stations go really. My group in media studies needed to film and get a DVD finished before we go back and at the moment we appear to be on track, even with the amount of balls up we managed...Many folks are moaning about having to do media studies instead of a A-level, but for crying out loud just make the best of it.
In other news, Stoke City face Newcastle tomorrow in the FA cup. Now I won't be going to the match, mainly because most of my friends couldnt really give a stuff about going watch a football match. I don't mind though really, as its on the BBC. Do we stand a chance...for once its not so much wishful thinking as the potters come up against a premier league team, as Newcastles form has been quite sketchy of late and Stoke, although have drawn the last three games, have all the best players back and fit.
If we lose, oh well, but for once it does appear that we're doing alright. Having said that, we will only know how well we are doing in late spring...gulp...
So I better prepare myself for school on monday...No doubt I have forgotten everything I needed to remember, but I have (for once) remembered we have a IT exam so have done some revision for that. I hopefully should start posting a bit more regulary when I get back in the routine of things, as to be perfectly honest, far more important things have been happening that posting in this blog!
Josh
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