Thursday, November 22, 2012

I Rubbed Oil on Some Breasts

Thanksgiving here in my humble kitchen has come and gone now. I sit in my room and think back about the 8 hours I just spent in that kitchen cooking, eating, washing dishes, and eating, and sitting, and eating... I have far to much turkey left over but by god, 'Merica. Time to eat some more.

Lets try a video... here.


It was a lot of fun.  There was Pecan Pie, Chinese Dumplings, Green beans, Potatoes, Veggie dishes smothered in cheese, cookies, and tons more food to be had. We didn't gather and pray as we're not trying to force our religions upon eachother, but we did attempt to all say what we were thankful for.  I, being the host, spent my whole time carving up the turkey and munching on a few bits here and there as I could.

Above^ is the 14lb turkey I bought and baked by myself. It was lovely. Harry, my good pal, went and picked it up from our local butcher this afternoon while I was in class. I began cooking right away. It turned out a bit dry but I did my best. It was very god for a first attempt.

Right> is the gibblet gravy I made. It turned out absolutely superb and was my crowning glory in this particular meal. 

 
 There were more people than there were plates, or chairs, and we had been expecting a few others that ended up not being able to make it.  It was fun to cook for so many!



The post food coma is setting in. Sarah is taking it particularly hard...










All in all, this thanksgiving was a lot of fun. I've always just gotten to eat the food and never been around the kitchen.  I can't say iw as out of my element because I love to cook for people, but its a bit daunting to make sure the turkey isn't to dry.  It turned out all right and people seemed to have a blast shoving food down their faces.

I missed the family this trip, but that is life.  I made due and made a family out of my friends here.

All in all, GREAT SUCCESS!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

To Brussels and Back, Kevin's Tale or No Need to Call Liam

This little bit is a palce holder until I get the pictures to transfer properly.  Also, I did a lot of writing so I'll have to transfer that from its paper and pencil medium into a series of 1's and 0's that the computer will enjoy.

Tomorrow? Soon.

SOON

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Been Sick Again

So I've been sick and lazy and have not been updtaing this bad boy this past week. My bad.

Dunno what I have. most likely all the worst things.

Also, don't eat pizza in the UK... ever. Like, never ever.  I've now eaten pizza on two separate occasions and from two separate places and I have spent the next morning vomiting and crapping my brains out.  Not fun at all.  Spent this whole day in bed sick with this Pizza ailment of mine and it disagrees with me.

I'm going to Brussels tomorrow. Should be a blast! No one else is going so If I do not post soemthing on here by Tuesday, I've been taken deep into the heart of the abyss and Liam Neeson should be called immediately to find me.

I mean it. Call Liam Neeson. He needs to find me.

UPDATE!
This is the information I've made thus far and plans on where I'll be staying:
Hostel: Aldberge de Jeanesse, Zavelput 30, 1000 City of Brussels, Belgium, 02 218 01 87
Station of Arrival: Euroline Coach Station, North Rail Station
American Embassy: 02 811 4300

(Looking at you Liam)

Here is an update about my life through pictures.

 More booze from La Trappiste a little while ago. This was a Belgium beer that was quite good and high percentage to the max. Been trying to get the one beer the owner of that particular restaurant likes a whole lot.  Its the Affligem Dubble.  I need to try it. His description in the beer bible at La Trappiste is immaculate when describing it.
 This is the Cod Fillets I cooked over the past weekend with my friend Bryonee and her housemates.
 This is the rest of the meal.  We made tater wedges, a vegetable broth type thing that turned out to be quite good thanks to Bryonee, Stephen provided the pre-fried bake and eat Chinese appetizers, and I bought some extra pieces of Cod and the limes.  It was a lovely meal followed by a mellow night of talking and eating and having fun.  I walked home at 5am and now have this sickness I'm suffering from, most likely from that walk. I had a  great night that night.


 This was Last Tuesday, today is Thursday.  This sucked.  Our fire alarm goes off every Wednesday morning at 8am while I am sleeping because I have no classes that day. Something/Someone set this off while I was asleep from being sick and it was rough. I couldn't figure out what was going on or what day it was. This is Jacob, April, and myself mean-mugging the building and hating the fire alarm.
 This is from last night.  La Trappiste again, quickly becoming our favorite place.  I ate pizza, I puked, everyone else ate pizza, they were fine.  This is the "beer stick" they offered where you can try 6 of their beers off tap.  It was a fun time and the whole crew had a fun time!
We were celebrating Gabby's birthday.
In attendance: Krystle, Dorothea, Harry, Libby, Jacob, Gabby, Anna, Sarah Jordan, and me.






