A Scribble

A random quiz

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 23:49:12 +0100

You talked to an ex today, correct?

Nope, not today.

Is trust a big issue for you?
Of course. In the past it has been broken and so now it is important to let trust grow.

What are you excited for?
I’m excited about going back to Cheltenham. Quite keen to see what this week will hold for me.

What happened tonight?
Not much. Which is how I like it on a Sunday.

Do you think it’s disgusting when girls get really wasted?

Not really. People can do what they want with their own bodies.

Is confidence cute?
Nah.

How many people of the opposite sex do you fully trust?

Fully trust? Immediate family I suppose.

Do you own a pair of skinny jeans?
No. I would look stupid.

What are you gonna do Saturday night?

Not a clue yet. Maybe be invited somewhere? Doubt it!

Do you think you’ll change in the next 3 months?
No idea. Dread to think!

Who do you feel most comfortable talking to about anything?
I’m quite an open person.

The last time you felt broken?
Early last year. That wasn’t a fun time.

Have you had sex today?
Nope!

Are you starting to realize anything?
Yes. Lots of things.

Are you in a good mood?
Not really. Although I’m not in a bad mood. Just normal.

Would you ever want to swim with sharks?
Yes! Would be fun but scary.

Are your eyes the same color as your dads?
No

what do you want right this second?
Be at the end of next week so I get another 2 days of weekend.

What would you say if the person you love/like kissed another girl/boy?
It depends what the kiss meant.

Is your current hair color your natural hair color?
Yes.

Would you be able to date someone who doesn’t make you laugh?

No way.

What was the last thing that made you laugh?
I can’t remember actually. That isn’t a good sign.

do you really, truly miss someone right now?
Yes

Does everyone deserve a second chance?
Not everybody.

Honestly, do you hate the last boy you were talking to?
No.

Are you one of those people who never drinks soda?
Look at my belly… that’s right, I love soda

Listening to?
Doctor Who a the proms

Do you ever write in pencil anymore?
Who writes when computers exist?

Do you know where the last person you kissed is?
Ireland. Not sure what she is doing. Perhaps watching tv or at the pub.

Do you believe in love at first sight?
No

Who did you last call?
Erin

Who was the last person you danced with?

Difficult one. Can’t remember. I hate dancing.

Do you tan in the nude?
No.

Has there been a day this week you just wanted to say “fuck it”?
Yes but I didn’t day it.

If you could, would you take back your last kiss?
No :-)

Who pissed you off most today and why?
Gah. One of my parents but it was my fault. Not feeling well and haven’t smoked all day.

Did you talk to someone until you fell asleep last night?
No.

Who was the last person to call you?

Natasha

10 Question in one big thing

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:56:34 +0100

One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.

1. I am not interesting playing your games any more. The way you treat others is shameful, everything you say is without thought and you made my life a living hell. I am glad to not call you my friend. You need to learn what a friendship actually is.

2. I occasionally think of how we parted ways and I do regret it. I hope you didn’t take anything I said to heart. You have a fine life ahead of you.

3. I would gladly trade away a year of my life to spend a day with you.

4. I’m sorry that I have been so confusing to deal with. At times I have been so fickle.

5. Don’t look down on everybody. Your opinions do upset people and you should be more considerate with your views. The world you live in is very different from most and life is too varied for you (or I) fully comprehend. Please could you also stop donating so much money to the church as well? They will just spend it on coffee mornings.

6. I’m getting tired of doing all the work. It would be nice to see a little bit of effort from your side.

7. Calm down. People won’t listen to you if you keep shouting.

8. I should never have got involved and taken the advice of my friends instead.

9. I still stand by all the things which I said. I know you have been putting the effort in but it is still not enough. Don’t see why it is of my concern if things are going wrong. All of this was caused by bad management in the first place.

10. Everything will be okay. He does this with all the girls. Move on and find somebody better. Don’t waste your tears on him.

Two: Nine things about yourself.

1. Recently I have obsessed about cashmir socks.

2. I read quite a lot of books. Recently I haven’t read as much but that might be because I am spending far more time in front of a screen.

3. I wake up each day not quite sure what I think about anything.

4. I have quite a dark sense of humour. At times I try to hide this as it can be a little unsociable!

5. Despite appearing to be a confident person my heart is far weaker. All of this exterior is for show. Inside I am still just as uncertain as when I was younger.

