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.

Firstly, I am so, so , so sorry for not posting anything at all of late. I sometimes feel like a broken record and it's becoming a habit that is getting harder and harder to break out of. Work hasn't been exceptionally busy, and my free time has had the modicum of sensibility lately. I need to work out how to get things off the ground here.

I'm doing my best to write a quick lunchtime blog here to satisfy your thirst for anything 'Snare' related. I'm also disappointed in myself for not posting any vids on the ol' Y'Tube but my viewing figures haven't suffered... Weird :S

I was hoping to have some news; some interesting facts about which I could regale you with my adventures. Sadly not.

Instead I can tell you about my recent viewing habits on YouTube. I've been watching alot about the Illuminati conspiracy and 2012 - the end of the fucking world... On reflection I think this depressing viewing history of late probably has some weight behind why I haven't been 'digitally awake' and only lucidly dreaming while I wander through the myriad of online entertainment. I need focus. I need direction.

...And thats where all 6 of you come in...LOL

I would like comments from you regarding the future of "snarevandamm" as an online entity. What is my appeal? What am I good at? what could you do with seeing less of?

These questions will help me mold my digital future and hopefully give me the strength and drive to continue making an impact on this world... (sounds more honorable that way...LOL)

Please feel free to comment on this post, or email me directly at snarevandamm@yahoo.co.uk

Take care my faithful and expectant followers.
I'll be back soon...

'Til next time,
Snare

BNP on Question Time

OK people. its been too long but I couldn't ignore the chance to post something about Nick Griffin on Question Time this evening. I've just finished watching it, and what a rollercoaster ride it was. I went through so many emotions, of which I could only compare to picking a scab. You know the score. You tease the edges, causing a little pain, but although you know its not the right thing to do by entertaining the idea, you want to rip it open to see whats underneath. The only difference is that you normally stop.

At the start this debate i thought it was going to be farcial and purely a chance to give the BNP a voice on a mainstream platform. However, it soon transpired that all the racist shitbag of a something that resembles a human being (but doesn't quite make it) managed to achieve was to show the british public exactly how well his arguments were constructed and when laid bare, are about as rational as a chocolate teapot would be considered useful.

That being said, Nick Griffin is the biggest scab on this country's political landscape there could possibly be. all he needs to do now is grow a small moustache and get in power. an utterly despicable man.

Strangely (and sadly for that matter) it takes a scumbag like Griffin to actually pull people together and feel united. Not as members of the BNP, but in protest against every last fucking breath of this horrible, despicable, irrational, misguided son of a bitch.

I cant remember the last time I saw politicians from Labour, Lib Dem and Conservative AGREE and speak to the public and down to the BNP like they actually just grew some testicles! OK, there were a few women on the panel too. I don't want to be accused of being a BNP member here, but i hope you get the sentiment.

One quote that will always be in my mind is when Griffin warned us of "militant homosexuals"

- Seriously. I dont think any words from me will help that sound any more ridiculous and funny than it already does....

...OK - I do have images of pink combats and guerilla, covert operations infiltrating primary schools to indoctrinate small children to learn the 'art of the gay' ...

But I must go to sleep now and I'm sorry if this post isn't what you fancy reading today, but I really needed to get this off my chest. please comment, and tell your friends to follow this blog, and let me know what you think. your time reading this is what I write it for...

Til next time,

Snare

Snarevandamm - The-video-making-dude

Hey - I know this is not quite the essence of a blog, but feel free to spend a few minutes watching my videos...

What's that? you want some more? Then go here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/snarevandamm

...Or follow me here:

http://twitter.com/snarevandamm

New blog due tomorrow - i promise... :)

Scabs and the X-Factor

Happy days.

It’s Tuesday. One day closer to the weekend. As the week goes on I wonder how many people are reading this. I don’t have many followers at this point, but I hope to increase these as time goes on.

