This thing we do...

Hey long time no talk this is mostly an update for my grandparents as I told them I would start updating this blog again a little more regularly. I am doing great life over here is a bit hectic, but I am really enjoying it, A lot has happened in the month that I have been here. Helen's sister has had a bouncing baby boy, (William Thomas Aykroyd) which I am sure you have seen pictures of by now.

As you know Helen and I contribute to an ongoing video project once a week, this weeks video fell on Halloween so we decided to make a themed video, hope you enjoy it!

Random Fact of the day:

Helen and I are heading to Brighton in southern England for a long weekend with our friends, later today!

The Complete Marmot Guide (a fast fiction)

The following is a fast fiction story.

Fast fiction is derived from being given a random title (up to four words) and constructing a short (200 word story). This first fast fiction title was suggested via twitter by @duplicatehelix.


The complete Marmot guide

Cowering in the shadow of his burrow, crouched the young marmot. Discretely hidden amongst the loose rocks the uprights dislodged while laying the parallel flat rocks.

The Marmot knew there were rules to survive living so close to an upright burrow. There were risks and rewards, though the risks frequently overshadowed even the best rewards.

Rule #1. Daylight is dangerous.
The uprights are mostly day foragers and hunters, and are prone to hunting to fight boredom. While they are still present at night they seem more interested in their sour water and females than their surroundings.

Rule #2 Food on the fly.

The uprights seem to leave food everywhere they go, but if they discover some other creature consuming, they will chase with thundersticks and place their prey's skin on their walls.

Rule #3 The further the better:

The uprights control sweet plants, they guard the outskirts of the sweet plants tend to be homes for 8 leggeds and water holes out of the line of sight.

Knowing these rules the marmot waited until the light grew dim, ventured across the flat rocks, and crept near the sweet plants, only to be snatched into the air by the talons of the great grey owl.

Five things you didn't know

So some friends of mine and my very beautiful girlfriend Helen have decided to blog everyday until the start of Vidcon, I know that it is highly unlikely that I am going to be able to make that type of commitment.

In fact I am convinced I wouldn't last a week let alone 29 days, so I have decided that when ever one of them brings up a topic that I have an opinion on or that tickles my fancy, I am going to write my own blog, Hooray for solidarity, or lazy idea thieving writers.

The topic that caught my idea today was written by the very beautiful Helen Abbott, I'm not biased, really. The girl is a fox. Her blog today was based on a youtube video by one of our friends Kayla.

I am now going to answer the same questions to the best of my ability!!!

Question 1. If you could go back in time and speak to your 15 year old self, what one thing would you say to yourself?
Wow, 15 years ago, I was a bit of a bastard child. I think I would tell the young twerp to avoid girls named after Greek mountains that resemble them in stature no matter what they are willing to do to get your attention.

I think I would also tell him to be a bit less of a jack ass to his mother, although I doubt I would listen. And to let her know that she should stick with the Wild ginger haired guy that her children adore, as she will eventually figure out she is his brand of heroine. (I should be shot for referencing my mother and her husband and Twilight in the same sentence.)

Question 2: If you had a boat what would you name it?

I think if I had a boat I would name it The Scarlett Delorean, referencing two things that have a solid influence on me to this day. Spider-Man (aka the Scarlett Spider)and Back to the Future.

Question 3: What was your best birthday ever
I think with out a doubt my best birthday ever was my thirtieth birthday. I was in England with the love of my life, and could not have asked for a better day.

Question 4: In a film of your life what actor or actress would play you?
Helen suggested the British comedian James Corden, which I would obviously be happy with, though as Helen mentioned she talked about this very same subject on her show last week, I think I would be happy with Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen or Jack Black if James Corden was unavailable.

Question 5: Is there something you do that not many others know about, that would help them if they knew to do it?
Much like Helen this question confused me. I think they are asking if I do anything that helps me get by in life that others are unaware of that might help them. I think the thing I do most is watch, Adults, children, Men, women, animals, life happens with out waiting. If you aren't looking it might happen with out you.

Random Links:

As I mentioned a few of my friends are doing this blog everyday till VidCon thing, I don't have all of their links but here are a few that I am aware of. I think Karissa and Mary Kate might be vlogging on youtube everyday as well, check out their links leave them a comment, everyone loves comments.
Helen

Mary Kate

Karissa

Heather

If I didn't put your name in this list leave a comment and I will rectify it.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (details of a seemingly unending jorney)

The following post is a summary of three emails I sent to Helen detailing my trip home, some parts have been edited and others have been added to help the flow. If while reading this it strikes you as though I am speaking directly to an individual as opposed to the masses that is why.
I have so much to tell you, I will try and put it into a recognizable frame.
After I left you at the security checkpoint, I walked ages through the terminal, realized I should have used the toilet after I passed a sign that said there were no further toilets after a certain point. LAME!!!!

