Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in games_update's LiveJournal:

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Saturday, September 5th, 2009
8:05 pm	Stole from Ally 25 Years Ago, I... Did not exist. 20 Years Ago, I... 1. ... could walk (possibly better than I can now ha ha). 15 Years Ago, I... 1. ...moved First School and made friends with the wrong people. 10 Years Ago, I... 1. ...was starting to take an interest in the opposite sex. 2. ...developed an interest in writing fiction. 5 Years Ago, I... 1.... was just about to embark on studying at The University of Warwick. 2.... acquired my first piercings - lip and tongue (I have since taken both out). 3.... wore make up every day. 3 Years Ago, I... 1. ...passed my driving test. 2. ...ended my longest, but by no means best, relationship. 3. ...found that arthritis was making every day tasks that little bit harder (and still it makes it harder). 2 Years Ago, I... 1. ...met Dan Welsh - and what a great guy he is with a great taste in music. 2. ...started my Personal Writing Project. 3. ...saw Nevermore and Testament at Bloodstock. 1 Year Ago, I... 1. ... graduated. 2. ... decided that this September I *would* know what career I was pursuing and would be taking active steps to pursue it. 3. ... wanted to get back to writing regularly. 4... met the most lovely lady in the world. Yesterday, I... 1. ... wanted to get back to writing regularly. 2. ... was sent home ill from work. 3. ... watched an episode from Season 2, Volume 2 of Masters of Horror. Today, I... 1. ... want to get back to writing regularly. 2. ... dropped Jo off at work. 3. ... heard the latest Porcupine Tree album. Tomorrow, I'll... 1. ... stop procrastinating. 2. ... sort out my life. 3. ... get back into writing regularly. Current Mood: Ill, melancholy, concerned. Current Music: The Incident - Porcupine Tree (Comment on this)
Monday, June 22nd, 2009
10:14 pm	Today I had my first day of Commercial Litigation law experience in Oxford. I wrote a post about in but because of confidentiality and the fact that I'm working on a current case I haven't been able to publish it publicly. Essentially it was a great day - the travelling has taken it out of me though - and the work experience I am doing is relevant to an actual case and what I am preparing will be used in court on Wednesday. This is most definitely a very positive work experience placement irrespective of whether I make it through the assessment centre. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
10:07 pm	I am studying a law conversion course at The College of Law next year so I have been spending quite a lot of my time researching law companies and trying to sort out a training contract for 2011. Unfortunately I have, thus far, only managed to submit one application although I have received an invite, as of yesterday, to an interview at the end of June. Seeing as so much money rests on this - 2 years sponsorship worth about 25K and 2 year contract with the firm after this I'll be making every effort to succeed, including - reluctantly - cutting off most of my hair to give a professional image, so any hair style suggestions preferably with pictures are welcome. In other news I am also trying to get my creative writing in full swing. There's the start of a novel I've had hanging around for the past 9 months that I haven't touched much which is about six chapters long, but I just tend to find that after that amount of time it's best to try and start another project. I'm struggling with this one, but I bashed out a quick 700 word introduction to a piece this evening, so if I can keep doing that (and ideally a LOT more) a few evenings a week and then a lot more over the weekend I could get things going again. (Comment on this)
Monday, April 6th, 2009
9:28 pm	Spinal Tap & My Hair This entry will be short and sweet. Firstly on 30th June 2009 Spinal Tap are playing at Wembley. I urge everybody to be there (so long as I can buy a bloody ticket - please don't be there if this will ruin my chances of getting a ticket ha ha). So far myself, Jo, Dan and Yol are going and I expect many more will. The most cutting edge men in rock, the innovators of turning things up to 11!!! I mean really, does it get much better? Secondly I'm wondering about getting an undercut soon. Quite a subtle one, not an outrageously high one, but just something to give a bit of definition and to feed into my sideburns as it were. As I'll be studying law and having interviews with lawyers I'm going to probably have to cut the bloody stuff off at some point (ewww at conformity) so I thought I might as well give the undercut business a go before it goes. It will make it look a bit different when up and because it will be quite a low one be bearly noticeable when down. Any thoughts on the matter? Current Music: Nothing now but Pendragon and of course Spinal Tap earlier! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, April 5th, 2009
