Technical Issue!

AsperJosh has suffered a heavy impact. Every picture on every post before the Africa one has been lost due to an album online becoming corrupted.
I have almost every picture stored across 2 laptops and will slowly begin to re-upload them to my posts over a long period of time!
I will be starting from latest posts and work backwards to re-upload the pictures.
Thank you for understanding!
Joshua :'(

UPDATE - Fixed Posts
I HAVE FIXED ALL 2016 POSTS SO FAR!!!

2015 posts fixed so far:
- Tough Mudder 2015 - MCM Expo 2012 + Past Experiences - Telling People, I Have Aspergers - 5CPS - Marvel Phase Three - Attack On Titan - MCM Oct 2015 - Interstellar - Star Wars VII - Star Wars Original Trilogy - Star Wars Prequel Trilogy - Star Wars Battlefront - The Fault In Our Stars - Chronicle - Evans Night Out + Winter Wonderland 2015 -

2014 posts fixed so far:
- A Year's Progression At The Gym - 5CPS - The Land Before Time - X-Men Premier - X-Men DOFP - Halloween 2015 - Online Dating - Macbook Pro -

House MD, 3 Years Driving currently in progress.
More to be mended

Tuesday 30 June 2015

Happy 1st Birthday, Dash and Stache


 
How many times can I go on about my little mates who have helped bring joy to my heart everyday over the last year? I don't know and I don't care, I love them too much.
On this day a year ago, those two little rascals were born in a litter up in London and Rebecca went up there after hearing from a friend about Kittens that needed a home.
She told me that she saw those two in a corner sleeping together and decided those 2 were the ones. It's the best thing that's happened to my family in ages and everyday I show so much love to those two.
And today, we've all been wishing them a Happy Birthday.

Everyday I come home from a hard days work and most of the time, are welcomed by meowing hooligans who love a good stroke. These 2 help put a smile on my face no matter what mood I'm in, like that moment when a pet comes over to see you and you can't help but stroke them and you have a gentle smile on your face and your troubles fade away...


Every morning, evening and anytime of day, Dash and Stache are sleeping about all curled up in the most awkward of places and sometimes join me or Rebecca in bed. I must have taken over 200+ pictures on my Iphone 5 of these two like their models because I can't help but aww at how adorable/ cute they always are.



It was only back in February when they were old enough to go outside for the first time and they took a brave step and went through the Catflap (after frequent weekends of patience and encouragment later). Now they can't get enough of going outside every day from when Dad let's them out at dawn and when it's time for them to come in when the sun goes down.
Sometimes it takes ages for them to come in, no matter how long we call "Dash", "Stache", "What's This?", "Din-Din", "Buddy" (yeah we talk to them a lot, were that crazy especially me) haha.

I feel so connected and trusted that the boys feel so comfortable around us and me that they love and expect a good and gentle tummy rub which makes them wiggle about on their back and purr like car engines in contentment. I feel like their friend rather than a Master to them. I feel like a bond has been made through trust and love and it feels wonderful.
I've mentioned them throughout AsperJosh in past pictures in some posts about other topics as I tend to squeeze some things in to any post.




Feeding them has gotten better as they know the drill and most nights when me or Rebecca feed them, they tend to eat without fail otherwise Stache will be a cheeky bu***r and only eat if we add some Dreamies onto their Felix Cat Pouches.

I have had moments of fear in my head that seems to poison my emotions because we live on a busy road where cars sometime choose to be d***s and floor it up out road as we are at the bottom of a hill plus it's the main route for both Millais and Forest schoolkids to walk and buses to drive. I fear that one day the unthinkable will happen, thankfully it hasn't during their first year on this earth and I hope with all my heart that nothing ever does including kidnapping and car accidents.

A little moment of achievement for Dash who a couple weekends ago, bagged himself a Pigeon. I woke up that morning at 10.00am and Dad and I saw Dash in the corner behind the Dining Room door with something, turns out it was a Dead Pigeon! How the h**l did he get it past us or through the Cat flap? Thought something smelled awful this morning, though I have to admit, he may be a naughty boy with a big Breakfast/ Lunch but that's indeed an Achievement and one h**l of a catch! Not the best thing to wake up to on a Sunday...


I find it funny somehow that these two get on "like a house on fire" and don't really fight at all besides all the play fighting when they were little ones, mostly now and during the winter, they groom/ clean eachother either forcefully or normally (compare that to siblings nowadays when you don't seem many bros and sis's not arguing, I joke haha).





I love you guys so so much and am proud to have you in our family, lord knows how I'll feel when we leave you at a location where you'll be looked after whilst we all go on our annual holiday to Greece, I'll be worrying and fretting that they won't be happy and will miss us or even think we abandoned them. It's only for 2 weeks though plus we'll be leaving my cotton dressing gown which they love so much and makes them purr and gently claw their paws instantaneously everytime.

Here's to more years to come where you guys will always be the centre of attention in this household and will be loved throughout the rest of your lives. 


Let's continue to be ourselves and always be ready for when I wack out my Iphone to take a picture of you tikes and maybe you'll both begin to warm up to new faces/ friends who visit us and show them some attention as mush as you want it.
I'm always going to be there to cuddle you and stroke you for long periods, to make you both happy as much as you do for us all.


Happy Birthday, guys.

Sunday 28 June 2015

E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) 2015

Hello, it's been a while, right?! I'm probably sure that your all up-to-date on our upcoming Game List that was announced last week at the annual E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) where at the Los Angeles Convention Centre where all the major video gaming companies of the world gather to unveil their brand new and highly anticipated video games that will soon be released to the world.
But I just wanted to mention a little plus this little reminder might keep the hype up plus it's a good thing to come back onto AsperJosh after having a good long break since finishing the Tough Mudder Midlands, 2015. Plus I had a real good Saturday last weekend with 2 parties in the same day which I'll mention in my next post.