All in all, its been a fun past few weeks. Been a different setting than what I was used to and I definitely needed the change.  I've had discussions with old friends on the itnernet, discussions with new friends in person, and mellow evenings out and rough evenings in.  I'm constantly reminded that the world is a gorgeous place to live because you can have horrendous nights and the best nights of your life in a short expanse of time.

Life is gorgeous and I'm having a blast living mine!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Mortality of a Trip

So, the past few days I've been feeling a bit reserved as opposed to my usual outgoing, party hardy self.

Right now, and the foremost thing I need to do, is to get the fuck OUT of the UK.  I need to go to another country. I don't care where.

I'm getting stir crazy cooped up in one place.

Don't get me wrong, I have loved my time here in Canterbury, and there are still plenty of things to go and do and see, but I just feel like I have been reserved in my travel plans because of the price as well as school.  The mortality of this trip is looming on the horizon, and every fiber of my being is saying "Get out there Kevin!"

I know I could have traveled more, but even if I had I would still feel this way.  I don't regret not traveling as much because the time I have spent here and the friendships I've made are more than worth not getting a few pictures in another country.

However, the world is an old and large place, and I am but a scratch on its surface and a blink of its eye.  I haven't got to long, just a miniscule human life to spend, and I need to be sure I see and experience what I can when I can.

So that has been on my mind.  Also, I hate planning things and I like to DO things.  I just want to be able to go and do what I want when I want.  Public transportation and the prices they charge make that difficult.  I was going to just hop on a train to Amsterdam today and go fora  24 hour trip with a friend, but that fell through because the tickets were about 200GBP... which is absolutely insane.  If I was a rich man... (My wife would have a proper double chin)

Lastly, I am done with school. This trip has shown me I am no long a student and should not be here doing the student thing... I'm done with it.  I've been a student in the school system for far too long and I am done with that part of my life for now.

All in all, I'm getting stir crazy and need to get out of here and find some fun gifts for the family.  Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, I'll need a penny for that old man's hat.

God speed!

Kevin

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Er mer gerd, Hot Pot!

So tonight I've had one of the greatest nights I have had in my life thus far!

I walked into the kitchen and April, my Chinese roommate, had informed me her friends from her school would be present this night for a party.  April was in the process of cooking something called a Chinese "hotpot".  I decided I wanted to take a few snapshots on my camera.  Then I got out my Hero2 and started taking a few videos here and there.  All of a sudden, her friends show up and I suggest to April that I could take some photos on her nice SLR camera.  She agreed as she is usually taking photos and never in the shots herself.

I was just happy to get to mess around with a REALLY nice camera.

I started snapping shots here and there. Before I know it I'm knee deep in the group snapping photos like a madman.  The "birthday girl", whom this meal was for, showed up and I snapped a perfect reaction shot as she waltzed through the door. I just had an absolute blast taking photos of all these people who were having so much fun.  Their joy transferred to me and I was immensely happy to be part of this particular happen-stance.

Eventually, after my last pictures shuttered to a halt, I sat down and watched.  I was invited to grab from the pot but I hesitated because I wasn't sure how it all went down.






At its core, this particular item was a Chinese fondue.  A boiling pot of ginger, garlic, onion, and magic.  A "sauce consisting of chives, a boat ton of garlic, and some sesame oil.

Anyone can throw whatever they want into the pot.  There were mushrooms, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, potatoes and sweet potatoes, tofu...

There was lamb to! There rolls of lamb you just threw in and they were to DIE for.  I ate until I felt like I was going to puke, and then onward still.  I finally had to leave because I had eaten so much and if I stayed I would continue.

The atmosphere, the happiness, the food, and the social environment was absolutely wonderful.  I couldn't stress to you how much fun I had.

On top of all this, the group spoke Chinese, but they we so friendly to me as well when they spoke. I felt so welcome and I was so at peace to somply listen to their language and their laughter.

Nothing could have been better than this meal tonight, and I have to thank my Flatmate April for asking me along.







