Turn Around

Two thousand and seven brought me a lot that I remember fondly, and some things I won't care to remember at all. I mentioned a couple of posts ago the joy of making friends, and the sadness of not getting a job that I'd be perfect for.

If the year two thousand and eight ends up as eventful and happy as the first two months have been, I will have very little to complain about next December.

WARNING: Familiar readers will know that I keep my blog clean and safe for those of all ages, but in this particular post there is language that could potentially offend. And opinions that could potentially offend, but you should be used to those.

At the end of last year, I was given a notice of Jury Duty. This happened to Emma not long before we moved out, and this was not ideal for her, due to her plans. However, I had no reason to object, apart from the grounds that I'd be working the equivalent of full time for no money. The courts pay out what you would have earned had you been at work. As someone unemployed, this wouldn't be much. In fact it would be nothing. I considered going on benefit, but apart from the obvious reasons, I feared that free money would remove my main motivation to get a job. My opinion of the benefit system not withstanding, I'd loath to be a part of it.

However, early in January, I became employed. Not only is the job very suitable for me, but it pays rather well. The hours could be considered antisocial, but it depends on what you call social. But I'll come back to that. I now work as a QA for SEGA Europe. Essentially, that's video game testing. That's pretty cool.

It I also am attempting to keep the JCS alive, and while that hasn't been successful the last couple of weeks, it is still happening. My job's hours go from early afternoon until ten thirty at night, and that doesn't help. But for the last two weeks, and for a few weeks more, I am on Jury Duty, which has relatively normal (in fact, better than normal) hours, and I can function like a normal person during them. Before I was required to be a member of a jury of peers, I created a club called Nighthawks, which started at eleven at night, and went on until most people were tired and left. This will most likely resume once I have finished my legal duty.

Nighthawks has meant I have more friends than before, and since I keep running out of friends because of challenging circumstances, making new ones is always fun. Except that these friends tend to be better than the ones I normally make, as I see them far more often. Every few days as opposed to once every few weeks. And not just by association, there is active will involved in meeting with them. And I can't really say that I'm unhappy with that. It's quite the opposite.

Most of my new friends are from America, coming for one semester. This calls into mind the issue of 'temporaryism', and the transient nature of most things I've done recently. But as well as this, it also helps me in my recent trend of dividing my personal history into easily manageable sections; each section identifiable by a key player, my best friend, an important event or just what I was doing at the time. Each stage could be as long as two years or as short as a couple of months, but these stages help me identify myself in what I remember. On top of helping with stages, sharing my quirks and fun with others makes every negative aspect of the year fade away.

I lost my grandfather two days ago. I should say step-grandfather, but that wasn't how I think about him. I hadn't seen him in a little over a year, not since my road trip to Ireland with Yunhae and Roan, and his death made me think a lot, as deaths within the family do. He was ninety years old, and died of a heart attack while driving to work on the farm. He was probably the toughest man I've ever known, he taught me how to use a screwdriver and most swear words I know. I would feel worse, but I know that since moving back to Ireland, he was happy, and he did what he loved. It was impossible to tell him what to do, and despite his rough demeanor, I had enormous respect for him and everything he achieved. So I can't feel too saddened by his death: I can't see him having any regrets, and I'm sure if he heard my crying he'd tell me to 'shut the hell up, Christ Almighty, that's no way for a young man to fuckin' act. For fuck's sake.'.

But despite this, and the negative results of a ninety two hour Skype phone call, life in this year has been overwhelmingly positive. For a few weeks, I had terrible aches in my cheeks because I was smiling too much. It's an awful affliction, I tell you that much. One thing I cannot seem to get over is that despite different stages, my life seems to repeat itself, in an almost perfect cycle. And that isn't a bad thing. I know that it will continue to repeat itself, maybe in an identical way, maybe not, but the outcome will be similar. But I wouldn't change that, as I try to live without any regrets, like my grandfather. And I think that since I got my confidence several years ago, I have lived like that. Aside from a couple of things, I am happy with every choice. And I would make them again as well.

Anyway, it would be foolish for me to make any predictions about the next few months, because every time I think I have my life figured out something radical happens and usually makes it better. And even if I'm shooting myself in the foot, I'm happy with limping for a bit.

Hope in 160 Characters

"It's the last 24 hours of the year. I'm here where I was with you, and I'll spend the next day thinking about how I will spend next year with you."

The Year in Review

I haven't done this before, but it's a pretty appropriate time to start. I'm going to go over the best and worst moments of 2007. It's been a strange year, and one I probably won't forget. The number '2007' still seems fresh and ready, but it'll be stale within a few days. The list of events is mostly from the latter half of the year, either because it was more eventful or because I have a terrible memory. And I thought that my memory was great.