This won’t be a large blog at all, but right now I just wanted to squeeze out the last 20 mins on my lunch break to write something – it’s been too long since my last entry on random bollocks…
Anyway – I’m off out tonight, its only one of those work shenanigans, but should be ok. If the gods of booze and all things good are shining down upon me, I might even get shitfaced. For those of you who don’t understand English colloquiums, that means very, very drunk. ;)

My day seems to be one of quiet chaos. This is fine by me – I’m just not being affected by any stress today even though I would be very justified in throttling some people that are irritating at the best of times. They are like scabs. Scabs are a necessary evil. So is the X-Factor. (Please, please – let me explain.) Scabs are there to help the body heal and allow the porous, exposed skin to do its magic. However, this doesn’t stop you wanting to pick at the edges, and eventually rip off the whole thing – at the expense of your skins health and appearance.

(They taste good too. JOKE…)

The problem I have is that these people (i.e. scabbers) do not necessarily hinder your progress in any walk of life, but you just can help picking at the crusty, too-obvious-not-to-point-out annoyance of what they signify. World peace hasn’t got a chance when we still compare people to a skin condition.

Whoops – I almost forgot – X-factor is necessary, purely to make every other kind of music sound good.

And don’t roll your eyes at me – you know I’m telling you how it is. ;)

Til next time,

Snarevandamm

Where is the car park?

Hi All.

It is Snare here with another load of words for you to read and digest.

This is one of those lunchtime blogs that I try to do once in a while. I’ve been thinking about taking this blog in some sort of consistent direction. The question poised on everyone’s lips is one of ‘what’??

That part I’m still deciding upon. At this point I’m enjoying putting my thoughts down for you to read. Its quite cathartic and will put me in good stead for when the decision happens and my focus is regained… for now though, I will continue to post blogs regarding what I’m doing, what I have done and any other little snippets of randomness that appeal to me.

I made it back to the gym yesterday. That was hard. I’ve previously managed to shift a lot of weight and get fit, but following a few months of my ‘work/life balance’ becoming very work heavy, my life was tipping towards fat bastard. I’m ok if I suck it in, but in all honesty, it was the feeling inside, rather than just how I look. I drink, I smoke, and during the weeks of late I’ve found it absent of any physical activity. I have a number of friends that are very health conscious and also spent time working out for muscle mass and MMA. This is a double edged sword really. I find it inspiring to have friends who are focused on improving themselves, but at the same time its hard when you aren’t surrounded by those influences all the time. I know now that its time for me to knuckle down and start getting fit again. I want to be in good shape and get to a stage that I can maintain a weight and fitness level without going crazy. At the moment I am going to work hard to reduce my spare tyre and feel amazing like I have done before. It’s going to be hard and I need to keep focused, but I know, deep down, I can do it. Plus my titties hurt today. So I need some sympathy. LOL

Anyway – enough about that.

I was reading back one of my posts the other day and realised how soppy I am about my friends. Then I realised following my blog, how much I care about them being in my life. Life is dynamic and people come and go. Even friends. But they are the ones in your life that fill out the gaps. When you are down they should be there for you, but part of that is the unwritten rule that you will be there for them too, should such a situation arise.

Life is too short people!

I had a funny conversation at work this morning. My boss’s PA was telling me about how she orders her shopping via the net as the big supermarket in town doesn’t have a car park and she cant carry her shopping all the way home. I did follow this up with yes there is. She didn’t believe me. It got so funny that someone who has lived in my home town for 2 years, and shops in the city regularly, had NO IDEA about the car park that is situated right behind the biggest ASDA in the city.

Couldn’t believe it. LOL

It took me 2 mins to knock up a simple diagram using Google Maps to illustrate just how silly she was being and also how she has been for the last 2 years.

I mean, women shop right? They are naturally inquisitive in any number of shops; searching out bargains, spending too long, using coupons, etc… or… they are just easily manipulated beasts (some are nice looking, mind) that you just point in a direction, and say “Shop” and they will not remember anything about where they have been but know that they found ‘this lovely pair of shoes on sale’ and it ‘was a steal’

But they don’t know where a car park is. Priceless. I guess that must be the man’s job, along with carrying the shoes / clothes / nesting purchases / toiletries / etc.

I still find my self chuckling as I write that. So glad I got to share it with you…LOL

Til next time,
Snare

Friday fun with my old friend 'alcohol'...

