Hellooo out there....

Betcha all can see the dust bunnies roving. They'll have your knees off if you let 'em. then your ankles. oh yes.

So, what's up with moi? Well, me and the boyfriend bought a house. It's a got a gorgeous red room. It's like being in the womb. But bigger. And infinitely colder. Brrr. Double glazing is not to be under estimated. I massively failed at my Fast Stream attempt. Grrr. I will get it next year, I will, oh yes. I found out where to get lovely 60 pound bras from in Norwich. woot.
Oh and this Sunday sees me attempt a roast as a practcie session for Christmas.

If I work out how to link to other sites I shall.

The use of a blog

Still not quite sure what I should use this for. What thoughts to record. I have recently, well, in the last couple of months started to write a few notes down of each book I have read, including comics. But this is in a hardcopy notebook. Somehow I think those things are better in notebooks. And far less time consuming than logging on and getting sidetracked by the rest of the wub. But now I'm recording some thoughts elsewhere I begin to wonder what the point of this blog is?

Kal-El Cage

Nicholas Cage called his son Kal-El. I think that's pretty cool. Don't think Dan will let me name our kids after the Superman family.

Big blue boy scout

Well fuck me. Just been to the Superman movie. AWESOME. Amazing. I fell in love again. He's wonderful.

Brandon Routh does well. Not anywhere near Christopher Reeve (RIP) of course, but the boy done good. So Lois was shockingly awful. Where's the balls missis? The attitude? Bad casting. And her wet blanket fiancee. But, Lex was brilliantly done. They used Marlon Brando's speeches from the first movie. The references to C Reeves incarnation were well done. The kid was pretty cool. Jimmy Olsen! I like. Kitty, also great. Loving her. The action was superb. Not enough dialogue, but I guess that's a general problem with blockbusters nowadays. They kept the theme music!

I'm in love. I'm so excited. I'm quite damp.

This weekend has been great. Par-tay at Big Gy Tim's place Friday. Latitude on Saturday. Pati Smith - Amazing. Wonderful. Superb. Dancing Barefoot! Because the Night! Finishing with Gloria! Redondo Beach. Finally listened to her lyrics properly. Came out of that gig with palpitatiosn I tell ya. David Ford, ex of easyworld, pretty shit hot too. He got a standing ovation at the end of the set! British Sea Power - subdued audience, branches, and terrible sound mixing so you coudn't hear the vocals. But good nonetheless. Mojave 3 and Das Wanderlust and Findlay someone, also notable.

The boyfriend is asleep so can't wibble to him about the film. Gonna compare notes with blonde laura and my sister about it when they have seen it. Can't wait!

Arggghh

3 days into the month and I am cashless. 300 pounds left for the month and 4 weeks to go. Goddamit.

Filming in Norwich

The Movie Stardust, based on Neil Gaiman's book, is to be filmed in Norwich tomorrow!! ON Elm Hill, see here

Incidentally, I just found out why I am listening to Less than Jake. It's for one song, it's got the line 'You're paranoid at every sound' ending it. Love it.

Music and Mayhem

I met Ginger from the Wildhearts! And he signed my boob!! I went to go see Ginger and the Sonic Circus support Hanoi Rocks on Thursday at the Waterfront, (Ginger - ace, Hanoi Rocks - mullety). Me and my mates were about to leave at 10.30 cos Hanoi Rocks weren't our thing and we turned round and saw Ginger. so we trot over, I ask him to sign my boob, he obliges *beams*, and I talk for a few minutes and get very giddy and starstruck and he patted me on the head. I gave him a kiss on his cheek too. He's very bristley. He probably thinks I'm a freak now. I didn't wash for 2 days. Photo of the signature will be uploaded tomorrow.

I have also been on holiday with the lovely boyfriend where we went on lots of walks, well two but they lasted a long time, saw lots of horses and foals, and coo-beasties, got stuck in a bog, got lost, went to a crap reptile centre and ate a lot of food. and didn't kill each other, hurrah! despite my massive strop when I thought we were lost. We also met a lovely cat.

Currently listening to Less than Jake. I don't quite know why.

And another thing...

I have recently been reading some blogs talking about the role and presentation of women in comics. Now, being a big comic fan, and a big feminist this has set me to thinking.

I am not very good at automatically picking out the objectifying parts of the art work. I think this may be because my first reaction is oooh pretty woman, let's gaze in adoration. I usually pick things up on the second or third read if at all. Which is kinda sucky really.

Just re-read Superman: Birthright. Now, they have written a pretty good Lois in. She isn't made to look cheap, she loks like a professional adult woman. Hooray I hear you shout. But you also notice the depcition of Superman's birth mother. She lives in a very technologically advanced society. You presume they are socially advanced, have equality etc. Yet her outfit is tight around the bust and shows off half her boobs. They are the first thing you see.
Glad to see that in tomorrow's world women ares till nothing more than a set of boobs.

It was however refreshing to see a version of events which hold's that Superman's mother was the one pushing for his survival, his being sent away in the pod.

And don't get me started on Y the last man. Wonderfully written. Realistically written. Good characters. Yet none of the women seem to wear bras. Hmmmm. We need more women in comics.