6. I really don’t take life seriously. It might seem that I do (because I work hard) but everything I do is for fun.

7. I find it quite difficult to access my emotions at times. This is something I have been trying to learn.

8. I’m an Atheist. I don’t believe in a celestial being or any kind of spirituality. However I was once a devout Christian.

9. I get along with most people. The people who I fall out with have usually tried to cross me in some way.

Three: Eight ways to win your heart.

1. Make sure that you are affectionate

2. Have your own views. I may not agree with them but it shows individuality.

3. Have a good sense of humour

4. Give me validation that you care, regularly.

5. Don’t be afraid to be emotional.

6. For some reason the people who win my heart the most are shy. Shy people are always very interesting.

7. Cook me food. I love food. Food is always the way to a man’s heart!

8. I like charisma and motivation.

Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.

1. If I will ever be satisfied

2. What work needs doing

3. If the people standing in the park are safe to walk past.

4. Brushing my teeth. When I was a child I kept forgetting so I need to keep reminding myself.

5. Random conversations I have recently had.

6. I think about what I last read. Sometime I will read an article in the morning and have it in my head for most of the day.

7. If today will be the last day.

Five: Six things you wish you’d never done.

1. Dislocated my brother’s arm when I was younger.

2. I wish I would have been more careful with a girl at University. Should have listened to her friend but by then it was too late. So… I regret wearing my heart on my sleeve.

3. Started smoking. I enjoy smoking but that is because I am addicted. The smell bothers me at times but mostly I think it gives the wrong image off to some people. Despite the smoking I really am a nice guy. Please attend my funeral. Ok?

4. Traded that Game Boy Black and White game at Primary School. I miss it dearly.

5. Did the interview for BBC Radio Five Live. It was a good experience but I was far too tired!

6. Agreed to pay those costs. That was a mistake.

Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)

Mum, Dad, Brother 1, Brother 2 and Grandma (there are a lot more)

Seven: Four turn offs.

1. Fickle

2. Unstable

3. Quiet

4. Dismissive Eight:

Three turn ons.

1. Chatty

2. Bubbly

3. Understanding

Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.

1. :-(

2. :-P

Ten: One confession.

I’m never satisfied – this is a flaw and a motivation.

A stolen quiz thing

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:47:58 +0100

TEN ARE YOU’S
1. Are you single – Yes-ish
2. Are you happy - Sometimes
3. Are you bored – Not at the moment
4. Are you naked – Under my clothes ;)
5. Are you a blonde - Nope
6. Are you moody – Usually in the mornings
7. Are you a lover/hater? – Bit of both
8. Are you hot/cold – Quite tepid
9. Are you Irish - No
10. Are you Asian - No

TEN FACTS
1. Name – Michael White
2. Nicknames – Don’t really have any
3. Any birth marks – Yes, on my bum!
4. Hair color – Brunette
5. Natural hair color – Same as above
6. Eye color – Blue/Grey
7. Height – 5’ 6
8. Mood – Normal-ish
9. Favorite colour – Purple
10. One Place You Want to Visit - Germany

TEN THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE
1. Do you believe in love at first sight – No
2. Do you believe in soul mates - No

4. Have you ever been hurt emotionally - Yes
5. Have you ever broke someone’s heart? - Yes
6. Ever had your heart broken? - Yes
7. Have you ever liked someone but never told them? - Yes
8. Are you afraid of commitment? – Not if it is with the right person
10. Who was the last person you said I love you to? – Mum I think

TEN THIS OR THAT
1. Love or lust - Love
3. Cats or dogs – Cats
4. A few best friends or many regular friends – A few best friends
5. Television or internet - Internet
6. Chinese Or Indian - Indian
7. Wild night out or romantic night in – Romantic night in
8. Money or Happiness - Happiness
9. Night or day - Night
10. Msn or phone – MSN, I work at Microsoft *pfft!*

TEN HAVE YOU EVER
1. Been caught sneaking out – No need to sneak about
2. Been skinny dipping – I have always wanted to try it.
3. Bungee jumped – No way
4. Finished an entire jaw breaker – No, I am a coward
5. Lied to someone you liked – Yes
6. Wanted an ex bf/gf back – I have done in the past
8. Cried yourself to sleep? – When I was much younger
9. Cried because you lost a pet – Find it difficult to get attached to pets
10. Wanted to disappear – Sometimes

