My family continues to amaze me at how awkward and useless we are at Christmas.

I suppose the first problem is the growing dislike that my mother and I have for my father as he is an insufferable oaf that rather than express things verbally with discussion instead loses his rag and throws his proverbial toys out of the equally proverbial pram.

He is also quite literally impossible to buy a present for; I mean what do you buy a man who has his Porsche and is building his dream house in France?! But not only does he have everything he wants and needs but he also doesn’t really watch films, listen to music or read books so there goes those options out of the window!

Alongside that problem is that I’m also almost as bad; not in the temper department thankfully (I’m quite possibly one of the most laid back people you’ll meet and anyone who has met me for merely the briefest moment or knows me vaguely will concur!) I have pretty much everything I want (that I can think of) and anything that I do actually want is more of a spontaneous desire rather than a growing need for items that I simply must have. Not to mention that if I do want something I usually just buy it rather than put it on a list and wait x months to have it.

Then we come to the problem that at Christmas people usually gather as a family; well I am an only child and so are my parents and any other possible members of my family are dead. So that just leaves my cousin, my mother, my father and myself to gather for the horrendous festivities. Here’s a prime example of how useless we are, my mother will do the cooking and my cousin and I will aid her, meanwhile my father will bugger off and watch tv most likely only to return and either be critical saying that the table hasn’t been laid completely (usually because one condiment hasn’t been placed upon it yet as we have 2 starters before we even get to the main course when it will be brought in when it is actually needed rather than it sitting there taking up valuable table space.)

Then comes the actual cringe worthy meal where topics of conversation usually consist of the same recycled points that we had last year. So silence is the main counterpart to our lovely meal.

Post meal coffee will then be taken in the drawing room where the inevitable conversation of how lovely lunch was and how we all did very well playing our own individual part will take place. It is usually at this point in time that my father does his usual stunt of going off to watch something crap on tv despite us saying we’re about to open presents so he has to be called numerous times before he actually comes back. So now we come to the actual presents part of this rant. Like I’ve already stated my family has pretty much everything we want already which we are grateful for but it also makes any gift giving occasion fucking irritating as no one has any idea what to get each other! So most of the gifts are just guesses at what someone might want; this always goes horrendously badly with anything for my father as its most likely going to be something he doesn’t really need or is interested in even if it something to do with one of his interests so invariably he gets a bit huffy because he only gets 2 or 3 presents and seems to get ridiculously childish simply because we haven’t a bloody clue what to get him!

Well writing this has killed a decent amount of time and I do hope that no one else goes through this yearly monotonous hell in the same way I do!

So there you have it a bit of a rant on Christmas.

I hope you all have a great day!

Mark
x 

So far today I’ve helped out with getting the new leases for one of our flats done, done the inventory for it as well.

Also I’ve got my reference pretty much done and my application for Buckingham University done which was fairly painless! Just have to sort out my accommodation application and then send them my exam certificates and I’ll have my place all confirmed which is rather exciting!

On a more trivial matter I’ve converted the video file of 30 Seconds to Mars live at Reading this year to MP3 so I can enjoy it as I travel around the world this time next month!

As it stands I’m still trying to sort out what I’m giving people for Christmas which is always a pain. Going to get my dearest mama a Kindle, no idea for my dad or my uncle and cousin so that could be a bit problematic! Then its just the chore of finding something shiny and expensive that my girlfriend will like…!

Anyway, this has been a blog post, enjoy!

That Exeter finally has an Urban Outfitters! Now it has at least one decent shop! It’s just a shame that their vintage section is so small, not to mention that the girls section is like 3 times that of the guys but hey ho its better than nothing!

Picked these up whilst I was there:

Cheap Monday Flannel



Casio slave watch for travelling with



Also sorted out all of my gap year travel stuff with regards to where I’m going how long, tours and trips and then accommodation. So that’s another thing done, can’t wait to get going!

Got pretty much all of my gap year travelling plans sorted, I’m so excited and can’t wait to get going! Japan -> Australia -> America. It’s going to be awesome!

I really need to stop neglecting this bloody thing, I know its my blog etc but I think I should at least be a bit more forthcoming with posts even if they are rather rubbish like this one…

Really pleased, and they’ll be here tomorrow! I just hope that they fit unlike my usual luck with ordering things online other than jeans. Not to mention sending things back is a huuuuge hassle.

