All in all it has been a hectic term, and this evening promises to be just as hectic as we have decided to roll back to Bristol. The corridor and the stairwell and the landing below and the next stairwell are all full of my things, and I actually thought I was leaving a lot behind this time.
Christmas is not going to be restful - I have 10 000 words to write, an album to record (not mine!) some tracks to mix (not mine either) and an EP to promote (Bird and Bear - all ready to go, we just need to decide what we're doing with it). But I'm very excited about going home and getting into the Christmas vibe, chilling with my people and so on.
That is all from me for now. You stay classy, San Diego.
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
My First Defriending
I'm sure this has happened before, but I just noticed someone remove me from their friends on Facebook.
In principle this shouldn't bother me at all - last year I actively encouraged people to remove me if they didn't wish to receive my "updates" (spam) about musical things.
However, now that it's happened I can't help but ponder: who was it, and why did they do it? Was it something I said? Was it simply a matter of account-deletion, or have I seriously pissed somebody off without knowing?
Is it that I talk too much?
In principle this shouldn't bother me at all - last year I actively encouraged people to remove me if they didn't wish to receive my "updates" (spam) about musical things.
However, now that it's happened I can't help but ponder: who was it, and why did they do it? Was it something I said? Was it simply a matter of account-deletion, or have I seriously pissed somebody off without knowing?
Is it that I talk too much?
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Lol Time Travel
2004 sounds like ancient history to some of us.
That's when I first started blogging (inspired by Timothy, who's still going strong). I used to hate the word blog so much, I've kinda gotten over that now.
I just deleted my old blogs, for fear of them turning up in searches and revealing embarrassing things about my childhood. I went to my first post (think it was November 04?) and I'd left myself a comment in September 07 (when I set this site up). My 2007 self said all sorts of nice things to my 2004 self, so I decided to leave my 2007 self a message from 2009.
Then I obliterated the blog and all the comments were lost, swirling in oblivion. But it was quite a cathartic thing to do. Imagine meeting your 18-year-old and 15-year-old selves at a party. I'm not sure we'd see eye to eye.
That's when I first started blogging (inspired by Timothy, who's still going strong). I used to hate the word blog so much, I've kinda gotten over that now.
I just deleted my old blogs, for fear of them turning up in searches and revealing embarrassing things about my childhood. I went to my first post (think it was November 04?) and I'd left myself a comment in September 07 (when I set this site up). My 2007 self said all sorts of nice things to my 2004 self, so I decided to leave my 2007 self a message from 2009.
Then I obliterated the blog and all the comments were lost, swirling in oblivion. But it was quite a cathartic thing to do. Imagine meeting your 18-year-old and 15-year-old selves at a party. I'm not sure we'd see eye to eye.
Friday, 4 December 2009
Centralising
Trying to find a way I can have 1 page that hosts/links to everything I do (that is of cultural value) on the internetz.
Flavours.me seems pretty cool... (http://flavors.me/rmitchell)
Flavours.me seems pretty cool... (http://flavors.me/rmitchell)
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Ach
What a busy week it has been/is/will be. This weekend was mostly spent indoors working (from Thursday evening until Monday morning I did not leave the house) and now I have a social commitment every evening this week. Which is fine, because I don't really work in the evenings, but it is all of a sudden so busy!
Ooh lala.
I have finished recording my Christmas Ep for the year, I know you're all very excited about that. Just waiting on artwork. And me and Buckle have almost wrapped up the very first Bird and Bear record, though we are really way too busy.
In other news, I had pizza for lunch and it was good. That is all.
Ooh lala.
I have finished recording my Christmas Ep for the year, I know you're all very excited about that. Just waiting on artwork. And me and Buckle have almost wrapped up the very first Bird and Bear record, though we are really way too busy.
In other news, I had pizza for lunch and it was good. That is all.
Friday, 27 November 2009
The Good News Is, The Bad News Is
I just finished an essay that was really stressing me out, which is all groovy, except that it was only 1000 words and was really the least significant thing I had on my plate.
So I now only have to write 3000 words on urban spaces in modernism, and 8000 words on something T.S. Eliot said once upon a time, and (slightly more urgently... it's due in two weeks) collate responses for my hypertext project, "The Catalogue." Oh wait, before that happens, people will actually have to get it done. The joys of being dependent on others.
