Right, back to talking about the bits of my life that nobody cares about. I'm sitting here, in the library at college, thoroughly bored after typing up all of this morning's notes, and I still have a good two hours until I even have to move. It's rubbish.

So anyway, I'm back at Brock. The last nine- or ten-months haven't been the most fun, and if you know me, you'll know why. However, I did okay in my AS-levels, managing an A in French, a B in Politics and Economics, and a *cough*C*cough* in Philosophy. Oh well, it could have been a hell of a lot worse.

My timetable seems to have been written, this year at least, by someone who thinks I have a need to remain in the same space for 3/4 of the week. I have a lesson first-thing (9 a.m., ugh) on four days of five, and a lesson last thing... Four days of five. That means any space I do have has to be spent right here in the LRC. I could, I guess, go home, but it's just not worth an hour's round-trip for an hour at home. Not to mention the petrol.

I've recently come up with a new study plan to get myself back on track this year - and it involves an awful lot of grindwork. Last year, I lost a lot of work on sheets and written down, so I've decided to make both a hard and a soft copy of everything I do. So that means either typing everything up (which I do for written notes), or scanning sheets (which I do when I get handed an eight-page wodge of notes and haven't the energy to type them all up). It's a lot of work, but hopefully I'll be laughing when it comes to revision, and I'll have everything I need.

All I have to do now is get to every lesson. If only I had some kind of monetary incentive to go... Oh, wait, no, my family's so rich I don't need money. That's okay, then.

That reminds me of something I saw tweeted yesterday (@iPatrickQuinn if you want to follow me) about Obama's new education 'plan' to increase the school year by a month, either by having longer school days, or by cutting into the summer holidays, and to be honest, I'm in two minds. It doesn't affect me now, but he is right that children no longer need to be home early, and indeed it would lighten the workload of many parents to be able to pick their children up after they've finished work. As for a shorter summer holiday - why not? That holiday always dragged on for too long anyway!

Anyway, I shouldn't become embroiled in US politics again, it's just... With my iPhone back and Twitterific on the go, I can't help it! It's all that anyone on the internet talks about. Well, that and Megan Fox. >.>

A longer update is to follow soon, just a quick message to all the people (all four or five of you - myself included) that I haven't forgotten about the blog, it is to resume forthwith. My apologies for the serious delay to this service.

Okay, so I'm not the most determined blogger of all time - I set out with a goal of an update every day, then every week, and now I'm down to trying to get one every year... Well, I apologize - and I'll try and make it up to you with a massive update, the likes of which you have never, ever, seen before!*

*Not a guarantee.

Well, let's start where I left off - America was amazing. It seems a long, long time ago now, but the memories remain intact. You can see all the photos I promised three months ago a while back in my Facebook albums (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). Belated thanks again to Rob and Lynne for putting me up, I had a blast.

I took yet another holiday during the summer! With my mum, sailing from Holland to London in a tall ship. Despite being the weirdest premise for a relaxing week I'd ever heard, it was a great trip. We were divided into three 'watches', taking alternate 4-hour shifts, from lunch, to the middle of the night. Sitting on the top of the Pelican of London at 3 o' clock in the morning, watching the stars, in the middle of the North Sea has to be one of the most tranquil moments of my life. Until I got hit by a wave. Again.

So, what else happened this summer? Well, finally, I got myself a job. A real one. With hours, and a clocking-in machine, and work... Crazy. Officially, I'm a Level-One Health & Safety Trained Food Handler. To my friends, I work at McDonalds. And you know what? It's brilliant. I've met people there I'd never have found anywhere else, and some who I'm sure will stick with me for a very long time. The cheesy hype is actually fairly accurate - it's like joining a new family, everyone knows your name, and they're always glad you came. Especially if you're working on the grill side. There are never enough people on grill side. Sure, the work is shit, but the money's good, and it passes the time. What more can I ask?

And then, as quickly as it began, the summer ended, and I started at college. Okay, so I missed the bus twice in two days, but other than that, it's been perfect. I've met so many new people, from the lads on the bus (we went to see the Saints win 2-0 on Tuesday), to the girls on The Brock Magazine team (of which I'm the editor). The lessons are great, I love the feeling of looking at my timetable in the morning and thinking "yeah, there's nothing there I'm not looking forward to". Except politics - because of Will. Don't ask. *Nod to Micala*

I've decided to be really boring here, and not post any pictures, or YouTube videos, as there's quite simply been far too much to cover - but fear not - they shall return with my next blog. All that's to know for now is that life is good, I'm feeling great, and I'm setting myself up for another huge fall already. You'll find out about that soon enough.