*sigh*

funny that...

the biggest selling drugs are viagra and zovirax.


I found that out on yet another course work sent me on. It's nice to have real situations to apply the knowledge to. And I now am accredited to Managing Succesful Programmes Foundation level. woo-hooh!

I wish to buy some dorothy shoes. I fear I am becoming vacuous.

man, I want comments

I want to feel reaaaal popular. However, if you conisder the fact that I haven't told anyone about this blog, or at least the name and whereabouts of it, it is somewhat unlikely, hmmm?

or well. I have been plagued by ulcers. Well one anyway. But it's big and mean and ugly and was causing no end of grief. I hate the little sods. I have been getting them since I was about 11. When I would get so many I couldn't move my mouth to speak. Thankfully they are nowhere near that bad anymore. And bonjela does actually help. I have been thinking about possible causes of my ulcers and have come up with the following:
biting my lip (check), coca cola, toothpaste, acidic fruit, chemical sweets (check), stress (check),
hormonal changes caused by the bleed.

Some possible cures:
salt (no way in hell, salt water (check - sort of), bonjela, (again, a sort of check), calming down (check) and obvisouly stopping doign whatever is causing them.

Even changed my toothpaste to a lovely fennel one but I think it's still got the ingredient in it that can cause them. Arse.

Basically they can't be cured and I will suffer forever. Can't even kiss the boyfriend properly when I have them.

I'm going out...

in manchester. actually I went out. it was fun. Manchester is good. affleck's palace is really bizzare but I got a very good little gothic dress from there. i went to stay with a friend, we went out to a club and i got to wear leopard print and dance like a moron. all in all a fun night.

today shall be the death of capitals.

i have recently read:

was by geoff ryman
the child garden by geoff ryman

i am currently reading the anubis gates by tim powers. i hate detective time traveller novels. it's all very boring.

was is only slightly in the fantastical genre. very depressing. good tho. the child garden was a bit heavy going but reccomended. inspired me to get a copy of milton's paradise lost. tried reading that on the train but it wasn't working. anyway will read paradise lost next.

have been outbid on a bunch of thundercats comics on ebay. don't think i really wanted them anyway.

now off to talk to the boyfriend in the bath. rowr.

I have been consuming...

Quite a lot actually. Recently I have:

• Watched the first half of Buffy Season 6, and put in a bid for the second half on ebay.
• Finished reading Duncton Wood. It wasn't very good. Bit turgid.
• Started reading Terry Brooks' The Sword of Shannara but got utterly disillusioned by the utterly cliched and predictable start. It may be a masterpiece, but quite frankly I can't be arsed. Why is so much fantasy so unimaginative?
• Went and bought Ursula Le Guin's The Lathe Of Heaven and The Child Garden by Geoff Ryman. I read The Lathe of Heaven this afternoon. It was excellent, as Ms Le Guin's books always are. I have high hopes for The Child Garden.
• I have recently received or obtained GirlsVsBoys Series 7 soundtrack, a Ben E King compilation and a Gladys KNight and the Pips compilation. All are good.

I have decided that way forward to get my fantasy and sf fix is to read the masterworks series. And to get more shelf space. And a spinny CD rack thing.

Feminism

I am proud to be a feminist. I do not understand why women do not call themselves feminists, or think it's a dirty word. These are otherwise strong successful women who would have a fit if they were being denied something because of their sex. It is very strange to me.

I dislike the words whore, slut and slag. Most of the time these seem to be used to desribe a woman who is wearing revealing clothes. So people assume she sleeps around. How does that work? It aims to defines women by their sexual, for lack of a better word, function. And it makes me very uncomfortable. Much like the casual racism around in Norfolk. Why do people whisper the word black? It's very odd.
Back to the offending words. Why is it so bad for women to enjoy sex? Or make their living by it? There aren't equivalent words for men who go to prostitues. And if a man who sleeps around is called a slag, or slut, that word appears to feminise him and becomes an insult because it implies he is less than male. Because it's such a terrible thing to be female.

The world has not moved on, women's rights issues are not high on the agenda and women don't appear to care. The government (finally) starts an anti-rape campaign and all the media says is that the images are tacky. I know these subjects have been covered before but they are still important and seem to be forgotten about far too readily.

Anyway, this is an excellent website:

http://www.feministing.com/

I can't really think of any other issues I wish to raise at the moment.

I Like...

getting my back scratched. It's heaven.

The art of dressing up

I like dressing up. Whether it be in daft fancy dress or just making an effort ins oem way. It makes clothes fun and I enjoy that.

I am going to a fancy dress party on Saturday, I am probably going to go as Kat Slater. Mostly becasue the theme is TV and film people and I can't think of anyone else to go as. At least, not any that aren't expensive. Of course, this plan may be scuppered due to my hair. My hair which is long enough to tuck into my pants (i'm so proud!) but which is unfortunately a bit long for dear old Kat.