But yeah I bought the following:

• White Oxford shirt
• Blue Oxford shirt
• Cream cable knit jumper
• Standard charcoal zip through hoodie
• Breton striped t-shirt
• Woven leather bracelet

I am content.

1:Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?

I don’t have a closet.

2:Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?

Nope

3:Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?

Duvet ftw

4:Have you ever stolen a street sign before?

No, “acquired” some adverts before

5:Do you like to use post-it notes?

Yeah I like the little sticky bit and peeling them off is really satisfying

6:Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?

Can’t say I ever have.

7:Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?

Probably the bees as you’d be able to get away from them easier

8:Do you have freckles?

Some.

9:Do you always smile for pictures?

Not always

10:What is your biggest pet peeve?

I’m not too sure, I have quite a few but they all just add up into me being irritated with people.

11:Do you ever count your steps when you walk?

No

12:Have you ever peed in the woods?

Yes

13:What about pooped in the woods?

No

14:Do you ever dance even if theres no music playing?

No

15:Do you chew your pens and pencils?

No, can’t stand it when people do it either.

16:How many people have you slept with this week?

0

17:What size is your bed?

Double king size

18:What is your Song of the week?

30 Seconds to Mars – Kings and Queens

19:Is it okay for guys to wear pink?

Yes

20:Do you still watch cartoons?

Yes, I love Adventure Time and the Regular Show, not to mention I watch a fair amount of anime.

21:Whats your least favorite movie?

Very difficult question, I don’t think I really have a least favourite film, if I don’t like a film I just don’t watch it…

22:Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?

In plain sight.

23:What do you drink with dinner?

Water or Diet Coke

24:What do you dip a chicken nugget in?

Tomato ketchup

25:What is your favorite food?

Magret de canard or foie gras

26:What movies could you watch over and over and still love?

Fight Club, Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Pride and Prejudice, Snatch, The Count of Monte Cristo, Die Hard, probably a load more but those are the first off the top of my head!

27:Last person you kissed/kissed you?

My wonderful girlfriend asimplematter.tumblr.com

28:Were you ever a boy/girl scout?

No, although I was in my school’s cadet force

29:Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?

Probably not, I’m quite self-conscious about my body

30:When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?

Last week

31:Can you change the oil on a car?

Yes if I have all the things I need, but I suppose that goes for most things.

32:Ever gotten a speeding ticket?

Nope

33:Ever ran out of gas?

No

34:Favorite kind of sandwich?

I love a decent steak sandwich with really chunky bread, or slices of duck in toast is good or just pate.

35:Best thing to eat for breakfast?

I’m rather divided due to my French influences alongside my English upbringing, so typical cereal is a good start or a cooked breakfast or bread and jam but it all has to be with black coffee.

36:What is your usual bedtime?

12ish I suppose.

37:Are you lazy?

That depends greatly on what I’m doing, if it’s something that interests me I simply won’t stop until the job is done or I’ve done the best work I can, but for example if it’s something tiresome such as cleaning my room I’ll leave it until the last minute but still do a good job regardless (a rather bad example but it was a simple analogy)

38:When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?

I can’t say I remember.

39:What is your Chinese astrological sign?

The Monkey

40:How many languages can you speak?

3, English, French and Spanish

41:Do you have any magazine subscriptions?

Not so much subscriptions but I buy Top Gear and Esquire fairly religiously.

42:Which are better legos or lincoln logs?

Lego.

43:Are you stubborn?

Not particularly, I will stand my ground if it is something I believe in or if I really don’t want to do something, but for the most part I’m very laid back.

44:Who is better…Leno or Letterman?

Due to being English I haven’t really seen either shows although I found Leno quite amusing when he was on Top Gear

45:Ever watch soap operas?

If Made in Chelsea counts as one I suppose so…

46:Are you afraid of heights?

Yes although I always have the urge to jump off tall buildings or balconies simply to feel what it’s like to fall.

47:Do you sing in the car?

Only if it’s a song I know and I’m with my mates

48:Do you sing in the shower?

Nope

49:Do you dance in the car?

No

50:Ever used a gun?

Yes, shotguns and the standard issue L85A2

51:Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?

