Havana Kavana

What a wonderful phrase,

Havana Kavana, ain't no passing craze...

It means I regret everything

For the rest of my days...

So, it seems Pill and I have been, for the latter part on our behalf gaming, and generally watching Disney films. Sunday night, coming back in the rain most of us broke out into spontaneous song, the Circle of Life, and once we, Pill, DarkHorse, and I had retired for the evening, and changed into PJs, Dressing Gowns, and Slippers, Pill requested that we watch The Lion King, and what a good suggestion that was...

Jeremy Irons singing gives us chills, and as we had already clarified the the house was indeed empty, we sang along to every song. But is his song only second to Hell Fire, in Hunchback of Notre Dame? I wouldn't say they're the best Disney songs, because I do love a catchy and upbeat tune, although they are the best bad guy ones. I think Be Prepared is better, what do you think?

Anywho, last night we moved on to Hercules, and started talking about puns, Greek Mythology, Jewish race wars, and stuff like that. You know the us'ge (usual). I love Hercules, and Mulan, and Lilo and Stitch. And they've all got great songs, but I think we all know what my favourite Disney film is, so I'll leave it at that...

Fireworks tonight, and they're going to be epic. We're actually travelling out of our way for them so I've decided that they're going to be epic. Plus Hot Dogs, Soup, and V for Vendetta for afters if there's time. Is Bonfire Night one of those evenings with traditions, or am I just making up the whole Hot Dog and Soup thing?

See you shortly after this long intermission, Carpe diem...

T-Minus 1 Day More!...

By this time tomorrow, we will either be almost there, or actually there. And I don't know if I want to do a day's work knowing that...

But where? I hear you ask dear read. Well, to Alton-freaking-Towers of course! It's Tag's birthday, and Red and I have to wake him up like they do in those Disney land commercials:

Okay, I'm being silly now but it's going to be awesomely cool. When we doing presents? I wrapped mine last night. I showed Red the damage, she laughed. Roadtrip, and music, and so many quote, references, vomit, food, more vomit, fast rides, excitement, good weather (possibly), water rides first (I'm Soaked!), then second roadtrip where we all fall asleep like they do at the end of movies (except the driver, obvs)...

Although, energy drinks, coffee, and amphetamines will be shooting through our veins so perhaps not...orgy?

We're going to do Alton Towers right, apparently we've got to go on Air, Hex, and the new one The Smiler (16 consecutive loops or something, first in the world). I'm not a rollercoaster person, and neither are a few of the other people going. It's going to be odd. 

Pedalows anyone?

I can imagine Pill and Ducky making their way through all the Food and Drinking places in the park. HB and DarkHorse might go check out the House and Grounds, Cherry will sit anywhere with a good book and look after the bags like a good mum, Red will go on all the Tea Cups and Pedalows with me, possibly a few carny stands too, and I will go on all the big rides with Tag (alphamale style)...

That paragraph isn't how things'll go, I swear. 

I'm starting to be concerned that Comic-Con won't be all that, but I'm looking forward to seeing us all in costume and having photos. Hot'n'Sexy Fotos just one pic 99p. O-la-la...

Where was that going?!

In other news, work are sending me to Cambridge at the end of September to learn about Helicopters. I didn't know I needed to know more, but there you go. I'm getting nervous again, how the fuck do I get to Cambridge?!

But I'm sure I'll worry more about that when I know more about that. 

So, flavoured water, money for pizza, crisps and no dips for car journey (multi-pack), probably a sleeping bag required. If Christmas happens these'll be the sleeping arrangements too I imagine...

I want to continue writing, but I don't know what to say. I've been writing song lyrics recently, nothing I'm going to share with you - mainly because they're crap - and my real-world fiction, I had hoped to finish it before tomorrow, but that's not going to happen is it? So, Friday perhaps...

Either way, I'll post it up here, and then all we've got to wait for is Tag's RomCom...

Have a good couple of days, I know we will...

Carpe diem...

Pixar Theory...

'ARE YOU MENTALLY DEFICIENT?!'

'No, if I was Mentally Deficient, I would have missed...'

Yeah, I started watching Misfits again last night because I'm a poor plagiarist, who just likes to cave to peer pressure and copy everyone around him. Oh well...

Yesterday was a usual day, except when I brought up Pixar Theory, then I discovered that very few people at the daily commitment knew about it, and I think I was talking to Red about it the previous evening, due to Monsters University, and the beautiful short The Blue Umbrella (you don't say). There were tyre-marks on that thing and everything. And I did watch the Paperman (ouch, right in the feels). How do they get it so right?

I've decided I wanna, together as a group, make a series of short films (obviously we don't have a budget, or a deadline, but it's something new to try. And we could come up with ideas together and write them all out, and breathe life into Lazy Student Productions once more?), and if not, I want to take a load of Band Photos (maybe on our days out in August - that could be good).

