How many posts have I titled like that? Maybe my life just is busy...
The school blocks "blogs and personal sites" 24-7, so I really don't feel in a h4xx0rz mood and that's why I haven't been posting lately... But I've also been doing things, y'know, like playing guitar and things like that.
So, I'm busy recording my first ever Ridley Radio podcast, and I'll let you know how it's going, obviously I'll post up a link as soon as it's finished. For now it's just a WIP, and I really like the sound of my own voice at the moment so I know what'll take up the rest of my time now! hehehe.... I have a fat white mike which looks really pro, and I also have the power to do whatever I want on air. At least it's not live (ha ha Ismail) or else I'll end up in some serious trouble ;)
I feel like I should be writing moar, but there's nothing actually happening that's particularly out of the ordinary... Although this weekend, we are going up north to somewhere (I'm not altogether sure), and so there'll be some pictures and stuff when I get back.
For now, Sam out.
Friday, 30 September 2011
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Snake Dance!
[This is an article I wrote for the Ridley College student life blog, hopefully it'll get published. Anyways, for those of you out of the loop, it should explain (1) my latest facebook photos, and (2) what I've been up to recently. I love the brainwave I had to write this in the present tense, gives it an extra kick! Enjoy!]
As soon as school’s over on Friday afternoon, orange and black start creeping in around the campus, first in the form of hats, scarves, shirts, shorts, socks, shoes, and all manner of normal clothing, and then slowly but surely on to eyes, earrings, underwear…
And then the madness in the houses starts after the basketball game. Someone breaks out a bottle of paint, and then another person, and another, first walking then running up and down the stairs from one floor to the next, passing each other looking perfectly normal on the way in, but like wild men of the middle Pacific on the way out! The frenzy builds up, paint is passed around, the floor starts to accumulate overspill in the form of a gooey mass like an oil tanker gone wrong…
Some prefer a conservative approach, choosing to swipe some Ridley stripes down the side of their cheeks and muss up their hair a little bit. Others want a more aggressive look, and so sported orange and black daubs over various parts of the body, as well as (sacrilege!) taking off their shoes and/or socks. The artists within us do handprints, both negative and positive, and sacrifice our school neckwear and bowler hats for the cause. And then there’s the approach favored by the large majority, which is the brutally effective but also brutally blunt splattering, smattering, and smearing of a little bit of orange but mostly black paint all over one’s body, and that includes hair and spandex.
The snake is off! Everyone running and trying very hard to scream and shout at the same time, houses joining one by one as the shrill screeches of girls merge with the deep bellows of the boys, and around the fields we go, slipping and sliding through the grass and muddy puddles fresh from the rain, some braving powerslides or even a few strokes in a particularly deep one. Encircling the fire pit, the noise is tremendous, one can’t hear anything but the screams of those on either side. “LIGHT THE FIRE! LIGHT THE FIRE!”
Eventually, after what seems like an eternity, the torches arrive, and the prefects lead a screaming and shouting and general mayhem session of what is certainly longer than one’s average Sunday morning sleep-in with the help of effigies, a hosepipe, and the sheer intensity of the moment, which out-powers even that of the extremely scintillating jazz band rehearsals. Then, fireworks, everyone still screaming and shouting but completely mute at the same time, on account of their voice having excused themselves until tomorrow morning…
And then, slowly and reluctantly, everyone trudges back to their respective houses, ready to begin the long and arduous task of cleaning up themselves, cleaning up the washrooms, cleaning up the trash, and then stuffing down pizza at a very modest time, almost as bad as the extended ES grad lights-out on a good day. Swearing and hitting the walls, the floors, and the ceilings (?) as the paint either refused to come off by means of mop, cloth, or (drastic measures here) prayer; or came off easily only to be replaced by another dirty spot. Water black as the night sloshing about in the basements, laughing at where we’ve failed to scrub paint off ourselves, laughing at which surfaces people actually managed to get paint onto…
So ends another day at Ridley College. That, my friends, is the SNAKE DANCE!
As soon as school’s over on Friday afternoon, orange and black start creeping in around the campus, first in the form of hats, scarves, shirts, shorts, socks, shoes, and all manner of normal clothing, and then slowly but surely on to eyes, earrings, underwear…
And then the madness in the houses starts after the basketball game. Someone breaks out a bottle of paint, and then another person, and another, first walking then running up and down the stairs from one floor to the next, passing each other looking perfectly normal on the way in, but like wild men of the middle Pacific on the way out! The frenzy builds up, paint is passed around, the floor starts to accumulate overspill in the form of a gooey mass like an oil tanker gone wrong…
Some prefer a conservative approach, choosing to swipe some Ridley stripes down the side of their cheeks and muss up their hair a little bit. Others want a more aggressive look, and so sported orange and black daubs over various parts of the body, as well as (sacrilege!) taking off their shoes and/or socks. The artists within us do handprints, both negative and positive, and sacrifice our school neckwear and bowler hats for the cause. And then there’s the approach favored by the large majority, which is the brutally effective but also brutally blunt splattering, smattering, and smearing of a little bit of orange but mostly black paint all over one’s body, and that includes hair and spandex.