I was in the fourth group to board the plane and my seat was very near the rear of the plane which is always fun,it was supposed to be an aisle seat but the woman I sat next to, a large very loud, very opinionated and very flexible (i found out mid flight) black woman. She was obnoxious but not the worst person I have run across. She asked me to switch with her window seat as she likes to frequently get up and down during the flight. At one point half way through the flight on one of her many up and downs I got up and went to use the toilet, and as I was waiting for the loo I watched her do all this Yoga stretching nonsense. Some of which was very impressive.. for a woman of her size, approx 15 stone (230 lbs)... i think.

The rest of that flight was mostly uneventful, I arrived in Denver made it through customs and border checks. As I was heading from the baggage recheck to the terminal I got on one of those trans terminal train things with a group of 14 year old cheerleaders that were 'surfing the tram' I was not sad to say good by to them when I got off. I was able to hijack a local wireless network and talk to this beautiful English girl that I know, I think you know her...

I was in the fourth group to board on the Denver flight as well, (whats up with that?) and I sat next to a Vietnam veteran that was very proud of his service, (of which he served less than two years) he was kind of funny as he was talking about how much harder they had it than soldiers of my generation. He got shot in the shoulder and took some shrapnel in the leg, and spent the majority of his life working for the Postal service. A nice enough guy...

I arrived in Seattle and that brings the end to the first day of actual travel.

Previously on your boyfriends voyage home we discussed the two plane journeys... a loud black woman a group of junior cheerios and a Vietnam vet...

We now join his journey already in progress.

When I arrived in Seattle I had to ride another damn tram with more annoying people, (this time it was two OAPs (Old Age Pensioners a British abbreviation) bragging about their Airline benefits.) I partook in that weird ritual of baggage claim, you know the one where you all stand around and stare at the baggage carousel waiting to jump up and cut anyone that gets between you and your luggage. Luckily for me and my VISA application no one was harmed during the retrieval of my luggage. ( I may or may not have growled at annoying OAPs in my way.)

After collecting my luggage I found the exit and walked outside and found Trey and his Black Jeep Wrangler waiting. He had just happened to have just pulled up. "Excellent timing!" He said as he got out of his Jeep and helped me load my luggage into the back. As I got in and settled he asked what I wanted to do and I said I had no plans other than to eventually get to moms down in Oregon. We had already previously decided that we would attempt to do that the next day and after stopping at a grocery store to pick up some much needed Ice tea and REAL AMERICAN Lemonade, we headed for his house.

We decided to rent a film, to pass the time as neither of us were tired enough to go to sleep but both felt crappy and didn't feel like going anywhere. We rented All about Steve with Sandra Bullock it was a good film. but due to the NyQuil I had taken I started passing out fairly early on into it.

Trey had said that he was a little worried that Inara wasn't going to remember me, thankfully she did remember me and reacted like I had returned from the grave. She didn't leave my side the entire time I was in their house, and she slept on me that night on the couch, she was absolutely adorable, I was going to Dailybooth but I was having issues with the Internet.

I headed to sleep, on his couch down stairs and at some point, Britta brought me a blanket and pillow and I crashed out, I only slept till about 6 am, and then I read for a while. (Pandaemonium as I had finished Carter beats the devil while on the plane. GO ME!!!!)

Intermission:
As I am writing this Ted has just turned Saturdays episode of Doctor Who, I am continuing to write you my trip rant, but I am very likely to be distracted.... BOOBS
we now return you to your regularly scheduled rant.

At about 8 Britta came downstairs and tried we talked for a while. Around 9:30 Trey finally woke up and came downstairs, And he and I tried to set up my phone via my original plan, but as I found out today that is not an option. More on that later.

After some hemming and hawing about what to do and Trey telling me he really didn't want to drive me down to Portland we decided I would take the train to Portland (a ridiculous four hour trip) and Mom and Ted would pick me up from there. As Ted had wanted to visit his parents in Vancouver for a while.

So at 2pm Trey took me to the saddest train stop you have ever seen in your entire life, (similar to Derby Road only looking less like a train stop and more like a walkway near the tracks.) For some unknown reason Trey reserved a Business class seat so I ended up paying more than necessary ($60.00 instead of less.) But all in all it was a nice trip. My nose was running like non stop which was really aggravating but not the worst thing.

