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'My Corduroyed Life' - Mark A's Journal
I'd just like to say that I've had one.
Have fun,
M
Current mood: Chilling/ Happy.
Current music: Away & Anywhere by John Frusciante.
I did it earlier today...
I was in Costcutter shopping, and saw that Hula Hoops multibags were on offer. As such I decided that I would buy Hula Hoops for my packed lunches this week. I went to the till and paid for my stuff and noticed that the Hula Hoops came up as £1.29 and not the 79p they were being promoted at. As such, I quibbled with the shop assistant about it, and she had to go throught the till, invalidate the whole thing, and retype it in manually. When I left, I said: "Sorry for fussing."
Then I realised that I wasn't actually sorry whatsoever for fussing. I realise I only saved myself a meagre 50p and wasted the time of myself, the assistant and the people behind me in the queue, but the fact of the matter is that the till was bost and I was being ripped off because of it. It wasn't my fault that the till was wrong after all, so why should I be sorry? Another reason I fussed is the fact that Costcutter really doesn't actually cut costs in comparison to places like Asda and Morrisons unless you buy the special offers they have on, and only the special offers they have on. This is something I make a point of doing unless there is something not on offer that I absolutely need to have (eg: milk, butter, bread, chocolate, etc).
So what I'm saying is that in my opinion, quibbling, as long as it's not your fault that there's a problem, is perfectly acceptable behaviour.
Have fun,
M
Current mood: Still Chilled/ Happy.
Current music: Like I Love You by Jason Timberland.
I'm feeling that my blogs have been a little impersonal recently, and this one is aimed to rectify that.
As I did before in the post entitled 'Me, Me, Me' (http://www.blurty.com/talkread.bml?journal=kingghidorah123&itemid=18302), I'm gonna break my life and
interests up into chunks with their own headings and write about each different thing. There is also the fact that I have learnt how to bold and italic things in this HTML malarkey and want to show my expertise at every given opportunity.
Mmmkay, here I go...
***
Films
I’ve not been watching as many films recently as I would like. In fact, I’ve started missing an obscene amount of films I really want to see at the cinema. The silver lining is that I’ll have a load of cool films to watch over the bleak season that is known as winter, and not have to go out in the cold.
The films I have seen recently have been fun, but they’ve been painfully mainstream and I feel I’m losing my OTT arty, stuck up, independent and obscure film superiority reputation. As such I must watch some ridiculously obscure films as soon as possible.
Films I’ve watched recently, the format, and my (brief) opinions:
Flatliners (DVD): One of the very few Hollywood films I own on DVD, and one of my favourites. So tense and so cool… and Kiefer Sutherland is dead fit in it.
Princess Mononoke (DVD): Extremely hyped anime that slightly disappointed. Really enjoyed it, but it was more childish than expected, and made little sense.
The Italian Job (Cinema): Billed as a remake, but actually not like it at all (minis and Italy being the only real similarity). Fun, some good set pieces, but ultimately only slightly above average… and Seth Green is dead fit in it.
Matrix Reloaded (IMAX Cinema): Initially disappointed with this film, but second and third viewings changed that. IMAX viewing was spectacular and I really enjoyed it, but the computer gen battle with lots of Agent Smiths looked poor on such a huge screen.
Films that I’m particularly gutted I missed:
Freddy V Jason
Hulk
Films at the cinema ATM that I really want to see:
Spellbound
Kill Bill (Am going to see this on Wednesday)
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
House of 1000 Corpses
Spirited Away
Films coming out soon that I am particularly wetting myself over:
Matrix Revolutions
Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King
Dawn of the Dead
***
Books
With my life as busy as it is, the amount of books I read has deteriorated quite drastically over the last couple of years. However, I do still read, and like nothing better than a relaxing bus/ train journey with just me and a softback (I do so dislike bulky hardbacks that don’t fit in a coat pocket).