The snake is off! Everyone running and trying very hard to scream and shout at the same time, houses joining one by one as the shrill screeches of girls merge with the deep bellows of the boys, and around the fields we go, slipping and sliding through the grass and muddy puddles fresh from the rain, some braving powerslides or even a few strokes in a particularly deep one. Encircling the fire pit, the noise is tremendous, one can’t hear anything but the screams of those on either side. “LIGHT THE FIRE! LIGHT THE FIRE!”
Eventually, after what seems like an eternity, the torches arrive, and the prefects lead a screaming and shouting and general mayhem session of what is certainly longer than one’s average Sunday morning sleep-in with the help of effigies, a hosepipe, and the sheer intensity of the moment, which out-powers even that of the extremely scintillating jazz band rehearsals. Then, fireworks, everyone still screaming and shouting but completely mute at the same time, on account of their voice having excused themselves until tomorrow morning…
And then, slowly and reluctantly, everyone trudges back to their respective houses, ready to begin the long and arduous task of cleaning up themselves, cleaning up the washrooms, cleaning up the trash, and then stuffing down pizza at a very modest time, almost as bad as the extended ES grad lights-out on a good day. Swearing and hitting the walls, the floors, and the ceilings (?) as the paint either refused to come off by means of mop, cloth, or (drastic measures here) prayer; or came off easily only to be replaced by another dirty spot. Water black as the night sloshing about in the basements, laughing at where we’ve failed to scrub paint off ourselves, laughing at which surfaces people actually managed to get paint onto…
So ends another day at Ridley College. That, my friends, is the SNAKE DANCE!
Friday, 23 September 2011
I knew I'd fill my schedule eventually...
So today was the first day of proper activities/societies (obviously not including the funky music ones at 7.30am), and everyone was chilling signing up for sensible things, hanging with their friends, generally not commiting too much, etc. Then, there were the lonely few of us (kudos Jacob) who ran around like headless chickens, opening doors and going, "which activity is this? I'm joining!"...
Yeah, that's me. So I'm officially now part of the Ridley Radio, student blog, HANK magazine, debating, jazz band, drum corps of the cadet band, aaaaaaaand one more which I can't remember. I am so disappointed with myself, I think I'll go work out at the gym in the mornings because I just have too much time on my hands :D
So, the promisèd pictures. I'll let them speak for themselves actually...
This is my room at home... (I don't spend much time here)
...and this is my room at school. (I spend quite a bit of time here. Also, the mess is all Daniel's fault)
This is a stereotypical photo of Ridley, taken by me. Hell, the PR should totally employ me on the spot!
There's me and Jon having fun, Jon looking like a stoner, probably just caught at the wrong moment...
These are my roommates, Daniel and Connar, working hard during study period...
And this is me, working. Hard. Also during study period. Damn, I'm sexy :D
Tomorrow is Snake Dance, super-amped for that. My mission is to take pictures and write a joint piece for the student life blog afterwards. I hope I succeed...
Hey, Canadians are reading my blog! This is so cool!!!
Yeah, that's me. So I'm officially now part of the Ridley Radio, student blog, HANK magazine, debating, jazz band, drum corps of the cadet band, aaaaaaaand one more which I can't remember. I am so disappointed with myself, I think I'll go work out at the gym in the mornings because I just have too much time on my hands :D
So, the promisèd pictures. I'll let them speak for themselves actually...
Tomorrow is Snake Dance, super-amped for that. My mission is to take pictures and write a joint piece for the student life blog afterwards. I hope I succeed...
Hey, Canadians are reading my blog! This is so cool!!!
Monday, 19 September 2011
Damn, what a weekend!
YAY! Camera! And there's only one reason there aren't any pictures in this post is because the battery is charging as we speak! :( But anyway, I'll have them ready tomorrow... and I'll finally have some pictures on my blog. Finally!
So, today is a freaking long post because I've got a lot of stuff to catch up on, because this weekend was freaking awesome! (and this blog post is taking ages, but more about that later...)
---------------------------------
We had a house barbecue on Friday at a farm property Ridley owns, which was pretty sick. The problem was, I hadn't brought a change of clothes (on account of forgetting that it was happening), and I ended up getting back to school at like 10pm and realizing Jon wasn't there! So, I spent the night at Ridley (good thing there's an empty bed in my room), and then Saturday morning class, play practice, etc. on Saturday. Then, there's a dance in the evening, so I told Jon to bring me some clothes, which he does, ie my jeans and a sweater. Okay, survivable..... I am from Africa after all! Then it got worse, because I spent the next night at Ridley too, and then in the morning we had a charity walk for cancer. Mad rush to find clothes which are in Ridley colours and don't stink the hell out of the galactic supercluster (actually, I did shower, so it wasn't thaat bad) and I end up wearing the same underpants and socks for >48 hours straight, and the rest was all borrowed clothes! The only shoes in the entire house that fit me were my roommate's, who rows crew, hence his shoes somehow being big enough. I borrowed his slipon sneaker vibes, and walked the whole run. :D but more on that just now...
