Three days later

Hello again everyone. 

As I write this, I have just finished my 3rd day of my after effects course and just beginning the advanced part today. If there is one thing I can recognise about myself, it's when I get tired. I'm not talking about physical fatigue, but that feeling you might get when you've been concentrating one thing all day like I have all this week. It feels like a mental marathon or any other type of long distance running. I think I've reached that bit in a run where you want to carry on but your body (in this case my brain) wants you to stop. There is no chance of jacking this course in, it's been so good so far, learning all about bits of the software that I didn't really understand or that I needed to take my best guess at...!

So although I want to consolidate today's notes and learnings into someone I can refer to another time, I just want to relax, have a few drinks and unwind, if only to get ready for the onslaught of new techniques and facets of After Effects that I am currently blissfully unaware of this evening. 

So with that I will leave you and say good night. Wish me luck for tomorrow, although I can't moan much - I'm not having to go to work at all this week. 

What a whiny bitch I've become eh?...lol

Peace,

SVD

Cardiff bound...

Well this week I'll be in Cardiff spending my time on an After effects course. I decided about 6months ago that I needed to 'invest' in myself and learn something that I could use in my film making. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that I might actually like a career in VFX. Of course the journey from where I am to where I want to be is a long one, but I hope that this will be the fresh new start that I have been searching for.

The reason that I haven't made any videos recently is a melting pot of excuses, but in all honesty, I grew tired of trying to be someone in front of a camera that felt different to the real me. Sure, being crazy and random is fun and some people like that but the reasons that I started making videos are different now. These days I want to do interesting things with other film makers. I want to learn the craft of the process. I want to be naturally interesting because of the passion I have for the subject matter. 

So this is why during a rainy week in Cardiff, I am spending a week learning some tools of the trade and hopefully be a better after effects user at the end of it. 

Feel free to follow me on this journey for the next 5 days or so, as I intend to post some rambling blogs on YouTube as well as write some drivel on here too...

Tanks for staying interested and speak soon,

Snare.

Crisis

Hi guys - I know it has been such a long time since you have heard or seen anything from me. For that I truly apologise. Life has been a funny beast this last year, and its been so long that i might even make a video about it. I get these pangs of guilt about my own Youtube channel, where i realise how long it has been since I last spoke into a camera to my subscribers. part of my brain believes that it is due to how I'm now 33 years old - surely that is too old to still be doing this internet video lark...? then I just tell myself to stop being so full of it and really ask again...why aren't you making videos?

I think the first reason is a simple one. Since August last year, work has been exceptionally busy, leaving me with little or no motivation to 'work' on something when I come home. I've been working weekends as well as a full week at the office. My creative juices dried up it seemed, leaving me with a sense of just getting through it and looking to a future where I wasn't so busy.
 
Then it became clear that I wasn't following a path that I wanted, or that i had control over. everyone should have some control over their destiny in life - whether it be the small things like what you want to eat for lunch, to big stuff like what you feel you are here, alive on this shiny blue orb for. right now, I'm having one of the latter crises.

I have been still very busy on the film front, working with the lovely lads from Cerebral Visions on some short films and learning all the way. I guess this might have had something to do with the lack of snarevandamm videos. My expression was being pushed into my collaborative work on our short films, rather than my own personal babbling bollocks.

This must change.

I know that some of my subscribers are missing me - and while that feels great, I don't want that to be a good thing! I shouldn't be away so long to make them wonder if I'm dead or not. (mind you if you are reading this - I can assure you I'm not)

Life in general has become quite busy outside of work too, which is nice, but I've now realised that time away from work is more important that putting in 40-50 hours weeks every week. Yes, the extra money is nice, but I wasn't getting much chance to enjoy it. I've definitely realised that I am a social animal. I have real issues with having to decline a social gathering of any sort, because I have to work the next day. Actually it is even worse when the person inviting you has to ask "are you working that weekend" as if it has been named; been made real by the acknowledgement of a friend.
 
So, I'm not going to make any promises about a video soon because I don't know if I can back that up with actually making one. My heart is beginning to turn back to my youtube videos, but that is all I'll say right now.

Right I have to go do bits and pieces now, like eat dinner and do my homework (no joke, even at the age of 33) so I bid you farewell and tweet me if you feel like saying hello...

Peace,
SVD

https://twitter.com/snarevandamm

Long time no see...

Well hello there my friends. It's been a while since anyone has heard from, or seen me in the digital world. I must say its been a busy year. I've been spending most of my time doing a bad job of balancing work and life. A few years ago I made a year long video blog and I think that helped me to maintain a focus. I felt like I had a purpose for 12 months. However hard it got, however many people looked at me funny when I made my excuses to run away and talk bollocks in front of the camera everyday, I can say I'm actually one of the few people who has an entire year of their life documented in video.

But enough nostalgia.

This year I haven't made a video. Maybe that will change. I mean I've made videos but not for my main channel.

One thing i must tell you is that I've been very busy learning French for the past year. My better half is French and I've been trying very hard to gain some small amount of bilingualism... It's working as far as I can tell. I can now read French, listen to French radio, watch French films (without subtitles) but composing my thoughts on the fly is still tough! Maybe one day I'll be able to tick the French box on the 'languages spoken' part of an application. It's the little things...

The weird thing is that I've kind of been bitten by the language bug. It's like part of my brain was guarded by a big, rusty hinged oak door and slowly I keep trying to open it, exerting enough force to move it. At the moment it feels just a bit ajar, but in time I'll be busting out the WD40. I've actually been bitten to the extent that I want to start a third language, something like Spanish maybe.

While work has been crazy this year, and looks to be just as mental next year, I've found some outlet in film making with my friends. This January we are set to make our most elaborate and ambitious project yet. I'm really looking forward to pulling all this together and producing something that we will all be proud of. I can give more details in the future, but for now, I'll just let you wonder...

I am very sure that 2013 will hold some very interesting times. Some unexpected, some played for, and got...LOL I just have a feeling that things are around the corner waiting for me to take the risk and jump in feet first. Most aspects of my life feel that way. The time for stagnation and routine must be flushed out.

I think this is probably the most open I've been on this blog. Maybe that is because there is no one who actually reads this, but on the whole I think it's good to write it out. It helps put things in perspective.

I hope this entry has given you some food for thought. Stay happy everyone and I promise to do my best and write again soon.

Regards,
Snare.

How is 2012 going for Snare?

Well hello there. This is in fact my first blog of 2012. I must say that my output recently has been hampered somewhat by a combination of laziness and life getting in the way. But enough! I must just continue to update you with my musings before I go insane.

So, February is nearly over huh? It's been quite a dull few months for me really. Apart from a recent skiing trip that didn't quite go to plan. Let me explain.