You'll be wondering why I haven't had any brilliant ideas recently. The truth is, I'm under a lot of pressure to "think constructively" with regards to my essays, so all of my usual "outside-the-box" thought is being kept in the box, under a big heavy rock.
However, I did have a moment of inspiration today, during which I lay curled up by the radiator on my bed and slept for eight minutes.
So I now only have to write 3000 words on urban spaces in modernism, and 8000 words on something T.S. Eliot said once upon a time, and (slightly more urgently... it's due in two weeks) collate responses for my hypertext project, "The Catalogue." Oh wait, before that happens, people will actually have to get it done. The joys of being dependent on others.
You'll be wondering why I haven't had any brilliant ideas recently. The truth is, I'm under a lot of pressure to "think constructively" with regards to my essays, so all of my usual "outside-the-box" thought is being kept in the box, under a big heavy rock.
However, I did have a moment of inspiration today, during which I lay curled up by the radiator on my bed and slept for eight minutes.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Where At?
I had a mental but really, really good weekend and that was followed by a descent into the last three weeks of Uni, deadlines looming, books I need being recalled to the library, panic, mayhem, and a bizarre ritual involving stones at CU last night.
It would be very hard to summarise why the weekend was so good. On paper, I essentially just spent 72 hours in a converted train station and got under ten hours sleep over the whole period... maybe it doesn't sound that exciting... but it was the best CU event I've been to in terms of how I engaged with things personally and spiritually and also I genuinely enjoyed being around the other guys from CU and having fun.
But, I didn't take any work. And I really am extra stressed now that the book I'm using for my 3rd essay - which I haven't even looked at yet - has been recalled to the library.
It would be very hard to summarise why the weekend was so good. On paper, I essentially just spent 72 hours in a converted train station and got under ten hours sleep over the whole period... maybe it doesn't sound that exciting... but it was the best CU event I've been to in terms of how I engaged with things personally and spiritually and also I genuinely enjoyed being around the other guys from CU and having fun.
But, I didn't take any work. And I really am extra stressed now that the book I'm using for my 3rd essay - which I haven't even looked at yet - has been recalled to the library.
Friday, 20 November 2009
The Near Future
The imminent future (like, 5 minutes time) will see me catching a bus up to Uni to hand in a 1000-word essay proposal (20% of the total mark for the unit! Mental!). I'm proposing to write about negotiation of urban spaces in the work of Katherine Mansfield and Christopher Isherwood and, by the way, I absolutely love what I've read from both these two writers. I'm not so hot on urban spaces yet though. The 3 books I found in the library that weren't just rabbiting on about architecture seem pretty dense, but we'll cross that bridge.
Which leads me on nicely (how?) to this weekend: I'm off to Oakhampton this afternoon with Christian Union for a holiday in the sun. Or something. We'll be staying in a lovely youth hostel built on the site of an old train station, it's very picturesque - situated right next to the moors, and at the bottom of a beautiful hill with gorgeous views. So yeah, that should be a lot of fun if all goes well. Meantime, I just have to pack and come up with a costume for Under The Sea (was gonna go as the Hot Crustacean Band, but thought that was a bit cheeky. Might well be "The Bubbles Under The Sea" if my plastic bag + sellotape trick works).
Which leads me on nicely (how?) to this weekend: I'm off to Oakhampton this afternoon with Christian Union for a holiday in the sun. Or something. We'll be staying in a lovely youth hostel built on the site of an old train station, it's very picturesque - situated right next to the moors, and at the bottom of a beautiful hill with gorgeous views. So yeah, that should be a lot of fun if all goes well. Meantime, I just have to pack and come up with a costume for Under The Sea (was gonna go as the Hot Crustacean Band, but thought that was a bit cheeky. Might well be "The Bubbles Under The Sea" if my plastic bag + sellotape trick works).
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Great Ideas #Whatever
"Endothermic" is the answer to my previous question. Thank you, Buckle.
Right, you guys are gonna love this. It's a new game, maybe play it over a week or a month or the rest of your life if you're really keen, but i think having a time-restraint is good because it makes you take it seriously.
The game is this: it's called Home Alone and every time you know you're alone in the house you have to get naked. If you hear your housemates/friends/family coming back or if the doorbell goes, you have to put your clothes on at lightning speed.
How exciting does that sound? I should write a book of rules for life or something.
