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After reading a superb post by Happy in Life that somehow failed to win GAD, probably in favour of "Gaycube is 2 small" I feel I should write about me, for those of you who just see me as an arrogant beardy Welsh smug type person. Yes, strictly speaking, this should be in Life, but I know everyone in here - This is my forum of choice and I like everyone. Except BradW. It's not about films though, so leave now if thats what you expected. Well, maybe it's a bit about films.
Since I started this antiquated system of grammar school, life basically slumped into education. Thats not right, surely? We're right next door to the local Secondary school, and that means we get "Boffin!" yells by 12 year olds smoking all day and they get "Learn to read!" comments. I don't suppose anyone cares to think that maybe getting lucky on one exam does not place you intellectually above everyone else not in your school. Fair enough, most of us are pretty clever, but theres a fair number who barely scraped it into Sixth Form. Someone I knew from my primary school went to the secondary, and has recently joined the Latin (My school). She hadn't changed a bit, and it was great to catch up with her. Plus she didn't smoke, despite massive pressure from everyone at that school. No, really, the school gets deserted at lunch as they all go for a fag. But it just proves my point that secondary school doesn't mean you're thicker than anyone else.
So, basically, I somehow had this image that I had to excel. And I did, not to be boastful. Top grades, all that. But what did I do out of school? I hung out with my mates occasionally, played rugby for the school. I didn't feel like I was doing much. Then, four summers ago, I discovered something that changed my life, not to be corny.
Scuba Diving.
Bloody amazing. There is nothing like hanging motionless in the water, looking at greater beauty than you can find on land, surrounded by tropical fish and wondering if you will see that hammerhead that is reported to swim here. I spend over 300 quid on scuba diving alone the next year, and my only regret was that I hadn't brought more money for more dives. Yeah, it's expensive, but then again what price do you place on enjoyment? I've done over 50 dives now and have memories from everyone of them that are unequalled in my short life. I recommend you all try this. Another thing that I started to do - watch films. Now, it's not that I never watched films before, but I only went to the cinema occasionally to watch the big Hollywood releases. Probably something by Bruckheimer. Then one day my dad sadly informed me they didn't have The Mummy to rent at the video rental, but he'd picked up a film called Dogma that looked kinda neat. So I moaned a bit and half-heartedly put it in, not recognizing the director (Some guy called Kevin Smith?) and basically sat spellbound. Pixie magic style. My dad said it was cool because it had Alan Rickman in, and I had tears running down my face from laughing. A lot. I immediately watched it again. And again. Next day I went on Amazon and ordered the DVD. Never looked back in my film-watching. Began looking into the indie culture of films, little known directors and actors, the like. It's sort of like opening your eyes. Before that I didn't know films existed outside of a narrow spectrum that only someone with tunnel-vision could love. Jesus, I had no clue at all.
One thing that had kept me happy was books. I'd always been a massive book reader, and especially beardy books. You didn't think I was called beady for nothing, did you? Always when I read books I could escape from everything - normal, I guess. That was basically the problem. My life was too normal, and I was sick of it. Something else - I absolutely love Harry Potter. it's one of the best books for escapism I've ever read. Yet I'm not seized by an urge to get all the merchandise for it or Lord of the Rings. Why? Because these books are just books to me. Not the film - thats just something to be enjoyed. Books are real to me, and I'd give up everything apart from my family just to read. Thats how much I love it. It’s not the real world, sure, and it never will be, but it’s part of my life an always will be. I seriously reckon I’d be a wreck without books. Best book I’ve ever read is Lord of the Rings or Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela. Both completely different books, but I love them both because they both inspired me, in different ways. That’s also what a book should e about – not some poxy wizard flying about on a broomstick, but books that you will read over and over again because that’s what they are about. Sure, Harry Potter is good, but it’ll never be great. What inspiration can you draw from it? Nowt.
So I’ve got my books and my films and my scuba diving. What else? The internet, of course! The Net for me is a relatively new discovery, since I’ve only been using it since June last year, when we got Anytime. So I came online, went back to a chatroom I used to go on a bit. Found two people who I enjoyed chatting to, followed them to an IRC chatroom, and found out they’d changed their names to Reaper and Iguana. Fair enough, I suppose. Blame them for me being here, by the way. They suggested I come on here. I didn’t think much of it at first, to be honest, but now it’s fair to say this place is a pretty big influence on my life.
