Table Tennis Tuesday

I am particularly fond of tuesday for one reason....table tennis.

A friend has a table and every tuesday (well maybe not all) a few of us get together and have a knock about. The trouble is i am very competitive and and not all that keen on losing.

Since we first started about a year ago i have definately improved. Last week i had a bit of a eureka moment. Until now i really struggled to put spin on the ball but as soon as i started hitting the ball i found i was putting spin on it. The longer i played the better i got at it. I don't understand how one day you can't do something and the next you just get it. I'm glad i have though because it means i can pull out some unexpected shots.

It's nothing serious but it's really good to get out and do something different.

Night out at the theatre.

Despite having a raging temperature and feeling pants all day Sunday, i had something to look forward to....the theatre. Now me being me, it wasn't to see a show but to see Mr Jimmy Carr. I have been to see Jimmy in Oxford for the last five years and every year he has got better and better. Initially he stood there and reeled off line after line of jokes. It almost felt a little awkward. But last night proved how much he has grown as a performer. His level of interaction with the audience is much greater than when i first saw him. In fact he actually had audience members on stage with him. He seems more relaxed and i think that makes for a better show. Of course the material he uses isn't for the faint hearted but everyone has their own taste in comedy.

So yes i had to sit through the show feeling awful and possibly spreading my germs to 1500 other people. It did mean i got to pay a lot of money for some yummy interval ice cream which soothed my throat a treat. Oh and i got to enjoy the strange and often inappropriate ramblings of one of my favourite comedians.

The Lil Fat Comedy Club

I have been going to this little comedy club for a few years now and i think it is fantastic. What better than going out maybe once or twice a month and watching some live comedy? As well as seeing some up and coming comedians you get to see more established acts such as Sarah Millican (i had never heard of her until i saw her at Fat Lils then she suddenly appeared all over the tv!), Jo Caulfield, Greg Davies and Stuart Lee just to name a few.

However on Wednesday i had the pleasure of watching Milton Jones. Absolute genius. Prior to this i had seen him on Mock The Week and watched him at Reading. This was different though. It is only a small club so there was only about 80 people in there. This makes it such a nice intimate evening and you get to really appreciate acts. Your not straining to see or hear and it hasn't been edited to show what someone else wants you to see.

I'm so pleased i discovered Fat Lils. It is a little gem hidden away behind a door on a street that most people don't even notice. Venture through the unknown and you may just find something special like i did.

September

Wow it's windy outside today! It's that time of year when you know a turn in the weather is imminent and autumn will be upon us. Darker nights, wind, rain (although that doesn't appear to be a seasonal thing), leaves turning colour. These are all signs that it's nearly my birthday. It won't be long until the heating is on and people are panic buying christmas presents.

This year seems to have flown passed. Not that long ago i was stressing about the start of uni. That moved on to stressing about placement and finally results. Even the stress of my graduation last week seems such a long time ago. I know that i have done things this year other than work and uni but i can't remember.

You know when your driving through snow at night and it looks like your in an episode of Star Trek going at warp speed? That's what this year has felt like.

My dad always warned me. He told me as i grew up the years would go quicker but i never believed him. I'm starting to now.

My grandma said something to me yesturday which saddened me a little. We were talking about my cousin and all the travelling she has been doing. My grandma said 'You need to live your life whilst you can because when you your like me, sat here at night on your own, it's only your memories that keep you company'.

My Graduation

What an amazing day!

I got to uni and directed my parents to the canteen. I loitered in the foyer for a while then decided to go and get sorted. It must have been nerves. First i went and registered and got my guest tickets then i made my way to the robing area. Once i had that mortar board and gown on i felt amazing. All the work i had put in to get to this moment. I went to find my parents and as i was walking down the corridor people were looking and it felt so good. I know that makes me sound like i have a massive ego but it was my day after all.

The ceremony itself was quite boring in all truth. We had to stand for the procession to come in then it was what seemed like endless speeches. They called us up a row at a time. I know that when i stood to walk to where we queued i was so nervous. When i got to the front and the Dean called my name i just looked straight at the Vice Chancellor and walked. I had a huge grin on my face. I shook her hand, she congratulated me and that was it. Over.

The pride i felt on friday was immense. Even my dad was choked up and gave me a hug. This is from a man who rarely shows his emotion. I can't wait for my official photo to arrive.

Now it seems like it was so long ago and at times i wonder if it actually happened. I know it did though. Even my friend in Brunei got to watch it thanks to the marvel of modern technology. It was truely the best day of my life (so far) and i'm pleased i got to share it with friends and family.

I'm still smiling.