---------------------------------
The play! Oh boy, after almost three years of being told I cannot act, I finally get the chance to go on stage again! It's the greatest feeling (almost as great as sailing!), and I can't believe I've been kept away from it for such a long time...
People often don't often realize this, but you don't need to be insane at anything to be a great actor, there's only a few key things you have to get right. You have to be heard, and you have to be confident, and believe it or not, that's it. I'm not saying those are the only things you need to be Alec Guinness, because you'll never be the best if you're mediocre (derp). It's just that people say, "I can't really act on stage", when in fact you actually can. You just need to believe it.
Emotions don't actually matter. I can only act one emotion, and that's not a Keanu Reeves Neo Anderson expression, it's just me being fed drugs. It's just that I have mad skillz with warping it so it seems like whatever emotion I want it to be hence the suppose "talent". No matter what I'm acting, I'm always thinking the same, and that's what it's about, you know, becoming the character is better, obviously, but pretending to become the character is good enough. When I'm told to act like I'm thinking of another girl, I don't think about the character thinking of another girl. I actually just think about another girl, and everything else comes through in my actions... which at times can lead to some good laughs during rehearsals :D But yeah, I don't think about the character's other girl, or hopes or dreams or emotions or anything. I just think of mine which correlate with those of the character. And I guess it's just very effective because I've go a wide range of such experiences from which to draw emotions from.
Or maybe I'm just rambling on, and I'm actually just a good actor. You'll never know, will you? It could all just be a show....
Now I wonder if I should talk about girls here, or not yet. Naah, you'll have to read to the end! But anyway, I'm severely looking forward to the play, and just rehearsals and stage life in general. Who knows, we might finally get cast tomorrow....... and then we can actually get to work memorizing the lines.
---------------------------------
Spent the best part of Saturday hanging out with a real Mayan, Luis. He's actually become one of my best friends here. We spent a good 4 hours or so making Beatles music on a whole multitude of instruments, and right now his guitar is actually chilling in my room at Ridley, and I've learnt the four chord song starting on G. I think I should just man up and start playing guitar now. It's great to be able to just do that with your friends, hang around for a solid bit of time doing something you love and letting some music vibes out! I haven't had that going since the last time I climbed with Guy...
These are actually the moments I live for. The fencing, the climbing, the music. Screw whether you win or lose, you're with your best friends it's not just pointless "hanging out" per se, because you're not chilling on your iPhones and BlackBerries and hating and slaying like almost everyone else I know does when they hang out with friends.
---------------------------------
Next next next next, oh yeah, the dance. Let's just say that people in Canada dance differently to what you'd imagine. I know, I found out the hard way. So, we pile into the gym, massive video screens, pro DJ, girls wearing absolutely nothing, guys wearing progressively less as the evening wore on... you know what, Jon put it very accurately when he said, "it's all just about sex. And drugs and getting drunk too, but mostly sex". So I ended up being one of the 3(4?) sober people there, which makes for good Architect moments, but I did rather enjoy myself what with the pumping bass and all. Although if this is what the insides of clubs look like, then I definitely am not going clubbing when I'm older.
It's a certain type of atmosphere that I guess is just an acquired taste, and I don't think it's mine. You know, as fun as pushing past all the sweaty bodies and gyrating hips is, it's just not me. I've had a couple of friends try convince me to go wild and be a dog, but I just can't do anything with someone who's drunk or a smoker or a slut. It's just me. I'm all for having a little fun, and I did dance with a couple of girls, some of which may have been a little tipsy, but no kissing, no nothing. I don't know why, it's super weird. I know, I'm in Canada for another two months, what the hell, etc. etc. but I haven't changed as a person that much. I'm a little more spontaneous, but that's actually Chloe's fault originally. Not that certain people are helping in any way... Anyway, that's beside the point.
Hell, people actually grind here. Like, what we have back home is nothing! hehe, I feel like such a rebel already... But it's still not like I'm going to hook up with three girls on the same night, you know. I don't mind if my friends do that, I'm the guy who'll carry them back to the car and drive them home if you get my drift, but I'm not going to go on a massive slaying spree.
The day afterwards is honestly even better than the dance itself, though. The girls the looks give you are priceless! Well, I mean, not me (I didn't do enough lookworthy things), but other people. Especially when you were there and you understand what those looks mean! Oh boy oh boy, awkward situations arise! Everyone has their own little warped piece of the story, and when they start coming together once everyone's sobered up, things can get rather embarrassing! I mean, you'll just end up staring really hard at your shoes or something. Yep, it's really fun when you begin to know the whole story!
---------------------------------
You know what? I'm not even going to talk about girls this post, I do it waaaaaay too much anyway. I've got a girl, even though we're not dating, I don't need another one. Except for//AARGH now I'm talking about it!
---------------------------------
Stop it! No girls!
---------------------------------
This morning was a great morning, all nice and sunny and a great walk to support cancer, the Terry Fox Run. It's actually a very big Ridley representative tradition. Hung around with good friends the entire time, just screwed around nonstop. We actually phoned Pizza Pizza and asked them whether they had any outlets in Afghanistan. Result: immediate hangup. 'nuff said. A morning well spent though :)
Then I got some really good catchup time with everyone back in CT. Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of class or at play rehearsals from pretty much 1-6.30, which is like the optimal time to skype and facebook chat with people in GMT +1. Life goes on........ Which is why I think it's good I took some time out and just got to chat with people.
