Sigh

As I'm writing this, I cannot think of a title for this post that will accurately portray everything contained inside it, that is, something that has a relevance to most of it. I thought 'Hate' because it's a post I regret to say is full of ranting [Some not even mine], but figured that might be too harsh. There was also 'Unite' because I would hope that many of you out there would feel the same way about me as some of these things, but that's too 'up myself' so I threw that one away too. So i decided, I would just write the entry, then put a title in at the end. Of course, you'll already have seen it, quite a paradoxical thought [In case you didn't realise, paradox has to be one of my favourite words of late, can't stop using it, even when it doesn't fit :|]

Private jokes are a part of life, and yet I hate them so. Correction, I don't hate them, though they are completely pointless [I'll explain later], but I don't really accept those people who guard them as if they're government secrets, fearing that should they tell anyone else, and spoil the whole thing, the world might collapse or *shock* *horror* somebody else will be in on the joke! I'm not one to be affected by simply not knowing what hilarious event on minor/major scales happen to individuals or groups. I like those little moments in life where something happens to you or your friends, which surprise and entertain you for unexplained reasons, and I love that it can bring a wave of laughter up by simply mentioning it somewhere in the future. Doesn't it just twist your knickers [Oh dear, that came out wrong!] when somebody uses it as a way to abstain you from the conversation, albeit temporarily, and they seem to think that's a great thing? I've been in this situation many a time, where somebody says something 'SNEEZE!' or 'Yeah, like the last time we had BANANA BREAD!' purely to eliminate your whole presence in the conversation. What do they think it achieves? Not only does it wind me up [Again, I must clarify that it is not the fact that I don't know what happened, but for the way these jerks go about avoiding bringing anyone else into a joke they needn't even bring up], but if it is a necessity to bring to the fray, then please go about explaining it, or else keep the information to yourself. It's about as annoying as a punch in the throat. I will also let you in on a little secret though, those of you have such private jokes i.e everyone : Even if you explain the joke, it doesn't mean you can't still enjoy it. Only you and your friend will truly appreciate it if that's what you care about, but if you're only using it as an object to show how awesome you are because you share these private moments with everyone, then please don't. It doesn't make us think 'Wow, they must be so cool, they have lots of adventure wherever they go! Let me admire you!', it makes us think 'Wow, what a douche/moron/insert word here.' So please, for the love of God, share or don't bring up, or at least don't make it so obvious it's something you don't wish to share.

Whew, rant over temporarily, and now for something completely different. I was on the internet today [Really? On the internet today? What a surprising turn of events!] and came across this website that you may know of, but have never visited. It's called 10 Downing Street. Some of you may know where this is, but others of you, possibly those of you with only a few percent brain capacity left or those unacquainted with some of the most basic knowledges of Politics and Government [Oh, I'm included in that last group, but I did know this at least. Thank god.] To reassure you though, it is the residence of the Prime Minister of our fine country, Great Britain. [Clarification: Mr Tony Blair, said Prime Minister, does not live in a website.] From here he does all his handiwork, when he's not broadcasting his TV programmes from inside the room with all the green benches of course. Yes, as you may know, he handles all stuff to do with Politics, as it's his job. Moving on to the point of this topic though, on his website, there is a section all about petitioning, and it has now been setup so that members of the public may create and sign petitions on anything, from 'Stop hassling pigeons' to 'Please sign this to prevent 2% postage costs on our packages which don't contain bombs to our troops in Iraq, or any place in Iraq, or hell, anywhere in the world.' It's a very widely accessible site, and as such, has warranted quite a few popular petitions. At the moment, one of the top ones is that explaining how student loan payments, those going from our bank accounts back to the SLC to pay off our loans, are being taken out monthly, kept in the IR's bank accounts earning them interest on our payments, meanwhile the SLC are charging us for interest on non payments, while the IR eventually gives it to the SLC on April of each year. It might not all be truthful, but I also thought it may merit some kind of investigation, hence why I did sign up to the petition eventually. If you are interested in signing this petition [All it takes is an email address and an address which they won't share with anyone], please follow the following link:
Student Loans Petition
To visit the home of the petitions site, please click the following link:
Petitions Home
The completely open accessibility of this site though, has led to some pretty stupid, infeasible and odd petitions to be created, such as this one, petitioning for 'Monkeys to be made available on the NHS' >_< Monkeys and this one which is most likely a joke by some youth somewhere on this planet Plague