Hi there. Nice to see you again.

I did have an idea of posting something yesterday… but my god I was hung-over. It was like a great pain had descended upon man and I was the saviour, who himself needed to sacrifice his pain free existence.

It really felt like someone was ripping my insides out from my ears. I don’t know why, they are comfortable in there. They have never seen the outside world, and I want to keep it that way.
It all started with a simple night out after work, which isn’t unusual for a Friday. After a couple of ‘sociable jars’ I found myself feeling a teensy-weensy bit drunk. Never mind I thought. So off I trotted to my friends place to begin the nights drinking. Properly.

I think it’s important to know at this point that I will never drink again. Never. Ok – that’s a lie, but I can’t even look at a strongbow advert without wanting to be sick a little…

So back to the action…

After arriving at my friends place – a big town house in my home city, shared with a few other guys – I proceeded to have a few more tipples including what I now like to call the ‘dealbreaker’ which is one (or more in this case) of my friend Chris’s shots. He likes to experiment, but seriously. A couple of these shots later and I just KNEW this was a bad idea, and I’d be seeing that pasty I recently grabbed as my dinner again very soon.

So after consuming a fair but of alcohol, chatting and generally getting nostalgic about the past, we set out into town. We visited a few bars, started to feel unsteady on the ol’ pins, so of course we continued to drink…LOL

My last CLEAR memory was one of saying goodbye to friends I think – the problem about recalling this part of the evening is that its as hazy as marshland on a hot, foggy day. Anyway, I walked home (god knows how) and got in being very quiet. I know I was quiet because I tried so hard to be so… ;) I think I was so quiet, I must have triggered some adverse digestive reaction – I felt the unavoidable urge to see my old fried the pasty again. I ran to the sink in the kitchen, ‘downloaded’ my pasty and forgot about it.

I must apologise to my girlfriend who found this in the morning, but fair play to her, she made me clean it up in my hung-over state…LOL. Man, I love her. ;)

So I did get the chance to review the state of the flat when I finally had the ability to walk around once again. It was embarrassing. I even managed to video some of the walk home. If you’re lucky, I might consider putting some of it on YouTube…heh heh.

That’s all for now and later today I’ll be reviewing “Trine” on the PS3. A very nice game from the funniest software developer name in a long while. Nobalis. *snigger*…

Til next time,

Snare

What do friends mean to you?

Right – here goes with my first proper blog on a particular subject…

Friends. We all like having them. But at what cost? How do you make sure the people you think are your friends – do have your best interests at heart? How much time should you invest in your friends?

I guess there are a lot of people out there (hopefully reading this) that are wondering about their place in a particular friendship. Perhaps there are people who are feeling unloved by their friends? There is always something that can be done.

I am very lucky as a human being; I have lots of friends and more importantly close friends. I’m not boasting, but I acknowledge that the people who become part of my life deserve to be appreciated. And that’s where I want to start. Having friends is all about wanting to have them around. If you only have certain friends that you use for certain things, you should be ashamed. If you only have a friends you call at 3am for a lift home from the club, then unless you’d be willing to do the same for them, you should stop calling them - and of course stop calling them a friend too.

Its perfectly fine to have ‘friends for occasions’ – this is where you may have a friend you go drinking with, the kind of mate you can sit down over a pint and chew over all the wrong in the world and put it to rights. However, this may not be the same friend that you would take to your girlfriend’s barbeque. Unless they brought potato salad…

If you are anything like me, you will have a core group of people that you are willing to spend time with and happy to be on the phone / round in a flash to help them out. These are the people you wish were part of your family. Hell, they ARE part of my family. I love ‘em to bits, in a totally heterosexual, manly, fighting zombie’s back to back kind of way. And I wouldn’t change it for the world.

The real question is do you know the difference between a friend and an acquaintance? An acquaintance is someone you are friendly to, but either don’t have anything in common or that you don’t want to / haven’t had the chance to get to know better. You never start a friendship without this stage. When you first met your best friend(s) I bet you had this stage. It’s natural, but if you don’t let people in soon enough – that friendship is lost. The deep kind that is.

The testament to this is that I have one of my best friends still in my life and I met him at playschool. That was 25 years ago.