The Worst of 2007
in no particular order

Moving Out

Moving out of Toland Square was one of the worst days I've ever had. Not only was it emotionally draining, sleepless and physically exhausting, but tensions grew and almost every conceivable thing went wrong. I loved that house, and I didn't want to leave it so soon, but times move on and people need to as well, so I know it was ultimately for the best.

My Car Overheats

Later that day, dropping Emma at the station, in traffic, I let my car overheat by not watching the temperature gauge. I felt stupid, and it cost a fortune to fix, and for weeks, my car was out of commission. As if the day could have been any worse.

The Apple iPhone

No need to expand.

Emma Leaving, Again

Emma had to go a couple of times in the year, but never for as long as when she went to Tokyo, which was indefinitely. That was very sad.

Not Getting that Job

The job which would have been perfect. Graduate C# Programmer. Come on!

Nova

Nova, my ticket to Japan, the company that was ready to employ me in a job I wanted to do... collapsed. The whole company: gone. Thanks. Literally minutes before Emma goes there, they self destruct, and my future there was shattered.

My Computer Suddenly Stops Working

I still don't know why. It was on, I turned it off, it didn't turn on again. And I don't have the energy or motivation to fix it, or the cash.

The Best of 2007
in no particular order

Making a Complete Album

Although I'd written many songs before, Seven Pages was the first one where I'd made it from start to finish with one album in mind, instead of collecting songs together. I rushed it into a month (for the RPM Challenge), but I was really happy with most of it, and I still enjoy listening to it. I have a way to go though.

Portal

Portal portal portal portal, portal portal. Portal portal. Portal! Portal portal portal, "Portal portal, portal!". Portal portal; portal portal. Portal portal portal, portal portal portal portal portal. Portal portal portal. Portal? Portal portal portal portal.

Seeing Rent with Kiana

Kiana was my introduction to Rent, and getting to finally see it with her was a big thing. I didn't see many musicals this year. In fact, I think that was the only one. Plus we had cake.

Maintaining Friendship with Julia

Despite the numerous problems she causes, being friends with Julia is always special because you can tell that she really cares, and she's very genuine. I saw her earlier this week and we had a great time, and it's been good staying friends with her this year.

The MG

My mother bought a convertible. I learned how different a mid-engine car can be. My father and I took it to Spain through France, driving is fun again.

Binärpilot

Discovering this strange electronic musician by accident was a major highlight, as he soon became one of my favourite artists. And he gives away music for free. As well as this, he has been very inspiring.

A Completely Dry Year

A year completely without alcohol. 2006 had some lapses in the Summer, which I regret, but was consciously aware of the reasons for which I lapsed, and both times had silly reasons.

The Host

While it may not have been the best film of the year, it was a very important one for me. It took me by surprise, and made me interested in foreign cinema again. Plus, it has one of the most bittersweet endings imaginable.

Starting the JCS Again

Being the last person here with any ability to perpetuate it, I made the JCS continue by opting to become the President. And meeting new people through it meant that I made new friends and had good fun with people while pushing the culture. It will continue into next year.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Getting back into Anime was never more fun.

Finishing University

After a 3 day marathon coding session which concluded with a presentation and a dangerously sleepy drive home, University was over. Finishing that was a major relief. I slept for days.

Canada

Going to Canada suddenly and almost unexpectedly was a huge treat, getting to see my family and surprising my sister and mother was enormous fun. I got to drive around and have a great time with everybody. I loved it, and I just want to go back.

Getting Over Kiana

It took nearly two years and writing a very sad song, but I finally did it and have felt liberated since.

Filming The Oxford Murders

I loved being an extra in 2003, and I got to do it again. I just saw the trailer for the film, and you can see part of me sitting near Elijah in it. I can't wait for the actual film.

Inspiration

Suddenly having reason and the ability to write music again came as a shock, but it wasn't a nasty surprise. In a few weeks, I wrote about six songs. Not all new, but within a few months I should have recorded my third album.

Getting Back into Gaming

Right at the start of the year, with nothing to do, I started playing XBox games a lot. Since then, I have played more and more games, and went as far as buying a PSP, which I love. I played through MGS just for the fun of it, because I loved it so much when I was young. Games are now a big part of my life. Again.

Yinuo

Not just her as a person, but everything she has done for me in terms of jump-starting my social life, and being a very good person to be near. She's one of the most open and honest people I know, and has 'let me in' to a world that I have wanted to be a part of for many years, but could never get close to. Being friends with her has definitely been a highlight of this year.

Having a Reason to Want to Improve

Self improvement is much harder without having a reason to improve, and having one means that making myself a better person goes beyond its own reward. Because of that, I am a happier person.

And for that, I thank 2007.