9:36 am	I don't seem to have much time to do anything these days, so with such a busy schedule it's no wonder that the notion of updating a LiveJournal is very much put on hold. However, I have about half an hour before I have to leave the house for work so I feel I can spare the time for a bit of an update. So much to say given that I've nearly left it a year *again*, but let's see what's gone on: - I commenced the PGCE in September 2008. I stuck with it until the end of term 1 but decided that it really wasn't for me. I had chosen to specialise in teaching the wrong age group and would have enjoyed more satisfaction had I been teaching my own subject at GCSE or A Level rather than a bit of everything at Primary level. From there I decided to take some time out to gain some money and decide what career I wanted to pursue in September. - As a result I have been working as a Business Support advisor for a housing association in Coventry, a toy shop assistant in Warwick and a private tutor in Leamington. I believe this coupled with my search for a career, applications and attempts at writing would account for my lack of time. - As of next week I start working for the Asset Management part of the housing association as I have just secured a new, higher paid job at the Stratford branch so fingers crossed for that. - I have decided to pursue law next year and have been offered a place at The College of Law in Birmingham, I currently have a place on the full time course but am going to weigh up whether to switch to part time given that I could then still have a full time job and won't accrue as much debt - on the flip side it will take me twice as long - this one has been troubling me. - In addition to living with Sam I have been living with my girlfriend since early January. - My creative writing seems to be taking a back seat due to all my commitments and worries which I'm not terribly happy about, but as soon as I secure my future and career I can really drum away at this once again - although I'm desperately trying to get into a routine writing a little bit a week anyway. With any trade you have to practice regularly to ensure you don't lose it. Hopefully I'll update this again at some point in the not too distant future but who knows? Listen to prog. Current Music: Demians - Building an empire (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
7:22 pm	My goodness - an entry! I last wrote one of these bad boys over a year ago, but I've decided to succumb to the joys of LJ once again. I am currently undertaking a placement at a Primary School where I am teaching and assisting teaching in preperation for the Primary PGCE that I commence in September. On the subject of that I have been sent a shed load of paperwork to fill in and given lots of prepatory reading, as if the stress of getting a job and writing a novel over the Summer was not enough! It's certainly rather draining adjusting yourself to school life. I can't say I've been used to getting up every day of the week at 6:30am for a very long time - the last time was probably when I used to go to school, and even then it was rarely that early as I lived a fifteen minute walk from my high school ^_^. Prior to the few weeks I'm doing now in schools I had gone in weekly during Term 2 where I had been assisting the teaching of a year five (nine and ten year olds) class. Doing this once a week is fine, but doing it full time certainly steps things up a notch, although I'm enjoying it lots. I think the hardest part is trying to work out what age group I want to teach. There's such a contrast from taking a reception class (4 and 5) to year 6 (10 and 11). I am going to detail a few of the days and things I have been up to, but it will probably be all over the place and may not be in one entry as I am going to have to go and cook some dinner for myself and Mr. Illingworth, who will be visiting later this evening. Today I taught year five low ability Mathematics. I had spent last night writing up a worksheet on word problems that can be solve using addition and subtraction sums. To try and make it interesting I used subjects that the children may have some interest in; football, music and xbox all spring to mind (because I'm a cool teacher and down with all the latest trends and technology innit!). I'm not entirely happy with how the lesson went, because for all that hard work preparing the sheet and lesson I didn't even use half the material. Last night I had been a bit worried that I hadn't got enough material but in actuality I had too much and spent lots of time explaining very basic Maths because the children had trouble identifying sums that made the number 354. What didn't help is that yesterday when I had worked with the group they had expressed it was rather easy, so I stepped it up a notch. If you're a pupil you should never tell the teacher your work is too easy unless you're prepared for more advanced stuff! I don't think it helped that I am not a full time teacher, they sometimes think they can take liberties and mess about - so I had to implement the usual tricks to get them to behave: - threaten them with being sent to the deputy head. - explain that they will be kept behind at lunch if the work is not complete. - give them the reward of stars/stickers for good behaviour. It's amazing how a boisterous class suddenly get rather attentive and well behaved with the promise of a simple sticker. I am going to mark the work they managed to do