Right, you guys are gonna love this. It's a new game, maybe play it over a week or a month or the rest of your life if you're really keen, but i think having a time-restraint is good because it makes you take it seriously.
The game is this: it's called Home Alone and every time you know you're alone in the house you have to get naked. If you hear your housemates/friends/family coming back or if the doorbell goes, you have to put your clothes on at lightning speed.
How exciting does that sound? I should write a book of rules for life or something.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Issues
Firstly, my guitar hasn't left its case since the gig on Thursday. Surely that is a bad sign, a terrible, terrible sign.
This Friday I have to hand in an essay proposal (assessed - 20% of the unit) and then I'm off on the CU weekend away. After that I'll have two weeks to complete my hypertext coursework (looks like posting letters is a no-go), but first and foremost I have less than 24 hours before my next meeting with my dissertation tutor and apart from writing 18000 words of notes (yes, eighteen thousand) there's not a lot I've actually done. Yeah, 18000 words is a lot, but I'm meant to have drafted a couple of chapters. Ahem. Doesn't matter though, he leant me a book last time and if he's mean I won't give it back.
Cross that bridge, anyway...
On a lighter note, our toaster is being weird. It decides to focus all its energy on one tiny bit of the bread, so that straight away you can smell smoke and pop the toaster up and there's just one tiny bit of crust which is black as death and hotter than the sun, and the rest of the toast is uncooked. Colder, even, than when you put it in. That's an exponential reaction or something, innit.
This Friday I have to hand in an essay proposal (assessed - 20% of the unit) and then I'm off on the CU weekend away. After that I'll have two weeks to complete my hypertext coursework (looks like posting letters is a no-go), but first and foremost I have less than 24 hours before my next meeting with my dissertation tutor and apart from writing 18000 words of notes (yes, eighteen thousand) there's not a lot I've actually done. Yeah, 18000 words is a lot, but I'm meant to have drafted a couple of chapters. Ahem. Doesn't matter though, he leant me a book last time and if he's mean I won't give it back.
Cross that bridge, anyway...
On a lighter note, our toaster is being weird. It decides to focus all its energy on one tiny bit of the bread, so that straight away you can smell smoke and pop the toaster up and there's just one tiny bit of crust which is black as death and hotter than the sun, and the rest of the toast is uncooked. Colder, even, than when you put it in. That's an exponential reaction or something, innit.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Work Club and other bits of genius
Down here we have a thing called "Work Club," which actually started in first year but has really come into its own this term (since we all began having to actually do some work). Work Club is both a cure for the monotony of a Sunday afternoon, a means through which to excercise focus and discipline toward work, an excuse to go a bit mental.
Work Club begins with everyone sitting down and becoming immersed in their respective books/essays, but as soon as the spell is broken, mayhem ensues. The spell can be broken by something as simple as a misplaced sigh, or the more typical decision to read something aloud that has grabbed your attention. This will undoubtedly lead to a discussion or even a full-blown argument, after which there is simply no chance of returning to "the zone" and resuming work.
Normally, after this point we just chatter away, and snack until we feel sick. In first year, we once converted a Henry Hoover into "Captain Sparkle." Another time we piled our mattresses into the corridor to make a den. Maturity has made us more restrained. I mostly just lie upside down on the armchair and discuss matters of my personal faith in great detail.
Since before Halloween I have been compiling the ultimate electroclash/synth-pop/post-disco/I-don't-really-know-what-to-call-it playlist which would've been best thing to blast in any given venue on Halloween night had it been ready, which it wasn't, but which will now forever be my go-to point for slightly dancey, slightly gay contemporary music. I'm listening to it now, actually. This ties in because I have this great idea for Work Club, which would never work down here as our relationships with each other are far too complicated, but I'd like to try it somewhere sometime. The idea is this: Work Forward Slash Party Club. Every forty minutes, or after whatever length of time it is that concentration begins to lapse, you blaze some loud music and basically rave to it for twenty minutes or so, before collapsing back into your chair and resuming work.
I think the extreme contrast would be healthy, and a day of Work/PartyClub would provide a great workout for body, mind and soul.
Think about it guys, and let me know if you're interested.
Work Club begins with everyone sitting down and becoming immersed in their respective books/essays, but as soon as the spell is broken, mayhem ensues. The spell can be broken by something as simple as a misplaced sigh, or the more typical decision to read something aloud that has grabbed your attention. This will undoubtedly lead to a discussion or even a full-blown argument, after which there is simply no chance of returning to "the zone" and resuming work.
