Quite often people ask me how my summer is going. It’s not particularly peculiar I know considering I don’t live within about 3 miles of all my friends now. I shall now recall what comes up most in my answer to this question: Firstly, I have no job. It seems like being a student in summertime is codeword for unemployed (for me anyway, I know a lot of people who have lots of shifts and lucky them, they have money). There was that brief one shift at Next which paid quite nicely considering it was only about 8 hours work in total. Also there was a leaflet delivery thing, but the money from that isn’t coming in until late August…not very useful when I’m quite literally haemorrhaging money. It’s not even the government’s this time before you say anything. Besides my loan barely even covers my rent so shush.

Another thing I have done with my summer is nothing. Despite the impossibility of actually doing technically ‘nothing’ – I feel I have come as close as it gets. Playing video games, watching TV, watching films, going to a friend’s and doing all of the above. It sounds lazy…because it is. There’s no denying it but I have no job, I can’t afford to do much else. Obviously I’ve been out on the town a few times, which has hindered my financial state to say the least. That is the unfortunate curse of living in the south of England I’m afraid and in a city that isn’t especially student orientated (not that I’m complaining).

Writing has been another method of filling my time. Although not on here I realised the other day; my bad. I’ve started writing a novel…(don’t laugh). Surprisingly I’ve actually stuck to it. Usually with something like this I aim to do over summer it never gets done in the slightest so it’s doing well – touch wood. It’s far from finished and far from winning the Nobel peace prize for literature or anything like that (although one can dream). It’s good to keep up for essay writing, if nothing else than procrastination.

Music of course cannot be left of any summer list. No festivals for me this year, unless one magically appears for a discounted price…anyone? Apart from a free festival in Sheffield which was enjoyable, Mystery Jets being a personal highlight. Playing music has also been a big part of summer. Had a few gigs already and one lined up this Wednesday (4th August) at the Horn. Not that I’m plugging my band in anyway possible but for tickets: http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_south&query=detail&event=399883&interface=halfmoon Our Youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jenium&aq=f Our website: www.jenium.co.uk Not that I’m plugging my band in anyway possible…not at all…just for those who are curious.

Holidays. They’re the conventional part of summer of course. Went to Berlin as soon as I got back from uni pretty much, fantastic place but now there are no more holidays for this year. There has been the odd trip to Sheffield to visit friends which has been very enjoyable, especially moving into a new house, paying bills not so fun.

So that’s my summer so far, how has yours been?