As I hadn't been skiing before, I thought it would be prudent to have some lessons, so in earnest I booked a days worth of lessons at a local dry slope. Awesome I thought. I'll just get the basics and go from there when I get onto some real snow. Problem was that about an hour into the days worth of lesson, I fell awkwardly and busted my ribs. Bruised I thought. Not a problem, it'll heal before we go. We were flying out to the Alps a week later so I thought it would be ok.

The long and short of it was that I had actually broken my ribs and therefore the first day skiing was indeed the last, and also the 'day' was in fact more like 20 mins. My chest was killing me. On my return to the UK I visited our lovely NHS services in A&E to find out if I had actually punctured my lung...

Snare is not fighting fit as he writes this (as you can tell by the third person reference)

So although I had a wonderful time relaxing and getting some much needed respite from work, I had to deal with an injury. It wouldn't be so bad, but a lot of my time is spent doing quite physical things. Because of my rib, I have to give it a break from going to the gym, training of any sort, and sadly no drumming for at least a month. *sad face*

But perhaps I need this to reaffirm my goals for 2012. I've only just realised that I don't have any... 2010 was simple, I was making a video every day. This year though, I need to put right the lack of video content I'm currently producing. I need to work out what's right for me this year, which includes a total view of work, pleasure, aims and ambitions.

I've discovered that I get quite down when I don't have something to aim for, something to work towards. I blame my work a lot for this, as it is quite often unpredictable and means late evening and weekends are taken up by work rather than doing things that make me feel like I matter... I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but it's a rut that I need to break out from.

So what will you see from me in the coming weeks then? Who knows. I expect at least one video, maybe two. Also, I want to write again reflecting on this blog to see how things have changed. Whatever happens, I have every intention to make a change.

Hope you are still reading, and I hope to see you again soon.

Peace,
Snare.

Being An Android Virgin

Right. I know it's been far too long since my last blog, and I always seem to make that comment at the start of most of my posts. Tragic huh? Well today I have some exciting news. I'm the proud owner of a brand spanking new HTC SENSATION XL... It's quite simply a lovely phone. It was only released about a month ago but more importantly this is my first android based smart phone. I have until recently been an owner of an iPhone 3GS. The transfer from Apple iOS to android isn't an easy one. Filled will the constrictive safety of Apple, I finally took the plunge and got my hands on a new HTC handset which has blown my mind.

As I finally have something worth writing about, I thought I'd give you all a quick 'first impressions' blog about my first day with the Sensation XL.

When I opened the box, the reason I decided on this phone became immediately apparent. The 4.7 inch screen stares back at you just wanting to be used to browse web pages easily and there is enough space on the device to comfortably navigate around the varied functions and menus.

This particular phone comes with beats audio headphones and functionality endorsed by Dr Dre. Without sounding insincere, this is an amazing facility that I was truly amazed when I tried the headphones for the first time. The bass levels are notably rich and all those audiophiles are probably nodding in agreement right now. I've already been searching through my extensive music collection for songs that can take full benefit from my new beautifully sounding earbuds.

Ok, now the part that I was most worried about. The change over.

I'm a longstanding Apple user, so my brain is now hard wired into the navigation style on an iPhone. The biggest change I'm going to have to get used to, is the new feeling of freedom. As I said earlier, the constrictive 'safety' of Apple is at times reassuring, but now I have been faced with all this android potential.

Obviously with great freedom comes great responsibility. I now have to be a little bit more careful when I drunkenly go on the app store and purchase something that I probably shouldn't. I have even had to install a virus protection program for the first time ON MY PHONE... Madness.

So what's the phone like to use then? Well, after getting used to the gadgets and gizmos I've not had before, I realise I can make this phone exactly what I want it to be. The home page is fully customisable, as are most settings such as when your phone is 'offline' so you can sleep in peace.

The screen is colourful and vibrant, with rich depth and video playback is smooth and not jerky in the slightest. Really satisfied I must say. The camera is an 8megapixel lens of loveliness and it does do mobile phone pictures justice. Very clear, very sharp. Also the amount of freedom (there is that word again) with ISO settings and HDR capability make me think twice about buying a new pocket cam for that reason. The video also has a slo-mo feature, which to be honest I haven't tried out yet.

My one gripe with the handset is the positioning of the screen on the device when using the keyboard in landscape mode. Because the screen itself is not completely central, I find that my thumb ends up missing the space bar meaning my text can quite easily be.punctuated.inbetween.words.

Anyway, I'm going on a bit here, so if there is anything you would like to know about other than my rumblings here, drop me a line or comment below and I'll let you know my personal (and very scientific) opinion.

Til next time,
Snare.

Meh...

Hello again – it’s been a while since I uploaded some sort of blog. I guess that’s all I tend to talk about on here which is depressing in itself. Like a bird moaning about having to fly everywhere when most of us chumps have to pay a metal tube with engines just for the privilege.

I’ve experienced somewhat of an impasse lately, that has made me think of what is important to me and my video ‘career’ on YouTube. When I started taking the channel a little more seriously and giving myself targets to hit, it was all exciting and new. Then the days and weeks went by and I was watching and admiring people living the dream; making videos and getting loads back; rising up from the shadows of the big players and even making money from it.

Of course my dream will always be just that. To be able to live off making videos. That’s it in a nutshell. But as an adult, that dream comes with rational thought and forces you to weigh up how you could make that happen and what risks are you willing to take to get there. I’ve always been quite a cautious person when it comes to taking risks and it has always been difficult to drop everything and chase the dream. Especially now with a mortgage and commitments that require me to make additional plans to work around these obstacles.

I also never seem to have the time to do the things that are necessary for day to day life, let alone writing that film that I have inside me… ;)

If anything, this journey I’m on – learning about film making, improving the tools of the trade while simultaneously being creative makes me appreciate the efforts of all those people who DO make a living off producing life changing movies.

So what’s next for Snare this year? What is the great plan? What ideas are coming up?

Firstly, I’d like to simply make more videos. Not as many as I did in 2010, which was ridiculous…

I don’t actually think that I’ve spent much time this year thinking about where I want to be at the end of the year, which is strange as we’re almost halfway through… EEK! The main ambition is a clear one. I need to increase my audience and get them involved in my videos. I recently hit the magical 4 figures in subscriptions, and it felt nice that 1000 people like my videos enough to click that little yellow box. ‘How’ to increase that is the big question. I’ve recently bought a new camera and so I have the means to make some excellent quality videos. I just need to get creative, write stuff in my head and get it on paper. Practice doesn’t make perfect, but perfect practice does.

There is nothing more tragic that achieving something like I have on YouTube and then doing nothing with it. I have people who want to watch me, but if I don’t produce anything for them to watch, then they will leave me. Simples.

As always, this has turned into a big fat rant of brain vomit on a lunch break, so apologies for that. I guess I’m just in a ‘desert of no direction’ and need to find the pretentiously named ‘oasis of ambition’ LOL

Seriously though – thanks for reading and drop by YouTube or twitter to say hello. It would be lovely to hear from you.

