Cup of tea anyone?

2008-01-08T04:03:00.000Z

And so it begins…

The flight over was the same as always - so for me that seems to involve being upgraded from economy to economy plus. I salute you BA!
That also make up for the fact that we were late taking off.

Calgary, AB was a balmy 25 degrees below. Welcome to Canada Instructors.

So… Yeah that was written about a month ago. Sorry about that!
I’ve since started work at Lake Louise Snow School - I’ve had three days of training and five days of teaching so far, a few days off and no concussion. The lessons are going well at the moment - Kids are actually good fun to teach - I feel more confident every lesson.

The uniform is pretty sweet - it feels good to walk around in it.

Not a lot is actually happening at the moment still getting into the swing of the early start, mountain air and amount of energy actually needed to teach kids younger than 12.

So as I missed wishing everybody a Merry Christmas - I shall pre-empt New Years by wishing everybody a a happy new year now… Happy New Year!

So here is a photo of the office…

Had a huge dump of snow at the weekend so have been riding sick lines through new deep pow for the last couple of day - oh yeah

bring on the snow!!

2007-09-01T17:11:00.001Z

This weekend

2007-08-27T21:24:00.000Z

So another trip out in the Kayaks this weekend with Jim

Well actually, we went out on Saturday and then we went out on Sunday as well, this time joined by Stu. Had my camera round my neck on Saturday and filmed a bit of a vid on the way back from the pub. Still haven't watched it yet. For Sunday however I made a housing to hold the camera. This was taped to the kayak and the following was shot from there.

Roll film...

2007-07-29T19:12:00.000Z

Went out in the TR today - "Dang that is a sweet ride" you might say and then i would say "hell yeah it is" and then you would say "awesome" and then i would say "you are like so jealous" and then you would say "you would never say that" and then i would say "yeap sorry but dang that was a sweet ride!"

2007-07-28T11:25:00.000Z

So welcome back

So what has been happening since may:-

I've been at work (thats been most of the time!), i'm cycling to work everyday, i've had a promotion and a pay rise (Harrah!), I've just had loads of work dumped onto me, Thursday and Friday (harroo). Its been so long since the last post y'all probably don't even know where I'm working, well... I'm working for Mars drinks (the drinks part of Mars, the chocolate company) in R&D, all classified work sorry, no seriously it is!

The folks have bought a rowing machine so i have been rowing

I've started running and swimming again and am now working towards my first triathlon

Naz put me onto the Flight of the Conchords - a comdey duo from Kewi Land:
check them out

I've completed, Unreal II, Warcraft III, have almost completed Doom 3 and Pharaoh and am currently addicted to Roller Coaster Tycoon.

I've read The Communist Manifesto, Catch 22, The First Men in the Moon by H.G Wells
(very good) and Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith (even better), more Tintin and Hero Bear and the Kid - The inheritance, again - great graphic novel.

I've watched seasons 3 though 5 of 24, numerous films, some good and some bad (some really bad, no names mentioned - the Bunker). Various seasons, some new some old, seasons 6 and 7 of the West Wing (both very good) and the first episode of Studio 60 on the sunset strip (premiered on British TV Thursday evening), (I have a felling its going to be good!

I've sold my first thing on Ebay - the old mini engine which I had almost finished rebuilding went to a good home, more money - Harrah!

I waxed my snowboard last weekend which I've been meaning to do since April, still no news from Lake Louise - so continue to wait I shall!

I've been creating computer models for Lou and Lou's brother Dan (Lou - I must send them to you so you so I can get some feed back!)

I've rebuilt my mountain bike so it now works - always helpful!

I think I might have an idea for the comic strip I want to write - just need to iron out some details - well most of them actually and then draw it!

I've been kayaking with Jim down the Basingstoke canal - its a lot more pleasant than it sounds, it felt a lot better than when we went out in December, probably because I didn't fall into the water... in December. And we also stopped for lunch at a Pub on the canal, that was a first for both of us.

Its been raining

And then it been raining some more

Oh is that the sun - nope, then more rain.

Today however is really rather good.

I'm going out (hopefully) in the TR6 for the first time this weekend since I've been put on the insurance - we were meant to take it to the TR international show last weekend but it was being held at a show ground in the west country - which may or may not have been under water.

So i think that brings us up to speed. hopefully the next post will be before November!

Peace

2007-05-16T15:49:00.000Z

A few videos for your enjoyment. Some you may have seen and some you may have not.

Enjoy. Peace

2007-05-15T20:12:00.000Z

so some stuff has happened since the last post and by that logic i'm guessing some stuff has also not happened - funny old world!

2007-04-20T17:26:00.000Z

So injuries from the past 14 weeks

Bruised ribs - more than once
Winded - lots
hyper extended thumb
Knackered wrist
Twisted ankle
Dodgy knee
Concussion - with amnesia
Friction burn on chin - from snow!
Deep bruise on thigh - from jumping the snowmobile
some kind of bruise / strain / something or other on the right shoulder

Not bad for 14 weeks, faired a lot better than some of the other guys

2007-04-17T17:12:00.000Z

So after the interlude of the interesting spider reactions to drugs, back to reality with a bump - I am currently sat in Calgary international airport waiting for my flight which is not for about another 3 ½ hours.

On the plus side however I have just been upgraded to world traveller plus - Score! No idea what the difference is but I’m much closer to the front of the plane which must be a good thing.

So back to Banff and back to last weekend - we said a fair well to Jacko. So that has left Matt, Chris (who up to this point I had only seen twice since base camp split) and me. Matt has been having some private lessons in preparation for his retake of his riding for the level 2. So I have been cruising around the mountain trying to spin a 3 (60). Managed to end most day in a bit of a mood. And then on Saturday I realised why I snowboard and why I want to do it as a job. And my mood wheat very quickly from being ready to leave to really not wanting to go, it’s a funny old world.

Saturday I went to Sunshine (eeeuuurgh!) to ride with Alex, Natasha and Nolan (guys from the SameSun) Still no luck with the 3 it was still a good day.

It was going to be my last day on the hill so I could relax on Sunday and then pack on Monday because I thought it was going to be a long job. Turns out I then went back to Louise (Harrah!) on Sunday and then again on Monday.

Saturday evening we went out for Chris’ leaving do. Matt and I where going to go for some drinks anyway as Matt’s level 2 was over my final night he didn’t want to drink. We went to the Rose and Crown for some pool and some jars and there was a group of guys there from Edmington who have known each other from school and go out together each year. They where in their 40’s and were hammered - they were really good fun and we had a few drinks with them before we moved onto Mel’s to meet up with Chris. More drinks at Mel’s resulted in both of us still being hammered when we meet for a final breakfast in Mel’s (damn its good!). Really relaxed breakfast as there are now only two buses to Louise each morning. Thought I was fine before I stood up - turns out I was still drunk! - Sunday on the hill got ride of that though - the mountain air really is awesome!

