^ said by George Carlin; who unfortunately passed away on Sunday. RIP George Carlin 1931 - 2008.
Well, ever since Paris I've done nothing but chill chill chill. I've only been out of the house twice since Thursday evening...and it's not because I enjoy being at home. It's more like because I don't have the money to afford to do things. I've realised that moving to America is going to cost me a lot more than I thought; and I'm really unsure what kind of jobs to get into over there to get me started. Ideally, I'd love to work in some sort of music related place, whether it be a music shop or at a recording studio or something. I know that getting into a band is going to take a bit of adjustment and getting my name out there, so I'd be happy enough to just work over in America as well for a little while. So, I'm trying to save every penny I can to ensure that I can get over there ASAP. To do that, I need a job here first, which is hopefully going to happen real soon.
Anyway, I signed on for the first time on Friday! It felt weird, knowing that all I had to was answer a few questions and BAM! £97 would be in my pocket. It's not like I was lying to them or anything just to get it, but I know that a lot of people lie about their job applications just so they can get money; and that's both dishonest and unfair. Even though I am getting money technically from the government, I still feel as if I have to earn it by being honest back to them. Hopefully I shouldn't be on the dole for too long now. The rest of Friday and all of Saturday consisted of chilling. Sunday, I had a band practice...and it went really well. Probably our best practice yet. The tunes are coming along really nicely, and we're hopefully going to be recording some form of rough demo so we can get gigs, and get a MySpace set up as well. I think we've decided on a name too: Summer Project. Cause it literally is, for now, a summer project. Since then, I've chilled again; and watched some movies I had not seen in a long time - like Van Wilder and Not Another Teen Movie. That's another problem I have...there's too many "--- Movie" things about these days. Sure, Scary Movie and Not Another Teen Movie where actually pretty good, but the rest were terrible - Epic Movie for example was actually one of the worst movies I've ever seen.
Looking ahead - well, not much really planned so far. If I do have money today, I might go to Limelight tonight if others are going. Then apart from that, it's going to be job hunting and enquiring about moving to America.
Also, Colettes coming back to Belfast with me on the 12th - 18th July which I'm REAL excited about. I miss her a lot :(
Iain
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Saturday, 21 June 2008
Parisienne Walkways - Iain The Destroyer destroys Paris!
This might actually be the longest blog entry ever...I can feel it! Cause my memory is so bad, I actually had to write down everything we did on my phone when bored waiting for my plane, hopefully I didn't forget anything.
Monday - Well, I eventually got into the boarding lounge place...and just as I was about to leave the lounge, my good pal George W Bush decided to leave too, which meant we all had to wait at least 45 minutes until he left. I captured his plane leaving on video, as did almost everyone who was there, seeing as there was nothing else to do. Air Force One is an impressive plane.
So there you have it. I got on the plane eventually, and found myself a good seat, and no-one sat beside me. I didn't know whether to be offended or happy, but I was happy cause then I could be relaxed more and put stuff on chairs, such as my iPod, book, etc. I was equally as surprised to find out that the flight was only going to take 1hr and 15 minutes...a lot less than the bus to Derry from Belfast! Makes you realise how fast planes really go (end of obvious statement)
So, not much happened on the plane apart from people around me who were very annoying. I landed, and it took forever to get to the terminal for some reason, the plane seemed to taxi for at least 10 minutes. This made it even more frustrating, as I was SO desperate to see Colette, and I was getting really really excited. Once we stopped, we then had to get a bus which took a little while, although humorously the driver didn't seem to know where to go, and actually stopped at where he had to get off, then drove away from it, then turned round and went back to it. Baggage reclaim took forever; my yearning for Colette was deepening even more. Once I got Colettes bag (I had to look after one of her suitcases...), I quickly walked over to the leaving area and there she was! With her aunt. I've never recieved such a tight hug in my life, and what made it more awkward was that I was carrying 2 bags so my hug was pretty pathetic, I'd say.
The next panic was then to find the underground station to get to the hotel. It also seemed like a really long walk, but holding my girlfriends hand again made me happy enough anyway that I didn't care. Despite only meeting her aunt, we seemed to get on well from the start, which was good. Anyway, we found the station eventually, and I was fascinated by the music the station made when a train was coming or an announcement was made, and I hoped that it would make similar sounds throughout my journey. Unfortunately, it didn't make the same sound but all the subway station sounds were really interesting, compared to the UK two-tone idea. Once we were on the train, it also seemed to take forever to leave. This changed the view I always had of Europe that everything left swiftly, promptly, and on time. The whole journey seemed a bit of a blur as I was so tired and so happy to be with Colette again.
Once we arrived at Republique station, this was the first "real" view of France I got. And it was exactly what I was expecting - very cosmopolitan, a lot of restaurants/cafes, and very open plan with little to no lanes on the road! I didn't have much problem carrying Colettes ridiculously heavy suitcase, but when I ran across the road with it, something happened to the wheels. They sorta just didn't work properly, and had difficulty moving. So, this created a problem. Rather than just pulling it along, I then had to lift it up and carry it, and it was a seriously heavy weight, and it wrecked my arms.
Anyway, after checking in, me and Colette then had our first time being together since May 31st, and it was great. We did a lot of catching up, and it was great to be able to cuddle her and stuff again. My first impressions of the hotel were good, despite it only being a 1 *. The man working the night shift that night wasn't very nice, and he told us to keep the noise down when we really were at a minimul volume in Colettes aunts room. Reminded me of Duncreggan all over again.
Tuesday - So, morning came fast..and I really didn't get enough sleep despite being tired the night before. Although being tired, I was eager to discover the city and I had a list of places I wanted to go. But, I knew that this was not my own personal holiday, and it was Colettes scholarship so I was happy to go wherever she went. We went downstairs for breakfast to meet her aunt, who was going to be leaving that morning with the now infamous suitcase. Colettes mum, brother and sister were meant to be arriving early that morning, but alas they didn't make it till later in the morning. So, after breakfast, Colettes aunt got everything ready to go and left...we decided that we would leave with her to the station as the bag was too heavy for her to carry down the stairs of the Republique station (and believe me there were lots of stairs). However, she even had difficulty wheeling it along, so she decided not to take it, which meant we said goodbye to her on the streets of Paris, and I had to bring the bag back with me again!
Me and Colette chilled again in the room, until she recieved a call from the hotel phone saying her family was downstairs. She excitedly raced down and gave them all a big hug, which I thought was kinda cute. So, here I was, in Paris, faced with meeting her family. I'd be lieing if I said I wasn't nervous. But, my nerves soon cleared up when I realised that they were all really nice people. We all went back up to the main room, where they unpacked and gave Colette presents, and I just sat around. Then I got my room key (I was in an individual room) and scoped it out. I was happy that my room wasn't too small, and had a sink in it. My view wasn't the best though, I looked at the beautiful landscape that is an elevator shaft. I didn't mind that though, I knew I wasn't going to be in my room much anyway.
Once everyone settled in, we then decided to hit the road. The first port of call was to get lunch, and we went to a cafe. I was pleased to see that almost every cafe we went to had the option of having beer with your meal, as some of us like to drink in the afternoon but not get violently drunk. I had an interesting bolognaise and cheese baguette, it was delicious. Colettes sister Mallory is a vegan, and she had a lot of difficulty choosing what she wanted! I also had my first beer here, a trusty Kronenburg 1664! Reminded me of Derry, particularly 66 Marlborough St.
After lunch, we got on the subway and went to the Rodin Museum. Rodin was a famous French sculpter, best known for his work 'The Thinker'. However, I preferred his work "The Gates of Hell". A lot of his works to me seemed similar, all depicting human depression and sadness. I was really wanting to see his grave as well; as I liked the thought of him being buried with his works, but unfortuntely we couldn't find it. There were too many sculptures to handle for me, and I soon grew tired of them.
