....and now for something completely different.

I have been considering taking a year to do something different.  I feel it is time to put my academic career on the backburner for a while so that I can focus on other things that I feel should be done while one is still young.  There are several things I am planning on doing:-

Travelling

Seeing our beautiful world is something everyone who can should try to experience.  There are many wonders to admire, old and new, and I would like to start by voyaging to the Far East.  I will hopefully be looking to travel to China, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia for a few weeks.  I find the culture of these far away lands fascinating and I am enthused by their different take on life and attitude towards it too. 

China would be remarkable as it is one of the oldest civilizations in the world and its history and heritage is loaded with many spectacles; from the Terracotta Warriors to the Great Wall of China not to mention the blend of incredibly modern productions that have grabbed media’s attention in recent times showing the seamless might of Chinese engineering and craftsmanship.  Shanghai is, for me, a modern wonder of the world – that skyline – beyond epic. 

Thailand is another area of great interest.  If Thailand was a person attending a party, they would be the heart and soul and so much more of that party.  For a small country it bares majesty in all aspects of its being; history, culture, buildings, wildlife, food and not to mention what most people know it most for – partying.  Full and half moon parties at the beach will be one of the best parties ever. 

Vietnam and Cambodia are countries neighbouring Thailand.  Vietnam still proudly shows remnants of the war with the USA – particularly in Saigon - and the civil war which lead to USA’s involvement.  Although, this may be a depressing reminder to how destructive humans can be; it will be quickly forgotten I’m sure when one sees Ho Chi Minh.  It would also be astonishing to trek through jungle terrain and witness nature at its most extreme. 

Cambodia is a place which was, like too many countries, have been tormented by a tyranic dictator - Pol Pot.  He was a 'leader' who killed nearly 1/5th of his own people and the killing fields can be seen in Phnom Penh.  Torture devices can still be seen in museums in Cambodia today.  Elephant trekking is also a popular activity for tourists.  The main attraction for me would be the imposing temples that were built centuries ago.

All these places would require several weeks of travel but, it would be well worth it.  I am going to try and get my friend, Brian Fox, involved in it. 

Charity

I will also look to do some charity events.  I was involved in a charity event last year where I had to set up a rugby tournament and really get all my rugby contacts to come together to make a day of it.  I set up a sevens tournament where we got 3 rugby pitches, 12 rugby teams and there we had a 7s tournament.  It was great weather; great fun and all the proceeds went towards the Haiti appeal.  We managed to raise nearly £4000.  This has given me the impetus to be a little more charitable as it is easier than people think.  You don’t have to break the bank to be benevolent….you just need to put yourself through hell.  I am looking to run the London marathon in 2012.  It will be grueling and painful and at times boring, though it will be something I could say I have experienced once and maybe never again!  Also, the training for it has not been too bad...so far. 

I would also very much like to cycle from London to Paris.  This is a 5 day trip (4 days of cycling) and it will be a great way to see the deep south of England where you cycle through London as it begins to liven up from what seems like a light snooze very early in the morning then through Kent, the garden of England and through to Dover where we will get our ferry across to Calais and we will then cycle through Northern France where we will see many tranquil villages.  Also, we can stop at the battle ground of the Somme.  It has been described as eerie and unnatural place by those who have done this trip. 

I do hope I get to do these things.  My training for these began months ago when I was told the Marathon was fully booked for this year so I thought –

“Why not start training now?”

Humanitarian

I would very much like to go work in Japan to do some relief work, hopefully in conjunction with the UN of Amnesty International (preferably the latter…everyone seems to work for the UN).  I have been looking online to see if there is any scope for that and for the moment it appears not – for the untrained international anyway.  I was devastated for the Japanese.  They are an intelligent race of humble, kind people and seeing the footage and people breaking down when they found their loved ones missing was distressing for me. 

I certainly hope all goes to plan for my time off trying to fill my brain with information that I will probably not really use. 

Much love,

Jackson L.

I used to be naked....

I love clothes.  I used to be a real grouch when it came to clothes as I would feel that if I could wear it and it showed off my arms and chest I would just settle for that.  I thought I was a real man’s man for not giving a shit.  It was strange because all those around me; Brian Fox, my older brother, Sam and my sister, Viviane were all very fashion conscious….or at least a copious amount more so than I was.  I just didn’t understand how they could bother keeping up with all the changes and whatnot.  I felt so out of touch that I did not even wear a pair of jeans for a decade! What chance did I have?

I first began to think about dress sense after my 21^st birthday….about 3 years later than everybody else it would seem.  I have now become a total whore for clothes.  I want everything.  I constantly find new things I want to buy and wear.  I have even seen clothes for females and thought –

“I would SO wear that.”

I shop everywhere now as well.  From Primark (best for accessories like gloves, hates and sometimes plain T-Shirts) for very cheap to Uni Qlo – a Japanese clothing outlet (Japanese, so you know everything in there is just heroic), White Stuff (Japanese also), and many more well known high street shops.  Camden town is just the best place for sweet swag.  Gems there are plentiful but, you really have to search, which I do not mind doing because Camden has great ambiance, character and authenticity.  I love it there.

I also find it really easy to look up stuff online.  I have shopped from –

Vintage Whistles
Beyond Retro
Rokit Clothes

Vintage Whistles has excellent service.  I had bought a hand woven Harris Tweed jacket which was a little too big around the abdominal section and it was returned – no fuss and replaced.  It is free special delivery and I highly rate the direction it is going as it is all 100% vintage.  It is well worth checking out. 

