An Appology

I am a predictable toad, aren't I?

Well, I decided to post on here again. Mostly because I've actually began blogging (why is my spell checker so dated; it's a word, dammit!) in other areas and thought "why bother, when I have a perfectly good one right here?" To which I answered, "Well, 'cos you feel guilty for not posting".

That almost was the end of that, until I realised how much time and effort I'd put into the design of this place. It's all very pretty. And since I've been designing my own site - all I need now is some eSpace, and I'm set - I thought I'd give old trusty (that's this site) another bash.

So what's changed with me?

Not a lot, quantitatively. I'm still working at HMRC and I've yet to flee the country in search of my Holy Grail; an adventure of sorts.
I still live at home with my mum and brother and have yet to develop a Website (in my defense, as I've already said, I am close)

But, qualitatively, there is one thing, actually I'm using it as the reason why all the above hasn't changed..

I'm in love!

Yeah how fantastically-lame to all you people who aren't, and how empathetically cutesy to everyone who is. Perspective is a bitchy mirror.

OK so what's the deal with this blog? Who knows, I may start posting frequently - read: less strictly - or you may not see me for another thousand years........


R.U

Quickie: The Interview

I've been a little hard to get a hold of as of late, so thought I'd give an exclusive interview explaining where I've been and what I've been up to so that my fans institution knows I'm not in a ditch somewhere...

Jonathan Ross: So where have you been for the last week, you've missed song of the week to name just one thing..!

Reality Unjustified: Well, I had a few problems with my internet connection. Initially we thought it was due to the bills not being paid, but it turned out to be something electrical and not internet related at all. Something to do with the router not being connected directly to the mains.

JR: Money troubles ehy? Care to elaborate.

RU: There's not a lot to tell really, money's just a little tight. But we've recently sold the house, making a nice profit, so hopefully we'll be moving into a cheaper situation debtless

JR: Sounds great. And what about you in particular, last we heard you were still unemployed.

RU: Well, the situation is still the same Jonathan I've applied to a few places but not heard anything back so I'm still looking, unless you're hiring?

JR: ...

JR: And what of the entertainment side of things; we all know your passion for film, music and games - anything on the horizon?

R.U: Well, I'm currently playing Bioshock - and have nearly finished it - so expect a review within the next week or so. I've seen Lord of War (3.5/5) and House of Sand and Fog (4/5) but won't be reviewing them I'm afraid and, although I missed this weeks Song of the Week, expect a double header this Sunday!

JR: Excellent. Now, recently we've heard a buzz stating that you'll be presenting your up-and-coming short story, "Man..." to the online audience. Is this true, and if so do you have a date in mind.

R.U: That's correct yes, hopefully the first chapter will be available for viewing during next month.

JR: Well, as always, it's a pleasure to see you again. Thanks for coming on the show and all the best with your various projects... Reality Unjustified!

R.U: Thanks Jonathan!

Update: New blog Design and Other Bits

Well, as you can see I've re-designed this place and, if I do say so myself, it looks a lot better!

All images, icons, backgrounds and the-like have been designed and developed by yours truly.

Signed On..

Yep, I signed on this morning but at least I'm actively looking for work (really!) So don't think of me as a leach on society but as someone whom you're helping out - like a charity or such (see, I'm a worthy cause...?!)
I have to pop into the Job Center every fortnight and make a record of jobs I've looked at/applied for/and so on, so that they know I'm not just, well, sucking them dry...
While I was there, the lovely woman who was helping me, managed to pick out a few possible jobs, which I've to send my CV off to later - (makes a mental note) - so I may not even get my first injection of cash!

In other news...

Heroes is on tonight, and although I saw this weeks BBC2 episode of BBC3 last week, I get to see Episode 5 tonight. So fingers crossed it's a good one! Last weeks cliff hanger was just good enough to bypass the "cheese" and come out pretty good, so it'll be interesting to see how we go this week!

Much love,

RU

Quickie: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Good...
Just mere moments ago, I finally came up with an ending to my short story, and I think it really kicks ass. All I have to do is to get the middle-to-last third started/finished to a standard that really sets the scene and builds up to the finale! Also, I was offered that job at SH marketing...

...the Bad
...Which I quickly declined! Door to door sales, with salary based (completely) on performance - i.e. how many sales I make. I have no experience in this so I'd probably make little-to-no money, and I just didn't think it would be worth the bother! So I'm still looking!

And the Ugly

It's here! It's finally here!

I finally managed to get my graduation photo's up. There's not a lot as I'm still waiting for a few of my mates to send me the ones they took (mostly group ones too!) So I will post them as and when I have them. For now, however, enjoy my mug!

