Cucumber in the Big City

2011-03-15T21:03:00.002Z

So it's been a while since I posted, and although it's a long time gone for 'keeping my hand in', I think it's worth an update. So I've redone the blog as well as posting.

I'm now living in West London, I've been here for about 6 months now, pretty much doing the same stuff in a different place. It's not the moving out or even moving away that's hard to do, it's building a whole new life that's been the toughest. I guess it'll come with time, as with anything. I'm settled and used to living here, but its not exactly home.

I graduated last year and have a degree, and thankfully no essays to do! That's big news for me. Although it is only an ordinary degree (ie not an honours one), I am really pleased that I got to the end of it and managed to pass. I'm the first one in my family to go to uni and get a degree, so its quite significant in that way too.

I don't know what the future of this blog holds, whether I'll keep coming back to it after a few months/years and release the contents of my brain on it, or whether it'll just fizzle out completely, but it doesn't really matter for now. We'll just keep plodding on.

2008-06-02T01:20:00.002Z

This is a video Jon put together of the Pathfinders raising money for the Fairtrade Foundation, by waxing part of my legs and dying my hair. They raised over £200 and I'm really proud of them, even though i look like a twit and none of them would be seen in public with me and that hair.

NB here's the original video on which the above is based.

2008-05-27T22:13:00.001Z

The story of my life.

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

2008-03-07T21:20:00.003Z

Over the past month or so, I've come to realise how atheistic the internet is. I appreciate that the content of the internet is down to who uses it and who uploads what, but there definitely seems to be a bias towards atheism in most of the secular websites I look at. Usually ones which show videos of people falling over, clips of the best bits from favorite tv shows, and silly, addictive games, often have videos of Richard Dawkins or some other atheistic evangelist, or worse 'parodies' of Christian, primarily creationist videos portraying all Christians as two dimensional characters who think that science is witchcraft. I don't have a problem with them airing they're views (although I do disagree with them), but my main issue is how aggressive they tend to be. I'm not saying that every Christian is right or perfect in every way: I realise that the crusades were as good an example of religious extremism as we have seen in recent years, from people claiming to be doing the work of Allah by killing hundreds of people (which I believe is not what the true nature of Islam is).
I'm fed up of reading/watching/hearing the views of people who just insult a faith, often because they latch on to an argument given by their talismanic leader Dawkins or some other, but in fact have no idea of what they are talking about. I don't agree with some people's understanding of creation or another area of faith, but as long as they are just expressing what they believe, fair play to them. It takes a lot to stand up and say what you believe in these days, especially in the forum of the internet.
So kudos to you all and don't be drawn into the slanging match and start trading insults with critics.

Update:Thanks to Ian at Youthblog who has shown me this response to evangelical atheism.

2008-01-26T17:22:00.000Z

Ok, so I'm in a slightly better position than last time, cos I've left myself with more time to do my work, but I'm completely uninspired and finding it really difficult to do anything. It's really stressful, cos I'm just staring at the blank space in the word document with no idea of what I'm doing. Worse still, I've realised that aside from the 10,000 words i've got to write in the next 2 weeks, I've also got to write an assessment of myself and my progress and make sure all my time sheets are in order. It's all a bit poo really. I'm not even going to start on the whole Chill side of the stresses. I'd better get back to that expanse of white that is my assignment.

2007-12-04T18:34:00.000Z

2007-11-29T22:14:00.000Z

I'm finished. I can't believe it but I'm actually finished. I think for the first time in my life, I've handed in two pieces of coursework ON TIME! I'm not sure if I ever got one in before, but two in two weeks-that's remarkable! And they were essays-3000 words each! I'm rubbish at them, and I only just got within the word count, but it still counts. I got less than 7 hours across the two nights before the deadline on both weeks, but I got it done. I think to celebrate I'm going to go to bed.
YES!!!

2007-11-27T01:35:00.000Z

2007-11-20T04:06:00.000Z

As I prepare to go to bed at 4 o'clock in the morning, for what I fear won't be the last time in the next 2 weeks, I'm reminded of every time when I was at school I left my homework to the last minute. Evidently some things don't change, but of course coursework for a degree brings it to a new level. I often think about what I would say to the 10 year old me, who couldn't be bothered to write a paragraph about castles. I can't help but think about the way I'd be able to manage work would be a lot better if I'd built up gradually. I'd better get some sleep, I've got to be up for work in 3 1/4 hours.