Beyond Retro 3 stores in the London area and their website is the best way to see what they have in stock.  There are a lot of fantastic T-Shirts at low prices as well as accessories, such as; belts, hats and bags and many more things like jackets, trousers, jeans. 

I had to mention Rokit Clothes.  They are based in Camden and it was there that I bought my first 2 pairs of jeans – a stonewash pair of Levi’s 501 and a limited edition pair of Levi’s as well.  Both came up to only £45 and I am glad to be wearing jeans again!  They too have a great selection of clothes available however, Beyond Retro seem to have more variety. 

I am trying to adopt a more chic, vintage style image.  I know it may sound stupid but I am trying to do it in a more subtly edgier way rather than totally fanatical.  I like to think that ‘looking cool’ and ‘looking like a total dick and a douche’ comes hand in hand.  Please see below –

As you can see, if you were in the middle of looking cool you would be at the furthest point away from looking like a dick and a douche.  This is the kind of person that you walk pat in the street and think to yourself –

“I do not know you, but I immediately think you are a knob!”

Being in the middle of looking cool is the most sought after and everyone should yearn to be a part of that elusive click.  Some people try to be too edgy and start a fashion movement that, unbeknownst to them, they teeter in from the ‘looking cool’ section to slap bang in the middle of ‘looking like a total dick and a douche’.  It is a fine line.  It is also science.  I have a semi-circle.

I like to be edgy and different.  However, being those things and not coming across as a total asshole is very difficult.  I like it when people are edgy, like Kanye West.  His fashion sense is incredible.  If I had half of his wardrobe I would be very happy.  I think anyone would be.  He has the perfect balance of edgy and cool.  People like art students who try too hard not to conform and be so outrageously ‘out there’ that they all end up in the ‘looking like a total dick and a douche’ bracket and we all know they all look the same.  I just laugh.  I believe in their idea of their fashion should be a statement about themselves, which it should be about everybody.  It emphasises individuality but, it is as if their fashion sense is impalpable. 

I also think Gizzi Erskine is overrated. 

Much love,

Jackson L. 

Unlimited, please.

Unlimited.  Wouldn’t it be the best option for anything ever?  Imagine, if you will, being in a restaurant and paying a one off payment for an unlimited volume of food.  If you are anything like me and have a boundless appetite you WILL get your money’s worth.  I can eat more than Madonna gets around.  There’s someone who will always put the ‘ho’ in ‘hotel’.  What a skank! I genuinely can not think of anyone I dislike more.  She is a terrible, terrible person. 

Well, there is a place which offers an unlimited offer for a one off monthly payment.  I see it as my period.  My period is £13.50.  This is, of course, the unlimited card that Cineworld offer.  A one off monthly payment – no contract – and you can see as many movies as you like.  Wonderful. 

Although Cineworld is about a twice as far away as The Vue, it is not nearly as draining to my funds as The Vue is.  At £6-8 a viewing, it is a no brainer! I guess the environment will just have to take another one on the chin.  I, personally, blame The Vue for not having more competitive prices and offers.  Climate change is entirely their fault.  However, The Vue is a genuinely better cinema.  At home the Cineworld is actually spectacularly unparalleled compared to the bullshit I am subjected to in London.  It is kind of hard to believe really.  How hard is it to make a cinema complex good?  They make mammoth profits.  Invest in my comfort, please!  Still, I think the prices are too good so I will sell out. 

As aforementioned in a previous blog (refer to blog dated 17^th Nov) the actual establishments are just, simply, balls.  But, what annoys me more than anything is that people do not understand that there are other people there.  Everyone talks.  Audibly.  In the intensely hilarious words of my friend, Brian Fox –

“I hate the cinema.  There are too many cunts with shit opinions.”

Wisdom beyond his years.  It brings a tear to my eye every time.  It is just beautiful, eloquent and so very true. 

Still, I have seen several films over the last month or so (since getting my unlimited card back). 

I am Number 4 – Incredibly tacky script.  Despite this, I enjoyed it because I was sat there thinking……”This would make an epic game, especially if there was no dialogue whatsoever.”  It was a rather standard plot and I think Timothy Olyphant is a genius.

The Rite – The book it was based on, was far superior…..I’m sure.  The only good thing about this movie was Anthony Hopkins.  Not that I usually would, but I had no trouble sleeping that night. 

Hall Pass – …..Stephan Merchant was quite good in it.  

Unknown – Even those who do not like Liam Neeson thought this was a great film.  What a genius premise for a film.  It took a while to get into but the more it unravelled the cleverer it got.  I like a film with plot twists and turns and thickenings.  This film was full of them. 

The Adjustment Bureau – Another great principle to a good film but it was not really executed entirely well.  Happy to have seen it once.  Once it shall remain. 

Limitless – This was a very smart picture that tapped into many different themes that people do not take the time to sit and think about.  For example, man’s capacity to over-reach, i.e. greed.  Instead of trying to satisfy hunger for more, appreciate what you already have and what you have achieved. 

Sucker Punch – A bunch of bad ass chicks in a fantasy film.  Um….yeah.  I think so.  I think Emily Browning is the hottest thing in the world right now.  Baby doll would be the ideal girl for every man. 

Got a few more films to go and see.  I am looking forward to the obvious ones like going to see The Eagle (finally) and Thor, but I am looking forward to seeing the remake of Arthur.  Originally it had one of my comic heroes – Dudley Moore, the remake stars Russell Brand whom I believe has a greater capacity for acting than in stand-up.  Just saying…..

Much love,

Jackson L.