Amazingly, I’ve finally finished tad Williams’s Otherland quadology (what’s next after trilogy, or should I have just used the word ‘series’?) ! It actually took me over two years to read the whole thing. However, considering that the whole thing is over 5000 pages over four books, and I’ve been dipping in and out of it whilst reading numerous other books, that’s not that long. My friend (cunty) Pete read it in about two months and couldn’t understand how I could take so long to read it when it’s so compelling and so complex. I dunno, I really enjoyed reading it that way inasmuch as it felt like a serial on telly or something. As a story, it’s actually really enjoyable. I would say for it’s length that it has fewer characters than one might expect, but this allows for amazing characterisation and a love story that was actually believable and not rushed and/ or irritatingly idealistic. Am thinking about investing in another one of Tad Williams’s four book epics, but I’ll be 27 before I finish it if I mirror how I read Otherworld: scary!
Have started reading Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams, and am about half way through it. Not as good as the five Hitch Hiker’s books but I didn’t expect it to be. What could?
Still not finished Treasure Island!
Once I’ve finished reading Dirk Gently, I’m likely to read Robots and Empire by Asimov. I feel kinda guilty that since I finished my English degree at University that I’ve read next to no ‘classic’ books. I’ve read a bit of HG Wells, Robert Louis Stevenson and Edgar Allan Poe, but the majority has been much more modern stuff. I suppose that Paula Coelo, Jeanette Winterson, and Ian McEwan are rated as somewhat modern classics, but realistically I’ve mainly read Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Tad Williams, JK Rowling, John Wyndham, and Robert Rankin. Thing is, I’m not sure this arses me: after all, I’m still in a job that you don’t require a degree for…
***
Musica
As you will have seen from the Current Music thing at the bottom of recent blog entries, I’ve actually been listening to some non-mainstream stuff recently. Big, big, public muchos gracias goes out to Chris Clough for his wonderful, wonderful birthday present of a CD with NINE albums burnt onto it! The fact that I don’t know how he managed to put them onto one disc immediately impressed me, and then the music impressed me more! Chris: you are ‘da lick’!
As you will have seen, I am currently loving the music of John Frusciante, Martin Grech, Molotov, Vast, AFI, and Transplants. Despite the fact that they’re all blatantly nicked good music taste, I’m feeling good about my obscurity again. Yay! AND I still have another four bands on the CD to investigate!
***
Internet
Might as well do a blog courtesy while I'm here! These are the journals of friends that I read:
mcphee/ Graeme: http://www.monkeys-and-pirates.com
Bowch: http://www.bowch.co.uk/blog.php
Pickled Pixie: http://www.cosmicmonkey.co.uk/
Fluff: http://members.tripod.com/bungle_uk/fluffyblog.html
Prince Gaz: http://www.princegaz.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/blog/index.htm
Mojo/ Splog: http://www.splog.dsl.pipex.com/blog/
Sean/ Downfall: http://www.blurty.com/users/downfall838
Another blog I've been reading recently is that of a friend of a friend.
Relatively recently mcphee discovered that a friend of his, Casp, has a blog too and linked it up to his blog. So I took a look, and Casp has some interesting things to say on both his blog and Live Journal (although I don't understand why he doesn't amalgamate the two). Strangely, phee doesn't call him 'Wrong Casp' like he calls me 'Wrong Mark' (I really do hate the fact that that joke firstly made me laugh in the first place and secondly the fact that it still does). Anyway...
Casp: http://casp.wiccauk.com/
Am I the only person that thinks that Weebl and Bob has been a bit rubbish recently? The last three (TV: http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/tv.htm , Wedding: http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/wedding.htm ,and Blockage: http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/blockage.htm) have just not been funny, in my opinion. This is so disappointing, because prior to this (Cheese: http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/cheese.htm , Hentai: http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/hentai.htm and Quest: http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/quest.htm), were three of my absolute favourites ever. I hope they improve soon. I sincerely doubt that they will ever top my favourite, Shoes (http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/shoes.htm), but I have been sorely disappointed with all their most recent offerings.
On a similar note, Happy Tree Friends have a Halloween episode (http://www.happytreefriends.com/), which was particularly evil and gruesome (so of course, I loved it!). I am very seriously thinking of purchasing the DVD of Happy Tree Friends (http://www.dvd.co.uk/product.asp?id=REVD1756).