“Oh, it’s all about the GADs.” Bollix. Used to be. Not anymore. If GAD suddenly stopped, most of you would leave. Admit it. There’d be about 30ish of us left, I reckon, and I’d be one of them. These forums give me the best chance to say what I like without comments from my mates “Hur Hur, you like buks”. It’s rare to find people that you can discuss films with, and who all post quality. Equally rare are people you can chat to on MSN without just “Hey”, people who you can chat to about genuinely different things each time. It’s really cool that I have people to chat to on the Net. So I’m going to say thank you to the following for amusing me:
AliBoy – Cheers for always making me laugh, Scottish fool.
RastaBillySkank – Counting Crows rule.
Goatboy – Arguing is the best with this guy. Generous with his CDs. I appreciate it.
YH – Very amusing. We have our differences though. Ta.
Reaper +Iguana – Without them, I wouldn’t be here.
Vottanator – Still likes A.I, somehow. Made me watch Heat, and it ruled. Thanks for that.
Grix + Meka – Two of the best posters on the site, in my opinion. You guys rule.
Mr Nice Guy – The Man. Nuff said.
Mr Happy – Always fun to read your posts.
Cheers lads. Without you, SR wouldn’t be what it is to me.
One other person who I chat to on the Net who doesn’t frequent these lovely forums, despite my multiple attempts to persuade her to, is someone on IRC. Name of Katie. Excellent to chat to, makes time fly. It’s cool to go on IRC and see her online, because it means if I want to say anything that I couldn’t tell anyone else, she’ll be ready to listen, anytime. It rules.
So that’s me, basically. I’m arrogant about myself, definitely beardy, always smug, and surely Welsh. Whats this post changed? Nothing, probably. It’s me, and that’s who I am. I bet in a year I’ll be a different person.
Cool. 's going to be fun.
Since I started this antiquated system of grammar school, life basically slumped into education. Thats not right, surely? We're right next door to the local Secondary school, and that means we get "Boffin!" yells by 12 year olds smoking all day and they get "Learn to read!" comments. I don't suppose anyone cares to think that maybe getting lucky on one exam does not place you intellectually above everyone else not in your school. Fair enough, most of us are pretty clever, but theres a fair number who barely scraped it into Sixth Form. Someone I knew from my primary school went to the secondary, and has recently joined the Latin (My school). She hadn't changed a bit, and it was great to catch up with her. Plus she didn't smoke, despite massive pressure from everyone at that school. No, really, the school gets deserted at lunch as they all go for a fag. But it just proves my point that secondary school doesn't mean you're thicker than anyone else.
So, basically, I somehow had this image that I had to excel. And I did, not to be boastful. Top grades, all that. But what did I do out of school? I hung out with my mates occasionally, played rugby for the school. I didn't feel like I was doing much. Then, four summers ago, I discovered something that changed my life, not to be corny.
Scuba Diving.
Bloody amazing. There is nothing like hanging motionless in the water, looking at greater beauty than you can find on land, surrounded by tropical fish and wondering if you will see that hammerhead that is reported to swim here. I spend over 300 quid on scuba diving alone the next year, and my only regret was that I hadn't brought more money for more dives. Yeah, it's expensive, but then again what price do you place on enjoyment? I've done over 50 dives now and have memories from everyone of them that are unequalled in my short life. I recommend you all try this. Another thing that I started to do - watch films. Now, it's not that I never watched films before, but I only went to the cinema occasionally to watch the big Hollywood releases. Probably something by Bruckheimer. Then one day my dad sadly informed me they didn't have The Mummy to rent at the video rental, but he'd picked up a film called Dogma that looked kinda neat. So I moaned a bit and half-heartedly put it in, not recognizing the director (Some guy called Kevin Smith?) and basically sat spellbound. Pixie magic style. My dad said it was cool because it had Alan Rickman in, and I had tears running down my face from laughing. A lot. I immediately watched it again. And again. Next day I went on Amazon and ordered the DVD. Never looked back in my film-watching. Began looking into the indie culture of films, little known directors and actors, the like. It's sort of like opening your eyes. Before that I didn't know films existed outside of a narrow spectrum that only someone with tunnel-vision could love. Jesus, I had no clue at all.
One thing that had kept me happy was books. I'd always been a massive book reader, and especially beardy books. You didn't think I was called beady for nothing, did you? Always when I read books I could escape from everything - normal, I guess. That was basically the problem. My life was too normal, and I was sick of it. Something else - I absolutely love Harry Potter. it's one of the best books for escapism I've ever read. Yet I'm not seized by an urge to get all the merchandise for it or Lord of the Rings. Why? Because these books are just books to me. Not the film - thats just something to be enjoyed. Books are real to me, and I'd give up everything apart from my family just to read. Thats how much I love it. It’s not the real world, sure, and it never will be, but it’s part of my life an always will be. I seriously reckon I’d be a wreck without books. Best book I’ve ever read is Lord of the Rings or Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela. Both completely different books, but I love them both because they both inspired me, in different ways. That’s also what a book should e about – not some poxy wizard flying about on a broomstick, but books that you will read over and over again because that’s what they are about. Sure, Harry Potter is good, but it’ll never be great. What inspiration can you draw from it? Nowt.
