The One-Way Ticket Host Club is Now Open for Business

Edit:  For my Japanese reader: あなたが私の blog を読み、ありがとうございます。

And so, another slow week is over.  Writing a blog about my life makes it seem like I should be doing new and exciting things every moment of everyday.  Alas, that gets tiring, especially as I work all week.  But enough complaining, at least for now.  I actually tried something like that, making a point to try something new once a week.  I actually really enjoyed it (making bread was particularly fun) but it actually becomes difficult to continue, without becoming expensive or involving long journeys.  Perhaps I will start it again though.  

One thing that did happen this week was my return to the ex-pat ‘get-together’ which I haven’t been to since February (due to my general anti-social nature).  However, this time I figured I would ‘man-up’ and try to be somewhat social at The Tamarind Restaurant (the first place I ever ate in Nepal), to hopefully meet some new people.

IT DID NOT HELP THAT I HAD GOT UP AT 5AM

Regardless of my sleepless state, I went and accidently did the opposite of my plan.  Perhaps it was my sleep-deprived state; or the free cocktail I got for turning up; or perhaps just my general terror at having to meet somebody completely new just by sidling up to them and announcing myself with that terror-inducing phrase “Hi, I’m Robbie, and  you are?”.  No matter what was to blame but I met no-one new and only spoke to people I had already met, albeit only once before.  And you know what?  It was fun! 

Ok, I realise that many of you are reading this and thinking ‘er yes Robbie, human interaction can be fun’ and I don’t disagree but it has been a while since I properly sat down and spoke to people (outside of work) and not since I got back from the UK.  However, I did enjoy myself as I spent the evening sitting in a Patio area in the summer breeze, with a vodka in my hand talking about Foucault and population – something I haven’t done since some messy wines night in Dundee.  It was just a casual throwback to my university days, a time in my life that has passed (for now I stress.  Oh how I am coming for you PhD.  You have eluded me so far but I will get you).

Other than that, not much has happened – so please accept these pictures of turtles (?) sunbathing as an offering of apologies for having a fairly dull week:

 

Picks of the Week

Eden of the East - Ok, I need to get this off my chest.  WHERE THE HELL IS EVERYONES LIPS???  Seriously, it is disturbing.  I realize that it may be due to the artistic style but still, it is freaky as hell!  Ok, with that over with, Eden of the East is an interesting creature.  Given to me for my Birthday by my friend and fellow anime lover Derek, I am currently about half way through it but I feel compelled to write about it.  Set in a Japan, after a major terrorist attack, it follows a young man as he tries to get his memory back and a young lady who is at a confusing part of her life as she is about to enter the working world.  Sounds pretty sweet so far huh?  You first meet the young man naked outside the Whitehouse with a gun as he then saves the woman from being arrested.

This may initially create the impression of a comedic, light-hearted series but it does delve into some very dark and personal topics, which I can’t talk about without ruining any of the story.  One thing I can say is that this 11 episode series is intense.  Due to its short nature, a lot actually happens within the well drawn (except the lips) anime and it forces, nay demands you pay it attention.  And you do.  Why?  Because, despite the intensity of the episodes, it still manages to drip-feed the information you crave and rarely does it take the path you expect it to.  So no, despite some scenes, this is a dark mystery anime not a comedy.  From the mystery woman on the phone to the task that this young man has been tasked, nothing is as it seems and murder and subterfuge is the order of the day in post-terrorism Japan.  

The characters are fairly well written, with clear and varied characterization that does sometimes border on the cliché (serious business leader with glasses, I am looking at you) but they create the world they live in.  As you start to unravel the mysteries, you begin to feel for the characters and you slowly become desperate for that little bit extra more information (maybe that’s just me but I do tend to get too involved with characters). 

I think the fact that I was compelled to discuss it, despite only being halfway through highlights how good this anime is and I would recommend that you check it out.  I will re-review it once I have finished it but until then, I will sit eagerly on the edge of my couch waiting for the next bit of series info that I crave so much.  

I pray that you will continue to be a savior.      

Music of the Day 

Ok, once more, thank you to Derek for linking this to me and once more, I must fully embrace my geek side.  So, a song from Skyrim, sung by Malukah, a girl with an amazing voice.  Check her out.  A chilling song by a chilling voice:

Ok, enough from me I think.  It is too hot again and lethargic me is slowly taking over...until next week!