tonight, but I do wish I had had more time to explain things in the lesson - I should have had two hours not one hour!! Although in fairness they're not an easy group to work with, so two hours would have been relatively demanding. I find if they don't understand something I feel it's my fault, I really want these kids to learn so try and teach them as much as I can. Sophie (fellow trainee teacher) says that I'm too hard on myself - perhaps I am! In the afternoon I spent some time with year 2 (6 and 7 year olds). I had never experienced this year group before but they turned out to be rather delightful. One thing I have noticed with the lower year groups; nursery - year 2 is that they get very very excited about their teachers, and in all year groups I've found that you'll generally have a few pupils that take an instance shine to you. There's a blonde girl in year 5 who told me off today because I haven't helped out in enough of her Maths lessons and she likes it when I'm there - I found that utterly adorable! Anyway in year 2 I helped out in P.E. and "topic" which was essentially drawing a plant/flower outside followed by a story about a very hungry dragon with impeccable manners!! For afternoon playtime (oh year the lower years get that privilege - how lucky!!) I helped out on playground duty. On the playground for the upper years you'll find that you're trying to stop fights, bullying and making sure nobody gets hit in the face with a football!! On playground duty for the lower years you have to make sure people don't fall over, and look after crying children. As well as that you have very excited children, like a girl in year 1 who kept tugging on my jacket and wanting to hold my hand. I had to look after a girl who had been pushed off a bench - my goodness I forgot how much kids wail when they've been knocked over, they're worse than me after a break up!! I forgot to mention that I assisted with the teaching of a year five French lesson in the morning. My knowledge of French is somewhat limited and something I want to brush up on, but I can certainly manage the days of the week and playing a game of Simon Says what body part to touch in French - which was the level of today's lesson!! As a sidenote I'm thinking about teaching myself a language over the Summer, perhaps Italian or Spanish. I'll get some text books and perhaps one of those audio tapes. If anybody has any suggestions then please let me know! So there we have it a somewhat short version of my day, soon to be followed by shorter versions of other days!! Current Mood: I have a cold! (8 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, March 19th, 2007
5:07 am	Late Night Update with Energy-fuelled Wilson It's been a funny old month really. Certainly there have been a lot of mixed feelings and emotions. Right now it's Monday morning at 5:10am and I guess it is Easter vacation. The reality is that my vacation has yet to begin, I have a deadling in just under 10 hours time - Monday 3pm, Poetry and Society essay. I had an extension for my European Theatre one which I gave in on Friday. I thought that these would be the worst two essays of my University career. In truth the Theatre essay is appalling so I'll set my aim to have a low 2:1 or high 2:2 for that. It's a pity because I researched it well but ultimately apathetic depression hit me pretty bad and I seem to lapse in concentration. This poetry and society essay though is progressing quite nicely, or at least I think it is. Now there's a hell of a lot of a backstory and waffling in it but I reckon it has a chance of getting a reasonable mark. I don't think it will beat the last poetry essay but perhaps a mid 2:1 wouldn't be out of the question. At the moment it is 1038 words - the limit is 3,500. However, the amount of notes I had actually exceeded the word limit and the notes were put into a nice structured order so the process I am going through at the moment is rewording and just piecing together what is essentially already there. I have gone through 1 and a half bottles of Kick and a couple of Pro Plus tablets to stay focussed. I never pull all nighters - the last time I did was before an Ancient Philosophy exam - however I have never had to finish something the morning after and I intend to keep it this way, plus I am meant to see Sam tomorrow morning. So essentially you could deduce that I am sacrificing my sleep for Mr. Illingworth; what love I have for him!! I have decided that my goals over Easter are to improve myself physically, as a person and as a writer. I have to stay focussed on these goals and see that I meet them. Hopefully if I do all this I will feel better - that is the theory anyway. I suppose I should get back to the essay now and piece the rest of it together, I would like some sleep even if it's a power nap :p. I don't think I should take any more pro plus though and I might have to lay off the energy drink, I'm beginning to feel side effects and I remember when I drank nine cups of coffee or something silly with lots of sugar one morning to stay away; my goodness that was silly. Maybe Ally will remember, I was going into Birmingham that day to get my hair done; I informed her of my silly behaviour, I had the shakes and felt most unwell; happy days (two semicolons in one sentence - that was daring). I hope that everybody has an enjoyable Easter ^_^ *squish*. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, March 5th, 2007
