Well, I'll start off by apologising for not updating my blog for so long. It's just been a combination of things really rather than anything in particular. I always intend to make a post but something always gets in the way whether it be laziness, the call of alcohol or someone nosey sat next to me. Anyway, moving on.
Making Films is Easy
I've been spending lots of time with the Cinematography Society recently and I've made 2 films in the last couple of weeks. The first one was called "Boy Meets Girl" and although I was only an extra it was a great laugh filming it. We had to go to a local club (during the day) Ikon & Diva to do some filming and basically all I had to do was stand in the background and pretend to dance. What made it fun was the free alcohol! We started drinking at 2, finished filming at 5 and came back to Uni. But instead of stopping drinking then I thought it best to carry on and went down to the bar. By 11pm I was
Then last weekend, the Cinematography Society decided to do something special and somebody suggested a few weeks ago doing a 48-hour project. Basically the writing of a script can take weeks, plus filming and editing, which means making a film, even a small one, can be a lengthy process. Well, we were going to try and write, film, edit and premiere a short movie in one weekend. And by God, did we do it! I had serious reservations about our success but we managed it. Admittedly, the film only lasted about 8 minutes but what was so gratifying was that all of us were involved in every aspect of the production - writing, acting, editing. We spent all of Saturday morning writing the script and then the rest of Saturday and Sunday morning filming. All of the editing was done on Sunday afternoon and then the film was premiered in my bar on Sunday evening. My acting, was, as always, immaculate and so far an incredible one person has asked me for my autograph (albeit she was a friend and only joking). But making films can be relatively straightforward if everyone is working towards a common goal. I know 2 people who are applying to film school and I think it would be such an amazing experience to do.
House Hunting
As a first year at Uni I get to live on campus which is great as I'm right next to the bar and I don't have to go far for lectures. Next year however, all first years have to move out and find a house nearby. To that end, the last week I've been frantically ringing landlords up and asking them if they have a house available. The Uni publishes a housing list so you just look through that and find the contact details of a landlord whose property you're interested in. Today, I had a look round 2 houses and the first one was okay, not great, but the second one was really nice. We said we'd take it there and then and we just need to sign the contract on Friday. I'm moving in with Tom, Hannah and Laura, all people down my corridor. It's a good mix with 2 girls and 2 boys plus it won't feel like it's crowded. The house is terraced with one bedroom downstairs and 3 upstairs (typical student house really). The rent is £46 a week which for York is about average. However, because I'll be paying my rent out of my student loan and the others are getting their parents to pay it for them (lucky buggers) it means I'll be much more strapped for cash next year. On top of the rent we'll have bills and a television license to pay so I'll really be scrimping for money. Hopefully, I'll get a ridiculously well-paid job over the summer (yeah, right) and I'll be loaded by the time I get back to Uni. Here's hoping.
Other Matters
They're pretty much the main things that have happened to me recently. I'm full-swing back into my course now and I've finished reading J. S. Mill's "On Liberty". It was interesting but hard-going and I think I need to read it again to fully grasp everything he was saying. We're doing ethics in Philosophy at the moment and that's so interesting. Today our lecturer tied in what we've been doing with the war in Afghanistan and some of the things he said made sense. He was basically asking whether it was morally right for so many civilians to be killed during the attacks on the Taliban as between October 7th and December 7th something like 3,500 civilians have been killed due to the war. What's interesting was the lecturer's point that during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre, they were attacking what America stood for and the civilian casualties were just a consequence of that attack, and during the war in Afghanistan the American attacks were on the Taliban and Al Quaeda and the civilian casualties were just a consequence of those attacks. So, was the American action justified or are Bush, Powell, Rumsfeld and co. just as bad as Bin Laden and Omar? I think the attacks were justified but it's an intriguing point of view. Certainly something to consider, especially in light of the recent furore over the treatment of Taliban prisoners.
United all the Way
I could talk about how great Ruud van Nistelrooy is and how United are back in the title race but after last night's performance I don't think I want to. I knew they'd lose to Liverpool.
The world of the WWF has become very exciting recently with the news that they may be signing all 3 of Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Hulk Hogan. I think this could be either great or very bad for the WWF depending on how they're handled.
That's all for now, hopefully more at the weekend.
Quote of the Day
If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind. - J. S. Mill