2007-11-13T18:42:00.000Z

Wow. Looking at my last post, evidently its taken me longer to get back than I thought it would. I could tell you what I've been up to in the meantime, but a)it's not that interesting and b)I'm not sure if anyone reads this that wouldn't know. But what the heck - lets get the ball rolling again.
I started uni back in September. Except its not really uni; I go in 2 days a fortnight and its not at a university. It is a proper degree course, but its mostly based on the practical youth work I do. Also, I get to say I go to university in Oxford.
Also, my girlfriend's moved to a different country. I try not to take these things personally, but I can only take so much...
Anyway, if anyone's out there, I'll try to do a bit better with the blogging from now on.

2007-04-13T13:35:00.000Z

Shake it.
Just a quickie til I can get properly blogging again.

2006-12-31T16:50:00.000Z

A bit like the 4 chords one, but this guy's funnier. Still struggles with the high notes though.

2006-11-23T16:04:00.000Z

2006-11-23T00:10:00.000Z

The Four Chords Song

This is pretty cool. I know most music uses the same few chords, but there's obviously a lot of work gone into this. Check it out.

2006-11-21T19:52:00.000Z

Ok, so its been 2 months since I've done anything on this. Ironically, not having a job and therefore having more time, I've not been bothered about posting. I wonder if that'll change around once(if) I do get a job. I'm quite surprised how difficult it has been to get a job. Firstly, I have 3 A level passes (CDD-not great, but passes), which is more than most people in the country, I am generally a reasonable person-polite, patient, hopefully likable and I have good references and yet B&Q have turned me down! B&Q! I've got nothing against the people at B&Q and I'm sure that this doesn't apply to everyone, but it's not the hardest job and some of the people at my local branch aren't the brightest sparks. They were advertising for jobs too, it's not like I wrote to them to see if they've got any spare.
At least they replied-I reckon about 30-40% of the places I've applied to haven't replied. I appreciate they have a lot of applications etc but if I've made the effort to apply to them for a job, filled in application forms/quetionaires/personallity tests, can they not at least say "sorry, we've filled the position." I don't know if they're just going through a lot of applications and taking their time or if they're not gonna reply at all. In the unlikely event I do get an offer, I might be between two minds about accepting it if I'm waiting on another that I might prefer but they've not replied to me.
I'll let you know if I do get a job (not that anyone reads this that doesn't know me...come to think of it, not that anyone reads it at all) and by the way, thats not me and I don't have kids to support I just want to buy some Christmas presents.

2006-09-19T07:30:00.000Z

Arrr, tis' talk like a pirate day today, so you'd better be keepin' up the tradition, gar! Whether ye be at school, in the office or just seein' your mates, "its the only day you can talk like a pirate and not be entirely insane".

Arrr, Check out talklikeapirateday.com for all o' your pirate related phrases plus links t' other piratey sites, like ye pirate name. Aye.

My pirate name is:

Captain Roger Bonney

Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. You can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

2006-09-17T15:14:00.000Z

Okay, that last one was good, but I think this one's better. It is pure fluke but it sure does look good. Pure jazz.

What A Goal - video powered by Metacafe

2006-09-04T15:49:00.000Z

All I can say is what a goal. And his name is Rafael Van Der Vaart. The only two things I can say are what a goal and his name is Rafael Van Der Vaart and it was in the match between Ajax and Feyenoord. Three things I can say about this include what a goal, his name is Rafael Van Der Vaart and it was in the match between Ajax and Feyenoord. Except I probably can't say Rafael Van Der Vaart, even with my Dutch experiences. Anyway, just watch the video.

He must've had guts to do that, it paid of for him though. In fact if it was me, I would've only done that if I had gone to far and I might do that as a last ditch attempt, but I can almost guarantee it wouldn't go in. Anyway, good stuff.

2006-08-28T21:15:00.000Z

I don't really know much about this band, other than they're called Ok Go and they're most famous for their dancing on their videos. This song is called Here It Goes Again and I thought it was pretty funny.

2006-06-29T19:54:00.000Z

This is pretty funny. Its from the American version of "Whose Line I It Anyway?", an improvisational comedy that was popular in the UK during the 90s but I don't ever remember it being this good. With special guest star Robin Williams.

NB for anyone who, like me, asn't got a clue who Carol Channing is, here is her Wikipedia page. Basically, she's an American musical actress with a distinctive voice and appearance.

2006-06-28T19:16:00.000Z

I found this on the net. Its a David Attenborough documentary and the clip's about the lyrebird, which mimics other sounds. This one makes particularly interesting noises.

2006-05-08T18:40:00.000Z

I just wanted to direct you towards a friend of mine's blog - aylesbury.blogspot.com - which as I'm not technologically savvy enough to link to, I'm mentioning in the text. The main premise is that he's travelling around England, and maybe beyond, to find other Aylesburys/Aylesburies/Aylesburi whatever. If there is anyone out there that hasn't come by my blog from his, then check it out.

