Son of Gun

Incase you didnt believe me....






TO

How Times Have Changed

Wow, its been 6 months since my last post. I started working full time while still in full time university education and as you can imagine that left little time for thought provoking blog posts.

Well times have changed, and thus blog has served its original purpose perfectly. Reading old posts and seeing how my life and personality have changed is an extremely positive experience.

In the last 6 months I have:

• Found an amazing woman
• Got a 2:1 degree in Economics
  
• Gained a graduate scheme placement with one of the largest companies in the world
• Been to the most amazing town - Huron, Ohio
• Seen the Atlanta Falcons play, live, in Cleveland, Ohio

"Self-reflection is vital to a nourished life". Apparently. According to a plastic mechanical physic at a Dave and Busters in Cleveland, Ohio. I have just been there on vacation with my girlfriend to visit some family friends. In 10 days I witnessed everything I want from life and fell in love with the entirety of the town. From firing a shotgun to watching ESPN all day, this is what I want. That's a powerful luxury and a great motivator.

Regarding self-reflection and motivation, if we look back to my last self absorbed post (all of them....I know) on goal setting; it makes terrific reading.

• Get a place on a Graduate Scheme - CHECK
  
• 5 Goals at the end of the season for D&C Athletic - ALMOST CHECK
• Rent my first home - CHECK
• Visit a city I have never been before - CHECK
• See the Atlanta Falcons play - CHECK

Granted, the last two I owe to my girlfriend and her unbelievably gracious contacts in Huron, Ohio but I'd call that a successful 6 months. Maybe I should be aiming higher?!

So, for the next 6 months:

• Get back to Huron, OH
• Make some sort of progress at work IE. promotion
• Have a second published article
• Start writing a book
• Become financially stable

Lets see how it goes this time, but I hope to be back in writing fashion from now on. Depends how the new job treats me!

TO

Challenging Yourself.....Again

As some of you may know, I like to check in at seminal (always loved the way the word means important but also 'containing semen') moments in my life.

About every 3 months I've checked my goals and see if I'm anyway near them or if i'm realising them.

August 2009

January 2010

My short term goals for 2010 were:

• Get a place on a Graduate Scheme
• 5 Goals at the end of the season for D&C Athletic
• Rent my first home
• Visit a city I have never been before
• See the Atlanta Falcons play

I'm in the process of getting on a Grad scheme at my current work, but thats not in the bag yet. I've got 3 of the 5 goals I need. I'm looking into moving out, and I better start saving for a trip to Atlanta in september for the new NFL season to cover the last two!

Here's one more I want to add to the 2010 list:

• Get my CBT Motorbike license and possibly a bike

"And if you come up from under that water and there's fresh air, just breathe baby, God's got a blessin' to spare. I know the process is so much stress but it's the progress that feels the best. I came from the projects straight to success and you're next, just try, they can't steal your pride, it's inside. Then find it and keep on grindin' 'cause in every dark cloud theres a silver linin'; I know."

Dwayne Carter

TO

High School Musical

Insomnia strikes. Bluergh.

Anyway, something I've noticed of late.

Life, post 21 years of age, is like high school reversed. The people who spent their high school lives being adored by many and terrorising classmates, now find themselves (admittedly according to 'Facebook') desperately unhappy about something different everyday. That or pregnant.

Then, at the opposite side of the spectrum, you have the geeks of the playground. Due to years of subject to either bullying or social exclusion, these guys actually did some work at school and boy is it paying off! These guys are well on their way to the best graduate jobs, earning the top money and hell, even some of them have blossomed into a deadly combination of brains and beauty. That or they're funny. Everyone knows to be funny you have to be clever and odd looking.

Finally, you have the middle runners. These guys flirted with both sides of my spectrum, and which ever they spent most of their time will dictate their future.

Personally, I did pretty well out of it. I wish someone would have sat me down as said "TO, if you sacrifice ALL this, in the future, the power you will gain from being more intelligent than all of these people you know will make you very happy" I would have jumped even further in the geek sqaud.

Knowledge is power people.

TO

Challenging Yourself

With it being the start (a bit late I know) of the new year I wanted to bring your attention to a post from 23rd August 2009 (wow, time flies). I discussed goals and ambition, and as with every prediction; some has changed, some is scarily close to the truth and most is cringeworthy.

http://toheadspace.blogspot.com/2009/08/today-in-football-training-i-attempted.html

Of the short term targets I have already achieved one and well on course for the other three. I have, however, noted the time scale for the medium and long need to be extended greatly, its a marathon not a sprint. Trying to achieve everything too quickly is a sure fire way to achieve nothing, good things come to those who wait, apparently.

