A Life Before Facebook 0 comments

Just before I start, I had a look at my hit counter today and it said 666 - how terrifying is that?! The end of the world is approaching. Time to stock up on Pot Noodles.

Anyway, I've had a lack of any kind of inspiration for a few days (mainly due to the essays I have to do being started and a total cloud of procrastination smothering them [I like that image!]) and then I got this whilst washing my hands. A bizarre spark yes, but a spark nonetheless.

Can you actually imagine a life without any form of social networking? It'd be very hypocritical of me to blast any Facebook/Myspace/Bebo users, purely based on the fact that I'm a member on all 3 of those sites (not so much Myspace anymore - links are on navbar up top!).

Firstly, what I think's quite cool is the 'evolution' of these sites. What I mean by this is that everyone has a 'Social Network Timeline' of sorts, some of these sites die out while some stay dominant due to loads of reasons. I'll compile mine and I'll explain them -

1. Think.com - Does anyone remember these? How at primary school you got signed up to the fun that was Think.com? Leaving 'stickies' (how wrong does that sound?!) on people's profiles? Using some horrifyingly bad HTML to swamp your page with crap MIDIs and floating bubbles and flashing text? Think.com was brilliant at the time! You just come out of P6 and then you get to make your own website (of sorts)! My memories a bit hazy, but you got a crazy wee dog as the moderator, and if you tried to use any form of swearing you'd be flagged and given a wee punishment exercise by your teacher! Think.com was braw, it'd be pure nostalgia to be able to reactivate my account and have a wee nosy. Unfortunately, something tells me it would never ever be used again, and the fact that they disabled it (for whatever reason) after P7 means that Mark McKeich's Think.com profile is long gone. But those were the days.
2. Myspace - I think I was co-erced into getting one of these, actually (wasn't everyone?). After a wee dabble in Freewebs and the blight on the internet that is Habbo Hotel (bobba! BOBBA! BOOOBBBBAAAA!), I had Myspace. And it brought so much fun. At this point, I don't think Bebo was as popular, and, in my grand opinion was way to chavvy for me. Only the cool kids used Myspace. The heaps of pictures. The 'Top 8 Friends'. The crazy profile layouts. The snappy about me's. The ever-changing profile songs. The bulliten wars/quizzes/shoutouts/nags/moans. Myspace was well cool.
3. Bebo - I eventually caved after being really bored in Majorca and made a Bebo, which at first, I signed into once every century. It didn't really appeal to me much. But then, in the past few years, something odd happened. Myspace suddenly became boring. It just happened (for me anyway). And then Bebo became the main site, although there were still the Myspace loyalists. Anyway, the only cool thing about Bebo is being able to have an 'Other Half'. And even that's pretty boring now.
4. Facebook - And then, two months ago, I got Facebook. 'Nuff said, really.

But yeah, I'm now stuck in limbo between Bebo and Facebook. It's a sad state of affairs. Back to the point though, can you actually imagine life without these sites? Let's be completely honest here, they are the exact same as a mobile phone (which are already rendered completely useless with MSN Messenger). And saying that, you can share pictures on MSN now anyway...so what's the point? How do we all have such an interest in other people's lives so much that we can put off doing anything by staring blankly at a slow-updating live news feed? It's just mental. D'you think if none of these sites existed people would actually do work on time? Get eight hours of sleep a night? Not use the terms 'Facebook rape', 'Bebo stalk', or any other crazy abbreviations that they've created? Did 'lol' actually exist before MSN?

It's be pretty cool to go back in time and see what life was like without Facebook, or, to a more extreme POV, without the internet. Do you not remember how innocent your youth was before hearing that dreaded dial up modem and being subjected to all these social networks?

I say bring back Think.com. Actually, combine them all. Make 'www.myfacethinkbebo.com'. Create another, when broken down to it's actual point, completely useless site.

Anyway, I'm off. Time to check my Facebook.