I sat next to skinny little man on the train (who I am pretty sure I just annoyed the piss out of with all of my sniffling.) There was a plug near my seat so I was able to watch one of the films I had on my itunes. (I watched Forgetting Sarah Marshall which is really funny I think when you have some time you should check it out. ) OH I forgot to mention the train limited what I was allowed as far as carry-ons, and there was no checked baggage, so I had to eliminate my large carry on, I crammed as much as I could into the two other suitcases and Trey is going to ship the rest down sometime this week.

I managed to get off in Portland at the right stop (shock and awe I know) and walked through the Terminal, which can I just say was the nicest Train terminal I have seen in ages, like seriously it was fantastic. Really a beautiful building with a fantastic interior, surrounded by ridiculous and amazing pieces of Art.

I walked outside and found my mother and Ted and Kai(their dog) waiting by the Truck, and with that I will end today's rant. I love you so very much I hope you had a wonderful evening. I hope you are sleeping better .

When we last left our Hero we had just arrived at the Portland and met up with Ted and Marry other wise known as his parents...

We now return to our adventure already in progress,

I went out to the truck where my mother was standing and gave her a big hug and said hello to Ted and Kai, (seriously that dog goes everywhere.) My mother decided that we needed to wrap the suitcases in plastic trash bags in case it continued to rain on the three hour trip back home. (Which it didn't) Apparently the torrential downpour on the way to Portland had seemed as if god (lowercase g deliberate) himself was throwing buckets of water on the highway over and over again, (my mothers words)

On the ride home I was really feeling the jet lag and the conversation was mostly about what I did while I was with you, as well as about you, and sex and blow jobs... lol. I so wish I was kidding. Before we got home we stopped for fuel, which cost nearly $3.00 a gallon, so Ted not wanting to pay this outrageous amount (sarcasm is fun) decided to only get 3 gallons worth of fuel. (we were really close to home, and I mentioned how petrol worked in England, (i.e charging nearly £1.30 per liter which is about a fourth of a gallon) and how respectively speaking we were lucky) After that we went to walmart to get things like toothpaste, deodorant (for me) and razors for my mom.

After wal mart we went to a grocery store similar to waitrose named thunderbird, (lots of Native Americans in this area) and picked up vitally important things like Iced tea and other things I can't think of right now. We also rented Avatar from a redbox vending machine (only a dollar a day!), and then finally went home.

We arrived home at about 10:30 and you and I were able to talk a little online. That was fantastic. My mom had prepared corn beef and Ted and I had awesome sandwiches (Corn beef on rye with actual Pickles Swiss cheese and mustard, mmmm mmmmm) We watched about an hour of Avatar before Ted and I both starting passing out from pure exhaustion and decided to go to bed.....

And that is where the journey concludes... tune in tomorrow for The First day on the Job... where you will learn all the things our hero had to learn as well as how he will be paid... I love you....

James

PS. Hearing you this morning (last night for you) was absolutely fantastic, I seriously did cry, like actual cry not just eyes watering, I miss you so much, I can not wait until we are together again, I want to spend the rest of my life starting and ending every day with you by my side.

I hope you bought some Aloe Lotion for your sunburn it really looks painful Take care of yourself today!!!

Mom really enjoyed your show today, (she also cried, she started during the initial All by myself song, which was brilliant but completely heart wrenching!!

Random Fact: I am dating the most fantastic woman on earth. I am a very lucky guy. The above picture was taken at The Craptacular Portland Zoo nearly a year ago the weekend Helen and I met in person the first time.

He said, She Said Round Up

Helen did an awesome summary of all the films we have reviewed together on our collective blog, I thought you all would like a gander~ James
WWW.THEYSAIDREELADVICE.BLOGSPOT.COM

This is a round-up of all the reviews we have written on He said, she said. If you have missed any of them then here is your chance to read our reviews and let us know what you think. If a review takes your fancy just click on the link and enjoy!

SPOILER FREE! We try our upmost to maintain a spoiler free blog so that we can give you reel advice of what to see and what to miss. There is a trailer for each film we review before our blog. We aim to only discuss plot points that occur in the trailer so we don’t ruin your enjoyment.