Master of puppets?

Not much has happened to me this week…

.

..

…

….

…..

Seriously, nothing much at all.  I have been to work, came home and relaxed.  It makes it pretty difficult to write an interesting blog.  In my defense, it has been really, really warm and when I’m too hot, I become lethargic and sleepy.  Well, more so than usual.  It doesn’t help that the heat prevents me from getting much sleep as I need to be covered with something when I sleep and therefore, I very quickly roast in my room.  However, I have now bought a fan so that I am slightly less roasted with an incredibly irritating vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvnoise to lull me to sleep.  This makes me incredibly lethargic and lazy and sweaty. 

Hmm I am guessing nobody wants to hear about me sweating, so I will swiftly move on.  There is one interesting phenomenon that comes with having a (fairly) regular blog.  It forces you to reflect on yourself and what you have done.  This ranges from:’

‘What was it I had for dinner that night?’ and ‘What did that girl say yesterday?’

all the way to

‘What am I doing with my life?’, ‘How did I end up here?’ and ‘Have I made a lot of mistakes?’

I am not going to regale you with fancy tales of how I sit for hours in a dark room smoking and drinking whiskey as I try to understand the deepest darkest recesses of my mind.  That would not be true.  I mean, I don’t smoke nor do I drink whiskey.  In all seriousness, it isn’t quite as dramatic as this but during my time writing the blog, and especially over the past couple of weeks, I have found myself assessing the choices I have made and started looking at my future.  I started off my blog listing the four main goals I had (one which I have completed woohoo!) but these were just the tip of the iceberg and this iceberg is one that changes on a regular basis.  It changes when I complete one of my goals; it changes when I decide I don’t quite like the idea of that goal; hell it changes when I’m hungry and my next goal is to have a sandwich.  However, I do plan to complete all my goals.  That doesn’t change.  

The difficult thing for me is motivation, I will be flat out honest.  As noted, I am often lazy and lethargic but I plan to change that.  Can’t change a leopards spots?  Adobe Photoshop, bitch!  These days you can have that leopard in zebra stripes riding a fire-breathing bear that can fly.  So, in the interest of changing my spot, I have a plan.  You see, I have a list.  A list that I carry in my wallet at all times with me.  A list that no-one knows about or has seen, other than me.  A list that has my hopes, dreams and goals written on it.  A list I am going to publish here.  Why?  It will motivate me as I have will have informed everyone what I plan to do.  So, I invited you all to get involved with my goals, my dreams and my future.  Shout at me for not being proactive enough; mock me for having something silly on my list; celebrate my completion of items; but overall, get involved!  The list is below ladies and gentlemen:

Record a Podcast

Start a youtube channel

Live in Japan (at the very least, visit Japan)

Live in Hong Kong

See a rainforest

Write a book

Finish and record my film

Finish my anime series

Visit as many countries as I can

Get married

Learn to dive

Climb Kilimanjaro

Return to Tanzania

Get my PhD

Swim with Dolphins

Plant a tree

Publish an article

Have something published in National Geographic

Seen a London Musical

Go to The Fringe

Be on Something for the Weekend

Try dirt biking

Contribute to a comic series

Contribute to a video game

Do as many things from ‘1001 things to do before you die’ as I can

Get a working knowledge of the Sciences, space and electronics

Go to Canada

There you go… my life and my future has been turned into an electronic list on the internet for all to see.  So, get involved!  If you have any more suggestions for things I can do, let me know!  If you can help, let me know!  I will blog all my attempts to try and get these done (as well as reviews etc) and hopefully, I can start ticking some of these things off!  Hmm not a bad post seeing as I had no idea what I was going to write about when I sat down to type.

Picks of the Weeks

 Ouran High School Host Club– As you know by now, I’m an anime fan (or I am an Otaku).  I’ve watched a fair bit of anime, from lengthy series (Naruto – 21 series so far) to shorter but thought-provoking series (Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood) to whimsical, light affairs (Bamboo Blade).  Out of all of these, Ouran High School Host Club is the funniest.  Rarely a few minutes go by without my snorting with laughter or giggling uncontrollably like a tweenager who just got a Valentine ’s Day card from that weeks ‘love of her life’.  