---------------------------------
So, why did the post take so long? Mostly because Maddie's got me absolutely hooked on this random British TV show called The InBetweeners. Which is very crude and embarrassing, but also extremely funny. I have to share the stage with this girl, she took the main role in last year's Crucible production (which means she knows a thing or two about acting ;) ) and it's not helped by the fact that I fancy her a little bit :D
Life goes on..... DAMMIT! I said NO GIRLS!
Besides, I still miss Chloe back at home...
So, today is a freaking long post because I've got a lot of stuff to catch up on, because this weekend was freaking awesome! (and this blog post is taking ages, but more about that later...)
---------------------------------
We had a house barbecue on Friday at a farm property Ridley owns, which was pretty sick. The problem was, I hadn't brought a change of clothes (on account of forgetting that it was happening), and I ended up getting back to school at like 10pm and realizing Jon wasn't there! So, I spent the night at Ridley (good thing there's an empty bed in my room), and then Saturday morning class, play practice, etc. on Saturday. Then, there's a dance in the evening, so I told Jon to bring me some clothes, which he does, ie my jeans and a sweater. Okay, survivable..... I am from Africa after all! Then it got worse, because I spent the next night at Ridley too, and then in the morning we had a charity walk for cancer. Mad rush to find clothes which are in Ridley colours and don't stink the hell out of the galactic supercluster (actually, I did shower, so it wasn't thaat bad) and I end up wearing the same underpants and socks for >48 hours straight, and the rest was all borrowed clothes! The only shoes in the entire house that fit me were my roommate's, who rows crew, hence his shoes somehow being big enough. I borrowed his slipon sneaker vibes, and walked the whole run. :D but more on that just now...
---------------------------------
The play! Oh boy, after almost three years of being told I cannot act, I finally get the chance to go on stage again! It's the greatest feeling (almost as great as sailing!), and I can't believe I've been kept away from it for such a long time...
People often don't often realize this, but you don't need to be insane at anything to be a great actor, there's only a few key things you have to get right. You have to be heard, and you have to be confident, and believe it or not, that's it. I'm not saying those are the only things you need to be Alec Guinness, because you'll never be the best if you're mediocre (derp). It's just that people say, "I can't really act on stage", when in fact you actually can. You just need to believe it.
Emotions don't actually matter. I can only act one emotion, and that's not a Keanu Reeves Neo Anderson expression, it's just me being fed drugs. It's just that I have mad skillz with warping it so it seems like whatever emotion I want it to be hence the suppose "talent". No matter what I'm acting, I'm always thinking the same, and that's what it's about, you know, becoming the character is better, obviously, but pretending to become the character is good enough. When I'm told to act like I'm thinking of another girl, I don't think about the character thinking of another girl. I actually just think about another girl, and everything else comes through in my actions... which at times can lead to some good laughs during rehearsals :D But yeah, I don't think about the character's other girl, or hopes or dreams or emotions or anything. I just think of mine which correlate with those of the character. And I guess it's just very effective because I've go a wide range of such experiences from which to draw emotions from.
Or maybe I'm just rambling on, and I'm actually just a good actor. You'll never know, will you? It could all just be a show....
Now I wonder if I should talk about girls here, or not yet. Naah, you'll have to read to the end! But anyway, I'm severely looking forward to the play, and just rehearsals and stage life in general. Who knows, we might finally get cast tomorrow....... and then we can actually get to work memorizing the lines.
---------------------------------
Spent the best part of Saturday hanging out with a real Mayan, Luis. He's actually become one of my best friends here. We spent a good 4 hours or so making Beatles music on a whole multitude of instruments, and right now his guitar is actually chilling in my room at Ridley, and I've learnt the four chord song starting on G. I think I should just man up and start playing guitar now. It's great to be able to just do that with your friends, hang around for a solid bit of time doing something you love and letting some music vibes out! I haven't had that going since the last time I climbed with Guy...
These are actually the moments I live for. The fencing, the climbing, the music. Screw whether you win or lose, you're with your best friends it's not just pointless "hanging out" per se, because you're not chilling on your iPhones and BlackBerries and hating and slaying like almost everyone else I know does when they hang out with friends.
---------------------------------
Next next next next, oh yeah, the dance. Let's just say that people in Canada dance differently to what you'd imagine. I know, I found out the hard way. So, we pile into the gym, massive video screens, pro DJ, girls wearing absolutely nothing, guys wearing progressively less as the evening wore on... you know what, Jon put it very accurately when he said, "it's all just about sex. And drugs and getting drunk too, but mostly sex". So I ended up being one of the 3(4?) sober people there, which makes for good Architect moments, but I did rather enjoy myself what with the pumping bass and all. Although if this is what the insides of clubs look like, then I definitely am not going clubbing when I'm older.