TEN PREFERENCES IN A PARTNER
1. Smile or eyes - Both
2. Light or dark hair – Either
3. Hugs or kisses – More of a hugging person
4. Shorter or taller – Shorter.
5. Intelligence or attraction – Always both
6. Romantic or spontaneous - Either
7. Funny or serious - Both
8. Older or Younger – Either (not too young!)
9. Outgoing or quiet – I seem to go for quieter ones… not sure of this trend.
10. Sweet or Bad Ass – Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

TEN HAVE YOU’S
1. Ever performed in front of a large crowd – Well, I have done a couple of talks before
2. Ever done drugs – Haha, the legal sort? Yes
3. Ever consumed alcohol? – Most days
5. Ever been on a cheerleading team – I occasionally swing the booty
6. Ever Been on a dance team – No!
7. Ever been on a sports team – Believe it or not. I actually have. I was shit though.
8. Ever been in a drama play/production – Yes
9. Ever owned a BMW, Mercedes Benz, Escalade, Hummer or Bentley? Nope
10. Ever been in a rap video? – Haha, no

TEN LASTS
1. Last phone call you made - Erin
2. Last person you hung out with – Strangers at the pub
4. Last time you worked – Today
5. Last person you tackled – Probably at Primary School?
6. Last person you IM’d - David
8. Last person(s) you went to the movies with - Ben
9. Last thing you missed – My bed
10. Last thing you ate – A Cheeeeeese sandwich

LAST PERSON TO
1. Sleep beside you? – Haha *pass*
2. See you cry? – Not sure actually.
3. You went out to dinner with? – My Microsoft team
5. You talked on the phone to? - Dad
7. Made you laugh? – Nick at work

My Dissertation has been Decided

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:30:10 +0100

Despite being a Public Relations student, understanding the core foundations of the field and even having work experience and fully fledged jobs as a consultant I still consider myself to be an amateur. A vocational degree is traditionally not meant to be as academic compared to perhaps psychology or law degrees but the industry of PR changes so rapidly that academia acts as the foundation.

It has always been in my interest, in my 3^rd year (although technically 4^th taking my sandwich year into account) to write a dissertation which causes students and lecturers alike to broaden their sphere of thinking. Although writing such a document does have issues. For instance it is far easier to highly mark a dissertation simply regurgitating common thought.

I like to think back to an instance at Microsoft where an employee told us of her dissertation written in the late 1970s. The title was, ‘How the internet will change the world’. Within the pages she painted a picture where each household will use the internet to socialize, to share content and to purchase goods. The lecturer dismissed the idea and marked the dissertation down. This not only showed me that it is important for lecturers to remove their personal opinions from marking but be willing to extend their ideas outside of the academic box which dictates our slowly evolving modules.

Whenever I am left alone for a period of time I find it all too easy to slip into a frame of mind which I would regard free of the distractions of the modern world. On Wednesday I will be leaving this small French village to continue work at Microsoft again in the hustle of London. London far too easily ticks over each day. This leaves very little time to consider how industries will change in the next 10 years.

It has taken me roughly 2 years to decide what my dissertation subject will be on. I have had to consider which stance I would take – Would I dare be visionary? Should I settle with common dissertation subjects? Shall I tip toe around possible controversy?

Ultimately I have decided to be honest with who I am and what I believe the future will hold for Public Relations. I have already done a multitude of research and have discovered that my view of how the Public Relations industry will progress has not yet been discussed. Although there are many academic pieces of writing which could be used in favor or against my stance.

So depending on what the University sets out for us (although I am confident my approach will be so diverse and have the ability to settle concrete guidelines at the same time) I have decided my dissertation subject. I shall spend my free time researching and begin the first stages of the writing process.

At this early stage I won’t reveal the ‘title in planning’ of my dissertation as I would like to make some progress on it first before anybody else does. This might sound slightly selfish, perhaps arrogant but some ideas are worth protecting in the finite.

6000ft up in the Pyrenees

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:31:02 +0100

6000ft up in the Pyrenees

This evening’s cave adventures. Some of the better photos...

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:29:23 +0100

This evening’s cave adventures. Some of the better photos which still came out a tad gloomy. Ah well..

Graveyards can be quite beautiful, sometime strange places and...

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:26:15 +0100

Majority of graves were whole families

You can see the fortress in the bckgrnd

Pictures of the diseased. Creepy huh?

Graveyards can be quite beautiful, sometime strange places and often peaceful. I particularly loved the graveyard at Carcassonne so I took a few pictures.

Do these shades make me look American?

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:49:56 +0100

Do these shades make me look American?

Visited Carcassonne today which is the largest fortress in...

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:43:44 +0100

Visited Carcassonne today which is the largest fortress in Europe.

