With the practice phase of the Media practical out of the way, we have moved to the second: This involves producing a full 1-3 minute clip based on a poem and we are to work in groups. Today, we formed our groups, named them and took the group photos, as is required. Groups were also required to create logos but I'm not aware of any that did and this will have to be completed before the next workshop.
The video we have to produce and its subsequent reflection piece is the final piece of work in this particular module, as far as I'm aware. The work involved will still take the rest of this term and the next to complete.
Tuesday 28 February 2017
Monday 27 February 2017
On the college's website
Sunday 26 February 2017
Photoshoot, pork and crackling
This afternoon was spent at my mother's and brother's house. While I was mostly there to simply see them for the day, my brother required my assistance for a photoshoot he needed to complete for an assignment of his that he wants to submit next week. Naturally, I was happy to help.
We had roast pork for dinner - something that none of us have eaten for a while - and tomorrow I'll be back over to eat some of the pork crackling that was cooked tonight. I have an academic assembly to attend first, so I'll head over to theirs once that is finished.
We had roast pork for dinner - something that none of us have eaten for a while - and tomorrow I'll be back over to eat some of the pork crackling that was cooked tonight. I have an academic assembly to attend first, so I'll head over to theirs once that is finished.
Saturday 25 February 2017
Afternoon of buses
As a reward to myself for my recent hard work on and completion of my Media essay, I spent the afternoon riding buses. For the first time ever, I rode Skylink Express all the way to the airport to see what the rest of the route was like. I then rode the regular Skylink back to Nottingham, followed by the Threes to Mansfield, the Nines to Derby and Indigo back to Nottingham.
Might seem like a waste of time but it wasn't; I enjoyed seeing the sights of the journey again and it was a relaxing way to spend a Saturday after a particularly busy week.
Might seem like a waste of time but it wasn't; I enjoyed seeing the sights of the journey again and it was a relaxing way to spend a Saturday after a particularly busy week.
Friday 24 February 2017
Another late-night library visit
One of the many benefits of living on-campus is being able to access the library at any time; it's even better when the library is open 24/7 during term time. I've visited the library several time between the hours of 22:00 and 2:00 but tonight is one the rare times I've gone after leaving the shower; in fact, tonight I went to the library immediately after getting dressed after my shower. I decided to obtain now rather than tomorrow a book I need to read for Tuesday.
And thanks to visiting the library at this time frequently, I am familiar with two of the librarians who usually run the library late at night.
And thanks to visiting the library at this time frequently, I am familiar with two of the librarians who usually run the library late at night.
Thursday 23 February 2017
Media assignment (due 23rd February) redux
The assignment that I hads due for today is now complete and was submitted well ahead of the deadline. As such, that is another major piece of this year's work out the way and I have a small reprieve before I need to start work on a new assignment. For the moment, it's mostly my usual reading that I have to complete, which I slightly ahead on because I read in advance one of the books so that I'd have more time for my assignment.
I'll have some free time this Saturday and I intend to use it to relax a little. A bus trip sounds like a good idea!
I'll have some free time this Saturday and I intend to use it to relax a little. A bus trip sounds like a good idea!
Wednesday 22 February 2017
Media assignment (due 23rd February)
For my main Media module (not the one with the practical work), there is an assignment due for it tomorrow afternoon at 5:00pm. While I've conducted some research on it in advance, I've only started writing it this past week; I have another couple of hundred words or so to write and then I'll be able to submit it before my American literature lecture and seminar tomorrow.
I was up until 4:30am today writing it and expect, when factoring in some other things I have to do in the next few hours, to be working on it until close to that time past midnight. The reason for writing it during the night is because Wednesday is my only non-lecture day during the week and I was able to plan it so that I'd be able to work for much of two nights and all of one day. I have also fit sleep in when needed, so I am resting.
I was up until 4:30am today writing it and expect, when factoring in some other things I have to do in the next few hours, to be working on it until close to that time past midnight. The reason for writing it during the night is because Wednesday is my only non-lecture day during the week and I was able to plan it so that I'd be able to work for much of two nights and all of one day. I have also fit sleep in when needed, so I am resting.
