Jake Dubber

Exams and Cubes

Jake — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:19:50 +0000

I haven’t blogged in a while. Not since I started college actually. Since then a lot has happened – I made some good friends, drummed in what can only be described as ‘Shakespeare in Space – The Musical’, enjoyed some hardcore studying, learned how to complete the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube, went to Prague, hung out with my Aunty Kelly (who’s leaving tomorrow), played computer games, been snowed on (left), argued ethics, bought a laptop, had an exam and rearranged my room. This post is about only about two of these things, namely my exams and my conquering of the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube.

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.

1 minute 23 seconds

The End of a Magical Holiday

Jake — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:54:47 +0000

I start college tomorrow. I’m really eager to get into it, but a little nervous. Not for any specific reason, but for the last five years I’ve had the same routine every school day, and now it’s changing. You’d think that, as I hated Moseley School with a passion, I would love to leave it behind, but I think I’m going to miss it a bit. You know where you stand when most people dislike you.

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.

Away With The Fairies

Jake — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:47:53 +0000

My dad helped me get a job recently. I’m quite happy about that, as my dreams of owning my own laptop have been getting dusty and need looking after. I’m designing a website for the band Muchuu. They’re a bit full of unicorns and happy-happyness, but I think they’re really good. Hannah loves them.

Dad got me the job through John Mostyn, a friend of his. John manages them and they wanted a website done before they go on Radio One, so they have something for interested people to look at.

I’m really enjoying making their site. I’ve learnt a lot to do with CSS and HTML code, like making new page templates and how to do this:

Hover your cursor over me

Muchuu had an awesome party a few days ago. Invitation only, and Hannah and I were invited! That made me feel a bit special. They played some great music (apparently their first gig, but it didn’t seem like it) and served some amazing cupcakes. Like, 50% icing cupcakes! So cool…

I really enjoy this kind of work as you meet nice people, have a good time and make some money while you’re at it. Bonus!

Work and The End Of An Era

Jake — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:42:46 +0000

I’ve recently made friends with the brother of a dude I go skating with occasionally. His name’s Joe (the brother of the dude, the dude’s name is Tim) and he’s in a band called Recoil. They play metal and it’s actually pretty good.

Joe and I were messing around on the computer and I showed him some of my Photoshoppery. He was pretty impressed (and I was flattered) and asked me if I could do a logo-type thing for Recoil. Above is what I came up with. It ended up being an album covery thing, and hopefully (with the approval of Sam the guitarist) it’ll be their demo cover.

I love doing work like that. It’s pretty easy, enjoyable and a good excuse to hang out with my mates. It’s also just really good practice.

Also, I have just finished a job sound engineering for a double-weekend seminar on Islam called The Shepherd’s Path. It was really interesting, and I get some money for it so that’s cool. I met some really nice people there: Majid, Faraz and Baz are awesome people, but everyone was really friendly.

The last few weeks have actually been really hectic. I had work on the weekends and had Music BTEC lessons on some days and the We Will Rock You show (see previous post). Now this week I finish my Music BTEC in a crazily busy fashion. This week is as follows: Tuesday – setting up for concert (9am-4pm), Wednesday – sound or light engineering a concert (12pm-5pm) and Thursday I have my evaluations to do (3:30pm-5pm). It doesn’t sound too bad, but for a holiday it’s quite sucky.

After this week I’m officially off school and have finished all of my lessons. The next time I have to go into school is results day. Woo!

They Rocked Me

Jake — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:42:03 +0000

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.

Drag Me To The Textbooks

Jake — Fri, 29 May 2009 21:43:13 +0000

This week has been full of revison. Like, uber amounts of revision. I did 8 hours on Tuesday, 5 hours on Wednesday and was allowed out after to see Drag Me To Hell and Fighting with Ethan, 8 hours yesterday and 8 today. I am officially knackered…

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’m a Bumblebee!

Jake — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:16:07 +0000

On Sunday morning I went to London to see my Aunt, Uncle and two baby cousins. It was pretty awesome, the weather was amazing, and it was the first time I’ve gone down there on my own. I had to take two trains and a tube to their place, and again to get back on Monday, but the timing was so perfect I didn’t really care.

I got on the first train at about 9:20am and finally arrived at their place at around 1:00. It was so hot that we decided to go to the hardware store for the air conditioning. We actually ended up buying an umbrella for the outside table and some plants.

When we got back we set up this weird floral sprinkler that goes crazy when you turn on the hose. It’s very intimidating. Shay and Zac ran through the water and it was all very fun.

That night we had a barbeque and ate burgers for dinner. I haven’t had a barbeque in ages, so that was cool. After everyone had gone to bed, Haydn (my uncle) and I stayed up until 1:30 in the morning playing 2 player Call of Duty 4 on the Wii (loving the ability to call for air strikes). That was awesome.

I was woken up at 7 the next morning by Shay and Zac. We had breakfast and played with some blocks for a bit. We ended up going to Wimbledon park and playing there for a bit. London has great footpaths for skating on.

At about 5:40pm I got on the train home and was back by 8. I had an awesome time.

Exams!

Jake — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:05:22 +0000

I’ve finally started my GCSE exams. I just want to get them over and done with because after them I get a really long holiday. I can’t wait!

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

I AM a cliche aren’t I?

Jake — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:08:16 +0000

I’ve finally started skateboarding

I actually started skateboarding a few years ago (with Ethan), but my board was terrible. It was about £8 from SportsWorld and the wheels didn’t roll enough. It would stop even if I was going downhill. The last straw was when an 8 year old asked me if I was suicidal when he saw my board.

Three years down the line and Ethan started skateboarding again because one of our friends gave him a really good skateboard. I sort of inherited Ethan’s old board, replaced the trucks and wheels and started up again. I gave Hannah my old board (sorry Hannah) and we practice every now and then.

I’ve recently met some guys on my road who skateboard as well – James, Joe and Joe’s brother Tim – and we’ve been hanging out. In fact, once I’ve finished writing this post I’m going out to the skatepark in Solihull with them.

Ethan and I made a bet at one of my parties (we were slightly inebriated). By next year we have to be able to ollie and kickflip (stationary and moving). If I can’t then I owe Ethan £100 and vice versa. If both of us can then it’s down to what other tricks we can do. Ethan has a £70 board and an awesome teacher, but I have the coordination of a drummer and I live five minutes away from a skatepark. I hope it’s a tie.

An unrelated warning – If you enjoy blogging regularly, and have a reasonable amount of readers (3 or more) do not try Twitter. It is an evil distracting thing that I love with a passion.

Germany… again!

Jake — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:03:20 +0000

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…