Work has taken over this month which is why I haven't been motivated and tight on thinking up posts or what to write up next on here, I'm struggling a little as some new rules have been added last week and affected me and my team mates enthusiasm, thankfully E3 last week and this Saturday have helped bring the mood elevator back to the top floor for myself and some others plus it's something to talk about whilst I'm thinking up more things to write up. I know I'm way behind on my The Duff Film Review but I reckon that one will get published when it's released on DVD/ Blu-Ray plus it'll be a good advertisement/ recommendation method. I am interested in writing up The Fault In Our Stars plus sometime actually get round to talking about some topics/ theories that flow in my head and relate to my conditions since those stories help myself and possibly some of you plus they help bring in the attention.
Anyway, here I'm gonna mention a good amount of my most wanted but leave the video links up for you all to enjoy yourselves in your own time instead of writing it all up and delay this post even more. Full list of games, see here.

I actually discovered and became interested on watching E3 last year in June through the Live-Stream (sounds like I said "Lifestream" from Final Fantasy VII) via either my Xbox or on YouTube. It's quite sensational to feel honoured and proud to be a geek/ nerd or just another gamer who's curious as hell and overjoyed to watch a live video that's airing in the states and showing thousands of thousands of fans a good teaser and announcement of upcoming video games for us all to AWE over along with some possible gameplay whilst it's in development.
Last year, I caught a few presentations for Xbox and Nintendo (I do respect PlayStation compared to some of my Xbox loving gamer friends because it was my childhood but I have more friends on Xbox than PlayStation, however I am jealous of some special PlayStation 3/ 4 games and the perks but maybe someday I may even purchase a PS4 but then I'll have no life at all haha... we'll see). I didn't have time to actually watch anything but I was made aware through Facebook Messages of my friends watching the live-stream till late into the night and heard about FarCry 4, Battlefield: Hardline, Assassin's Creed: Unity, Kingdom Hearts 2.5 ReMIX + Kingdom Hearts III, Destiny, Mirror's Edge 2 plus Stars Wars: Battlefront and Pokemon Omega Ruby + Alpha Sapphire etc. Soon after, I saw a few videos on YouTube and got a good taster of some incredible games that I actually own a couple already to this date and am still in the middle of playing.


But this year, I couldn't be super dedicated because work was priority but I did watch several long videos including a lot of Bethesda's video which showed for me the surprising and hellish DOOM and the long awaited Fallout 4. I watched those videos with eyes hooked on my laptop and seeing how these 2 have come a long way and that Fallout 4 had so much to offer including playing the game before the Fallout, the improved gameplay, the dynamite pixels which make the graphics look more realistic than ever plus some more special additions to this game which make the previous game look too easy. Plus what made my mouth drop in surprise was the special Pip-Boy Edition which comes with the following:

Of course, I pre-ordered this magnificent bundle! I couldn't believe my eyes that an actual Pip-Boy replica from the games was finally becoming a reality and the best part was that I could slot my Iphone 5 into it to make it even cooler plus if I think about it, I'll be using my left forearm more than ever like a Nerd or acting as if I'm the actual Vault Dweller or even Buzz Lightyear contacting Star Command. I can't wait to have this £100 bundle in my possession come 10th November 2015!

It didn't stop there, Bethesda were also announcing an App on the Iphone 5 called Fallout Shelter which looked like SimCity and it's basically a base building game where you create a Vault and you are the Overseer and must expand your vault and keep your dwellers happy, organised and alive. The best part was when they announced it was released there and then on that day, Wow what a treat. I'm downloading mine pretty soon after making some space on my overfilled Iphone 5 plus it'll be funny/ better to play when I'm wearing my own actual Pip-Boy. 

This incredible gaming series helped open my eyes to magnificent pixelation on my monitor after Lewis showed me the first one back in 2009 on his PC and shortly after, I purchased it on Xbox 360.
Yep, the long awaited Mirror's Edge 2 is finally happening and surprisingly, it's a prequel called Mirror's Edge: Catalyst. I'm definitely writing up a review of the first game this year because I'm sure that you too will be amazed after watching this video and the first game is just as good as this, no kidding!

2 years ago (meaning in E3 2013), the Star Wars fans were rewarded with astonishing footage of a 10 year long awaited sequel to one of the best Star Wars games ever! Battlefront!
Seeing these 2 videos on E3, made my heart skip a beat (I'm guessing Lewis did too when he saw his long awaited sequel - Shenmue 3) and I turned up the volume to watch these 2 trailers which have given us all everything we've ever wanted in a highly detailed and online based Star Wars game (besides The Old Republic but that's another topic), however the only downside is that sadly we won't be having any space battles like in the films like we've all enjoyed to the max playing in Star Wars Battlefront II on the PlayStation 2 (I still remember the parties I had with Lewis, Mac, Jimmy and Neirin and how we went crazy playing "Heroes Vs Villains" at Mos Eisley Cantina).
Words cannot describe how excited and proud I am of EA and DICE for taking on this challenge and bringing in First Person and Third Person viewing to help making it unbelievably realistic and quite similar to the Battlefield games. Hearing the Tie Fighter screeches certainly got me excited and seeing the blaster bolts firing out, it was like a dream come true to see this dynamic preview of a game that I think everyone is going to be playing as much as Destiny on 20th November 2015!