I fell in love with some birds on holiday after a great display...

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:37:23 +0100

I fell in love with some birds on holiday after a great display of falconry. My personal favorite was the vulture. The display was held 2,300ft on a mountain top.

The Simple Life

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 09:34:10 +0100

The storm rolled over the mountains and made its greeting upon our little town just outside of Perpignan. It is now late into the evening and the streets outside are quiet and cool. To be considered a welcomed reprieve from the heat of the day. The torrents of water which ran through the streets are now stilled, to be evaporated into the evening air which has created a damp, making the bright lights from other houses dim.

Even in this remote part of France. A small village full of local traditions and patterned pastimes. The laptop of which I am writing this post has still managed to find wireless connectivity. Truly this world is a global village.

Although I can fluently request a cold lager from the small bar across the road, I must confess that my knowledge of the French dialect ends here. Conversations with the locals mostly consist of body language and smiling. I have been to quite a few places in France but Perpignan is different. For a start the culture is entirely different to the rest of the country. Hardly anybody speaks English and it is quite difficult trying to spot tourists.

On past holidays it would be common to rent a villa for a fortnight. This year a friend of the family has kindly allowed us to use their holiday home here. I suppose the lack of tourists makes sense for this reason. There are no communal swimming pools here or tacky tourist shops selling meaningless anecdotes to remember the country by.

Yesterday I came within a few miles from Spain and saw a mixture of different cultures at a morning market. Stools would commonly be selling products made by hand. Wooden carvings, children’s toys, handmade garments and other necessary items people use to live their lives.

As a technophobe I could not but help spot that the amount of technology around this area is basic. Mobile phones are big and clunky, television sets are never crisp flatscreens and cars are clearly only purchased 8^th hand.

There is a beauty about this though. People living here are still in the Western world but find that the simple life still works. There is no need for large marble kitchens, eco-friendly cars, expensive smartphones, powerful gaming consoles or computers. All the gadgets which I find myself being obsessed about seem to be mere distractions from a world which is far more than the speed of a processor.

I could get used to this simple life. A part of me marvels over the thought of escaping commitments and living out here for the rest of my life. Perhaps one day once I have grown tired of the world. For now though it is still necessary to continue on and remember this place in my memory as the village that had very little but had far more to offer me than the bustling city.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/25/mystery-htc-windows-phone-7-device-in-the-wild-and-lacking-any/

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:55:18 +0100

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/25/mystery-htc-windows-phone-7-device-in-the-wild-and-lacking-any/:

No doubt in my mind. HTC mobile with Windows Phone 7 will make me move from the iPhone.

Erm. I guess my packing is almost done…

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:43:16 +0100

Erm. I guess my packing is almost done…

http://mashable.com/2010/07/22/microsoft-free-windows-phone-7-employee/

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:45:46 +0100

http://mashable.com/2010/07/22/microsoft-free-windows-phone-7-employee/:

It is fair to say that this news has made my day so far. Although the employee base isn’t as big as the article says. Most people who work at Microsoft seem to be contractors and so will probably not be ligible for Windows Phone 7. Looking forward to getting my device though.

Radio Dilemma

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:36:32 +0100

I’m on my lunch break and I am plagued with a few dilemmas in my mind. Inevitable issues which I should have foreseen now that I am an employee at Microsoft but I think valid for public opinion, your opinion. Remember that everything written here are my own views and not attached to Microsoft.

This morning I got a pleasant phone call from one of the larger BBC Radio Stations in London. Again they were asking for my opinion, typically on Facebook as always. I was invited down to the studio to speak to a very well-known radio presenter on the air.

Despite now working in a full time job this interview could have been planned around my lunch break. Here is the problem though. Even though I would have been discussing every known subject under the sun – I would not have mentioned Microsoft. Quite deliberately. I am not a spokesperson for the company (although this would be a dream job!) and only deal with my personal opinions.

The problem is that because now Microsoft are paying me full time, they have ownership over my productivity, I have been left with a dilemma. After much advice I had been left but no choice but to reject the invitation from BBC Radio. I love it how my opinions are sought after, how I can provide content to help journalists fill their air time. I just need to tread carefully. I cannot afford for the media to make the link between me and my job and possibly come to irrational conclusions that I speak partly for the company or even convey some sort of general Microsoft employee bias.

Over the last 2 years I have worked very hard to get my foot into the door of journalism and the trade of opinion. In many ways I have worked very hard over the last 20 years of my life which have now lead me to have a job at Microsoft. A dream job which suits the fanatical technological fiend which I am.