I spent Sunday trying to spin the 3 again. I though it was going to be my day because the first spin was really close. Still no luck as I just seemed to get worse and worse. On a plus note my 180s are a lot better and than include me getting over my inability to spin backside spins. I think I have over come that both regular and switch (again Harrah!). Monday, as it turned out was disserted - it wasn’t as sunny as well which means by the end of the day the snow was still snow and not slush. Also another really good thing was that as it is getting towards the end of the season and it is really quite they have closed the glacier quad (which just so happens to run right over the top of the park). So not only was the park really quite but there was nobody watching. I took this opportunity to sessoin the rails a bit and ended up having an awesome day.

Rails sessioned: Beginners box
{Front side broad slide;
Front side broad slide, switch out;
Front side broad slide nose press}
Jump on flat box
{50-50;
front side shifty}
Rainbow rail
{50-50}
Jump on up box
{50-50}
Up-flat-down box
{50-50;
Tried a 50-50 on the up and the flat and then an back side broad slide on the down - didn’t work - ended up winded!}

Also rolled over the bin at the top of a spin and also managed a nose press on the bin and rode out switch the way I came in

Tried one 3 - didn’t work but at least it looked like a sweet 180

It was awesome fun so hopefully I will be a bit more willing to go in the park next season.

On the front of the next season, apparently Lake Louise has a list of who they want to come back next year - no news yet but that is from both Jamie and Anna - finger crossed.

So that has killed a bit of time writing this - only 3 hours to wait!

See you on home soil

Peace

2007-04-15T01:35:00.001Z

Funny stuff

check it out...

2007-04-12T15:56:00.000Z

so I thought matts ex to snowboard on friday - another successful lesson harrah!

i took saturday and sunday off as i normally do but it was easter weekend and good friday was busy enough thank you very much. how dare all these people come to my mountain - the cheek!

Saturday morning i decided to run up tunnel mountain, and yes i did run (part of) it! not my smartest idea for a first run of the year - what can i say only a lucky few are gifted with these kind of idea. you are all very lucky to be in the presence of greatness. the view was awesome though and i met a kiwi girl called jenny near the top so we took in the view together and walked back down.

i thought i was going to have a quite afternoon, but after i got back to the hostel and everybody else had woken up (yes i got up and down tunnel mountain before they even got out of bed!) we decided to head down to the river and have a BBQ ( with Kiwis and Aussies - i knew it was going to be good) and a few jars - by a few i mean actually quite a few. we then came back and decided to go up to the hot springs - turned into an awesome from very humble beginnings.
sunday was a quite day in.

monday was Jacko's final night so we went out for a meal and a few drinks. turns out he got home fine which leave just me, Matt and Chris, although i have only seen Chris twice since the rest of the crew left a few weeks back. i think he has spent of his time drinking but hey never mind. Matt and i have had a good week and the weather has been sweet. we went to see TMNT at the cinema on tuesday - it was really good fun - the ninjas are awesome in it.

I thought i was ready to stop boarding this morning but after today i can now see why i want to do this all season - i was on such a high this afternoon I'm really looking forward to tomorrow - bring it on

Peace

2007-04-06T15:46:00.001Z

So after the level 2 I had an awesome week, as did Chris. As we had both passed we had no re-takes to work towards so we could just have a really fun week, trying to go big off everything, bigger rock drops and cornice drops than we had ever done and trying to tweak the shot out of all of them. This did however lead to quite a few tomahawks. Sky, snow, sky, snow, sky, snow… at least on the whole snow is soft and as Warren Miller said ‘you can’t get hurt in the air!’

So the re-takes where on Friday. Will had to redo Thursday and Friday because of the accident. But the good news is that everybody passed in the end - Harrah! So Friday night was another big night out, with the sad prospect that most people had to go home the next day. It was a weird prospect that after 11 weeks they all just disappear! They all had fun and most are treatening to come back next year!

So it is now two weeks since that fateful Friday when the crew separated and I am now in the Samesun backpacker hostel in a room of four with my own double bed surrounded by kiwi’s and aussie’s. the number of times people have thought that I am either kiwi or aussie is really quite surprising - apparently I’m starting to talk like them!
We had quite a lot of snow in Banff during the week which came as a bit of a shock, it went from short weather to “oh crap its cold - better put some clothes on” type weather. So more good riding at lake louise. I also had my first proper student - I thought Jacko how to board on Wednesday and he returned the favour and thought me to ski yesterday. Both days where really good fun. Jacko got me to basic parallel turn in my first afternoon on skis - how cool is that. I say its all to do with the student but Jacko assures me its all in the teaching. - So I look forward to skiing with the folks at the next trip! Army Rich (one of the IA guys) and I did some hiking up from the top of the Larch chair which was great fun - the snow wasn't great but the view was awesome!So that brings us up to speed. Off to Lake Louise again today for the afternoon. I might be teaching one of Matt’s friends to board for a bit, but then again I might not - we’ll see what happen

Peace and Lovin

J

2007-04-04T02:32:00.000Z

sup kiddies

so the internet is now down in the Sameson and have had to trek down to an internet cafe - what is it with me and the internet not working

Anyhoo...

I can't be bothered to write whats been going on but I am alive and still in Lake Louise - still hurting, but at least it is different pains each day so at least it keeps me interested. The Sameson is pretty cool and there are lots of awesome people staying there - most of them that i've met are aussie and kiwi but you can't hold that against them!

More later

Peace

2007-03-19T13:18:00.000Z

So that has been a good few weeks since I last wrote… Whoops

So since the last time…

Mum and Dad have been out for two weeks and had a great time - so much so that they didn’t want to leave, the folks and I went Dog sledding - I rolled the dog sled, We went snowmobiling - I rolled the snow mobile - well not so much rolled, as got it to jump over the track we were meant to be riding down. Will said it looked awesome so at least that was something - I did however hurt one knees and the other thigh - as they say shit happens! We had a squash tournament at Anna‘s house, Had a great match between Buzz and Myself. The tournament was won by Joe - who appeared to be rather good at the whole squash thing - Damn Him! Monday last week, the mountain at Lake Louise was closed due to high winds. It was blowing at 100 Kph at mid mountain and about 150Kph at top of the world. We did two runs, once the one and only lift was opened - which were horrible, basically ice, stopped for lunch and then had some beers and got the first bus home.

Also had a small thing last week - just the matter of the level 2

But you don’t want to know how that went do you…

So this week we don’t have any worries as the level 2 is now over. We still have Daron but it should be an awesome week of crazy-ness! Hopefully I’ll get some good video footage of rock drops and stuff.

Okay so I can’t think of anything else to pack this out with so I’m just going to have to say that the level 2 was a good week. Days one to three where good fun. After the rubbish conditions on Monday, Tuesday had lots of fresh and we had a really good day which managed to settle our nerves. It remained like this until Friday when the nerves returned. Managed to overcome them though - Yes, Yes I am now a Professional Athlete of the second level. Hoo-rah!
Unfortunately we didn’t all pass. Will was taken out by an out of control boarder, which shook us all up not mention him. He was taken to hospital on a back board but after some pain killer and muscle relaxants appears to be a hell of a lot better now. Laura and Martin passed their teaching but not their riding and Nick passed his riding but not his teaching - they all get to retake the half they haven’t passed next week. So we all went out to celebrate Friday night… and Saturday morning, which brings us to know really - Sunday afternoon, lying on my bed typing this out thinking about food - that will do for now.

