Avatar

On Saturday (6th February) I saw Avatar 3D.  Having been released on 19th December 2009, myself and EJW struggled to find decent seats after 2 months of it showing.  I haven’t posted anything for a while, but Avatar is a good topic to write about.  As I write this, I am listening to the soundtrack to the movie.

I’d initially avoided going to see the movie – it had been too hyped up and too widely advertised for my to assume it to be any good.  On top of that, there was also the 3D aspect of the film that put me off.  I’d seen a few 3D films before, such as The Final Destination and My Bloody Valentine (as well as some that I watched at home).  The genre of the two aforementioned movies lent themselves to 3D technology by thrusting blood and gore into the audience (although at points, this was shameful and tastelessly manufactured), engaging them using the element of surprise and horror.  The 3D worked, but did not immerse the audience into a 3D viewing experience.  I am pleased to say that Avatar did.

The world of Pandora was bright, colourful and captivating.  The texture of the environment was cleverly designed to make use of the 3D technology – a particular point was when a group of people walked through the undergrowth, and the leaves of the trees sprung back, as though the audience happened to be walking along with the characters.  The only way to describe the next items is to compare them to the whispy cotton-esque objects that tradition prescribes that we hold on to them, make a wish, and the release them.  I found myself believing that they were, at times, hovering above my head.  In regards to elements of the film “leaping” out into the audience, I don’t think the film was designed to do this.  Whereas, as previously mentioned, some films design elements to leap out into the audience – such as spears or bullets, for example – I got the sense that this tactic was avoided to instead concentrate on the overall immersion of the audience into the 3D experience.

The story to begin with is quite slow, but soon picks up pace.  I found myself being able to predict the storyline quite easily, although there are a few surprises and twists, but there was the typical good vs evil storyline with the good prevailing.  I have to admit, I didn’t expect it to be quite as graphic as it turned out to be, or with such obvious use of adult language – although this did not affect the film.  The characters are quite engaging, and you can easily find yourself forming bonds with the characters and sharing their experience.  The creatures that were designed for the film are fascinatingly bright and colourful, fitting in tremendously with the scenery of Pandora.  Geekily, I noticed that sound also played a big part in the experience of watching the film – for large objects, such as aircraft and gun fire, there was the right amount of bass to resonate around the cinema, immersing you into the action.

I really don’t want to say too much and then give the whole film away.  I would recommend watching it for yourself, but only in 3D.  I think the film lends itself to the 3D technology, and in this aspect, you won’t be let down.  However, if you like films where the storyline alone immerses you, you may very well find yourself getting easily bored of predicting the next bit, and the next bit.  Near the end, I found myself fighting with the characters on the screen, but that’s just me.  It is an enjoyable film, and one that you should find yourself getting attached to throughout the duration, and I’d recommend you watching it to form your own opinion.

I’d give the film, roughly, 9/10.  I will not say it is awesome, or the best film ever made.  I waited a couple of days to let the initial hype/opinion fade away.  It is a good film, I won’t lie, but there are better films.  I would recommend watching it at the cinema though, and not wait for the DVD.  3D works fantastic at the cinema, but not so well at home – and you may well find yourself being a little bit disappointed if you did wait.

I watched it at VUE in Westwood Cross, Thanet – just for your information

*EUROtw@PArks!

Today, I drove my mum, dad and my sister to Maidstone to go to Primark and partake in some general shopping wonderment.  It was a pleasant day, except returning to the car to find a parking ticket.

The day started off fun, albeit some berk sitting in the entrance to a car park doing nothing – dad says they were just texting, POINTLESS!   There was a disabled space, which we were able to use due to my mum being a blue badge holder – to contextualise it, blue badge holders are entitled to 3 hours free parking, in majority of cases.  So, naively, we parked the car in the free disabled badge holders space and left for shopping.  Specifically, we arrived at the car park at 11:03am.

Now, I shall not bore you of the purchases or events of the day, it would be tedious for the reader.  We returned to the car at just after 1:00pm, so considerably less than the 3 hour limits we presumed we’d be entitled too.  We saw the parking attendant wandering around, and hastenly checked watches to check our timing, perfect timing.  I then noticed a little plastic wallet on my windscreen, immediate reaction being WTF!? and opened it and read it.

