The Y2Ken Week In Review

19-25 March 2007

Yes, I know, its even more preposterously late this week. Sorry. But I've been doing physics coursework since Sunday. So now that's over, I should be on time for next week's blog. Anyway, here goes...

Driving Lesson of the Week: Roadrunner, Thursday
Technically not a proper driving lesson, but my first time behind the wheel of an actual car. And I have to say it went very well. Craig and I got a car to ourselves (Fiesta I think) and managed to both have a great time with no stalls from either of us. Our teacher and our group leader seemed pretty impressed too. Oh, and I got to be breathalysed by the police - "Zero" alcohol in my breath, I think you'll find.

Quiz Night of the Week: KEGS Supper Quiz 2007, Saturday
If you weren't there on Saturday night, you weren't anywhere. And in case you weren't aware, I was involved in the running of things, and behind the music rounds (haha, take that you smartass quiz team table that pays no attention to any modern music). We had two music intro rounds - the oldies and the modern stuff (all well-known bands/artists though). One table did mention a lot of modern bands for that round, including some correct ones, but sadly none in the right places. They did try though.

Band Practice of the Week: WITH @ Cook's House, Sunday
Looked for a while like I might not have been available for the gathering of musicers, but in the end I made it after some extensive Sunday morning courseworking. Like last week's meeting, this week also went well, we came up with a couple of new potential ideas, played through some old songs, and tried some covers. I now have a reasonable grasp of Muse's "New Born" - some really good fun riffs to play in that song. Sadly not as many pictures due to only having one camera. Probably for the best though - I was looking pretty far from my "best" that day.

Anyway, that's about it as highlights for last week. Until next time, keep the peace alive.

Word out.

The Y2Ken Week In Review

12-18 March 2007

Hey again people - welcome to the second Y2Ken week in review. Sorry it's a bit late, but it's been a busy last couple of days. Anyways, here we go...

Economics-Based Game of the Week: The Ten Pieces Of Panayi
Winner (with good reason) of several awards including "Best economics game", "Most educational economics game" and "The Oggy Award for most innovative board game", The Ten Pieces Of Panayi combines an enjoyable Monopoly-esque board game with a testing economics quiz and a puzzle involving the ever-popular Mr. Panayi. Described by the man himself as "pretty good", and by winner of the "Best economics-based games player" Elliot Bryan as "excellent... really enjoyable", The Ten Pieces Of Panayi is a fantastic addition to your collection.

Hairstyle of the Week: The Red Mohawk
If you haven't seen it yet, check out the pictures on Facebook. It looked a bit odd when i just had the red stripe in my hair, but once the 'hawk was complete the look was set. Very popular with members of both sexes (you know who you are), and a great talking point for all, it kept the weekend interesting.

Food Implement of the Week: Chopsticks
After a short discussion, Andy and I came to the conclusion that the fork is far superior and more versatile than the chopsticks when it comes to eating food. However, there is something immensely enjoyable about eating with two wooden sticks - I have thus decided to do so more often.

Music Rehearsal of the Week: WITH, Saturday @ Ken's House
Went pretty darn well, if you ask me. Music written around a simple existing riff for one funky new song, one piano-based song polished up quite a lot, and the right chord pattern finally stumbled across for another stereo-pounder. Expect great things from these guys.

Well, that's pretty much it for now... Comments and suggestions for other topics appreciated... so until next week, sayonara!

The Y2Ken Week In Review

5-11 March 2007

Welcome everyone to the first Y2Ken "Week In Review". Each week (in theory) I will write a little something on what's got me excited/ponderous/impressed this week. In fact, this blog idea is the main reason for my final acceptance of MySpace - if you want to speak to me use MSN or failing that Facebook/Last.fm. However, MySpace seems an appropriate and simple place to write what should become my weekly column.
Anyway, onto the meat of the blog - this week's notable stuff.

Language of the week: Japanese
Well what else could it be? Our Japanese student has been here since Tuesday now and we've had a lot of good times. Trying to work out if a Spongebob DVD would play in Japan. Observing (and sometimes imitating) the Japanese's need to make a peace sign when having their picture taken. Learning (again) how to use chopsticks. And of course, this evening, learning some origami. Which brings me to my next item...

Origami model of the week: The Crane
My first "proper" origami conquest (although both the paper aeroplane and those flicky-back-and-forth on your thumb game things we used to make in year five also count). I was pretty pleased that this came out as well as it did (maybe a photo later) - a little messy but nevertheless an overwhelming feeling of success.

Music technique of the week: The complex-sounding guitar solo
My quest to find more and more cool tracks to play took me unexpectedly this week to The Carpenters, along with usual suspects Dire Straits and Zeppelin. Fantastic solo in one or two of their songs, I may well have to learn to play a couple. In other guitar-related news, my Snow ((Hey Oh)) riff is coming along nicely, and I can now play it faster and for slightly more sustained periods of time.

Musical of the week: Lionel Bart's Oliver!
For those of you yet to hear the story (which I must have told fourty times now), I answered the phone about half an hour before I was due to see this on the Wednesday to hear Craig say "What are you wearing?" Over the shock of this very forward initial question, I was told to run to the school in order to help as a techie and scenery-manipulator. Which I did on both the Wednesday and the Thursday (Whoot, perfect-run Thursday!) and thoroughly enjoyed the performances. I do enjoy the techie work. Anyway, notable performances include Toby Grimes as Fagin, Chris "Crazy Cello Kid" Smith as Mr Sowerberry, Tom Spraggs as Dr Grimwig, James Bugg as Old Sally and of course Harpal Mudhar as The Drums. Actually I think the whole cast was excellent, but I've picked out a few for special praise, just to be mean.

Well, that rounds up my first Week In Review. I'm off to watch Kombat Opera Presents, which should be awesome if it lives up to last week. I shall return next week, but until then, konbanwa.