The Thinker (photo taken by me)
During the Rodin Museum, my phone died so I couldn't take any more pictures (I had a disposable camera but forgot to bring it with me). This was annoying, as our next stop was Notre Dam, a place I've wanted to see for MANY years. Despite not being religious, it's a fascinating building which really demonstrates the feat of human effort, if they know its for a "holy" purpose. It made me question what humans could do if there really was something holy that we had to build for that holy power. Anyway, Notre Dam was swamped with aggravating beggars, who, once they heard a word of English, came up to you with a note saying about how poor their family is etc. Initially we weren't going to go in to the place as we thought it was pay in, but alas it wasn't. I'm really glad I went in, the place was very overwhelming and powerful.
After Notre Dam, we decided to go into the Notre Dam Crypt, which Colettes mum originally said was a big burial ground for dead WWI soldiers, and I was ready for something fascinating. Unfortunately, it was not a crypt for soldiers, but rather a crypt of old Paris. All it was was just a lot of rubble, and it was very boring indeed. This was probably the worst thing I did in Paris.
We got on the subway again and headed home, and decided to get some Chinese food, as Colette had been complaining about wanting to go there since I arrived. I was really excited to eat more Beef and Black Bean sauce as I hadn't had it since Derry. Despite being an award winning restaurant, they didn't have it on the menu, so it took me forever to explain to a Chinese French lady what I wanted, as they had Shrimp and Black Bean sauce (which would be more expensive anyway). Little did we know that we had to pay for the rice too, and I asked for egg fried rice, which was quite expensive and also quite disgusting. I asked for Orangina and they gave me Orange Juice. Language barrier, eh? Despite being really expensive and award winning, the portion I got was really quite small.
After the Chinese catastrophe, Colette and I organised to go to the Eiffel Tower. Although, in the Republique park there was a very interesting gathering going on: a homeless gathering. They were all being fed soup and corn flakes. It was quite humorous really, seeing them all together like that. What annoyed me though was the fact that there were hundreds of bowls on the ground, they couldn't have the decency to at least throw them in the bin when they were done, for something they didn't pay for. Ah well, not my problem I guess. We also went to a bakery where I discovered the most wonderful Chocaroons (like a macaroon but with chocolate), and the first arrogant French person who refused to speak English at all, leaving me to just point, pay up, and say 'merci'.
I was so excited to see the Eiffel Tower. This was another thing that I had wanted to see since I was young, and more recently I wanted to see it with a girlfriend...and I was fulfilling both at once. And the sight was unbelievable. You turned a corner when coming off the road and there it was in full view. The walk down to the tower itself was quite long, with many people selling Eiffel Tower related items and, wait for it, roses. As we got closer, it became more overwhelming to me. Colette had seen it a day or 2 before me, so it was no big surprise to her. We kissed underneath the middle of the tower, which was quite amazing, but ruined by some stupid retard who was trying to sell me a rose - he ruined one of the most romantic moments of my life by trying to sell me something which supposedly is romantic...kinda ironic really.
So, me and Colette walked towards the gardens and sat on a bench and cuddled, watching the Eiffel Tower light up. At 10PM, it sparkled a lot of crazy lights, which I caught on camera. It did it again at 11PM, when we were further away from the Eiffel Tower on the way home, and it looked spectacular from a distance, perhaps beating it up close.
It was a very romantic evening. Me and Colette got back to the hotel and cuddled a bit more, then she went to bed in her room, and I also went to sleep.
Wednesday - Another early start, I felt like I didn't really want to do anything. But, seeing as it was a practically 2 day trip and not a 2 week one, I knew I had to do stuff, despite being completely insanely tired. After breakfast, our first port of call was a place called Jardin de Plantes. It was a heaven for Colette, as her scholarship was on taking photos of plants, and whilst I embrace nature, I wasn't really fascinated by it. There was a labyrinth though, which was fun.
After the Jardin de Plantes, we walked around a lot and found this nice cafe/patisserie. Here I got a hot dog with cheese, and a chocoaroon. After eating, we then went to this cathedral which hosted the grave and coffin of St. Genevieve, which Pope John Paul II went to and prayed at, according to the picture beside it. Again, it was another fascinating cathedral, despite being anti-religious. I noticed that when people left, they took some holy water (which was actually dirty) and crossed themselves with it. I never seen this practice done before, and it, to me, was kinda stupid and pointless. Colettes family (apart from her brother) did it, whilst I walked out of the place, free and not having to do it for no reason whatsoever.
We came back to the hotel for a while, and Colette was also adamant that we went to a creperie. Now, normally I was used to lemon juice and sugar crepes, and I assumed that the crepes there would be the same. I was wrong. Rather than being ultra thin and flattened pancakes, they were really crunchy and weird, with a filling at the bottom. I asked for Antouille, which is some form of French smoked ham, and it was terrible. The crepe looked like someones skin from intense burns, or from a nuclear holocaust. I then decided to rename my crepe 'the nuclear holocaust', because it was so terrible. I did get a dessert crepe that was lemon juice and sugar, and more like the ones at home...it was amazing.
After dinner, we then went to the Champs Elysee, to see the Arc de Triomphe, and of course, the most beautiful shopping avenue in the world. And it really was beautiful. The walk up to Arc de Triomphe was uphill, but it didn't actually feel uphill at all. There were many different bars and restaurants, and strangely car manufacturers and airplane companies. I also had a pint of Affligem, which Adrien so frequently told me about. It wasn't too bad, but didn't live up to Adriens hype. The Arc de Triomphe was very amazing too, but I didn't see it ridiculously up close, but I was across the road from it so that wasn't too bad. It was late at night as well, so we had to go home.
We got back to the hotel, and me and Colette had a final cuddle before going to bed for my last day in Paris.
Thursday - Woke up again to breakfast, and to the fact I had to pack. I threw everything in my bag, and after some waiting, packed it into the car that Colettes mum had just rented. This would turn out to be an insane journey. Whilst we were given directions to the airport, they weren't entirely followed due to the fact that there were no coherent or big signs about, so basically we tried reading the map, and some success happened, but most of it was stressful and everyone felt nauseous because of the stress. Eventually we found the right motorway to the airport, and when we got there, Colettes mum couldn't get the car to go in reverse, so basically everyone tried but to no avail, until we asked one of the airport car park workers to help us...he did. So, with that, we ate lunch at the airport.
Colette and I knew our time together was short, and she was beginning to get upset. When it was time for them to go, I was beginning to feel really emotional and sad, and Colette was very sad too, crying a lot again. Saying goodbye again was really really hard, and it hurt a lot more this time as we only had about 2 and a half days together, and basically just picked up from where we left off - but now we were going to be away from each other again. Intense hugs and kisses happened, and we said goodbye again. When I walked away from the car, I felt so sad again...and when I got back to the airport, I noticed a lot of sad people, and it inspired me to write about airports on my phone when I was bored, I'll be posting it up later probably.
Anyway, I had 5/6 hours to kill, so I just walked around, ate, drank, listened to music and read. There were also a few homeless people randomly walking around the airport, with one old guy in particular who proceeded to continually spit on the floor and smoke in the airport, before passing out with his shoes off, smelling the place out.
I was really glad that the French airport security were nowhere near as strict, and a lot nicer. Once I got to the departure lounge I just listened to music and chilled. The flight home was fine, nothing special. I arrived to Belfast in rain, which depressed me after seeing such beautiful weather in Paris.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip, and me and Colette are intending to go back there someday! I was so glad to see my girlfriend again, and I can't wait to see her on July 9th in Milan.
Iain
Monday - Well, I eventually got into the boarding lounge place...and just as I was about to leave the lounge, my good pal George W Bush decided to leave too, which meant we all had to wait at least 45 minutes until he left. I captured his plane leaving on video, as did almost everyone who was there, seeing as there was nothing else to do. Air Force One is an impressive plane.