I love my friends and I’ll always be there for them, because they will always be there for me.

Awww bless.

Til next time,

Snarevandamm

TIMES THEY ARE A’CHANGING...

Hello again.

Interesting news today, is that I have decided to push forward with my regular writing and place my efforts into eventually writing a short eBook that might be something you guys might pick up and read while you go on holiday, long trip etc. I’m not a fan of writing fiction, so it might end up being a stream of Snare-like consciousness that explores some great topics that are obviously yet to be decided…

I’m going to maintain this blog, and hopefully people will want to read it. The last ditch effort might even be to collate all my posts into one ‘mega-doc’ and publish that. But if I had a book published, like a real one, how cool would that be? I’d end up being on talk shows and book signings…LOL

Well maybe I shouldn’t get ahead of myself. I’ve yet to even come up with a concept – let alone a title…

It’s raining outside today. I always have mixed feelings about the rain. It makes me feel thankful when I’m safely indoors, in the dry comfort of my own home, but I also appreciate the effect it seems to have on my mood. I occasionally suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which can make me a bit blue. On the whole though, it makes me thankful for working in an office when the weather turns nasty. Heh heh…

If you guys reading this want to hear my views on any topics, please get in contact via the comments section, and I’ll liberate your minds with my expert views. On anything. Seriously. I am THAT GOOD. ;)

On a completely different note…

…Ok I know things are going ok because I can hear my boss singing. He only does that when things are going well. Maybe he wants to give me a raise… maybe he wants to give us the afternoon off… Nope. Just singing. Damn.

Thanks for reading once again people!

Will see you soon…
Snare

Piano, Apple and lashings of Snare...

Well what a find. I was skimming around the ol’ t’interweb yesterday, and I found this beautiful gem that more people should know about. In fact if the person responsible sees these words, I hope it brings a smile to their heart.

It sounds a bit mushy and soppy, but it is well-founded. I was perusing the music section on a site called www.newgrounds.com and found an artist who blew me away. His melodies and structure are astounding, not to mention his ethereal yet comforting soundscapes. Truly wonderful piano music. He goes by the name of ‘Reasoner’ and you can also find him on MySpace. Please check him out if you can:

http://reasoner.newgrounds.com/

**GEEK ALERT**

Also, I got around to uploading a video to YouTube, but editing is getting tough with my current set up. I think I need to get a RAM upgrade, or even contemplate the evil-yet-common-sense-answer-that-makes-you-feel-dirty-but-gets-the-job-done-better-and-you-know-it answer. An Apple MAC. I hate even thinking about it, and plus all the extra learning involved with a new system, but I really need to be able to edit video without waiting for hours while the system decides whether to crash on me or not, thus losing hours of work.

I really wish Apple Mac computers were less expensive. It’s like an elitist club that makes you think they are accessible, but will steal your wallet when they give you a hug. I hate everything they stand for, but Apple are and always have been industry leaders in the video and photo design arena. I just don’t have the £1000 to spend on a system right now that will allow me to continue creating videos.

Being creative just got a whole lot more expensive...LOL

Oh well. There’s always winning the lottery. Maybe for now I’ll just save up and hand over my wonga with gritted teeth and accept that the ‘cool kids’ have won.

If it’s still shit, I’m taking a sniper rifle up the closest clock tower. LOL

Til next time,

Snare.

Late night blogging...!

Its 1am. It’s dark. I’m tired, yet cannot sleep. I’m in that zone that people get to where nothing seems impossible when you have the whole internet at your fingertips. Sadly, all the inspiration and calm thought you get during one of these ‘midnight missives’ is lost by the time you wake up...lol

I checked my subscriptions on YouTube today, and I’ve hit the 250 mark. I’m very pleased about that. It was a target of mine to reach 200 by the end of the year, and I’ve gone way ahead. I’m very pleased indeed. In fact, I am more pleased than a fat kid in a cake shop. I don’t want this to be a long blog, but I just wanted to mention something that has been bugging me lately. Recently Derren Brown (a famous illusionist) has predicted the national lottery numbers live on air. Many people have since spent time and energy trying to oust him and call him a fake / irritating man / cheap trickster / etc... Well – isn’t that the FUCKING POINT???!?!?!?!?