The car parking charges for this particularly car park (church street, just behind M&S in Maidstone) range from 50p to something like £4.  The fine for failing to pay these charges was £70!!!! Extortionate.  You may well be wondering why we didn’t just pay the charges and avoid this hassle.  I refer you to the context of the blue badge.  HOWEVER, what we didn’t notice was that, in small writing, there was a sign stating that there are no concessions for disabled badge holders.  This would be an indisputable argument for appeal, because there was a sign (albeit, ONE small one).  HOWEVER… what I find despicable is the fact that the ticket was issued THREE MINUTES AFTER WE HAD GOT THERE… the person we’d seen sitting in a small Daihatsu reading a news paper was obviously the parking attendant preying on “strangers” to charge them.

I’m seeking opinion here.  Do you think it is a fair issue of a ticket? Or do you think that, if he ISSUED the ticket at 11:06, only 3 minutes after we had left, he should have made the effort to inform us of the fact that there are no concessions for blue badge holders? I shall pursue the matter regardless, because I regard it as an unfairness!

Memoirs of an 11 Year Old

As I approached the building that occupied the vast skyline ahead of me, I began to shudder.  A feeling of nervousness had overcome like a feeling I’d never experienced.  There stood this gigantuous structure, slowly digesting each person that walked through it’s mouth.  I didn’t want to be eaten by it, I wanted to go back home, where I was safe.  This time, I had no-one.  I had walked in alone, and I was sure I would walk home alone.

I had been removed from the security of having my friends around me, from having people to play with.  I’d been forced to move to a new school, a bigger school, a scarier school.  I didn’t know anyone, and no-one knew me.  I had moved schools before, but for some reason, this was completely different.

A couple of boys from my school had come to the same big school as me, but I wasn’t friends with them – they’d been the “cool” kids at school, but I was the geeky boy.  As I approached the steps of this new school, I yearned for my old school.  My old school was small, and quaint – we all knew each other and most of the teachers were really friendly.  There was one teacher I didn’t like, I hated her.  She was mean and favoured other children over others, which was unfair on myself and my friends.  I made a point of telling her I hated her and didn’t want to have her as a teacher any more – unfortunately, she was still my teacher.

I was very clever at little school, passing my 11+ and doing very well in my year 6 SATS.  One boy was jealous because he didn’t pass but he had gotten tuition for them, and I had passed without tuition.  I did my parents proud that day.

On the day of my leaver’s assembly, at a small church near town, I stood up in front of my friends and my parents and their parents and told them that I wanted to be a millionaire.  I saw my mum, who had laughed – but not the laugh that is aimed at you, but the kind of affectionate and sort of proud laugh.  I was proud to have done so well at finishing little school, despite the fact that people were mean to me.  I don’t like to talk about it, because it makes me cry too much – but they twisted my chest.  I didn’t want to tell my mum because I thought she would be sad or mad at me, so I kept it hidden.  I didn’t want to go without a top in front of them.  If my mum came to talk to me I’d always cover up.  I didn’t want to have to go to the head teacher, because I didn’t think people would believe me.  Eventually my mum found out, and I cried because I was scared.  We went to see the head teacher and things were sorted out.  I don’t like grassing on people, because it makes me look like a snitch.  Mum said it was the right thing to do.  I didn’t want them to keep hurting me because I had told on them once already.  Thankfully, they didn’t.  They did stop, and we went back to playing Jurassic Park in the playground.

I stood at the doors of this new big school, with these thoughts in my mind, these memories, hoping – inside – that this big school would be as much fun, but without the badness of little school.  I was scared.

*Sweeney’s, Waiting.

In response to my success in my PGCE interview, I decided to trial a smarter, more mature hair cut to fit in with my potential future career – emo-esque fringes are just too messy.  Now, I refer you to the comedian Michael Mcintyre, and his first live DVD.  In this he talks somewhat amusingly about the concept of getting a hair cut, and I ask you to bear this in mind as I tell of my experience.