So there you have it. I got on the plane eventually, and found myself a good seat, and no-one sat beside me. I didn't know whether to be offended or happy, but I was happy cause then I could be relaxed more and put stuff on chairs, such as my iPod, book, etc. I was equally as surprised to find out that the flight was only going to take 1hr and 15 minutes...a lot less than the bus to Derry from Belfast! Makes you realise how fast planes really go (end of obvious statement)
So, not much happened on the plane apart from people around me who were very annoying. I landed, and it took forever to get to the terminal for some reason, the plane seemed to taxi for at least 10 minutes. This made it even more frustrating, as I was SO desperate to see Colette, and I was getting really really excited. Once we stopped, we then had to get a bus which took a little while, although humorously the driver didn't seem to know where to go, and actually stopped at where he had to get off, then drove away from it, then turned round and went back to it. Baggage reclaim took forever; my yearning for Colette was deepening even more. Once I got Colettes bag (I had to look after one of her suitcases...), I quickly walked over to the leaving area and there she was! With her aunt. I've never recieved such a tight hug in my life, and what made it more awkward was that I was carrying 2 bags so my hug was pretty pathetic, I'd say.
The next panic was then to find the underground station to get to the hotel. It also seemed like a really long walk, but holding my girlfriends hand again made me happy enough anyway that I didn't care. Despite only meeting her aunt, we seemed to get on well from the start, which was good. Anyway, we found the station eventually, and I was fascinated by the music the station made when a train was coming or an announcement was made, and I hoped that it would make similar sounds throughout my journey. Unfortunately, it didn't make the same sound but all the subway station sounds were really interesting, compared to the UK two-tone idea. Once we were on the train, it also seemed to take forever to leave. This changed the view I always had of Europe that everything left swiftly, promptly, and on time. The whole journey seemed a bit of a blur as I was so tired and so happy to be with Colette again.
Once we arrived at Republique station, this was the first "real" view of France I got. And it was exactly what I was expecting - very cosmopolitan, a lot of restaurants/cafes, and very open plan with little to no lanes on the road! I didn't have much problem carrying Colettes ridiculously heavy suitcase, but when I ran across the road with it, something happened to the wheels. They sorta just didn't work properly, and had difficulty moving. So, this created a problem. Rather than just pulling it along, I then had to lift it up and carry it, and it was a seriously heavy weight, and it wrecked my arms.
Anyway, after checking in, me and Colette then had our first time being together since May 31st, and it was great. We did a lot of catching up, and it was great to be able to cuddle her and stuff again. My first impressions of the hotel were good, despite it only being a 1 *. The man working the night shift that night wasn't very nice, and he told us to keep the noise down when we really were at a minimul volume in Colettes aunts room. Reminded me of Duncreggan all over again.
Tuesday - So, morning came fast..and I really didn't get enough sleep despite being tired the night before. Although being tired, I was eager to discover the city and I had a list of places I wanted to go. But, I knew that this was not my own personal holiday, and it was Colettes scholarship so I was happy to go wherever she went. We went downstairs for breakfast to meet her aunt, who was going to be leaving that morning with the now infamous suitcase. Colettes mum, brother and sister were meant to be arriving early that morning, but alas they didn't make it till later in the morning. So, after breakfast, Colettes aunt got everything ready to go and left...we decided that we would leave with her to the station as the bag was too heavy for her to carry down the stairs of the Republique station (and believe me there were lots of stairs). However, she even had difficulty wheeling it along, so she decided not to take it, which meant we said goodbye to her on the streets of Paris, and I had to bring the bag back with me again!
Me and Colette chilled again in the room, until she recieved a call from the hotel phone saying her family was downstairs. She excitedly raced down and gave them all a big hug, which I thought was kinda cute. So, here I was, in Paris, faced with meeting her family. I'd be lieing if I said I wasn't nervous. But, my nerves soon cleared up when I realised that they were all really nice people. We all went back up to the main room, where they unpacked and gave Colette presents, and I just sat around. Then I got my room key (I was in an individual room) and scoped it out. I was happy that my room wasn't too small, and had a sink in it. My view wasn't the best though, I looked at the beautiful landscape that is an elevator shaft. I didn't mind that though, I knew I wasn't going to be in my room much anyway.
Once everyone settled in, we then decided to hit the road. The first port of call was to get lunch, and we went to a cafe. I was pleased to see that almost every cafe we went to had the option of having beer with your meal, as some of us like to drink in the afternoon but not get violently drunk. I had an interesting bolognaise and cheese baguette, it was delicious. Colettes sister Mallory is a vegan, and she had a lot of difficulty choosing what she wanted! I also had my first beer here, a trusty Kronenburg 1664! Reminded me of Derry, particularly 66 Marlborough St.
After lunch, we got on the subway and went to the Rodin Museum. Rodin was a famous French sculpter, best known for his work 'The Thinker'. However, I preferred his work "The Gates of Hell". A lot of his works to me seemed similar, all depicting human depression and sadness. I was really wanting to see his grave as well; as I liked the thought of him being buried with his works, but unfortuntely we couldn't find it. There were too many sculptures to handle for me, and I soon grew tired of them.
The Thinker (photo taken by me)
During the Rodin Museum, my phone died so I couldn't take any more pictures (I had a disposable camera but forgot to bring it with me). This was annoying, as our next stop was Notre Dam, a place I've wanted to see for MANY years. Despite not being religious, it's a fascinating building which really demonstrates the feat of human effort, if they know its for a "holy" purpose. It made me question what humans could do if there really was something holy that we had to build for that holy power. Anyway, Notre Dam was swamped with aggravating beggars, who, once they heard a word of English, came up to you with a note saying about how poor their family is etc. Initially we weren't going to go in to the place as we thought it was pay in, but alas it wasn't. I'm really glad I went in, the place was very overwhelming and powerful.
After Notre Dam, we decided to go into the Notre Dam Crypt, which Colettes mum originally said was a big burial ground for dead WWI soldiers, and I was ready for something fascinating. Unfortunately, it was not a crypt for soldiers, but rather a crypt of old Paris. All it was was just a lot of rubble, and it was very boring indeed. This was probably the worst thing I did in Paris.
We got on the subway again and headed home, and decided to get some Chinese food, as Colette had been complaining about wanting to go there since I arrived. I was really excited to eat more Beef and Black Bean sauce as I hadn't had it since Derry. Despite being an award winning restaurant, they didn't have it on the menu, so it took me forever to explain to a Chinese French lady what I wanted, as they had Shrimp and Black Bean sauce (which would be more expensive anyway). Little did we know that we had to pay for the rice too, and I asked for egg fried rice, which was quite expensive and also quite disgusting. I asked for Orangina and they gave me Orange Juice. Language barrier, eh? Despite being really expensive and award winning, the portion I got was really quite small.
After the Chinese catastrophe, Colette and I organised to go to the Eiffel Tower. Although, in the Republique park there was a very interesting gathering going on: a homeless gathering. They were all being fed soup and corn flakes. It was quite humorous really, seeing them all together like that. What annoyed me though was the fact that there were hundreds of bowls on the ground, they couldn't have the decency to at least throw them in the bin when they were done, for something they didn't pay for. Ah well, not my problem I guess. We also went to a bakery where I discovered the most wonderful Chocaroons (like a macaroon but with chocolate), and the first arrogant French person who refused to speak English at all, leaving me to just point, pay up, and say 'merci'.
I was so excited to see the Eiffel Tower. This was another thing that I had wanted to see since I was young, and more recently I wanted to see it with a girlfriend...and I was fulfilling both at once. And the sight was unbelievable. You turned a corner when coming off the road and there it was in full view. The walk down to the tower itself was quite long, with many people selling Eiffel Tower related items and, wait for it, roses. As we got closer, it became more overwhelming to me. Colette had seen it a day or 2 before me, so it was no big surprise to her. We kissed underneath the middle of the tower, which was quite amazing, but ruined by some stupid retard who was trying to sell me a rose - he ruined one of the most romantic moments of my life by trying to sell me something which supposedly is romantic...kinda ironic really.
So, me and Colette walked towards the gardens and sat on a bench and cuddled, watching the Eiffel Tower light up. At 10PM, it sparkled a lot of crazy lights, which I caught on camera. It did it again at 11PM, when we were further away from the Eiffel Tower on the way home, and it looked spectacular from a distance, perhaps beating it up close.