Tuesday 21 February 2017
New Media developments
In my Media module with the practical work, today the groups from last week edited the footage we filmed to turn it into a meaningful clip. We all succeeded in doing this, although the only part that few people were able to achieve was adding a music track to our clips (using copyright-free music, of course). For the first time ever, I edited video clips and made a full 1-minute clip from them. Yay!
Next week, our practice groups will become official teams and we will start work on a video project that will last for the rest of this academic year. It is unknown if we will be able to stick with the groups we already formed or will be asked to work with other people in the workshop. Given that most people know each other, this shouldn't be too much of a problem, if at all.
Next week, our practice groups will become official teams and we will start work on a video project that will last for the rest of this academic year. It is unknown if we will be able to stick with the groups we already formed or will be asked to work with other people in the workshop. Given that most people know each other, this shouldn't be too much of a problem, if at all.
Monday 20 February 2017
"T2 Trainspotting"
A friend and I recently went to watch T2 Trainspotting, the sequel to Trainspotting, which was released back in 1996. Dad, my brother and I watched Trainspotting many years ago and it was, if I recall correctly, amongst Dad's favourite films; the soundtrack was certainly an aspect that he loved, anyway. I never expected a sequel to ever be released but my friend and I agreed we'd go see it, given our mutual appreciation for the original.
While I was excited about the film, a part of me was concerned that T2 Trainspotting would not hold up well to the original, as is common with sequels. However, I was highly pleased and relieved when I enjoyed T2 Trainspotting as much as I recall enjoying Trainspotting itself. Seeing the consequences of the first film bare themselves out 20 years later in the second turned out to be a fantastic plot; I was impressed.
I do think that Dad would have enjoyed the film if he'd still been around. There was nothing in it that he would have considered "tacky" and the humour between the two movies held up well. He would have liked it, I am sure.
And speaking of the soundtrack, here is the Creative Commission version of a song associated with Trainspotting, "Born Slippy .NUXX" by Underworld:
While I was excited about the film, a part of me was concerned that T2 Trainspotting would not hold up well to the original, as is common with sequels. However, I was highly pleased and relieved when I enjoyed T2 Trainspotting as much as I recall enjoying Trainspotting itself. Seeing the consequences of the first film bare themselves out 20 years later in the second turned out to be a fantastic plot; I was impressed.
I do think that Dad would have enjoyed the film if he'd still been around. There was nothing in it that he would have considered "tacky" and the humour between the two movies held up well. He would have liked it, I am sure.
And speaking of the soundtrack, here is the Creative Commission version of a song associated with Trainspotting, "Born Slippy .NUXX" by Underworld:
Sunday 19 February 2017
Deflection over Executive Order 9066
Today marks the signing of Executive Order 9066 in the United States. This order was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and led to the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. In modern society, the internment camps are noted as a stain on America.
Actor George Takei was interned in one of these camps when he was a child; as a result, he is against anything that remotely resembles them ever returning. On his Facebook page, he often posts about the camps and why it is important for them to never re-materialize in any form. Any reasonable human being would agree with him.
Unfortunately, whenever the internment camps are raised in Internet discussion, there are some people who don't listen to the message that the camps were unacceptable and shouldn't return. These people instead use the camps to deflect from any terrible policies developed by today's Republican Party. Why? Because FDR was a Democratic president and in their eyes, this is enough to dismiss any civil rights progression the Democrats have achieved in the seven and a half decades since.
No one has ever argued that because a Democratic president issued an order to set up the internment camps that the camps were therefore okay. No one. In fact, that a Democrat did issue it is part of the reason why today's Democrats are vocal about how terrible the camps were and why they should never be seen again; the main reason, of course, is that it's morally wrong to isolate and segregate people based on their ethnicity. "A Democrat did it!" is just a childish deflection from developments in American politics today.
The message here? Yes, a Democratic president was behind the internment camps for Japanese Americans in the latter half of World War II but no one today says that it was acceptable because the president was a Democrat; the people who discuss the camps now are doing so to remind others that they were a dark part of American history and should remain in the past.
Actor George Takei was interned in one of these camps when he was a child; as a result, he is against anything that remotely resembles them ever returning. On his Facebook page, he often posts about the camps and why it is important for them to never re-materialize in any form. Any reasonable human being would agree with him.
