Matt Travels Europe and Conquers the World

VOTE FOR ME!!!!!!!

2010-09-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

I entered MGM Grand’s Get A Life Giveaway, and I need your help to win! Please watch a video of my lame life, and vote for me at http://bit.ly/cgcldJ. Thanks!

AMAZING Fishing Catch

2010-08-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

No I didn't die, I was gathering my thoughts...

2010-02-04T04:57:00.000-08:00

Well if you were hoping I had perished, unfortunately for you I am still going strong. So since I haven't done this in FOREVER, I'm not sure where to begin, so I guess I'll just give the highlights.

1) The Food:
Well, the reason that people say "Fat Americans" is apparently because we eat ourselves into oblivion. I'm not going to lie, I like to eat. Scratch that, I love to eat. Tragically people in this country don't share such a natural proclivity to liking food. Thusly, I am often left hungry (out to eat), or being kindly harassed by my flat mates for my American eating habits.

Also, we need to do something better with our food in the states. There's a huge difference in quality here. For one, most things are grown locally (as much as possible). Also most things are organic instead of stuffed with nasty preservatives. The eggs are more vibrant, and the beef especially has a much better taste. Albeit everything is ridiculously expensive here, it's worth it.

2) The Education:
If you know me, I'm a big complainer about the American education system (and rightfully so, I might add). However, I have to say, that I think I prefer the American system better. Shhhh don't tell anyone I said that!!! I think that the idea/foundation of the American system is better structured. The system here focuses on specialization at a much earlier age than the American system. In fact, British citizens in what we call high school are reduced to choosing 3 concentrations. In university, they only pick one or possibly two. However, I have felt that my large liberal education has benefited me in innumerable ways. I think that our system needs to focus on the execution--we're not doing everything wrong, but lets change the areas where blatant inequalities still exist, and let the system once again speak for itself. (end of rant)

3) The City
To be honest, I haven't seen as much of the city as I would have liked, but in my defense it's really quite cold and I'm waiting for it to warm up. That being said, I know my way around the city pretty well, and I am excited to explore the sights, and see some theatre. My theatre plans are: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Sister Act, Billy Elliot, and Blood Brothers.

Anyways I'm off for now, conquering the world is more difficult than one may think!

All that and a bag of chips (crisps) and a cold

2010-01-12T14:02:00.000-08:00

Hi world! I'm finally here...sorry it took so long to post, but I've been trying to get my life together, figure out the best way to conquer the world, and battle a slight cold i contracted from the germ oven (airplane).

London is AWESOME, although a bit chilly for my liking. They seem to be quite afraid of snow here more afraid than a condemned woman getting the "witch" test. They have received a light dusting of snow, and everything shuts down. Luckily they have public servants clearing out the roadways via filling their pockets with sand and scattering it about on the sidewalks like they are feeding pigeons. Not very effective....

My room is well...a room. Some of the finer amenities include my burnt orange curtains and my airplane sized bathroom (see pictures below). Although tiny it offers a time saving feature wherein I can crap, brush my teeth, and shower at the same time. Can YOU do that?!?!

London facts:

Did you know that the Liberty Bell was stuck here?

Yay! The "U" Crew!

I'm HERE???

2010-01-09T06:37:00.000-08:00

Well I got here...I'm still trying to get my life in order, so the posts will be a bit slow for a while, but I promise that you'll have many juicy happenings in the future. As promised, I created my first video, a mock tourism video for Chicago O'Hare Airport (the "best" place to spend 8.5 hours). Hope you enjoy!

Too Much Luggage, Not Enough Arms

2010-01-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

As now both my mother and the arctic hell-hole of Mentor, Ohio is determined to keep me here, I decided that it would be a good time to survey my luggage that is taking up the greater part of my living room, and that I wanted to take a Playboy style photo shoot with my new significant other, "my life in three bags." However, trying to keep it classy, I decided that I wouldn't ask my father to take the shots of me, and I'd try and do it myself. Given that my luggage is the size of Rhode Island, I was having a difficult time fitting my sexy body and three suitcases into the frame without looking like I was constipated. I still wanted to keep Myspace classiness, you know? Anyways...my flight leaves in 16 hours, and I'll be stuck in Chicago O'Hare all day. I'll make an awesome tourist video there, I think.

Peace out, next time you hear from me, I'll be in London. (Hopefully...I may be stuck facing the hairy arms and unpleasant demeanor of a TSA agent).

Welcome to My Adventure (Unless Mother has Something to Say About It)

2010-01-04T21:29:00.000-08:00

T-Minus 1 Day
...until I, in the words of everyone but myself, "hop the pond." I'm not sure how that little phrase weinered its way into our lingo because to the best of my knowledge, the Atlantic Ocean is a tad bigger than a pond.

Welcome to my blog...subscribe so I feel appreciated :) I'll be updating this and making it look as good as I do over the next few days...I'll figure out to add video and whatnot, but for now you've got to read.

Anywho,
After stuffing my life into two suitcases, a carry-on suitcase, a bookbag, I seem to be ready to depart, although I'm not sure my mother is too pleased I'm going to be thousands of miles away from her comforting embrace. Today she decided that she was the new UK immigration official and let me know EXACTLY what documentation I needed and what I didn't. The conversation played out something like this...

Mom: "I was reading...blah blah blah...that it said...blah blah blah...and you don't need...blah blah blah (aka my receipt for tuition, and my financial papers stating that I'm not gonna mooch off of England)"

Me: "Mother if indeed it said that, which it did not, and I brought it, what would be the harm?"

My mom looked at me for a second, then looked like she was in deep thought, then gave a little deer in the headlights look, then declared, "I'm going to finish laundry." (Mothers: the most caring yet silly people ever)

Don't worry Mom, don't worry world: Traveling to Europe and Conquering the World is what I was meant to do.

Peace out world, talk to you tomorrow.