It's a certain type of atmosphere that I guess is just an acquired taste, and I don't think it's mine. You know, as fun as pushing past all the sweaty bodies and gyrating hips is, it's just not me. I've had a couple of friends try convince me to go wild and be a dog, but I just can't do anything with someone who's drunk or a smoker or a slut. It's just me. I'm all for having a little fun, and I did dance with a couple of girls, some of which may have been a little tipsy, but no kissing, no nothing. I don't know why, it's super weird. I know, I'm in Canada for another two months, what the hell, etc. etc. but I haven't changed as a person that much. I'm a little more spontaneous, but that's actually Chloe's fault originally. Not that certain people are helping in any way... Anyway, that's beside the point.
Hell, people actually grind here. Like, what we have back home is nothing! hehe, I feel like such a rebel already... But it's still not like I'm going to hook up with three girls on the same night, you know. I don't mind if my friends do that, I'm the guy who'll carry them back to the car and drive them home if you get my drift, but I'm not going to go on a massive slaying spree.
The day afterwards is honestly even better than the dance itself, though. The girls the looks give you are priceless! Well, I mean, not me (I didn't do enough lookworthy things), but other people. Especially when you were there and you understand what those looks mean! Oh boy oh boy, awkward situations arise! Everyone has their own little warped piece of the story, and when they start coming together once everyone's sobered up, things can get rather embarrassing! I mean, you'll just end up staring really hard at your shoes or something. Yep, it's really fun when you begin to know the whole story!
---------------------------------
You know what? I'm not even going to talk about girls this post, I do it waaaaaay too much anyway. I've got a girl, even though we're not dating, I don't need another one. Except for//AARGH now I'm talking about it!
---------------------------------
Stop it! No girls!
---------------------------------
This morning was a great morning, all nice and sunny and a great walk to support cancer, the Terry Fox Run. It's actually a very big Ridley representative tradition. Hung around with good friends the entire time, just screwed around nonstop. We actually phoned Pizza Pizza and asked them whether they had any outlets in Afghanistan. Result: immediate hangup. 'nuff said. A morning well spent though :)
Then I got some really good catchup time with everyone back in CT. Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of class or at play rehearsals from pretty much 1-6.30, which is like the optimal time to skype and facebook chat with people in GMT +1. Life goes on........ Which is why I think it's good I took some time out and just got to chat with people.
---------------------------------
So, why did the post take so long? Mostly because Maddie's got me absolutely hooked on this random British TV show called The InBetweeners. Which is very crude and embarrassing, but also extremely funny. I have to share the stage with this girl, she took the main role in last year's Crucible production (which means she knows a thing or two about acting ;) ) and it's not helped by the fact that I fancy her a little bit :D
Life goes on..... DAMMIT! I said NO GIRLS!
Besides, I still miss Chloe back at home...
Friday, 16 September 2011
Chinese and CoD in CND
Basically, right 4 or 5 hours ago, I'm sitting in front of the massive TV slowly getting better at Black Ops on PS3. Sloooooooowwwwwwwlllllly. As in, I'm quite stoked that my k/d is 1/3 or more. Depends on the game. But anyway, Jon's such a sport, we have cool evenings mornings like this having fun pwning n00bz. Or in my case, getting pwned by the n00bz. Ah well, it's all a learning process. I like playing on a computer more, there you can move the mouse directly to where you want to shoot. Ah well. Guess I'll just have to do it the hard way :D
So, at Ridley, we have sports every day except Thursday, when we do extra activities like societies and stuff. So, I've signed up for (as usual) quite a few things, most of which involve music (like the choir) and some of which don't (like Ridley Radio). But they only start next week proper, which gives me breathing room. Also, I didn't actually go to any of the meetings because I was busy getting taken around the school and getting a "Historical Tour", where I learned why Ridley has a German cannon on the grounds, and other cool stuff like that. It's got a lot of history, actually.
The other cool thing was the Chinese buffet we went to in the evening, on account of it being Jon's dad's birthday. It was actually the first time I'd ever eaten all-you-can-eat, and it was absolute absolute heaven! I walked around, admiring all the various exotic sauces which hid various exciting foods. So much, on fact, that I'm really starting to like Chinese buffet. I of course totally stuffed myself, etc. etc. I actually wanted to eat more and more but I physically couldn't because I would literally chunder. It was really nice, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Although I did not learn to like sushi. I don't think I ever will :D Aaaand I got a weird fortune cookie that completely applies to my life, as opposed to the other three's. So yeah, first ever sensible fortune cookie. If I told you what it said, it just wouldn't be the same, but rest assured I'm reasonably satisfied with the result.
Tomorrow we start play rehearsals. I don't really care much about what parts I get and stuff, but there's one detail I would like. Ah well, it's probably not going to happen. But it's a nice hope anyway. But nevermind that, I'm here for the stage, right? I'm just here to have a good time... So, I'll keep posting and we'll see how the plays go. All I'm saying, the drama teacher directing it loves me. I think I can get away with pretty much anything ;)
I should also be getting a camera soon, in the mail. So lots of pictures coming up soon!!
That's all for now... Sheesh, I'm super busy!
