This weekend was a good one. It involved a bit of something different to the norm, combined with a lot of booze. On Thursday a few of us went to the R.E. Bar in Eastcote and had a few of their mouth-watering Kronenburgs (which have now sadly increased in price to £3). Towards the end of the night Lawrence and Alex both mentioned that they would be going to London the following evening. I wanted in on the action.
I woke up feeling tired on Friday morning, and was slightly worried that I didn't have the inclination to go to London in the evening. After speaking to Alex I decided to bite the bullet and go anyway and hope for a second wind. We arrived at Guanabara at about 8.45pm with the intention of getting in before 9pm, after which you have to pay £10 to get in. Much to our annoyance the queue was massive. It stretched all the way down the road, round the corner and quite a way down Drury Lane. After half an hour of patiently waiting and ignoring Gary's constant requests to go somewhere else, we got in - a tenner down. I won't go into details about the evening too much as Alex and Chopper have already given accurate versions of events in their blogs, but suffice to say it was the best night i've had in ages - one of those nights where the whole vibe of the place is good and everyone seems to be having a good time.
The journey home was also quite funny. We walked back down from Drury Lane to Kingsway to find ourselves a cab, and after a couple of ridiculous offers from cabbies trying it on we found a guy that was willing to do it for £50. I tried my best to get it down to £45, but he was refusing to budge. We told him to forget it and walked off hoping he would lower his price, but he'd obviously never seen shows like the Apprentice or Dragon's Den as he didn't chase after us with a better price. In fact, after walking off I only then realised that £50 for six of us going back to Eastcote was a damn good price. I went back to the car with my tail between my legs, but managed to get him down to £49 to secure the moral victory. I win. Sort of.
As it turned out that was actually quite a good price, considering it involved two drop-offs and Gary making the guy pull over to the hard shoulder of the A40 so he could be sick.
On Saturday, having been on an artificial high the night before, I was ridiculously tired. During the afternoon the Bottler talked me in to going to the park and lying down on the grass to enjoy the weather. It was just what I needed to relax and I'd like to get a big group of us down there the next time the weather is good enough. I ended up trying to jump off the swings, but something went terribly wrong and I ended up doing a face plant - it was hilarious and I wish someone had been filming it.
On Saturday evening I resisted temptation to go out with Alex and Simon, and had an evening at home watching 24. The next day I heard from Alex that whilst sitting on a bench in Eastcote, some scumbag had decided it would be a good idea to creep up behind Simon and punch him in the face in a completely unprovoked assault. These type of incidents really make my blood boil. The very thought that people go out and do these things for fun is completely beyond me. The guy apparently crept up behind the bench before he hit him, which smacks of cowardice.
Related to the point above, a few weeks ago I saw two teenagers squaring up outside the Underground station in Pinner. One was clearly not very up for it and the other seemed to be just showing off in front of his mate. It seemed like nothing was going to come of the incident until one of the guys had turned to walk away. Then, and only then, did the other guy decide to hit him; when the other guy was totally off-guard. Now, if two people do get into a physical fight to sort their differences then I have no problem with this, as long as it's a fair fight; this certainly was not, and was just plain cowardly.
On Sunday evening most the boys came round to my house to drink, watch football, eat pizza and danish pastries, watch my holiday videos and then watch loads of Gladiators and vintage WWE. We then had a lengthy discussion about how we could incorporate scripted drama into our darts league. Watch this space.
I anticipate that today's daytime activities will involve darts. J has just sent me a message to see if I fancy a practice 'first to 16'. That might take a while.
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Back in the game
OK, it's been nearly 6 months since I made my last post on here; it's time to start again.
The last 6 months have been a bit of a blur to be honest, and I genuinely didn't think it was that long ago that I made my last post.
So let's have a quick re-cap of what has happened:
1) I'm now really hoping that I've finished my law course - I had to re-sit an exam last Wednesday, which I'm now very glad is out the way. I've had about 18 formal assessments during this year, and failed only one of them by 2%. The particular exam in question was a REAL bitch, and without any sleep the night before I overdosed on caffeine in the morning, giving myself the shakes! I knew as soon as I handed in my paper to the invigilator that it wasn't going to pass. In fact I was surprised I only failed by 2%. The re-sit went a lot better than the original, which I even got 'close' to finishing (not something I've managed to do in any exam this year) I have to wait until the middle of October to find out if I passed or not; which is a bloody ridiculous amount of time if you ask me. So up until October I will be unable to give employers any definite answer about my qualifications, which will make getting a job in a law firm infinitely harder than it already is (....more about the job situation later)
2) For two weeks at the start of July I went on a road trip through California with Botten. It was an incredible trip; starting in San Diego; up to Los Angeles; up even further to Santa Cruz and San Francisco; cutting in land down to Yosemite National Park; down through the deserts and the stifling heat of Death Valley (125 f at the time we were there); and then finishing up by being completely staggered and pretty much in awe of Las Vegas - in two weeks. I might recount some funny stories when I'm short of material in later blogs, but I've pretty much bored to death all the people who will read this blog with most of the stories already.