Okay, I lied:



Hehe.

The Brock Magazine will be up on Thursday - so that's probably around about when I'll make my next post. I'll see you all then - thanks for reading. China called, it appears they want their wall back!

So... Hands up who's in New York... Oh, just me then? I'm writing from the house I'm at in the States (slowly, admittedly, as I'm both using a PDA, and watching Judge Alex on TV), and I'll try and add some pictures to this entry later today. Hooray for me!

I'll be honest, I couldn't really care less about my blog. For a long time, over my BlogSpot, RD.co.uk, the forum etc., it's just been a means for me to post in-jokes to my friends, and to complain about Stef (who, by the way, did finally apologize the other day - after reading this, I think). Now, however, it's serious. That's right... My family now read this.

Greets, by the way, to my Dad, Grandparents, and all others because of whom I can no longer lie, exaggerate or act cool on my blog. Thanks, guys.

Anyway, on Saturday, flew to the US, sitting next to a fat nice lady called Debbie. She told me she worked as a publisher of the '...for Dummies' series, I said I liked computers. Fun. I put my iPod in for the rest of the way.

Sunday, I went into New York City with Rob and Lynne on the train, and took a walk through Central Park (CP... hehe) to get to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a deceptive title, as it seemed to be full of design and historical stuff. And, of course, win. This will probably make more sense when I upload some photos later.

The next day, I decided I needed some clothes for the week, so went to the Woodbury Commons, a MASSIVE shopping... Village! Think Gunwharf on steroids, add a food court, and you're there. 'Managed' to spend $550 on a shedload of clothes, including all the stuff Chelsie asked me to get...

*Insert 'wa-pish' sound effect here*

Finally, today we were to late to catch the train to the city, so took a drive round New York State... Not too much I can write about here, but it was incredibly picturesque! Again, photos soon, including a huge deer I saw in the garden this morning.

Going back to the city tomorrow. 'Til then, who's awesome? You're awesome!

Okay, well, I haven't updated this for a while... Whilst I'd like to bore you with in-depth explanations as to why, the basics are exams, my host going down, and a general lack of being arsed. However, do I have news for you! I've finished my exams, got a haircut, kicked my host up the backside, and I'm coing back, stronger than ever!

Well, item one, exams went really, really well. I think I've already pretty much forgotten them, but from what I remember, only a couple worried me (Chemistry and Physics I kind of... Forgot to revise for, and History I ran out of time in), but I should be on for a decent haul of results. I need all A/A* grades to get me into my course at college, with all A*s for a free new MacBook Pro from my dad, so here's hoping!

There's another thing, college. I went in for the induction day on the 30th June, and it was awesome, seriously, I met a load of incredible people there - including James McKnight, who (how, I don't know) has convinced me to join his paintball team. Found all of my classes were a healthy proportion of girls to boys, including English Literature, which was a roomful of about 17 girls... And three boys.

Unfortunately, then, item three... I have a girlfriend. Running through the quick check-list of the normal qualities in a Patrick Quinn® girlfriend (psycho, blind, stupid, mental, actually a man, born to lesbian parents, has mis-spelled name), we can see that Miss Chelsie Pittman possesses just the one. Can you guess which?

Picturez0rs (she's on the left):



So I've been spending an... unhealthy amount of time with her recently, however, I'm off to America in under a week's time, so I guess it's justified. Also, she has funny hair (pot, kettle), and if she isn't reminded of it at least three times a week, her feet fall off, so I feel it my duty to keep up the insults.

Stef has fallen out with me. If you can see why, please let me know, because, frankly, I can't. Basically, a couple of weeks ago, I held a little party round my house, nothing serious, so my best friend (that'll be Stef) could meet all my new friends, including the Chelsie Dagger. So, she says she'll turn up and crash, and all's well.

So, the day came, and she didn't show, so I assumed she'd been caught in traffic, so sent a quick text - nothing. The others were getting hungry, but I convinced them to wait for an hour, before finally I caved, embarrassed that she hadn't showed. Then, a week of calling, MSNing and texting later, I finally get a reply, and it says:

"shit happens tbh"

No apology, no explanation, no nothing. So, I reply with pretty much everything above, followed by a nice, hearty 'fuck you'. And now she's all pissy. Fucking women. Not to mention she ditched my best friend at the prom to go talk with her fuckwit of a ex-boyfriend all night - but I refuse to be drawn further into her fucked-up love-life. It's just plain old pathetic.

Anyway, beyond that - America on Saturday! I have a big travel journal to fill with photos, letters and things for Chelsie, so I'll never be stuck for something to do. Hooray!