Take it easy
Peace

J

2007-03-03T19:11:00.000Z

sup everybody
so its been a good week - absolutely knackered. Daron has really been pushing us to improve our riding. Its feeling a lot more solid than it has done.

So the folks arrived safely on Sunday evening and they have had a good week - its good to see them.

Monday night I went to Wild Bills - the same place as we did the line dancing, to see the godfather of Hip-Hop - DJ Jazzy Jeff. It was an amazing evening - he is an even better DJ than I thought and I knew he was very good! - the Host was a guy who was called Skills - apparently he is set to be the next big thing - if you get a chance check him out.

the other big thing this week is that we have finally moved out of the crack shack into a hotel. Its on the outside of Banff - so it of a bit of hike but it does have a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and there is only two of us in each room, and we each have a double bed - and the best thing is its not the old place!

we went out for a bit of a session yesterday evening after I had Japanese with the folks and turned into quite a big night. we were in the Irish pub and I saw this picture - made us laugh...

till next time

Peace

J

2007-02-24T14:59:00.000Z

so after the amazing week last week we actually had to learn some stuff this week. - Shaun kept it good fun as always!

Highlights of the week:

Saturday and Sunday we had an avalanche course with two guys from snow patrol - TK and Brad. We dug some big ass holes to see the snow layers and then we buried some people - granted only half buried but hey it was still good fun.

Monday we where playing human buckeroo with Laura as she was trying to sleep during lunch.

Can't remember the day but we were going down 007 - a narrow cat track, and Shaun overtook us all. This isn't just "oh can I squeeze past - oh yes I can - awesome". No. More Like "oh I want to overtake and Martin is moving in front of me - Oh well lets go up the bank and jump past Martin so my board is at his head height then tear off down the the track". Shaun is a sick rider!

Wednesday we had a big meal at Wild Bill's. All of us , Anna and All our instructors - skiers and boarders - came as well. Good food, drink, and line dancing - turns out I can't line dance very well - I'll get it one day - maybe! Was a heavy night but a lot of fun. Today was also Shaun's Birthday - He was more than a little worse for wear on Thursday!

Yesterday - another Freestyle Friday - today we actually had two instructors both of them new. We managed to break the first one in the morning! - Kyle in the morning (he managed to twist his ankle pulling a 5) and John in the afternoon. A good day - I'm starting to feel better about freestyle. Butters are getting quite good and rails in the afternoon felt smooth as well.

2007-02-17T02:25:00.000Z

So Wednesday was my first day back on the hill and the snow has been awesome. The whole point of this week is to explore the mountain and kinda think about timing and coordination - but not to hard!

I'm pissed off that i missed Monday and Tuesday but even missing those two days and taking into consideration the whole amnesia thing this has still been the best of week of riding in my life. Period.

Wednesday and Thursday we were riding with Jamie and he was taking us through the trees. Today we had 17 cm of fresh white. Blower. It was meant to be a freestyle Friday today, but when Daron asked us what we wanted to do, and Martin said "lets ride the park", Daron was "well you can but we'll be riding the fresh powder" - It was awesome. Fresh tracks through the trees all day, a few small drops into powder. Steeps. Bumps. and more trees!

If when in Heaven you can re-watch your entire life as you please, like Nick reckons, these few days will get a lot of re-watching!

Time to pray for another dump!

Peace

2007-02-14T05:12:00.000Z

so Thursday night was a big one!
Friday we had a good day out on the hill. nice to just be riding without thinking if you doing it correctly.
Day off Saturday
concussion Sunday - hit a tree, amnesia included
Monday Off - watched films
Today the same
going to the hill tomorrow
been snowing for quite a few days now

Harrah

Peace

2007-02-10T02:12:00.000Z

so excuses first...

blogger have decided to change how you log in so I've not been able to log into blogger. However mr internet man came today and now the wireless is working... Harrah!

thank you all for your birthday wishes. Was an awesome day - it was day one of the CASI level 1 course - so no big night out.

the course finished yesterday. there was one teaching element and one riding element and we had to pass them both to make the cut. For some reason I decided to drop back into one of my old habits the day before the course started, so had to spend the next three days learning it again.

The teaching, which we have been practicing all of last week really helped and when it came to friday we had to teach two of the seven steps of the progression. it went really well and I got an above average teaching style and ability

so there we go - i've passed the CASI level 1 exam and I am now a snowboard instructor - a professional athlete!

New photos finally in Flikr

2007-02-03T22:45:00.000Z

we went to see the calgary flames last night play the blue jacks from somewhere

awesome night - the flames won 6-2

ice hockey rules

peace

J

2007-01-31T05:22:00.000Z

good day today

we were teaching each other the beginners progression, so we were on the beginners slope all day. during the day we saw that they had put a new pipe rail in the baby park. at the end of the day will, martin, laura and I decide to have a small session on it. will was leading the session. I managed my first broadslide and then a sceatchy 180 of the baby pipe. I got down the to the bottom of the run and saw that daron was watching us. We had daron on friday so it felt good that he was watching, and my balls are at least in the same country as me!

2007-01-28T18:51:00.000Z

went to hot spring yesterday - kinda like an onsen but not quite as good. 39 degree water in a kidney swimming pool, with seats in the water all the way. a few of us went up there last night and sat around for about 70 minutes, all got out and was properly knackered!

funny that it is tiring doing nothing!

No really, snowboarding everyday IS hard work...

2007-01-27T17:13:00.000Z

so week three is already over - time is flying by. We had our first freestyle lesson yesterday and I landed my first 180 in the morning - I then spent most of the afternoon not being able to do them. practice makes perfect as they say. they also say if at first you don't suceed then don't try skydiving. they also said the world was flat and the moon was made of cheese so you can't really rely on anything anyone says!

For all you people that think this is a doss course then i would like to point out it is a lot of hard work, espically know we are learning to teach.

after the wonderful snow we had in the first week the temperature has decoided to drop to - 40 then it was above 0 on wednesday and now i think it is getting colder again - this means that we have no snow and the snow we do have is rock hard ice in the morning and slush in the afternoon - ona plus note we do have blue skys - I would happily change blue sky for more powder though.

the amazing cough / cold is making its way towards its thrid week in the house which we are all really excited about!

there are three course like Base Camp in Lake louise / banff, the first is International Academy - known as International Arseholes, the second is One Stop known as Can't Stop and Base Camp known as Basically Camp, so its good that the dislike of each other has boiled down to mock rivalry

I think thats about it for the moment, the computer man is meant to be coming today so hopefully the wireless will be working on my laptop by the end of the day - Harrah!

anyway take it easy
Peace and loving

J

2007-01-13T19:41:00.000Z

Saturday

Glad for a lie in as its been a bit of a shock to the system!

Its is bloody freezing here at the moment. On Thursday it apparently hit -40 at the top of the world - don't feel quite so bad about getting a bit of frost bit on my nose despite the balaclaver.

The house is all right but there has been problems as it wasn't as it was advitised so daisy and Anna (resort manager) have been working hard to sort it out.

There are 16 of us in the house, 3 girls, 13 guys, 8 skiers, 8 boarders, 3 older than me 12 younger.