I even saw a couple days ago on YouTube that an extension to The Old Republic 2011 PC game had been released at E3 which was like no other Star Wars trailer I've ever seen. Too bad, it's not a TV series like The Clone Wars or a playable Console game because it looks so good. It's frustrating that The Old Republic is an MMORPG and was a subscription only game and involved paying to play online (like an expensive World Of Warcraft) but now it's luckily a free-to-play game but it still doesn't change the fact that your PC needs to be in tip top condition with an amazing Graphics Card and lots of RAM to even play it at a balanced quality (and I would be glued to this too badly that's why I try to stay away from MMORPGs sometimes). But this Knights Of The Fallen Empire looks intriguing thanks to it's surprising outcome and story arc in the Star Wars Timeline plus the twins character designs reminds me of Galen Marek - The Force Unleashed a little.

I actually came on to E3 this year during the Rise Of The Tomb Raider video which was lagging a little on my Xbox One. That's gonna be a brilliant sequel to the hit reboot of Tomb Raider (I still can't believe and understand why it's my 2nd most viewed post on AsperJosh, did I write it out perfectly?!). It's kinda good to see that it'll be on the Xbox Shelves this year and that PS4 and PC gamers will be able to play it too roughly 6 or so months after. Looks like Xbox got the upper hand and me and my mates will all be enjoying it compared to my PS4 rivals.
After that, I caught a glimpse of the Gears Of War 4 gameplay which I never would have expected. And I did see that a re-mastered edition was soon coming out again too. I never got the chance to play Judgement (so I'll most likely purchase the 360 version before playing this re-mastered bundle with my work mates when it comes out).  But this gameplay for Gears Of War 4 brings back the glory and fun of using chainsaw guns during the apocalypse.
After that I gave up and decided to watch on YouTube all of Bethesda and just watch other bits and pieces or hear them from my friends, as I said "work was more important".

I'm gonna admit honestly that I do respect and enjoy PlayStation because it was my childhood along with the Nintendo 64. I'm not the kind of gamer who just fan-boys Xbox and despises PlayStation like it's a spider. I am jealous though of PlayStation's games that I'll maybe never get to play like The Last of Us, Uncharted, Journey or the new upcoming games No Man's Sky and this... Final Fantasy VII (Remake).
This guy's reaction is how I felt at watching Kingdom Hearts III and Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess original teaser trailers.
News of this masterpiece had spread all over my Facebook like wildfire whilst I was at work last week, even I lifted my eyebrows in surprise that this was actually happening at last and was no joke.
I'm also going to admit that I HAVE NEVER played any of the Final Fantasy games. This statement may shock and offend some of you but I've just never had access to any of them or bothered to purchase them compared to my huge fascination and up-to-date knowledge and gameplay of the Kingdom Hearts series. I do however know everything about VII and it's other games thanks to long talks with friends and I have seen the film sequel to the PlayStation 1 classic, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children which was incredible and amazing to watch on Blu-Ray along with hearing another epic version to One Winged Angel. I have admittedly played a small amount of X but gave up when I was 12 because I found it hard after defeating Sin's fin for the first time (I need to get round to playing it again despite knowing the plot and it's sequel).
I have actually played Dissidia and Dissidia 012 on the PlayStation Portable (which I only bought in order to play Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep) and those games were dynamite and made me feel like I was almost re-enacting the fight in Advent Children but with many characters from every Final Fantasy game. It's basically a fighting game but with Action RPG elements. It' funny when you research stuff on the Internet and you learn more and discover the unexpected, I only just found out that another sequel to Dissidia was announced at E3 as well. Also while I'm on the subject of Final Fantasy, I actually still need to play my Final Fantasy XIII that I've had tucked away on my shelf for the last 2 years and got signed by Troy Baker. I've been meaning to play it despite reading mixed reviews of it but I'll give it a shot since the story looks fascinating and the girls are cute. I really need to get into Final Fantasy more and actually get round to purchasing and finishing some of the best ones, but overall besides going off topic like I always do, I cry tears of happiness and sadness (hypothetically speaking) plus it breaks my heart that PlayStation get it all to themselves, no surprise really since the original was on PlayStation 1 and soon I'll purchase the original copy to join the hype and begin another incredible gaming series to do my best on playing.

Here's an update on 11th July because I found out from one of my oldest friends Liam Coughlan that a new b>Tom Clancy game was coming out and he asked me if I had seen the video after seeing my Instagram post. I quickly YouTube'd this and came across Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands which I was most impressed with as I have only played and really loved the invisibility concept of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier that I played on the 360. Thank you Liam for introducing me to another incredible game that helps bring synchonization and more options/ protocols on executing missions with either Falling from the Clouds, Taking them out with Stealth or Going in "Full Guns Blazing". The Santa Blanca Drug Cartel may welcome and not fear death, but they will fear the gamers who can rain hell in video games. Here's the link to the Ghost Recon post I did a couple years ago on AltMagUK.

Also just to add a little as I'm on the subject of addition, who else is psyched up for the next Assassin's Creed: Syndicate?! Right now, I'm almost 100% completion through Black Flag and haven't begun Unity yet but I'm keen to finish them both and be prepared for November when this beauty comes out. So now we are in 1859 during the time of the Industrial Revolution and not only do we play as our 6th and dashing British Assassin called Jacob Fyre but this new game features many new mechanics including a Rope Launcher, we got Trains and a fancy deadly Cane which appears to be a major asset for Jacob and I think that the title of the game will even twist the Creed. I wonder if one day or near the end of this franchise that we'll get a Japan one with Samurai's and Ninja's? That would be Awesome, you agree?!

My last game to talk about it one dear to my heart (theoretically) and has been my most adored gaming series rivalling Pokemon with how much I know, I give you the long waited Kingdom Hearts III.