‘Til next time,

Snare.

Riding the "video-bike"

Hello. Hope it is nice where you are today?

I’ve had a flash of motivation that is hard to come by lately - I feel a bit drained ‘creatively’ you might say. As I sit in my office wondering about how to take all my different video projects to the next level, I realise that taking it to the first level might be a good idea! It’s kind of similar to a problem that many creative types have. Anyone can have a good idea; a great thought. It’s far more difficult to realise that vision into something that you can communicate to another human being. That’s probably why we applaud and admire people like directors, actors and sports personalities. They have spent time and effort refining their skills and talent into something that ‘normal’ folk find fascinating and amazing.

But what most people fail to realise is that everyone, (and I mean EVERYONE) has the potential to do something exceptionally well. For some this is a skill or talent that they have had utter dedication to over a period of time. Others are naturally bestowed an amazing ability from birth. Some people may even just be really annoying and be good at most things…

Not often ‘great’ but nevertheless, it can be very irritating…LOL

So what does this have to do with me eh? Well, I often have ‘awesome’ ideas for videos and through youtube I have found an outlet that allows me to do some amazing things. My problem is simply that transition from metaphysical ideals to an actual ‘thing’ that others can understand. The longer I spend making videos the more I realise there is to learn, and even UNlearn.

Think about it. Go back in your mind to something you didn’t use to know how to do.

Like riding a bike.

You may remember how scary it was long ago and how you just couldn’t stay upright, constantly falling off and grazing those little knees. Now, you can speed along and all is well in the cycling world. But you had to UNlearn that fear. You saw people who were cycling around and it was amazing. You wanted to do that. But you had to spend time learning the skill, getting it better and better, until you just KNEW what to do.

In my head, I know exactly how I want a certain video or scene to look. I know what reaction I want from the viewer. But tying all those ends up together is the magic. The part of filmmaking that inspires directors and indie filmmakers all around the world.

Just remember that the next time you come up against something you don’t think you can do, take a step back and be true to yourself when you answer “what will it take to achieve this?”

Enjoy my lovelies.
Until next time,
Snare.

SVD IS BACK!!!!!

Well hello all. I thought I’d spend a little while explaining my recent video – for those of you that have seen it…


It had been about 3 weeks after I finished my last video of daily vlogs throughout 2010 that I thought it would be an amazing idea to do a comeback vid. One to really set the standard for 2011. I think I succeeded in making not only a vaguely funny and goofy montage, but also put time into a song celebrating my return.

At this point I would forgive you for thinking that this is slightly egotistical, but in fact it was all in good taste. I don’t take myself too seriously; no-one should in my opinion. (Apart from doctors – I’d like them to remain focused and very serious)

My aim for 2011 is to have the time and freedom to do more interesting videos, mainly because if The Big Vlog taught me anything, it is that time is precious. Now that my days are freed up from daily vlogs, I feel the pressure is justified in creating better videos.

This is just a quick update while I get back to real life and start planning my next video for YouTube :)

Thanks for sticking with me guys and gals. It means so much.
Stay classy People…
Snare.

One Day.

So here we are. Another blog out of nothing. One day I’ll find a purpose for this expression other than just rambles. I think a big part is the chicken and egg. If people read it, I’d be more inclined to write. For me to sit down on a lunchbreak and rattle off some nonsense is very easy. The problem occurs when I have no direction, or reason.

I’d love to have a career doing something for myself like writing / making videos / but I’ll always feel trapped by the need to bring home some money to pay the mortgage and the bills.

For me, I’ve been lucky enough to work hard and keep a job with the same company for the last 10 years. Letting go of that would be stupid unless I had something to replace it. What I do at the moment is not my dream job but I always try my hardest to make what ever situation I’m in work for me. Deep down I know that if I were to make a hit at it with enough focus I could get somewhere. It’s the beginning that journey that scares me.

I wonder if you feel like that too?

Anyway I’m once again sat on my lunchbreak wondering what the future could hold and worrying that I’ll let life pass me by… Oh how depressing…LOL

I’m still in the progress of putting together the comeback vid for YouTube, which I hope will be great as it is in my head. Sadly the break from vlogging everyday has made me realise how much I enjoyed having time to do…er… nothing. I missed it and it is now starting to kill my motivation. This. Has. To. Change.

Here is a list of 2011 ‘things to do’ that I came up with last year:

Achieve 2000 subs on YouTube – I reckon I can do this!

 

• Learn how to use Final Cut Express
• Get familiar with Garageband (for audio scores etc)
• Buy a new HD camera (camcorder / DSLR to be decided)
• Write an article and get something published. Somewhere.

Well that’s all I can remember right now – but I hope that this brief 15 min blog will inspire you someway today. Please post a comment and let me know how you are feeling today!

Til next time,

snarevandamm

 

Afternoon all. It’s been a while.

It’s been nineteen days since the big vlog finished and if anything it has taught me that free time is something not to be wasted. For a whole year I have spent everyday squeezing time in to make a video and all the while, I was perpetually concerned that I might not make it that day.

I know it’s been a few months since I posted, but it’s mostly because I’ve been in the zone with film making. I’m now looking at the big ‘comeback’ video that I hope will please my loyal subscribers on YouTube who have stood by me on such a ridiculous project. 2011 sees me being able to spend more time on each video, so the quality level has to improve, which is a totally different kind of pressure. Thankfully I have a lot of supportive friends that want to help me achieve this!

One of the most exciting aspects of the comeback is that it’s my first impression of 2011. I did post a half video on 8th January that was just to prove to my subscribers that I hadn’t disappeared, but the proper return will hopefully be as good on the screen as it is still in my head.

I must go now though as I don’t have long until I return to work and the humdrum of existence where I must forget about my creative desires and focus on paying the bills.

:(

Maybe one day things will be different…

Until very soon,

Snare.

Motivation Eludes Me Today...

Hi guys! Well its been a little while since I blogged, but hopefully you haven't missed me... ;)

Have been feeling a little blue today. Nothing has really inspired me. I can't feel that surge of excitement that I normally have somewhere deep inside. Perhaps I'm just having 'one of those days' or maybe I'm suffering from SAD. I really don't know. Its hard to be upbeat all the time I guess.

Anyway, I was really happy with yesterdays video. It was thrown together in an evening but turned out amazingly well I hope you'll agree(!) it was really awesome to pay a tribute to the late, great Bill Hicks. I hope he would have enjoyed the composition and editing.

Today though, I feel drained. Work has been really quiet and I haven't got the same vigour that I normally have. I do try to put a lot of effort into whatever I do but all I want these days is to be creative.

My biggest problem is that my mind always looks at opportunity in a romantic way. I don't see the whole picture sometimes. When I do, it becomes less exciting and it starts feeling much less interesting.

