My study leave started yesterday, Monday the 11th, and was the day of my first and only exam (meaning my ’study leave’ is effectively just a week-long holiday). It was in English Language and although I was nervous, I’m actually pretty confident about how I’ve done. The test is divided into two parts – Section A and Section B. The whole exam’s about text analysis, but the first part looked at how the texts conveyed information to their intended audience. The second part is all about bias. How the author uses rhetoric devices, semantics and register to convince the reader that the author is right. I’m confident because of what the texts were.

Section A was based around two texts, one a newspaper article and another an eyewitness account of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. I figured they’d be really boring, but were surprisingly graphic. For example, despite being shot in the head, it took Lincoln like 10 hours to die. I especially liked the over usage of the word ‘oozing’. Nice. Section B was a review of a Star Wars toy, the Ewok Village. Just awesome. In GCSE we got given a story about a tall woman married to a short man and the wacky fun that ensued (not wacky at all!). For AS we get gory assassinations and Star Wars! I love college.

During my free time I usually practice silly hobbies like juggling and balancing. Well, I have a new one. I was taught how to complete the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube by a new friend at college called (Crazy) John a few months ago. It took me weekend to learn, but I’m still getting time down. I started at about three minutes, but my record now is one minute and nine seconds, with an average time of roughly a minute and a half. I’ve started recording myself solving it everyday and putting it Vimeo. The first of these is below. I don’t know how often I’ll be able to blog with all my college work, but I’ll try to do one at least once every few weeks from now on.

I like meeting new people though. I’m really looking forward to new friends, new teachers and new lessons. I’ve chosen English Language, Art and Design, Music Technology, Modern History and Philosophy. I also chose a Musical Activities ‘Enrichment’ course, which is pretty much playing in a jazz ensemble, soul band or orchestra. There’s a choir, but I really don’t sing. Halfway through the year I’ll have the opportunity to do the AQA Baccalaureate. That’s just some extra stuff like an Extended Essay and some work experience. I’m excited about it.

I’ve had a pretty chilled holiday. I didn’t do much at all really. I started playing Magic the Gathering again. It’s a trading card game that dad and I used to play a lot. The aim is to get your opponent’s life from 20 to 0 as fast (or my favoured technique – as brutally) as possible. You summon creatures, cast spells and have a whole lot of fun. I started teaching Hannah a month or so ago and she’s picking it up really fast.

We also went to Shambala again this year (’We’ being Mum, Dad, Hannah, Ethan, Jo, Brendan, Suzy, Juliet, Louise and me). It was awesome! Hannah, Ethan and I spent most of our time in the tipi hanging out, tending the fire or eating Mum’s excellent baking. We did go do stuff though. We saw some bands, loitered in a fenced-off forest chopping wood for the fire and in fact I was so active I managed to go and have two massages in three days! I fell asleep during one. Dad got a little too relaxed during a massage and fainted. He spent most of the rest of Shambala asleep in the tipi.

It’s been a really nice holiday, possibly even my favourite so far. Not the most active break ever, I didn’t go overseas or stay away from home for over a week. I didn’t even leave the house much really. I just can’t wait for the fresh air tomorrow.

Last night I went to the musical We Will Rock You. It was one of the coolest things I’ve seen for quite some time (save for Battlefield Earth and a man falling off his scooter).

The basic story was that in 300 years time all music had been commercialised and was run by giant companies. I think it was Computer Repduced Audio Partitions or something, but the main point was that in the future all music is C.R.A.P. However, there is a group of rebels that play real music, rock.

They go on a journey to find the last remaining instrument, a guitar previously owned by Queen – the Rock Gods of old – and unite everyone in the world by showing them what music actually sounds like.

Actually the story was a bit shit, but they play great music for almost the whole thing, so it doesn’t really matter. Also, there are some really funny parts.

Near the end of the production the audience discovers that the music that was played during the show was actually played by what remains of Queen. What made this even more awesome (awesomer?) was that apparently Queen doesn’t play every night. Just that one. Sweet!

I definitely recommend seeing the show. They’re performing until September, so you have time.

Mostly I’ve been making mindmaps. Dad bought me a giant pad for doing them in. I’ve done about 15 so far ranging from the Nazi’s rize to power in Germany (History) to evolution and the environment (Biology). I must note that one ‘hour’ is actually 45 minutes revision, 15 minutes break. This means my 8 hours of revision is actually 6 hours (a normal school day including lunch-time).

Drag Me To Hell was terrible and ridiculous, in an awesomely Sam Raimi way. It really reminded me of The Evil Dead trilogy, especially Ash gone crazy (left). Try to imagine a horror version of Road Runner, with special effects, ACME anvils and all. Fighting was pretty cool too.