Since 2009, my mate Jack McDougal introduced me to what I call one of the best crossover action role-playing game gaming series ever which features Final Fantasy designed characters set in the Disney universe and mashes it all together perfectly without badly contradicting to the films that we've all grown up with.
I have now played every game through many different consoles and hand-held consoles over the 6 years following and thanks to E3 2013, I was graced with a long delayed trailer of the game that will end it all and complete another gaming series that many of my friends and I adore.
I won't say anything because I want to write up the games in the future and explain more then but not too much. Even though these videos may be clueless to some of you, I'm sure that maybe some of you have a gaming series very dear to your heart where you must know it all back to front, right?!
I salute Square Enix and Disney for giving me and thousands of others what we've all been waiting for (this series has 13 games in total which includes the Final Mix's and Re: remakes and funny enough, the fact that it's 13 games also relates to the fact that the number 13 is a very important factor of the Kingdom Hearts Universe). Now I will finally get to conclude this incredible series and see what lies in store for Sora, Donald and Goofy as well as find out how they will save everyone and bring balance to everything (I nearly said Force haha).

I heard unfortunately that Nintendo didn't do so well this year and didn't even mention a Pokemon or Legend Of Zelda sequel, not even the long awaited Legend Of Zelda Wii-U game.

I saw this video several months ago on YouTube
However I have become tempted to purchase a Wii-U for games like Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Mario Kart 8, Sonic Lost World, The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Splatoon which I played at Oli's house before the Tough Mudder.
I may trade in my Wii (I won't get much obviously) and get one of these but it depends on what games come out to make it more worth my while. But I know what Nintendo unveiled at E3 this year and it's not exactly special in my opinion, but don't let me spoil or ruin your enjoyment out of Nintendo.

So there you have it, a late post about my highlights for this year's E3. What was yours?
Like I said at the top, I have a few things planned to write up soon but first I have some things to celebrate such as having a double weekend of parties (which I'll write up asap), plus my little ones Dash and Stache turn 1 years old on the 30th June and my little sister Rebecca will be 18 on July 1st. *sigh* they grow up so fast... where does the time fly?!

Friday 12 June 2015

The Tough Mudder Challenge 2015


Hard to believe that a young man like me could have the guts to be spontaneous, determined and surprisingly strong enough to take on such a challenge that has had me all tangled up over the last 8 months.And last weekend, on May 30th 2015, I not only proved myself wrong when doubting myself but also helped myself realise my true inner potential. This was the 2nd most incredible, life changing accomplishment of my life and this May, the first... well *wink*.
Anyway, read here as I go on and on about how me and the team conquered The Tough Mudder, Midlands 2015.

As you all know that since October last year, under impulse I decided to participate with my band of bros to join them on their 2nd Tough Mudder Challenge (it was mine, Richard and Jack's first time). Over this long period of time, I've been filled with a swirling pool of emotions and I've been through a lot. The whole training and strict routine as well as improvement has been hard on me but all for the better. I've been excited, scared, doubtful, determined and slightly courageous all this time and on that day, I was filled with determination, strength and enthusiasm/ teamwork spirit because all my hard training had really paid off and helped me keep pace with the others. I was most worried all this time about falling behind from the others and a couple obstacles as well as my Crohns, but I conquered them all (except a couple obstacles, of course).

Anyway, on Friday 29th May, the day started off with Thunder and a heavy rainfall before I joined Richard, Bradley and Ryan in Richard's car all the way up north to Burton (near Derby where Download Festival is) at around 1 in the afternoon.
Our long roadtrip was full of blazing speeds (thanks Richard, I say sarcastically) and we made a stop at Cobham for food at this big service area which was almost like an Airport Mall and got some food at Starbucks.
We were heading to Burton because we were all staying at Oli's Dads house which was amazing with 3 floors, a conservatory and generous hospitality from Tim and Julie.
They both emitted strong enthusiasm and belief in us all, both having served/ still serving the British Armed Forces and just giving me some tips and reminding us all to have fun, which we did.

That lovely evening (once Cathy and Lewis arrived a little later and we met Jack first time at the house), we all did the right thing and ordered Dominoes, snacks from Sainsbury's and watched the interesting Action, Sci-Fi film, CHAPPiE which I actually enjoyed (like the rest of Neil Blomkamp's films) despite the mixed reviews everyone's been giving it. So instead of staying up till stupid o'clock, we all fell asleep near 10.30 and set alarms for 8.00 tomorrow morning and prepare ourselves for an eventful day tomorrow...



Waking up to a glorious sunrise with a small raincloud over the house was an interesting way to wake up, shame it was 5 in the morning and in the conservatory, no matter, I fell asleep again before a few of us got up at 7.30. We had an excellent breakfast of Pasta with Cheese (best recommended) and soon we all had our gear on, tickets, IDs, waivers and spare clothing before heading off at 8 for a 1.5hour jouney to Northamptonshire on a good sunny/ cloudy day.
I was sweating and scared a little in the back of my head but nothing that Lewis and Cathy couldn't help and I too began to feel the excitement take over and I believed that today was going to be an incredible day. We did have a small problem with discovering that the postcode we were using was different to the carpark area which was no problem and we notified the others in their cars.
After parking in a huge field, most of us made our way to the area to sign in whilst waiting for Ryan, Richard, Jack and Bradley. After entering and handing over our tickets and waivers, we each got our Paper Number and wrote our numbers on our arms (like we were going into Prison, sorry that a dark joke!) Once we were all present and stretched, we headed to the Starting Line area and got hyped and pumped up thanks to our 2 hype men and the 2 fitness instructors.

We all shared a deep roaring session to get the spirit rising as well as bowing down to older Mudder Legionnaires (people who have been before and with different coloured headbands) and we all chanted the Tough Mudder speech and then it was time to begin!