3) The biggest change to my life in the last six months, both as a hobby and a way of life, is darts. I'm not sure how the craze actually started, or for that matter exactly at what moment myself and the rest of the Lowlands gang became absolutely consumed by everything about the game/sport (call it what you will). I think it happened whilst placing mug punts on the weekly PDC Premier League evenings, which we all watched so intently. But whenever it happened, it was a glorious and life changing moment; the Lowlands Darts Corporation was born. Since then we have formed our own Premier League (which is still ongoing mostly due to the fault of me and the Bottler not getting our matches played); we have had offers from other rival darts factions in an attempt to poach LDC players (most notably the ongoing Woodman Darts Corporation saga); calls for players to be banished; complaints from various players as to the validity or even existence of matches played; and the most recent scandal 'Ochegate'. This evening we are going to hold a committee meeting to try and iron out a few creases and sort out a few issues once and for all, I will report back on the events.
On a more serious note, I have really enjoyed getting into darts recently. Everyone seems really up for playing all the time and it's a really good excuse for a few drinks and a bit of raucous, unadulterated banter. And what is more the club seem to really be indulging us in our enthusiasm; from ordering new expensive boards for us to play on when there really was nothing wrong with the old one, all the way to installing a new oche (albeit wrongly measured) Long may the craze continue.
I really hope that this isn't the sort of conversation we are having six months down the line:
COVEY: "do you remember when we used to come down here all the time to play darts?"
J: "Yeah, vaguely...I'm really glad we gave all that up to play competitive tiddlywinks though"
That would be a disaster.
4) Going out at least three to four times a week.
So, that's the re-cap of my life for the last six months. As I'm now officially unemployed I should be able to keep this blog quite regularly updated, even if it isn't with anything worth reading.
Until next time.....
On a more serious note, I have really enjoyed getting into darts recently. Everyone seems really up for playing all the time and it's a really good excuse for a few drinks and a bit of raucous, unadulterated banter. And what is more the club seem to really be indulging us in our enthusiasm; from ordering new expensive boards for us to play on when there really was nothing wrong with the old one, all the way to installing a new oche (albeit wrongly measured) Long may the craze continue.
I really hope that this isn't the sort of conversation we are having six months down the line:
COVEY: "do you remember when we used to come down here all the time to play darts?"
J: "Yeah, vaguely...I'm really glad we gave all that up to play competitive tiddlywinks though"
That would be a disaster.
4) Going out at least three to four times a week.
So, that's the re-cap of my life for the last six months. As I'm now officially unemployed I should be able to keep this blog quite regularly updated, even if it isn't with anything worth reading.
Until next time.....
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Sleep Patterns
Apparently my issue with working to fill any deadline isn't exclusive to me. It's known as 'Parkinson's Law', which can best be described up as, "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion" or "work expands to fill the time available." I think that sums it up quite nicely (although Wikipedia doesn't go any further to offer any cure for sufferers). I wonder what sufferers are called? Let's just say I don't think I'll be shouting from the roof-tops that I have 'Parkinsons'. I know, cheap joke.
It's late and I'm forcing myself to stay awake just a little bit longer, perhaps until 2am. Since the clocks moved forward at the weekend my sleep pattern has been all over the place. I can't sleep until about this time of the night/morning, and then find myself in a viscous cycle in which I can't get out of bed until late morning at best.
In fact, no. I can't blame the clocks changing. My sleep patterns are always all over the place.
I think when I started university in 2003 I developed some kind of issue, whereby I feel the need to stay up ridiculously late, doing very little. I usually find that I don't go to bed until everyone else in the house has dozed off, often hours later. I think there a couple of explanations for this:
Firstly, I really enjoy the peacefulness of everything when it's really late. Everything being so quiet makes a change from the hustle and bustle of the daytime. Even when it seems quiet during the day, it's not. It makes me realise that I take silence for granted, and also that I'm quite content with my own company.
Secondly, I sometimes have an irrational concern that going to sleep would mean I miss out on something good, whatever that something may be. It's the same even when there is clearly nothing to miss out on. It's ridiculous really, but it's probably the same reason why there are always certain people who have to be the last one standing at a party etc.
Lastly, I blame YouTube and Facebook. I often find myself just watching endless videos of people injuring themselves in some horrible freak accident. Don't get me wrong, I'm no masochist, I just like those 'face-plant' genre videos on youtube, where some teenager on a skateboard really stacks it.
It's now really late. I have to try and get up relatively early in the morning to finish some work I started today before my class starts at 3pm. No doubt I'll use all available time to finish it - damn this Parkinsons.
It's late and I'm forcing myself to stay awake just a little bit longer, perhaps until 2am. Since the clocks moved forward at the weekend my sleep pattern has been all over the place. I can't sleep until about this time of the night/morning, and then find myself in a viscous cycle in which I can't get out of bed until late morning at best.
In fact, no. I can't blame the clocks changing. My sleep patterns are always all over the place.