This past week, despite what it may look like from my previous rant, has been one of the best weeks ever, and here's why. It was obvious that many people were going to be heading home for the holidays, unavoidable in fact, and I had already almost sworn I was going to be up here in Uni for the whole time due to me getting a new job [Which is good btw B-)]. I didn't realise that so many people were going to be sticking around with me though. This small but awesome group of people are Jamie, Louise, Shaun, Tom, Roxie, Stuart, Cat, Ian and CJ [I don't believe I'm missing anyone?] and they have been here for the past week [Though now some of them have dispersed back to respective homes :(] with me, and overall we've been having an eventful week! Starting on Sunday at Toms, then going to the bar on Monday, a party at mine on Tuesday, a BBQ on wednesday and finally a night out in town on Thursday [Which I didn't make, unfortunately]. During the time we spent together, we all had such a brilliant tike and created a whole bunch of memories that will hopefully stick with me, and the rest of us, for a long while. I have put up a couple of photos on Facebook for you to peruse if you feel like, and the fun seems like it might not be over just yet, for there are certain gigs to attend and big 21st parties to journey to Reading for ;) And these of course, will continue to be documented via camera and of course, the new kid on the blog, the handycam! Oh yes, the youtube video will get onto the internet eventually, expect laughs a plenty :)

I just want to end this on a high note, I have had a lot fo fun this week, thanks a lot for making it so awesome, I really feel [Clichés ahead! Turn back now!] like we bonded a lot and got to know each other just that little bit better! Thanks loads for being friends of mine, maybe one day the pleasure will be mutual!

Signing off. I think I just got my perfect title...


[CLICK FOR BIG]

Scarlett

Scarlett is a word that I have come across a lot recently. Most of you will associate it with the famous actress of the Johansson variety, star of several films including The Girl With The Pearl Earring and The Prestige. My favourite film of all time has her in it, Lost In Translation. I don't even know why I like that film so much, it just has a place in my heart because it feels like you're watching something perfectly happy and perfectly sad at the same time, and it's a lot more real than most films, it has less of a Hollywood sheen. Even she is good in it, despite most peoples criticisms of her acting, which I've never had a problem with.

This is the reason I like her so much in this new video of one of my current favourite songs. 'What Goes Around...' by Justin Timberlake. The link I have kindly posted for you below, and even if a) you have never liked a JT song or b) you don't like the guy, please give the video a watch, as not only is it completely different to almost anything he's done before, but it's quite interesting to see Scarlett Johansson in what is essentially a short film.



And as well as that awesome piece, the name Scarlett has also appeared quite frequently in my recent doings, all thanks to my little pet project The Towers. In case you don't know what that is, continue reading. If you do know what it is, feel free to skip this explanatory paragraph. The Towers is a University based drama/soap that is not only set around the lives of students, but written by, starring and filmed by students themselves, so it's quite a big feat. Especially since its a project I've not only started from scratch and held auditions for and gathered writers, but we are also going to be premièring it to the campus at the beginning of next term.

Now for the news. There was a bit of a recent update with regards to the script, as we had lost a couple of actors, and needed replacements, so as well as updating the script, part of the unofficial groups held an acting workshop, and a few people turned up. Enough so that as well as filling previously empty roles, we also had enough for some new characters. So, a bunch of new characters were written, and now we have Shane, Mark, Philippa and Scarlett to add to the now growing list. It's spread like wildfire since we started filming for it, and now it seems everybody wants a part! As filming goes, we've done everything except for one scene, which will be done on Friday, and thanks to my new home editing software the episode will be complete by the weekend, which has given everybody involved in the project something to look forward to! And script writing is also nearing the completion of episode 2, which gives all the newest actors their first starring roles, so as far as I'm concerned, things couldn't be better for us, those of you in my campus had better keep an eye out for the big premiere next term! Here's a little taster, a blooper reel from filming the first episode, enjoy!