The course is awesome - but tiring and hard work! Monday to thursday we had Daron, we did basic riding improvement and then yesterday we did race training with Shaun - hes crazy! but awesome fun.

this will below it runs each week.

hopefully photos will be on as soon as this damn wireless is fixed so I can use the laptop

Peace

J

x

2007-01-10T05:25:00.000Z

sup Kiddies

Its was/is day two and we've just come back from an awesome mexican meal.

Yesterday was really good fun, we meet in Lake louise - where we are being taught, and had a really good day - being shown around the mountain and looking for buddas and kickers in the powder.

Today we were being taken back to basics which filled our heads with loads of things to do for every turn - head exploding stuff.

And so here we are, some of the guys have gone out for a beer and some pool, the rest of us are chilling out in the lounge. Heading for an early night ready for the morning.

more to come as soon as they fix the wireless so I can us the laptop but till then Tomorrow will probably be about mid calf powder with the temp dropping to a low of -37 on monday - that is very cold! - No shit I hear you say...

anyway take it easy I don't get to jealous of the amazing snow conditions!

Peace

x

2007-01-05T19:25:00.000Z

its 19.24 on the night before banff,
and not a creature is stiring
not even a moose....
except for me as I am pulling everything together before I pack

HOLY SHIT!

I'm going to banff tomorrow

Harrah! Harrah! (note two harrahs = very good!)

next post will be from Banff, Alberta!

2006-12-11T22:41:00.000Z

One week after the spliting of the knee - Like taming of the shrew but with the out the shrew... and knees... and well... blood - okay its got nothing to do with taming of the shrew. Crap where was I... Oh yes went for a bike ride today - first evening without rain for Oh I Don't know a week. Good long bike ride - about an hour, came back, legs shaking - I did the last couple of miles in top gear - "its a deep burn". It may not have been raining but nobody has yet given the road permission to dry out and it hasn't. the outcome is how lots of good bike rides end - covered in mud. Glasses marks around the eyes and bootie marks where my socks were.

Update on Banff - Its getting really rather close you know. I've just booked the youth hostel for after the course - sounds really good - pancakes every morning and it has an indoor hot tub - how cool is that.

I also found this photo last weekend which I think is really cool - mainly cos i look awesome in it

Harrah!

zZing!

2006-12-04T18:09:00.000Z

Fresh from the wonders of the british autumn...

Training in this weather really sucks - why can't it be long light days right up until I leave. It can rain and be windy all it likes - but enough of nights starting at 4 in the afternoon

2006-11-03T18:25:00.000Z

first fire of the season last night

Harrah

Plumbing and sunsets

2006-10-29T21:17:00.000Z

Dad and I have been re plumbing the airing cupboard as the power shower can be plumbing in. It taken all day but it look the mutts nuts.

While I was tidying up, putting some stuff back in the bike shed there was a really cool sunset - at what ever time the sun sets now-a-days

2006-10-25T19:50:00.000Z

Snow at Banff, Lake louise and Sunshine

check out the webcams from the banff link below right

Harrah!

2006-10-24T18:40:00.000Z

Conceptual art work for the bathroom...

2006-10-16T22:06:00.000Z

The structure of an company is a lot like monkeys sitting in a tree.

The monkeys at the top look down, and all they see are smiling faces looking up at them.

While the monkeys below look up, and all they see are arseholes

And even though I don't actually need a reason - a picture of two monekys...

Last week in the news...

2006-10-16T20:23:00.000Z

We (the folks and I) meet the new neighbours the weekend before last, Nigel and Finella. A young couple who have just moved out of London, she is a teacher and he is a doctor. They made a good first impression and they want to learn how to garden and DIY, so we (by we, I of course mean dad!) have some help with the drains... finally!

We went to the london mozart players on thursday evening and had a good night. The music was nice noise but nothing really to get behind - don't think mozart is for me.

My Boss is a tit!

2006-09-24T15:04:00.000Z

Shock resistance on the camera appears to work!

Par-Ta!

2006-09-18T10:50:00.000Z

Had a great weekend down in Eastbourne for Nah's mum, Sara's 50th birthday bash. It was great to see the people I knew and good fun meeting the people I didn't!

Some photos are now on flickr (down a bit on the right somewhere!). The video below is also of special importance to some - sorry it 90 degrees out - I haven't figureed a way to rotate it yet...

Well now - thanks to Jon its all good...

Swim was awesome!

2006-09-14T11:18:00.000Z

Japan photos now on flickr

Harrah!

Gundam Rocks

2006-08-24T17:16:00.000Z

These were my presents to me (along with the camera with which the photos were taken with) from Japan. They came in kit form like Airfix models but they just snapped together.

The one a the top has a gun that is longer than he is tall and the other one has two F*** off hugh samurai swords. I always will be nothing more than a big kid...

Chilli-tastic

2006-08-24T06:33:00.000Z

I came home from holiday to find that mum has been growing two chilli plants. Home grown chillis Harrah! They haven't been tested for heat yet but I guess they will be medium hot

Konban Wa!

2006-08-20T20:02:00.000Z

Well I am back in Cold Blighty (did you see what I did there…) and am rather tired after the 12 hour flight back from Japan, well I was when I started writing this, which was about five days ago. Anyway this is what I did in Japan. It is long and it is only meant for me to have a record of what happened and if you want to read then good. I hope you enjoy… (to the Japan crew can you make sure I have spelt name correctly {which I doubt} ta x)

Thursday 27th July

Well the folks and I left early afternoon, heading for the wonders of Heathrow terminal 3. There was some crazy plume of smoke on the M25 - I assume it was an accident (If anybody knows anything about it, could you let me know). Got to the airport and checked in, seats over the wing (people on my course will know why!).

The flight was a bit of a bitch as it was over night so you feel really tired the entire time but can’t sleep. Therefore spent the flight either watching films, reading bear or trying to sleep or a combination of the above.

Friday 28th July

Arrived in Kansai airport about 6 in the evening. We were booked into the hotel at the airport so had about 100 meters to walk, which we were rather happy about, as we watched poor sods head for the train station or the bus terminal.

We checked into the hotel, sorted our rooms out and then went for a swim in the hotel pool. Dad and I managed to cock up straight away by walking into the changing room, and onto the ….. mat without taking of our shoes – whoops. A naked guy getting changed showed us where to put our shoes – at least they didn’t seem too bothered, and they weren’t covered in full body tattoos so we escaped unharmed. Had a good swim and a hot spa set us up for dinner. A quick sauna and a shower – and back to the rooms.

We decided we weren’t that happy and we would go and sort out our train pass for tomorrow and then just go and find something quick to eat and then to bed. We went to the train station and got the passes sorted and booked some seat on the Shinkansen.

In the main entrance there was an escalator up to the second floor (first floor for the Brits reading this) and a row of restaurants. We had a look at them all and we had our first experience the models of food outside showing you what the restaurant serves. We later found out that it is just one company ( I think you said near Tokyo didn’t you em?) which makes these for everybody in Japan. We decided on the first restaurant we passed.