On here, I decided to use a lot of picture examples from The Tough Mudder Midlands Facebook Page seeing as the pictures from my friend's cameras are either not coming through or only they couldn't make it to every obstacle/ moment.
The one's with The Tough Mudder Watermark are basically the event pictures and not mine.
The whole experience was absolutely incredible especially the Camaraderie (mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together), it really pushed me to my limit as well as help me get grubby and not feel to bothered because I was too focused and having fun with the guys. Each obstacle was intimidating at first glance whilst jogging to it in the distance, but once there and seeing everyone else climb, bide their time, swim, jump, crawl and take a deep breath really helped make me aware that everyone is maybe feeling the same way as me - scared but also excited. I still can't believe that I did 22 out of the 24 obstacles on that 11Mile Course!







After all gathering after our Hype moment, we climbed over a (roughly) 6ft wall which was no problem and then we all bowed down and took one knee down in respect to past Tough Mudder Legionnaires and all chanted The Tough Mudder Pledge, we were finally off.
The first few were pretty simple such as climbing over walls and haystacks 1. Bale Bonds and the crooked tall wall 2. Skid Marked which was a good start in my view compared to what the others said last years was like where within either the 2nd obstacle or 1st Mile they had to do the Arctic Enema (Ice Bath) luckily this time, it was around halfway through the course. Soon the icy chills began to overtake as water obstacles started to follow through including wallowing through a stream,

plus we climbed through a tube and fell into a pool of more muddy water 3. Mystery Obstacle and also we crawling through mud under a huge bag of water 4. Birth Canal.
5. Creek Crusade #1 and 6. Creek Crusade #2 were the same as wallowing through a cold stream in the forest and using rope to drag ourselves out whilst trying not to slip over in the mud (luckily we didn't but the same can't be said for others that day) haha.


After making it out the Forest and back into the daylight (whilst we were still freezing after being in water 3 times already) we made it back onto the open trail and saw the spectators again and our friends/ family.

7. Island Hopping was funny to attempt as we all tried and failed and landed into water, again haha.Oh well, least we tried and we either rushed through it or got close before slipping off the blocks which were rocking about in the water (even Tim's advice was smart but too much for us to follow through with.
After that we came to a net which we had to crawl under which was 8. Devil's Beard (interesting title) which had a haybale in the middle for us to climb over (we looked like animals that had been caught in a net) but thanks to the spirit of Camaraderie and I like being a good sport, I lifted the net up to help my team mates and others as well as helping people throughout the day including climbing up walls, I was worried for a second that they would be too much for me and pull me back over to do the obstacle again, luckily I held on tight and helped out perfectly for my mates and other people whilst encouraging people like a good lad.

Picture from Tough Mudder Website
- London South Location
Picture from Tough Mudder Website
- London South Location
We soon saw a big wall on top of a hill which by the time we got to it was actually nearly 12-foot (so much more dificult than your average school gym class rope), it was 9. Balls To The WallLewis told me that last year the obstacle was closed during the day as someone had falled down and injured themselves... Thanks Lewis haha. It wasn't that hard seeing as I have had a lot of core and muscle workout at the gym and have done a Muscle Up sometimes so lifting myself off the ground isn't tough but holding onto a muddy rope was a little heartpounding. But once I got to the top, it was just lift yourself slowly over to the other side and slowly climb back down and done.

Well Done, Richard!
10. Arctic Enema (The Ice Bath), OH MY GOD! I have never been so cold in my life! This was my fear for the day as people told me about just doing it as fast as possible because most times people freeze up as soon as the impact hits them and if they don't hurry through and have to be pulled out by the staff. We climbed up a scafholding and slid down into a skip full of water and was constantly being refilled with Ice from a Truck with Generator. I can't believe that I did it (sorry no picture to prove but I DID DO IT). Bradley and Richard and me did it 3 at once (Lewis had to miss out due to his contact lenses) but the second we landed in the water, we rushed under the tyre and tried climbing out the skip and jumping out. We were then running around like headless chickens and I was like Happy Gilmore, I was swearing like mad (sorry) and we all felt like collapsing like our muscles were locking up and we kept jogging on the spot whilst waiting for Jack and Oliver and all carried on after talking to our friends quickly whilst suffering haha.
The next one was where I cut myself sadly thanks to the Muddy hills which were actually rock coated in Mustard coloured Mud and looked like a Mountain/ Motorcross Bike Hills, this was 11. Mud Mile #1. I tried staying with the guys but I hurried through and as I slid down the rock, I felt a painful prick in my right hand as I landed in water and coated my shoes, legs and shorts.
I looked at my right hand and saw blood all over so I hurried through and got some water mud in my face, lovely and made my way to the Medic next to Julie and Tim.
He sorted me out with some clean water on the wound and checked to make sure nothing had got inside the cut.
See how rough and sharp
the rock were


