Let the River Run

Time is a fickle old thing, it and I have shared an odd relationship over my lifetime and I can never honestly say that I have understood its ways. It is now, with A level Results day but one week away and many of my friends in the position that I was in this time last year that glance back, a rare moment in my life, at how time has treated me.

It definitely marches on that time, when I look at how much has changed in only a year it amazes me the Distance I have come, Ive been through the UCAS system twice, I ended up in the frozen North and now I am back in Highcliffe preparing to spend a year abroad in the United States of America. I know right? Crazy. As I look back 12 months on I have very few regrets, yes it would have been great if things had worked out slightly easier but I don't wish they had. My blood pressure might but I'm not too fussed.

Today was a good day for those in my life. Some excellent results and almost all are very happily no headed to where they wanted to go. Of course a few slip ups here and there but nothing that cannot be ironed out. If you ask me, that is ample cause for a slight celebration! 

In other less eventful news, and quite frankly less deep conversation I saw the Dark Knight Rises yesterday, I'll be honest (I know so many of you cling to this blog for my film reviews

) I thought it was outstanding, I did not think it was as good as The Dark Knight with Heath Ledger as the Joker, but it was still a great Film. Yes Sean Connery and Darth Vaders Love child did start to grate on me by the end but still, I cannot fault either the cinematography or the script, and excellent plotline and a fitting ending to Christopher Nolans epic trilogy. Gary Oldman is as always sensational, just saying.

I still really need to see the Avengers, but that might just have to wait until the I have rewatched the past two Batman Films and have got over my recent Gilmore Girls Phase (I had a craving). This reminds me, Bunheads, a new show on ABC Family starring the ever brilliant Sutton Foster and Kelly Bishop (of Gilmore Girls, hence the link) in a tv show about a Las Vegas Dancer (Foster) who Marries on a whim, goes to live with her new husband who lives with his mother(Bishop), but then the husband dies leaving the dancer there. Written and produced by Amy Sherman-Pallidino (The creator of Girlmore Girls) the script is as fast paced and witty as you would expect. The show is a joy to watch with some genuine laugh at loud moments. I am loving it.

I think that is about all I have to ramble about for the time being, but don't count on it. Im sure I will suddenly change my mind.

Ta Ta

No Business like Show Business...

"We're all thespians at heart really" was a comment just thrown away by a friend of mine earlier today, but it was a comment that hit me square in the face and so I thought to myself, this is a comment that deserves a discussion so a discussion I shall give it.

My initial thought is to scream no, no this is not true. A case in point would be BBC's new dramatisations of some of Shakespeare's historical plays such as Richard II which aired last week. The plays are billed that anyone can enjoy them even non-shakespeare lovers. I wouldn't say that that statement is strictly true, the adaptation is sensational but there are still parts that are rather heavy going and if you don't understand whats going on you really have to pay attention to get to grips with it. If you do get to grips with it though it does really highlight some of the bards greatest work, often work that people haven't even looked at since they were in school and even then they looked at it when told too and ignored it at all other times. I have always felt that schools teach shakespeare in an appalling manner, only when it is performed can you appreciate how delicately formed each line is but that is the subject for a whole other discussion in which I will probably end up sounding like some hideous person who adores Shakespeare but what can you do?

After this initial torrent of confusion my brian continued to spew out situations where really we are not all thespians at heart and then I stopped myself to ask the truly arty question "What is Theatre?" and before you get concerned that I am drifting off into an even more pretentious question than my original one never fear, I will be brief. I concluded that Theatre is really just some form of make believe that people can escape into, at which point it hit me. We are all thespians at heart. I have never met anyone in my live that does not enjoy escaping on some level, whether that be a week in Cuba or watching two and a half hours of ABBA hits strung together with a very loose storyline. Escaping is a fundamental part of our lives now.

I myself have often longed for escape and theatre in its various guises has often been a help to me. It allows you just to pretend you are someone else. DisneyLand is based on that very concept and that seems to have turned out okay. You are transported for a day into a land very different to our own where talking mice and singing bears are totally the norm and maybe dreams can come true, If thats not theatre I don't know what is. equally I know no-one that cannot relate to that and appreciate that on some level so yeah, I guess we are all Thespians at Heart...

I Just Wanna go Home

Coming home is undoubtedly one of the weirdest sensations I ever go through as a Human being, not because of anything that is at my home, just the circumstances regarding my return. Nine times out of ten I am excessively sad to be leaving wherever it is that I am, the process of saying Goodbye is never one I have participated in well, but then the moment I return home I am overwhelmed by a wonderful sense of familiarity, returning is like putting on a nice pair of slippers if you will.

Being at home I love, a chance to see people I have undoubtedly not seen for a great deal of time, party, catch up, share long and meaningful conversations about all the occurrences of the weeks of absence all culminating together so that the moment I am home, I feel on top of the world. Equally the moment I leave wherever I was before, I am overwhelmed by sadness of departure. As I read this back I realise that actually if I didn't have to travel everything would be okay.

To conclude, scientists, lets wrap up this whole Higgs Boson malarky and get right on the Teleportation problem.