This is helping though. It's cathartic...lol

I'm currently sat waiting for a bus and its already a clear 15 minutes late. I could complain, but sadly that wouldn't get me home any quicker. I'd much rather claim my national right as a British citizen to sit here and moan about it. So consider yourself moaned at...

Right I need to get back to waiting so I leave you with best regards til we speak again.

Peace.
Snare

...One Month Later

Hello Blog Readers.

Its been almost a month since I posted anything, and to be honest – its completely my fault. I feel bad whenever I get grand ideas that in the wings there is always a niggle, a worrying realisation that what I can see as the great vision ends up as cutting room floor garbage – never to be seen by the public.

This has happened a lot recently. Many times I’ve had a bout of creative mania, followed by a small hiccup – a small infraction of focus which inevitably leads to my downfall.

I want to blog more but it gets harder when a) it doesn’t pay the bills; and b) you have my sense of waivering motivation. I haven’t had a problem doing the last 243 daily vlogs this year, but I want them to be so much more. I want to entertain people and give them a sense that I’m taking this project seriously.

Of course there have been times when the daily vlogs have come under attack (especially by me) and leave me floundering for inspiration. But somehow, I find the words and the time to put something together. I just hope that the next 122 videos have the same luck.

Anyway guys – I need to stop blogging and start working as I’m officially back on the clock(!)

Take care until next time,

SVD

Change is always good...

What is it with people in shops? It seems that there are still people who love nothing more than fishing around in their purses and wallets for exact change even though there is a queue of people want to use the services of the shop!!?!?

I had two of them in front of me just now. Both of them didn't have an ounce of foresight between them. It felt like an eternity waiting for them to dig around for pennies when all I wanted was a single item and I was late for my bus... (I know, the heady heights of fame hasn't reached my commuting style yet...)

But I made the bus in the end and at least it gave me a chance to have a mini rant about something on my way home.

You see? I am trying to update this blog more...lol

Anyway, I am on my way home now with the exciting prospect of putting up some shelves. Wow. My life knows no bounds when it comes to evening entertainment...

Take care guys, hope to speak to you soon...
Snarevandamm.

On the bus...

Just a quick test of me being able to blog on the bus. It's a grand thing in this day and age that I can sit on a bus and type away without even thinking about the dark days when I had to be hardwired for this kind of thng. I'm really excited by all the ideas coming into my head lately. It's like I'm having some kind of digital renaissance all by myself...!

Hope you are all lovely today though. It's a hot one here on the bus. All these people have no idea what I'm doing...heh heh...

One of the nicer things about bus travel is the view. It gets better when you can sit on the top deck, combined with not having to concentrate on driving. Part of my journey involves going over a toll bridge with a particularly good view of the city. Some people may not consider that a view, but it's still nice to see far and wide.

Anyway that's all for now, I might consider doing this more often if I get the chance...

Peace,
Snare.

Long time...No Blog...

I know, I know. Its been too long since I updated this blog. But there has been a lot of activity in the SVD camp lately. A few days ago I received an invitation to become a FULL YouTube partner which I was ecstatic about. It was one of my aims for this year, and to have achieved it by mid july was an incredible feeling.


I felt like I was suddenly able to do this video ‘thang’ with a bit more focus, as I’d been recognised by YT as being worth having in their infamous partnership program. At this point I have no idea what to do with this honour, but it has made me think about all the aspects of my presence online and I’ve even purchased my very first domain name:

http://www.snarevandamm.co.uk/

I’d like to eventually set up a small website which would include the blog, embedded videos and perhaps even a store!!! (of course I can hear the demand for Snare t-shirts building already…LOL)

Anyway – life has been very busy and now that I am almost fully settled into the new house, perhaps I can focus on getting some of the items on my list underway…

Apologies for the short blog today – especially after not updating for so long. I will try to fit in another chunk of prose very soon…

Stay safe,
Snare Van Damm

Think About It...

Good evening folks.

Today was one of those days that just fucking happened. although my movements were planned, I managed to produce a video today that I am really proud of. I cannot take complete credit of course, as my YouTuber-at-arms SiCurious was at hand to help with fooling the audience into a false sense of security by the magic of camera angles.

I've posted the video below if you are still curious. (I'll give you guys a moment, meet me back here...)

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...Right.

I just wanted to blog for two reasons today, firstly because I haven't in a long while and it wouldn't be much of a blog if I posted once a year...(!) and secondly because i wanted to talk about what the video make me ponder everytime I see it.

The video delves into the themes made most famous by THAT scene in 'Being John Malcovich' where everyone is the same, speaking only "Malcovich". I didn't go quite that obtuse, but its certainly an homage to the great concept of confusion by familiarity.

We have all probably experienced this feeling when things are too much like 'before' whether it be an old girlfriend, why we keep making the same mistakes and probably why we always end up looking for faults within ourselves.

In fact, I was having a discussion with a friend the other day about how to be feel better about themselves and be awesome. It all boils down to being able to love yourself. This is an underrated and under-practiced skill. No-one becomes awesome overnight, and there will still be people in this world that will dislike you if you do - even if you cure world hunger and bring about world peace. you would be guaranteed that some little arse-face would make you out to be worse than Hitler munching on a baby sandwich.

The key part to understand is that the road to being awesome is a state of mind, where you take each step of the journey one piece at a time. Just like eating a breakfast of cereal, bacon and eggs and two cups of tea; you cannot put that in a blender and consume at once. You might be able to get it down, but you might choke, puke or worse, never have breakfast again...

An awesome person would simply eat the cereal with a spoon and get through it piece by piece while sipping awesomely on their awesome tea. By the time they finish, they will have had a truly awesome breakfast; not choking, puking, or fighting off some horrible bout of heartburn...!

...My long awaited point is that when you feel that life isn't fun anymore, you have to realise that you are right. Life isn't fun. Fun is an emotion that we create inside ourselves. Whatever we feel, is not caused by the outside world, its how we choose to deal with it. Inside.

So next time you are trying to eat the burger of life in one bite, remember that life is what you make it, and how you choose to do that is completely and utterly up to you.

Peace,
Snare Van Damm

Being Snarevandamm (The Big Vlog 151/365)

Long Time NO SEE!!!

Do you ever get that feeling that everyone else is having a much better time than you? I do today – its just a short message and I apologise for not writing much at all lately, but I’ve been very busy moving house etc… if you also include the daily vlogs, its quite a time consuming …er… time.

Well I hope you are all cool, and I wanted to talk today about balance. Most of the discussions I have daily are about balance in one way or another. Work and non-work, good and evil, time for you and time for others… it can get quite stressful finding time to be not stressed.

I haven’t really got a lot to talk about today. My mind seems to be all over the place and I can never get to the place I want to be. Have been feeling the envy building up of all the celebrities on twitter today – they have things worth tweeting about every day, exciting new challenges and experiences. Sadly for the most of us its humdrum everyday. I don’t want to run the country, but I’d love to just kick back and work on the things that make me and my family happy.