11:47 pm	My moods are still fluctuating as is my motivation and general energy levels. Is it really pathetic that everytime I feel low I feel like I should announce it? It's not even a cry for sympathy, I just feel as if simply writing "I feel shit" might make it better. I guess this is probably because it's been announced so to speak and I don't have to keep it up inside me. Anyway my mood is fluctuating for the worse right now, but it goes up and down. Michael (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, March 1st, 2007
12:01 pm	Some good news. I have been down and depressed recently about various things, as a result I have been rather apathetic and unable to motivate myself with my university studies. I found out today that I am getting an extension on both of my essay deadlines which is good as it means I can stress less and hopefully motivate myself to get back on track. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, February 28th, 2007
1:57 am	Horrific, depraved, hilarious, offensive. I received some assessed creative writing back today. The opening comment reads as follows: "A shocking portfolio - horrific, depraved, hilarious, offensive." I am extremely pleased with that, I would love something like that to be a quote on my first novel. For a horror writer to have feedback like that is a huge compliment, it gave me something to smile about. Incidentally I also got a first for the work and thus smiled twice - I guess that would make today a good day. I hope tomorrow is ok I have to go to the hospital in Kidderminster to see a specialist about my arthritis. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, February 22nd, 2007
12:06 am	Life and dilemmas (edited) I have recently ended a 20 month relationship with Rebekah Kirkland. Throughout those twenty months I have experienced so many emotions both positive and negative. It would be pretty apt and cliche to say that I have indeed been on a rollercoaster ride and much like the initial thrill of the rollercoaster I am saddenned to have to walk away. Unfortunately, no matter how much you love somebody sometimes things aren't meant to be, sometimes there is a reason for things going wrong and the same issues reoccuring. It's tough to finish with the one you love but it can also be a necessity, for love alone no matter how pure cannot always substantiate a meaningful and happy relationship. When I was with Rebekah, I didn't really feel that I could keep a blog or diary. I like to be completely honest and uncensored but with a partner this is a somewhat stupid thing to do, and thus until now I have not had a blog. Towards the end of the relationship she used to take things further and appear "frightened" and "worried" by my writing. I'm not speaking of a diary but rather my horror fiction, the problem was she found it difficult to seperate the artist from the art. Whilst I took it as a compliment that fear could be evoked through my fiction I took it as a great insult that she failed to differentiate between the author and novel. My two aspirations in life have *always* been to have at least one of my loves published and to fall in love and live happily ever after in some sort of fairytale ending. Unfortunately she was acting in a way which meant the two aspirations were conflicting. Why should I compromise my writing which has been with me for my entire life for her? I guess the answer was simply that she was becoming my life - although that chapter now seems to have come to a stand still in no uncertain terms. As a result of the split up I have found myself spiralling into apathetic depression. Only recently have I started thinking about my writing and university work again. Rather the last week or so has involved me feeling sorry for myself, too many tears for a man (big boys don't cry), and an absolute lack of incentive to do anything. All I can ask myself is "What am I supposed to do?" It was a general question with absolutely no answer and it wasn't specifically directed at anything. To describe my recent state I would say I feel "lost." A sheep with no shepherd, but then again I am my own shepherd, so by turn that would me my own sheep. Aside from the obligatory two essays for the end of term I have a few projects I am involved in at the moment. I am the lead undergraduate applicant for the Broadcast publication (submissions are due soon), I am working on a comedy sketch/stand up material, my novel is in full swing, I seldom write for The Boar (less as of late), and I am working on some ideas for television which are in progress. I am extremely excited about one particular television idea but I cannot really write about it here but will do when I am able to. On a completely seperate note I wonder if anybody knows who is the UK's biggest publisher for first time novelists and if they specialise in a particular genre? This weekend presents me with some decisions as to what I should do. One option is to go back home and see my little brother for his birthday on the Sunday. I really think I should do this as this is the best option of all for it's not superficial and it's not to make me feel like people care, rather it is because I love him and want to be there for him. It is going to be difficult being single, I have never really been single for too long - there are always a few months in between relationships. This time, my standards are set extremely high, there will be no superficiality, just love from now on. I can't slip into shallow ways like so many of us do - I must be strong and I must only go into something for love and love alone. (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, January 26th, 2007