Unfortunately, whenever the internment camps are raised in Internet discussion, there are some people who don't listen to the message that the camps were unacceptable and shouldn't return. These people instead use the camps to deflect from any terrible policies developed by today's Republican Party. Why? Because FDR was a Democratic president and in their eyes, this is enough to dismiss any civil rights progression the Democrats have achieved in the seven and a half decades since.
No one has ever argued that because a Democratic president issued an order to set up the internment camps that the camps were therefore okay. No one. In fact, that a Democrat did issue it is part of the reason why today's Democrats are vocal about how terrible the camps were and why they should never be seen again; the main reason, of course, is that it's morally wrong to isolate and segregate people based on their ethnicity. "A Democrat did it!" is just a childish deflection from developments in American politics today.
The message here? Yes, a Democratic president was behind the internment camps for Japanese Americans in the latter half of World War II but no one today says that it was acceptable because the president was a Democrat; the people who discuss the camps now are doing so to remind others that they were a dark part of American history and should remain in the past.
Saturday 18 February 2017
"Hello (Laibert Remix)" - Adele
For some bizarre reason, over the past few days I've been singing at random occasions the "hello from the other side" section of Adele's "Hello". Before I write any more about this, here is my favourite remix of "Hello"; I have it on my phone:
I'm not sure why I've suddenly started singing Adele. I don't listen to her music that often and I've only heard "Hello" a handful of times or so; I either heard her song sometime recently or thought about it, either of which has caused me to start this and made me want to listen to "Hello" again.
I'm not sure why I've suddenly started singing Adele. I don't listen to her music that often and I've only heard "Hello" a handful of times or so; I either heard her song sometime recently or thought about it, either of which has caused me to start this and made me want to listen to "Hello" again.
Friday 17 February 2017
Liveland History: 17th February 2012
A seemingly minor event from five years ago suddenly means so much more now:
On that day, I went for a walk with Dad and my brother; on said walk, I ended up taking them through mud. Sadly, I don't remember, so that blog post (and a possible diary entry, if I wrote a comprehensive one that day) is the only memory I have of it.
A walk through mud - or through anywhere - with Dad is now a distant part of my past; those days died when he did.
On that day, I went for a walk with Dad and my brother; on said walk, I ended up taking them through mud. Sadly, I don't remember, so that blog post (and a possible diary entry, if I wrote a comprehensive one that day) is the only memory I have of it.
A walk through mud - or through anywhere - with Dad is now a distant part of my past; those days died when he did.
Thursday 16 February 2017
More obnoxiousness
I posted this to Facebook a few hours ago:
"We're currently in an age of the Internet in which posting memes or claiming that someone needs a safe space are somehow considered both valid and winning 'arguments' against a well-researched point. Just when you think it couldn't possibly worsen, online incivility manages to pull our shorts up over our heads and tie them in a knot* by sinking to a lower level.
What is it now? The latest trolling method comes in the form of the 'trash dove' - a gif of a purple cartoon dove, which is used to derail discussions by obnoxiously flooding comment areas with it. People give up debating when they have to scroll through some clown posting the gif 50 times or more in one thread.
(*not my phrase)"
Honestly, this new troll tactic involving the dove gif is really obnoxious. I wouldn't be surprised if this is a new alt-right trick; in recent months, people have been responding to alt-right insults by either wearing them with pride or throwing them back. As a result, the power of the alt-right's tactics has been reduced. Coming up with a new way to troll is consistent with alt-right Internet behaviour.
"We're currently in an age of the Internet in which posting memes or claiming that someone needs a safe space are somehow considered both valid and winning 'arguments' against a well-researched point. Just when you think it couldn't possibly worsen, online incivility manages to pull our shorts up over our heads and tie them in a knot* by sinking to a lower level.
What is it now? The latest trolling method comes in the form of the 'trash dove' - a gif of a purple cartoon dove, which is used to derail discussions by obnoxiously flooding comment areas with it. People give up debating when they have to scroll through some clown posting the gif 50 times or more in one thread.
(*not my phrase)"
Honestly, this new troll tactic involving the dove gif is really obnoxious. I wouldn't be surprised if this is a new alt-right trick; in recent months, people have been responding to alt-right insults by either wearing them with pride or throwing them back. As a result, the power of the alt-right's tactics has been reduced. Coming up with a new way to troll is consistent with alt-right Internet behaviour.