It was full inside and it was predominantly male business men. Most were smoking and even more appeared to be well on the way to being drunk. “Table for three please”. The menus had pictures above the Japanese writing which gave us a fighting chance. We ordered about four plates and dad and I fancied a beer. The picture looked like a small bottle of beer, but no it was at least half a litre and was really good. The food was really good as well and we knew that this was going to be a holiday of good food – We were hooked.

Saturday 29th July

Early (ish) start and back into the train station and down onto the platform – Holy Crap this is clean compared to the UK. The train was close to arriving when some JR West employees all filed out of a room and took up position along the platform. It turns out that they clean the train every time it comes into the Kansai airport platform. They then turn the seat around (!) so they are facing the way the train will be going. It was really cool; turns out all intercity trains do it.

Kansai Airport Express to Shin-Osaka

Shinkansen to KitaKyushu

Sonic 33 to Nakatsu

Total time: approximately 4 hours, and that’s about half way across Japan.

Shinkansen never failed to amaze every time we went on it: quick, quite and comfortable – South-west trains take note – and always on time. The train would leave on the dot of when it was supposed to. If the Swiss and the Japanese can do this why the hell can’t we?

Arrived in Nakatsu and found the folks hotel. It has apparently been up only a couple of months and the floors (levels up not the actual floors, I never smelt the floors) had that new car smell (?!). We then wondered over the You Me Town, where Nova is, to meet Em and Jon. We walked in though the door and where meet by some excitement and shock from Satchi and Shinobo – two of the Nova management staff. We were talking to the two girls when Jon walked out mid lesson to get his glasses and did a great double take. Meet Em once she had finished her class. The meet two of the teaching staff Paddy and Marcus.

We then went to buy Ukata as it was a festival this weekend called Gion. Great shop assistants!

Once we were all Ukata-ed up we went back to Nova to meet Jon as he finished work. To the folks went back to the hotel and I got a backie home on Em’s bike. Jon had to wear my big rucksack as the weight of me and the rucksack on the back of the bike was too much for the poor tyre to cope with! A little rocky to start with but had the backie technique nailed by the time we left Nakatsu.

We went for dinner at a place called Bumbacoo (is the spelling correct? I have no idea!) which was really cool and you had an indoor barbeque to cook your meet and fish. Big beers yet again! They also have a system in Japan where you push a button – which makes a Ping-Pong noise, when you want a waiter to come to your table, which means you are never pestered during your meal. Post meal Em, Jon and I meet up with Katie and went for a drink at Loueges.

Back to my bed in the flat of Em and Jon.

Sunday 30th July

Slept very well but was woken up early morning by a noise I couldn’t place – sounded a bit like water running so I just thought it was either Em or Jon taking a shower. – It turns out, it is a shikada (spelling). A big arse beetle type thing that makes lots of noise. Also turns out that the window was open!

Em and Jon had to work today so we were sent on a mission to Kokura (KitaKyushu). We went to the castle, wondered around the new shopping center – a work of art, both of them! On the way though there was a water feature in the mall and the small kids were playing in – there was also a big kid playing in it as well!

(picture to come when the photos are developed)

Then had a really good smoothie and watched the world go by. On the way home the water feature was dancing to music.

Back to Nakatsu. Got dressed up in the Ukata – We all looked really good. Had a meal In Gofu where everybody that work there shouts a welcome to you when you enter and then thanks you when you leave – great atmosphere.

Post meal we headed for Gion. On route dad Jon and I where stopped by a drunken Japanese guy with a plastic cup filled with liquid and told us all to have a good gulp. It was actually really good. We meet up with the girls a bit further up the road and then we where stopped by some Japanese women who wanted to talk and take our picture in our Ukata. A photographer also took our photo and said he would send us a copy – they turned up a couple of days later. Damn did we look good! Gion is a big festival where different groups of people build huge floats and then proceed to pull them through the streets up to the castle, stopping every now and then so the dancers on board can put on a show. When they get to the castle they pull the float around as quickly as possible, with the crowd making a track and then getting out of the way as quick as possible if they get to close. Meet the rest of the nova crew and the rest of the Gaijin in Naktsu. After I think the 4th float It started to get a bit same-ie so we went to Troppies for some food and a few drinks. Troppies in owned by a Mexican and mode the most amazing salsa I’ve ever eaten!

Monday 31st July

Em and Jon had today, Tuesday and Wednesday of so we decided to go a road trip – except by train. The destination: Nagasaki. Changing at Hakata.

We went into the shops by the station and had doughnuts and coffee.

We arrived at the station and Jon managed to get the tourist information to recommend a hotel and book some rooms for us. We headed out for the hotel which was actually only just down the road.

Once checked in we went for a wonder passed where some Dutch houses were being renovated. (for a long time the Japanese would only allow the Dutch to trade with Japan) We then went to the Chinese quarter and had a Chinese meal, it was good but felt really heavy when compared to the Japanese food. We then went on the hunt for Karaoke. We were just going down this side street, when four ladies where coming out of what looked like a karaoke bar, we then started to ask them if it was a good one. This started off the conversation. Turns out they were very taken with me and one, turns out she had a 32 year old daughter who was a doctor and I think she wanted to set us up. Another one couldn’t keep her eyes off me – Hey I’m in there! We took a photo of all of us and exchanged addresses so we could send them a copy. Just as they where leaving There was an exclamation from Em which probably shouldn’t be printed (!), turns out it was a guy called Phil who worked for Nova in Nagasaki and was the one who actually put Em and Jon onto Kyushu when he was last in the UK. It’s a small old world, In all the streets in all of Nagasaki…

After the chat with Phil he sent us on the street car to an area with lots of bars. We had a wonder down one of the streets and there was a lot of hot Japanese girls outside the restaurants / bars to entice you in and no they weren’t snack bars – well I don’t think so any way. A lot more looks my way!

We were walking back to the hotel kind of giving up for the evening, decided we would just stop of if there was some place that looked good on the way back. We stopped outside a packinco parlour to ask an employee if there was anywhere good near by. He didn’t seem to know but a Japanese business was walking past, he stopped and joined the conversation, he then lead us out of his way to take us to the door of this restaurant. It was a dark wood front with the classic curtains over the door, just inside the door there was a small entrance with a water feature and a small zen garden one on either side of the path. You then went through another door and you where in the restaurant. You had to take your shoes off and they then took them and put them in a cupboard. We where then lead down this dark corridor which wound around inside the building, we were then gestured into an individual room where there was a table. We then went on to have a really good drink and pudding and a really enjoyable evening. We had a really cool waiter. The restaurant was called Zen – recommendation for Nagasaki.

Tuesday 1st August

We went up to a big electrical store today where I got my digital camera. Harrah!
We then went to the Nagasaki peace memorial which was very sorrowing. We were glad we went though.

For dinner we went back to Zen for my graduation celebration. The waiter came in and had a double take. He even remembered dads name from the evening before.

Wednesday 2nd August

Coffee in Papa’s again before we headed back to Nakatsu.

Once we decided to make a move we had a wonder around the store and then as we passed the games arcade we decide to head in. The main reason was so we could have a go with the pernicular. It’s a big photo both which you cram lots of people into and you then move around and do silly stuff while Japanese pop music is played and pictures are taken. After about 12 pictures are taken you can go outside and edit the picture buy writing on them and adding stars and stuff onto them. It then prints out a variety of sizes onto sticky paper so you can stick them on things. Really good fun! We were just finishing when 2 Japanese girls came up to us and asked if we wanted to all do a set. We did which was really good fun. They cut a small strip for us so we have some of them as well.

