Getting down with the lingo y'all!

Why, hello there Internet, it's good to see you again. Me? I'm Josh...from before? You know me! I spent hella' (a lot of) time on you in my teenage years, editing and re-editing my Myspace page, logging in and out of my MSN account to get that one person to notice I was there and downloading music via Limewire. It was like a completely different world.

This thought occurred to me the other day as I was getting the skinny (getting to know) on my fellow History freshers. They are all 18 or 19 years old, which I expected as that is, after all, the normal age to attend university. What I did not anticipate, however, was the fact that I am not "with it" anymore. I don't recognise any of the bands being discussed, I have less than 100 photos on Instagram, I'm not up to date on conspiracy theories (apparently they are all the rage now, or 'on trend' as the cool kids say) or political views and I don't understand a lot of the language.

Now, don't get me wrong. This isn't an "Oh, I'm old and feel sorry for myself" post. It's just that I have always thought I was still quite up to date with the kids of today (Jesus, did I really use that phrase?). With me starting university in less than 4 weeks, it did get me a little nervous, as it can be quite hard to blend in when you aren't sure if your classmates are talking about a new band or an unfortunate viral infection (also equally likely to be a band name to be honest). I was worried that I would be sussed out and identified as the fraud I am. University is a daunting prospect no matter what age you are, so the added worry of the age difference has had me, well, worrying.

But then I thought to myself...is it important? I mean, yes, I am 7 or 8 years older than the rest of my classmates, and there will be a generation difference. That said, it's just one more problem that can be overcome. I am still pretty witty and, thinking about it, I'm not actually that old. Sure, I might not have any SWAG's to speak of, and my use of modern lingo might be a little whack, but I'm sure I'll get by. It's just something else to learn over the next few years, right?

So, here's my message to all the 18 and 19 year olds who are getting ready for what comes next, be it university, work or anything else. It will always be scary, it will always be daunting and you will always doubt yourself and consider backing out. My advice? Stick with it. If everything in life was easy, nothing would have meaning. The things that seem hardest are usually the things that shape you as a person and prepare you for the rest of your life.

So, tie those High Tops, wear that cap Ash Ketchum style and strike your best 'start of an epic adventure' pose, because it most certainly will be.

See you on the other side!

Geronimo!!!

The End is Here!!

I'm finished! It's done, it's over, it's ended.

I'm talking about college, of course. That's right guys, today I finished my final exam and that concludes my time at Rotherham College. It has been a fantastic year, and I have learnt a lot of things, both about the subjects I've been studying and about myself. If nothing else, it has shown me, after years of doubt, that I am capable of persuing education further. 

I have met some...interesting people in my short time here (I can't believe it's only been 9 months!) and I will stay in contact with some now that we've finished! At the start of the year I was out of my comfort zone as I, generally, try to avoid contact with people. However, as the year has gone on, I have become better at feigning interest and displaying the correct emotion. That's a win in my book!

I have achieved, so far, a near perfect run of top grades, with the final few assignments awaiting grading now. Hopefully, I should find out the results within the next week or so. I have developed a good study habit and feel I am well prepared for the future. Until then though, it's time to relax, do some recreational reading, catch up on some painting and watch some Doctor Who.

What about after the Summer though, I hear you asking with barely contained interest? Well, it's off to uni for me (The University of Sheffield, to be specific) to study history. I'm a little nervous, but am confident that I will continue to grow and improve both as a student and a person.

It's a bit of a bland post, I know, but it's a big deal for me. Today marks the end of this stage in my life. Here's to the future!

Keep it real guys,

J-Fuzz out!

My year in review

Hello Internet, my dear friend. It has been quite a while, I know. Yes yes, I’ve been eating. No, I’m fine honestly. In fact, I’m better than fine. This year has been incredible for me, and I’m about to tell you why in a lengthy, over the top post. Internet, prepare thyself!!

So, what have I been doing? Everything, and nothing, I guess. In September 2014, I started my course at Rotherham College, studying humanities (History, English and Sociology to be exact) in an effort to gain the points I needed to attend university this coming September (that’s September 2015, do try and keep up). Needless to say, I have excelled in my assignments, achieving 30 distinctions and 3 merits so far (the other 12 points are yet to be graded, but I'm expecting another 12 Distinctions) meaning that I am all but guaranteed to get what I need for uni.

To me, this means a lot more than just “Oh, I’ll be at uni for 3 years, nice.” No, to me, this has proven that I am capable of success on an academic level. After dropping out of 6th form way back in 2007 (yes, it’s been that long) I had doubted myself and my abilities. However, this year has shown me that I am more than capable of not only passing this course, but getting nearly a clear run of the highest grade possible. This has given me a huge boost in confidence and can only mean good things for me in the future.
So, you ask me with barely contained interest and excitement, what’s the plan now? Well, I have an exam in just over a week (it’s on Othello if you’re wondering) and then I’m done with college. I’ll carry on working at the weekend through the summer, but I’ll mainly be spending my time with Alfie. 