So, at Ridley, we have sports every day except Thursday, when we do extra activities like societies and stuff. So, I've signed up for (as usual) quite a few things, most of which involve music (like the choir) and some of which don't (like Ridley Radio). But they only start next week proper, which gives me breathing room. Also, I didn't actually go to any of the meetings because I was busy getting taken around the school and getting a "Historical Tour", where I learned why Ridley has a German cannon on the grounds, and other cool stuff like that. It's got a lot of history, actually.
The other cool thing was the Chinese buffet we went to in the evening, on account of it being Jon's dad's birthday. It was actually the first time I'd ever eaten all-you-can-eat, and it was absolute absolute heaven! I walked around, admiring all the various exotic sauces which hid various exciting foods. So much, on fact, that I'm really starting to like Chinese buffet. I of course totally stuffed myself, etc. etc. I actually wanted to eat more and more but I physically couldn't because I would literally chunder. It was really nice, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Although I did not learn to like sushi. I don't think I ever will :D Aaaand I got a weird fortune cookie that completely applies to my life, as opposed to the other three's. So yeah, first ever sensible fortune cookie. If I told you what it said, it just wouldn't be the same, but rest assured I'm reasonably satisfied with the result.
Tomorrow we start play rehearsals. I don't really care much about what parts I get and stuff, but there's one detail I would like. Ah well, it's probably not going to happen. But it's a nice hope anyway. But nevermind that, I'm here for the stage, right? I'm just here to have a good time... So, I'll keep posting and we'll see how the plays go. All I'm saying, the drama teacher directing it loves me. I think I can get away with pretty much anything ;)
I should also be getting a camera soon, in the mail. So lots of pictures coming up soon!!
That's all for now... Sheesh, I'm super busy!
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
The Forgotten West
Yep, just saw the weirdest thing ever. A dude was driving his car down the road with one hand and shaving with an electric shaver with the other. Now, that wouldn't be so bad if he was late for a business meeting at 6 in the morning while wearing a suit, but he's wearing casual clothes and it's 5pm. The hell!?
Walmart is so handy. I can't get over the fact that I could just walk in there and buy a gun. Well, not me, but you know what I mean... Because I had to resort to buying chocolates.
Relationships are a fat mission. At least this one didn't end in tears, so I'm kinda glad about that. Still, it's the last thing I wanted... :( Well, I like to think of it as more of a "see you laterz" (although not in the same capacity) than a "goodbye". I wonder how many people can actually stay friends with their exes?
[if you haven't figured it out yet, my girlfriend dumped me this morning]
Ah well. I have the adventure of a lifetime on now, it's not going to be spoiled by dramadramadramadrama.
OMG THERE ARE GIRLS AT THIS SCHOOL!!! (I told you my head would explode!)
Walmart is so handy. I can't get over the fact that I could just walk in there and buy a gun. Well, not me, but you know what I mean... Because I had to resort to buying chocolates.
Relationships are a fat mission. At least this one didn't end in tears, so I'm kinda glad about that. Still, it's the last thing I wanted... :( Well, I like to think of it as more of a "see you laterz" (although not in the same capacity) than a "goodbye". I wonder how many people can actually stay friends with their exes?
[if you haven't figured it out yet, my girlfriend dumped me this morning]
Ah well. I have the adventure of a lifetime on now, it's not going to be spoiled by dramadramadramadrama.
OMG THERE ARE GIRLS AT THIS SCHOOL!!! (I told you my head would explode!)
Monday, 12 September 2011
Moar Canadarh
Well, I'm sorry if I was unreachable via Facebook or any other modern technology thingy for he past few days, I was actually away on cahmp... school cahmp with city boys, hehe. Well, Mr Martinez put it accurately when he said "it's not really a cahmp, it's more of a resort." It was honestly like those stereotypical summer camps you see in like movies and stuff. But it was really really fun, I spent the entire (semi)weekend swimming early in the morning, rowing, playing küb, frisbee, basketball, etc. I also had to endure massive cultureshock, especially the fact that everyone was scared of going deeper than five metres into the forest. Well, not everyone, but you know what I mean. Africans aren't afraid to leave their cosy homes at all :D And we can rough it out and survive... In fact, if I hadn't been forced to wear house colours the last day, I would have literally not changed my clothes :D
Also, (thanks to Colin) I rediscovered my absolute love for sailing!!!! Despite the fact that there was 0 wind, and we didn't go anywhere, I still freaking loved it!!!!! It was the greatest feeling ever, just to be out on a boat in the middle (read 20 metres away from shore) of the lake, just... chilling. I'm just scratching the surface of what Chloe means when she drifts away about sailing.... I get seasick, but that won't stop me! :D I'm starting to see what you mean about the freedom and the control and the beauty of it all; hopefully you can show me more :)
So I managed to also score an epic yellow DHL T-shirt (my first relic from Canada!), courtesy of the RizMaster. And eat lots of good food. And wear pyjama pants outside. Damn, I should get a tumblr going... it's just that I'm not a picture person... I prefer to let the words slide together. Plus, I think pictures are waaaay too ambiguous. But it's probably just me, I love writing. I love how the words flow back and forth and form into lines and paragraphs and how that expresses ideas more effectively than anything. I could take a picture and it would say more than a thousand words, but if you know what to look for, you could read this post and it would tell you absolutely everything about me. Pictures are one solid, well, picture. The writing flows, it binds and penetrates.... It allows one to look far deeper than a simple photograph would. Not that I hate on pictures ;)
Also, I still don't have a camera, so no pictures of today's trip to Niagara Falls :D Which was also very cool, we went in a boat very close to the edge of the falls, all covered in mist and spray :) we were all wearing these disposable blue polyurethane rainjacketcoverthingies, which kept (most of) us dry. We went to the arcade afterwards for a bit and shot aliens and raced cars and Raggs even tried some DDR :facepalm: And then pizza and chicken wings for dinner.... I feel so fat, I ate so freaking many!