We then played on some computer games even mum. We played some shooting and some driving. Lou we did try pelicular but we don’t really know what you have to do and the balls where all enclosed inside. We had a few goes at it and only got one token so that is on the way to you as a consolation prize. We went straight to Lougies from the train station. I had a lesson in ordering food.

Thursday 3rd August

Lazy day today – the folks came around to the flat to do some washing. We meet Jon for lunch at Nova and we went to a revolving sushi bar just inside You Me Town. Was really good food and a plate of sushi cost about a £1. Folks and I had a wonder around You Me Town post lunch, got some bits from the supermarket and then went back to the flat for cakes and iced coffee.

Another great meal in Bombacu. More fun antics on the bike on the way home.

Friday 4th August

The folks went of on a trip and I decided to go out on the mama-cherry (Em’s bike). When mum and dad picked up the hire bikes from the station they were given a map with a bike route on, which followed the river out of Nakatsu. Sounded like a plan. Set of late morning, the ride was very hot with a few cool things to see along the way but on the whole it was a pretty boring bike ride. So I did 63km on a mama-cherry in very hot weather and all I really got was really bad sun burn, Harrah!

This was by far and away the high light of the ride…

And typically it was only about 8km into the ride!

That evening Em and Jon had a Japanese lesson. Kristen, Corey and (mental block – somebody please help) came over in the evening.

Saturday 5th August

Spent the day applying after sun (there’s never a hot woman around when you need one!) and watching stuff.

I sat in a bath for a long time soaking – very nice. Em and I met Jon post work and had dinner at Joyful. Kirsten came around for the evening – nice and chilled.

Sunday 6th August

Spent the day applying after sun (there’s never a hot woman around when you need one!) and watching stuff.

The folks came around post trip with Em once she had finished work. Went for dinner somewhere and then went Louiges for a beer – and why not have it in the Karaoke room. Dylan turned up shortly followed by Katie. They weren’t many songs in English so we decided to move onto the main karaoke place in Nakatsu where we ended up staying, getting more and more pissed until gone 2 in the morning. It was a really good night. The unplanned ones always are.

Monday 7th August

Onsen Day Harrah! Hang over Harroo. (For those not in the know Harroo is the opposite of Harrah) The folks and I went to the train station to hire bikes. She asked where we were going and we said to the onsen on Mount Him something or other. She said no you can’t go there and pointed to the picture of the castle in Nakatsu. So with that we went to collect the bikes and then rode to the onsen, with a brief stop at the bakery.

Was a pretty easy ride up to the onsen, granted the moma-cherries didn’t make it any easier. Well worth it when we got there. We were all really sweaty, took of our shoes and put them in the shoe locker, you then hand that key in to get a key for the changing room locker. You then go into the changing room, guys on one side and girls on the other, where you strip off and walk around with only a modesty towel – or nothing depending on what you are feeling like! You go into the first room and have a really good shower so then really clean. There are lots of different pools so you can go in any of them and just relax. When you get to hot there is an icy plunge pool and when you are too cold there is a sauna. It was really relaxing, shame we then had a bike ride home.

Food tonight was at the Moonlight Garden restaurant. We went with Sachi, Yuki and Dylan. The Girls order lots and lots and Lots of really good food for us. We just sat there and ate what came. It was a really enjoyable evening. (3000 Yen per head!)

Bed.

Tuesday 8th August

Easy day today. We meet the folks at the Espresso café, for a coffee. We then went to get the bikes again. Today we decided to go a have a ride up and down route 10. Dad Jon and I wondered around a Homebase equivalent while the girls did something. We then meet up in the 100 Yen store. This is where everything is 100 Yen – funnily enough. That’s 50p. And everything is actually 100 Yen unlike our £ shops where most things are more than a £.

Wednesday 9th August

Today the folks and I went to Hakata for a day trip. First port of call was the Canal City – Papas Café for coffee and cake. Canal city is another new shopping mall (it is actually designed by the same people who designed the one in Kokura) Another work of art! Hada wonder around the shops and then went out to look at a temple around the corner.

I then went off on my own still on the hunt for more Death note books – no luck – I actually gave up look pretty much straight away and decided to head for what looked like a big temple complex on the map. They were really amazing and extremely well kept – raked driveways, thats respect.

Meet Jon for revolving sushi again and then we all made our way over to Katie’s for a (day after) birthday pool party. Good night with lots of people coming in. Tried out my digital camera for the first time – nothing like a group of slightly drunk people around a paddling pool to really test a camera is waterproof as they it is. Turns out it is!

Thursday 10th August

Day trip to the shrine on Miyajima. Shinkansen to Hiroshima and then a local train and a ferry to the island. Our first taste of a tourist hot spot – damn them, we were just glad we had seen “real Japan” up until now rather than doing this for 2 weeks.

Unfortunately the tide was not in our favour so the shrine wasn’t floating. It was quite impressive but it lacked not being surrounded by water and the same can be said for the palace which was also over sand. Had a wonder around the island for a bit and tried to get of the beaten track. We decided to head to one temple which wasn’t very far away, with the intentions of going that’s very nice and then turn and head back. Turns out it was the best part of the island so far. On the way back there was a bridge that I thought looked quite cool in the photos. Did exactly the same again and we found a really nice quite spot under the bridge.

On the train ride home I had some space left on the camera so I thought I would make a video out of the window of the train. I had my ipod on and this was the outcome…

Final night in Nakatsu. Had a big meal Gofu and were joined by Paddy, Katie and Dylan. Great evening

Friday 11th August

Back to the Shinkansen again. This time up to Himeji, to see the castle. There weren’t any spare locker at Himeji station so we decided to stay the night here. Checked in our bags and then headed for the castle. Its really spectacular and you could see why nobody ever successfully invaded it. I would like to have a go though! (I’m thinking a huge paint ball match with hundreds on each team). Words can’t do it justice so look at the pictures (when they arrive!)

For dinner we were direct to a restaurant that looked like Zen and looked really good but was full. Crap! We went for a wonder and ended up in a random little restaurant – food was pretty good but not like we had become accustomed too.

Booked the last two rooms in the hotel in Kyoto for tomorrow night – seemed like the last two rooms in Kyoto! The internet is a marvellous thing.

Saturday 12 August

Headed for Kyoto first thing. It’s a big ol’ place! We got a taxi to the hotel with our luggage. They looked clean from the outside but the taxis really are spot less.

After dropping the luggage off at the hotel we headed for the eastern Kyoto which is apparently the old part. Again Tourists. We wanted a coffee and cake break. We found a really cool café which I think was called The Golden Café but I’m not sure. Anyway the owner was a really cool old woman. She was watching what looked like a Japanese version of Eastenders. After that was finished there was some news on the final of a baseball game. Aftewards the winners were all putting lots of the pitch dirt into a bag to take home. We had no idea why, she could see this and tried to explain. But she had very little English and we had even less Japanese! It’s a shame we would have liked to stay there all day drink coffee (It was really good I think it was a type of distillation process. Jon any ideas?) and talking to her – maybe next time. Post cake – also very good we headed up the tourist route to Kiyomizu-dera temple. During sunrise and sunset, without any people I bet it is a spectacular view over the city.