Set in a school, it revolves around a social club which is designed to entertain the girls at the school, in a way that parodies the Otaku culture.  Combine the lead character who is female but pretends to be male, the overly herioic/dramatic club president and a host of other fairly memorable characters along with over-the-top stories, you begin to get a well written comedy show.  But wait, there’s more!  Beneath the surface of this lighthearted cavort, is a slightly darker and deeper vein.  

 Again, I’m not talking about Alfred Hitchcock dark but throughout the individual episodes (as well as throughout the series), you start to learn about some of the characters lives and their individual experiences e.g. the 3^rd son who no matter how hard he works, will never match his two older brothers.  This actually brings some needed depths to the characters, creating a show that makes you laugh but also at certain points, it makes you think about what you have just seen, through good writing; multi-layered and sympathetic characters; and sheer over-indulgence of dramatics.  

If you don't like anime, then I might not start with this one  but if you have dabbled or like anime and haven't seen it yet, then start today.  Also, use english subbed to get the best experience.

Song of the week

Hmm interesting choiece this week but I am going to go with the artist Random - One Winged Angel.  Basically, this guy wrote a rap album based on Final Fantasy and he is brilliant.  Original and interesting and worth a look.  He also just released a kickstart funded (which I donated to) album so check it out as well:http://megaranmusic.com/album/language-arts-volume-one  

So I think that may be enough from me...sorry for being delayed again but it is so hot, I haven't had much energy at all.  So if you need me, I am going to continue trying to crawl into my freezer.

Socially awkward in four continents

Hmm, it has been quite a while since I actually posted even though I have had a blog post prepared since I was flying back to Kathmandu.  Before I go on however, big thanks to Stephen Rice, the artist behind my new banner!  His link is at the end if you want to see more of his stuff. 

Basically, I planned to edit the post (as it was the middle of the night) but fell into a stupor for the past week, so kept putting it off.  However, I have now went through it and hopefully improved it slightly.  Especially since I got told:

 “Get on a new blog post btw!!!! Your fans are waiting!”

Woo I have fans!  Plural!  Oh yes, in your face people who called me ‘Robbie Bastard’.  I wouldn’t have minded so much if it hadn’t gone on for 10 years...I mean, it was a classic but you really needed some fresh material.  Come up with something original, it isn’t that hard!  Just google ‘insults’ if you have to.  Don’t be ashamed if you have to get help, you can’t be talented in everything.  I myself can’t make pancakes.  I mean, I lived with my best friends for 3 years and they came up with new ways of telling me I’m short on a regular basis (still highly amused/impressed by the post-it note man on my wall)!  However, I digress, and thanks JK, that actually cheered me up!  So below is the edited post from my travels.:

Ok, as I type this, it is 2:55am and I have a bottle of vodka sitting next to me.  Thankfully, I am not having some sort of midlife crisis and sadly I am not at some 'bitching' party.  I currently sit at a coffee shop in Dubai airport: perhaps the only place I can buy vodka, pick and mix, dates and a £1000 camera within a stone throw of each other.  I also have another 9 hours of waiting around, which is useful as I have no idea where the hell I am supposed to go.  Some might complain but silver lining people!  I can write a blog!  Woohoo! (and not post it for a week – Ed) 

*Disclaimer* If there is any grammar or spelling mistakes or anything that doesn't make sense, please blame my sleep-deprived state.  Other entries, I am just a poor writer but this time I have an excuse.

As you may be able to guess, this shall cover the past week at home.  A week where I have been more sociable and active than perhaps I have ever been in my life (not really a difficult target to beat really)...moving on!

I will skip the flights, other than to say that Dubai is an experience and that I was fed well on the flight (huge meals!) plus I got to watch Sherlock Holmes 2 (so good, in fact, that I watched it on the flight back as well).  So, Saturday afternoon I touched down within Glasgow and was met by my parents who had a hug and a cheese and pickle sandwich for me.  After catching up on the drive home and eating my heavenly sandwich, I was then met ecstatically by The Beagle who seemed to remember me (which pleased me to no end).  After fending off The Beagle, I then sat down for a cup of tea (and a Beagle leg warmer) and gift-giving before there was a rat-tat-tatting at my chamber door. 