I just need to wait and sort out my mind around this dilemma. Whilst working at Microsoft it looks difficult for me to approach the airways without some sort of risk attached to it. I guess I could contact the Microsoft press office for advice? Ask my manager how she feels about the subject?

Despite everything I have said the best times for me to comment would be at the weekend. Planned ahead radio interviews which means I can organise my week effectively. I guess I only have 11 months before this dilemma passed. My fear is that my foot will slip out the door of broadcasting. This is something which makes me shudder to the very core.

I have only gone a few days without writing and yet it feels like a lifetime since the creative part...

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:50:37 +0100

I have only gone a few days without writing and yet it feels like a lifetime since the creative part of my brain has had a good hiding. The longer you study at University the more you begin to realise how silly some aspects of the modules are. For instance, as part of my placement year I am required to either maintain a diary or blog detailing each week.

Unfortunately this task is almost impossible for two reasons:

1. I am working and so therefore have very little time to focus on University work as well

2. I am constantly dealing with confidential information and situations

So really, in the grand scheme of things, I am actually unable to write very much about specific details of my job. However! I can explain a little bit about what I’m currently doing.

I am working within the Microsoft Advertising department in London. Although we only have (roughly) 15 employees working in the UK, as a multinational team we stretch across a variety of countries.

These countries are:

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, United States, South Africa, Arabia, Nigeria, Senegal, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, India, Thailand and Indonesia.

I may have missed a couple of countries. What is certain that saying I work within a large department is a little bit of an understatement. With such a range of countries requires a degree of knowledge regarding the cultures you are dealing with, their organisational systems, perhaps a small understanding of their language (although International English is used), understanding of time zones… the list goes on (and I don’t want to bore you with that).

Currently my day to day work activities involves learning about the specific jobs of each member of the UK team. Until I have a grasp of this I will be unable to function properly.

Although my job title isn’t “active” yet – I shall be working as a Trade Marketer. This role incorporates aspects of my Public Relations degree. As I am still waiting to find out specific details I shall leave my explanation of Trade Marketing for another day.

I can’t boast to enjoy commuting to work each day. My hatred for trains has only intensified since the 30min delays I had to endure this morning. Once I walk through the doors of Microsoft I realise why I am fortunate to be working within such a great organisation, how I am lucky to have landed a job which appeals to my geeky materialistic side and how this year should positively change me for the better.

Having said that I look forward to regularly travelling back to Cheltenham to see Erin (gf who must be nuts to like me(!), all my friends and the local pub. Working seems to have left me with an odd double life. I’m not quite convincing enough to be a student but neither have I been seduced by the world of work.

Took these pictures of firework explosions on my camera a couple...

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:30:18 +0100

Took these pictures of firework explosions on my camera a couple of years ago. Brings back a lot of good memories.

one, two...i'm coming for you...
three, four...lock your door...
five, six...grab your crucifix...
seven, eight...stay up late

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:33:10 +0100

Sorry. No crucifix’s are left in this house (I’m not so religiously inclined). I will have to settle for a shotgun instead x

Back from a lovely afternoon walk around RHS Wesley.

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:01:15 +0100

Back from a lovely afternoon walk around RHS Wesley.

What are the thirty nine steps

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 22:19:55 +0100

No idea? I think it is the name of a novel though.

A Scribble

A random quiz

10 Question in one big thing

A stolen quiz thing

My Dissertation has been Decided

6000ft up in the Pyrenees

This evening’s cave adventures. Some of the better photos...

Graveyards can be quite beautiful, sometime strange places and...

Do these shades make me look American?

Visited Carcassonne today which is the largest fortress in...

I fell in love with some birds on holiday after a great display...

The Simple Life

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/25/mystery-htc-windows-phone-7-device-in-the-wild-and-lacking-any/

Erm. I guess my packing is almost done…

http://mashable.com/2010/07/22/microsoft-free-windows-phone-7-employee/

Radio Dilemma

I have only gone a few days without writing and yet it feels like a lifetime since the creative part...

Took these pictures of firework explosions on my camera a couple...

one, two...i'm coming for you... three, four...lock your door... five, six...grab your crucifix... seven, eight...stay up late

Back from a lovely afternoon walk around RHS Wesley.

What are the thirty nine steps

one, two...i'm coming for you...
three, four...lock your door...
five, six...grab your crucifix...
seven, eight...stay up late