Meanwhile, gaydar (http://www.gaydar.co.uk) has gone all swanky. The profiles are all orange, and classy with clever clicky pictures instead of popups. One thing that is really good is that the assistant is no longer a separate popup either. Less boxes is good! I've also added a new pic to my profile (it's the second one from the left with me in a white T Shirt - I think it makes me look muscular): http://www.gaydar.co.uk/kingghidorah123
***
Work
Work has been really busy, but I’m slowly getting to grips with the new role I’ve been entrusted with. I really don’t want to fuck it up, so I’m actually working a lot harder than I have for a very long time. I’m even turning up at 8.30 instead of 9.15 on some days (we work on flexitime, but I rarely get in any earlier than I have to [9.15]). The new role looks like it’s gonna actually challenge me, and I’m actually gonna enjoy it, rather than the indifference I’ve been feeling over the last 6 months or so. My workload is larger, but I don’t care that much to be fair. I’m even motivated to actually make an effort to organise, prioritise and manage my workload effectively… scary.
***
Bunty
Bunty, Bunty, Bunty, Bunty, BUNTY!
I'm probably the only person who found that funny... the first time.
Bunty.
***
Chocolate
You may remember that a while ago, I promised to keep a chocolate log (http://www.blurty.com/talkread.bml?journal=kingghidorah123&itemid=26049). Well that went tits up when I became ill, and the log would have been a travesty, making me actually look like a reasonably good boy. So I decided that that week was void, and I'd do it the next week... and then I forgot about it. However, since the chocolate log post, I’ve kinda monitored my choccy levels, and it’s really, really frightening! Just today, I’ve eaten half a bag of Dairy Milk Shots, a packet of Chocolate Fingers, half a large block of Dairy Milk with crispie bits and a Cadbury’s choccy mousse. I reckon I’m keeping Cadbury’s in business with my addiction, you know. Thing is, I just know I’ll never change… unless I get fat.
How sad is it that chocolate gets it’s own heading?!?!
***
Ninja
Have a few things to talk about with regards to Ninja! The first is my left-handedness being frustrating, but that covered in a reply I wrote to an entry in phee’s blog (http://www.monkeys-and-pirates.com/comments.php?id=82_0_1_0_C). For the other stuff, in a forlorn attempt to be funny, I will do them in the style of Mystic Ninja language followed by translations (remember the post ages ago called ‘Mark A the Ninja Administrator’s First Mission’: http://www.blurty.com/talkread.bml?journal=kingghidorah123&itemid=22091).
Mark A the Ninja Administrator becomes the Official Ninja Secretary
As prearranged, I reported to the Grand Master Sensei of Ninja Badassness for one of our twice weekly secret meeting to pass on the sacred Ninja techniques of badassness and stealth and Ninja superhuman abilities.
[I went to a Ninja class that Ninja Rich was teaching.]
The Grand Master Sensei of Ninja Badassness called me aside from the rest of the Badass Ninja Clan that is the Bujinkan Tendo Shingan Dojo with most enlightening and joy- invoking news of much honour, splendour and trustworthiness upon me.
[Rich had a word with me to tell me summat cool]
The Grand Master Sensei of Ninja Badassness informed me that I, 7th Kyu Mark Adams BA; Badass Ninja; Veteran of the Ninja mission of Exotic and Dangerous Ninjaness, had been chosen for a much honoured, splendourful and much trusted position of power withing the Badass Ninja Clan that is the Bujinkan Tendo Shingan Dojo. He implored me to accept the much revered honour, and I agreed with much honour and enthusiasm. I was to be armed with the Ninja shield of information retention and miniature dagger of knowledge transference to keep the sacred records of the Bujinkan Tendo Shingan Dojo’s numerous Ninjas.
[He asked me to be the Club’s Secretary and to keep the register and I agreed]
First Official Task for Mark A the Official Ninja Secretary
The Grand Master Sensei of Ninja Badassness was taking much needed meditation, and The Senior Grand Master Sensei of Ninja Badassness and Elder of the Bujinkan Tendo Shingan Dojo was to chair our latest secret meeting to pass on the sacred Ninja techniques of badassness and stealth and Ninja superhuman abilities.
