Job Hunt

So since Carphone Warehouse didn’t keep the door open for me to return after my placement I have been job hunting since I got back. Sadly there doesn’t appear to be much out there filled out some general application forms for: o2, the link, phones 4u, HMV and Halifax. All these places don’t have jobs but let you apply and they put your name in a database if anything comes up. I also gave my details for Medical Research [Depends how desperate I get!] If you:

- Let them stop and re start your heart they’ll pay you £25,000
- Let them cut off and sow back on a toe they’ll pay you £15,000
- Let them cut off and sow back on a finger they’ll pay you £10,000

Worth considering- Who really uses the small finger on they’re left hand anyway?! Seriously though please pray I get a job.

24 || The obsession explained

If you’re a regular you'll have heard me mention 24 alot. Let me tell you why... [Includes NO season 5 spoilers]

About the show:
A per one-hour episode drama which centers around Jack Bauer, an American intelligence agent at the Counter Terrorist Unit [CTU], based in Los Angeles. Bauer is America’s best and last hope against international terrorists, drug trafficking and just plain evil. Each episode covers one hour of real time and an entire season’s story takes place in one day- This means the audience experience every suspenseful and stressful moment right along with Jack Bauer.

Some 24 facts:
- Completing an entire season, including pre- and post-production work, takes ten and a half months.
- Season 3. A Mexican airplane appears briefly during Salazar and Bauer's landing on Mexican ground. The logo on its side reads "Aeromexicana". The name is comprised of Mexico's two largest airlines "Aeromexico" and "Mexicana".
- During Season 2, President Palmer takes a flight aboard Air Force One. Reportedly, the sets used were the same used for the film Air Force One.
- The crew tried to keep all the cameras at eye-level to add an extra level of realism.
- Two episodes are filmed simultaneously over a period of 15 days.
- In season 2, Tony Almeida's ankle injury was added to the script as actor Carlos Bernard had really injured his ankle while playing basketball during a break in filming.
- All cast members are required to have their hair trimmed every five days.
- Each plot or story line per season has their own director/screen coordinator to ensure the show remains consistent and are no character or prop flaws due to a season being one day everybody has to be looking the same throughout the 10 month filming.
- In the Series Premier [12:00am - 1:00am] a main shot of the 747 exploding was removed, the show had its premier delayed a month and this scene cut as well as further storyline changes, due to the attacks on the World Trade Center. Nearly all later references to the plane explosion were also removed.
- Each episode is supposed to take one hour of real time, but in actuality, three minutes are gradually added to the timer during the commercial breaks. The last three minutes of air time are used for viewing commercials, station identification, and scenes from the next episode.
- Shots of a satellite in space in the first episode were taken from Enemy of the State
- When aired in America the show brings in $850,000 each minute an episode.
- It brings in $150 million pounds of revenue from on-air advertising in one season.

Some 24 top 5's:
Ways to convert a non-fan into a 24 addict-
- Tie them up, place their feet in a bucket of water, and surround them with electrical equipment - as Palmer said, "everyone breaks eventually."
- Invite a non-fan to your house in addition to some 24 addicts. The fans talk about how great 24 is, while the non-fan feels that they're missing out on something, and will want to see it. Now's the time to get out your DVDs.
- Depending on their gender, show them a picture of Kiefer Sutherland or Elisha Cuthbert.
- Make a tick tock noise at them for so long they agree to watch it just to shut you up. One episode in and they'll be hooked.
- Explain the full potential of a hacksaw and a wet towel.

Memorable quotes-
- Tony: "Either fire me, or get out of my chair."
- Jack: "I'm gonna need a hacksaw."
- Jack: " Your gonna have to trust me"
- Mason: "Maybe you should have taken more English lessons. Trade means we get something too"
- Nina: "When he sees me he'll shoot me and then turn the gun on himself."; Jack: "We'll make sure he doesn't turn the gun on himself."

Why I love it:
This show leaves you sitting watching in sheer disbelief... they are not afraid to do stuff like blow up planes, set off bombs or suddenly kill off lead characters. Each episode always leaves you feeling like you want more- each episode is like watching a full movie. You can NEVER guess what will happen next and the twists and turns go to the very very end. They use such a variety of camera positions and shots and they spilt the screen at times so you can see whats going on in the story in different places or with other people. Sometimes you can be following 3 or 4 people at one go. Such a great show you really have no idea.

Test your fan knowledge in some 24 games or Buy 24 on sale!

'If everyone on 24 followed Jack's instructions it would be called 12'

Back to porridge

Back to porridge is something I always remember my mum saying when we were wee kids returning from holiday and back in the throws of life, and so returning to college today I’m back to porridge. Got my timetable not to bad considering the fact that I had no choice in classes. I’m taking apocalyptic bible books [Daniel, Revelation and Zechariah] and A framework of Christian thought. So only in Tuesday and Thursday and my placement at the church every Wednesday. Long weekends for me!