I think Paperman is the best one so far, true love and fate and really nice animation and music to match. Teary eyes and everything. Anyway, where was I? Pixar Theory...

So I'm just going to copy and paste this here because I'm a plagiarist and blow all your minds (I really fancy learning piano. There's a guitar in the window of the Cranes shop I pass almost every morning that has a sign on it the reads 'I come with Free Lessons')...

So yes. Pixar Theory. Mind Blown much?

Either way, it got me thinking (oh the lies) about my challenge of writing something in the real world for once (thanks Tag). Red's got the Poems, Tag's got the RomCom, and I've got the Real World (I think Cherry would have been challenged too, if she hadn't been half asleep at the time. Let's challenge Cherry too!

I also liked the idea about four separate films from the same footage. August sounds like a creative month. Flexing our muscles for some NaNoWriMo perhaps? But I've been thinking about the theory of writing again, and a presentation I had to give in Uni about how my stories (or at least the fantasy ones) were all about geography and language, or they were the more important aspects to me. Getting the feel of the story right. I shan't bore you with any more of the bits I find interesting (MAPS!), but I'll just say, if I was a student now, I would be a much better student (Dr. Matt Jones style).

I'll get on with some plotlines and planning later I think. Pill's going to be away for about two weeks he reckons, after he comes back and does three days work next week. So that's cool. We'll both holiday away from each other. It has to happen every now and then, or else our moods would just affect each other quite a bit I imagine.

But I've written quite enough for one day. DarkHorse's tomorrow, and I haven't the slightest idea of what's happening, but I do have the Parking Permit, the possibilities are endless...

Carpe diem...

I've Gone From Caring...

Ah, a nice dose of Morning Flu to set you right for the day...

So, we went to see Monsters University last night, and we had a great time. It was funny, full of characters we knew, and some voice actors that surprised us too. It was a nice break from my yesterday of cleaning, or the week or so of Pill's sadness/stressedness. He's fine, he'll get through it. Don't bring it up.

Nothing much of note happened with my day yesterday, I managed to start planning a character yesterday afternoon, being a scholarly, stereotype and sat at the pub, watching the ships go by in the Bay. It was a nice afternoon, and then we had drinks and then went to Chicken House for food. 

At food we reminisced of old times, as the movie had reminded us about Uni (although our university experience was nothing like that, mores the pity). And so many things have changed. We're older, thinner, and sexier than we were. We've got young friends, and older friends, friends getting married, and friends having children. And then we started talking about birthdays, and the topic got onto the Hobbit Barn Dance, and then Rosie Cotton...

I think it's safe to say that I'm Samwise, and Tag has pretty much always been Frodo. But now, I really don't care who Rosie Cotton is. I know it was HB at the time, two and a half years ago, but, and I said it last night, I don't think we're friends anymore. And I'm fine with that. I really don't care, so could people stop acting like I do?

HB and I have too much history to be reconciled now. It's over, it's gone, and it ain't coming back, and that's probably due to my lack of caring. And this is all I'll say on the matter. 

So, that took me a long time to realise, and figure out, but hey, I'm a man.

But on to happier things. I'll have another Barn Dance I think, or have I already said, for my 25th. Yay! And I'm all set for Comic-Con now. You should see the whole ensemble, I hope I'll look quite dashing, and not a fat man trying to play at being an adventurer. 

Oh well, pushed for time, I'm running late this morning, so I'll catch you all in a bit...

Carpe diem...

Employment And Other Things...

Well I think the news has gotten out now, mainly because I told everyone in the last blog, but I did actually reject - in a very roundabout way - my first job opportunity...

Well I say it's my first job opportunity, my first job was offered to me when I was seventeen, by a shopkeeper who I was friends with. But more on that on another occasion I think. As you all know, I rejected the job offer at the Call Centre.

And just as I thought I had closed the door of employment for the time being, it leaked in through the window. Because we all know that employment can be seen as a very wet thing, perhaps a storm, in this on-going metaphor of my life. What do you think?

Anyway, after rejecting, in a roundabout way, a job I really didn't want to do, I managed to acquire myself a work experience position in a local publishing house, and if that wasn't enough I also managed to spark up a meeting between me and a local editorial group - I know what you're all thinking, it doesn't pay the bills. No, you're right there, they really don't pay the bills, but they're all real-world experience in a world I want to be a part of.

I was having a conversation with HB and her Cousin yesterday, and they're both fed up of the jobs they have, and just want to get to the careers they, we, and I deserve. We didn't all work for those bloody degrees to work on Customer Service until we're in our late twenties.

I think the problem with me is that I'm just ambitious and a dreamer, waiting for the world to make sense to me, and serve itself up on a plate of silver and gold. And now I know why we came up with the term 'silver platter'.

Anyway, I just wrote on Twitter (@BigTomAjax) that this and Disney films were obviously the cheapest form of therapy, so let's get on with that therapy business.

Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney film, it's not the best one, but it is my favorite. I just told someone that, much to their surprise. So without further ado, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure, that I welcome you tonight - as we analyse which of the characters I would probably suit the best.

I don't think I'm either of the male leads, I'm not as much of a meat head as Gaston, and I don't have Beast's rugged charm (otherwise I'm sure I would have already won over Beauty and be living happily ever after until death in our grand French Enchanted Castle with a staff of hundreds). Nor am I the female protagonist, I'm smart, but I'm not that smart.

As for supporting roles, I'm not Codsworth, Chip, Mrs Potts, or the simply handsome and irresistible Lumiere. And nor am I Belle's Father - that would be wrong as I quite fancy Belle.

In actual fact I think I'm more the trusted, loyal, and brave in the face of danger, but completely willing to run away from danger trying to save the ones I love Phillippe - and if you were wondering, yes that's the Horse.

Though of course being Phillippe I have the aspirations of becoming the Beast, and all his might, bravery, and getting-the-girlness. Would you believe that? What do you think?

Well there we are then, if I'm a little shorter with women, then I'm sure I'll make some ground somewhere. Now don't read into this next bit, because it's been going on in my head all evening, so I thought I should get it down on paper and make the voices stop. And like I say, this is cheap therapy. I wonder if something good will span from this next bit, but just ignore it and skip to the end if it's boring...

W:

Are you not talking to me?

M:

I'm trying to ignore you.

W:

Why?

M:

Because I like you.

W:

That doesn't make any sense.

M:

It does to me. It hurts me every day knowing that I like you but you don't like me, all because of my mistakes.

W:

I never said I didn't like you, and would you stop bringing up those 'mistakes'. You always do this when you're drunk.

M:

I love you. Is that what you want to hear?

W:

No.

M:

I know, I had my chance and I should leave it. But when something feels so right it's that much harder to leave behind.

W:

Don't do this to yourself.

M:

Everyone already thinks we're going out. My parents, your parents, our friends, your friends, my friends. Everyone, even strangers. Everyone knows, apart from us.

W:

Please stop. I don't want History to repeat itself.

M:

But that's all History does. Repeat and repeat until something changes for good or...

W:

Yes, or... I don't want to hurt like that again.

M:

I can promise you won't ever hurt again.

W:

No you can't, but I like that you care. But enough's enough.

M:

No it's not. Not for me. And I'm sure that's what you keep telling yourself to stop yourself from doing this.

W:

Please stop this.

And I think I should stop there because the voices in my head are starting to sound a bit teary. I don't know what that'll turn out to be. Maybe a superb play/musical. Oh I'm the queerest straight man from these parts you'll ever meet. But I try. That's enough talking for the moment I think.

Carpe diem, until next time bloggers...

There's Clearly Something There That Wasn't There Before...

Courtesy of my sister's unhealthy Youtube habits I was linked, earlier this month, to perhaps my favourite Disney film. I say perhaps, it is my favourite Disney film. Beauty and the Beast not only captivated me when I was a child, it does so, as I discovered this afternoon, as an adult too.

I don't know what it is about the story, or the characters, or the fantasy, but something about it made me think. Am I really a heterosexual man? And do you know the answer?

Well the answer, to disappoint some of you, was YES I am a heterosexual man, despite my love of childish movies with, mainly, romantic plot lines. I am a sucker for a RomCom after all. Its something Disney does to you, especially if you're spoon fed the films for a very long time. I know another person who has this cheery and Disneified view on life (Hi Clareyloo). It makes us believe that there is such a thing as True Love, only to be told by others that such a thing doesn't exist.

I do believe that there is someone out there for everyone, even if both parties don't happen to see it just yet. Take Beauty and the Beast for example - sure they get together in the end and live happily ever after, but in the beginning she was afraid of him, and he was angry and sometimes brutal because she felt that way. But then he gave in a little, and then so did she. And it's only until he saved her from a wolf attack that they actually start getting along.

Relationships are earned not rewarded - though they can be rewarding. You must stick by the other through thick and thin, and if you survive the rough waves then you know you can make it through other storms, because you've already made it through that one. Relationships are fought for, and if you don't keep fighting then the cause has lost the rebel. Sure the Beast had to get with Belle before Midnight otherwise he and his entire household would be stuck like that for eternity, but really - he did love her in the end. She changed him for the better. And now they live happily ever after.

Life doesn't have happily ever afters, but it does have 'happily' and lots of it. You've just got to find it. Whether it's a child receiving a toy for a birthday, or a true kiss from a loved one, or a slice of cake after a long day's work. Happiness is all around - it's not earned, paid for, or fought for. It just exists. Think about what your happy thought is, and keep it with you every where. And who knows, you might just fly...

Okay, okay, okay - that's Peter Pan, but you get the picture. Just be happy.

Carpe diem, until next time bloggers...

P.S. Check out this new story I'm writing every Friday over on deviantArt - here.

P.S.S. Belle is by far the most superior Disney Princess - sorry Cherrybelly.