Cheers

Hutt Out.

This is a life of illusion

So, here we are again gang, I am once again in a situation where, a. I have not blogged in an absolute age (slap on the wrist for me) and b. have examinations looming. It's enough to make you hate e entire education system as in many ways I already do!

Today is a Bank Holiday Monday but clearly no one let the University of York know that simple fact as I have a full day of 9 til 6 lectures. This I feel isn't too much of an issue as I did have a five week 'holiday' for Easter but it's still depressing to read on Facebook how everyone else is having a lovely day off living life to the full and Im stuck in a Numerical Analysis Lecture but what can you do?

So what's new with me I hear you all ask. Well assuming that you did ask I shall tell you. I have been wonderfully busy, for those of you that know me you will know that this is my preferred state! Second Term at York was particularly manic, lots of lectures, lots of practicals applications for studying abroad, meetings, writing a pantomime it really was all go. Then Easter, which rather than being the lovely break I'm sure I deserved I worked most of however such working provided me with some much needed funds! I was lucky enough to be appointed Assisntant Head Writer for the Pantsoc Summer panto, Hercules! This was particularly fun and now as we enter rehearsals ( the show is on in week 8 for any York people reading ) it is very surreal to watch words I wrote be interpreted and performed.

At the end of the Easter Holidays I jollied on up to Oxford on my route back to York for the exciting event that says the Exeter College Ball. This was a highly anticipated event and did not disappoint in any respect. A lovely weekend with an old friend and a chance to make some new friends, not something I have ever been good at truth be told but I think I did ok. Dodgems, A Heltar Skeltar and numerous live bands with some donuts and noodles thrown into the mix all came together to prove to be one of the best party's of my University career.

The have been rumours flying around that I am studying abroad next year and I can reveal that these are entirely true, it has been recently confirmed that I am to be a student and the University of California Santa Cruz come 'fall 2012' which I am super excited about. Thoug I have known I am going abroad for a while the exact location had for a while been unknown but now I do know and it is all suddenly very real and very scary. I have a multitude of paperwork that I have to complete before June the 1st, part of this is choosing my top five colleges. The university has 10 colleges, all with different themes and locations and of these I must pick my top 5, this process is made all the more difficult by the fact that this is where will be where I am living and the people I am living with next year. Having not visited UCSC (that's what all the cool kids call it I'm informed) I turned to Google for advice on which college to pick, this was only hindered by the fact that the Americans call university in general college so as I googled UCSC college choice I was greeted with a lot of information about choosing UCSC ofer other university's in America. I continue to investigate my top five and will I'm sure update you with my choice!

I am I in a very sorry situation where I haven't seen any new films for some time, I desperately want to go and see the New avengers movie however time just seems to keep getting in the way! I did however see Titanic in 3D which surprisingly I really enjoyed. The 3D was very well done and I found it all very immersive if you will pardon the in. I still maintain that it is one of Leonardo DiCaprios finest films! James Cameron is a very cleaver man.

While I have not seen many new films I have been watching the old telebox! I adore BBC's latest offering, The Voice, though this might just be related to the presence of Tom Jones on the television that has caused this. I must admit that I havent seen much of Britains got Talent is time around, mainly again due to time. Smash is my other new addiction, it is what I can only describe as Glee with grown ups and I think it had the potential to me much better than glee. By having a standard cast of well known performers who have previously been on broadway you know you are on to a winner from the beginning. This is helped by the presence of some excellent original songs, two favourites of mine have to be "let's be bad" and "Second hand white baby Grand". Both are excellent numbs and ell worth a listen. If you haven't tuned in to watch Smash just yet I advise you do, it really is great fun and gripping, though slightly trashy, television!

I think that's all for today really, congratulations if you fought through this mammoth post, you are a better man than I.

Ta Ta

Seas would rise when I gave the word...

So, we are back, its 2012. Who's excited? ... no, me neither. 2012 so far holds no promises greater than 2011. The year amy change but I can't honestly imagine anything else changing.

So lets start at Christmas, what a delight it was to go home, the process of getting home was quite the fiasco but once I got there it was a delight. Good to see the angels again as well as young Mr White. We had a carvery which was simply wonderful, nothing is better after student life than simply eating food and ever really stopping. I also went to sway to se the inhabitants, always an intriguing trip, new mysteries every time. The actual day itself was lovely, food that was simply to die for, tasting all the better after having been cooking for myself for so long as well as just being a lovely day in general with family.

Now it is time for my review of the television at Christmas time. Its always a brilliant time of year for TV but this year quite frankly the people who create these things just excelled themselves. My morning started with some classic Morecambe and Wise going on in the background, comedy at its best, proper timeless comedy setting Christmas day off to a cracking start...

"I'm playing all the right notes, just not necessarily in the right order"

Then the festivities of the day took me away from the television, which is of course as it should be with the next television interruption being the Queens Christmas message. Now I have watched quite a few of these over the years and I have to say, I was rather impressed by the whole thing, the speech was one of the better ones, focussing on the importance of family which was lovely really. Next bit of christmassy goodness was Doctor Who, a heartwarming christmas special with lots of science fiction goodness. Strictly was equally lovely, a nice family show that everyone can sit down and enjoy.