So here are my updated targets, just for 2010:

• Get a place on a Graduate Scheme
• 5 Goals at the end of the season for D&C Athletic
• Rent my first home
• Visit a city I have never been before
• See the Atlanta Falcons play

As you can see they aren't unreasonable but still quite testing and will require me to work hard to attain. Thats what all goals should be. For me, 2010 is a consolidation year. A year for me to continue to develop and build who I am so I can achieve more in the future.

You have to build the foundation before the house.

TO

2009

I havent written anything in a long while. Its amazing how ones life can suddenly pick up pace without any noticeable warning. I have been working really hard at university to try and get a degree of some quality, but when i think back, thats a lie. I haven't worked really hard, but it feels like it. God knows how those other 'good' students manage it.

Anyway, enough excuses. Basically, I was contemplating deleting the blog. I can't see the point in having this taking up web space when nobody really looks or updates it. However, the proactive side of me (the one with a halo and wings) decided to just post and put the feeling to delete off a little longer.

So here I am. Looking back through the posts its quite humbling. Seeing, the promises my friends and I made to each other at the start of the year, to make this about 'the boys'. Seeing that fail. Seeing myself post a list of my perfect woman, thinking it would never be met. Seeing that succeed. Seeing me post new opportunities for writing, then seeing myself quit them.

I realised that this blog serves a massively important purpose. I know ultimately no one reads it, but its a record, its something to remind me where I have been and to write where I am going.

I cant believe this years nearly over, its been one of the best years of my life. The first half had some of the funniest moments I can recall, which has been complicated into a video already - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH6mbWwyMxI - (shameless plug). The second half, has cemented some friendships further, lost many more, found an amazing person, lost many insignificant.

Two contrasting half's of a year, that has been both juxtaposed and intense but thoroughly enjoyable throughout. I've partied hard, relaxed harder. Worked a lot, slept a lot more. Been to Rome. Seen the birth of two beautiful babies. Seen an idol perform. Seen another NFL game. Watched my favourite comedian live. Played the best football of my life. Found the love of my life *cough, Adam, cough*, and this girl called L. (hehe :P)

So, heres to 2010, which I've heard is Gina Harrison's and Atem Eyong aka Jay Breezy's year. So, I've had mine, heres to you guys, i wish you all the best, invite me to the after parties.

2010

TO

The Tall And Short Of It

When you see a performing midget/dwarf/little person/giant/Valuev/freak show, or whichever politically incorrect name you choose to give 'them', how do you feel?

Are you one to sit there and shake your head saying, "they are degrading themselves and the people who 'suffer' a similar plight", or are you one to mutter, "they are making the best out of something which could otherwise be a hindrance".

I usually find that my answer to this question depends on my mood, but I will always stick by the business behind it, if they make money to feed and clothe themselves, then fair play.

That being said...watch 'La Pequeña', who reached fame as the midget Amy Winehouse impersonator:



Firstly, someone tell me if 'its' male or female?

Secondly, is anyone else reminded of the female Gremlin from Gremlins 2? Still gives me nightmares...



:/

TO

Does Luck Exist?

Was this man saved for a reason, or is he just the luckiest b*stard alive. Both passenger and drive survived. (Courtesy of Funny Blog)

Maybe they should meet up with this guy and compare thirst for life:



:)

TO

One Step At A Time

As some of you may know, I now write for the University of Manchester Careers website and my first post went live last week and is doing quite well. One post has come from a PR Exec at a Comms. firm asking me to come for an interview and write about the experience. Its no doubt an attempt at getting free publicity but encouraging nonetheless.

If you haven't see it check it out here - http://manchesterundergradcareers.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/the-laymans-guide-to-careers/ - and support me!

It's supposed to be an honest approach from the mind of a normal guy and not the well organised perfect types that often frequent our universities making the rest of us feel worthless.

Cheers Blad.

TO

Satisfaction

I write this post waiting for my mate Bridgey in a Starbucks in town. I'm waiting to go to the Michael McIntyre gig at the MEN Arena tonight. Then I go to London for the NFL game at Wembley. Then to Rome for a weekend after that!