Mark, out.
xxx

Got No Friends, Got No Lover 0 comments

Just as a reassurance, that blog title is not the truth, it's a song lyric from Placebo's song 'For What It's Worth'. Just clearing that up.

So yeah, for some strange and nice reason my blog hits magically popped up another 100 this week - again, not exactly a massive number considering the millions of people using the internet but it's nice to see it. How about 1000 views by Christmas people? I think it could be done! And if by chance you do happen to read something that 'tickles your fancy' (thought I'd give saying that a shot, don't think I'm ever going to again) leave a comment, s'always nice to hear from anyone.

I've also realised that I've not done any 'Mark VS...' or 'Thank You For The Music' in quite a while, I'm kinda enjoyig just blogging for now, there may be a few in the next month or two, who knows, I don't really plan anything.

Updates! Mark is going on an adventure to Warrington on the 4th of January! Yes, he treated himself to a first class train ticket - OH MY GOD, it's amazing! You get reclining seats, free wifi, a bar, meals and your own table! Anyway, I was thinking, if I somehow manage to get hold of a video camera that I was gonna try and start posting vlogs on my YouTube channel just for fun and link them back here - not that I'm promising they'll be any good, I've never done a video blog before. But I think it'd be better to do that rather than usual blog posts (I'll mix normal ones in anyway), cause then I can show you my journey in 'unfamiliar lands'. That makes it sound really epic!

Do you know that Bank Quay Train Station in Warrington has a 'no kissing' rule? How mental is that! I Wikied it last night, and it's apparantly to 'minimise queuing times'. Needless to say, this confuses me greatly.

Anyways, midnight showing of New Moon tonight, which I'm assuming will break the strange 'Mark takes Kim to a hilariously bad but good film' thing that's been happening!

I'm trying to think of any other updates for now but I think that's about it...

Mark, out!
xxx

The End Of The World As We Know It 0 comments

Good morning all, it's been a few days since any posts so I thought I'd hit you with one on this quite gray and damp looking morning!

For starters, I have realised, and I want to be extremely blunt here, I do not, at all, give a fuck about the X Factor anymore - aside from Danyl, and that's only because my mouth's going to fall off if he doesn't win. Why, you ask? Is it because of Jedward? Is it because of the shows apparent 'fix'? No. It's much more to do with the fact that it's absolutely dire. Take this three-lettered blight on the Earth as an example - JLS. The fact that they shared a stage with Bon Jovi is beyond me. I actually just don't care anymore, it's gotten to the stage where I don't even watch it online. Personally, I think the twins are hilarious, that afro man was crap from the beginning and Danyl's the only one there that can actually sing. You all do realise that when this finishes, we're going to have to be subject to an absolutely shitty album that'll be overplayed on every radio station and music channel and shopping center? Even if Danyl did win it, he'd probably end up having to write some terrible pop album. Yeah. Rant over.

Has anyone wondered how the end of the world will come about? I was reading up on a good list of these predictions last night, and there were a few that were actually a frightening possibility. Take the idea of a worldwide nuclear war, for example. Have any of you ever played Fallout 3? Imagine surviving the initial blast by living underground for a short while, then emerging (possibly to hunt down your father who's went mental and ran away from this bunker - and is also voiced by the fantastic Liam Neeson) and having to actually live in an irradiated world. I don't think it's possible to live for that long anyway (I might be wrong on that) but it'd be bloody boring, and there might be a host of scary nuclear-modified beasties running about. I didn't like the idea of that.

Another one was simply that the universe could just be 'switched off'. This doesn't really bother me because it seems a little bizarre but it went along the theory that, because the universe was suddenly 'switched on' (with the Big Bang and all that jazz), it could possibly be just as easily 'switched off'. This idea was also accompanied with another few space-related disasters - comets hitting the earth, antimatter destroying the planet, universes colliding - all of which sound very, very cool, but have like, a one in sixty two million five thousand and sixty chance of happening.