The guys were marking each other

It was a deep cut in the bottom left of my right palm (about the size of a 5p coin roughly so nothing serious) and it sorta didn't stop me or affect my progression onwards.
I got plastered and wrapped up in clean foil and recorded my details for safety reasons and we all quickly shared a group picture before continuing, I'm glad Julie having been a Medic in the British Army reassured me and kept checking on the day and afterwards since it was like a Motherly/ Caring feeling).
We began warming up a little as we carried on and after passing the 6Miles marking, we came to 12. Hero Carry. How I managed to carry Richard was a real shocker and confidence booster at the same time because it showed how really strong I have become. Firstly half way through the obstacle, he carried me and I had some fun by quoting Yoda "Do. Or do not. There is no try." and "Fear is the path to the dark side…fear leads to anger…anger leads to hate…hate leads to suffering." which made Richard laugh a little but when it got to the half way point (think it was 50 meters) it was my turn. I walked slowly whilst carrying him piggy back and slowly but surely I made it without stopping or falling over in the slippery mud, how?!
Can't really remember or understand 13. Killa Gorilla because it was basically a trail in the Forest with rubbish, tree branches and rocks in the mud for us to avoid and some deep ditches for us to jump over. Nothing really special or tough, it was just jogging in the woods.
After jogging up a steep hill shortly out of the Forest and back to a wide open hill, we saw another huge wall which everyone needed some help/ support with, it was 14. Hero Walls.
These 10-foot original walls I'm guessing thanks to the printed on Help For Heroes logo on these walls was like the other walls for me, I just needed a little boost to help this Hobbit up and over and then I stayed on the other side to help some others up and over, it felt really amazing and rewarding to help others and stick around for teamwork seeing as we're all in this together instead of it being a race for glory. I did go to the Medic Area to get my bandaged up hand sorted again as the clean foil had come off so they put a new one on and this time Sellotaped it up.

The clouds began to cover up the sun for good as we came to 15. The Liberator which was a suprisingly easy one for me (I sound so cocky), it was a 10-foot A-wall with slots in for you to use small pegs to slot in and climb up as if you were hiking up a
mountain with a pickaxe mattock (obviously not). Even the guys were surprised as to how fast I did it (guess I really amy strong after all) and at the top, I dropped back down the pegs for others to use. People saw ways around it by ascending faster by ignoring a couple slots (may seem like cheating) but it's what everyone else was doing instead of slotting both in-line and climbing up and then trying to continue the pattern quickly.
Annoyingly, we saw that round the corner from the edge of the Forest for good, we had a quick drink of Volvic water and a piece of a Carrot 9Bar (they were delicious) and saw that along the road that we were coming back to 16. Mud Mile #2, sigh. I don't mean to sound like a wimp but due to my right hand, I figured it was best to skip it as I didn't want to maybe get another cut anywhere else and jeoporadise my chances of finishing, so I jogged along it but stayed to cheer my friends on and watch them get dirty again in the filthy mud haha.

Number 17. Tyre Carry was a surprise and uncomfortable challenge since the slippery and dirty tyres all ranged from many sizes (felt like mine was for a small Tractor or something because it was short and wide plus heavy). But we only carried it for a short walk almost as long as Hero Carry I think.

This next one helped us all get clean and cold again as it looked like an epic send off (like something from Total Wipeout or Tarzan) as well had to swing from a ledge using a handle pole into a huge pool of water in 18. King Of The Swingers. I enjoyed that one and wish I had: a) been able to do a flip or something after letting go and b) had a good shot of me doing it, Oh Well you can't get em all.

So now that we were all feeling cold and wet again and doing our best to cope with the wind blowing at us harshly, we entered back to the wide open hills and could hear the speakers blazing for the announcer on the microphone meaning we weren't far from finishing but next up was 19. Kiss Of Mud 2.0 (guess what this one involved haha). This time I had to get up close and personal with the sloppy, thick mud (I'm so relieved that I didn't get any in my mouth or eyes), we all had to crawl under barbed wire and gently and slowly climb over a hay bale whilst avoiding the sharp wire overhead.
Up next was an impossible one for us seeing as our knees were aching and bodies shivering that we had no chance of completing it, it was 20. Funky Monkey 2.0. I've never been a fan of the monkey bars at playgrounds so seeing as this one was slippery and there was water below us, it was inevitable so we all did the same and just jumped in and swam to the other side (it's way better to see for real that this obstacle/ this time that the bars weren't rotating, that's just too much and makes me wanna yell out "Oh Come On!" or "You gotta be kidding me"! I mean we would have had to climb up using the ladder grips and then quickly grab onto a pole and continue, uh no thank you.

Now being even colder than before and soaking wet, we did a quick lap round the field and came to a strong eye watering area filled with gas and a long queue, it was now time for the painful 21. Cry Baby.
Because my bandage had become wet twice, it was loose again and became exposed to the deadly tear gas and sting like f**k so I though it would be best to skip this one out too instead of crawling blind through that long box. So I got myself sorted AGAIN with a plaster, clean foil and sellotape (these sound like materials for kidnapping haha) whilst the others crawled like mad through that painful gas (and it wasn't even one of my farts hahaha).



The last 2 were challenging and scary but we persevered through. After a while jogging all the way back to the back of the main area and passing by the car park fields, we noticed we were on the route where we saw people passing by as we arrived that morning. Our 23. Everest 2.0 was a tough one because it was a huge (I think it said somewhere it was 20% bigger than last time) skaterboard quaterpipe which was also slippery and steeper than last year according to the guys. Good on my friends for getting it on their first try despite our aching knees and cold bodies, but it took me 2 attempts ( didn't run fast enough on 1st try and slid back down laughing) before ascending my way up there to glory. It wasn't all bad since there was a spokesperson to keep people hyped and entertained (he wasn't rude or antagonising luckily) were staff and other mudders there at the top, leaning over with hands ready to grab fellow mudders and help pull them up because the quaterpipe was curved near the top instead of having a ledge to try and grab hold of. Everyone was holding there hands up as they came near the top and hoping for people to grab them, I was so tempted to do a loud charge roar/ battle cry but then I would make a scene even if it would have felt epic haha.

So our last and final obstacle for this intense challenge was a choice between two which were 23. Dead Ringer or 24. Electroshock Therapy!Dead Ringer was basically like the obstacle in Ninja Warrior on Sky1 which has always looked jaw dropping and difficult to even think about somehow accomplishing because one false move and you slip off plus you have to hang for a while whilst trying to slot the hoops over the pegs to stay up high (like an intense version of Assassin's Creed or Uncharted climbing and shifting across a ledge). Lewis went for that one and did his best but it wasn't enough as we were all so exhausted.