Lo and behold, tis my sister who had decided to come and visit from Italy (at which point, The Beagle went into overload and you actually see him thinking 'there is two of them...at once...which lap?  For the love of Odin, which lap?'.) bringing some chocolate milk.  Once he had calmed down, it was nice to sit down for a family dinner which hadn't happened since I left before I crashed out at 9pm.

Sunday was my birthday, which did not prevent me getting up at 7am.  The morning was pleasantly spent in a lazy manner before having lunch with all my Scottish relatives.  Due to not seeing my family over Christmas, I really enjoyed being able to chat to them and just relax as we ate, catching up with everyone.  This allowed me to have a ROAST DINNER which was delicious and all manners of amazing as I don't have an oven.  There was also a cake, which was pretty big...by big I mean after eating it throughout the week, there was still a third left...massive! 

Monday was then spent in Glasgow clothes shopping with my parents, before I bought them lunch at La Tascas which was a rare opportunity for me due to normally being a poor student or unemployed (as well as allowing for me to have Chorizo and sangria.  Seriously, sangria on a Monday should happen more often).  Monday evening was then spent with my friend and fellow Tesco survivor, Lucy for dinner and a beer before a harrowing attempt to catch a train which was missed which then forced us to have another drink...oh no, the tragedy!  It was genuinely nice to catch up with her in our old haunt and discuss her wedding!

Tuesday was easily one of my best day/nights in a long time.  Having met Derek on the train to Glasgow, we headed for a day of shopping which allowed me to spend even more money than I should have.  I mean, I have an excuse...I don’t really spend anything for most of the year, so I am allowed...maybe.  Many hours, several coffees, a few teas and a pint later, we then met up with Michael who, over another pint, explained to us why he accidently caused blast marks on his desk...  I can’t stress how nice it was to be having a pint with these two guys: my closest friends and people I have spent inordinate amounts of time with (see comment about living together earlier)

After meeting Michael, we then met up with Cara before heading to the 'Grill on the Corner', where John and Heather were waiting.  It was here that I then had perhaps one of the best steaks in my life and certainly one of the best evenings of my life, chatting with all of my closest friends, eating great steak and having some Asian beer (sue me, I like Asian beer - ed).

Then Wednesday came along and for the third time, it was back to Glasgow.  Beginning to get tired of trains...however, this was remedied by meeting Susan, Lewis and Amy which was followed by lunch and the avengers (review to come when it is not an effort to type but brilliant).  After spending a nice and relaxing evening with them (watching TV and chatting about Space), I then got an early train back to my house on the Thursday morning before having a shower and heading out again.  This time, it was to David's house for a few beers and some gaming (just like old times) before a trip to the dentist (it can't be all play).  Dinner at home then heading to the pub for a few drinks with Derek and his brother, Colin.  A nice end to the sociable part of my holiday,

Friday came screeching round the corner with a haircut (I now look like a 12 year old boy.  Though I still get called Miss...) and an unhealthy dose of packing (not to mention a lost but soon found iPod).  Finally, after saying bye to my dad and The Beagle (as they left that day), it was one final meal with my mum and a relaxing (I had earned it) night in front of the TV with a beer.

And here I am, after saying bye to my mum and a 7 hour flight, I am here typing and as predicted, it was a week of gluttony for me.  However, most importantly, it was a week spent seeing everyone that I cared about (though I sadly didn't get to see everyone I wanted) and that was what I needed. 

I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart that it was amazing to see my family and friends, that I am so happy everyone took time out of their own lives to see me and that I cannot wait for Christmas which is when I will see you all again (the santa hat promise still stands)!

Enough from me, I am off to go sleep on the floor somewhere.

Ok, back to present me.  If you are interested, I didn’t really sleep at all, I dozed off for about 30 minutes in a chair.  Also, as noted, I have been in a slump for the past week – I think a mixture of exhaustion and having left my friends and family again so I have been negligent about posting!  I have settled back in now and have some stuff I need to sort out, but that is for the future!

Picks of the Week

stephenr.com - Ok, the wonderfully talented man who made my new banner!  Check out his site for more art, mind exercises and poetry.  Definitely worth a look so check out his site now! 

Songs of the week 

Ok, my song of the week is very easy to pick this week!  Miyavi - Gravity.  Check him out!

Perfect for a sad rainy day!  Anyways, enough from me, so chat later!