The only one that I could take really seriously was the idea that robots will soon take over the world. The premise here being that man keeps building them to be stronger, giving them better AIs and movement functions until, eventually, they become smarter than any human. Think about it, imagine if they created a robot that could literally *do anything* and they all assumed control? Imagine in years to come, your iPod's AI was so intelligent that it could move the headphone wire and choke you! Imagine that your mobile phone re-programmed its vibrate function and caused massive earthquakes? Of course these ideas are absurd and mental, but the thought of robots going insane and taking over the world is quite scary, and there's always a possibility it could happen.

The other, very cliched and expected item on that list was a biological disaster - which of course could be immediately linked to zombies taking over the world. Two scenarios here -

1. It's the cliched, Resi-Evil style zombies that move at -1mph and have no common sense at all. You'd have no problem escaping these dudes, unless you found yourself surrounded and had no weapon and were a complete idiot. These guys would be pretty easy to outrun - I think you'd be fine. Best place to go - oil rig.

2. It's the 28 Days Later insane, bloodthirsty rage people. Good luck.

Of course, the other idea of the world ending in the fiery eruptions of Hell that is 'Armageddon' or 'Apocalypse' or 'the return of God to choose who ends up in Heaven and Hell and for some bizarre reason wishes to destroy the Earth' is also a possibility...but the Agnostic inside me screams 'No Mark, no!' So I won't comment.

I think I've went on about the end of the world for long enough, a quick update - had the best weekend ever, think I was lying in my bed for more than 24 hours (not all at the same time, there were breaks for pizza!) and I also saw Paranormal Activity - this film is not scary! Kim and I spent the whole time over deliberating when their bedroom door was going to slam and when it did, it was terrible! Anyway, we're off to see New Moon next week which'll hopefully end the 'rubbish film each week' thing I've had going! (Although saying that, Jens Body and PA were both alright films, but they were only that good cause they were that bad.)

One more thing, do you not think that it is both heartbreaking and soul destroying when you lose a memory card for the PS2? I've lost my PS1 memory card which has all my perfect FF7, FF8 and FF9 saves on it. It's horrifying.

Mark, out.
xxx

(incidently, here's the link to that list of end of world predictions - http://www.aquiziam.com/end_of_the_world_predictions.html)

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Now playing: The Shins - Phantom Limb
via FoxyTunes

Shoot The Runner 0 comments

WOW. I'm just back from Glasgow after seeing Kasabian at the SECC - this gig was absolutely amazing!

I was kinda sceptical about it at first, mainly because I didn't know anyone else that was going and I had to go myself - and the fact that it was at the SECC (I dunno if it's just me or not but the SECC sound system doesn't sound all that braw). Anyway, after deciding to walk down from the train station and being guided by Kim over the phone (which is quite funny actually, considering she isn't from Scotland - Google Maps, we salute you!) I finally made it.

Reverend & The Makers were supporting, and they didn't come on till like an hour and a bit after the doors opened. I thought they were alright, I've never heard any of their stuff before tonight and lead singer's odd and somewhat eratic arm movements aside they were good.

Anyway, a wee bit after that Kasabian came on and opened with a song I'd never heard, it was a B-Side from West Rider, I think. It was still pretty good anyways, but when they started Underdog afterwards it was absolutely amazing! Being myself wasn't too bad when I got into it, I jumped around and clapped my hands and sang and befriended an odd bald man.

Anyway, setlist as I remember (with the help of setlist.fm) was -

1. Julie & The Mothman
2. Underdog
3. Where Did All The Love Go?
4. Swarfiga
5. Shoot The Runner
6. Cutt Off
7. West Ryder Silver Bullet
8. Thick As Thieves
9. Empire
10. Take Aim
11. Processed Beats
12. Ladies And Gentlemen (Roll The Dice)
13. I.D.
14. Fire
15. Fast Fuse
16. The Doberman
17. Club Foot
18. Encore:
18. Vlad The Impaler
19. Stuntman
20. L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)

- that's pretty close to it, anyway, if not the actual one.