I have just finished my art exam work. I completed two sketchbooks, two sculptures and a canvas painting. The sketchbook work consisted of an artist study, some paintings, some drawings, a collection of pictures I drew in Photoshop and other such pieces. That’s hopefully enough to get me a B grade, which is only worth 40% of my final mark. The other 60% is coursework. I also have sixteen other exams to study for. Oh dear…

I really hate exams. I think they should be abolished. 100% coursework is the way forward to a better tomorrow. It tests your knowledge on whatever subject you’re studying, but I think it takes a lot of the pressure off kids like me.

On a better note, I’ve finished all of my History coursework. I got an A for those which was cool. I like my History lessons.

Some of my Art exam work:

Click for bigger images

On Friday I got back from Berlin. It was a school-based exchange trip with Danish, German and English people. I had a great time and I’m making plans to go to Denmark and visit the Danes again. They were cool.

Monday

I had to get to school at the normal time to catch the minibus to Nottingham (that’s where the plane was leaving from). I had to hand in History coursework, but I didn’t need school uniform so overall it was ok.

The flight to Berlin was about ten minutes faster than expected which was cool. We then took a bus and a tube to the school and did some drama excersises and that thing where you sit in a circle, taking turns to stand up and say your name. It was a little lame, but bearable.

After that we took our bags to the hostel and got settled in after a nice meal at an Italian restaurant. We played Truth or Dare for a while then went to bed.

Tuesday

The next morning we got up early and had a typical German breakfast. Bread, meat, cheese, cereal, coffee and a whole bunch of other stuff to which you just helped yourself. I’ve been to Germany six times now, so I was used to that way of eating, but the others had never been before. They were a little annoyed that Germany wasn’t exactly the same as their house.

We then went to the school and practiced the song we had to write for the trip. It was actually just a rewrite of Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis making it a little more cheery. May I just say that I had nothing to do with the choosing of this song

After a spot of convincing the teachers, I was allowed to play the drums instead of singing (I don’t sing). A few of the Danes helped out by playing the guitar, bass and keyboards. As usual I was the only ‘English’ person on the trip who played an instrument. Sadness…

After all of that we went off in groups and checked out Berlin. I was with two of my friends (Shahalum and Vijay), a few Danes and a couple Germans. We went to the Reichstag (amazing), visited the holocaust memorial thing (confusing), saw the British Embassy (weird but cool (wool?)), walked around the Brandenburg Gate (big) and looked at stupidly tall banks. Unfortunately I’d forgotten my camera that day so I have no record of all this awesomeness.

Wednesday

Wednesday was essentially the same as Tuesday. We went into the school, practiced our song (others had songs too, and there were a few group ones which were practiced too) and were let out for the afternoon.

We went bowling. I came fourth out of about thirteen which was pretty cool. We then went shopping in a huge shopping center. I used most of my money that day. I bought Hannah a bear, a few keyrings and a bracelet.

After that we all met up and went on a bus tour. It was pretty interesting and we got to stop and get out at the Berlin Wall, but I fell asleep for most of it. Also my battery ran out that morning so I had no photos again! That sucked.

Thursday

This time I’d charged my camera. I’d slept with it taped to my face so I wouldn’t forget it. And it worked! I managed to take a reasonable amount of photos that day. I was proud. Quite lucky too as the performance was today so I’m glad I remembered about my camera.

Once again the day was pretty normal. We practiced our songs, I did a drawing and read some of my book. It was at lunchtime that things picked up a bit.

I managed to get the teachers to leave me in the auditorium while everyone went off and ate. A teacher had to stay with me, but he’s pretty cool. He plays the bass and all the instruments were there so we had a little jam session.

He had a go on the drum kit too and shamed me. He does play drums in a Venice-based death metal band though, so he had the upper hand a little. I then played around on all the other instruments. It was all right, but I eventually got hungry and went and bought myself a falafel wrap thing. It was good.

The performance went really well, better than expected (by me anyway). Everyone was great and we got many claps. I even took a few photos whilst singing one of the group songs. That’s me playing the drums to our song. The guy on the guitar is Danish, also a pretty nice guy.

Afterwards we had a party at the school which was lame so the Danes, Natalie (a friend of mine) and I went back to the hostel and had our own party. We drank some beers and played cards. All was good, but I was really tired after the performance so I went to bed.

Friday

We didn’t really do anything on Friday except go shopping for a bit and then fly home. I gave Hannah and parents their presents, which they liked. In the end a really cool trip.

I’m thinking about flying to Denmark after I get my GCSE results. Also, if I get five A grades in my GCSEs then I’m allowed to get a lip piercing. I’m hoping to get that before I go to Denmark.