So I’ve got my books and my films and my scuba diving. What else? The internet, of course! The Net for me is a relatively new discovery, since I’ve only been using it since June last year, when we got Anytime. So I came online, went back to a chatroom I used to go on a bit. Found two people who I enjoyed chatting to, followed them to an IRC chatroom, and found out they’d changed their names to Reaper and Iguana. Fair enough, I suppose. Blame them for me being here, by the way. They suggested I come on here. I didn’t think much of it at first, to be honest, but now it’s fair to say this place is a pretty big influence on my life.
“Oh, it’s all about the GADs.” Bollix. Used to be. Not anymore. If GAD suddenly stopped, most of you would leave. Admit it. There’d be about 30ish of us left, I reckon, and I’d be one of them. These forums give me the best chance to say what I like without comments from my mates “Hur Hur, you like buks”. It’s rare to find people that you can discuss films with, and who all post quality. Equally rare are people you can chat to on MSN without just “Hey”, people who you can chat to about genuinely different things each time. It’s really cool that I have people to chat to on the Net. So I’m going to say thank you to the following for amusing me:
AliBoy – Cheers for always making me laugh, Scottish fool.
RastaBillySkank – Counting Crows rule.
Goatboy – Arguing is the best with this guy. Generous with his CDs. I appreciate it.
YH – Very amusing. We have our differences though. Ta.
Reaper +Iguana – Without them, I wouldn’t be here.
Vottanator – Still likes A.I, somehow. Made me watch Heat, and it ruled. Thanks for that.
Grix + Meka – Two of the best posters on the site, in my opinion. You guys rule.
Mr Nice Guy – The Man. Nuff said.
Mr Happy – Always fun to read your posts.
Cheers lads. Without you, SR wouldn’t be what it is to me.
One other person who I chat to on the Net who doesn’t frequent these lovely forums, despite my multiple attempts to persuade her to, is someone on IRC. Name of Katie. Excellent to chat to, makes time fly. It’s cool to go on IRC and see her online, because it means if I want to say anything that I couldn’t tell anyone else, she’ll be ready to listen, anytime. It rules.
So that’s me, basically. I’m arrogant about myself, definitely beardy, always smug, and surely Welsh. Whats this post changed? Nothing, probably. It’s me, and that’s who I am. I bet in a year I’ll be a different person.
Cool. 's going to be fun.
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Hi Mr. Scottsman.
Scotland rules!! Always has done and always will do! Halfy scottish am I actually. Parents both Scottish but I myself was born in England.....which sucks! Cause England sucks! And Beckham sucks! And Owen sucks! And Ince suckED more than any of them!
Of course, saying all this, I'm still never gonna live in Scotland. I'm gonna live in America! In LA to be more specific. In fact, my life plan is to go to LA, camp out in Hollywood and refuse to move unless they give me a film to direct. Then they'll realise my talent and I'll make loads more films and just improvise from there. Great plan or what!?!
And yes, I did chat to the insane one. Although ages ago. She's still on my list but I just never chatted to her in ages. Too much happyness can be a bad thing you know! After spending just one hour with crazy girl (the one with the duck story and the sheep story - ooh I never told you about that one did I. Perhaps another day), that's more than enough happyness and laughter than can be taken. You're ribs and neck and chest start to ache and you have difficulty breathing. :-D
Scotland rules!! Always has done and always will do! Halfy scottish am I actually. Parents both Scottish but I myself was born in England.....which sucks! Cause England sucks! And Beckham sucks! And Owen sucks! And Ince suckED more than any of them!
Of course, saying all this, I'm still never gonna live in Scotland. I'm gonna live in America! In LA to be more specific. In fact, my life plan is to go to LA, camp out in Hollywood and refuse to move unless they give me a film to direct. Then they'll realise my talent and I'll make loads more films and just improvise from there. Great plan or what!?!
And yes, I did chat to the insane one. Although ages ago. She's still on my list but I just never chatted to her in ages. Too much happyness can be a bad thing you know! After spending just one hour with crazy girl (the one with the duck story and the sheep story - ooh I never told you about that one did I. Perhaps another day), that's more than enough happyness and laughter than can be taken. You're ribs and neck and chest start to ache and you have difficulty breathing. :-D
"I fink Gaz wants Katie as his Burd"
As Ant would say "Fun her, fun her lots!"
