Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble

First order of business:

Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

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Over 2000 views!  Thank you to everyone who has read my blog, either once or many times.  I’m honestly surprised that I have had this many views and even more surprised that I have managed to keep this going so long.  However, I genuinely enjoy writing my blog and I genuinely appreciate those who take time out of their busy lives to read the narcissistic ramblings of the socially awkward.

Normally, I’m accepting of the fact that I’m incredibly single but I do have to admit, last week was a bit of a sucker-punch.  You see, last week I found out that:

·         1 friend had got married

·         1 friend had got engaged

·         And 1 friend had celebrated their 1 year marriage anniversary 

Geez, it’s enough to make a single guy contemplate buying an Asian Love pillow…or use the word geez.  Er, perhaps not but still, definitely underlines the single part… cough.  However, I would like to congratulate all three of the happy couples.  I wish you all happiness in your varying levels of marriage.

Ok, so last week I listed my list of hopes and dreams on the internet and I have to say, it made me think of something.  I’ve been looking at my life the wrong way.  You see, I’m 25 and I’m always seen it as:

“Oh my god, I’m 23/24/25!  I’m one foot in the grave.  I need to marry and settle down and have children and a car and a driveway and a steady job which will pay for my coffin”

I admit that is a slight exaggeration but basically I thought I was old.  I have soon realized that I’m not old, I’m just older (not that being old is any problem, my parents are both retired and I know that they are having a great time).  Instead of thinking that I’m just getting older, I should look at it as

“I’m still young but now I’m old enough to do things”

It may be obvious that this is the better way but I just never really saw it like that.  My social bubble got smaller and smaller, and I would rarely do anything new or exciting.  Especially once I graduated and became unemployed, I slowly lost the will to do much, if anything .  Oh, I volunteered during my unemployment, went to the gym and saw my friends but overall, I lost my passion for life.  I just felt old. 

Then I threw a proverbial spanner into the works and moved to Nepal. 

It was terrifying.  It was new.  It was exciting.  Most of all, it was needed.  It gave me that kickstart I needed and I got my passion back.  I tried new foods, I saw new places and met new people.  However, once long weeks working started to affect me, then being away from everyone at Christmas, I lost it again..  And to be honest, I’m still not sure if I have got it completely back yet but by god, I’m going to try.

This is what this poorly written and rambling post is about and this is what last week’s post was about.  I am going to start doing more things, seeing more places and have more fun.  Oh, I still have my long term goals/plans and I am still trying to save as much money as possible but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy myself along the way, does it?  I suppose now I’m just paranoid that I’m going to miss a lot of things before I get the chance to do them and grow old and regretful.  Think I’ll start by going to an outdoor showing of ‘The Last ‘Emperor’ on Tuesday night and having some Italian food.  Then, I’m going to start writing and filming a web series that I am hoping to film quickly whilst out here.  Watch this space etc… 

Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll be back to my normal, slightly bitter self next week plus I didn’t really have much to write about this week…

Pick of the Week

Skyrim – Epic.  Epic is truly the word to define Skyrim.  For those who don’t know it, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is the newest elderscroll game that has been released by Bethesda.  And it is epic.  In one sitting, I had climbed up an enormous mountain to a hidden temple; swam in artic waters of the frozen North; and hunted deer through wooded lowlands.  All without a loading screen.  Another sitting, I came across an unscripted battle between an dragon and a frost troll.  Another, I came across a group of hunters bathing in a hot spring.  I haven’t even mentioned any of the towns, cities, villages, caves, temples, hideouts, bluffs or sunken ships yet.

The story goes: you are about to be executed and then you manage to escape from your execution because of a dragon attack.  After about 30 minutes of an escape, you are set free to go about the world as you please.  You can join the various guilds, you can follow the main quests, you can help or destroy the rebels or you can just sit and marvel at the enormous world that surrounds you.  That’s what’s so glorious about this game, you can do what you want, leveling up through smithing or alchemy if you wish, as opposed to combat.  The main story itself is pretty interesting but some of the most dramatic stories come from the groups that you can join: often bringing said group to glory.  Graphically, the game looks good (though much better on PC) but it is the sense of scale of the world.  You climb a mountain and you can look across valleys and forests, or snow plains and lakes.  You truly feel like part of a world when playing and I often spend time just standing at a cliff, looking at the world.

*Edit*  To give you an idea of scale, it took me about 23 minutes to run (just run) from one side to another

Combat is fairly simple but fun, allowing you to specialise in close-combat, archery or magic.  Each of these have various different routes and perks, allowing you to experiment with various character builds:  I have a dual wielding archer (cough Legolas cough) and thoroughly enjoy playing him.  The ai is hardly genius but at this scale, you don’t expect it to be.  It is also a nice perk that dragons can appear at any moment, giving a certain tenseness when travelling long distance, especially when you hear that shriek…

The only major problem?  It’s buggy, as are many of Bethesda’s games.  However, despite all the people complaining about game-breaking bugs, I have yet to find one but there are bugs to contend with.  Don’t let this affect your decision though.  If you’re a free-roaming action RPG lover or want a game to immerse yourself in, buy this today.  

Monday's Music 

Going in two complete directions this week.  First of all, down to the past, old school style:  Coolio - Gangsta Paradise.  Been listening to this a lot this week, so I thought I'd share.

and the other direction?  Just found out that Head Phones President are bring out a new album soon and so I will include their new song 'Stand in the World'.  Well that failed, couldn't get it uploaded.  So instead I will give you 'Chain'.  I know that they won't be to everyones tastes but they are easily in my top 5 bands,

Ok, I am off to immerse myself in an alternate universe for the evening, so will post more later.  As always, tell your friends about me, any links on pages are welcome and never, ever use a spork in a restaurant.