2006-04-12T11:34:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago, when I was talking about pelican crossings, I mentioned people that cycle on the pavement in a rather derogatory way. Let me explain: I don't have a problem with people who ride their bikes on the pavement as such, its just people who think that it's their right to and that pedestrians are just people in the way!
Let me give you an example; I live near two quite busy main roads. On my way to school one morning, I was coming to a crossing near the junction where they both meet. As I was about to cross the road, a car sped up so I stepped back onto the pavement and at that moment a cyclist (about 40-50 years old) came round the corner and went straight into the bag on my back. He tried to steady himself but ended up riding into a small wall behind me and fell over the top. I immediately went and helped him up and apologised and he had the cheek to have a go at me and tell me to look where I was going!! Although he could see me the whole time and he was riding on the pavement, which he shouldn't have been and he was going to fast to stop and so could've injure some small child or something, he still had the audacity to blame me! I barely moved half a foot!
So that's my problem with some cyclists.

2006-04-07T11:26:00.000Z

I thought I'd give you guys a break from me ranting and raving about stuff to offer you a bit of entertainment. You might remember a year or two ago, there was a Honda ad with a "domino effect"/chain reaction with the parts of the car knocking into each other and such until a banner comes down advertising the (whole) car. These sort of things are called Rube Goldberg machines and I found a good collection of them if you fancy having a look. They're all a bunch of Japanese ads for something but I think they're pretty cool.

2006-03-29T13:12:00.000Z

So, here's something that really annoys me; people who don't stop at pelican crossings. I tend to walk pretty much everywhere and so have to cross a number of roads. In England, it is the law for a driver to stop if there is someone waiting to cross at a pelican crossing, providing it is safe to do so. But cos its one of those laws that its quite easy to get away with, like cycling on footpaths (don't get me started), many drivers don't tend to do it. I've even had people speed up as they come up to the crossing after looking me in the eyes! I know this is pretty much nothing and it's not as if it's something that constantly annoys me, but its just inconsiderate.
I've got a plan though. What I've found is if I put one foot down just on the road, right up against the curb, there's pretty much no chance of getting hit, but they stop. Scares them a bit too. Is that a little evil?

2006-02-04T16:58:00.000Z

So I know I've been a bit rubbish so far in this whole blog thing so far. To be honest I've had more important things to do than update my blog. Recently we've been trying to sort out a weekend away and me and Paul, the youth leader have been put in charge of a group bonding game, except I've done all the work and I should imagine I will end up doing all the work. This isn't a rant about exploitation (but I could go on), but about how hard it is to actually think up a few non-cheesy exercises as part of the game. The internet is no help and I haven't got a clue.
The main idea is that an alien ship's crashed and the group has to split into groups and find parts of the ship, but the parts need you to do some sort of exercise to get them. I know the main premise is cheesy, but if we aim for that but keep the exercises non-cheesy, it should work.
I'll let you know how that goes.
Another thing is my good mate Joe Hopkins is on a gap year in Brazil at the mo. I know that wouldn't make me busy, but when he comes back, he'll be touring the country with his team going into schools and stuff and I'm coordinating their week's stay in Aylesbury, including accomidation, transport, visits etc. I haven't got a clue!
And finally and I suppose most importantly, I've now got a girlfriend and she takes up a fair amount of my time. I'm not complaining, but that's why I've not updated my blog for ages.

2005-11-22T13:04:00.000Z

I am a man of very many names. Not in a bored parent kind of way but nicknames. I guess this is a good place to list them all. I guess I should start with the name under which I’m writing this blog.

Cucumber – This came about in the summer of 2003, during a 4 hour stint of football. During a very tense penalty shoot out, I slotted mine away “as cool as a cucumber”. I think I was just a bit shy, but never mind.
Red Hot Chilli Richard – Later on that summer, the same people got to know my frustrated side at Soul Survivor, a Christian camp. This was the Hyde to my Cucumber Jekyll.
Fridge – The oldest one still in circulation, this has no relation to the retired American Football player and is really a more interesting name than the story of how I got it.
Dick – Fairly self explanatory, my name is Richard, Dick is short for Richard and I got it from my friend when we were 12 and so it was ‘hilarious’.
Dicky T – Same group but a softer version when the original joke got a bit thin.
Cappy – Someone once had a dream that I was a sea captain and so I was referred to as this for a couple of weeks.
Cappy Dick – See above.
Tricky Dicky – My dad used to call me this when I was quite young and I only remembered it when people started calling me Dicky T.
Todge – When my friend Bob wanted to abbreviate Dick he thought this was shorter. He’s a bit thick really.

I’ve probably got others to add but we’ll leave it at that for now.

2005-11-17T21:44:00.000Z

Three irish men walk into a bar... the english man ducked. Bad joke I know but thats just til I get going.