The point is not to boast (although that can be fun) but to live your life. You only get one shot and you have to be proactive and go out and do what you want rather than just think about.

Go do things and share your experiences. You only get one shot, make it a happy one.

Peace


-- Posted from TO's iPhone

TO stands for Technophile Onomasiologic

Ladies and gentlemen, I bring forth to you the power of
the iPhone.

The possibilitties seem limitless
yet attainable. Life seems nothin without it yet everything with it. No man, woman or child should be seen in the wilderness without it. The iPhone.

Blackberry can suck on it's own stem.

There's an app for that....

-- Posted from TO's iPhone

Unwritten Rule of Life #8:

"nice guys genuinely DO always finish last"

TO

Unwritten Rule of Life #7:

"Leopards do NOT change their spots...they simply blend in and hide...exactly what nature intended for them"

TO

Extract of a Kiss

Ryan looked into her dark brown eyes. Like pools of chocolate they drew him closer, begging to be stared at. He looked at Scarlet, her hair cascading down like an avalanche of carnal desire. He knew that she hadn't spent long attending to it, and this only made her more appealing. She seemed to do nothing wrong in Ryan's eyes. He found this strange as he had spent a lifetime dissecting the women that had come into his life, finding faults to devoid his own happiness.
However, this girl was different. He could sense that. She seemed effortless. And made him feel effortless. Like he could truly be himself. But this had the unusual effect of ruining all the 'game' he had. But every time he appeared nervous, she just giggled.
Ryan put his hands tenderly on her shapely hips. He felt her sides. They felt as he imagined them to feel when he first saw her. Toned and defined yet still soft and curvaceous.
"I've waited all night for this embrace." he said as he held onto her protectively. "I wasn't sure of how you felt."
Scarlet looked at him with amusement. She knew from the moment they met she wanted to kiss him, but she couldn't help the gratification that came from seeing a man of such stature helpless for her.
"And what makes you think I feel anything?" she mumbled while desperately trying to disguise her glee. "I mean, are you sure I want to kiss you...?" she continued, worrying he would lose interest.
Ryan smirked, "who said anything about kissing? But good to know whats on your mind!"
Scarlet blushed, knowing the sexy mysterious facade was fading quickly. She had never been very good at flirting, but now more than ever, she wanted to woo this man.
Before she could even consider her next move Ryan used his surreptitious hands to firmly pull her closer. He did with such vigour it shocked her, but with such control his strength calmed her.
Scarlet's soft lips were exactly what Ryan had imagined, and her kiss was ten times better. Pressing firmly at first he gently softened the pressure to make the kiss linger, that way he knew Scarlet would feel butterflies as if kissed by the perfect man. He moved one hand from her waist and caressed her cheek and neck, causing shivers down her spine and goosebumps to form on her arms.
They both knew that this was the kind of kiss that was the beginning of something beautiful and their lives would somehow change.
As he pulled away, Ryan gazed into Scarlet's eyes. They were the most divine he'd ever seen. They were so innocent and inviting, he could stare for hours. As Ryan looked, he realised that he loved this girl. And this terrifying feeling was one of utter delight and sheer worry, combined. This girl had ventured somewhere no one had ever gotten near before. His heart. Scarlet had the power to make or break him, and the very fact she was unaware of this made this burning feeling even more intense.
Ryan took Scarlet by the hand and continued with the evenings festivities. They both felt an spreading warmth inside, a mischievous emotion, guessing that they knew something the other didn't. They however, felt exactly the same. They were falling love.

This is just an attempt by myself at fiction writing.



TO

Unwritten Rule of Life #6:

"saying 'Your Mum' wins ANY argument...EXCEPT...if shes dead...then, well...you're a c*nt"

Unwritten Rule of Life #5:

"fantasy is ALWAYS better than reality, keep it in your head and enjoy the simple things you've got"

TO

Unwritten Rule of Life #4:

"sit back, relax and enjoy......Theres still time for a coke and popcorn"

TO

Unwritten Rule of Life #3:

"99 out of 100 women are clinically insane, so when you find that 1, appreciate her. However be aware the odds dictate most of her friends will be absolutely f*cking crazy"

TO

Unwritten Rule of Life #2:

"Anyone that calls THEMSELVES a legend is automatically NOT a legend, and remains NOT a legend for all time"

TO

Unwritten Rule of Life #1:

"Never spend too much time with your girlfriends male friends, its not natural and looks like you can't find your own"

TO