And then it's proper school tomorrow.... I think I'll drop Chem and English and do something like Drama instead. Apparently I have until December to choose subjects, which is really really convenient. We'll have to see tomorrow, I'll check what I can and can't swap around. But I like my subjects. They're cool. Play auditions next week too, we'll have to see if I get in... Grab it and don't let go, they say :)
Sam out
Also, (thanks to Colin) I rediscovered my absolute love for sailing!!!! Despite the fact that there was 0 wind, and we didn't go anywhere, I still freaking loved it!!!!! It was the greatest feeling ever, just to be out on a boat in the middle (read 20 metres away from shore) of the lake, just... chilling. I'm just scratching the surface of what Chloe means when she drifts away about sailing.... I get seasick, but that won't stop me! :D I'm starting to see what you mean about the freedom and the control and the beauty of it all; hopefully you can show me more :)
So I managed to also score an epic yellow DHL T-shirt (my first relic from Canada!), courtesy of the RizMaster. And eat lots of good food. And wear pyjama pants outside. Damn, I should get a tumblr going... it's just that I'm not a picture person... I prefer to let the words slide together. Plus, I think pictures are waaaay too ambiguous. But it's probably just me, I love writing. I love how the words flow back and forth and form into lines and paragraphs and how that expresses ideas more effectively than anything. I could take a picture and it would say more than a thousand words, but if you know what to look for, you could read this post and it would tell you absolutely everything about me. Pictures are one solid, well, picture. The writing flows, it binds and penetrates.... It allows one to look far deeper than a simple photograph would. Not that I hate on pictures ;)
Also, I still don't have a camera, so no pictures of today's trip to Niagara Falls :D Which was also very cool, we went in a boat very close to the edge of the falls, all covered in mist and spray :) we were all wearing these disposable blue polyurethane rainjacketcoverthingies, which kept (most of) us dry. We went to the arcade afterwards for a bit and shot aliens and raced cars and Raggs even tried some DDR :facepalm: And then pizza and chicken wings for dinner.... I feel so fat, I ate so freaking many!
And then it's proper school tomorrow.... I think I'll drop Chem and English and do something like Drama instead. Apparently I have until December to choose subjects, which is really really convenient. We'll have to see tomorrow, I'll check what I can and can't swap around. But I like my subjects. They're cool. Play auditions next week too, we'll have to see if I get in... Grab it and don't let go, they say :)
Sam out
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Canadaaaaaarh!!
Heh, I haven't had much time to write a post because I've been so freaking busy. Like, this is what school should be like every single day!
So, the flights were good (I still haven't internalized it by the way), and basically I ended up discovering that American Dollars are accepted literally everywhere. Believe it or not, America too. Stuff at airports is still really expensive, and as far as I know Dubai is still the only airport I've been to to give free unlimited internet access :) A pity London doesn't, I used all my sneaky tricks and couldn't get anything done. Ah well, you can't win 'em all!
So I arrived, Canadian customs officials stared me down but let me through without major incident (they always do that, the US is worse!), and I got to meet my hosts. All I'm saying, Jon and his family are doing an insane job of putting up with me right now, that's probably because I'm just such a lovable person ;) As my own mother would know :D
The school works very differently, not partly because of the fact that we also have girls here. I've managed to go two days without my head exploding, so that's a good start. Of course, girls in high school with boys are not a great idea, I won't post up some of the stories I've heard coz that would just be rude. But yeah, am I glad I have a single-sex education! I love the way the school runs though, they're insanely efficient at everything and have everything sorted out where it's supposed to be. The best is the IT infrastructure, because instead of screwing around with freedom to choose and stuff, they just say "go Mac or go home". It works so much better. Also, all the staff actually know how to use the computers.
So, subject choice.... I ended up not deviating too far from the standard because there was nothing particularly weird (except for maybe AP Bio but no ways am I taking that :D) so I ended up doing English, French, Music, Phys, Chem, Sports for Life (basically LO but more so), Advanced Maths, and (MY GREATEST DREAM!) D-Tech! At last, I get to use a draughting kit with French curves and clutch pencils and set squares and stuff, in a real design lab with tilting tables!!!!! In fact, as soon as I had a bit of free time I went and bought one at the co-op and I wanted to start screwing around in my sketchbook, but that'll have to wait a bit...
And guess what, I don't have a camera! Haven't managed to procure one, so I'll just have to wait until dad sends me one from Denver along with everything else... Well, if you're particularly interesting in the architecture, you can check the school's website, but of course anyone can do that. Sorry!
