It's a little-known fact that I kept a blog when I was 16 for around a year. It can be quite embarrassing (though there are some moments of unintentional literary gold), so I don't show too many people. But I suppose I've embarrassed myself enough in this blog, so here it is.

Why am I telling you this? I was browsing it today, and came across an old quiz I posted. Then I had the vaguely clever idea to take the quiz again, almost three years on, and see how they compare. Funly enough, I'm doing this because I feel a bit strange and want to get rid of the feeling. I guess that's what quizzes are for.


1. Name someone with the same birthday as you. Lauren McCormack and Ross Mathers. Isn't life just a whirlwind of excitement? I used to know one person with the same birthday, now I know TWO. There's also Sandra Bullock. Which is kind of weird, because our names are similar.

2. Where was your first kiss? I think I'm still going to make stupid jokes to avoid the painfully probing questions, if you don't mind.

3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property? When I was a kid, I discovered that if I tied a piece of rope to the doorknobs of the little bathroom cupboard over the sink (which is still there), opened the doors, and the karate-chopped the string, they would close again (I suppose I was always destined to be pretty good at Physics). I did this a few times, until the cupboard fell forward off the wall, and into the sink, cracking it. Why I remember this now, and not back then, I don't know.

4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? I'm pleased to say this one's still a no.

5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? Due to the popularisation of Singstar, I can safely say the answer of this question has changed from a resounding no to a resounding yes.

6. What's the first thing you notice about the preferred sex? I still have no idea.

7. What really turns you on? You know, why did I even do this quiz when it had stupid questions like this in it?

8. What do you order at Starbucks? Still a frappucino! I haven't grown up enough to appreciate the taste of proper coffee.

9. What is your biggest mistake? This question's still too deep to give a proper answer, methinks. I've made a lot of stupid little mistakes, but it's not like I can say "I betrayed my king and country", can I?

10. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose? I no longer bash my head off of my bedroom walls, thankfully, but as a kid, I used to think scars were cool, and I had a thing about symmetry, and, well... let's move on.

11. Say something totally random about yourself. I dream about going to gigs all the time. Even for bands I don't like. The last one I had was of a Blink 182 gig. And there was a Death Note involved. Sometimes I feel like opening a new blog for recording my dreams - some of them are crackers. I can still recite what I believe to be the most bizzare dream I've ever had perfectly, and I had that one years ago. It involved a UFO full of dogs eating books, an evil inflatable Spider-man, and a Shania Twain CD that the Spider-man was demanding. High-speed chases ensued around the world, until I realised he was inflatable and burst him with a pin. Man, that was an awesome dream.

12. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? Not really since the Hayden Christiansen thing. I still get that every so often, but people have grown to acknowledge that the SW prequel trilogy was crap, so the connection isn't as prominent in people's heads.

13. Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows? A WHOLE lot more than I did when I was 16. I have developed a love for 90s cartoons. Freakazoid box set is out in summer!

14. Did you have braces? This question frustrates me. I still have THE SAME little metal retainer at the back of my mouth, and every year I go for a checkup, and the IDIOT Orthodontist says "Okay, that's fine, we'll leave it in for another year just to be sure". I WANT RID OF IT, TAKE IT OUT!

15. Are you comfortable with your height? Bigger bed plz.

16. What is the most romantic thing someone of the opposite sex has done for you? I can't actually think of a good way to avoid this awkward question, so I'm just going to plain move on.

17. When do you know it's love? Oh wow, a double whammy of awkward questions! Do quizmakers just put a few of these in to pad out quizzes? One day I want to write a quiz full of questions you've never heard before, such as "You're walking down your street and your head teacher declares his love for you. What do you do?" In fact, I AM going to make this quiz. I'll consider it one of my many challenges for the summer. "Getting a job" is slightly higher up on that list, unfortunately. But slightly less achievable.

18. Do you speak any other languages? Since I last did this quiz, I have gathered a knowledge of a few Japanese phrases from watching anime. But I don't use them, because if I did I would look like a tool.

19. Have you ever been to a tanning salon? Nohoho! Note how I completely understand what a tanning salon is, as opposed to three years ago.

20. What magazines do you read? I don't actually read magazines anymore. I decided that the internet is better for that kind of stuff. Well, I suppose there's that Engineering and Technology magazine that is mailed to me every fortnight, but I rarely open it. For it's size, they shouldn't assume I can read it so often.

21. Have you ever ridden in a limo? No, I haven't. And there is no sad face accompanying this response this time, as I have matured and frankly, do not want to ride in a limo.

22. Has anyone you were really close to passed away? Still no, actually. It's unusual.

23. Do you watch MTV? Nope, I can't anymore. And I wouldn't if I could.

24. What's something that really annoys you? I think if you read my blog then you might have a small idea of a few things...