Wednesday 15 February 2017
The halted walk
This afternoon, I attempted to walk to Ruddington; as is probably clear by now, I often walk down to Ruddington, so an "attempt" to walk there seems out of place. Nevertheless, an attempt is all that happened today.
So what was the problem? The weather didn't appear to be too bad when I left my accommodation; it was cloudy but major rain didn't seem like it would be an issue. Oops. I was halfway to Ruddington when the weather started to chuck it down; I hadn't brought my umbrella and so I was forced to turn around and head back.
Fortunately, this wasn't too much of a defeat: upon my turning around and heading back to Clifton's centre, I saw, leaving one of the stores, a college friend whom I hadn't seen since June. Having a halted walk worked out in this case.
So what was the problem? The weather didn't appear to be too bad when I left my accommodation; it was cloudy but major rain didn't seem like it would be an issue. Oops. I was halfway to Ruddington when the weather started to chuck it down; I hadn't brought my umbrella and so I was forced to turn around and head back.
Fortunately, this wasn't too much of a defeat: upon my turning around and heading back to Clifton's centre, I saw, leaving one of the stores, a college friend whom I hadn't seen since June. Having a halted walk worked out in this case.
Tuesday 14 February 2017
The alternate seminar
The seminar for my main English module was moved to a Tuesday last week and today, my seminar tutor spent the second of two days away from the university. As a result, my seminar group had to find other seminars to attend in the place of our usual tutor being away.
I attended one at 11:00; this seminar group recently had a tutor change and said tutor is herself new to the university. Not only that but the friend of mine from Access who is on the English side of my course was in this group, too, although he was there because it was his native group and not because he had to find another seminar for this week.
The choice I made to attend today's 11:00 seminar was a good one. The tutor herself was highly pleasant and I was with a deeply engaged group. The tutor mentioned about me swapping groups and as tempting as that is, I am loyal to my native group and tutor. Nevertheless, I took her comment as a compliment.
I attended one at 11:00; this seminar group recently had a tutor change and said tutor is herself new to the university. Not only that but the friend of mine from Access who is on the English side of my course was in this group, too, although he was there because it was his native group and not because he had to find another seminar for this week.
The choice I made to attend today's 11:00 seminar was a good one. The tutor herself was highly pleasant and I was with a deeply engaged group. The tutor mentioned about me swapping groups and as tempting as that is, I am loyal to my native group and tutor. Nevertheless, I took her comment as a compliment.
Monday 13 February 2017
An early incentive
As part of being an academic rep at NTU, I am required to attend at least one meeting held by the students' union; this evening, I attended one of these meetings. Now, I'd go whether required to or not but one incentive for this particular meeting was free pizza. When I was at Central, I was known for being punctual; as a result, I arrived at the meeting ten minutes early, both to keep up that reputation and to obtain a decent seat.
When I arrived, the venue was packed and the free pizza was pretty much gone. The prospect of free food appears to be something that can cause others to defeat me at punctuality. I think I should have arrived twenty minutes earlier if I'd wanted pizza and to have obtained a good seat; in the case of the latter, I sat next to a rep I'd met at another meeting, so it wasn't a loss at all.
When I arrived, the venue was packed and the free pizza was pretty much gone. The prospect of free food appears to be something that can cause others to defeat me at punctuality. I think I should have arrived twenty minutes earlier if I'd wanted pizza and to have obtained a good seat; in the case of the latter, I sat next to a rep I'd met at another meeting, so it wasn't a loss at all.
Sunday 12 February 2017
Down to the family
I spent the late afternoon and the entire evening with my mother and brother. I had intended to see them last week but after I fell ill I decided it wasn't a good idea to do so. While I am much, much better now than I was even a week ago, I still possess a slight residual cough but it will fade over the next couple of days or so.
It was good to see my mother and brother for a few hours; I'll next see them in about two weeks, once my next assignment is completed and submitted.
It was good to see my mother and brother for a few hours; I'll next see them in about two weeks, once my next assignment is completed and submitted.
Saturday 11 February 2017
Missing the long posts
Many of my posts here nowadays consist of about one or two paragraphs - three at most. Anything longer is now rare, as I just don't have the time to write longer posts, with all the reading I do. Hey, I haven't even posted a blog party for months, despite promising one for January.