Oh yeah, another thing, here everyone stays at school until like 8 every day, and everyone knows everyone else, and all the teachers are really friendly, and people are nice and kind to each other and there's no giant racial divides or anything. I mean, guys hold the doors open for each other, I'm pretty sure that doesn't happen in any other school I've ever been to... It's so nice here..... sigh.
Oh well, I'm going to go screw around and play foo∫ball or find someone to hang out with. Jon's gone longboarding so I'll have to make my way around....
Camp tomorrow! Going to pack tonight, but I should probably let you guys know there will definitely not be posts until I get back, which is Saturday evening. Screw it, make that Sunday morning... I'm pretty tired and there's so much to do here!
Can't.....can't.....pass.....can't.......class.......pass.....class...... eh?
So, the flights were good (I still haven't internalized it by the way), and basically I ended up discovering that American Dollars are accepted literally everywhere. Believe it or not, America too. Stuff at airports is still really expensive, and as far as I know Dubai is still the only airport I've been to to give free unlimited internet access :) A pity London doesn't, I used all my sneaky tricks and couldn't get anything done. Ah well, you can't win 'em all!
So I arrived, Canadian customs officials stared me down but let me through without major incident (they always do that, the US is worse!), and I got to meet my hosts. All I'm saying, Jon and his family are doing an insane job of putting up with me right now, that's probably because I'm just such a lovable person ;) As my own mother would know :D
The school works very differently, not partly because of the fact that we also have girls here. I've managed to go two days without my head exploding, so that's a good start. Of course, girls in high school with boys are not a great idea, I won't post up some of the stories I've heard coz that would just be rude. But yeah, am I glad I have a single-sex education! I love the way the school runs though, they're insanely efficient at everything and have everything sorted out where it's supposed to be. The best is the IT infrastructure, because instead of screwing around with freedom to choose and stuff, they just say "go Mac or go home". It works so much better. Also, all the staff actually know how to use the computers.
So, subject choice.... I ended up not deviating too far from the standard because there was nothing particularly weird (except for maybe AP Bio but no ways am I taking that :D) so I ended up doing English, French, Music, Phys, Chem, Sports for Life (basically LO but more so), Advanced Maths, and (MY GREATEST DREAM!) D-Tech! At last, I get to use a draughting kit with French curves and clutch pencils and set squares and stuff, in a real design lab with tilting tables!!!!! In fact, as soon as I had a bit of free time I went and bought one at the co-op and I wanted to start screwing around in my sketchbook, but that'll have to wait a bit...
And guess what, I don't have a camera! Haven't managed to procure one, so I'll just have to wait until dad sends me one from Denver along with everything else... Well, if you're particularly interesting in the architecture, you can check the school's website, but of course anyone can do that. Sorry!
Oh yeah, another thing, here everyone stays at school until like 8 every day, and everyone knows everyone else, and all the teachers are really friendly, and people are nice and kind to each other and there's no giant racial divides or anything. I mean, guys hold the doors open for each other, I'm pretty sure that doesn't happen in any other school I've ever been to... It's so nice here..... sigh.
Oh well, I'm going to go screw around and play foo∫ball or find someone to hang out with. Jon's gone longboarding so I'll have to make my way around....
Camp tomorrow! Going to pack tonight, but I should probably let you guys know there will definitely not be posts until I get back, which is Saturday evening. Screw it, make that Sunday morning... I'm pretty tired and there's so much to do here!
Can't.....can't.....pass.....can't.......class.......pass.....class...... eh?
Sunday, 4 September 2011
20 kilograms is not enough...
... also, 75 litres is shrinking by the minute. ie, packing is not going well. I mean, the stuff's all inside the bags, I'm just not sure as to how much it weighs :( We'll just have to wait and see.
The funny thing is, I'm sitting here like "oooh I'm so excited for exchange" but I really haven't internalized it yet. It's like, yeah, I'm going away for three months, but I'm not actually feeling it... I've said goodbye to everyone, but I'm not feeling it. It's not like I don't know it's there, but it doesn't seem to affect me. Neither do other partings. Or death. Or anything like that. It's always as though I'm very detached from it, I don't know why. It's honestly pretty weird.
So I guess this means I don't have much to say, other than the fact that the really bangy section of the Rachmaninov is coming along nicely :) And the jazz patterns are getting faster :) Because I love the music and I will spend my free time screwing around. Can't wait to start singing lessons when I get back!
So I should probably warn you guys. If you call my cell, you won't get through. If you call my landline, my mum will pick up. If you break into my locker, enjoy, coz it's empty. Oh yeah, and I have to approve all the comments that go onto my blog, so no spamming whether you want to or not.
Lots of pictures, I promise. That's if I can get hold of a camera (a decent one that is)...
And I'm going to miss everyone.... And there's too bloody many of you to go name by name. Dammit, everyone!
This is absolutely shocking. In exactly 24 hours Eastern Seaboard Time I will be chilling in Toronto. Wow.
Nah, not getting through. It's going to be one fat vaab. :)
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