[Taff (the Dojo owner) was taking a class]
When The Senior Grand Master Sensei of Ninja Badassness and Elder of the Bujinkan Tendo Shingan Dojo was fighting by the metal chariots of sloth and barrier creation and as such was not there, The Grand Master Sensei of Ninja Badassness asked me to perform the sacred ritual of exhaustive fitness enhancement and injury prevention on our newly recruited trainee Ninjas. This filled me with honour, much joy, and splendour.
[Because Taff was caught in traffic, Ninja Rich asked me to lead the warm up. I was SO chuffed]
The White Ninja
I, 7th Kyu Mark Adams BA; Badass Ninja; Official Ninja Secretary; Veteran of the Ninja mission of Exotic and Dangerous Ninjaness, made a tragic, disgraceful and honourless error. I left my black, badass gi of much repellent pungency with my most wonderous, sacred, gi cleaning lover, and neglected to reclaim it before our latest secret meeting to pass on the sacred Ninja techniques of badassness and stealth and Ninja superhuman abilities.
[I asked Tony to wash my minging gi, and forgot to collect it before my Ninja class]
It was with much dishonour that I donned the white gi of sticking out like a sore thumb, elderlyness, and much question inducing. I was treated with much curiosity and distain by my fellow Bujinkan Tendo Shingan Dojo members.
[I had to wear my old white Ju Jitsu martial arts outfit and got abuse for it]
I was greatly dishonoured, and wore the crimson cheeks of peer induced ashamedness.
[I was embarrassed]
***
Relationship
Tony and I are going great (lalalalalalala! Happy Mark!). I am so happy that I am in this relationship, and realise that I am a very lucky guy. I also realise that five weeks in that I'm sounding kinda OTT. Ignoring all that 'gay years' stereotyping (which was actually funny the first time I heard it, but not the 100th), our relationship has moved very fast into something I would call serious. We spend a hell of a lot of time with each other, and it already feels weird and lonely if I wake up in the morning without him next to me.
We had an argument earlier this week over something really silly. You'd have to go a long way back to find me as miserable as I was after it happened. I had all the paranoid rubbish going through my head like "he's gone off me," "I've blown it by being stubborn," "he's not interested any more," etc, etc. This was, of course, utter baloney, and I managed to make myself all uptight and depressed over nothing. The reconciliation was nice [smutty smirk]...
Tony: you’re wonderful and I’m so happy you’re in my life.
***
Me Flat
I was gonna write a huge moan about what’s going on with my flat ATM, but I’ve already spent two hours writing this thing which seems a bit excessive… so I’ll save that Queeny tirade for another time. Something for you to look forward to, obviously.
What I will say is that it looks like A FUCKING BOMBSITE and it’s not my fault! [fume]
***
If you’re still here: well done! I’ve utterly excelled myself in blithering on far too much. When I started this, I didn’t expect it to be eight pages of Microsoft Word, but I appear to have had a lot to say. Anyway, thanks for reading: that was my life over the past few weeks!
Have fun,
Mark x
Current mood: Great... but a bit tired now..
Current music: Romper Stomper by Transplants.
I'll try not to do this again... but they're SO addictive!
I've taken another silly quiz: this is getting something like an addiction (although probably not as big an addiction as my chocolate problem). This latest one is which Mortal Kombat character you are: http://quizilla.com/users/vegasbabe16/quizzes/Which%20Mortal%20Kombat%20Character%20are%20You%3F/
Kitana! You use your razor blade fans to splatter
the blood of your opponents on the walls...you
are the daughter of the princess Sindel and
sister to your evil twin, Mileena, although you
are forced to kill both of your only relatives,
you are kind hearted and desperately in love
with Liu Kang
Which Mortal Kombat Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
How chuffed am I with that result?! Yay! She is like my fave MK character (to play) of all time. I think she is SO fantastic: she is a Ninja, and she uses Tessen (Ninja War Fan weapon) for goodness sake! Could she BE any cooler?!
Have fun,
M
Current mood: Tired... bed time now!.
Current music: Tall Can In The Air by Transplants.