The guy is amazing at what he does, and it’s always a pleasure to see it in action. You feel like you are part of it. I don’t particularly care how the feat is performed; how controlled it is means very little. Why can’t people just enjoy the showmanship and let him succeed where no-one else seems to be at the moment?

I still enjoy writing this blog. It’s been a few weeks now with regular updates from me. It does make it easier when I can access this blog from work – my lunchtime blogs are going down a treat for my sanity!!! I’ll make a note to post a YouTube vid tomorrow (if I remember...) to make sure my loyal and friendly subscribers know about this blog. I enjoy writing more these days than I ever did. It must be the fact that I can write about anything I like and somebody will listen.

And that’s you.

And I thank you for spending the time on here, reading my thoughts. Maybe one day I’ll get some direction and actually have a topic to focus on...

Til next time,

Snare J

Lunchtime Musings...

It’s another lunchtime blog from me!

Life is good so far this week, not too much stress and everything seems calm. It may well be the calm before the shitstorm in a couple of weeks, as we are selling our flat and moving into a house. It’s all exciting, but stressful and tedious at the best of times. Moving is stressful enough when you just have to consider all your possessions, but when you have legalities to contend with as well, it can get soul destroying…

On a secondary note, I found an UBER-long eyebrow hair this morning that made me start to wonder where on the long aging timescale that puts me. It wasn’t grey, but easily MUCH LONGER. I reckon being 29, it was sent here to test my resolve. I’m not religious, but if it helps me stop looking older, I might consider becoming a priest.

I failed in making a video last night; I will do my best tonight to produce something before people stop subscribing!!!

Perhaps tonight I’ll write a fuller blog with something worth reading. Any suggestions?

Til next time,
Snare.

Monday Musings

Well it is another Monday and I find myself using my lunchbreak to write down something of interest.

As I’m constructing my wit in the written form, I remember that it has been quite some time since I posted a video on YouTube. My bad. It is true that I don’t supply the army of subscribers enough to possibly keep them interested in what I choose to post on there, but I’m only human with a job that takes up a lot of my time.

*enter secondary excuse here*

But seriously, I do want to do more, as has always been my intention. However I just find it difficult to LIVE with my video camera after a few experiences where people get annoyed when I’m filming.

I think I’ll post something tonight, just to get the juices flowing again. Might end up being a normal blog, or at the very least an attempt to make people laugh… we’ll see.

Sorry this one has been so brief – but I have to get back to work. Grrr…

Till next time,
Snare.

Well its Friday and I’m really getting into the swing of things on this ‘ere blog. For a first week back at work – its been wonderful easing back into things slowly, but I know next week is going to be tough. I’ve got to work the weekend a bit too which hurt the ol’ digital soul of mine too.
Its funny how your mood changes from day to day. Some days I find my mood high, with motivation to match, but others I struggle to find even the smallest grain of impetus.

Oh woe is me.

However, I’m an ideas man, and I get by in life having great ideas and then feel bad because I haven’t done anything about it. Tragic eh? Well I really feel like this should change. I’ve listed the things I want to do and I’ll review this in time to see if I’ve managed it.

1. Write a book
2. Post a viral video phenomenon on YouTube
3. Learn French
4. Get rich
5. Be happy (ok - a bit of a cop out there)
   

What is the difference between people like me and the REALLY successful ones? Surely it cant just be the fact that they have a better start in life, or that they were handed this by accident? I think that people who succeed are the ones who persevere and consistent focus on the goal at hand.

Its like the difference between two basketball players. One gets all the chances to shoot and score, but doesn’t commit to each shot and therefore fails most of the time. The other has practiced day in day out and is able to commit his focus to each and every individual shot. As a result, his career looks brighter and people rightly think he is a better player.

I was about to say I am the first guy, but unfortunately I never get as far as picking up the ball. That is unless someone hands the bastard thing to me and tells me that I need to score. THEN I have motivation….LOL

I have listed some pretty vague goals here but they are titles of the novella that is my existence. And you my friend... YOU are part of one the chapters.

