Blogs from State College, Pennsylvania, United States, North America

*For a definition you will have to read to the end.... Here in America 2017 merely confirmed our worst fears and I simply couldn't find the motivation to reflect. This year has not seen a miraculous turn-around, but at least - selfishly - shortly we will no longer have to witness the debacle first hand. It has been and is bad. We've experienced family rows and friends turning on friends. We've seen the nepotistic orange troll deliver on his reverse Robin Hood promises, take babies from their parents (and then lose them), gush about his really great (really great, really very good - he does have all the words) relationships with foes (who merely see him as an easy mark), denigrate loyal institutions, and, most recently, support the totally unsuitable. And yes, actually we do have ... read more

I'd be lying if I said we noticed anything remarkable on our approach to State College. It was 4am, we'd been on the go since 7am; in short, it was dark and we were tired. Alison and Yeti mercifully collected us at 4am and we headed straight to bed! Later that day, after a few hours of precious sleep, the exploring began. First, we hit the local shops and they didn't disappoint. These included a sports wear store selling a variety of guns and several supermarkets severely lacking in alcohol, which is sold almost exclusively at designated stores. Wandering around, we noted the strange names Americans give to their produce (Zucchini, heavy cream or meat free beans anyone?) and the strange flavour combinations. We won't be trying Caramel and Cheese Popcorn anytime soon... As we navigated ... read more

February 2008 – Three years and some. This was meant to be a transient experience, purely for the purpose of gathering funds. But, things just kinda slipped.. Saying that, living and working somewhere just isn’t like travelling, it really is - for better or worse - a deeper, more visceral, immersion. This entry could get me lynched. State Collegians, residents, alumni, and current patrons of the University alike all simply adore the place. State College, home of Penn State University, is situated in central rural Pennsylvania some four hours from the nearest city (sorry, the State Capital of Harrisburg doesn't quite count), equidistant from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York. Here it squats between two folds in the upper reaches of the Appalachians in an area popularly known as “Happy Valley”. The heathen have been known to ... read more

Right this is read by my parents so this is obviously the edited version of events so as to protect their innocence as i obviously dont drink to excess, am still a virgin and go to church every sunday. If you want the details (not that there are any mum, dad i love you) feel free to ask me questions! So i left on the tuesday night for lukes by gettin the bus from madison at half 2 in the mornin, always a joy i love sleepin on coaches, gives you that neck ache that makes it easier to go to sleep! I got to chicago airport about 6 and got a few more cheeky hours sleep before my flight, had to transfer in washington then got to lukes about 2 in the afternoon, ready to ... read more