The title refers to my final initial change for the trip--moving out of temporary housing. These first few days have been quite busy, signing up for classes in a physical manner (walk to different departments), meeting my new flatmates (they're cool), learning the foreign kids' names (i haven't completely yet), and walking around (after jamming my foot before leaving the morning of my flight in Fayetteville, it's been one right pinky toe massage after the next). I'm getting somewhat used to the coin system, althought my wallet is a brick that jingles now. The coins to (from most valuable to worthless) big/fat/two-tone, small/fat/goldish, big/silver, small/hexagonal/silver, big/ribbed/silver, small/ribbed/silver, big/bronze, small/bronze. That's £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p. Lots of coins.
The temp house, Burwalls, has only 4 international students left in it, but it really seems more empty than occupied...garble garble aadofkneoinzcoiazb/neadfjk
I'm tired of writing tonight. I'll probably go head to bed and drink some water.
OH, btw. I went to the oldest pub in Bristol, the Hatchet Inn. They've had a license since 1606. It was old and charming...and then we entered and they were rocking out to death metal. One of the most unique atmospheres ever to have entertained my presence.
On other thing. I'm joining the UoB Expedition Society. Check out the website. This Wednesday we're going to the Bristol Climbing Centre, which is an old cathedral gutted into an indoor climbing gym. They just had an extra cathedral lying around. How European.
1/22/09
A man said "cheers" when I opened a door for him
So a little kid babbling about “where’s the bus, where’s the bus?” in an English accent is about the cutest thing ever. The town is beautiful in an awe-inspiring kind of way. I didn’t expect it to be this pretty.
Now that that’s out of the way, here goes for a little account of my trip up.
From there beginning…
I didn’t really sleep. I played “World of Goo” like I had OCD with the silly little goo balls taunting my every mistake with their blinking eyes and lemming-like interjections. This lasted until about 10pm, when I decided I would be better off not sleeping without distraction. I think I banked up about two and a half hours riddled with odd dreams (the one I remember was an odd instance where I couldn’t for the life of me buckle my belt correctly…I just fumbled about until I woke up in a sour mood). At 5:58 I watched my phone until it played my father’s old ringtone at 6—I Dig Rock and Roll Music by Peter Paul and Mary—and then shut it off immediately and jumped in the last hot shower I’d have for a while (still waiting on that one, but I’ll get to that). We got to the airport two hours early on Nancy’s gut feeling that this was the busy time. I was the only one in line during check-in, so going from entrance to through security was about ten minutes. I then played some more Goo and flew to Atlanta, which was Atlanta. The trip to Paris was eased by an extremely attractive American girl (too old for me [30 and married]. She was cute and wicked smart. That took up about four hours, helped by the mini wine bottle she guzzled down. Her brother and my stepbrother are very similar, so we had a good basis to start a conversation. Paris was boring at five in the morning, so I crawled between two benches and passed out for a few hours (I looked like a hobo, but oh well). The bus ride to the airplane took what seemed like a quarter of an hour through smaller and more sparsely populated tarmacs until we came to one with the old planes that still had propellers. That was ours. It shook like temple of doom was collapsing, but it got us to Bristol. What a sight…Green and wet. While I could see sky today, I was told to get used to having clouds overhead all the time. Apparently the sun is a rarity that merits joyous park times and shirtless endeavors. I can’t wait.
Our cab driver was everything I’d hoped for. Cute old English dude who talked about how old stuff was. His thick, thick accent confused the Chinese guy that arrived on the airplane with me.
I’m currently in temporary housing waiting for an open spot in my building (Winkworth). A few of the other students and I explored from here to downtown. I’ll do the picture stuff later. I didn’t take any other than the vast emptiness of the airport in Paris at 5 am.
Limitless. Eternity. Beyond. Charles De Gaulle International Airport E Terminal.
Now that that’s out of the way, here goes for a little account of my trip up.