It was a very romantic evening. Me and Colette got back to the hotel and cuddled a bit more, then she went to bed in her room, and I also went to sleep.
Wednesday - Another early start, I felt like I didn't really want to do anything. But, seeing as it was a practically 2 day trip and not a 2 week one, I knew I had to do stuff, despite being completely insanely tired. After breakfast, our first port of call was a place called Jardin de Plantes. It was a heaven for Colette, as her scholarship was on taking photos of plants, and whilst I embrace nature, I wasn't really fascinated by it. There was a labyrinth though, which was fun.
After the Jardin de Plantes, we walked around a lot and found this nice cafe/patisserie. Here I got a hot dog with cheese, and a chocoaroon. After eating, we then went to this cathedral which hosted the grave and coffin of St. Genevieve, which Pope John Paul II went to and prayed at, according to the picture beside it. Again, it was another fascinating cathedral, despite being anti-religious. I noticed that when people left, they took some holy water (which was actually dirty) and crossed themselves with it. I never seen this practice done before, and it, to me, was kinda stupid and pointless. Colettes family (apart from her brother) did it, whilst I walked out of the place, free and not having to do it for no reason whatsoever.
We came back to the hotel for a while, and Colette was also adamant that we went to a creperie. Now, normally I was used to lemon juice and sugar crepes, and I assumed that the crepes there would be the same. I was wrong. Rather than being ultra thin and flattened pancakes, they were really crunchy and weird, with a filling at the bottom. I asked for Antouille, which is some form of French smoked ham, and it was terrible. The crepe looked like someones skin from intense burns, or from a nuclear holocaust. I then decided to rename my crepe 'the nuclear holocaust', because it was so terrible. I did get a dessert crepe that was lemon juice and sugar, and more like the ones at home...it was amazing.
After dinner, we then went to the Champs Elysee, to see the Arc de Triomphe, and of course, the most beautiful shopping avenue in the world. And it really was beautiful. The walk up to Arc de Triomphe was uphill, but it didn't actually feel uphill at all. There were many different bars and restaurants, and strangely car manufacturers and airplane companies. I also had a pint of Affligem, which Adrien so frequently told me about. It wasn't too bad, but didn't live up to Adriens hype. The Arc de Triomphe was very amazing too, but I didn't see it ridiculously up close, but I was across the road from it so that wasn't too bad. It was late at night as well, so we had to go home.
We got back to the hotel, and me and Colette had a final cuddle before going to bed for my last day in Paris.
Thursday - Woke up again to breakfast, and to the fact I had to pack. I threw everything in my bag, and after some waiting, packed it into the car that Colettes mum had just rented. This would turn out to be an insane journey. Whilst we were given directions to the airport, they weren't entirely followed due to the fact that there were no coherent or big signs about, so basically we tried reading the map, and some success happened, but most of it was stressful and everyone felt nauseous because of the stress. Eventually we found the right motorway to the airport, and when we got there, Colettes mum couldn't get the car to go in reverse, so basically everyone tried but to no avail, until we asked one of the airport car park workers to help us...he did. So, with that, we ate lunch at the airport.
Colette and I knew our time together was short, and she was beginning to get upset. When it was time for them to go, I was beginning to feel really emotional and sad, and Colette was very sad too, crying a lot again. Saying goodbye again was really really hard, and it hurt a lot more this time as we only had about 2 and a half days together, and basically just picked up from where we left off - but now we were going to be away from each other again. Intense hugs and kisses happened, and we said goodbye again. When I walked away from the car, I felt so sad again...and when I got back to the airport, I noticed a lot of sad people, and it inspired me to write about airports on my phone when I was bored, I'll be posting it up later probably.
Anyway, I had 5/6 hours to kill, so I just walked around, ate, drank, listened to music and read. There were also a few homeless people randomly walking around the airport, with one old guy in particular who proceeded to continually spit on the floor and smoke in the airport, before passing out with his shoes off, smelling the place out.
I was really glad that the French airport security were nowhere near as strict, and a lot nicer. Once I got to the departure lounge I just listened to music and chilled. The flight home was fine, nothing special. I arrived to Belfast in rain, which depressed me after seeing such beautiful weather in Paris.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip, and me and Colette are intending to go back there someday! I was so glad to see my girlfriend again, and I can't wait to see her on July 9th in Milan.
Iain
Monday, 16 June 2008
Music for Airports
So, here I am in Belfast Intl Airport. Last time I was here (around this time last year), the prices weren't TOO bad. Now, they're atrociously expensive. £4.30 for a Magners pint...WTF?! My flight boards in 10 minutes so I can't be quick. But basically, I've been in this airport since before 1PM, and it's not 5:50pm...my mother was paranoid that the George W. Bush visit to NI was going to affect the traffic and therefore she decided to leave super early. I've actually never occupied 4+ hours so badly (or good to some)..I just listened to music, and read, and had a pint or 3. Time went by so slowly.
And the security situation is absolutely ridiculous...talk about violation of human rights..that's all I'm gonna say about that for now, really don't want to get into it.
I'll be with Colette really soon, and I'm excited. So much so, I need to use the bathroom and log out!
Signing off till Thursday for real this time :)
Iain
And the security situation is absolutely ridiculous...talk about violation of human rights..that's all I'm gonna say about that for now, really don't want to get into it.
I'll be with Colette really soon, and I'm excited. So much so, I need to use the bathroom and log out!
Signing off till Thursday for real this time :)
Iain
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Echoplex
Have you missed my updates?
Anyway, lets get right down to it.
Thursday - Chilled out for the majority of the day, but met Adrien in town in the evening. There we drank a few pints, bought more alcohol then went back to his house to watch Death Proof, and just generally chill. Was a good day.
Friday - Woke up at Adriens house, then we practised for a little while for the first time in a LONG time. Then had lunch and shortly after left Adrien's house and came home. Chilled again for the evening.
Saturday - Was a good day. Met Adrien in town again, and we just generally walked around town, then went to Duke of York for a pint. Later on, we went to Cav's house and chilled there, drinking quite a bit and left around 10:30 for Lavery's, which was a great night. Coming home was hilarious though - I was too drunk to know where I was on the bus, and seeing as I was the last one on the bus I had to try and help the bus driver to where I lived as he didn't know my area; which makes me question why he was employed to drive that bus round that area. Anyway.
Today (Sunday) - Woke up, slightly hungover and hungry. Waited for a while to get the big Fathers Day Sunday lunch. Then chilled and packed for Paris!
My plans for the rest of the week are: band practice tonight (should be really good fun), Paris TOMORROW! I can't wait to see a new city, and to see my girlfriend who I haven't seen in just over 2 weeks. I'll be in Paris doing stuff till Thursday, then back home and who knows what will happen then. Apologies for the rather lacklustre entry, but tiredness and lethargy are my enemies at this moment in time.
Signing off till Thursday evening!
Iain
Anyway, lets get right down to it.
Thursday - Chilled out for the majority of the day, but met Adrien in town in the evening. There we drank a few pints, bought more alcohol then went back to his house to watch Death Proof, and just generally chill. Was a good day.
Friday - Woke up at Adriens house, then we practised for a little while for the first time in a LONG time. Then had lunch and shortly after left Adrien's house and came home. Chilled again for the evening.
Saturday - Was a good day. Met Adrien in town again, and we just generally walked around town, then went to Duke of York for a pint. Later on, we went to Cav's house and chilled there, drinking quite a bit and left around 10:30 for Lavery's, which was a great night. Coming home was hilarious though - I was too drunk to know where I was on the bus, and seeing as I was the last one on the bus I had to try and help the bus driver to where I lived as he didn't know my area; which makes me question why he was employed to drive that bus round that area. Anyway.
Today (Sunday) - Woke up, slightly hungover and hungry. Waited for a while to get the big Fathers Day Sunday lunch. Then chilled and packed for Paris!