The rest of us took on Electroshock Therapy. This one along with Arctic Enema and Everest were all the scariest things to not look forward to because they looked painfully impossible to me. But after a quick deep breath and shouting in my head "You Can Do This!" repeatedly, I charged through the orange cables full of supposedly hundreds/ thousands of electrical volts and got hit I think 4-6 times.
To make it even more painfully challenging, we had to run through thick mud and also jump over a hay bale which would mean jumping up into the cables and getting stung even more (F***s sake haha).





As Paul Finch said in American Pie: The Reunion "It hurt like a b**ch" and it did, lots of people all had ideas of what it feels like, Ed from work said "It's like getting punched where your stung", others said "It's like getting jabbed by needles" and I thought it would be devastating like getting stuck in the mud and being electrocuted like a cartoon character. That's quite over exaggerated right since no one wants anyone to die on this event and I always thought and still tell people for fun what it was like running through whilst yelling Ow in pain like I was a cartoon like Tom Cat from Tom & Jerry or something. I find it hard to descibe myself since I ran through it as quickly as I could, I think it felt like both descriptions but not as painful as you'd think (I don't know if it's the adrenaline that fired me up) but
I think it all matters on how strong you are against electric shocks which must be 5 or possibly 10x worse than normal.
But if I can do it, then surely it'll motivate you into believing in yourself too, right?!
So our victory had us greeted by staff at the Finish Line with Orange Tough Mudder 2015 Headbands and a bag with 2 9Bars and a bottle of Volvic water plus we had to go to the stall near the side to pick up a Kinstone Press Cider and pick out our size T-shirt saying Tough Mudder Midlands 2015 FINISHER!

That proud moment where we all had our group photo taken (picture at the very top) was the split-second moment where I realised I had done it. I had done the most challenging task of my life and I conquered some fears and barriers and even got dirty with mud and was slightly okay with it all.

So after reuniting ourselves and getting congratulated by Julie, Tim, Ryan and Cathy, I popped over to the Medic Area like I had been told to by the Medic back at Mud Mile to confirm some details. First time I went there, Julie and Tim recommended grabbing a Space Blanket which I got turned down for since they said the Medics said I looked fine anyway and the second time I popped there after sharing the group picture, turns out that it wasn't necessary as I explained it all quickly to some old lady who responded with "Go have a shower, put on new clothes and then come over to look at the details"she had a clear as daylight unsure expression on her face.
I had to say "Thank you anyway" and just thought F**k this since that Medic back then had my details anyway and it wasn't anything serious or life-changing and these people were pretty useless so there was no point digging any deeper into it. Best option was for us all to head back home already!




Before leaving, I decided to strip off my soggy muddy gear and wrap myself in my towel and just sit in that. Our 2 hour long return journey felt longer thanks to the slow movement getting out of the Field and getting back on the main roads to the motorway to go back to Olivers. Glad I had Cathy (Lewis was fast asleep) driving us back safely.Soon as we got in, turns out that Richard had left already with Brad and Ryan to go back home, we'll celebrate with them in June. Before having a well deserved Shower, I turned on my phone and saw 10 Missed Calls from Mum and Dad who were in Corfu on this day till my birthday and 4 Text Messages from them and 3 Missed Calls from Rebecca, woops. So I made some amazing phone calls full of proud enthusiasm and a reassuring story of my cut and the day in general.
Lewis and I bought another Dominoes Pizza and soon we all found ourselves going to sleep near 10.30pm, I always imagined everyone would party like I said before like it's a huge celebration or like it's 1999, guess there will be future partying to do!

The following day, we all woke up and had some fun including playing Splatoon on the Nintendo Wii U which was really fun and started to encourage me to purchase one someday (though that depends on what Nintendo have to offer at E3 and what new games espeically the next Legend Of Zelda will be featured
on.
Plus on the way home in the car, Cathy introduced me to a great American hard rock band called Halestorm and after hearing the song The Misery, I'm now hooked on this band.

And she also showed me this Awesome POP boy band called I FIGHT DRAGONS who play 8-bit/ Gameboy Music in the songs. I've been hooked on them to this day and think they are one of the best bands to have ever been introduced to thanks to their outstanding and nostalgic style like listening to a Punk/ Rock Band with a Gameboy playing in the system.


We all headed with Cathy for home at 2.30pm and thanked Oli and Julie for having us and I thanked them for believing in me (Tim had gone to work in the morning), I look forward to seeing them again sometime.
We had a long 4 hour journey home whilst dropping Jack off home in Reading. We ever popped over again to the Cobham Food Court that me and the guys went to on our journey up to Oli's.
I got in for 6.30pm and thanked Cathy and gave her £20 as a thank you for everything and said I'd see em both again soon and that this was an honour.



Funny enough, I popped home for a short while because on the way home, Amy had contacted me on the journey home and asked to go and see Man Up (the new Simon Pegg film) with her, which I did.
I really enjoyed it and it was quite funny and had a lot of cringe moments full of embarassment but a heart-warming ending that even got me and Amy in tears.
After driving her back home, we even shared a long hour chat in the car outside her place just talking which I rather enjoy doing with the right people. I'll be seeing her in June again either with the others for my late 22nd Go-Karting Party or at Amy's house with different people to celebrater her finishing University, this is gonna be good!

The reason this has taken so long to write up is that I've been waiting for the pictures from my friend's cameras as well as naming them appropriately plus I've been quite distracted since the event and it's been bothering me on not getting this done the day after I had it all planned out but at least it's finally up now for you all to read and to put my mind at ease.