Let us know your favourite reviews that we have done and if there are any reviews you think we should do. Comment here, on our blog reviews, on Twitter @hesaidshesaidfm or by emailing hesaidshesaidfm@gmail.com


• Nine - an Italian set sexy musical directed by Rob Marshall)
• Double review: British icons - Nowhere Boy, the story of John Lennon and Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downy Jr
• 10,000BC - the dodgy Emmerich flop
• Avatar 3D - the money making machine... with blue people
• Did you hear about the Morgans? - a comedy with Hugh Grant playing Hugh Grant
• Double feature: crime fighting - Hot Fuzz, the British action film parody and Watchmen, the adventurous graphic novel adaptation
• Up in the Air - Mmm George Clooney
• Daybreakers - an interesting twist on vampire films
• St Trinian's 1 and 2 - British deliquents in mini skirts
• Iron Man - from the Marvel universe
• The Princess and the Frog - the new Disney hand drawn animation
• It's Complicated - but the Nancy Meyer's story is pretty simple
• In the Loop - a hilarious satire of British-American politics
• Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief - Clash of the Titans for teens
• The Lovely Bones - Peter Jackson's latest endeavour from a modern classic novel
• Valentine's Day - a romcom set on... some day in February
• The Crazies - a horror of the Outbreak genre
• Gosford Park - the most enjoyable complicated film of all time
• Alice in Wonderland - the latest Burton/Depp/Bonham Carter collaboration
• Oceans 13 - the Las Vegas set heist film
• Shutter Island - thriller set in an institution for the criminally insane
• I love you Phillip Morris - if Brokeback mountain were set in Florida
• The Holiday - the Christmas set romcom
• Knowing - see it to take the piss out of it
• Nick and Norah's Inifinite Playlist -a great film where Micheal Cera and Kat Dennings basically play themselves
• The Wrestler - Mickey Rourke's comeback film
• The Blind Side - a true story about skin colour, American football and family
• How to Train your Dragon 3D - the latest Dreamworks animation
• Kick-Ass - a kick ass adaptation of a graphic novel
• Whip It - Drew Barrymore's directing debut about roller derby
• Kinky Boots - a true story about a traditonal show factory that creates shows for drag queens
• Clash of the Titans - Percy Jackson for adults
• Double feature: all about the lifestyle - American Psycho, the 80s set murder thriller and The Joneses, a comedy about people who seel their lives
• Cemetary Junction - Merchant/Gervais dip into 70s culture
• The Lost Boys - the dated vampire classic
• Better than Chocolate - a great film about lesbian rights
• Double feature: Sparks flying - Dear John and The Last Song, tearjerkers adapted from Nicholas Sparks novels
• Iron Man 2 - contender for the biggest sequel of the year

We have a movie review radio show which is on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm GMT. Click here for the live stream or visit the website.

All That I am.

There is something very humbling about not having an actual job or income for 5 months. I knew that my 6 month trip to England to spend some quality time with Helen would not be with out a cost. Financially it was a very foolish thing to do. I can't express how lucky I am to have someone love me the way she does. With out her support and that of her family this trip would not have been possible.

I am not complaining, I was very lucky as previously mentioned, I found a volunteer job as a News reader at a local station, (which eventually grew into two shows a week with Helen and I discussing Films and the music surrounding them.) Which allows me to do something with the ample amount of time one finds when he doesn't have a job.

It sounds ridiculous but really I just miss having money to purchase stupid things with. I haven't bought a DVD in over 5 months. (If this doesn't sound shocking you obviously have no idea who I am.) I want to buy little gifts and flowers for Helen, things that if I had a job I would do with out a thought. I want to be able to take the woman I love and the family that has stood behind us to a nice meal or a night out on the town.

I have never been what I would call financially stable but I have, for the majority of my life, kept my head above water. I have one month left in this beautiful and amazing country, and I am lucky to have a job lined up back home for when I do arrive. A job that I hope I do well enough to excel at.

This post isn't funny or insightful, it is just thoughts that are running around my head.

Helen says I have become very quiet over that last couple of weeks. I hadn't noticed a difference until she brought it to my attention. My whole life the only time I was quiet or reserved was when I didn't feel a need or necessity to perform. I am truly comfortable here. I can't describe how amazing it is to groggily reach out in a half sleeping slumber to find someone reaching out for you.

I can't tell you how lucky I am, or how lucky I feel, because if i attempted to put it into words I fear it would have less effect. I love her, with all that I am.

Random Fact: The picture above is of Warwick Castle, one of the recent amazing places I have seen in the time that I have been here. (It is older than my country, as I am constantly reminded.)