My plans for the rest of the week are: band practice tonight (should be really good fun), Paris TOMORROW! I can't wait to see a new city, and to see my girlfriend who I haven't seen in just over 2 weeks. I'll be in Paris doing stuff till Thursday, then back home and who knows what will happen then. Apologies for the rather lacklustre entry, but tiredness and lethargy are my enemies at this moment in time.
Signing off till Thursday evening!
Iain
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
"It was like seeing a mushroom and Iggy Pop go at it"
Let's get right down to it. My prediction was correct. I received a 2:1! Which is like a B+ apparently in American grades. I'm happy in the fact I didn't receive lower, but the fact I heard that some people got a 1st and weren't expecting it makes me think that I could have actually got one too if I put a bit more effort in, but regardless, I got a damn good 2:1. Now for the next question: was it all worthwhile? This is a difficult question. I certainly went through a lot of social changes; and I've came out of Derry a completely different but better person, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
I had to spend a lot of money on the course itself, getting books, and usually on paying for taxis to take equipment to certain venues, including the uni itself, simply because the uni are just not willing to support their students and help them out when they need to move equipment to do something related to their course! The quality of the teaching was, well, questionable. At times it felt like they didn't know what they were meant to be teaching, and sort-of improvised as they went along. Of course, there were some very beneficial modules and classes, but a lot of the time in classes I was hearing things I already knew, or felt that what we were being taught was not interesting, relevant or important. There were a lot of unnecessary modules in 1st and 2nd year, and not enough options in 3rd year to choose from for the optional modules. I'm glad they've realized that some of these modules are no longer necessary in 1st and 2nd year, and that having optional modules in all years is the way forward for a student to fully get what they want out of the course; rather than being told what they want.
I also think that the course didn't fully recognise improvements made by students most notably in performance, and I also think the course did not present enough opportunities for students to show off their abilities or present any works they done - although in my final year there was a slight improvement in that, thanks to Composers Concerts and DEME. There's still a lot of improvement though; and personal studies advice meetings could have been used better to find out what the student wants.
Anyway, enough about education, cause now I'm officially out of it!
So, yesterday, after receiving my results, I just chilled until the evening where I went out with Garth to Laverys and then Limelight. It was the first time I had been in the Limelight since February, and whilst there was a "new crowd" there, and filled with underage posers, the drink offers were a LOT better - £1 for vodka, £1.50 for bottles of Becks or Stella, I was loving it. Whilst I did get drunk and call my American friends which cost me an arm and a leg, I had to leave early because I knew I had to get up early in the morning for the dole interview.
And the dole interview was HILARIOUS. So, I go in and get interviewed by 2 different people; both of which seemed befuddled that I was actually going on holiday on Monday, and both seemed very unsympathetic to the fact that I was an aspiring musician and wanting to, you know, establish a good career out of it. My 2nd interviewer had the nerve to even say that going into the music business was "a waste of time". High hopes from the people looking to seek me a job. Being in the place itself made me feel uneasy, seeing a lot of depressed, middle aged, unclean, scruffy people coming in and pretending to look for jobs just so they can get their money. I'm already hating the fact I'm on the dole, all humorous implications aside. However, the next thing shocked me, and may shock you:
When I was asked about my religious views, I said "I don't have any, not that should be important". Uneasy, the interviewer put in "none" on the computer. With the glimpse of my eye, and with no error on my behalf, the computer popped up a window saying; "Religious views questionable due to family background". Just read that again and see how wrong it is. How HORRIBLE a thing to say. So, she had to put "Protestant" in the box (she didn't ask what religion I was, then again my name is a bit of a giveaway), save it, reopen it, and put in "none" again. Whilst I'm happy with the fact I'm not labelled in a religion now because I'm not a member of any religion (unless you deem atheism a religion), the whole fact that they needed a Catholic or Protestant option being checked is horrible, and it also probably links to my dad and brother who have both been on Jobseekers at some time saying they're Protestant. So, it means of course that I'm a Protestant because they said so too. Richard Dawkins so correctly said that a lot of people are scared to go against their parents religion because of the possible retaliation and other circumstances that could come from it. Well, I took the questionably brave step and told my parents exactly how I felt since I was young a few years ago, and I've never felt as free in my life, or as proud to say I hold no religious views, because, simply, I'm more intelligent than that to have a religion for something that has been so scientifically disproven. Anyway, that's another discussion for another time, or blog entry. After this treacherous interview, I just came home, amused, and have been chilling ever since.
Tonight, I've no potential plans yet, I might be going out either tomorrow or Friday night with Adrien. As for the weekend, who knows.
I had to spend a lot of money on the course itself, getting books, and usually on paying for taxis to take equipment to certain venues, including the uni itself, simply because the uni are just not willing to support their students and help them out when they need to move equipment to do something related to their course! The quality of the teaching was, well, questionable. At times it felt like they didn't know what they were meant to be teaching, and sort-of improvised as they went along. Of course, there were some very beneficial modules and classes, but a lot of the time in classes I was hearing things I already knew, or felt that what we were being taught was not interesting, relevant or important. There were a lot of unnecessary modules in 1st and 2nd year, and not enough options in 3rd year to choose from for the optional modules. I'm glad they've realized that some of these modules are no longer necessary in 1st and 2nd year, and that having optional modules in all years is the way forward for a student to fully get what they want out of the course; rather than being told what they want.
I also think that the course didn't fully recognise improvements made by students most notably in performance, and I also think the course did not present enough opportunities for students to show off their abilities or present any works they done - although in my final year there was a slight improvement in that, thanks to Composers Concerts and DEME. There's still a lot of improvement though; and personal studies advice meetings could have been used better to find out what the student wants.
Anyway, enough about education, cause now I'm officially out of it!
So, yesterday, after receiving my results, I just chilled until the evening where I went out with Garth to Laverys and then Limelight. It was the first time I had been in the Limelight since February, and whilst there was a "new crowd" there, and filled with underage posers, the drink offers were a LOT better - £1 for vodka, £1.50 for bottles of Becks or Stella, I was loving it. Whilst I did get drunk and call my American friends which cost me an arm and a leg, I had to leave early because I knew I had to get up early in the morning for the dole interview.
And the dole interview was HILARIOUS. So, I go in and get interviewed by 2 different people; both of which seemed befuddled that I was actually going on holiday on Monday, and both seemed very unsympathetic to the fact that I was an aspiring musician and wanting to, you know, establish a good career out of it. My 2nd interviewer had the nerve to even say that going into the music business was "a waste of time". High hopes from the people looking to seek me a job. Being in the place itself made me feel uneasy, seeing a lot of depressed, middle aged, unclean, scruffy people coming in and pretending to look for jobs just so they can get their money. I'm already hating the fact I'm on the dole, all humorous implications aside. However, the next thing shocked me, and may shock you:
When I was asked about my religious views, I said "I don't have any, not that should be important". Uneasy, the interviewer put in "none" on the computer. With the glimpse of my eye, and with no error on my behalf, the computer popped up a window saying; "Religious views questionable due to family background". Just read that again and see how wrong it is. How HORRIBLE a thing to say. So, she had to put "Protestant" in the box (she didn't ask what religion I was, then again my name is a bit of a giveaway), save it, reopen it, and put in "none" again. Whilst I'm happy with the fact I'm not labelled in a religion now because I'm not a member of any religion (unless you deem atheism a religion), the whole fact that they needed a Catholic or Protestant option being checked is horrible, and it also probably links to my dad and brother who have both been on Jobseekers at some time saying they're Protestant. So, it means of course that I'm a Protestant because they said so too. Richard Dawkins so correctly said that a lot of people are scared to go against their parents religion because of the possible retaliation and other circumstances that could come from it. Well, I took the questionably brave step and told my parents exactly how I felt since I was young a few years ago, and I've never felt as free in my life, or as proud to say I hold no religious views, because, simply, I'm more intelligent than that to have a religion for something that has been so scientifically disproven. Anyway, that's another discussion for another time, or blog entry. After this treacherous interview, I just came home, amused, and have been chilling ever since.
Tonight, I've no potential plans yet, I might be going out either tomorrow or Friday night with Adrien. As for the weekend, who knows.