There ain't much I can say to reply other than I rule Mr Beardy Movie Welsh Smug man, you also rule in your own way too which is nice. Your taste in films is cool and you know your stuff. Now entertain us all.
:-)
As Ant would say "Fun her, fun her lots!"
There ain't much I can say to reply other than I rule Mr Beardy Movie Welsh Smug man, you also rule in your own way too which is nice. Your taste in films is cool and you know your stuff. Now entertain us all.
:-)
Yeah, Katie is the insanest one. You chatted to her? She rules, no?
I shall tell Tom.
I shall tell Tom.
Right, first off I'll just say that I did read it all the way through.
Secondly, I'll try to restrain from mentioning A.I in this post.
And yes, it is a shame that nothing like this ever wins GAD because it's alot more interesting than the same old 'games are getting better' type posts. Admittedly, perhaps only to those who know you but I do know you so I did find it interesting. And I'm saying right now - THIS WINS GAD!! (unless of course you win for yesterdays review, in which case you can't win for this cause you'll start to pull away from me again :-D).
By the way, is Katie the insanest one? She reminds me a lot of a girl I know who is far too happy a lot of the time. And I do mean TOO happy. She never stops laughing. It's scary. You should have seen her today! "I saw a duck standing under a 'you are here' sign and it looked really cute cause it must have been lost. Hahahaha. Although it probably wasn't lost because the sign was right next to a pond. Hahahahahahaha." Guess you had to be there, huh? That followed a rather disturbing conversation with 2 other friends about a certain masturbation scene in 'Angelas Ashes'. Now I definitely NEVER want to see that film! Anyway, getting a bit off topic now so I'll end it.
But while I'm here, here's a message for Nice Guy since I can't seem to get message through on MSN. I can't log into V&P and if you want me back (not only will it cost you but), I really need to be able to sign in. :-D
Secondly, I'll try to restrain from mentioning A.I in this post.
And yes, it is a shame that nothing like this ever wins GAD because it's alot more interesting than the same old 'games are getting better' type posts. Admittedly, perhaps only to those who know you but I do know you so I did find it interesting. And I'm saying right now - THIS WINS GAD!! (unless of course you win for yesterdays review, in which case you can't win for this cause you'll start to pull away from me again :-D).
By the way, is Katie the insanest one? She reminds me a lot of a girl I know who is far too happy a lot of the time. And I do mean TOO happy. She never stops laughing. It's scary. You should have seen her today! "I saw a duck standing under a 'you are here' sign and it looked really cute cause it must have been lost. Hahahaha. Although it probably wasn't lost because the sign was right next to a pond. Hahahahahahaha." Guess you had to be there, huh? That followed a rather disturbing conversation with 2 other friends about a certain masturbation scene in 'Angelas Ashes'. Now I definitely NEVER want to see that film! Anyway, getting a bit off topic now so I'll end it.
But while I'm here, here's a message for Nice Guy since I can't seem to get message through on MSN. I can't log into V&P and if you want me back (not only will it cost you but), I really need to be able to sign in. :-D
Reaper[oV] wrote:
And yes, blame me and jess for him being here.
> You're right, that does make us sound like your parents, Gaz..
--
Yeah, sorry about that. Saw it after I posted.
And yes, blame me and jess for him being here.
> You're right, that does make us sound like your parents, Gaz..
--
Yeah, sorry about that. Saw it after I posted.
Showing of Pi, I believe.
And yes, blame me and jess for him being here. You're right, that does make us sound like your parents, Gaz..
And yes, blame me and jess for him being here. You're right, that does make us sound like your parents, Gaz..
Heh, Pi is on C4 this Saturday. Meka wants reminding. Don't ask me to remind you, I cannot also fit Grix in my tagline :-) Cheers, btw.
I read it too. It's a shame stuff like this doesn't win GAD, just because "it's not on topic." It's written well, and from the heart, and it should be encouraged.
What've you got to remind Meka about, by the way?
What've you got to remind Meka about, by the way?
Stretch wrote:
Since getting friendly with Fogmaster, back in September
--
Oi oi, getting "friendly"? Heh.
Cheers mate, although you were a gimp as Dogfather ;-)
Since getting friendly with Fogmaster, back in September
--
Oi oi, getting "friendly"? Heh.
Cheers mate, although you were a gimp as Dogfather ;-)
Christ.
I don't really have time to post much, but it's always annoying to see a topic like this get just one reply.
I don't really have time to post much, but it's always annoying to see a topic like this get just one reply.
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