Graduation stress

Well the time is nearly upon me. Friday i will be graduating from uni. I'm very excited about it, who wouldn't be? After a lot of hard work i've finally achieved my goal.

It was all fine until last night anyway. I woke up this morning having dreamt that i wasn't in the right clothing, i had forgotten my cap etc etc. Basically it was a total nightmare and i looked a fool in front of everybody. This has lead to unbelievable stressing. I have checked all the details several times, written down the timings, where everything is, you name it i've checked it.

I'm sure it's going to be absolutely fine. I'm not going to fall flat on my face on stage. Maybe if i think positively it will help?

Whatever happens it is one of the most important days of my life.

Jury Service Joke

In February i recieved a letter calling me up for jury service just after easter. This clashed with some important uni deadlines so i asked to defer it for 12 months. They then sent me a letter telling me i had to do it in September. Hardly 12 months is it. So if i got a job after graduating this new date was bound to clash with my start date. I did get a job and explained that i had been called up for jury service so arranged to start after it was finished. That all seems fine. Today i got a phone call telling me they have too many jurors and i have two options a) be excused from jury service meaning i wouldn't have to do it or b) stay on jury service. My question is why the hell do they have too many jurors? Do they not think people would make arrangements to fit this in to their schedule? It has really annoyed me that they have waited a week before i'm due to start to tell me this. If they had contacted me sooner i could have changed my plans. As it is i am staying on jury service because i made provisions for it. Bloody idiots. I had better get a decent case!

Reading Festival 2010

So i went to Reading this year and kind of wish i hadn't. Previous years that i have been there has always been a band or bands that i want to see. This year nothing.

For me the best part was the comedians i saw. Jason Byrne just ran with the flow and ad libbed, using the audience as material. He was very funny. Milton Jones, i don't really need to say anything his one liners are classic. Some groaners but hilarious. Robin Ince was funny from what i could hear. I missed some of it from being deafened by the awful sound coming from either the main stage or festival republic stage. The least funny comedian i saw was Angelos Epithemiou of Shooting Stars fame. I didn't stay around very long to find out if he got any funnier. I doubt it.

These are some of the bands i saw:

The Cribs - They were in the background, i think i fell asleep. Nothing special.

Biffy Clyro - After hearing a couple of songs on the music channels i was really looking forward to seeing them. Total disappointment.

Paramore - Pointless noise. Is she the new Avril Lavigne?

Cypress Hill - Old and past it. They have two songs at most. I actually walked off to get some food and when i came back 15 minutes later it sounded like the same song.

One Night Only - The lead singer has a good voice but they are just typical of bands these days. Nothing new.

Limp Bizkit - I actually enjoyed some of the songs. I did irritate me when Mr Durst decided to wander off and say hello to the crowd. I want to listen to music not watch someone shaking hands.

Weezer - I don't know very many Weezer songs but they were very entertaining. My favourite part was the cover of MGMT-Kids/Lady GaGa-Poker Face complete with a blonde wig. It really got the crowd going.

The Libertines - A long awaited reunion apparently. I have never been and never will be a fan of them. The most enjoyable moment was when the sound was cut due to a fight or something in the crowd. Not eagerly awaited from my point of view.

Dizzee Rascal - I can't say i've ever listened to him much but i actually really enjoyed it. The highlight was probably the encore which was of course Bonkers.

Guns N' Roses - The biggest disappointment of all. We waited an hour before deciding to leave at which point Axl decided he was going to come on stage. The crowd were booing and chanting we want Slash which was quite amusing. The most amusing moment full stop was when Axl shouted 'I wanna hear you scream!' The response? 'Booooooooo. F**k off!' I'm glad i had the opportunity to see GNR but i would never pay to see them again. Axl took the piss and i feel sorry for the fans who paid to see them and were robbed.

Mr Fogg - I heard one song on the BBC Introducing stage and really enjoyed it. Bit different.

Little Fish - I first saw them at Brixton Academy supporting Hole. The sound was so much better on the Introducing stage. The lead singer reminds me a lot of Chrissie Hynde but i really like the music.

This year i discovered a milkshake stall with yummy shakes my favourite was Jaffa Cake. It actually tasted like a Jaffa Cake! Also there was a noodle stand from which i bought a box of never ending noodles. Bargin, filled me up for the day. Thumbs down to the hot dog stand which gave me a bad stomach. I didn't really drink all that much maybe two pints a day. By drink i mean alcohol. I'm glad i bought some wellies. It was really muddy gettting into the arena on friday, saturday it was ok everywhere but after the rain on saturday night the whole place was a mud pit. I think it says it all that i actually bought a chair to sit on. Maybe it's a sign i'm getting old?