Monday, 9 June 2008
Gobbledigook
4 HOURS. 30 MINUTES.
That's how long I have to wait until I get my degree classification. After much thinking, I'm certain that I couldn't possibly get any lower than a 2.1. I got a first, a 2.1 and a 2.2 last semester, and I'm pretty much set on another first, and as far as I know (according to one of my lecturers) I got a 2.1 in Film Music; and I probably got either a 2.2 or 2.1 in Musicology. With 2 firsts pretty much guaranteed and 2 2.1's guaranteed, I think I'm pretty set on a good solid 2.1. For those not in the know, a 2.1 is a mark between 60 and 69. If I get a 2.1, it would mean that me and my brother once again have even marks (we got virtually the same grades at GCSE and A Level exams too).
This weekend and today has made me think a lot. Was uni really worth it? What did I gain from it? Well, socially I gained a lot; I know that if I went to Queens or didn't go to uni at all I wouldn't have been able to party nowhere near as much as I did, and gain independence and social confidence as much as I did when I was in Derry. Educationally, I didn't really learn all that much from the lectures themselves; I did learn a lot regarding my drumming, although not really from lessons from the first 2 years. I noticed that in uni, you have to do all the work yourself: if you want the most of it, you have to do it all on your own, with virtually no help from the lecturers who are meant to be there to help.
I'm unsure if I agree with this system - whilst I fully embraced some form of independent research myself, I always felt that I was perhaps reading the wrong things, or including the wrong content in my essays - and I knew that with even a little help from lecturers I would have fared off a lot better. Unfortunately, uni lecturers are "too busy"; although I also question that as many of the lecturers I seen just walking round the uni campus with nothing better to do (I could be wrong though; they may have been drinking coffee at O'Brien's for an important business matter..)
Now the reflection is on paying this student loan back; and the overdraft. It's a depressing thought, but I knew I would have had to do it. It's frustrating, however, because I'm really wanting to save as much money as possible so I can move to America as fast as possible - ideally in the summer of next year once Colette graduates. Of course, this all depends on the fact of if I find an appropriate job in America - and I'm actively looking through sites for jobs music related. And I know once Colette gets back to America she'll be fully scouting out places/people for me to work in/with.
Anyway, on to some what I've been up to updates. Well, on Saturday I did indeed go out, to Lavery's in fact. And, it was actually a great night - was great to meet up with Laura, Leah and Amy again after 6 months of not seeing them, and Jenny who I hadn't seen since the Smashing Pumpkins gig in February. And, the cool thing was, it felt like old times again. The number had certainly shrunk since our days of leaving school; but I dunno, there was the old vibes back again. And I think it's because we've all grown up a bit and are still friends, and also because some of us are graduating, and it feels like a free summer again - I'm not going back to Derry, Laura isn't going back to Stirling etc. And it's good! I do have the impression that is going to be one of the best summers yet - despite the fact my girlfriend will be miles away from me.
On Sunday, I had a band practice with the new band - and it was the first time they heard me drumming, and it actually went really well. The music is very unique, lots of different influences coming together, and I think a lot of you are going to be impressed by what we have to offer. Hopefully we'll be gigging soon. And today, I met Adrien in town for the first time this summer, and then we went to Laverys for a while where we met Laura and Leah, and a big chat was had about old times. Was good fun.
As for the rest of the week; well, all I know of is a dole interview on Wednesday, possibly going out tomorrow night or Thursday, and hanging out with the new band on Friday, oh...and THOSE results.
Iain
That's how long I have to wait until I get my degree classification. After much thinking, I'm certain that I couldn't possibly get any lower than a 2.1. I got a first, a 2.1 and a 2.2 last semester, and I'm pretty much set on another first, and as far as I know (according to one of my lecturers) I got a 2.1 in Film Music; and I probably got either a 2.2 or 2.1 in Musicology. With 2 firsts pretty much guaranteed and 2 2.1's guaranteed, I think I'm pretty set on a good solid 2.1. For those not in the know, a 2.1 is a mark between 60 and 69. If I get a 2.1, it would mean that me and my brother once again have even marks (we got virtually the same grades at GCSE and A Level exams too).
This weekend and today has made me think a lot. Was uni really worth it? What did I gain from it? Well, socially I gained a lot; I know that if I went to Queens or didn't go to uni at all I wouldn't have been able to party nowhere near as much as I did, and gain independence and social confidence as much as I did when I was in Derry. Educationally, I didn't really learn all that much from the lectures themselves; I did learn a lot regarding my drumming, although not really from lessons from the first 2 years. I noticed that in uni, you have to do all the work yourself: if you want the most of it, you have to do it all on your own, with virtually no help from the lecturers who are meant to be there to help.
I'm unsure if I agree with this system - whilst I fully embraced some form of independent research myself, I always felt that I was perhaps reading the wrong things, or including the wrong content in my essays - and I knew that with even a little help from lecturers I would have fared off a lot better. Unfortunately, uni lecturers are "too busy"; although I also question that as many of the lecturers I seen just walking round the uni campus with nothing better to do (I could be wrong though; they may have been drinking coffee at O'Brien's for an important business matter..)
Now the reflection is on paying this student loan back; and the overdraft. It's a depressing thought, but I knew I would have had to do it. It's frustrating, however, because I'm really wanting to save as much money as possible so I can move to America as fast as possible - ideally in the summer of next year once Colette graduates. Of course, this all depends on the fact of if I find an appropriate job in America - and I'm actively looking through sites for jobs music related. And I know once Colette gets back to America she'll be fully scouting out places/people for me to work in/with.
Anyway, on to some what I've been up to updates. Well, on Saturday I did indeed go out, to Lavery's in fact. And, it was actually a great night - was great to meet up with Laura, Leah and Amy again after 6 months of not seeing them, and Jenny who I hadn't seen since the Smashing Pumpkins gig in February. And, the cool thing was, it felt like old times again. The number had certainly shrunk since our days of leaving school; but I dunno, there was the old vibes back again. And I think it's because we've all grown up a bit and are still friends, and also because some of us are graduating, and it feels like a free summer again - I'm not going back to Derry, Laura isn't going back to Stirling etc. And it's good! I do have the impression that is going to be one of the best summers yet - despite the fact my girlfriend will be miles away from me.
On Sunday, I had a band practice with the new band - and it was the first time they heard me drumming, and it actually went really well. The music is very unique, lots of different influences coming together, and I think a lot of you are going to be impressed by what we have to offer. Hopefully we'll be gigging soon. And today, I met Adrien in town for the first time this summer, and then we went to Laverys for a while where we met Laura and Leah, and a big chat was had about old times. Was good fun.
As for the rest of the week; well, all I know of is a dole interview on Wednesday, possibly going out tomorrow night or Thursday, and hanging out with the new band on Friday, oh...and THOSE results.
Iain
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Dear Students,
"You will receive your degree classification on Tuesday."
HOLE-YYYYYYYYYYYY SHIIIIIITTTTT
I've never been this nervous about a result before. I mean, I know I'm more than likely going to get a 2.1, but there's always the last minute doubts that I'm sure everyone has; "did I do enough work?" "did I answer the essays to how they wanted?" etc. This nervousness completely surmounts the nerves I had during my GCSE and A Level results waiting days. I know I've done well enough, and did really well in first semester, so why should I be worried? Well, I just am...and I rarely get nervous, but then again this result may affect my whole career in music.
Time for an update then. So on Thursday, I woke up and just lazed around all day. Watched the new entrants to Big Brother come in, for curiosity and to see if it will be interesting. Well, it'll most certainly be interesting, with a black albino and a blind man in it. I'm unsure how I feel about the blind man idea, whilst it's good of BB to not put in the obvious mid 20 something from London with the latest hair style and fashion sense; it also gives me the idea that they're getting desperate; and pulling off the disability card now. The general line-up looks very unmatched, compared to the previous years where the group seemed to "fit". I'll probably just watch it whenever I'm bored this year.