The icing on the cake of a classic Christmas was Downton Abbey, It was simply divine. We were treated to some excellent storylines, answering many of the questions left at the end of season 2 but posing many more. Simply brilliant. Dame Maggie Smith stole the whole show with three words

"Do you promise?"

Brought the house down with all of Maggies glory. A True national treasure.

Boxing day I saw the new Sherlock Holmes film, It was a vast improvement on the first film but still not as good as Sherlock on TV which came back on New Years day and was quite frankly brilliant. More stunning adaptations from Steven Moffatt! Irene adler was portrayed very well and the whole things was just wonderful.

I have rambled about television for sometime now. I feel its time to stop.

Over and Out

I've been for a walk, on a winters day....

Well I have to open with the simple fact that York is getting cold. Its true, I know that over the past year you have come to suspect me of casually lying to you, but York is actually getting cold, not sure I can cope.

Last week I went to see a student production of Thoroughly Modern Millie which was actually really good. The music from the show I love and the plot is really awful but as a production it was well worth the seven english pounds and fifty pence that I paid to go see it. At the start, if I'm honest I was apprehensive, the first song was slightly tense, but after that it really picked up, and became a, dare I say it, thoroughly enjoyable evening of entertainment. Do you see what I did there?

Uni has been busy these past couple of days, Group project is due in quite soon, tests have been all this week and the excitement of the Study abroad talk is this week as well! I really want to do it but I am not sure if I will be able to afford to go, however myself and the bank will have a conversations about my finances, we will laugh we will cry, we will live the dream. Banks and I are such friends really, but shush its a secret.

I dont really know why I felt the need to write this particular blog, I diddnt have a huge amount to say, however it is lovely to think that infact I have now blogged. Lots of exciting things to look forward to next week, the old man is coming to visit not to mention the fact the angels will be re-united once more.

Gilmore Girls provides me with the quote one which I close:

"I don't leave messages, If I wanted to talk to a machine I would talk to my VCR"

Concrete Jungle where Dreams are made

Me and Goofy, out on Safari

Alright, So I'm not in New York, but I am now in york and its all very new to me so I feel the title is still relevant to the blog in hand.

Now it has to be said that I do appear to have abandoned my blog over the last few months. I cant pretend they have been the best months of my life and I was terribly scared that the blog would end up being a moan which I am against on principle! That being said I did go on Holiday in September which was simply amazing! I have a whole written out blog come diary of the two weeks sitting on my computer but for some reason I just had no inclination to post it. Two weeks in Florida are always just what the Doctor ordered, outstanding weather, excellent customer service and the most theatrical place on earth, Disney.

Main Street USA

It really was outstanding, The Magic Kingdom is just one of those places where you cannot help but smile. Walking down Main Street USA having just entered the park with Cinderella Castle up infront of you, characters swarming around you not to mention Barbershop Quartets, ice cream shops and the occasional sighting of a rather famous mouse is, dare I be cliche and say it, a magical feeling.

Over the course of the two week I saw some of the best shows that I have ever seen, but it has to be said in many ways the whole place is a show, the moment you step through the turnstyles you are on there stage and are in the hands of the 'cast members' who I found will forever go out of their way to make sure that you are having the best time possible.

Mr Goofy

Before I close on the subject of Disney, as I am sure all the talk of it is boring you intensely, I have to mention two things, Characters and Fireworks. I have to be honest, I am a big kid when it comes to meeting the characters, I love to go up and get an autograph in the book and a photo with them. The character performers are simply brilliant, they are prepared for every situation whether it be a small child that is scared of the giant mouse, creating the perfect photo or dealing with a big kid like me! Not to mention the fact that they do it all without speaking.
The fireworks have to be mentioned, while I was there I saw four different firework displays, all perfectly timed to a musical accompaniment, all with a storyline, a message and one heck of an impact. I think to conclude it has to be said that what makes Disney special is that they always get it right and I am determined to go back in the not too distant future!

I will now, as promised, move the blog on to York. It has been rather a wild ride getting here but now I am here I am totally thrilled. The course is just excellent and I am pleased to say that I have already made some friends, always a positive when your as socially awkward as I can be at times. Yesterday I painted myself blue in the name of Fancy Dress... nothing ever changes.

The original Angry Bird

Societies have been very exciting, I have joined a choir, got involved with a Pantomime and I am hopefully going to get involved with the University of York Radio station. I have, since the age of 9, been a lover of radio and am super excited to be involved with a station in some capacity.

Being so far away from everyone from back home is rather tough I cant lie, Missing my angels, the old man, and of course my parents especially. But soon we will be reunited and it will literally be fine. Perhaps the oddest thing so far about moving away has been celebrating my Birthday away from home, for the first time in 19 years I was not with my parents on by Birthday however Cards, both from old friends and new made the day much brighter than it potentially could have been! Not to mention a belated present of a wooden spook from my Grandma! Epic!

Its time to march onwards I think, new day, new challenge.

To Isengard!