So we carried on walking around the touristy bit – which really doesn’t look that old at all! We then got caught in the rain. More temples – they are starting to look the same. On the way back we were wondering through the streets and we saw a Geisha (Harrah!) – a real one as well , unfortunately no photo though as she was getting into a car.

On the way home we were on the hunt for a nice place to have our last meal, the first row we came across was headed by The Orient river restaurant – the prices of all the one came down from very expensive to expensive, they did look good however and you could sit outside on a balcony over the river.

We went back to the hotel and got showered and ready for dinner, well the folks did, I had an onsen and got ready for dinner. It was just one pool as it was on the 13th floor but it did have a panoramic view over the city. I meant to go back up after dinner – didn’t happen, I the set my alarm so I could have one before we left, yeah that didn’t happen either. As they say we’ll always have Paris.

We instead found a map in the hotel which showed about 20 restaurants ranging from about 3000 to 5000 Yen per head near to the hotel, of all different genres. Taking a handy Digital photo as the electronic map we headed out. The first one looked okay but we thought we would have a look at the next ones as they were all so close to the hotel. Turns out Number 2 was called Watami and if you are ever in Kyoto go there! My ordering ability is getting better!

Sunday 13th August
In the morning we left our bags at the hotel and grabbed the subway back to Kyoto station. We then took a train and a Taxi up to Ryoan-ji temple. A temple set in landscaped grounds with a ig lily pond. The main tourist attraction here is the zen garden however – apparently one of the best examples in Japan. (There was a program called around the world in eighty treasures. In it the guy said that there are 15 rocks in the sea of gravel and that no matter where you sat you can only ever see 14 of the 15 rocks, I would just like to point out that that is in fact a load of bollocks!) It was very nice but there was so much talking that you couldn’t think at all. There was also a second zen garden which was lots of trees with moss covering the ground (which was brushed through out the day). This was mum and dads favourite but I had a little corner which most people just walked straight by. There was a small pond and trees and shrubs all around.

We headed back to the hotel to pick up the bags and we went to the train station. Got the bags in some lockers, there were some girls have trouble lifting there bag into a top locker so being the gentleman I offered my help. Turns out the bag didn’t actually fit so I tried a few different configurations. I eventually managed to get it close and then with a bit of brute force I managed to get the door closed. I was funny to watch the girls try to get the money into the slot as I held the door closed. The folks tried to take some photo but they were laughing so much they only got one good one. J saves the day again.

Lunch in the Cube, the brand new train station / shopping mall. We got an early evening Kansai airport express to believe it or not Kansai airport.

We checked back into the hotel, it feels really westernised. I was all up for my final onsen but they don’t have one. We went back to the restaurant we went to on the first night and this time we knew what to order and how to order it (kind of). The owner / chef thought we looked familiar and asked if we had come in before. We said yes and that made him really happy. We had another really good meal. If you fly into Kansai airport and want to stay over night go there for dinner.

Monday 14th August

Got up early to have breakfast and then checked out of the hotel. Headed over to the airport which was somewhat busier than it was the night before. We managed to get some seats with extra leg room. When through passport control found a coffee shop and killed time there. Got to the plane without any problems and the plane actually left the gate before the time it said on the ticket – yet again another first. The plane ride was another 12 hours, but managed to fill the time a lot better with a massive movie marathon. Six films back to back.

As everybody was waiting to get off the plane – just standing in the aisle, it was funny to listen to everybody saying how bad the flight was. Not the case if you have leg room and six films. (Hunt for the Red October, Mission Impossible III, Ice Age 2, Inside Man, Failure to Launch and Kinky Boots)

Waiting to go through Passport control there was a guy whos passport was being looked at under a magnifying glass. He was there when we left, for all we know he’s still there!

Had to wait for ages for the purple parking Bus to take us to the car. – Not to self use Pink Elephant next time!

So here we are back home, its now a week later as its taken me that long to write this all up. Hey some of us have to work. And I could have written it daily on the blog from Japan but that would have involved effort and we were having to much fun so raspberries!

2006-07-26T14:37:00.000Z

finally anyone can post on the comments page

Harrah

zzzing

2006-07-22T23:46:00.000Z

This is for Lou and all true believers..

Spiderman 3 - May '07

Just come back from watching Superman (twas good, worth watching) and there was a trailer for it. Appears to be about the battle with Venom

Harrah

2006-07-22T22:44:00.000Z

Sat watching a film last night when the biggest moth i've ever seen flew in through the open door (sounds like the begining of a joke dosen't it). It flew around for a bit then landed on some cut flower in the lounge.

After a a flick through our insect book it turns out it is a "Poplar hawk moth". they are quite common in the south of egland but are mainly seen in damp places such as by rivers. It has a 3" wing diameter and I couldn't stop looking at it because it was so beautiful.

Check it out...

2006-07-21T17:49:00.000Z

My power ball arrived yesterday

Harrah!

A photo of my top score will soon make a feature below the link to dreams from a cup of tea..

Graduation

2006-07-15T09:23:00.000Z

Graduated yesterday. Good to have the ceremony but a bit of an anticlimax really. Anyway here are some of the photos hopefully some better ones will be on the 35mm.

And the best photo on the digital camera...

One of the guys playing in the band was looking at a cheap car magazine which was placed over the top of his sheet music - Well it made us laugh as we moved behind him to get our degree.

2006-07-14T19:35:00.000Z

My Grandpapa is 80 and did a loop the loop in his glider this week

How cool is that!

Uncle Mike's Birthday Bash

2006-07-12T13:39:00.000Z

The clan

And the Cake. Harrah for cake!

2006-07-02T11:30:00.000Z

When they say you can get anything on the web they are not joking.

The main question is why

The link...

A joke about two farmers

2006-07-01T08:18:00.000Z

Two farmers are talking about the best way to shag a sheep. The first say "I like to grab the sheep's front legs and hoist them into the air, so we are belly to belly. I then pull the sheep close, take my belt and tie it round the both of us." The second farmer then says "I like to take the sheep's rear legs and stick its left rear leg in my left wellington boot and its right rear leg in my right wellington boot. I then grab the front legs and stetch them out in front of me." The first farmer then says "What, no snogging then..."

Ahhhh...

The wonders of being back in the country!

Drinks post exam...

2006-06-23T12:07:00.000Z

I forgot to mention that after are final exam we went to the ark (uni bar) for a few celbratory pints. On the way back Chris and I decided to have a game of trousers - if you are a scrubs fan you will be familar with it. Any way we left the ark, drop trousers right outside and then walked the entire way to the Rose and Crown (where we were going to stop for lunch) with our trousers around our ankles, we walked inside and ordered a pint each. we then decieded that we would call it a draw as our legs ached - it's really tiring - probably a good work out...

We got lots of cheers out side the ark, on the way home if we passed any blokes they would keep their head down until they had passed, if we passed any girls on the way the home they would keep their heads down until they had passed and then turn around and have a look!