Badger Badger Badger Badger

I'm not several years late on a meme, I just saw a badger. Not just now, a couple of nights ago. But I'd never seen a living one in the wild. I think I've seen few sleeping and inside out on the side of the road, but a whole real life badger, sniffing around my garden at 1AM, it was frightening and awesome. Mainly because they're the size of a Great Dane with stubby legs and 140% as amazing.

I am in central London, and I just popped into the Apple Store. And as I do every time I venture into an Apple Store, I blog. Mainly because Apples make me so angry. But Linux makes me angry too at the moment. It couldn't full screen video without skipping every so often. And when I'm watching streaming Flash video, it misses out a second of audio, and then plays the missing sound over the next second of audio. Which is very distracting when you're trying to watch something. I'm going to have to try Ubuntu with the new KDE, because the computer I'm using isn't lacking in power, I think it just needs a more capable OS.

This is all in the interim before my Windows PC works again, and I can't wait for that.

It's Christmas Eve, and I have started my shopping about an hour ago. I know I leave it late, but that's how I do things. So I shouldn't write for long. I hope Julia's kidneys feel better soon, I'll be giving them a special Christmastime visit soon.

I'm going to take this opportunity to wish everyone who reads this a very Merry Christmas and I hope that you are treated well and eat even better.

The Correct Answer is Always Daft Punk

It must have been the year 2000, or so. It doesn't matter exactly, but it was in Napster's heyday. I was imagining what it would be like to have a car, and what music I'd like to have coming out of the windows during the Summer. And because of the popularity of Aerodynamic on the radio, I was tempted to see what else Daft Punk had done. One quick download of One More Time, and I was in Virgin buying Discovery. I didn't buy much music when I was young, but when I did, I really listened to it. For that reason, Discovery (along with Hello Nasty) became one of my growing up albums. And Daft Punk has held a place in my heart since then.

Of course I listened to the earlier works, and I bought Human After All as soon as I knew it was out. Only recently did I discover that they had released a live album (Alive), and since I got it I haven't listened to anything else.

But that's just a small part of my life. There have been plenty of events since my last entry, and the build up to Christmas has hardly featured. I had another dinner party, which was more hectic than before, but it was good to say goodbye to people before most of them went away. The day after was Laura's birthday party, and it was wonderful to see loads of old friends again and meeting some new ones. I hadn't been bowling in years, and the alley they knew was fantastically cheap without being trashy.

Some people I met though, didn't have Facebook. I was suddenly at a loss on how to keep in communication with them. I thought about asking for a phone number, but I found myself not knowing them well enough to ask, and I should have. There's always next time though.

The next night was the C-Star final. I almost had a breakdown with the stresses that went on that night, but I pulled through. I must congratulate Amy, who despite coming second, gave the best performances (and was recognised by the judges for it). She made the evening worthwhile. The night didn't end there though, as I had to pick up Yunhae and her sister to take her to Stansted airport, and I dropped Stephanie home on the way as well. For those of you who know, Stansted is a long way away, but it gave me and Yunhae a chance to catch up. Which was good fun. At this point, I'd been awake for something like twenty hours, seeing as I had taken Kiana to Heathrow that morning. And I'd only had four hours sleep the night before.

But instead of going home, I went to Cocoa's place and watched her pack, before collapsing on her (small) bed, which already had some people on it. It led to an amusing situation where three people were trying to sleep on a bed just big enough for one, and I had either feet in my face of on my neck. But I was tired enough not to notice. But we awoke after an hour and a half of unrestful slumber to take Cocoa to the airport, and then to drop her friends home. In all, including the Heathrow bowling alley, I'd been to an airport four times in 36 hours, and had barely left my car in that time. My car is filthy.

It isn't over, as I picked Yunhae and her sister up a few days later, and I'm taking her to Luton later tonight. It's a holiday marathon for her.

The last few nights have had a wonderful fog descending on Wimbledon. It's made visibility close to zero. Today it didn't leave during the day, so I suspect it'll only be stronger when night falls completely. I also found a wonderful article in the Times about how an old phone just won't die. The article is about my phone's successor, the 6310i (the 'i' means that it is fuel injected). I never got this phone, it just wasn't different enough from my then current phone, the 6210e. But the article covers all the reasons why I love my current phone, which is again the 6210e. Simple, long battery life (it alleges three days, but I know for a fact that mine lasts five), good sound quality, tactile buttons, comfortable in the hand and light.

I might have to get a Flickr Pro account soon. The 200 photo limit has me losing old photos that I find I suddenly need. In the same vein, I had rediscovered my love of drawing, and have starting sketching in charcoal again. One particular sketch was used as a Christmas present.

I went for an interview yesterday. It was an epic undertaking, as in everyone there going for the position was waiting there for up to six hours, doing tests and writing reports. After the effort I put in, I'd better get the damn job. I have been delayed in getting paid for a while, and while I have money for the mean time, I need more. But prognosis positive.