Spring & Kendrick Lamar and Steve Aoki

Time To Get My Lobster On

Spring has finally arrived in Connecticut, thank God. After a terrible winter of hurricanes and blizzards, it has suddenly become a normality to sit on a grassy knoll and people watch, whilst turning my ghostly pale English skin into that of a tomato. Then again, I was always told, that should you not succeed then to try, try again. I don't recommend burning skin that is already sunburnt, but on the other hand, after multiple days sat in the sun I no longer burn; persistence does in fact pay off. Then again I am reluctant to take my top off and force the locals to witness Casper The Friendly Ghost in the flesh, so to speak. Originally I burnt so much that I looked like a walking lobster, now although people may say I'm red, in relevance to my history I would say that I am a reddish brown; the best that I can hope for since I was a child playing football in the fields all day. Evan on the other hand, due to skipping the occasional class during the high sun, is a strange sight with a golden brown colour but with bright blond curly hair and blue eyes. Slightly freakish.

Currently there is a Spring Concert going on at the University with Kendrick Lamar and Steve Aoki. Call me a geek or whatever, but I've never heard of this pair, ever. Now the Spanish girls told me that these pair are fantastic and the best in the world, but after hearing a bit of their stuff, I decided against it. I only go to places that play this kind of music when I'm too drunk to know where I am, and to a place that serves. The fact that CCSU is a dry campus kind of defeats the object. All I remember was my opening couple of weeks here when there was a silent disco (you wear headphones with multiple stations to listen to). I stood on the edge holding out my hand as if I had a pint in it, when in fact it was empty. I couldn't help it, it seemed natural to me. Meanwhile the rest of the students were acting like English when drunk, despite being sober. It seemed so strange. This was my first experience of culture shock. I never went to an under 18 disco in England, (luckily I was over 6 foot and could get served at an early age, also Papa North educated me sufficiently)  but I don't understand how you can dance like an idiot sober as a judge? Then again, to be honest I do have to be a little worse for wear to take to the dancefloor - at 6 foot 4 inch, no matter how you dance, you look like a pillock.

After having a few ciders (I have converted the American's I've come in contact with to cider) before the concert, or school disco, I sit in my room doing laundry. Am I left out? No. I'd feel awkward and in need of beer. On the other hand I wish I could see Evan in full cowboy gear at a Dance party. Swings and roundabout I guess. Meanwhile, Eastern Connecticut State University are having the Goo Goo Dolls play at their Spring Concert. Hongi and I are planning to crash it tomorrow - wish us luck.

With only a couple of weeks to go before the end of the semester, I am doing a lot better than the last. I can't see any panic days before deadline day sat typing page after page of rushed work. Parents - a bit of praise for this please. The thing is that I get kicked out of my dorm earlier than I thought. Again, luck is on my side as Hongi (she lives off campus) is travelling the west coast from next week and has a free paid room. After talking to her roommates, I am more than welcome to occupy the room as long as I pay utilities. This means that Evan and I can continue to sit in the sun and top up on our skin cancer whilst finding jobs on Graigslist to fun our alcoholism.

Below are music videos of what I'm apparently missing out on.

The Bet

The month of February is upon us and I have made a pact to myself that very quickly turned into a bet with friends. After spending Christmas in Florida eating and drinking more than reasonable, I have alerted the media that I shall not touch a drop of alcohol over the month of February.

Unfortunately this was met with much laughter and disbelief from my peers here in America. They don't believe that this has been done involuntary back home in England due to lack of money and having to work. The reason for this pact is to one, save up money for Texas, and two, to help cut back on some of this American Timber that covers my English frame.

Show Me The Money!

I must admit that my friends do have a good enough reason to not believe as towards the end of last semester it was a common thing to hear from my lips. I'm not drinking until my birthday, I'm not drinking until Alejandra's birthday, I'm not drinking until December, I'm not drinking until next week, I'm not drinking until Erik's leaving do. All of which failed miserably for one reason or another.

As a bit of an incentive to complete the month I put forth a bet. If I win you pay me $10, If I fail I pay you $10. Jon was the first to take up the bet saying that it is easy money. Erik, all the way from Sweden said that it hilarious. Evan took up the bet, as did Ethan. Art is on the fence but believes that it can't be done. The Spanish girls have since changed their minds from laughing to backing me. I think they simply don't want to put money on it.

If I begin to post ramblings in the near future that don't make sense, that could indicate that the withdrawal symptoms have set in - wish me luck.

Happy New Year

A Rare Trip To The Dancefloor

Should Really Put My Drink Down

I am pleased to say that I didn't spend yet another New Years Eve traipsing the streets of Clitheroe in the ice and wind going to the same old places before standing under the clock tower freezing my little fellas off. This year I spent it in West Palm and was more than comfortable in a thin short sleeved shirt. Unlucky England.

In an attempt to save money, Jon, Brenda, and I did things American style and started the evening off drinking shots in the kitchen. Half a bottle of Sambuca to myself later and we were ready to party. The main street of the city was set up better than anything home can be bothered doing. The street was fenced off from traffic with lights hanging above the road and lighting the pavements as party goers made their way from pub to pub. 

You've Got To Have A New Years Hat

Why Do Australians Insist
On That Hand Symbol?

We started off in this nice little place where they happened to serve a nice, refreshing pint of Strongbow; job done. Once the place began to get a little busier we left and queued up to go the the rooftop club above the pub we were just in. This is the first time I've ever seen a lift in a club, in England it would be full of sick, urine, and who knows what else. On top of the building there were two giant dancefloors with big screens on the back walls, three bars, and a fantastic view of the city. That wasn't even the best bit, the measures they gave on cocktails were enough to put a smile on an alky's face.

A Brother's Duty To Hold His Sister's Cardigan

The Blind Leading The Blind

As the night progressed things became a little hazy, with more alcohol being consumed and being told by numerous people that my English accent is fake? Funny thing is if I was to put it on, I'd do a much better job than my regular accent. 

After watching numerous American films and T.V programs I was expecting a big fuss over the countdown with party poppers and balloons at midnight. Turns out I was either in the toilet at the time or they just didn't bother - how odd!