I seem to have developed a fear (perhaps “nervous disposition” would be the correct term to use here) about getting hair cuts – predominantly linked to the conversation aspect of it.  For some reason, it strikes me as odd that some stranger requests to know the ins and outs of your social calendar.  If you know of me, you may well know that I am not a particularly social person (normally!) and I contribute very little to conversation.  However, as a side note, if you know me well, you’ll know that I can talk the hind legs off a donkey.  I digress.  No matter where you go, to a posh salon or a side street gentlemen’s barber, there seems to be an unwritten rule that you must trust this person with your responses to their prying questions – perhaps due to the fact that if you don’t, they have an armoury of sharp instruments with which to *shppl* (too much sweeney todd, maybe).  This is what unnerves me, unnecessary social interaction.  I may well be on my own with the view that the hairdresser cuts the hair (safely…) and I then pay for this service, and all goes well albeit a few pleasantries along the way – such as responding to offers of drinks, or directing how you’d like your hair to be cut…

I did get a hair cut, in light of all my fears of hair dressers, and survived quite well.  I sat in the chair of the barber’s I haven’t been to since I was 12 (at least), and was immediately looking through the eyes of my 12 year old self. It was quite a surreal experience, everything seemed obscenely out of proportion, as though through stepping through that door I had stepped into a time loop.  There I was; shy, timid, quiet Richard, waiting to get his hair cut, trying desperately to not engage in conversation but wanting it to go quickly, but well.  When I left, I returned to seeing the world through 21 year old Nemo eyes.  Startling.

I tried to find a picture to demonstrate this peculiarity, but google failed me.  I hope I painted a good enough picture to help you visualise it.

I completed all of my essays and they have been handed in now.  I am currently researching for my Individual Study and soon will have to start on more subject specific assignments.  It’s all fun and games, university!  I am also trying to sell my car, which my dad kindly polished and hoovered to perfection for me ! Excellent!

xRx

*D&NceInth3D@rk

Yesterday was an incredibly stressful, but productive day.  My essay on Feuerbach is actually almost complete, unfortunately, I may have reached a bit of a stalemate.  I will that done this morning (fingers crossed) and then I can start my assignment on “Is Mormonism Christian?”.  I didn’t get to bed until gone midnight last night, KERAZEE, but I slept so good and for over 8 hours!

My sister bought me Lady Gaga “The Fame Monster” for Christmas, and it is by far my most listened to album  I refused to buy this album myself, as it was pretty much her debut album with 8 new tracks on.  My logic followed the thought that because I had already bought her first album early on in 2009, I shouldn’t have to spend £9.99 on it again, just to get the new tracks – which essentially was the principle behind it.  However, I received it as a gift and it’s incredible!  I cannot not listen to any one track.. Num!  My Lady GaGa poster still hasn;t arrived.  Humph!

**Do something nice today.  Donate some money to charity.  5p, 10p, 20p…  make the world spin more beautifully.

xRx

*Philo-notsoeasy

Everything has literally caught up with me, and it’s pretty stressful if I am honest.  Today, I am writing an essay on Feuerbach and his notion that religion is a form or projection – 2,250 words by 430 I assume is going to be manageable.  Tomorrow, I will write an essay on the question “Is Mormonism Christian?” within the same time frame.  Thankfully, the latter is 1800 words minimum.

I naively assumed that university wouldn’t stress me out this much.  It’s a good thing, because I am learning (later rather than never) the importance of time management and preparing.  Good skills for the years to come, I might add.  Now that things are set in place and the responsibility is entirely in my hands now, I can forget about the last 6 months of uni being an easy ride, it’s gonna be heeelllll!

I am at uni on Saturday too, for the Student’s Assosciate Scheme.  Good!  Bad, in that I lose a day to do essays… I would like to mention that I had intended (and begun) to write my essays over the yule tide period – unfortunately, paid jobs kept getting in the way (to which I couldn’t say no!)

Anyways, I’m off for the day and hopefully (fingers crossed) I’d have done the main body of the essay by 430 so I can fine tune it tonight/tomorrow

xRx

*YEAH!

Today actually turned out to be a good day, for reasons I shall make clear by method of imagery (on the assumption my shoddy talktalk internet connection actually maintains a live connection for more than a minute):

Yes, readers, I have a conditional place on CCCU’s 11-18 PGCE RE course.  I was completely over the moon, especially considering my assumed horrid interview.  It turned out, alright, I suppose.  I’m kidding, it’s more than alright – I mean, I think I may have almost cried tears of happiness.  I was dreading being the only one to not make it onto the course, like the reject, and not reach my dreams and end up working in an unrewarding job for the rest of my life.  Now I have the opportunity to do something I have always wanted (you might think I am crazy…) All I need to do now is attain a 2:2 degree grade and my future can begin.