I think when I started university in 2003 I developed some kind of issue, whereby I feel the need to stay up ridiculously late, doing very little. I usually find that I don't go to bed until everyone else in the house has dozed off, often hours later. I think there a couple of explanations for this:
Firstly, I really enjoy the peacefulness of everything when it's really late. Everything being so quiet makes a change from the hustle and bustle of the daytime. Even when it seems quiet during the day, it's not. It makes me realise that I take silence for granted, and also that I'm quite content with my own company.
Secondly, I sometimes have an irrational concern that going to sleep would mean I miss out on something good, whatever that something may be. It's the same even when there is clearly nothing to miss out on. It's ridiculous really, but it's probably the same reason why there are always certain people who have to be the last one standing at a party etc.
Lastly, I blame YouTube and Facebook. I often find myself just watching endless videos of people injuring themselves in some horrible freak accident. Don't get me wrong, I'm no masochist, I just like those 'face-plant' genre videos on youtube, where some teenager on a skateboard really stacks it.
It's now really late. I have to try and get up relatively early in the morning to finish some work I started today before my class starts at 3pm. No doubt I'll use all available time to finish it - damn this Parkinsons.
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
...and so it begins
Right, so here we are. My first ever blog. I've never really even considered writing a diary before now, but for some reason I suddenly feel compelled to write a blog. This might seem odd, especially as a diary allows your to keep your thoughts private (unless you become famous/infamous enough to publish your memoirs to the highest bidder) but I can't really see that happening. So if I can't even write a personal diary why would I want to publish my thoughts to the entire world? I haven't quite worked that out yet, but I'll be sure to let you know if I find out - who says anyone will be bothered to read this anyway?
First of all, a little bit about me:
I'm male, I'm in my early twenties, I'm single, I live at home with my parents in a leafy suburb of North West London, I have aspirations of being a Solicitor one day, I study on the LPC (legal practice course) in Central London, I play tennis to a reasonable standard, I play football to an unreasonable standard, I like spending time with my friends and family and love listening to a very wide range of music. I also fully appreciate that this is beginning to sound a little like a bad 'about me' section on a social networking site.
You'll get to know more about me through future entries, but I imagine most who read this will know this gumpf anyway.
What should I be doing right now? Well, my course is currently taking up an unacceptable amount of time in my life and has been for the last two years. I often find any reason to avoid doing the work until I really have to. So here I am, procrastinating. I should be reading about Ancillary Relief in the context of Family Law (which is actually interesting in comparison to much of what I have to read!) but I simply can't be bothered at the moment.
Actually, something I find interesting about myself in this respect, is no matter how long I have to do something e.g. an essay or preparation for class etc. I will use up all available time, even if it is the most menial task.
This doesn't necessarily mean I leave things until the last minute, because generally I don't.
For example, let's say I have 1 hours worth of work to do and 5 hours to do it in: I will spend the full 5 hours doing the work at a rate of 20%. Why? I'm not sure. Some psychologist out there must have an explanation? Maybe it's just because working at 20% for 5 hours feels like less than 1 hour at 100%. I think maybe I should address my work ethic and try to make more efficient use of the time when I am working, especially when it means I can free up the rest of the day for doing the things I really want to be doing.
That's enough for now. I really should get back to reading about the joys of Ancillary Relief, maybe adopting my new and improved work ethic? Personally, I'm sceptical.
Comments are always welcomed and encouraged, mainly so I know I'm not just writing these entries for the sake of it.
First of all, a little bit about me:
I'm male, I'm in my early twenties, I'm single, I live at home with my parents in a leafy suburb of North West London, I have aspirations of being a Solicitor one day, I study on the LPC (legal practice course) in Central London, I play tennis to a reasonable standard, I play football to an unreasonable standard, I like spending time with my friends and family and love listening to a very wide range of music. I also fully appreciate that this is beginning to sound a little like a bad 'about me' section on a social networking site.
You'll get to know more about me through future entries, but I imagine most who read this will know this gumpf anyway.
What should I be doing right now? Well, my course is currently taking up an unacceptable amount of time in my life and has been for the last two years. I often find any reason to avoid doing the work until I really have to. So here I am, procrastinating. I should be reading about Ancillary Relief in the context of Family Law (which is actually interesting in comparison to much of what I have to read!) but I simply can't be bothered at the moment.
Actually, something I find interesting about myself in this respect, is no matter how long I have to do something e.g. an essay or preparation for class etc. I will use up all available time, even if it is the most menial task.
This doesn't necessarily mean I leave things until the last minute, because generally I don't.
For example, let's say I have 1 hours worth of work to do and 5 hours to do it in: I will spend the full 5 hours doing the work at a rate of 20%. Why? I'm not sure. Some psychologist out there must have an explanation? Maybe it's just because working at 20% for 5 hours feels like less than 1 hour at 100%. I think maybe I should address my work ethic and try to make more efficient use of the time when I am working, especially when it means I can free up the rest of the day for doing the things I really want to be doing.
That's enough for now. I really should get back to reading about the joys of Ancillary Relief, maybe adopting my new and improved work ethic? Personally, I'm sceptical.
Comments are always welcomed and encouraged, mainly so I know I'm not just writing these entries for the sake of it.
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