The easiest way to achieve this is to win the lottery. But that really isn’t a career choice. Yet.

I want to create stuff. Music. Video. Articles. Maybe I should try writing a few things and get them published… now that’s an idea. Only problem is finding the time to write. LOL

…maybe that could be my first article. HA HA!!!

Anyway – enough from me, I’ve spewed brain vomit for 15 mins on here, and now I can draw from this for tonight’s vlog. Maybe… but we shall see…

Stay safe people.
Snarevandamm

Vlogging Update

Well hello to loyal followers of the ramblings of snarevandamm. As you can probably gather – my contribution to the written blog of late is quite lacking. In fact, some of you who don’t follow my daily vlogs on YouTube would probably think that I had popped my lil’ vlog-clogs and moved on to pastures pearly…

Fear not though, as I have found a window of opportunity to write some musings and say hello to you through the wonderful medium of the blogosphere. Today I’d like to comment on my current pastime. My second job. Vlogging.

Today is day 93 of the 365 vlog and things are beginning to take their toll. I’ve survived many a week posting something everyday, and for the most part I’ve enjoyed making hours and hours of video featuring…well…me.

As an average, I’ve made 92 videos with an average length of about 4.5 mins… So in total I’ve filmed 414 minutes (that 6 min short of 7 hours) and probably spent 10 times that editing and uploading… so when you do the math, as an estimate, by the end of the year I will have spent 12.5 DAYS making videos…THAT’S ABOUT 3% OF MY YEAR...!

*gulp!!!!*

Although I love the project enough to carry on posting new videos everyday, the aspect that gets to me the most is the impact on my life. There has not been a single day this year (no joke) that I have been able to sit down and just do nothing. Not one. This is because at some point during the day I need to make a video. This promise that I have made myself, this cross I now have to bear, has meant that I never really, truly relax.

Some nights I wake up in a cold sweat screaming… - ok maybe not but I hope you can see my point.

But lets get this into perspective.

I love making videos, and I love the interaction with my subscribers. It makes me feel part of something special. Just imagine that years from now, I can look back at my half-month experience of video as a testament to commitment, determination and selfless introspection… Or, as most people will probably do, look at a few and say “what a weirdo”

I’d actually like to devote more time to the vlog, actually show bits of my life through video, but I fear that may aid my descent into madness, and not the “he’s so crayzee!” sort of way. I mean the scribbling jibberish on walls and eating moths sort of way.

As time goes on, it will be harder and harder to even contemplate quitting the vlog. I’m getting close to a 3rd of the way through, and it actually puts the whole concept of time into perspective. Now don’t worry people, I’m not chewing on a moth as I write this, but every day I know what the date is. And everyday I can look back at how I was feeling. What I was thinking. Its seems to me that only after 90-odd days making the “Big Vlog” that I actually understand what the vlog is, and what it aims to do.
It is my memory, my diary. It is the way that I have made my journey through 2010 immortal.

...and i also like watching myself...LOL

Now, before I finish I just want to say to you all:

HAPPY EASTER

I hope you all got lots of eggs… :)

Until next time,
Snarevandamm

Blurry Vision

Well yesterday was fun. I woke up with blurred vision and thought nothing of it to start with. I think everyone has days when they wake up and take a while to ‘come round’ from a night of deep slumber.

On my way into work I noticed that my vision was still blurred and started to get worried. It was at least 30 minutes that I had been awake and by that time I would have expected to have my normal vision back. So while sat at my desk I still had blurry vision but noticed that it was only in one eye. It was like my brain was saying “deal with this… he’ll never work this one out…LOL”

Yes, my body talks in l33tspeak. Moving on…

So I determined that my vision had indeed gone a bit wonky in my right eye and mentioning it to my boss, they suggested I get down to the EYE casualty unit at the hospital to get it checked out – I mean I could have something serious going on and this could be the first sign.

My decision was slightly hampered by the fact that I have a penis. We men are rubbish with health ‘things’. It’s like we are admitting we have a fault or showing the world that we are weak. I just put it down to being lazy. But after being bullied to book something in, I reluctantly did so to ensure my ears weren’t the next thing to need hospital treatment.

I finally phoned up the hospital and got an appointment for 4.15pm, so of course it meant an early clock off but when I got there, I knew it would take hours to get seen and sorted.

After booking in with the receptionist, I sat down and was surprised how quickly the first hour went by before I was seen by a care assistant who checked my vision. Covering up my good eye, I read the chart. Not bad I thought, but it was fuzzy. As soon as I changed eyes, I could easily see that I’d made a mistake. However I got to the second line from the bottom, even with my bad eye. It seems most people who go to casualty don’t have very good eyes…LOL

After seeing the nurse (the 2nd of four people I sat with) she made the decision to put dye and dilating drops in my eyes.

Let me tell you. That fucking hurt. It was as if someone had just rubbed chillies in both my eyes. It subsided pretty quickly, but it was especially kind of the nurse to tell me it was going to sting AS SHE PUT THE BASTARD DROPS IN MY EYES…

After that I had two separate doctors look into my eyes and they both came to a consensus that I didn’t have anything visibly wrong with my eyes.

Great. Now I feel like a fraud I thought.

Nevertheless I had come through unscathed and happy that nothing was found like a typical bloke. “What was the worry” I thought.

So as I was getting ready to leave and jangling my car keys on my way out through the door it suddenly occurred to the receptionist to tell me that I couldn’t drive for four hours while my pupils were dilated. As I walked outside I realised why. The world was a brighter place, but equally as offensive to my new inability to focus on anything less than 6 feet in front of me.

I tried to text a friend to come and pick me up and drive my car home, but it took ages to work out what I had typed…LOL

The story ends well, with me getting home with massive puppy dog eyes and pupils the size of dinner plates.

Feel sorry for me, as the example of a typical bloke who actually went to see a doctor.

Til next time,
Snare.

Happiness is a dish best served daily...

In a world full of bad things happening, it’s important to remember what makes you happy. The way in which we view the world actually affects us both mentally and physically. If I start out the day thinking its going to be crap, then it most probably will be. When I look at some of the most successful people I know, I don’t look at them and see them acting negatively and spreading the gloom. Great leaders know how to inspire and act as an example.

The problem starts when you hit your first obstacle of the day. For me, it’s when I look at the mornings emails. If there is a large amount of stuff directed at me (– things to do) then I start feeling overwhelmed and will probably slow down as a result. I’m an active person at work and if I begin to feel beaten into submission, then the day is all but lost.

There are things that can bring back the optimism in my day, apart from the end of the working day – in fact the art of being happy is just appreciating what you have. Not the material things; they have no life in them. It’s how you use them and enhance your life. A DVD player doesn’t make you happy, but watching a great movie with close friends or family makes it a happy activity.