Normally, after this point we just chatter away, and snack until we feel sick. In first year, we once converted a Henry Hoover into "Captain Sparkle." Another time we piled our mattresses into the corridor to make a den. Maturity has made us more restrained. I mostly just lie upside down on the armchair and discuss matters of my personal faith in great detail.
Since before Halloween I have been compiling the ultimate electroclash/synth-pop/post-disco/I-don't-really-know-what-to-call-it playlist which would've been best thing to blast in any given venue on Halloween night had it been ready, which it wasn't, but which will now forever be my go-to point for slightly dancey, slightly gay contemporary music. I'm listening to it now, actually. This ties in because I have this great idea for Work Club, which would never work down here as our relationships with each other are far too complicated, but I'd like to try it somewhere sometime. The idea is this: Work Forward Slash Party Club. Every forty minutes, or after whatever length of time it is that concentration begins to lapse, you blaze some loud music and basically rave to it for twenty minutes or so, before collapsing back into your chair and resuming work.
I think the extreme contrast would be healthy, and a day of Work/PartyClub would provide a great workout for body, mind and soul.
Think about it guys, and let me know if you're interested.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Revelations
I realised that I have too often overlooked the true function of a blog. When I start grumbling on about how terrible my life is, I am missing out on a great opportunity: the chance to share my bigoted opinions and - even more importantly - to voice my brilliant ideas about how to make the world better.
So, here's an idea I had this morning.
The death penalty is pretty much the biggest example of hypocrisy that exists, right? I mean, Satan must find it hilarious. I know I do.
Anyway, I was thinking: the death penalty is society's way of saying, "Ooh, look at us, we're "good people" and capable of not going out on a killing spree, and you're not." My suggestion is this: instead of bearing down with punishment on those who commit the crimes, we should instead congratulate ourselves on our continued resilience against the secret urges to kill and maim that no doubt reside not very far beneath the surface.
My proposition is simple: don't kill murderers - there's no point to prove. Instead, anyone who hasn't committed a murder should get a medal.
Win.
So, here's an idea I had this morning.
The death penalty is pretty much the biggest example of hypocrisy that exists, right? I mean, Satan must find it hilarious. I know I do.
Anyway, I was thinking: the death penalty is society's way of saying, "Ooh, look at us, we're "good people" and capable of not going out on a killing spree, and you're not." My suggestion is this: instead of bearing down with punishment on those who commit the crimes, we should instead congratulate ourselves on our continued resilience against the secret urges to kill and maim that no doubt reside not very far beneath the surface.
My proposition is simple: don't kill murderers - there's no point to prove. Instead, anyone who hasn't committed a murder should get a medal.
Win.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Me Again
Work is screwing with my head. I'm on an immense high whenever I do some, and feel really, utterly miserable whenever I don't.
Life otherwise is pretty hectic. Did I mention that I actually do stuff down here? Tonight is my night off - I'm not going out to watch fireworks, in fact, thus far I have been sat at a computer since finishing off the wonderful tartiflette that I cooked. I'm meant to be working, but I also had a lovely glass of Buckle's home-made sloe gin (oh, and a terrible night's sleep yesterday) and I really don't feel like it.
If you want more regular "updates" (non-factual, mostly nonsensical) (I mean things like photos and music and links to things) check out my tumblr, at least I'm consistent there.
Oh, and I now write opinion pieces. Rad!
(Too much time spent reading the indie press, I'm talking like a muppet)
Life otherwise is pretty hectic. Did I mention that I actually do stuff down here? Tonight is my night off - I'm not going out to watch fireworks, in fact, thus far I have been sat at a computer since finishing off the wonderful tartiflette that I cooked. I'm meant to be working, but I also had a lovely glass of Buckle's home-made sloe gin (oh, and a terrible night's sleep yesterday) and I really don't feel like it.
If you want more regular "updates" (non-factual, mostly nonsensical) (I mean things like photos and music and links to things) check out my tumblr, at least I'm consistent there.
Oh, and I now write opinion pieces. Rad!
(Too much time spent reading the indie press, I'm talking like a muppet)
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Honesty? Dear God No!
i intentionally misrepresent myself on the internet. everything you know or believe to be true about me is misguided.
hello, and love me.
almost worthy of facebook...
hello, and love me.
almost worthy of facebook...
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