hintofsarcasm
am i still ill?
Archive for Personal
February 1, 2008 at 11:21 · Filed under Personal
A few of you have messaged me asking where the shots of the Northern Lights are, after-all, this was the entire purpose of my trek to Iceland.
Unfortunately, during my visit the country was experiencing its worst snow in eight years* which created sufficient cloud cover for the trip to be called off.
So, I arrive back wonderless. Am I disappointed? Mildly. But, it was made up for by a great night out in Reykjavik on Saturday night, where I found out first hand that it really is as trendy as I heard it was, think Greenwich Village but smaller and of course colder.
This of course gives steam to my plan to visit Canada, where aurora borealis is of course widely visible in the Northern territories like Yukon and Manitoba.
*According to a local taxi driver, the capital Reykjavik usually has some snow but it rarely sticks, not often do they have this much.
January 28, 2008 at 13:40 · Filed under Personal
Stuck in Limbo for 24 hours, I’m finally on the last leg of my journey home.
Airports are devilish places, being in a world where the proprietors of business are deluded to the point that a cheese sandwich is worth £5, but worse still, normally sensible people, myself included, become convinced that this is fair and reach for the cash. The surroundings, by design, break you down to the point that you’re completely at their mercy.
After a two hour delay at Reykjavik, due to adverse weather conditions (it was blowing a 100mph gale, literally), subsequently missing my connecting train to Cardiff, I found myself at the Paddington Hilton, trying to catch some ZzZ’s, but finding the bed rather too large to get comfortable in. Eventually though, gladly, it happened.
Iceland is a beautiful country, when covered in snow. Draped in rain clouds however, as it was on the morning of departure, it became all too familiarly drab. But perhaps I’m being too pessimistic? After all, is anywhere picturesque when lit through grey storm clouds? Not my favourite backdrop, I will admit.
A most perfect Saturday morning was achieved at the Blue Lagoon spa, undoubtedly the most relaxing experience that I believe I have ever had, and this is a high honour coming from someone who has been to some of the most peaceful and beautiful corners of the world.
The water being geothermal, seawater heated naturally underground to 39c and being high in mineral content, the experience was delectable. The salt content also being so high that it was almost possible to float completely unaided only adds to the sense of pure relaxation. I could be forgiven for assuming that it in some way contributes to the fact that Iceland has extraordinarily low crime rates. If only this kind of therapy could be attained here in the UK, road rage and street violence would be unheard of.
My favourite SLR-bridge camera stopped working just a week before the trip, I was rewarded for investing in a new one, however. Some of the shots that I managed to get are spectacular. They are currently up on Facebook, and after being cropped, re-touched and made into ‘final’ shots they will appear on my FlickR photostream. Oh, and there’s a mildly amusing video too which will be YouTube’d as soon as I get home.
Ps.
Commiserations to all those supposed to be enjoying Morrissey at the London Roundhouse on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, only to have him cancel and send on Russell Brand, Jonathan Ross and David Walliams to explain the situation. Being ill is fine by us Mozzer, but for heaven’s sake, don’t send out those cucumbers to settle a crowd of mostly 30-40 year old male’s!
January 25, 2008 at 04:25 · Filed under Personal
How many times have I wanted to ditch Wales in favour of a warmer climate, a new life, away from everything? A smidgen more than most, I would be willing to bet.
Today I took it one step further than a dream, packed my bags and headed off to the airport, destination; Reykjavik, Iceland.
The snow laden runway was the first sign that I had arrived somewhere new, somewhere away from the mundane surroundings that form the life that I lead.
I work, I eat, I sleep, I go out, I have the occasional manic episode, and the cycle starts again. But, I’m making it sound worse than it is, I do enjoy the times that I have, but perhaps it’s time to find something new. Let’s rephrase that, somewhere new. Or is that just running away?
The snow is really coming down now and it’s -4c, it really makes me revere being a smoker, seeing as they have a smoking ban here too, so I’m banished outside.