Another thing is that we don’t laugh enough. Most days (to most people I presume) feel like slog. Working for the weekend is so true in many peoples’ lives. But there is no reason that someone cannot have fun while working. In fact if I was working somewhere that didn’t allow me to vent a giggle now and again – I’d have to leave.

Not much to mull over today, but I hope this has made you think about your perspective on life. If you can’t chuckle at least one thing a day, then life is a waiting room for you. While I am chatting to other people waiting just like you, we are both waiting to go through the brown door. Once we do we can’t come back. (That’s another blog) but when that happens, I won’t have wasted my time watching the clock.

So please, tell someone you care about that you care.

It’ll make you happy.

Until next time,
Snare.

Merchandise Mania…

Hi guys and girls… its that time again when I get the time on my lunch break to jot down what goes through my head. A couple of thoughts lately that I have been mulling over is the idea of merchandise.

I really need to be careful with this idea. Start small perhaps. I don’t want to just end up having a bunch of stuff with my face on it – that would be a) creepy & b) more painful if no-one bought it… ;)

I’ve had the idea to launch a range of t-shirts to start with. It should be quick to set up an online shop somewhere and maybe use eBay as well. I’ve always thought about making some t-shirts with designs that are appealing for people to wear and more importantly – pay for!

I also thought that I could make some designs to be part of my YouTube ‘empire’. At this point it is not really viable to try and sell t-shirts based on my YouTube presence. Eventually I would really like to have the chance to produce designs based on my YouTube channel, but before I can even think about doing that, I need to sort out a final style for the channel itself - The colours, the shapes, etc. Once I have that down, perhaps I can work on certain designs and work out what looks the best. However, I think as time goes on (and I get closer to the 4-figure subscriptions) I can still spend and evening here, a weekend there, working on those quite frankly life changing designs. ;)

I have no idea when I will get around to launching the designs, but I already have a few ideas and will try to get them in shape before I ‘release’ them onto the unsuspecting public. (Heh heh...)

I hope that one day I get to see someone wearing a t-shirt I’ve created - that would be absolutely amazing. *goes into dream world*

Well, I can live in hope…LOL

So until tonight,
Peace.
Snare.

The Big Vlog 18/365

Hi everyone - here is today's video!

Peace until tomorrow...

Snare.

The Big Vlog – Reflections past Day 17

Hi everybody.

“The Big Vlog” (as it has become known) is going strong with some great new videos added over the weekend. I love it when I get the chance to film something that ends up as polished as episode 16. It was a standard eating challenge but I had great pleasure in editing that masterpiece into something that I now take great pride in showing off to my subscribers.

As it stands, I am nowhere near quitting this project and still have the drive to continue and hopefully gain enough subscribers that I may breach that threshold of 1000. If I manage to complete that, then I will be one happy YouTuber.

I think the key to the project is that I cannot allow myself to rely on webcam uploads to achieve the dizzying heights of 4-figure subscriptions. As always, the mantra from so many successful YouTubers is to ensure you have good quality, original content. Now, of course the original part isn’t a problem, hey, I’ve been rambling at a webcam for about 90% of this years videos! But the good quality is my current stumbling block. I do feel that my current editing set up is holding me back, and the speed at which I can produce polished articles of audio-visual wonderment (go with me here) is greatly reduced.

I’m positive that with the help of a new iMac, the YouTube possibilities would be like a horizon appearing at the top of a steep hill. Suddenly I’ll be able to see what is possible, and hopefully be able to do it in half the time.

One interesting point to mention is that it is the bad workman in me that wants to blame my tools; the quality of my videos is the stuff that will bring people to my channel. The right kind of people.

“Now hold on a minute” I hear you say. “Are you a racist?” you cry. No, I am referring to the kind of subscribers can have a massive effect on your viewing figures, repeat viewings, ratings, comments, basic interaction. Although I have around 350 subs at the moment, not all of them are tuning in everyday. There could be a number of reasons, but I would expect my videos to gain viewings into the 100’s within a few days. Sadly, at the moment the vlogs are not getting the attention I’d like them to get.

Apologies for not entertaining you with the blog today, but I want to use this as thinking pad for my current, year long vlogging experiment.

If you have been reading, thank you.
Til next time,
Snare

The Big Vlog 17/365

Hi peeps - Sunday's video is up!

Take care of yourselves,

Snare.

The Big Vlog 16/365

OK - here are the last two days... I will remember tomorrow...LOL

The Big Vlog Continues...

Apologies Guys & Gals.... its been a bit tardy in posting the vids on the ol' blog here.

Here are the last few days videos!

Until tomorrow,

Snare

The Big Vlog 11/365

Hi guys - here is the latest vlog:

Hope you enjoy it!

Until tomorrow,

Snare

Reflective thoughts on “The Big Vlog” so far

Well hello my loyal blog followers. What a magnificent 10 days it has been so far. The project I set out to do on January 1st has grown each and every day in ways I had not anticipated. Since I started vlogging every day, mostly about random things I have started to see some interesting activities of my subscribers. I now have a collective known as “The Snared” who follow each vlog and interact on different levels. Some post a comment; others have taken the time out to post a video response – although some are comedy at my expense…LOL

The effort I am putting in has also been rewarded by new subscribers and friends made on YouTube. In fact, since the 1st I’m gaining an average of 2 subscribers a day, which is phenomenal success so early in the process. If this trend continues, then should well be on target to reach my 2010 goal of 1000 subscribers.

Yes. You heard correctly. One thousand.

Of course to reach that goal I have to put the work into my videos, and spend the time uploading good quality content if I want to succeed. I really wish I could have nailed that ethos from day one, instead of meandering around YouTube looking for that one viral video that would rocket me out of obscurity and into…well… obscurity actually.

I realise now that what I want out of YouTube is longevity. I don’t want to ever be yesterday’s news. I want an active, loyal subscriber base that will want to see my videos and also want to get involved with me and my opinions. If my videos are considered funny by some then - brilliant. Outstanding. If not, then I hope they are still entertaining enough to warrant someone returning for the next.

I’ve been bitten by the bug so much now, that I don’t want it to ever end. It sounds premature – even to me, but if the first ten days are anything to go by, then I’m in for a good year. I intend for my subscribers to join me on my ups and downs, good times and bad, but overall I understand my place in YouTube now.

I am a provider. My videos will hopefully become part of someone’s day and I just hope that it ends up being a good bit.

Until tonight,
Snare.

The Big Vlog 10/365

Wow - 10 days in and still going...

The Big Vlog 9/365

Hi guys - Thankfully I managed to pre-empt any problems with YouTube, and get this posted before midnight...

Peace to all who watch it...

Until tomorrow,

Snare

Blogs = Slogs

Hi guys, The Snared have called their master... ;)

...and I responded:

The Big Vlog 7/365

Morning... I had such trouble uploading this - I pulled all my hair out. Don't believe me? here's the proof:

Horse-play on words...(see what i did?)