My tutor and I. He's been a cool guy, helped us all out of a few scrapes and I owe him a lot!

Mother, me and my "wishes he wasn't there - untidy" Brother

Me and my Mum!

Me

Er, me again!

Be kind!!

Much love,


R. U

Quickie: GTA IV - DELAYED!!!

"Ah-hu, they di'int!"

Yes folks, they did. GTA IV has been delayed to the 2Q (that's between Feb 1st and April 30th)* of 2008. I'm a little annoyed but as long as Assassin's Creed and Mass Effect don't get put back - touches wood - then I don't really mind...

Haha, "R* have stolen Christmas" - some people slay me..

Quickie: We got a live one!!

Well that didn't take long...

3 interviews; 2 employment possibilities and 1, erm, JSA (Job Seekers Allowance aka The Dole) interview to fall back on should I be turned down by both employers. God, imagine the disabling blow that would have on my confidence...

Ah well!

I have an interview with SH Marketing tomorrow and GEM MARKETING (erm, they don't have a web site...) on Friday! My JSA interview isn't 'til Monday. So, who knows, that interview may be unneeded by then!

Anyway, Mr Internet, wish me luck. Perhaps next time I post I'll be...

Reality Unjustified BA, Status: EMPLOYED

Woop Woop

R. U

Quickie: Job Hunting

Well the time has finally come; say goodbye to student loans, wave your 7 day weekends away, it's time to get a job. Why? Well, because I feel it's my calling (see: I'm skint). OK, so what will your fearless hero be working as? A quantum physicist? Boring! A fireman!? Too dangerous! The next Hollywood actor/model? Yawwwn! OK, so what already?

Well, yours truly has made several inquires into the following areas:
Market Research
Clerk
Market Research Clerk
Clerical work in the Market Research area

Haha! It's sad but true (although, admittedly I did make the job titles up!).

Anyway, like any 21 year old I have a plan (say again)! And working low pay temporary jobs is all part of that plan!

So peace out and wish me luck!

- Reality Unjustified BA. (that's right sports fans, Bachelor of Arts , you better show me some respectaa!)

Quickie: For reasons unknown!

Just a quick one from me. I'm off for a few 'drinks' tonight, my mate is driving us and we're kipping at a mates. Interestingly enough we're not going because of my mate but because of her mother. That's right, we were invited to her birthday party and as with all great birthday parties there is a theme! and I quote: "Come as an object not a person"...

What?

Ok, so by powers of great cunning and foreward thinking I'm going as a bottle of stella artois!

Well I'm wearing a Stella shirt, that counts for something, right?

R.U

Update and Lost Countdown added!

Hey ho,

Well I've not posted for a bit and I am behind on a few things blog-related. My final game of E3 should be up before the weekend is over. I think I may put the Lost rewatch on hold for a week or so. Also, in other news, I have been writing a short story - you may remember me having a moan about my creative process during a Midnight Reflection at 2:51am. My short story, aptly named Man, covers the, somewhat mundane life of Frick, a lower class factory worker. Set in an unspecified time in the future, we see what man has become, and during the story uncover specific parts of Man, and how we, as a race, have changed. The following is from the opening chapter, which focuses on Man... and his daily routine:

...and his daily routine
"Is anyone alive in there?!" He shouted. But he was not heard, or at least he was not received; Work had become such an impossibly repetitive routine over the, Frick thought, endless years. The factory itself seemed to go on forever, both vertically and horizontally, like it's line of various items which resembled pretty much nothing at all at this stage of production, but promised to be put to efficient use by the time the various items had reached the external sector of the factory. Frick, currently in his late 30s, medium height, medium build, and unshaven had always described himself as being 'built perfectly for the job' - which was both a fair estimate, a true reflection of himself as a man, and a statement of irony; working the factories did not require any special abilities or a specific body type as say, Bin Beatles do - named so after the Dung beetle for the way at which it would push its huge mound of waste around. Frick was currently wearing the factories brown-shaded overalls, and brown-shaded gloves.

"Hey, you!!" The shout came again. Snapping back into reality, Frick feverishly began checking the various items that had arrived at his sector of the assembly line, picking out those which he instinctively recognized as being "null" and placing them in the nearby bin which would, sooner or later, be taken to another factory. At this new factory, the bins contents would be emptied onto an almost identical conveyor belt, where people, not unlike Frick, would sort through the somewhat random trash, locating those items that were relevant to that particular factory, and discarding those which were not. This would repeat forever if needs be, or at least until the bin was empty.