Thank you to everyone who actually had faith in me, and encouraged me to not be so down and dark about the interview.  I had prepared myself with the thoughts that everything happens for a reason.  I think that it was my humbling of this train of thought that made the acceptance even more rewarding.  Today, I had coffee with three friends, and it was so cool sharing a joint ‘excitement’ (I don’t want to speak for everyone) but also a sudden realisation of what it actually means!  EJW was very supportive of me and is very proud of me 8-), and my mum gave me a massive hug, the sort that was genuine happy and proud hug.

Now to focus on the rest of my degree course.

xRx

*18oh1

18th January 2010

I woke up today with a distinctive lack of enthusiasm or optimism, perhaps colloquially to be labelled as “get-up-and-go”, which was kinda bumming really.  Today is the day I hand in my first essay of the year, and, if I’m honest, I think things are just getting a bit to real now – something I’m not particularly used to, but something I need to get used to (if you understand and follow )

I still haven’t heard about my PGCE interview, which is just (much as I refused to listen to EJW and others) beginning to annoy me.  I do tend to check at least three times a day, just so I can stop waiting, if that makes sense.

My lectures at uni finish around the 23rd March… and I only have two exams to revise for (SCORE!), however, in the time frame between then and now, I have my individual study to research/write, several more essays to write, my job and also volunteering to do!  Busy bee!

(C) 20th Century Fox/Matt Groening

My individual study is centred around a question of need of the discourse of homosexuality within the anglican church.  If you are reading this, and know of any good books – please 8-)?  Hehe!

I need to go get ready now, I do apologise for lack of interesting content, but… something is better than nothing, right?

xRx

*8Thirty

It is half 8 on a Saturday morning, work in one and a half hours.  I am exhausted!  Yesterday, I went with some friends to tour around a secondary school as prospective volunteer teaching assistants, which meant waking up at seven.  HOWEVER, when our CRB checks have gone through, we need to be at the school by 830… which means, waking up even earlier!  At least, it gets me in routine just in case I was successful in my PGCE interview.

On that note, you may wonder why there has been no post about my interview… The simple reason is I thought it sucked and it kind of upsets me.  I have no problem telling you if you ask me, but to post it on a weblog? gracious no!

After work today, I have so much work that needs doing… I genuinely will have no life.  The question is what shall I have for breakfast?? I had toast yesterday, so I’m not really convinced I want to eat it again – leaving the options being weetabix (ASDA brand) or porridge. YUUCCKK! I can’t go hungry, that would be foolish, but I am so indecisive.  I might have to buy new cereal today…

I am also considering joining a gym!! Outrageous.  But at the moment I can’t afford it until I sells my auto! Tut, it’s a difficult life!  Have a good day peeps

xRx

*KP-PuRe

Sooo… I heard another song to remind me of my adoration for Miss Perry – it can be found on Timbaland’s Shock Value II.*  Along side her collaboration with 3!OH3!, well, I now yearn for a release of a new album from her soon… Although, from scouring around t’internet and numerous forums, I envisage 2010 will not be the year for it’s release.  Anyway…

I naively bought into HMV’s PURE reward scheme.  It seemed a cracking idea at the time, spend a ridiculous amount of money in store or online and receive like 1 point per penny you spend – e.g. £9.99 would give you 999 points.  Simple.  Yes!  Rewarding?  No.  In terms of anything WORTH having, you’re going to need to spend at least £1,500 in store – upwards to anything beyond £4,500.  You do have the option of exchanging your collection of points for credit… NO! Bad move.  Check out the arena for details… I can’t even refuse to shop at HMV in protest – IT’S CANTERBURY’S ONLY RECORD STORE!!! Humph!  Annyywaayy, the point of this little ramble is this beauty:

An exclusive 10×8 print for a mere sum of 5000 points.  Realistically, this picture is not worth £50, when I could download it off of google and print it myself… But, it seems the only thing worth having from HMV Pure… EXCEPT… every time I try and order it, the screen displays “display process error” which is just saddening, I want it!  If it happens again, I have the temptation to break copyright law and just download this image and print it myself!  Not only is the point system ridiculously worked out, BUT the website doesn’t even seem to work… And I have been trying to weeks to order this.  I could contact them, but I’m confident not much will be done.  I will try again soon, then contact them and, if my attempts are to no avail, I shall… *cough* do it cheaply….

Anyways… Katy Perry is lovely, and I have gotten over my bitterness about her with Russell Brand.  I’m off to bed now.  Enjoy
xRx

*you can buy the song here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ever-Meet-Again-Featuring-Perry/dp/B002YM14GQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1263591665&sr=8-1-spell