Boredom beginning to set in...

Nice to see the weather's staying consistently sunny (for the time being).

Had a relaxing weekend. ESE is now beginning to seem like a distant memory (or a bad dream! :)). I've recently been working on recording some song ideas. I've been using a 4-track tape recorder, which you can use to overlay individual instruments and combine them to make a complete song / tune. Got a basic drum machine too which produces very realistic drum sounds. To date I haven't created any complete songs, more like repetitive guitar riffs which play for about a minute and then I add the other instruments.

On Saturday I recorded this track which may be my best to date. It consists of a "hawaiian"-style guitar part, a simple drum beat and a swaying bassline. There is also an additional guitar melody. It sounds very uplifting, and ironically when I recorded it, it was pissing with rain outside!

Regarding the flat, my original plan was to move out today. However, as my flatmate Franky is allowed to stay until 10th July (when he flies back to Hong Kong), I asked Ronnie if I could stay 'til the 8th (graduation ceremony). He said "no problem, no problem at all" in an uncharacteristically nice voice, and said I could stay 'til the 11th, for no extra cost. Now this works out quite good for me because I'd agreed to give him my £100 deposit in return for terminating the lease 3 months early. This is because the situation is equivalent to getting my deposit back, but paying rent for a further 11 days. It suits me because I would like to stay in Glasgow a little bit longer, and make use of the free Uni gym etc, while I still can.

Also on Saturday I went into town for a wander about, and saw some nice trainers in All Sports in Sauchiehall street. Went in on Sunday and got them - £40, reduced form £60. Oh, and by the way, All Sports do not pay me for advertising!

I reckon I've developed the psychic ability to ward off those charity people in in the street who ask you to make a donation. It used to be that I couldn't pass one by without them making eye contact and engaging me in conversation. Now, instead of me having to say "sorry, I'm a student, can't afford to because of spiralling debts", or "I already give to Save the Children", I simply use willpower and they don't even seem to notice me. Ok, that's what I like to think, but I think I've just been lucky in that I haven't been asked for weeks - I'm probably not telepathic after all :(.

Been watching the rest of the QFs of Euro 2004. France went out in a shock defeat ot Greece, and Czech Republic beat Denmark comprehensively 3-0. Czech Republic all the way!
Today I'm going back to the 'Wick (Prestwick) to see the folks, and my uncle, who is down for a couple of days.

Anyway, I'm quickly running out of things to write about so adios.

Summer is here again!

Woke at 11am, out of bed by 12 noon. I'm slowly getting closer to my target of getting up at 9am every day. I like early mornings but just don't see many of them! What's important is that you at least have a regular sleep pattern, and then your body and mind should know where it's at.

At last the sunny weather is back, but for how long? The weather in Scotland is so random at times and I just wish there would be some consistency. Over the past few weeks (and specifically, during exam time!) I think we've had the perfect weather, i.e. a lot of sunshine, with the odd shower thrown in. This way we get variety and the best of both. However, recently it's been clouds, clouds and more clouds :(

I'm still in Glasgow, in the flat, but will be leaving soon. Can't say I'll miss it. It's been even more lonely than usual with Iain off to S.A., and although there are still 3 of us there, it feels like I live there myself. However, a freakish occurrence happened the other day; Franky came out of hiding and came into the living room to play Pro Evolution Soccer 3 on the PS2 - I think that's about the 3rd time he's ventured into the living room since we moved in! If only we'd known sooner that he had something in common, we could've had tournaments etc, and actually created some sort of atmosphere in the flat! Also, on the same day, I think, Monica came in to watch Eastenders. Shock! Was I missing something? Was it national "be nice to your flatmates" day or something? Mind you, I haven't seen them since.

Aside from watching Euro championships, I've been watching a fair bit of daytime tv, such as GMTV, Loose Women and The Wright Stuff. I avoid Trisha like the plague, as I can't help cringe when I watch it. I reckon daytime tv is devised to be as it is to encourage people who watch it to go out and get a job, instead of sitting in watching tv! If I had to watch it ever day I'd kill myself.

Cut myself shaving today with a MACH 3 - The first time it's happened. I don't think it's supposed to happen with a MACH 3; I wonder if I could sue Gillette and try to claim a year's worth of blades? Or perhaps not.

Went to see a film, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", starring Jim Carrey, today at the cinema. It's about love and memory loss etc. It was unusual to see Carrey in a more serious role but I think he pulled it off quite well.

Also went a 3 mile run, getting some fresh air, sunshine and much needed exercise. I've been doing a lot of sitting on my arse, and am starting to turn into a blob! Some people frown on exercise, but it can be so mentally and physically invigorating.

Recently become addicted to Safeway's chocolate eclairs. I've never been a massive chocolate fan but these things are fantastic! Got a couple today. (Homer Simpson voice) Mmmmm.... eclairs.

After typing this ridiculously long entry, I'm going home to watch France take on Greece in the QFs. Saw England get put out last night by Portugal. Thought it was unfair as what seemed like a perfectly good goal from England was disallowed. The referee said "push" but there was no evidence of a push in the penalty area. However, I believe the Portugese goalkeeper was prevented form jumping for the ball due to an England defender's hand on his shoulder.

Anyway, they're out. I wouldv'e liked to see them get a bit further, but not necessarily win it. I've got nothing against the team, but it's the English media all their over-the-top hype that pisses me off. If they won Euro 2004 you'd never hear the last of it! Beckham missed a penalty, and I'm glad. Sounds cruel, but hopefully now the media will stop portraying him as mr perfect, can't-put-a-foot-wrong role model. It can be annoying. Again, I've nothing against Beckham himself, but it's this image the media gives him that irritates me.

23 June 2004

First post. Since finishing the course I have been relaxing a bit and watching Euro 2004. Germany play Czech Republic tonight in what should be a decent game. I reckon the Czechs have a decent chance of winning the tournament this time.

I got a 2:1 for ESE, which is good by anyone's standards - lucky not to get a 2:2 due to some awful results towards the end! I was suffering from a bad headache at the time, for several days, but I don't care about the results now. It's all done and dusted - just need to attend to graduation ceremony now (on the 8th July, 4 days after Euro 2004 final). At the ceremony I think there will be only 3 of us from ESE: Ewan, Alexnewton and myself (because we're the only ones graduating from the Eng. faculty this year) - should be a barrel of laughs! :)

I'm typing this from the Rankine building - library had been evacuated due to fire alarm, and I hope that this is the last time I ever set foot in this building. I hate it! Too many bad memories of sitting through 3 hr labs, being very tired and just dying to leave!

After this I'm off to Stevie buiding for a swim and then to Safeway for some shopping. After that, I'll go home and watch the footie. Italy got knocked out the tournament last night in a cruel twist of fate. Just as the goal was scored which they thought would put them through, they found out that Denmark had drawn 2-2 with Sweden and hance knocked them out. So they went from jubilation to despair in a matter of seconds. It was very painful to watch, and I felt so sorry for them, especially the goalscorer, Cassano. Cest la vie!