From there beginning…
I didn’t really sleep. I played “World of Goo” like I had OCD with the silly little goo balls taunting my every mistake with their blinking eyes and lemming-like interjections. This lasted until about 10pm, when I decided I would be better off not sleeping without distraction. I think I banked up about two and a half hours riddled with odd dreams (the one I remember was an odd instance where I couldn’t for the life of me buckle my belt correctly…I just fumbled about until I woke up in a sour mood). At 5:58 I watched my phone until it played my father’s old ringtone at 6—I Dig Rock and Roll Music by Peter Paul and Mary—and then shut it off immediately and jumped in the last hot shower I’d have for a while (still waiting on that one, but I’ll get to that). We got to the airport two hours early on Nancy’s gut feeling that this was the busy time. I was the only one in line during check-in, so going from entrance to through security was about ten minutes. I then played some more Goo and flew to Atlanta, which was Atlanta. The trip to Paris was eased by an extremely attractive American girl (too old for me [30 and married]. She was cute and wicked smart. That took up about four hours, helped by the mini wine bottle she guzzled down. Her brother and my stepbrother are very similar, so we had a good basis to start a conversation. Paris was boring at five in the morning, so I crawled between two benches and passed out for a few hours (I looked like a hobo, but oh well). The bus ride to the airplane took what seemed like a quarter of an hour through smaller and more sparsely populated tarmacs until we came to one with the old planes that still had propellers. That was ours. It shook like temple of doom was collapsing, but it got us to Bristol. What a sight…Green and wet. While I could see sky today, I was told to get used to having clouds overhead all the time. Apparently the sun is a rarity that merits joyous park times and shirtless endeavors. I can’t wait.
Our cab driver was everything I’d hoped for. Cute old English dude who talked about how old stuff was. His thick, thick accent confused the Chinese guy that arrived on the airplane with me.
I’m currently in temporary housing waiting for an open spot in my building (Winkworth). A few of the other students and I explored from here to downtown. I’ll do the picture stuff later. I didn’t take any other than the vast emptiness of the airport in Paris at 5 am.
Limitless. Eternity. Beyond. Charles De Gaulle International Airport E Terminal.
1/10/09
Find your Grail
So I took a concealed weapon certification class today. Interesting mix of people..many spoke on their concerns of the president elect (and that spurred them to start carrying handguns). Of course? Anyway, after establishing that a person's life must be threatened to use deadly force to "stop" the attacker, it seemed that there wasn't much else to actually using a firearm on a person through their logic. The instructor and people attending were in the understanding that if they "stopped" an attacker and adequately articulated that their life or another person's life was in danger, they would be let off the hook pretty much immediately. It was scary and informative. I think that I'll try to participate in the IDPA activities when I get back.
So, concerning the title (after seeing Spamalot a month or so ago [see below]), I've decided to try to find a new passion abroad through trying new activities, or approaching them with a higher motivational goal than "people around you." I'd like it to be "be the best you can," so if that activity surfaces, I will pursue it. I'll try to find my grail.
A little inspiration for your asses:
The Lady of the Lake rules. (And for the nerds out there, her name is Merle Dandridge, the voice of Alex Vance in HL2)
So, concerning the title (after seeing Spamalot a month or so ago [see below]), I've decided to try to find a new passion abroad through trying new activities, or approaching them with a higher motivational goal than "people around you." I'd like it to be "be the best you can," so if that activity surfaces, I will pursue it. I'll try to find my grail.
A little inspiration for your asses:
The Lady of the Lake rules. (And for the nerds out there, her name is Merle Dandridge, the voice of Alex Vance in HL2)
1/7/09
Scrubs has helped me realize something (by being bad)
I recently watch a lot of "Scrubs," the Zach Braff show and realized something. The show is all backstory for static characters. Each episode is just another snapshot of life rather than a progression of it. Nobody wants to live like that. Approaching life as a dynamically changing motion rather than just a bunch of frames allows us to live and not just exist. There's the remnents of my Scrubs rant.
1/2/09
A little music, for the day
While I missed New Year's day by about 35 minutes CMT, it's still the 1st in CA, so this will be for them.
Here's the song of the day: "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight and the Pips
Too Good.
I need to get my act together before leaving Fayetteville. Gonna get on that tomorrow. It seems the most inspiring times come when I'm in my bed and have an excuse (comfy warm bed) not to pursue the fervor I generate.
New Years resolution is to not whine anymore.
No, I'm just kidding that would be silly.
If I had to place a resolution along with 2009, it would be to contribute to the overall happiness of humanity as much as I can.
No, I'm just kidding again, that would be a lie.
I resolve to kick more ass than last year (relatively uneventful in the ass kicking). I'm warming up already (but as I'm in bed, I'll have to get in the ass kicking mood again tomorrow...Maybe I'll listen to some Scatman John).
Here's the song of the day: "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight and the Pips
Too Good.
I need to get my act together before leaving Fayetteville. Gonna get on that tomorrow. It seems the most inspiring times come when I'm in my bed and have an excuse (comfy warm bed) not to pursue the fervor I generate.
New Years resolution is to not whine anymore.
No, I'm just kidding that would be silly.
If I had to place a resolution along with 2009, it would be to contribute to the overall happiness of humanity as much as I can.
No, I'm just kidding again, that would be a lie.
I resolve to kick more ass than last year (relatively uneventful in the ass kicking). I'm warming up already (but as I'm in bed, I'll have to get in the ass kicking mood again tomorrow...Maybe I'll listen to some Scatman John).
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