Okay – I just HAD to post this blog…

There are times in a mans life when he feels lonely and in need of comfort. The warm touch of a woman (or man if you are so inclined) means the world to you and lifts your spirits enough to get through these cold, wintery months.

Some people find gratification through other means…

Man accused of having sex with a horse and a donkey:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/8444134.stm

Seriously. WTF!!!?!?!?!?

Either this guy is super-endowed or he is just in need of some intense mental treatment and/or prison.

Oh how the reason behind some of the activities of our great nation elude me sometimes.

Until tonight,
Snare.

The Big Vlog 6/365

Hi people - I just spent the last few minutes uploading this beauty...

See you tomorrow folks...

Until then,

Snare.

Let It Snow...

Wow. Snow is quite an amazing thing. Here in England, all it takes is a few flakes to fall on the ground, and the country halts.

Well where I live in the south, we almost can guarantee to never get snow. Any that falls will melt on contact with…er…anything, or instantly transforms into brown sludge. It’s that post code oxymoron that you live in England where the weather is mostly shit, but you end up living in a place where the weather never gets to extremes. I feel sorry for most people around here, as the public are hideous at preparing for adverse conditions. If it’s a bit cold; if it’s a bit windy; if the porch door won’t close properly – as a collective we all panic. Its madness.

Why don’t we all learn from these episodes of snow drifts, floods and hurricanes that a few simple steps can make most peoples’ lives much easier?

I’m no survival expert, but I’ve only just googled snow spikes for shoes (I’m fed up with hearing that people are scared of slipping and therefore don’t come to work) and for a few quid, you walk hobble about in non-slippy wonderment.

If you drive, always keep a shovel and torch in the car as well as some water and rations of food. You never know when weather like this will happen again, and it’s better to be prepared!

…I’m still waiting for the world to crack in half and the new ice age to rise with dawn over the British Isles. Oooo… wont that be fun?

Well I’m leaving work early today which means I may have enough time to edit a decent vlog for tonight. If you are reading this, then thank you. Please don’t forget to subscribe to regular videos at www.youtube.com/snarevandamm if you fancy it!!!

Until tomorrow / tonight
Snare.

The Big Vlog 5/365

Hey everyone. I saw this and thought of you:

Happy January 5th!

Until tomorrow,

Snare.

The Big Vlog 4/365

Enjoy my pretties. Lap up your daily dose of your favourite YouTube legend... ;)

Until tomorrow,

Snare.

The Big Vlog 2010 - Explained (sort of)

Hi All...

Well I guess I had better explain myself. Over the last few days you have been flooded with pseudo-blog entries devoid of much written word and I hope you have missed it. :P 2010 has been begun now, with a mammoth project that I intend to make a reality.

I decided at the end of last year to record a video for YouTube everyday during 2010. So far I’ve been successful – but hey, it’s only the 4th of Jan… Nevertheless, I have the bug back for making videos and I have realised what has been holding me back all this time. To start with I thought it was simply inspiration. I was constantly looking for that topic of discussion. For that video that would go viral. Needless to say, I haven’t found that magical meme.

My blog a few weeks ago talked about my digital presence, and I had some food for thought posted back on the comments which was great, but in order to honour that interaction I am required to do something about it.

Making a video every day this year sounds daunting, but when I realise that I can post a sound byte via a webcam should the worst happen I feel like I’m supplied with a safety net. Where ever I am in the world, whatever my health is at the time, I know I can speak to my subscribers on YouTube and keep my promise.

A few things have been said by my friends on YouTube that I need to be careful of two things:

1) Burnout.
2) Saturation.

I can sit here and pontificate what the likelihood is that these will occur or I can start to work on way to ensure they do not happen.

“Fail to Plan is to Plan to Fail”

I am approaching this project as committed as I can be, which helps when you have an addictive personality like I do. However, with this committal, I cannot ignore the need to be fluid, the need for dynamic thinking and the drive to ensure those daily vlogs are made.

Burnout is a concern, whether it be a lack of topic or getting plain sick of vlogging…! There may be times when I just don’t feel like talking to a camera. All of these scenarios need to be overcome if I am to achieve a full 365 videos this year.

A bigger concern for me is Saturation, but not for the obvious reason. If my content is good enough, then I think it should be possible to post everyday and not cause people to lose interest.

Aims for 2010

So…If you have read this blog, you will be aware that I have a desire to succeed in the digital space. I’ve had tastes of success which of course have helped with the work involved on YouTube, but there are many other avenues that I’m considering and will be announced once final plans have been made.

Although I will be posting a video everyday, (usually via a webcam upload) my goal is to have a daily vlog and on occasions I will have the time to post something more edited and ‘polished’. It’s important that I showcase what I can do as a comedy video as well as maintaining a relationship with the YouTube audience and most importantly, my subscribers.

Apologies for making this sound a bit like a mission statement, but I wanted something I could look back on and reflect when necessary.

This year will be fun but hard work. I need all the support I can get.

Til tomorrow,
Snare.

3/365 - The Journey Continues...

Wow - YouTube took FOREVER to upload this. I hope you enjoy and I promise some written blog is coming soon...

Until then,

Enjoy.

Snare.

The Big Vlog 2/365

Hope you enjoy the second vlog on my long journey!!!

Til next time,

Snare.

365 days = 1 project

Hey there blog readers. I've decided to embark on a legendary amount of videoing for 2010... Everyday I will post a video. Who know what it will be. What will be said.

However, I hope you can help spread the word...

That's all for now,

Snare

Happy New Year!

Good evening, I hope all is well. All the best for the new year and enjoy this latest vlog on youtube:

I hope you all stay safe and have fun, wherever you are...

Til next time,

Snare

Hi All - I think I've found a way to satisfy my chrimbo-induced laziness...

Hope you enjoy it, will promise to write more substantial blogs soon!

Til next time,

Snare

Snare's gift to you...

Hi everyone... Apologies for the lack of blog lately, I have no excuse apart from me being lazy...!

However, here is a recent video that I posted to YouTube, which I hope you might enjoy:

...now that isn't lazy is it???!?!?!

No, I didn't think so either... ;)

Until next time,

Snare.

Digital Deviation...

You know when you have one of those days where you wake up and think “why am I still doing that?”

We I had one of those mornings today. I would put it down to being half asleep but after having a very engaging and inspiring discussion with a friend of mine last night, I had the good kind of motivation to take stock of my situation and look at ways to improve.

I’ve had some ideas rolling about in my head for a while and have decided that I need to concentrate on them if I want to make anything of them. It always comes back to my digital life. It’s very important to me. In fact I think out of most things around these days, my digital presence seems to help ‘define’ who I am. Some people have their work. Some people have their family. I have friends and facebook. It’s a situation where “real” vs. “digital”.