Hey DJ!!!! (and parenthesis overkill)

I feel like when ever I find the time to write a post here that I need to start said post with an apology, but as it has been less than two weeks since my previous post I am going to forgo the formality. A lot has been happening in my life in the previous two months, I moved to another country! (England for those of you playing the home game) I heard about a volunteer position at a local radio station (I am unable to have a paying job on my visitors VISA, RED TAPE FAIL!) The position started as a News Reader in the mornings and has transformed into an afternoon drive time show during the week.
I have also started a show with Helen (the girl I moved to England to be closer to.) Wednesday nights and Friday nights Listen Here! we have our show where we talk about Films and theatre productions with music from these through out. (this week we are having a two hour Disney Film special Wednesday night from 8-10pm (GMT) you should check it out. The show is called He said, She said and it has become a lot of fun for the both of us. Helen and I have started a film review site with the same name (He said, she said) where we review the films we have seen together. It is a lot of fun as it helps start a discussion after the film, and occasionally one of us will have picked on something the other might have missed. After each film we take notes on points of the film that stuck out to us and write our review for the site. A fairly easy and fun way to do something together no matter where we are.
Helen and I are going to see the West End (England's equivalent to Broadway) production of Chicago the weekend after next in London we are both really excited as our first real date was another West End Production by the name of Wicked. and we had a fantastic time. We both really enjoy theatre and rarely walk away with a lack luster feeling.
As odd as it may seem I am planning a trip to Los Angeles in July for a convention. It will be Helen's first trip to L.A and the first time I have been to my home town in over 7 years. I am really excited. It will be a large gathering of a lot of people I know and respect as well as hundreds of people who have some sort of clout on youtube. (I am not one of those) The evenings will be reminiscent of last years NWYT Gathering, with too many people in too few hotel rooms making memories and jokes that will continue to be referenced for the entire next year.
That is the view from my perspective at the moment. A lot going on and a lot still to come.

Random silly joke:
What is black and white and red all over???

An embarrassed penguin!

Happy 30th Birfday to me!

The above video, was put together by Helen and is truly the sweetest and most heart warming video I have ever seen, My friends are awesome!

Random Fact:

I co-host a radio show twice a week with Helen called He said, She said. I also read the news all week long... you should tune in and let me know what you think http://www.felixstoweradio.co.uk . The show is on Tuesdays and Fridays 10am (PST)

The Writer does that Writing thing...

Before the winter holiday, I went to work with Helen so that we could spend half the day in town. While at work with her I wrote this poem, it isn't anything special and it seems to be a little too X-mas like to be reading in January but it is what it is. As it is now it is written on a folded piece of paper that is likely to be lost sooner or later. I have decided to share it with you.

With out further ado.....

Out for a walk


A long walk,
No particular destination,
listening to the locals talk,
oblivious, deep in their conversations.
Children playing with their sidewalk chalks,
lost amongst dreams and imagination.

Rain drops, dropping,
temperature rapidly falling,
snow soon following,
head down, onward forging,
weather always changing
an angry winter is leering.

As families large and small,
huddle together around films and fires.
Reminded or the love they share for each and all.
Re-telling of stories and jokes that never tire
Roast turkey,dressing and hot veggies on table,
Bangers and biscuits cooling on the wires.

A glimpse an impression, of lives in motion.
Through windows and opened doors.
A journey with no destination,
home at last with friends and neighbors.
The night, the year the story has just begun.

Jan 2010 AJ. James

So that is that I hope you all had a wonderful December and that your New Year is everything you hope for!!!!

Random Fact: If you put a raisin in a glass of champagne, it will keep floating to the top and sinking to the bottom.

Snowed in? He Said, She said

Happy New Year!!!!!
So if you haven't noticed I haven't been updating this particular blog very often. I don't mean to ignore it. In all honesty I have been very busy. In the time that has passed since my last post, I have left the country once again. I am currently living in England. I have had a truly beautiful British X-mas, and I have made some terrific and wonderful new friends. I am currently in the very real likely hood of being snowed in. A rather unfamiliar and thus poorly planned for occurrence in Jolly ol' England.

In more exciting news Helen and I have started a blog together, It is a different format than this one, as for the most part it will mostly consist of Movie and Television reviews, and the occasional theatre review as they are relevant. Just click the link He said, she said and it should take you right to it. the actual address is http://www.theysaidreeladvice.blogspot.com If you prefer adding it to your bookmark lists. It should be a fun thing to read as the subject matter involves film, which is something that Helen and I both truly enjoy.

I promise I will continue to update this blog, and if I can find the time it will be at least weekly. I love you all and hope you have a fantastic New Year....

Random Fact: The number of days of snowfall and snow cover varies enormously from year to year. At many places in lowland England in the last fifty years it has ranged from none at all in a number of winters to in excess of 30 days during the winters of 1946/47 and 1962/63.