A Long Time Coming

The hope and positivity of my trip to Europe was swiftly engulfed by the safgety that my home offers.
With little to no responsibilities aside from: Waking up, going to work, leaving work, continuing to breathe; I've continued my path of mental deprevation for far to long.

I was inspired here and there.  I worked diligently to lang myself a role in some type of show here in the Nashvegas area, but to no avail.  So far, that is.  That is stil a work in progress.

I've also disucess this issue with a friend of mine who claims she went through the same thing.  Its very diufficult to leave all your friends who are knee deep in theatre with you and be slung back into the cockpit of a fast moving ship called monotony here at home.  Love my family to death, and I need this place to stay so I can continue to save money, but there is also the downside of finding all of this too comforting.  Life is far to easy.  I don't have homework, I don't have to worry about finding something to eat... I simply go to work.  My largest concern are the drivers in the Nashville downtown area.  Most of them need to pay closer attention to their world.  They're operating weapons carelessly.

So to be cut off from all of your involvement with the theatre peoples you once associated yourself... it is tough to remain as upbeat, positive, and completely involved in the particular career choice you've deemed as something you love.  I remember I love it, and I remember that when I do it, I will be reminded again of why I do it... but the opportunities lie dormant just on the other side of a hill called perseverence.  That hill sucks to clime by yourself.

I want to be the beacon that gathers the flock around me.   I want my mood to shift the mood of others, to cause a viral infection of theatre and film craze, to write, create, film, and play with people of a like mind, but I'm not nearly as resilient as I used to be.  Its so much easier to turn on a playstation than it is to gather people together into a room.

That is my dilemma, my curse, possibly my generations curse.  Human interaction is vying for supremacy with technology.


ON
a more fun note, Bonnaroo was magnificent as usual.

I bought a ticket with my siblings, my sister included this year.  It was a year to remember for certain.  Paul McCartney was obviously the highlight.  I've seen a Beatle perform Beatles songs.  That is a story that I get to tell for the rest of my life. 

I watched Alt-J up close and personal, weaseling my way into the crowd as they came on stage.  I snapped some clips but I cannot tell fi they're worth while.  I have misplaced my phones cable and am in process of acquiring it again.  In the mean time, my camera/picture taking capacity will be lacking in the availability of transferals between devices until I can locate the cable.  I believe, however,m with as many Batman comics I've read of late, my detective skills will obviously prevail against the case.  Justice shall be served!

(Update: I've commandeered another's cable!)

Bonnaroo Flag made by yours truly. Storm Troopers!

A little Trombone Shorty for ye'

Alt-J made my night and my trip!

SeaWolf play

One of the greatest musicians of our time. Super Tall Paul!

God speed ladies and gents, and I apologize for my inactivity.  Life got in the way.

Hugs and kisses and all that jazz,

KevBot

A Long Time

I realize it has been quite some time since I last posted something on there here blog.  My inactivity has been due to many things.  Mostly, I've been "working" diligently on a paper; my last paper of my schooling career.  This has been both innefective and a reclusive process, and has left me with the complete and utter lack of ability to care about anything since I started.  I'm just, feh.

So, I'm writing this now and will most likely update this paticular post, within the next 24 hours.  I will not say it will be awe inspiring or a great post, but some activity is better than this no activity business I've been in a funk with. 

Soon.

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!

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

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!

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

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