…Or maybe a page number. Who knows… ;)

Til next time,
Snare Van Damm

Car. Check. Follower. CHECK!!!!

Welcome Phillip. Nice to meet you. So glad you could stop by.

Wow. I’ve just noticed! I have my first follower to this blog!!!!!

Next comes the paranoia – are you human? Are you a bot sent here just to make me feel better? Who knows... ;)

Well today has been an ok day today. Work was long but I also managed to get my car through its MOT which is an amazing feeling. The little 2.0 litre 16 valve turbo diesel is one of the most reliable cars I’ve ever had, but I think it’s in need of a bit of TLC. A lot of work to do, but I just want to make sure it doesn’t explode on the motorway and kill me in a ball of flame and sulphur...LOL

I’m just about to pop round to a friend’s house for an evening of gaming and chicken. We refer to it as “chk’n” because fried chicken deserves its own sound. And I personally think it’s quite an onomatopoeic word. Like “moo”, “meow” or “pie”. Yes. Pie. I’ve had long conversations about this, and my ramblings look even more ridiculous when you write them down.

I’m currently finding it easier to blog than make videos, but then again, the production value shows too. Whereas I have to think about lighting and composition in a video skit, I can write freely and let the randomness flow.

That’s all from me today – but I’m chuffed that in one day I can still drive my car and now have a follower on my blog. Might even make a thank you vid if you are lucky Phillip...

Til next time,

Snare Van Damm

Work is as work does.

Well it’s my lunch break so I thought I’d lay down a few words to describe my first day back at work.

It’s like the world has woken up and used my soul as an alarm clock... I don’t dislike being at work, its just the hard fact of going back after a break. Its like the opposite of a drug addiction. The more to do it, the less you want.

Right now I’m spending my valuable freetime actually complaining about the damn pastime.

So whats new and whats worth talking about? I don’t know. Perhaps someone will read this and feel compelled to sign up for future instalments. Perhaps its more likely that I’ll win the lottery...

Well perhaps I’ll come up with something later on today, as right now I have a shit-ton of work to do and no time to spend thinking about anything else!

Til next time,
Snare Van Damm.

Holiday Blog...

Well it’s been a while since I posted a blog, and while I write this I’m sitting on a canal boat in the south of France. It’s about 31C and I’m sweating my bollocks off. It’s nice to be away, especially with friends. Eight of us have rented a boat and have been in a mobile hotel for the last 5 days. We’ve just been chilling mostly, but when your boat has to go through a lock in the canal, it takes a couple of people to ensure you don’t sink the fucking boat...lol

The wildlife does get on your nerves a little at night, as they seem to love anything that’s yours, and to be honest, if I wasn’t happy enough chillaxing on the boat for a week, I’d be well uptight, and be on a mission to kill them all. Bwa ha ha ha...

The south of France is lovely, really picturesque. I’ve only been to the north before, mostly Paris. It’s not much different apart from the lack of city life and the weather is the kind you could cook an egg on the damn pavement.

But I think this is potentially the best holiday I’ve been on in my life. The food, the weather, the company, it all feels right and I think we should think about doing this again someday.

The last time i looked, i still don’t have any followers to my blog. I should really do something about this, but i don’t know what. I’m not sure how i can market myself – i’m just a normal bloke, typing words that make sense to me in the right order... why on earth would someone want to read that?

Well you are...lol

Well i’m going to leave it there for now, as i want to review the footage i’v shot for this very chilled boat trip...

Til next time.

Snare van Damm

Monday Monday

Well its late on a Monday evening, and I feel guilty.

Not guilty for anything THAT bad, but guilty for not posting any blogs lately. Its not that i have avoided it on purpose, but I have been busy working, and finding time to make up other excuses... ;)

I've really spent alot of time playing on my PS3 and playing around with my new netbook. This little pack of hotstuff is brilliant. I can surf while watching TV and still have room on my lap for a cup of tea. I'm really impressed by how much it does for such a small piece of kit. Really impressive.