I miss writing long posts but I think the days of those appearing here on a regular basis are from an era that is now long gone. Even picture posts are a rarity; it's been ages since I last posted one of them.
I miss writing long posts but I think the days of those appearing here on a regular basis are from an era that is now long gone. Even picture posts are a rarity; it's been ages since I last posted one of them.
Friday 10 February 2017
"(There's Gotta Be) More to Life" - Stacie Orrico
Back in late 2004 when I first started to listen to the radio, this was a song that would occasionally play at that time:
It's "(There's Gotta Be) More to Life" by Stacie Orrico, taken from her self-titled second studio album. If I recall correctly, by the time I first started to hear this song it had already had its chart run; I was only listening to the very tail end of its primary time on the radio. I heard it maybe a handful of times afterwards and now only hear it on YouTube, as I don't actually have Orrico's album.
It's "(There's Gotta Be) More to Life" by Stacie Orrico, taken from her self-titled second studio album. If I recall correctly, by the time I first started to hear this song it had already had its chart run; I was only listening to the very tail end of its primary time on the radio. I heard it maybe a handful of times afterwards and now only hear it on YouTube, as I don't actually have Orrico's album.
Thursday 9 February 2017
Now pretty much better
With the exception of the occasion flareup of coughs, I have, in essence, recovered from my recent illness. The bad throat has gone, as have the poor sleeping patterns: I'm awake in the day and sleeping properly during the appropriate hours of the night. Good times again!
Wednesday 8 February 2017
A bigger room mess
A side consequence of my recent illness is that my room, after seeing improvement in it tidiness, is now at its messiest state ever. I ended up place a bunch of items on the floor and not picking them up; in addition, my bed itself is an utter sty from all the tossing and turning that occurred when I when unable to sleep.
No matter. Tidying this mess up again won't be too hard. No reason why much of it couldn't be completed within an hour.
No matter. Tidying this mess up again won't be too hard. No reason why much of it couldn't be completed within an hour.
Tuesday 7 February 2017
The first 1st
I received two sets of results back today, one for the Media and one for most recent English assignment, both of which were completed weeks ago. The Media result fell into the range of the usual grades I've been receiving but the English result was significantly different: I received a (low) 1st.
This low 1st is the highest grade I have so far received at university. While it is behind an Exceptional 1st (the highest grade possible), it is nevertheless within the upper tier of grades that can be achieved. Both results I received today were welcome, this one especially so; it's a pleasant return after a week of illness.
This low 1st is the highest grade I have so far received at university. While it is behind an Exceptional 1st (the highest grade possible), it is nevertheless within the upper tier of grades that can be achieved. Both results I received today were welcome, this one especially so; it's a pleasant return after a week of illness.
Monday 6 February 2017
The conflicting sessions
As a result of my choice to undertake the practical side of one of my Media modules, my timetable underwent a change; this was something I had completely expected. What I had not expected, though, was for my new Media workshop session to occur at the same time as my American literature lecture and subsequent seminar.
Unsurprisingly, this worried me, for if this were to be my permanent timetable for the rest of the year, I would miss one of my modules; it would be unlikely for me to pass Year 1 with such a huge amount of information lost and sessions missed. Before I went to bed last night, I emailed my course leader, a module leader and a lecturer related to the practical side of the Media module. This morning, I received a response saying that I had been moved to the Tuesday Media workshop while the rest of my timetable remained unchanged; I was also thanked for spotting this and reporting it so quickly.
And thus, my concerns from last night were resolved by the morning. I wasn't looking forward to the prospect of missing one of my modules for the rest of the year. I'm glad it was addressed and in a timely manner!
Unsurprisingly, this worried me, for if this were to be my permanent timetable for the rest of the year, I would miss one of my modules; it would be unlikely for me to pass Year 1 with such a huge amount of information lost and sessions missed. Before I went to bed last night, I emailed my course leader, a module leader and a lecturer related to the practical side of the Media module. This morning, I received a response saying that I had been moved to the Tuesday Media workshop while the rest of my timetable remained unchanged; I was also thanked for spotting this and reporting it so quickly.
And thus, my concerns from last night were resolved by the morning. I wasn't looking forward to the prospect of missing one of my modules for the rest of the year. I'm glad it was addressed and in a timely manner!