I'd say which songs were the best but they were all pretty much awesome, Fast Fuse/Processed Beats/L.S.F./Club Foot/Fire/Underdog were some of my favourites though.

So yeah, if you ever get the chance to, I'd recomend you see Kasbian live - they were actually bloody awesome.

Anyone else reading this at that gig? Send us a comment...

Mark, out.
xxx

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Now playing: Kasabian - West Rider Silver Bullet
via FoxyTunes

Pirates Ahoy! 0 comments

Hello everyone - this post'll more than likely contain some general musings and ponders, mainly to do with CDs and music.

So, today I bought three new CDs - I got Battle For the Sun (Placebo), Help! (The Beatles) and Attack & Release (The Black Keys). Also, my Black Mages CDs that I ordered last week (Black Mages I, II & III) came through the other day as well. And this has been the start of quite a recent thing that's been happening to me - CDs seem to be emerging back into my life again. Before I go any further, the point of this post isn't to blast anyone who downloads music/films, I still do it, so it'd be a little hypocritical.

You know what I think is pretty amazing? How a band can take a year, or years, or months to make a brand new album, for it to be condensed into something so small. It's pretty mental when you think about it that way. A song that's taken a band months to figure out or get right is now nothing more than a few megabytes on a hard drive, the sheer thought of it is absolutely crazy. Maybe it's just me, but it seems insane that you could, if you wanted, store a massive amount of music on a laptop - but, and this is me getting to my point now, d'you not think that takes away from the experience a little?

Do you not remember getting your pocket money and buying a new CD with it, taking it home and listening to it non stop for days? Finding all your favourite tracks, repeating them, blasting them, actually appreciating the songs and CD more - I think what question I'm basically putting out here is, do you not think that actually buying a CD and listening to it all through is much more fulfilling than downloading it and leaving it on your hard drive?

Again, I'm not going all anti-pirate bay on you here, I still download things, but I just suddenly think it's more fun getting the actual CD and listening to it all. Cause if it's me, I'll download the album for my favourite song and leave it all dusty in my hard drive and never listen to it - but you get a CD and you listen to it all the way through and enjoy it more. Yeah, CDs are often ridiculously priced which is why I often turn to downloading anyway, but just a thought to pose to you all - why not buy the CD? Support the bands you love and give them the money they really deserve. On the flip side, you can download all you like, I probably will end up at some point in the next 24 hours anyway, but just think about it. This probably makes no sense but I know what I'm talking about.

On a completely different note, thank you all for the views, it passed 500 the other day (hardly a massive number but it's pretty impressive), there must be some people out there reading these posts. If so, leave a comment! It's always nice to hear your views/opinions/etc.

Also, thought you'd all like to know it's 45 days until Christmas. Yep, you heard me right. Ya dancer!!

And one final thing...I totally passed my linguistics essay! Now I have another 3 to do for the 7th of December! And I'm not leaving them till last minute again for fear of my life/sanity.

Mark, out.
xxx

Look How They Shine For You 0 comments

Good evening everyone - just realised it's been a wee bit (ish) since any recent post so I thought I'd take out some time and go for it!

Well tonight was absolutely brilliant for one - there was not a cloud in the sky, every single star was out, the moon was absolutely massive and it (according to Google) was -1 degrees. Add sitting next to a loch with Kim, a creepy taxi driver, fears of fingers freezing off and snapping and a Meateor Pizza from Dominos and you've got a pretty good, if not scary night.

A creepy taxi driver I hear you all ask? Yeah, well I'm not one for the 'taxi banter' anyway - I don't like the conversations and you can never hear what the guy says and it's awkward and boring and annoying. Well this one taxi driver decided to comment on every passing young (and when I say young I mean like, pretty young) girl on the way back into Stirling. Comment? Oh yes -

'Hmmm, nice legs on that one.'
'I'd give her a ride in my cab if you catch my drift'.
'The foreign ones are always more difficult to pick up.'