That has been the hardest part of this year. With college 9-5 all week, and then working all day on a Saturday, Sundays have been the only day I have been spending with Donna and Alfie. I’ve had the various holidays too, but it’s still been hard not seeing him as much as I’d like. I’m not complaining though as, in the end, it will all be worth it. Only another 4 or 5 years to go.
Outside of college, there’s not a great deal to mention, or at least not of any great importance anyway. I’ve recently started gardening. Not like a young Allan Titchmarsh, but I’ve been dipping a (green) thumb in and growing some nice flowers in the border in the front garden. I’m particularly impressed with my sunflowers, which are shooting up nicely. I’m even growing some tomatoes round the back!

Speaking of the back garden, I have brought ‘operation decking’ out of its long slumber. Hopefully, I will have it finished within the next few weeks, meaning that this year there will be a BBQ every week in our back garden. Alfie will also have somewhere to play while I’m lounging around, being the whimsical, care free guy I am.
The only other things I have been doing really are watching a hell of a lot of classic Doctor Who and playing a hell of a lot of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. The prior is part of my ongoing quest to own every (available) story of Doctor Who. I’m working my way through the DVD collection, buying them, watching them, lending them to a friend, then placing them on a shelf and looking at them with glee as my collection grows. I have just (last week it was) watched ‘Spearhead from Space’ after a rather tearful goodbye to Troughton (I was chopping onions, I swear). The first episode of classic Who to be done in colour did not disappoint and, I have to say, I really, really liked Pertwee as The Doctor. I’ll more than likely do a separate blog post at some point, focusing solely on Doctor Who.

The 2nd thing I mentioned (MH4U for all you slackers) has slowly taken over my life. I have played a couple of earlier games in the series (Tri and then 3U) though they were essentially the same game. This, however, is all brand new and boy, does it show. If you're new to Monster Hunter, just try to imagine a game made up purely of the most intense, over the top boss battles against some truly huge monsters. Got it envisioned in your head? Ok, now forget that, because I guarantee that Monster hunter 4 Ultimate will be better. How good can it possibly be? Well, I bought it at launch (13th February 2015, just over 3 months ago) and so far, I have put around 260 hours into it. Just to put that into perspective, I also bought ‘Animal Crossing: New leaf’ when that launched (first date I played it was 14/06/2013, nearly 2 years ago!) and so far on that I have played 220 hours! I’ll just let that sink in for a minute…oh you’re back. Good. So, yes, I have a slight problem. The game is just so damn good! If there is anyone out there that is on the fence about getting this game, I can do nothing but sing its praises. The best thing about it? I’ve not finished it yet! (although, you don’t really ‘finish’ Monster Hunter).

That’s all that’s been going on for me pretty much. Alfie has continues to grow and learn and do everything that little boys do. He is now in his big boy bed, can more or less eat with cutlery and can successfully tell you what sound dinosaurs, dogs, cats and ducks make. He loves playing outside with his football, but he also enjoys watching Doctor Who with me. The best thing about being a dad? That would be when I get in after being at college all day, and Alfie sees me, stops what he is doing and runs to me for a love and a hug. That feeling is the best thing in the world and nothing will ever compete.
That, my friends, is about all that’s happened this year. Now that I’ve finished with my assignments, I should be able to post more regularly. I should also be starting a new painting project alongside 2 friends soon. They have already begun, but I have had to postpone my contribution due to college commitments. Starting next week, however, I will buying, building and painting some Doctor Who miniatures. My first piece will be a 28mm model of Patrick Troughton’s Doctor (my favourite, in case you were wondering). I’ll be posting pictures and a diary up here of how I am getting on, so keep ‘em peeled. 
Righto, that’s me done for this week. Keep it real.

J-Fuzz out!

New things coming this week!

Hi guys,

So, this week heralds the start of another chapter in my road to becoming a teacher. I've just finished a bunch of essay papers for college and on Wednesday, I've got my open day at the University of Sheffield. I'm really looking forward to getting a good look around the campus and facilities and getting to chat to the lecturers and find out about the course.

In other news, I start my placement at Aston Academy on Friday. I will be working as a teaching assistant in the history department. Aston Academy was where I studied for my GCSE's (well, it was Aston Comprehensive back then, but hey) so it will be a blast from the past to walk those halls again.

Im finishing off a few papers now as I head into the final stages of this course. I'm also starting to think about if I will continue working when I'm at Uni, or if I will drop a shift or maybe stop working altogether. Something to think about eh?

So, that's me for this week. I'll leave you with a fantastic poem I found the other day while reading for my latest English essay. It is a WWI poem and I really like the simplicity of it, yet the darker undertones it gives off are nice as it adds a complexity to it. Make of it what you will. If you want to give your own opinions, comment below.



Elegy In A Country Churchyard

The men that worked for England
They have their graves at home:
And bees and birds of England
About the cross can roam.

But they that fought for England,
Following a falling star,
Alas, alas for England
They have their graves afar.

And they that rule in England,
In stately conclave met,
Alas, alas for England
They have no graves as yet.

 - G.K. Chesterton




J-Fuzz out!