Sunday 5 February 2017
"The Flood" - Take That
It's over eight months early to post about this song's seven-year anniversary but hey, why not write about it now?
It's "The Flood" by Take That, is from their sixth studio album (Progress) and as I'm sure can be gathered, was released in October 2010. It is the first song Take That released in years with Robbie Williams back as a member of the band.
"The Flood" holds some sentimental value to me because I associate it with my first few months back in this country and coming to grips with its musical artists.
It's "The Flood" by Take That, is from their sixth studio album (Progress) and as I'm sure can be gathered, was released in October 2010. It is the first song Take That released in years with Robbie Williams back as a member of the band.
"The Flood" holds some sentimental value to me because I associate it with my first few months back in this country and coming to grips with its musical artists.
Saturday 4 February 2017
Yep, still coughing
Yep, I'm still coughing, which is extremely irritating; however, the coughs are neither as intense or as frequent as they were yesterday. Even better, I've felt no desire to sleep this afternoon, which is a change from previous afternoons because, while I was still awake for most of the night, when I finally made it to sleep I slept deeply.
Still hoping the cough will be pretty much gone by Monday. I don't want to spend the first post-reading week lectures coughing away...
Still hoping the cough will be pretty much gone by Monday. I don't want to spend the first post-reading week lectures coughing away...
Friday 3 February 2017
Liveland History: 3rd February 2013
Four years ago today, I wrote about the prominence of Bruno Mars in then-current music:
I wrote about how impressed I was at all the success Mars had experienced from 2010 until that time and how he was someone I constantly heard on the radio. To my knowledge, Mars is still producing hits but I haven't heard them given that it's been ages since I last regularly listened to the radio.
For what it's worth, I still think that Bruno Mars is a highly talented musician.
I wrote about how impressed I was at all the success Mars had experienced from 2010 until that time and how he was someone I constantly heard on the radio. To my knowledge, Mars is still producing hits but I haven't heard them given that it's been ages since I last regularly listened to the radio.
For what it's worth, I still think that Bruno Mars is a highly talented musician.
Thursday 2 February 2017
Not dog mess
Besides submitting a formative plan for an essay that is due in three weeks, my day has mostly been unproductive. My cold meant I couldn't sleep and so I was up all night until almost 6:00am, which I most definitely could have done without. As such, I've had to sleep in parts of the day to catch up on rest; needless to say, I'm not happy with how today progressed.
This evening, I went up to Morrisons to purchase for dinner for tonight. On the way there, I trod in something slippery and then groaned, as I thought I had trod in dog mess. There's no easy place at my accommodation to clean my shoes but beyond that, even if there were, being sick still meant I wasn't looking forward to the prospect of cleaning dog dump from my shoe.
Before continuing to Morrisons, I removed my shoe to ensure it really was mess on my shoe. Luckily for me, I had only stepped in loose mud from the grass; I had not stepped in anything disgusting. A feeling of relief came over me at that point.
This evening, I went up to Morrisons to purchase for dinner for tonight. On the way there, I trod in something slippery and then groaned, as I thought I had trod in dog mess. There's no easy place at my accommodation to clean my shoes but beyond that, even if there were, being sick still meant I wasn't looking forward to the prospect of cleaning dog dump from my shoe.
Before continuing to Morrisons, I removed my shoe to ensure it really was mess on my shoe. Luckily for me, I had only stepped in loose mud from the grass; I had not stepped in anything disgusting. A feeling of relief came over me at that point.
Wednesday 1 February 2017
Urgh...not right now!
Since the evening of Monday, I have been unwell; I have caught what appears to be a low-to-medium insensity cold, for while I am coughing and feel hot, I am not sneezing nor do I have a running nose. At least not at the moment: A cold I had within the last year started out like this and new symptoms would appear as old ones faded.
All I can say is, "Not right now!". I'm supposed to be seeing a film and going to a friend's month-late birthday celebration on Saturday, plus I also was considering going to see my mother and brother on Sunday. If I am still unwell by then, I will have to back out, which I don't want to do.
All I can say is, "Not right now!". I'm supposed to be seeing a film and going to a friend's month-late birthday celebration on Saturday, plus I also was considering going to see my mother and brother on Sunday. If I am still unwell by then, I will have to back out, which I don't want to do.
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