More things I miss from America: Free refills in most restaurants, here you pay about a quid 25 for a class and have to sip it so your not done before the end of your meal! In america you can drink until your hearts content!
I also miss having an accent- Having one makes it easier to get out of things or when you don't understand something!

Driving- Since I've returned ive come out of both my lane and the church onto the right side of the road [thankfully nothing was coming the other way], forgotten to change gears and to put my foot on the clutch when stopping- appears it will take a few days to get back into the swing of things!

I hate jet lag- after not sleeping from waking up in America on Saturday morning until 10.30pm on Sunday night I slept a full 14 hours was out for the count slept through 2 phone calls and my alarm. Last night could not sleep- didnt sleep until 5.30am then up for college not impressed! Plus my body clock thinks that its 6 hours earlier than it actually is!

Picture message

Remove the word land from this picture and you'll get the idea! [If not read on]

Im safely home although I did fear for my life. As I sat and watched the snow fall at Milwaukee airport thinking to myself if this were at home the airport would be closed down! I must be delayed but no no... The flight is called on time and we board. We're de iced and head of the run way in the snow. Thankfully all was ok but I have to say one was nervous!

I arrive in New York for a 6 hour wait until my flight to Dublin. Knowing again that snow may effect my travel. It had been on the weather the previous day that there was a large snow storm on its way up the east coast of America. Praying that I would get out in time we took off as the snow started to get heavy [Again kinda nervous] but it was ok, it was that cold they had to de ice the place twice! We're arrive in Dublin and the captain informs us that we just got out in time as New York got 15 inches of snow and the airport was now closed!

I remembered something else I won't miss- Tax on everything you buy thats not added on the display price! Imagine the scene- Ive been at the airport for 5 hours thinking mmmm a nice smoothie would go down well. $4.75 The board read, I count my change $4.87 I order and then informed that the price is actually over $5!! Rage- Not enough money!

Its very surreal to be at home- sad times but good times!

Happy birthday to the one and only Emma Duncan! and Im also pretty convinced I'm obbessed with 24- not good I feel.

Lessons, missing, happiness & memories:

Time is sadly drawing to an end...
What I’ll miss/memories:
– Cheryl and I hanging out with Jack Bauer. Before we watch 24 one of us will say either "Lets go visit Jack" or "we’ve a date with Jack now" Ill also miss Cheryl and Dana guessing/asking me what’s going to happen with my reply always being… "Dunno" as I’ve seen it before and wont tell them anything!
– Going to Applebees, TGI Fridays or Chili’s after God Squad on a Tuesday night for a wee bit of craic!
- The Milnes family
– Our Wednesday morning Junior high school staff meetings
– The office Banter
– Jimmy John sandwiches
– My massive double bed- I love how you can just leave stuff on one side of the bed and go to sleep without either lying on the stuff during the night or it falling off!
- The snow: even though there is a lack of it here for this time of year
– Constantly reminding myself to drive on the right hand side of the road!
- Driving my jeep in the snow
– Watching Home Improvement between 5-6pm
– Maggie’s [The dog] amusing behavior
- Strawberry gushers
– Thinking I was going to get verbally attacked/chucked out of a café in Chicago for not actually wanting a vegan chocolate brownie [Which was disgusting and tasted of fruit by the way!]
– Discovering cultural/language differences.
– The Steelers winning the super bowl!
- 99.1 WMYX Milwaukee: They have a 9-5 no repeat radio show its great you hear songs you aint heard in years!
-Blankets
- Burning my feet in the shower [Random wierd story]
- "Did you know thats made is Pittsburgh?"/ "thats from Pennsylvania"

What I’ll not miss:
- After 5-6 weeks it gets very tiring to be continually meeting new people and answering the same questions about being from Northern Ireland.
– Always having to ask for no ice as over here they fill the glass with that much ice you barely get any drink! I did get some funny looks at times for not wanting ice and also asked if I was German for some reason!
– Jet Lag [Although I’ve to go through it all over again soon enough!]

What I’m happy about:
- Firmly implanting the words ‘craic’ and ‘wee’ on the minds of my Elmbrook friends.
– Being able to come back and visit.
– Being out of the rut/run of the mill life at home for a while and getting new experiences.