Yesterday, I woke up, and went into Belfast. I registered with Apple Recruitment, who seemed really nice and very interested in my musical ambitions, then I got ready to go to Bangor to meet Robbie. We just hung out for a while, and went to 2 bars, then drank at his flat. Then, I came home, chilled, watched Superbad for the millionth time then went to bed. And now it's Saturday, and I'm not sure what I'm doing tonight; but I do know I'm going to a pub tonight to meet some friends who I haven't seen in a while! I'm pretty excited despite not being able to spend much. Then tomorrow will consist of a band practice! This will be the first time the band has played with me actually behind a kit, so I'm hoping that it all works out good, which I'm sure it will, given the already good early chemistry I seem to have with the band.
As for the week ahead - I have to go for a dole interview, and who knows what else.
Iain
HOLE-YYYYYYYYYYYY SHIIIIIITTTTT
I've never been this nervous about a result before. I mean, I know I'm more than likely going to get a 2.1, but there's always the last minute doubts that I'm sure everyone has; "did I do enough work?" "did I answer the essays to how they wanted?" etc. This nervousness completely surmounts the nerves I had during my GCSE and A Level results waiting days. I know I've done well enough, and did really well in first semester, so why should I be worried? Well, I just am...and I rarely get nervous, but then again this result may affect my whole career in music.
Time for an update then. So on Thursday, I woke up and just lazed around all day. Watched the new entrants to Big Brother come in, for curiosity and to see if it will be interesting. Well, it'll most certainly be interesting, with a black albino and a blind man in it. I'm unsure how I feel about the blind man idea, whilst it's good of BB to not put in the obvious mid 20 something from London with the latest hair style and fashion sense; it also gives me the idea that they're getting desperate; and pulling off the disability card now. The general line-up looks very unmatched, compared to the previous years where the group seemed to "fit". I'll probably just watch it whenever I'm bored this year.
Yesterday, I woke up, and went into Belfast. I registered with Apple Recruitment, who seemed really nice and very interested in my musical ambitions, then I got ready to go to Bangor to meet Robbie. We just hung out for a while, and went to 2 bars, then drank at his flat. Then, I came home, chilled, watched Superbad for the millionth time then went to bed. And now it's Saturday, and I'm not sure what I'm doing tonight; but I do know I'm going to a pub tonight to meet some friends who I haven't seen in a while! I'm pretty excited despite not being able to spend much. Then tomorrow will consist of a band practice! This will be the first time the band has played with me actually behind a kit, so I'm hoping that it all works out good, which I'm sure it will, given the already good early chemistry I seem to have with the band.
As for the week ahead - I have to go for a dole interview, and who knows what else.
Iain
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
It's the end of the world...
You may call me insane; but I feel as if my eyes have been opened, and my head feels clearer but muddy at the same time sort-of within the past 24 hours. Real life has struck me hard in the balls. I'm no longer a student (more on that later); my girlfriend is travelling round Europe as I speak and I miss her like crazy, and today...get ready for it..I signed on the dole.
Yes, it was inevitable that it was going to happen; I knew I didn't have a job planned up for the summer, and living at home wasn't the option I had until, well, certain factors meant that I -HAD- to live at home. But still, it felt weird.
I always questioned the morality behind "Jobseekers Allowance" (to be politically correct). Whilst I think that those who are physically/mentally/socially incapable of getting a job for whatever reason deserve some form of financial aid, but those who are able bodied and minded, well, that's kinda a different story. I also feel that it's a very easy system to cheat on; by pretending you've been actively looking for jobs when perhaps you haven't been. It also leads to laziness; people could just be happy enough to live on their dole money and not give 2 shits about a job and the perhaps more positive lifestyle it could bring - as long as they have their "wee flat" with a TV, their tracksuits and their microwaved shitty foods from ASDA/Tesco, they're OK. In one of the jobs I worked in, I always seen people like that and it just made me wonder why they wanted to live their life like that. If all unemployed people got money, there would be no homeless people around, period. I know that the majority of homeless people are homeless because of their alcoholism/drug addiction; but surely these people who already live in a council owned or government sponsored flat/house with these problems should not be taken to some form of rehabilitation centre?
I know of "homeless" people in Derry who roam the streets with QC Cream in their hand during the afternoon, begging for more money, then going back to this shoddy run-down building at night to rest (and it's maintained by the social services). These people should not be in this position, they're ruining their lives as well as making people around them feel uncomfortable; and is setting a bad example for the younger people and perhaps even to adults themselves.
This is one thing I have noticed as an "outsider" having lived in Derry for 3 years; there is a serious alcohol problem there I think. Whilst Belfast is also filled with drunk people in the evening time, I don't see many roaming around in the middle of the afternoon; whether they are homeless or not. When I was in a bar, say like Paeder O'Donnell's for example; there were 4o year old plus men and women completely off their faces, almost on a daily basis to the point that I recognised their faces at every bar I went to. You'd think that the novelty of getting pissed regularly would wear off when you're out of your 20s and settled a bit, but perhaps not for these people.
Of course, I'm not condemning the use of alcohol, nor the fact people get drunk, it's just sad to see people with nothing better to do with their lives than get pissed. And it all makes me think of Communist Russia - when they gave the peasants vodka so they wouldn't protest or rise against the system, they'd just be constantly in a state of a drunken bliss (or hell, more appropriately). But, I digress.
Fact is, I've had to unwillingly go against my views on Jobseekers Allowance, and sign on. I need some form of income to keep me going until I find a satisfactory job for me to work in, both in the content of the job itself and the pay. There is no way in hell I'm gonna work in retail; ideally I'd like a cosy wee office job for a year just to build the funds up, with teaching and gigs along the way (and also, more on that later). This will all go in the big ass amount of money I need to move to America; for job and Colette. In a humorous way though, I have been "borrowing" money from the government for 3 years as a student, and now I'm going to do the same!
I suppose I better report on my last few days! Well, on Sunday I did pretty much nothing as always, just lazed about the house, preparing myself for Monday. Apart from the new band I was telling you about. Well, basically, I'm their new drummer. And let me say, these guys are very talented. Each of them are so creative, and I could tell why they got so big with catoan. I'm really excited to let everyone hear what we're making right now. On Monday, I awoke at 8am and got prepared to go to Derry one last time for the band practice. On the bus there, I was very nervous...I didn't know exactly how much practice Adrien and Rob had done, but when we did get round to practising things weren't so bad! Obviously work was needed, but it could have been worse. In the evening time, we just chilled a bit and learned the songs more, nothing too spectacular so we didn't wreck ourselves for the big day ahead. I also had a good long chat with Adrien and Robbie about a lot of things, future career plans and general life stuff. I almost felt as if it was like a "welcome back" chat we all had, I didn't see much of Rob and Adrien for the past 2 months as I have been with Colette a lot, and whilst they weren't mad at me or Colette for that, they just wanted to speak to their friend, and I guess I did too...and I missed talking to them like that.
Tuesday was good, we all woke up and just readied ourselves for the day, got my last ever trademark Sausage Bap from Centra, then the practicing begun. It went really well, and we were all in high hopes that it was going to be a fantastic gig. My dad soon arrived at 5pm, and he was a bit annoyed at me for not having the kit ready and waiting for him. Little did he know that I was under immense stress and had just finished practice when he called, so he sort-of made me feel worse and just annoyed in general. Once he and I settled down, there was a very confusing 2 1/2 hours after. Getting the kit and gear there, not knowing where to put it up and when, going back to Duncreggan, eating, getting changed, going back to Sandinos, putting the gear up (and in my case, it took longer cause things just weren't working out and I had nowhere near enough room) then once we got a slight mini sound check, we were on.