After a total of 14 hours of travelling, I’m winding down now with a beer, or three, in the hotel bar, at almost 430am. It’s pleasurable, if I block out the amazingly drunk Icelanders who are hanging around, undoubtedly because it’s one of the only bars around that is still open.
Somehow I managed to pack 25kg in my luggage, not including hand luggage. This includes pretty much all of my camera equipment, as tomorrow I shall be taking a trip to see Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. Tripod, new camera, lenses, all will help me to capture it in all of it’s glory for you, and who knows, I might have some kind of an epiphany?
January 24, 2008 at 18:30 · Filed under Personal
I write this from International departures, Terminal 1, Heathrow Airport, London. Late passengers are being called, but I’m just relaxing with a hot Latte from Starbucks, I have over two hours until my flight boards.
The train was delayed, which would have jeopardised my plans had I not given myself 6 hours between leaving Cardiff and take-off time.
Maneouvering my huge luggage case through Paddington station to the Heathrow Express platform was a trip in itself, weaving in and out of the London commuters, trying not to scoop any of them up in the process.
Security at “the world’s busiest airport” was surprising easily passed through, although I’m still not a fan of the ‘remove your shoes’ policy, at least I was allowed to take two bags through and into the cabin with me, and my laptop was allowed to stay in my bag, it’s such a palava taking it out and putting in those trays.
My destination? I’m keeping it a secret for now.
I’m using it as time to get away from life and shall be traveling alone. Perhaps I’ll let you know when I arrive there, later this evening.
October 15, 2007 at 09:12 · Filed under Personal
As can be seen, an update has been a long time coming.
A lot of things have been different for me in the past few months and hence I haven’t been able to put my thoughts into words as coherantly as I once could, so I have abstained.
Sterility has been playing on my mind since things started to change and I’m adamant that I don’t want to remain inproductive, at least not for any prolonged period of time.
This hiatus may be over in a shorter time than it has taken for me to announce it, but I do want to keep my options open for the time being, and also leaving this place dormant without so much as an explaination does play on my mind, I don’t want to forever lose a significant slice of the readership that I have established over such a long time.
Stick with me on this.
March 4, 2007 at 11:09 · Filed under Personal
March 1st is St Davids Day, the Princes Trust also use this day to raise money under the moniker “Go Red for Wales”.
The company that I work for put a lot of effort into this day and this year there was a lot going on throughout the building all day, from throwing wet sponges at managers to leg waxing.
For the Wii Sports tournament that I organised, Cardiff Blues & Welsh international players Rhys Williams & Robin Sowden-Taylor came along to help raise the profile of the tournament and raise even more cash for the Princes Trust.
The final total is yet to be released, as there are still auctions running, but the amount is currently at over £3,000.
February 20, 2007 at 22:41 · Filed under Personal
Just something for your perusal during this dry spell…enjoy!
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
December 25, 2006 at 13:26 · Filed under Personal
To all my readers, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Stick with me, this site is going to undergo some changes in style during 2007, and that doesn’t mean by look.
I’m tired of the writing style that iis being used at the moment, as you can probably tell from the lack of posts.
Watch this space during January.
October 31, 2006 at 13:18 · Filed under Personal
New posts coming soon..
August 23, 2006 at 15:42 · Filed under Personal
So, Paris Hilton says that she, like, cries, and stuff, when she listens to her new album, how amazing.
But, at least Lindsay Lohan is getting her come-uppance.
Nobody was fooled by Tara Reid in the first place.
Jade Goody is going into slow decline and Charlotte Church is soon to be shamed with her new TV show which promises to be a total train wreck. I mean, Charlotte Church doing stand-up comedy? Give me a stick of dynamite and put me in the audience, please.
So, does all this mean that the celebrity fascination culture is finally coming to a head and that the public may finally see it for what it is and fight back? Are public burnings of OK!, Closer, Hello, New!, Heat, love it, More & Now magazines on the horizon? One can only hope. Look out for me, I’ll be at the front of the crowd with Jordan tied to a stake.
Next entries »