25. What's something you really like? I've toyed with the idea, but a "Pet Love" feature just isn't as interesting.

26. Do you like Michael Jackson? Haha, no. Actually, his Mega Drive game was good. Well, it probably wasn't, but I felt I should mention that just to let the world know that I have played the Michael Jackson Mega Drive game, because I suppose that's kind of weird.

27. Can you dance? Since 2005 I have learned the joys of ceilidh dancing. Still can't dance, though.

28. What's the latest you have ever stayed up? I am now proud to announce that I have stayed up for 34 hours. And I did some manly furniture moving 24 hours in!

29. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? Still no. I'm still quite lucky, and sensible.

30. Do you actually read these when other people fill them out? I do, actually, on a rainy day. Or when It's half two at night and I can't sleep.


So there you have it. Why not do it, and then again three years later? I await your results!

Serious question for those who knew me back then: How different do I look compared to back then? I wouldn't say I look much different, but you can never judge these things yourself. I often wonder. You can check my youtube account for some videos from back then if you need to.

My mum never buys the same type of toothpaste twice.

Now,
I understand that it's fair enough that she doesn't have a favourite, but she bought three tubes today - each a different type. Would it not be easier for her to just grab three of the same and think "That'll do"? No, apparently she needed to buy three different types. Why did she feel the need to? Does she love variety? Does she have some strange theory that changing toothpaste every tube keeps your... teeth alert and more healthy? Or is it just an OCD?

You decide!

You may remember my ramble about how much I loved Alundra. Well, that went on to find a home at the site Zelda Elements. I always said I wanted to write about the sequel, and I just so happen to have done that. Consider this an advanced preview, as it won't appear on the site for a while yet.

In a warm-coloured room I'll lie. Black-and-white photos will surround me - full of memories. The first time I rode a bike, my first day at school, a particularly memorable holiday, my wedding... all placed there by the concerned onlooking family members. The photos make little difference to the solemn atmosphere in the room as the colour slowly drains from my wrinkled face.

"Son..." I call out softly.

"What is it, father?" he replies. He was always a rascal. Always getting into trouble at school, and never really grew out of it. But still, we never doubted where his heart was.

I reply softly, as my son draws near to hear my quieting voice, "Mega Drive... Sonic 2".

He knows what this means. Determined to keep a brave face, he nods with a knowing look, and leaves the room, quick to return with the desired items.

And so it begins. Emerald Hill Zone. Memories of a very old Christmas come flooding back to me, as I remember unwrapping the very same Mega Drive, and telling my brother (who is among the onlookers), while feeling particularly festive and generous, "you can have the first go". I travel through the zones - Chemical Plant, Aquatic Ruins, Casino Night... as I have done hundreds of times, but never in this way. There is something almost inhuman, no, mystical about the way I play. It's a flawless, almost artistic work. Reaching the Metropolis Zone, I smile weakly as I remember my delight to find out that in this futuristic city there is a third act.

I am almost there. The family members grow more concerned as the doctor whispers an observation into the ear of  a close friend.

The Death Egg zone. This is my final challenge, the penultimate battle. Silver Sonic appears. The onlookers gasp in awe as I flow between his quick attacks, as if I could read them without a thought. Robotnik looks worried as he peers through his small window, barely big enough to show his head. He always did, but somehow it's almost as if he knows this time, it's different. This time, he won't win.

Robotnink arrives in his masterful creation. This is it. Suddenly, my seemingly flawless performance stops. Robotnik's laser missiles appear to be just too fast for my fading vision. Family members gasp as the rings fly from my blue sprite more and more rapidly as Robotnik lays blow after blow in his monstrosity. But I remain just as focused. It won't end this way. I know this. And with a quick swerve to the left, I lay the final blow. Robotnik is in shock, as his giant robot makes pixelated explosions. After so many years, he is finally defeated. Good has prevailed. A tear slowly appears from my eye, and rolls slowly down my almost horizontal cheek.

"I... I've done it..."

I watch the ending sequence and credits in disbelief. Everyone else is amazed. My son, not being able to hold back the tears any longer, grips me lightly on the shoulder, and smiles. What a fitting end this makes. The atmosphere in the rooms seems to unexpectedly lighten, as if this beautiful swan-song from the credit roll has taken away all worry of the inevitable fate I will soon suffer.

The credits end.

"Johnny... Lightfoot?"

And all goes black.

But until that day, I will try to convince myself that maybe, just maybe, this time I'll be able to complete the game.

Seriously. I've had it for eleven years. It's the first video game I ever got. Why can't I just complete it? Note the time this was posted at. I vow not to "try and complete" Sonic 2 for at least another year. Sonic 3 and Knuckles was more epic anyway. With music by Jun Senoue and Michael Jackson.