Never

52:Do you think musicals are cheesy?

Not really although I think it depends on the musical itself and who it was written by.

53:Is Christmas stressful?

No my family is rather rubbish at Christmas, it usually involves us simply buying what we want and giving it to the person to wrap and ceremonially give back to us on the actual day.

54:Ever eat a pierogi?

No

55:Favorite type of fruit pie?

Apple pie is quite nice, lemon is aswell.

56:Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?

I was convinced I was going to be a Formula 1 driver since about the age of 3 until 8, I’ve always loved speed and the feeling that your life really is in your own hands in those beautiful machines.

57:Do you believe in ghosts?

I can’t say I do but then again I haven’t thought about the issue much.

58:Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?

Yes all the time, I get premonitions quite regularly as well.

59:Take a vitamin daily?

I used to to help with my ADD but I haven’t in a year or two

60:Wear slippers?

Never, always bare foot when at home.

61:Wear a bath robe?

Yes

62:What do you wear to bed?

Boxers, (t-shirt optional) and then pyjama bottoms in winter.

63:First concert?

Red Hot Chilli Peppers in Hyde Park 2004

64:Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?

Waitrose and Tescos

65:Nike or Adidas?

Nike for hightops such as Dunks and Jordans but Adidas or Vans for lows

66:Cheetos Or Fritos?

I’ve never had Fritos but I don’t mind Cheetos

67:Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?

Neither

68:Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?

Nope.

69:Ever take dance lessons?

No

70:Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?

Not really, I’d like it if she did something creative or if we had similar professions.

71:Can you curl your tongue?

Yes

72:Ever won a spelling bee?

No, I was always rather average at spelling

73:Have you ever cried because you were so happy?

No, although I cry with laughter quite often

74:Own any record albums?

Yes, Bob Marley and the Wailers - Legend

75:Own a record player?

It’s the family’s

76:Regularly burn incense?

No but I love the smell of it

77:Ever been in love?

Yes

78:Who would you like to see in concert?

I’d like to see Lana Del Rey but I’ve seen pretty much everyone I’ve wanted to see so far.

79:What was the last concert you saw?

Reading Festival 2011

80:Hot tea or cold tea?

Iced tea

81:Tea or coffee?

Coffee

82:Sugar or snickerdoodles?

Brown sugar

83:Can you swim well?

Yes

84:Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?

Yes

85:Are you patient?

As long as the person is not ignorant yes.

86:DJ or band, at a wedding?

Both.

87:Ever won a contest?

Fencing, acting, public speaking and debating.

88:Ever have plastic surgery?

I don’t think so

89:Which are better black or green olives?

I dislike olives

90:Can you knit or crochet?

No

91:Best room for a fireplace?

The drawing room or a snug

92:Do you want to get married?

Yes

93:If married, how long have you been married?

94:Who was your HS crush?

95:Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?

No, I can’t stand people like that. Accept it and move on.

96:Do you have kids?

No

97:Do you want kids?

Yes

98:Whats your favorite color?

Electric blue or green, I like bright and vibrant colours but at the same time I like grey and indigo

99:Do you miss anyone right now?

Yes, my best mates.

Tomorrow I am off to visit Buckingham University, I really hope I like it as it has the course I really want to do, not to mention it would mean I can apply straight to them without having to bother with all that UCAS rubbish.

After that I’m going to be seeing my friends Tess and Bertie in London which will be great as I haven’t seen them for a while. I’m also going to be visiting my first proper school which is going to great, I have a meeting with the headmaster who was by far one of the coolest people I had ever met when I was little due to his whole outlook on life and his general demeanour. Also some of my favourite and some of the best teachers I’ve ever had were at that school so it’ll be great to see them!

I really must try to update this blog more as I have hardly posted anything! I think it’ll be far more “active” once I am travelling as I’ll be using it as a means to keep people updated on where I am etc etc so they don’t think I’ve been abducted or something ridiculous like that.

The gym. Used to go 3-4 times a week but now all I can do is home workouts which really aren’t as fun or as good, not to mention I need to get a bench now that I’ve finally got a barbell.

Eugh I just feel really slobish and fat because I haven’t done anything, it really sucks!

Why wont it work!?!?

It was working fine for me but since last night its just not been posting anything al;dkjfl;sadjf its so annoying!