April, if you read this. I want you to know that tonight was the best thing ever.  Also, just because you are studying to be a lawyer because someone has set this goal for you doesn't mean you need to give up on your own goals.  Being a photographer is not unrealistic.  As far as I know, you've got this one chance to follow what you want and be what you want.  If someone else says otherwise... well, there is always a way to say, in the nicest way possible, "Go fuck yourself".

Follow your dreams, your passions, and your heart and you will have nothing to be upset about when you have reached the end of your career as a human being.

Much love,

Kevin

Saturday, November 3, 2012

About Films and Insatiable Appetites

So I know this was going to be a videoblog... I know. I'm embarrassed that I have failed in that aspect thus far. Its not that I haven't been filming, its just I haven't got the capabilities here on my little 5 year old laptop to make the editing process happen.

Also, I'm full of excuses.

In all honesty, the internet is a horrifying place full of trolls and other nasty, androgynous*, anonymous*, autonomous* individuals full of crazy and outlandish thoughts and feelings being expressed through their own lack of mastery of the English language.

Teh webz is teh scry plce in da wrld

Next up on the list is my insatiable appetite for the unexpected and new.  I crave so many things its unbelievable!

I'm hungry for ALL THE FOOD!  I'm in the mood to try new beers, meet new people, see new places, shop at new stores, listen to new stories, film new things, find new music, smell new things...

I want all the newness this world has to offer, right here and right now.  I want to be completely physically fit and be a fat bastard all at the same time.  I want everything and I am having trouble obtaining it all.  Its tough when you sleep til 12 everyday.  Something I'll be changing this last month of my existence in the UK during this trip.

I'm ready to go out and do what I wanna do!  Last night and this morning and day I've just been hanging out, plotting this here blog and listening to some Red Hot Chilli Peppers.  Its lovely, but its not enough.  I'm going to go on an adventure tomorrow.  I dunno to do what or to where, but you'll see about it on here, and you'll view clips of it when I edit all my footage together at the end of this here trip.


One quick shout-out before I scoot. Enjoyed a fun birthday with the flat mates and Jamie, the birthay girl flatmate.

Here is one of my shots!

Jamie is the saintly one.

Here is one of April's and one of my favorites of the night. Naturally because it focuses on me.

This place rocks my socks off!

*Definitions for the people out there who don't know these words.

Androgynous - Partly male and partly female in appearance; of indeterminate sex.
                       Having the physical characteristics of both sexes; hermaphrodite.

Anonymous - (of a person) Not identified by name; of unknown name.
                      Having no outstanding, individual, or unusual features; unremarkable or impersonal.

Autonomous - (of a country or region) Having self-government.
                       Acting independently or having the freedom to do so: "an autonomous committee of the  school board".

You have the internet. Use that beautiful tool to improve yourself
Definitions were googled. Easy.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

The Day of the Dead, Hobbits, and Crisps

El Dia de los Muertos has come and gone.  Most spooks and vandals have had their fun, drinks flowed from every bottle, jug and pitcher into the mouths of impressionable youths looking for a good time, a long night, and some drunken mistakes that inevitably bit them in the ass this morning.

I'm sure they found them somewhere along the line.

I was a hobbit.

This was a costume that I ahve been planning on making happen since forever, but I never got around to it. Now, in a matter of "oh shit, I need a costume", I made this happen at no cost to me.

So that's nice.

Here are some of the other costumes from my flat.


My hair ate half of Libby's face, but the rest are there just fine.

Hobbit, dead girl, "Cat woman", Angel, Witch, Another dead girl.  We had a fun time.

Lastly, about these crisps here... the states is branching out form our usual flavors now and bringing in some interesting stuff, but the flavors here... they're all meat!

You've got the normal cheeze and onion, salted, Salt and vinegar, etc...

But then... then comes the other flavors.

Bacon Sizzler, Roast Chicken and Thyme, Roast Beef, Pork Roast, Smoked Ham and Pickle...

What the hell is that?  All these meat flavored potatoes that taste vaguely like they're supposed to but then they're just weird.

I also find, and this is just conjecture, that I eat so much crisps here because the food isn't as salty here as it is in the states.  Also, I'm constantly hungry and am not eating enough, so there is that...

Much love, talk soon!

Kevin