Granted, the second one did make me laugh sheerly out of it's randomness/stupidness, but after the driver started 'oooh you know you want some' I figured it was time to go and got out the taxi a little earlier, fiver short and cold. Grrr.

Last night me and Kim went out for tea and then the cinema to see what's dubbed as 'a masterpiece by the makers of Juno' and is called 'Jennifer's Body'. This film is up there with Mega Shark VS Giant Octopus & Zombies Zombies Zombies - one of the worst films I've seen in my entire life, but that was what made it so good. It's basically a horror/comedy take on a typical teen movie, but with Megan Fox. Megan Fox, by the way, what's the deal here? I don't see it. She looks like she has a permanent cold sore. Sorry guys, I just don't get it.

A good good weekend though, re-discovered how good Air Traffic were and also discovered the Spill Canvas. If anyones reading this right now I'd advise you to wrap up and go outside, it's absolutely perfect tonight.

Another discovery, anyone else ever noticed that when you type in 'kiss' on predictive on a mobile phone it sometimes comes up with 'lips'? Fun times indeed.

Mark, out.
xxx

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Now playing: Air Traffic - Shooting Star
via FoxyTunes

Nice Wee Chilly Clouds 0 comments

"I want to cut off your hands and keep them..."

Rather than explaining that somewhat alarming opening, I'm just gonna leave you all to figure it out yourselves.

Hello all! Today was lots of cheeryness, it's been one of the first days so far when all day, that cold air vapour stuff comes out your mouth when you breathe!! I love it when that happens, Winter is here, hooraaaay! I've been way too giddy, but I don't care! On top of that I got to wear my jacket, hat and scarf (which incidently all ended up waterlogged) and it was all wintery (if not soaking wet) and I had a nice wee walk from Stirling Uni to Stirling and back again with Kim, so was a fun day!

ANNND on top of all of that amazingness, I bought 24 Season 7 on DVD! So lots of Jack Bauer shooting people/Tony Almeida being a goodie/baddie/goodie/baddie twists on the way. I also had some carrot cake. Hurray for carrot cake.

ANND in case anyone was wondering, I've moved in with my dad - so that's where I am as of late, I'm gonna try and look at Uni Acomodation too at some point too.

Don't you all just love winter?! It's amazing. And i'm far too wet/tired to make this post any more exciting :) ....FIREWORKS TOMORROW WOOOOOOOOOOOH.

Bye :)
xxx

New Dawn, New Day, New Life 0 comments

Good morning world! It's been quite a while (a few days I think - this is something of a major breakthrough for me not to have posted a blog in this space) and lotsa lotsa lotsa things have happened.

For one, happy belated Halloween everyone! What did everyone dress up as? I actually went through two transformations, I was a vampire on the Friday night but it was barely obvious (someone asked me what I was and if I had cut myself shaving) so on the actual day of Halloween I changed it to zombie - possibly the funnest costume to make ever. I had a crazy spell of ripping up a suit jacket and throwing fake blood all over it - I looked like a crazy person. Anyway, the zombie costume worked out well as you can see -

- and Halloween was good fun, went through to Stirling and had a wee party in the corner of the Union and sat on a bench for around 4 hours afterwards with Kim, and encountered friendly security guards, armies of squirrels and a drunken Theo giving us the recipe for the ultimate burrito. Strange you say? You haven't heard the half of it!

Anyways, after that I didn't sleep at all and so when I got home you would think - "Mark must be shattered and seeing how he is a completely responsible student will also have finished both his essays" - I will tell you now that that is NOT the case - and instead was up till about 4am finishing two 2000 word essays (saying that I did finish one of them an hour before the deadline yesterday). So after realising in the past week I've probably had absolutely bugger all sleep (I started hallucinating!) I got the best long lie on Monday - good times!

Ah wells, I have an English lecture to go to in an hour - and then I need to head back at some point this evening cause Mark boys moving in with daddy-o! Happy November everyone!

Mark, out :)
xxx

(also, you know what's scary? When you dream...)

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Now playing: Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag
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