11:05 pm	I received a couple of assessed essay marks back a few days ago. European Theatre: 63. Poetry and Society: 68. Not too bad then, although I'm hoping to get a first which neither of these are. I'm relatively please with the poetry mark and I know that in the grand scheme of things the theatre one isn't ultimately disastrous. In other news I have started another new novel today and it's looking promising :). Wilson. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, January 19th, 2007
1:55 am	MusicProfile.net Hey, I am just writing to create awareness about a new site that aims to bring together musicians and music lovers. It's called Music Profile and can be found at www.musicprofile.net It's about the music rather than *purely* the social aspect as with sites like MySpace. It's just started at the moment and is in the very early stages but if it's promoted enough and enough people use it then it should be really popular with a lot of people using the forums to arrange gigs and to form bands together. Some of the features it has are to search people by their music tastes, the instruments they play etc. It promises to grow and expand within the next few months. If you are a musician or have an interest in music I urge you to check it out and consider signing up. Cheers, Wilson. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, November 20th, 2006
11:02 am	I have lost all my phone numbers. If people could text me their numbers it would be appreciated. Thank you, Michael. (Comment on this)
Monday, October 16th, 2006
2:05 pm	Grrr The show is at 9PM. I wish people would stop messing me about. Wilson. (Comment on this)
Saturday, October 14th, 2006
1:55 pm	Wilson's Corner Update It is now on 8:30pm - 10:00pm. An extra half an hour of Wilson goodness :). (Comment on this)
Thursday, October 12th, 2006
9:07 pm	The Corner Returns! The return of Wilson's Corner is back! Warwick University's best alternative music show. It will return this Monday 9pm - 10pm. There's humour, randomness and alternative music. If anybody has any requests for songs for the first show please send me a message as we are very much a show for the people. Keep rockin' metal warriors! Wilson. ---------- To listen to Wilson's Corner on RAW simply go to http://www.radio.warwick.a c.uk and select the listen option. Wilson's Corner Monday 9PM *ONLY* ON RAW! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, October 8th, 2006
6:27 pm	Those steroid injections really do hurt. I am in a fair bit of pain now, and can't put pressure on my right heel (which is a pity). As I live a forty minute walk from campus I am going to investigate the possibilities of campus accomodation. Does anybody know anything about the process of applying for campus accomodation and the time it takes to get accomodation? I am hoping since I wish to move for medical reasons it will be quicker than most. Any help is very welcome. Thank you, Michael. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, October 2nd, 2006
1:30 pm	I just found out that I have inflammatory arthritis for life, and I have something called plantar fascitiis on both my heels and need steroid injections on Friday. I am hoping the steroid injections will help get rid of the pain. As for the arthritis it looks like it may be tablets for life. (8 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, September 21st, 2006
10:06 pm	Seven albums Casper tagged me :). List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your LiveJournal along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to. As with Caz I am going to do albums, it makes life easier. 1. Motorhead - Kiss of Death: I managed to acquire a copy of this the other day. It's your usual dose of Motorhead old skool metal really. Lemmy never faulters :). 2. Glenn Hughes/Iommi - '96 Dep Sessions: I am really getting into Glenn Hughes, the guy can do no wrong and with Iommi playing the guitar this is a Godly combo. Check out the song "Gone" from it, the best song in the entire world right now. 3. Glenn Hughes - Songs in the Key of Rock: The title speaks for itself, classic rock from the voice of rock himself Glenn Hughes. 4. Glenn Hughes - Soulmover: A bit more from former Deep Purple bassist. I can't wait to see him at the end of October :). 5. Journey - The Essential Journey: For those into old power ballads this one's for you - retro! 6. Dream Theater - Six Degrees: Because they are quite possibly the best band in the world. A prog classic. I tag Ally and Griff. Current Music: The Glass Prison - DT (Comment on this)