Glad to be home in the snow…

On Thursday 18th December I had an art trip to the Tate Modern which was pretty cool. Unfortunately we were delayed a little. Driving to London usually takes about two hours, give or take, but on Thursday it took a little longer than that. It actually took us four hours to get there, and another four hours back. That means that I spent more time on that coach than I would have if I’d just gone to school. That’s not including the other four hours at the Tate. Fun…

We were told to draw three of the pieces of art and a few of our own design. I just sketched a few pieces of the art quickly so I could do my own. My first was a very rough sketch of a fat, yeti-like man. I called him A Sketchy Character and had a little giggle. My second was pretty much the same guy, only hairier. However (as I was getting bored) it was all drawn with one line, meaning I didn’t take my pencil off the page once. My hand hurt for a while, but it was a good exercise as I obviously couldn’t rub anything out. I was quite proud of him.

I decided to scan him into the computer and have a play about with him. I used Illustrator and Photoshop to draw around and colour him and also give him a background. The picture at the top is the result. Result!

Oh yeah, it feels good to be 16. I’m all old, manly and cool. Well, old and manly. Well, old. But the point remains, I’m 16 and it rocks. I’m also sick and can hardly speak, but I comfort myself with the knowledge that I’m now one of those guys that I used to look up to and say “Wow, I wanna be like him! Older and responsible. He has HIS OWN fish and a phone!”.

Speaking about things that are mine, I have the coolest birthday pressie ever. My new Wacom Bamboo pressure-sensitive tablet is amazing. The cartoon above was drawn by me, on Photoshop! It’s so freaking cool! I haven’t used a mouse since. Buy one!

Ethan bought me a professional dartboard so we can play. I haven’t played properly before, but it’ll be a cool skill to have when I get a bit better. Sam got me a cool leather wrist band and two surfesque necklaces. They’re pretty cool. Hannah painted me some awesome paintings. The Superman logo, the Batman logo and some other indescribable thing, it’s pretty cool. Photos shall be uploaded soon.

I’ve also recieved a drum kit which is just amazing, but I doubt I’ll be getting any presents again until I’m 18. It’s a red Yamaha Stage Custom and it just sounds so good. My new drum teacher (he’s my sixth!), Nobby, has taught me how to tune the drums, another cool way to set up the kit and a couple of beats.

Last night Mum, Dad, Hannah, Ethan, Sam and I all went out for dinner at Frankie and Benny’s, then had a couple of games at the bowling alley. I won the first, but absolutely lost the second. This weekend I’m having a party (PARTY party, not dinner party) with some friends of mine. Leah’s birthday is on the sixth so we’re having a joint party. It’ll be cool.

I’ll stick a blog post up about it on Sunday. Until then…

As you can see, the blog has been revamped (made a vampire again?) and I’ve started blogging again. I don’t really have a great excuse as to why I haven’t blogged except suddenly receiving 4635 comments linking to rather rude sites (spam perhaps?) and not being bothered to get rid of them.

I haven’t been up to much really, I’ve been playing around with Photoshop CS4 (see some of my stuff here) and I got a girlfriend (Hannah). Actually we’d been going out before I stopped blogging, but I just hadn’t mentioned her. Well, there you go.

Ethan too has received of the girlfriendy goodness (Samantha, Sam for short). I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned her before, but either way she still exists so recognition is required.

I had a lung infection for a couple of weeks which was really unpleasant but got me time off school so I consider it a win (although catching up with schoolwork was difficult). Nice punctuationless sentence there.

I still haven’t got a job yet, but to be fair I’m not 16 yet so I can’t really legally work anywhere. Looking forward to when I can though (next Tuesday, yay!). To rub it in Ethan has two jobs which would theoretically make him ‘Mr Money-Bags’. Unfortunately not, but he has managed to drop out of college which kinda sucks, but means I’m friends with a drop-out, a homeless guy, a drug addict and a homeless drug addict which I think makes me look pretty good. Well until you meet them all and find out that they’re still cooler than me. Ah well.

The three Germans assigned to be my partners were Martin, Micah and Samantha. Martin was 18, Micah and Sam were 17 and they were really cool. Normally I got assigned 12 year-olds, but I was the oldest ‘English’ person on the trip apart from the teachers, so I became a helper. I just had to do head counts and make sure people didn’t mess around. That’s what my partners were doing on the trip, so I was assigned them.

Throughout the week we went to the National Sealife Center, my school (we did karate workshops and a tour of the school), Black Country Living Museum and we went to the town hall and met the Lord Mayor. The current one is the third Pakistani Lord Mayor, so that was cool. We were given soda water, orange juice, tea and sandwiches. How very English of us.

At my place we had Indian takeaway for dinner and played cards until the early hours. It was a game my parents and I had never heard of, Micah had brought it along with her. It’s called Phase 10 and we liked it so much, we ordered it from Amazon immediately. Eventually we all got too tired to play properly so my parents, Juliet who was playing with us, and the girls went to bed. Martin and I went on the computer and watched Batman Begins. We fell asleep about half an hour from the end. Our plan was to watch that, then Donnie Darko, then Transformers and Forrest Gump. Wake everyone up at about 8, have breakfast and go to the airport. Oh well…