Lessons learnt [written in brief]:
– That I never want to get to the stage where I am hardened to God’s voice.
– I came to realise that no matter what I thought in the past about my relationship with God, that when a lot of things were stripped away here and at home that God wasn’t really my number 1 and I had no idea how to really cling to him and how to be really comforted by him.
– That I want my life to really light up and shine for God.
– That I can adapt to new people and surroundings pretty well and easily- I don't always need a team by my side.
– How much of an impact our decisions make not only on our lives but of people around us, that every decision means something and has consequences. I’m not just talking big decisions like jobs etc but the choice to gossip, to obey your parents wishes, not to watch that film & to keep to the speed limit etc
- That size and money does'nt always mean better ministry

Ok I'm done but there is much much more.

I'm calling out to you

"Breathe on me
Beathe of God
Fill this heart with life anew
And Im calling out to you
And Im hoping not to cry
Im longing for your touch
Deeper than I know
And Im calling out to you
Breathe on me
Beathe of God
Walk with me
Son of God
Take this hand
I need you

Amen"
[For those that wonder: I edited the song]

Superbowl Sunday: Seahawks 10 | Steelers 21!!

Well the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Seatle Seahawks in the 2006 XL Superbowl! The Milnes went to some effort- There is Pittsburgh colours all over the house we have black and yellow napkins, cups, streamers, balloons and THE DOG!! Who was given a yellow scarf and had yellow strips on her which sadly wore off before I took the picture! It appeared [In my small knowledge]
to be a good game the adverts were pretty cool also- they would need to be it costs $2 million dollars a minute! We also had the match projected onto the wall it was approx 10 feet by 6 feet. Was good craic most people we're supporting the Seahawks and brought food decorated with Seahawk colours so there was plenty of banter about the place. Although meeting new people came the same old questions... So my great aunt is irish blah blah!! One funny story: There was this dish that someone brought, it looked like chicken and broccoli bake! Yum yum I thought food from home- I start pilling it on my plate until someone says you sure must like that dip! Yeah I had a plate full of a cheese dip [Which didn't turn out to be that nice!] Take
a look at the pic and tell me it doesn't look like a casserole! After the match when everyone left we hooked the dvd player up to the projector and watched Jack Bauer on the big screen Im convinced thats how 24 should be watched!

On a random note: Brandon is cool!

Thanks to the BBC

I was saddened when I realised that I would be misisng the 6 nations while I was away but thanks to my good friends over at the BBC Sports department who have put video highlights and interviews on their website I was able to celebrate Irelands victory online!

Chicago [x2]

Got the train down to Chicago this morning and met my friend Sarah. Had a great wee day- Went for a ride round the centre of Chicago in the L train, went to a place slightly out of the city no idea where or what it was
called! Then back in for a walk around down town, Michigan Avenue/Magnificent Mile [possibly the same place] and the John Hancock building as well as a spot of shopping- The Apple store was amazing! It was baltic I know first hand why it's called the windy city! Was a great to catch up with Sarah and see the sites- Great City. Back up on the train was picked up by Cheryl in downtown Milwaukee about 9.30 and taken to Jason's conference wrestling competion until 11.30pm he came 2nd in his weight class. Was pretty good was better than last saturday I was there from 10am-8pm boy that was a long day. I was spared the lengthy day today [It started at 3pm] by my trip down to Chicago. Tomorrow will be spent getting ready for the Superbowl party on Sunday and watching more 24 [Cheryls rented season 2] would be rude of me to let her watch it by herself!

5-6pm viewing [Kinda random]

Does anyone remember the TV programme Home Improvement? It used to be on when I was a kid well probably early teens [When was 1991?!] on channel four at 6pm if my memory serves. Ive discovered it on here from 5-6pm which is perfect as thats the time im usually home at- Funny programme and brings back good memories. Some Home Improvement Trivia:
- Colleges and universities in Michigan sent star 'Tim Allen' sweaters and T-shirts to wear on the air, and he did.
- The character Wilson is based on 'Tim Allen' 's childhood memories of when he was too short to see over a fence, and was therefore unable to see his neighbor.

"Pittsburg's going to the super bowl!"

It's the super bowl on Sunday and there's a big party at the Milnes house! It's the Pittsburg Steelers vs Seattle Seahawks. The Milnes are from Pittsburg so are big Steeler fans. They have bought me a Pittsburgh Steeler t-shirt which I am to wear on Sunday. We're going out to buy Steeler colours and decorate the house. The dog will even be dressed in Steeler colours [There maybe yet another dog story to come!]and we're trying to get a big screen. I'm looking forward to it, should be good craic as I know a few of the people coming. Some say they're going to support the Seahawks which I'm sure will make for some banter!

Other news: I'm heading back down to Chicago on friday to meet up with a girl from bible college last year and she's going to show me a bit more of the city including I hope a ride on the 'L train' if you watch ER or infact have been to Chicago you'll know what im talking about!