You might think that I’m being quite silly and extremely shallow. I’m not, but I’m in the process of travelling through my digital adolescence and growing my first digital pube… in fact I swear I’m also going through that stage where my digital teenager is infatuated with the hottie that is YouTube. He is constantly trying to get her attention but never gets to be her partner. All he can do is admire her from afar, accept her fleeting glances and just “man up”.

I know, I know. I’m getting all esoteric and pretentious again. I apologise.

I just wanted to keep you up to date with my thoughts. I know how important these blogs are to you. I just really wish that I could make a living from this digital life. Maybe one day when my younger (and obviously more attractive) digital self gets his first digital job.

Then we can start having some serious fun (…spot the oxymoron!)

Til next time,
Snare

Exciting News!!!

Hello!

My loyal readers.

Well what a fantastically wonderful day it has been. the sun has been shining through the clouds, glinting through the brief spells of rain as the aroma of fresh British dampness makes a lasting impression on me.

At this point you may be asking "what has happened to Snare? Why has he gone all pretentious?"

Well not really. I've just had some good news regarding the ol' YouTube account. You see, it has transpired that the lovely people at YouTube have decided to allow me to partake in their "YouTube Partnership" program, which allows me to receive a proportion of the ad revenue made from adverts on one of my videos. Before you say it - I fully understand that this is not a full YouTube partnership. For me, having a single video being permitted to show ads and make a few pennies is a damn good step in the right direction.

Making videos is something that I love, and to be recognised for it is fantastic. I can only hope that I continue to have the drive to keep making good quality videos and stop myself playing on the PS3... Seriously, that brilliant machine has eaten my life. If I spent my time making videos instead of playing games, I'd have so many more vdeos on my channel!

Although it feels like I've had a breakthrough this week, it has got me thinking about how i can start the wheels in motion to make this 'venture' of mine a viable concept and even stretch the dream and make a nominal income from it. Of course the big dream is to succeed and be able to make a decent living from making videos, but at this present time, that is not an option.

So in a good old fashioned, "have no shame" kind of way, I've created a donate button so that if you should feel compelled to reward me with your hard earned pennies, you can now do so below. It is so close to begging I'm a little concerned, so this will be the last thing said about it. It's your choice.

So, it's late and I need to get some sleep before I awake to another working week. I hope you all had a wonderful time. over the weekend and may many more come your way...!

Til next time,

snarevandamm

A Muse-ing Beards.

Muses can take many forms, such as people, places – pretty much anything can give you inspiration. Some people retreat to a mountain, some people simply stick on their favourite tunes. Other people even try to capture that stream of consciousness by closing their eyes and invoking the spirit of some monkeygod of the future.

But currently for me, I find my inspiration in the beard. I’ve been growing one for at least the last 3 months and it gives me all the focused energy I could ever need. Sitting and stroking it while contemplating the wrongs of the world, I can sculpt it into any beardy shape I wish to make me laugh, cry (especially when it gets caught in the comb…) or impress my friends. …and they are indeed impressed.

My view on beards is that they are one of the last bastions of manhood; the last facet of being a man that cannot be tainted by socio-cosmetic trends. I’m not comparing the growing of a beard to the birth of your child, but I have a special bond with my face. I also have an affinity with my beard - I’d like it to stick around. While I’m lucky enough to be able to grow a full bodied masterpiece, I’m also lucky to have a woman in my life who likes facial hair.

Now listen. Many women don’t like the idea of beards on men for many reasons. Maybe they remind them of their father, so it becomes creepy and not attractive to look for in a partner. Perhaps they have only met those people who leave food in them – something that is more of an occupational hazard rather than a choice. I too can no longer eat soup without at least seven napkins.

...Or maybe they have just never touched one. A beard that is. Ahem.

When people (mostly women I will point out) touch my beard (and that’s not a euphemism) they are normally shocked that the bristles aren’t razor sharp and don’t give you a rash just from touching beard hair. I think in a small way I changed their lives. For the better.

It strikes me that facial hair in general seems to be winning favour with the masses lately. It is in that sentiment that I don’t worry about global warming – if it makes our climate colder, then more people will want to have beards!

And that is where I leave you for another one of my lunchtime rantings. At least this time I can speak from personal experiences and hopefully you are living this one with me. I’ll try my best to get a picture of the ‘hairy monster’ on this blog so you can see the reason why my friends are so fond of my facial fungus. :)

ALL HAIL THE BEARD.

Til next time,

Snare

Pleasure and Pain

Well, well.

What a difference a day makes.

Sometimes I believe in certain modes of thought that allow us to have faith in what is going on around us. I’m not talking religion, but those simple phrases that help us understand that there may be a reason to the chaos. The one theory that has struck me lately is pleasure and pain. Simply for all the good things that happen, balance is necessary to be corrected and thus bring some “pain” needs to be brought to the table.

I say this as two events have come to my attention that although seemingly unlinked, give this idea some validity.

Yesterday I found out that a good YouTube friend of mine (mynameischrisyeah) had been in what sounds like a very serious car accident. My best wishes still go out to him and hope he has a full recovery. If I get the time tonight I’ll do a video in his ‘digital’ honour as the unfortunate crash has left his subscribers with nothing to watch for some time. The guy is a legend, and if his comedic mind is prevented from being exposed to the masses before he gets his chance, then that would be a tragic and unforgiveable twist of fate.

I also received the new album from Them Crooked Vultures. This supergroup, consisting of Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme is almost the perfect line up… and it doesn’t disappoint. On reflection, these two events are not comparable, but life is never that straightforward. It’s a real pleasure to listen to a new album that makes you feel like you’ve found a gem, buried beneath the truck load of shit that passes for music at the moment. It’s hopefully going to set me up nicely for when I see them live in December – I really am looking forward to seeing Mr Grohl live again! (a personal drumming GOD of mine.)

As my usual forté is randomness, the other quick bit of news I have is that my beard is finally maturing. Beards are funny things and there is a point when suddenly, people start noticing your facial hair and realise that you are not just doing it for a joke. I was in my local Tesco the other day and the checkout guy just mentioned “nice beard mate” …and made my day. :)

I have friends that admire the beard, almost like it is another person in the group, which is strange but reassuring that it has been accepted into the circle of trust so easily. Women love it. This year really has been a year of beards and facial hair. I almost completely forgot to mention that the current month of November has been taken over by moustaches. “Movember” makes me as a bearded fellow, feel that little bit more socially acceptable.

Gone are the days where the beard represented the evil side of society. The murderers, rapists, tramps and all other unkempt types have been simply segregated and the amount of ‘beard love’ has been rising all year. I ****ing love it.

Well I hope you still enjoy reading my witterings, but please spread the word if you fancy helping me out and tell people about my blog, which I still intend to keep updated as much as possible.

Til’ next time,

Snare.