The nerves were on me a lot at this point. I looked around me during the first song and noticed I had no monitors, I panicked. I could barely hear anything. Still, I was used to this in the old days of playing in churches, so I just had to get accustomed to that again. I couldn't hear Adrien clearly at all, and he was the person I was meant to be listening to as he held all the cues basically in some songs. Personally, overall I felt it was probably one of our worst ever performances, with obvious signs of under-rehearsal and general messiness. I was happy with my drum solo, and 2/3 of the songs though. But, I received a lot of positive feedback, both from people who I would have expected it from and others that I definitely didn't expect it from (including my dad, who is always the most honest person when it comes to performances). So, maybe it sounded better to the crowd than to us. Who knows. It was also very weird saying goodbye to my friends who I had known for 3 years; and being upset in the fact that I may never see them again if they move on to pastures green, or I do.
So, with the kit in the car, I was off on my way home to Belfast for the foreseeable future. And here I am! Today, I also got my hair tidyed up a little, and ate a Subway.
But yes. There is also some interesting news regarding a Spandex Wizard 2 day festival in Masons, Derry..but I'm going to keep it silent for now :)
Iain
Yes, it was inevitable that it was going to happen; I knew I didn't have a job planned up for the summer, and living at home wasn't the option I had until, well, certain factors meant that I -HAD- to live at home. But still, it felt weird.
I always questioned the morality behind "Jobseekers Allowance" (to be politically correct). Whilst I think that those who are physically/mentally/socially incapable of getting a job for whatever reason deserve some form of financial aid, but those who are able bodied and minded, well, that's kinda a different story. I also feel that it's a very easy system to cheat on; by pretending you've been actively looking for jobs when perhaps you haven't been. It also leads to laziness; people could just be happy enough to live on their dole money and not give 2 shits about a job and the perhaps more positive lifestyle it could bring - as long as they have their "wee flat" with a TV, their tracksuits and their microwaved shitty foods from ASDA/Tesco, they're OK. In one of the jobs I worked in, I always seen people like that and it just made me wonder why they wanted to live their life like that. If all unemployed people got money, there would be no homeless people around, period. I know that the majority of homeless people are homeless because of their alcoholism/drug addiction; but surely these people who already live in a council owned or government sponsored flat/house with these problems should not be taken to some form of rehabilitation centre?
I know of "homeless" people in Derry who roam the streets with QC Cream in their hand during the afternoon, begging for more money, then going back to this shoddy run-down building at night to rest (and it's maintained by the social services). These people should not be in this position, they're ruining their lives as well as making people around them feel uncomfortable; and is setting a bad example for the younger people and perhaps even to adults themselves.
This is one thing I have noticed as an "outsider" having lived in Derry for 3 years; there is a serious alcohol problem there I think. Whilst Belfast is also filled with drunk people in the evening time, I don't see many roaming around in the middle of the afternoon; whether they are homeless or not. When I was in a bar, say like Paeder O'Donnell's for example; there were 4o year old plus men and women completely off their faces, almost on a daily basis to the point that I recognised their faces at every bar I went to. You'd think that the novelty of getting pissed regularly would wear off when you're out of your 20s and settled a bit, but perhaps not for these people.
Of course, I'm not condemning the use of alcohol, nor the fact people get drunk, it's just sad to see people with nothing better to do with their lives than get pissed. And it all makes me think of Communist Russia - when they gave the peasants vodka so they wouldn't protest or rise against the system, they'd just be constantly in a state of a drunken bliss (or hell, more appropriately). But, I digress.
Fact is, I've had to unwillingly go against my views on Jobseekers Allowance, and sign on. I need some form of income to keep me going until I find a satisfactory job for me to work in, both in the content of the job itself and the pay. There is no way in hell I'm gonna work in retail; ideally I'd like a cosy wee office job for a year just to build the funds up, with teaching and gigs along the way (and also, more on that later). This will all go in the big ass amount of money I need to move to America; for job and Colette. In a humorous way though, I have been "borrowing" money from the government for 3 years as a student, and now I'm going to do the same!
I suppose I better report on my last few days! Well, on Sunday I did pretty much nothing as always, just lazed about the house, preparing myself for Monday. Apart from the new band I was telling you about. Well, basically, I'm their new drummer. And let me say, these guys are very talented. Each of them are so creative, and I could tell why they got so big with catoan. I'm really excited to let everyone hear what we're making right now. On Monday, I awoke at 8am and got prepared to go to Derry one last time for the band practice. On the bus there, I was very nervous...I didn't know exactly how much practice Adrien and Rob had done, but when we did get round to practising things weren't so bad! Obviously work was needed, but it could have been worse. In the evening time, we just chilled a bit and learned the songs more, nothing too spectacular so we didn't wreck ourselves for the big day ahead. I also had a good long chat with Adrien and Robbie about a lot of things, future career plans and general life stuff. I almost felt as if it was like a "welcome back" chat we all had, I didn't see much of Rob and Adrien for the past 2 months as I have been with Colette a lot, and whilst they weren't mad at me or Colette for that, they just wanted to speak to their friend, and I guess I did too...and I missed talking to them like that.
Tuesday was good, we all woke up and just readied ourselves for the day, got my last ever trademark Sausage Bap from Centra, then the practicing begun. It went really well, and we were all in high hopes that it was going to be a fantastic gig. My dad soon arrived at 5pm, and he was a bit annoyed at me for not having the kit ready and waiting for him. Little did he know that I was under immense stress and had just finished practice when he called, so he sort-of made me feel worse and just annoyed in general. Once he and I settled down, there was a very confusing 2 1/2 hours after. Getting the kit and gear there, not knowing where to put it up and when, going back to Duncreggan, eating, getting changed, going back to Sandinos, putting the gear up (and in my case, it took longer cause things just weren't working out and I had nowhere near enough room) then once we got a slight mini sound check, we were on.
The nerves were on me a lot at this point. I looked around me during the first song and noticed I had no monitors, I panicked. I could barely hear anything. Still, I was used to this in the old days of playing in churches, so I just had to get accustomed to that again. I couldn't hear Adrien clearly at all, and he was the person I was meant to be listening to as he held all the cues basically in some songs. Personally, overall I felt it was probably one of our worst ever performances, with obvious signs of under-rehearsal and general messiness. I was happy with my drum solo, and 2/3 of the songs though. But, I received a lot of positive feedback, both from people who I would have expected it from and others that I definitely didn't expect it from (including my dad, who is always the most honest person when it comes to performances). So, maybe it sounded better to the crowd than to us. Who knows. It was also very weird saying goodbye to my friends who I had known for 3 years; and being upset in the fact that I may never see them again if they move on to pastures green, or I do.
So, with the kit in the car, I was off on my way home to Belfast for the foreseeable future. And here I am! Today, I also got my hair tidyed up a little, and ate a Subway.
But yes. There is also some interesting news regarding a Spandex Wizard 2 day festival in Masons, Derry..but I'm going to keep it silent for now :)
Iain
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Goodbye seems to be the hardest word...
Yesterday was very depressing. Not only did I say goodbye to my girlfriend who I'm not going to see for 2 weeks, I also said goodbye to my friend Paul, who is off home back to America. Paul and Colette were my 2 closest American friends here; and both of them leaving on the same day was pretty devastating for me. At least I got to say goodbye to Paul properly, by having a good old fashioned Belfast pub crawl (which I really wanted to do with my other American friends but just couldn't for various reasons)! Colettes goodbye was one of the most painful things I've endured. Even though I knew I'd see her in 2 weeks, it felt like it was a permanent goodbye; this is the longest we'll have been away for each other (until mid July when we'll be without each other for 5 months), and I miss her like crazy already. We couldn't stop calling each other and she was constantly in tears the whole time basically; it was so painful for me (and for her I assume). But I know that we are both strong enough to not be in each others company, at least for a short time. Anyway....
I have a rehearsal/band practice with a new band tonight; it's the band formerly known as Catoan, minus the lead singer and drummer; so you can guess which spot I'm hoping to fill. They've given me a brief description of what they're doing, and it sounds really fascinating and completely up my alley. I'm excited :)
Iain
I have a rehearsal/band practice with a new band tonight; it's the band formerly known as Catoan, minus the lead singer and drummer; so you can guess which spot I'm hoping to fill. They've given me a brief description of what they're doing, and it sounds really fascinating and completely up my alley. I'm excited :)
Iain
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