Well if you manage to stumble across this blog, give it a read and let me know what you think. It should be noted that this short story is heavily influenced by Phil K Dick and in particular the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Or at least that is where I am heading with it. At this moment in time I'm about half way through so expected to see the rest of this chapter up some time soon, with an update!

One last thing - I've added a Lost Countdown (very cool!) for all us Losties out there.

Just 200 days to go!

R.U

Quickie: Graduation Mayday!!

Well, it's finally here. Graduation is tomorrow.

Currently I'm a little nervous, a little apprehensive, but overall I'm looking forward to it. Sadly, two of the four individuals who were coming to my graduation can no longer make it. A familiar friend has become ill, and, since she was going to pick my grandmother up (drop-out numero 2), both my family friend and my grandmother will not be able to come. My mother and brother will still be their though, so all is not lost!

Another mini-drama has also reared it's ugly head: transportation. As I said above, we're now down a car and neither me or my mother (brother is too young) can drive. Initially I was going to get a lift of a mate, but I can't get hold of him at the moment so that means that I may have to get a bus; and since we have to be at the Stadium of Light (did I mention the graduation is at that hell hole?!) by 8:30 in the morning, and it takes half an hour on the bus, that means I will have to get up at around 7:00am, which I haven't had to do for a long time. Old habits die hard, and all that...

Anyway, I'm sure I'll pop back on here to note down how it went.

- RU

PS. Piss up has probably been scheduled for the day after
PPS. (Lost) Tabula Rasa episode review up later

Quickie: A "Die Hard 4 Point Oh" /slash/ "Xbox 360" Hybrid

This entry (I'm still not sure what I should call these; posts? Entries?) is two fold:

First: Xbox360 - Makes an early return.

About a week ago I sent my barely a month old Xbox360 back for repairs (it was scratching my discs and not wanting to take any chances, phoned them up - where I was greeted by a very nice young lady who told me I would receive my Xbox360 back within 20-25 days. I was a little gutted with the time scale given to me, but I suppose that's what makes this news so much sweeter). Yesterday I received an email saying that my beloved xbox would be making it's way - Homeward Bound-esc - back to me in 2 to 5 working days. So sometime before Monday/Tuesday!

Lets hope the bugger is fixed!

Second: Die Hard Four Point Oohhh

I'm off to see Die Hard 4.0 tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it, truth be told - I think this is because of the similarily ancient Rocky Balboa experience I had earlier this year, which saw me totally awe struck by what I thought was going to be garbage. I mean, Die Hard is such a great franchise and requires little-to-no brain power to enjoy. And Bruce Willis is just so damn great - such a lovely chap too.

Plus this time round we get to feast our eyes on the kick-ass Maggie Q (MI:3) who plays the 'baddy' and the delicious, and one of my favourite ladies of the moment, Mary Elizabeth Winstead (of Final Destination 3, Grindhouse and Black Christmas fame - pictured) who plays McClanes daughter (I bet poor Bruce feels old!!)

So, my thoughts on this film to follow probably tomorrow or Friday, along with my #3 for E3 (oh that rhymed!)

- R.U

With a degree of uncertainty...

Salutations!

Right, so I was chatting to a buddy on msn and he happens to tell me that "our degree results are available for pick up and I got a FIRST!!" So I ignore the last bit and begin to text all my buds; telling them that we can all go in a pick our results up together. During the middle of said texting I get a text saying, and I quote: "We gettin results :p"....

Yeah, OK, thanks for telling me!!

Anyway, I hop onto a bus - I can't drive, I really should but I don't - arrive at Uni a mere minutes before the receptionist packs up for the day. I relax a little, receive my results - at this point, by the way, I have no idea what they actually mean, I'm just kind of happy that it says "Pass and Proceed" at the bottom - so I can actually go to my own graduation.

Anyway, on the bus journey home I work out that I have, in fact, obtained a 2:2.

That'll do, I say...

Anyway, graduation ceremony is on the 9th of this month so I have that to look forward to as well as the little event directly after that, of getting, beyond any kind of doubt, completely smashed!

Congratulations to the rest of my squad - Class of 2007!

Although one of my mates failed (ironically the one who sent me the text message above)

Midnight Reflection @ 2.51am

Is this normal?

I have this inspirational urge to write a book, or at least a short story - but I'm afraid to even start writing, with the possibility I won't finish it. Somewhere deep inside myself, past all those trouble teenaged years, left at the miserable memories sign post I've cunningly deduced that if I don't write this short story then I won't actually fail at it.
Score for me!!

That's kind of pathetic isn't it?

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