The other news i have is my trip to the south of France at the end of the month. I'll be travelling with the boys and it'll be the first holiday we have taken together as a group. I'm looking forward to it and I hope it turns out to be a blast. I know that you reap what you sow, so I'll hopefully be able to document the whole event. I'll have my Vado, and my netbook with me so I'll be able to create a audio-visual masterpiece - probably one that will not pass my censors (my conscience) for any sort of morality. Or YouTube for that matter...lol

Anyway, I need to go to bed. But before I do, I'd like to leave you with one thought:

Why do we strive for what we dont have, but sometime we lose sight of what we already have?

til next time,
Snarevandamm

The end of stress...

Hi there. Me again. Funny that.

Well July has started and all's well. I had a gig last night, it was hard work but I survived. Its always hard as a drummer when you have to use another drummers kit. Its common but not common at all to have the other drummer say "use everything"...

We are a protective bunch and usually (because of the cost of replacement) we enforce a strict bring your own breakables policy. This can range from cymbals and snare drum to various agreements of using a certain amount of equipment, but of course - DONT MOVE ANYTHING.

Ha ha...

Anyway the gig went well and I was satisfied when I got home and relaxed. It's funny how much stress the prep for a gig can get you into. You worry about ticket sales, logistical idiosyncrasies of the band, whether you anywhere to park, who's driving, etc, etc...

...oh and of course the practice of the actual music. Almost forgot about that... Ahem.

It's late on a Sunday as I write this and I feel at ease with all that has transpired over this weekend. feel like I'd like to just hang out with friends without any plans and watch the world go by. Doubt I'll manage to 'organise' that though...LOL

But I'm tired and thought i'd update this blog before my latest video is uploaded to YouTube.

Nighty night...

BT = AAAAAAAARGH!!!!

Right.

Today, just after a good day from work I went to the gym and started to work through pain barrier that everyone gets when you start training again after a long break. All was going well until I went into the sauna and it was even hotter than outside...! I lasted about 5 mins, but I could have persisted. I just felt like a weak old man rather than the fighting fit 29 year old that I am (aside from the paunch)

Anyway I transgress...

I got home to my beautiful girlfriend who had cooked me a lovely dinner, and while it was being slaved over(!) I went through some paperwork etc. I found a phone bill and realised that BT were charging me for... are you ready?

NOT USING A SERVICE ENOUGH.

Yeah. You heard. Literally charging me for NOTHING.

Because I had the service in my package, they thought it good business sense to charge their customers (i.e. Me) £2.50 for nothing. Un-fucking-believable.

Anyway aside from that I promised myself that I will move on, as I have called them and had it removed which incidentally will save me about £30 per year. Fuckers. Have that.

Til next time...

HOT HOT HOT

HIYA.

Well its been a long day, with the sun shining like a hot gaseous ball of nuclear fission that it is... and I was working. Damn. some funny things happened today though, but only in a strange "in your own head" kind of way. YOU know.

Life is good at the moment and we are looking to move house over the next couple of months, which will be as exciting as it is stressful. But we'll survive - I'm sure... ;)

I'm really uncomfortable as I write this, thinking how good it would be to enjoy the last few hours of the sun. It might be that my flat is really hot. It might be because of the sick video I saw on YouTube. or it might be because of my recent lack of videos. :P Anyway - you'll see something from me on YouTube soon. I just wish i could turn it on like some people on that site. never mind. It'll come Snare. It'll come.

Right - I must go, I must eat. I need to sort out my digital life and forget about the real one for a bit.

Least I could do I suppose would be to tell everyone about this blog - you never know...

'til next time,

snarevandamm

:)

First blog....Scary.

Hey everyone. well I suppose no-one is actually reading this until I tell people about it. Shame that. Oh well, I'll just pump through a quick "hello" while no-ones looking. maybe this is easier than making videos. Sure is quicker.

I feel bad that I haven't been making many 'funny' videos lately. I need to break out of this lull I've gotten myself into. It'll come, I'm sure of it.

Well, take care and if you are the first person to read this, hello and welcome to Snare's Brainsphere. It's great to have you reading the stuff from my head.

If thats too hard, here is the latest quick vid i have got on YOUTUBE...

Regards,

SVD