As for the first week in June, well since the day of the Mudder, Mum and Dad went to Corfu again and are coming back on my birthday (6th June). So that week, Becca and I have been very responsible (no that wasn't in sarcasm haha). We spent the whole day on Monday doing washing and using the tumble dryer (it was my first time in a long time) as I have such a good mum. It's a bad, embarrassing and awkward thing to admit but at least I'm honest enough to also admit with pride that I was independant and along with the instructions from them and Becca that we kept it up all day till 10pm late evening. I was annoyed however in the back of my mind that I didn't use my day off on Monday whilst recuperating to write down this story sooner on AsperJosh but at least I did the right thing instead.
Haven't been able to cook this week as I have been getting up at 6.15am to feed the cats and then get ready for work and then call them in near 8pm and feed them at 10.30pm.

I did on a nostalgic note back on the 3rd May, Mum and I cooked Stuffed Peppers one weekend, I was motivated by my joyful day out shopping with Mum that I wanted to have a dinner that I really enjoy and I was determined to make it with her, which I did. It was delicious, healthy and not bad for my first try. I am definitely going to begin learning more over the Summer since I'm not far now from becoming a woman/ wife's dream (I can clean, dust, hoover, mow the garden, drive, wash up, listen to her and now I just need to continue to slowly learn to cook and soon start learning how to dance *preferrably The Waltz* then I am complete/ perfection ha).


But just before my birthday, Kurt had his 20th on Wednesday (his birthday is the day before mine, this mean's we can never forget eachothers) and he invited me and Tommy, Sam, Ewan and Kurt's brother Lewis to go Go-Karting at TeamSport Indoor Go-Karting in Gatwick. It was a blast and super awesome. I was a real competitive Fast And Furious speed freak. I was also drifting perfectly which was a surprise even for me as I was blazing around and have an incredible, adrenaline pumping time. It even influenced me to choose this as my birthday special but a couple days later since it's cheaper on Wednesdays. And on Monday this week, we exchanged birthday presents, I bought him 3 MARVElous FUNKO POPS of Vision - Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Yondu - Guardians Of The Galaxy and Lady Sif - Thor. And he bought me 3 Comicbooks from Reedcomics.com, Deadpool #1 and Superior Spider-Man #11-16  #22-26, love you bro!

 

As for my birthday, well I was spoiled with the company of Rebecca and her friends Emily and her bf Ryan for the week as they slept over and treated me out on the 5th for a meal at Sussex Barn. So on the 6th, I opened up all my cards and got some very nice presents from Rebecca (love her!) and some Heroes from my neighbours who are like grandparents. So we all went to town for a drink at Pret a Mangr and then popped into GAME where Em helped me get a good discount on some 3DS games. I had so much fun and a warm-hearted feeling responding to all 120+ Facebook Birthday Posts from the best people that I am honoured to be friends/ family with (I even said Hello to some people I hadn't heard from in a year or few).












I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off me, like I have been set free from a 8 month log stressful period of doubt and strict routines as well as getting so wound up over not jogging due to life and it's surprises. Don't get me wrong, I really am chuffed that I completed this mental challenge, the way I see it is it's like I finished the end of year exams, you know where you were worried in your head and took a deep breath before stepping forward and when you come back out, you feel like a whole new person and your at peace with many things.
Plus I've come a long way from 3Miles in October to now 8.5Miles by mid May and now I've done 11Miles.

I think the best thing about it now all being over is besides now knowing that I CAN do challenges like this and I am now even motivated and encouraged to par-take in future challenges even if they are lower or maybe even longer than this.
But also I feel like a changed man, like this whole experience was another mile stone in my life and has now allowed me to begin new activities and follow through crucial life plans now that this major event has been accomplished. Now I can get back into saving my money for a MacBook Pro and talk with my Mac tech friends about Apps and Software to look into and most of all begin re-learning the fun of IT and start moving towards my future career which seems to be in the Designing area such as Website Design hopefully someday.
Plus I can FINALLY begin all the main series that everyone's up-to-date with like Game Of Thrones, The Walking Dead, The 100, Arrow, Gotham, Breaking Bad, The Flash, Daredevil etc, to be honest, I already know briefly the main events in GOT thanks to the people from work but it doesn't mean I won't give up on watching these incredible series just because I'm behind or know spoilers already. If anything, I want to be able to talk to all my friends as well as not feel restricted. I hope to not become a "Cough Potato" but more of an up-to-date person on series, I wonder which ones Mum will join me on seeing as we are up-to-date already on Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D, Downton Abbey and The Tomorrow People (though that one got cancelled sadly).
Also I can now focus my time on signing up to an Online Dating Website so that I can get out there more and meet people in a better way and get to know them first before the first encounter because to me, chatting to people and seeing our mutual interests actually helps me break the first "barrier" and will be much easier to feel comfortable around, this will be interesting and someday I'll know the unbelievable joy of having and loving someone special in my life as well as the mind numbing pleasure of a kiss (I mean as in a girlfriend kiss not the kiss like last time).
Plus I can continue the rest of the year with no worries, sure I'll still jog here and then but not so strict on twice a week as it was tough to juggle between Gym and Jogging in the week alone these past 8 months, I quite enjoy the moment when it's happening just not the awkward judgement if I can do it on this day with the way things are going, I'll probably Jog once a week or two as I can still keep fit and maintain stamina slightly whilst doing Gym normally in the week.

So, what a post/ story, right?! I hope this has maybe even motivated people like me to look at themselves and believe that we can be so much more, we just need to find our inner potential whether it's for an intense activity or something else which requires courage and strength.