Anyway here is the photo...

Detonate photos

2006-06-23T12:00:00.000Z

Final got some photos developed and scanned into the computer from Detonatw. What a night...

This is Mampi Swift...

This is Planet Pendulum...

A few more are up on the flikr aswell.

2006-06-23T10:02:00.000Z

Mum and I where listening to radio 4 on the way to get my stitches out. They where talking about politicians and jokes, this was one of them:

"Apparently obsiety is now so bad in america that two out of three people are now four out of five"

Post op recovery...

2006-06-21T07:33:00.000Z

So I was in hospital monday and tuesday so they could sort out my neck. Aparently it was to remove a bronchial cyst, but from what I remember I was scuba diving in Egypt and came across some smugglers, erm, smuggling, tried to stop them and during the attack was caught in the neck by a harpoon. Thats my story and i'm sticking to it!

(photo soon)

Double headed fire poi...

2006-06-21T07:18:00.000Z

Lou and I decided to have some fun with the fire poi on my last night staying in Notts, pre opp and pre coming home. We combined out two sets of single poi into a monster double headed set. Heavy and hot but very cool...

This is me, rather slow to begin with, just getting use to them..

And this is Lou...

Reverse 5 beat weave as promised...

2006-06-16T20:34:00.000Z

Well i've finally got round to filming the latest poi move as mentioned in a previous post...

My Lump and Me...

2006-06-16T20:32:00.000Z

As the lump is being removed on monday I wanted to have some photographic evedence of it. So for that I expertly stole Hannah's digital camera from her by asking fot it - man she had no idea what was going on. HA HA - I win!

After it was drained it was probably pushing twice the size it is at the moment.

It's A Boy...

2006-06-10T11:17:00.000Z

So I had an appoiontment on wednesday with an ENT specalist, which ended up with him draining about 25ml of fluid from my neck. It looked exactly like resin from glass fibre - same colour, same constancy - very odd. If you don't know what glass fibre resin looks like imagine sweet and sour source but not quite as red!

Yesterday I was woken up by my neck at 2:00 am - What a Bitch. I also had an ultrasound on my neck, everything seems to be fine and they told me thats its a healthy boy - still not sure on names though...

Whoop Whoop Again...

2006-06-01T15:01:00.000Z

Just got back from the doctors and yes it has got bigger, but if anything that will just make it easier to drain it. The blood work i had done however came back 100% A OK. Which is good! Next move: ENT here we come

End of Degree

2006-05-31T15:49:00.000Z

Whoop whoop!

Finished the final exam today, hopefully it went okay. We (Naz and myself) got a lift in with Dan this morning. This meant we had to walk home this afternoon - I can't believe it, it took us over five hours to walk home - its amazing how slow it is when you aren't on the bikes!

Build up to the final exam - ever...

2006-05-27T17:21:00.000Z

I have one more exam, on Wednesday. And this will be the final exam of my university career. an exciting time I know. The problem however is that we are now realising the notes for it are really, really, REALLY bad. A right bitch.

No real reason for the post, just felt like a moan.

2006-05-18T11:22:00.000Z

So my lymphatic system appears to be playing up - still!

just got back from the doctor where they have drained just about all my blood for tests - okay so they left all but 20ml in the system but hey almost all of it! the doc told me to book an ultrasound today - obviously thinks i'm pregnant! and for your enjoyment a picture of the lymphatuic system...

A sonic representation of the end of the world...

2006-05-01T13:24:00.000Z

Lou and i had an awesome night last night. Well i say last night it was rally this morning as it only really started at 12.30. Anyway semantics aside we where at Detonate and it was Fu**king amazing. Started at 10 o'clock with some okay Hip-hop but nothing that special. But then the fantastic Ugly Duckling came on and then had an amazing set. Bought the t-shirt and met Andy and Einstein. UD where followed by foreign beggars. Didn't stay for the whole set as we wanted to get into rock city to catch as much drum and bass as possible. We walked into the main room of rock city and the bass was pumping and there was some serious energy in the room. Andy C was on the decks. The crowd was fired up something cronic - he handed over to Mampi Swift at 3am and he was doing some crazy dark cuts - soo cool! took a bit of a breather through Friction at 4am. as it approached 4.45am we started warming up for the headliner - Pendulum. Sooo good, they where presenting planet pendulum and there where some really good mixs of the album tracks. Such an awesome night. In bed at 6.55 and woke up for breakfast at 1pm.

Photos to follow as soon as i get them developed.

...no, i was wrong, it was Drum and BASS!

people seem to have too much spare time...

2006-04-27T18:00:00.000Z

and why doesn't any of it come my way

check this out

askaninja

Bored of "Pimp My Ride"

2006-04-26T11:24:00.000Z

Well i don't think that, that is actually possible. Xzibit's Pimp My Ride anyway, whats his name on pimp my ride uk is a tit, but thats not the point of the post.

But if you are why not check this out..

http://www.pimpmysnack.com/project.php?projectID=26

Good find Dan

A happy, happy day for me

2006-04-26T11:01:00.000Z

Monday - about 6 o'clock in the afternoon.

The time and day that i finished my individual project. I'm a very happy chappy! the year long struggle finished a week and a half ahead of the deadline. After the easter holidays (holiday - what a joke!) the felling was one of worry, not really certain what to write for the conclusion. A few ideas from Nah meant i could carry on full steam ahead. And now i'm rather pleased with the result.. Harrah! Just a few more hurdles to clear. one - the folks and two - Popov

well three if you include the whole exam thing!

2006-04-22T18:07:00.000Z

A good afternoon's work has allowed me to master the five beat backwards weave with the ol' poi. Those in the know will be inpressed other probably wont be, but hey these things happen

2006-04-21T09:51:00.000Z

Photo from the Three Peaks trip are appearing in the flicker - Harrah!

This is Chris and Me on top of a very cold Sca Fell, just before 7 o'clock in the am.

2006-04-20T14:14:00.000Z

Watching a bit of blue planet today with lunch.

did you know that a blue whale has some veins which you can swim down!

My name is Jack Kuntze and this is the longest day of my life

2006-04-15T18:57:00.000Z

Well im not sure if it actually is but hey its definitely top ten. The challange of the day(last weekend) is the three peaks. Ben Nevis in Scotland, Sca fell in enganld and Snowdon in Wales. Five men, one dog and one trust transit van and 24 hours. Granted we didn't actually complete the three peaks but it was lot of fun and hey there was a lot of snow on the all three peaks. a shock to all of us espically me as i had left my shoes at home and instead used my trusty pair of vans - they never fail but they do smell a bit funky!

Ben Nevis was reached late and too much snow made us decide to quite while we were ahead and it was still light.

Sca fell was started in the dark and the summit was reached before breakfast.

Snowdon was again covered in snow but hey at least it wasn't as cloudy at the top as Sca fell - awesome view from the top as well.

total time taken 23:36:56. Not bad for my first major piece of walking ever, and considering we all did it on about 4 hours of kip each!

photos on flikr as soon as i get them scaned in

2006-04-13T15:30:00.000Z

a new blog for a new man - the paints still wet