I am now off to see if it is possible to plait sections of my hair then pin it to my head, then I can get a wig. If this doesn't work, I shall hire a crap costume, or go as a pink lady. Then I cna wear my pink lady shoes which will make me happy. :)

Damn stupid long hair. Maybe I could go as the alternative Rizzo.

Procrastination

Is a wonderful thing. I am currently farting about the computer when I should be doing work for a sign presentation. Amongst other more boring things.

Some things I hate:

• Slugs. Evil harbingers of death
• Not being able to say no when I have had a few too many
• The utter coldness of this house
• Pushy pr*cks trying to sell me telephone line rental or some such nonsense
• The fact that my bike's brake pads need replacing every couple of months
• Feeling rushed
• Not having enough time or energy for sex
• Feeling very unfit and full of pie

Some things I love:

• Sex
• My boyfriend
• Nuzzling
• That feeling you get when you have read a fantasy series or watched a fantasy series and you know you are utterly immersed in that particular world
• The smell of freshly cut grass and Spring
• My bonsais
• Cooking
• Learning
• Pretty things

Spring is in the air...

doody doody doody dooo....

This weekend I saw my first bees and my first ladybirds of the year!!! The snowdrops in the garden are coming out, I have been reliably informed that the other plants poking their way through are crocuses and the daffidils have shot up over 4 days. Hooray for the sun and light! I have come to loathe winter. It has seemed to go on for so long this year.

In other news, I watched the entire season 7 of Buffy in about 3 days. Yesterday I spent my annual leave in the house with the curtain drawn watching the the second half of the season. I feel it was time well spent. Then when I went to bed I had dreams about the Buffy Universe - I believe Spike was invovled. Hell, Spike's always involved in my Buffy dreams. Mmmmmm, Spike *drool*
I can't help it I'm like a 14 year old in the throes of her first celebrity crush. He is lush. Evil vampire Willow is also rather hot.

I enjoyed my birthday in a non stress free environment, mostly. Went for a long walk round the University Broad, got very happy about the birds and yet more signs of the onset of Spring. Thank you Demeter. Watch more Buffy in the evening and then Serenity. Joss Whedon is wonderful.

Monday, went into town and the boyfriend bought me presents. Yay. Went to the Fat Cat in the evening and got a bit drunk on various fine beers.

Have started reading the Robin Hobb book, it is full of enjoyment. Although why do most fantasy books revolve around men? Why can't someone right a fantasy book with a lead woman? Doing the same things the man does. Bring on the equality. Please.

Am currently listenign to The New Pornographers, they are soothing my soul. Pity about the ugly name.

And this week I have read....*

- Copious real paper copies of The Guardian
- A bit of The New Scientist
- This months Diva - thankfully no articles on self abuse complete with scary pictures this time, and thanks to the people who write in critiquing the coverage.
- Glamour magazine (I needed fluff ok?)

I am about to start reading a Robin Hobb book purchased for me by the boyfriend at Christmas. I shall enjoy the time spent being able to read it this week.

I haven't read anything since Primo Levi, (I think). It gave me nightmares. Bring on the fluff.

*One of the reasons I wanted a blog was to record that which I was reading. So I shall commence with the logging. Hopefully I won't dream of my training course tonight.

Bras bras bras

It's hard being female. At least, it's hard getting bras that fit. I have pranced around for about 5 months in one with the cup size far too small becasue I couldn't face another attempt at getting fitted I bought some from Bravissimo. The new ones cup size were too small. I tried the next size. The next size up was too big. I sent them all back in a strop. I went into Jarrolds last week. I was fitted by a lovely lady and it appeared to be a success - cups possibly a hlaf size too big but the next size down would be too small. What's a girl to do?
Within a week I have had to fasten thte bra up to the tightest bit on the back and tonight the boyfriend mentioend I might be going south a bit. Thanks boyfriend. Queue much hoisting up of the straps. Yes I KNOW you are not meant to do that but if someone can get me a bra where it is a success all round I'll be happy. Stupid boobs. It would help if they were the same size of course. grrr.

In other news, I got back today from my training course in London. Happily I have passed the first half of the course, we shall have to wait and see about the second half. I am not sure how much hope I hold out.
I met with a couple of uni friends, ate out every night, ate terrible lunch every day, have put on about 5 lbs due to the lack of exercise and too much food, (I know I know I don't help myself), decided that maybe London isn't so horrible and got thoroughly fed up with obnoxious people on the tube and in restuarants.
Hello stomach, thought I would be seeing the back of you but no such joy.
Also - obtained lots of free clothes from said friends and a black furry jacket from the same. Now I can be furry with everything!
Have made resolution to go out on bike ride lots over next week.
Have decided cannot face eating out on Sunday, so god knows what sort of a birthday this will be.
Toodles.

Clumsy

I don't know how I do it. I really don't. Whilst getting changed in the toilets today - not so weird as it sounds, it was at work and I need to change my trews so I can bike home - I managed to scrape my knee on the toilet roll dispenser. How??? It's not as if I'm gangly, I'm 5 foot 3. Enough for the 6 foot 2 boyfriend to call me stumpy. (It's an endearment, really). I am short stuff.

Example number 2: Instead of bypassing the boyfriend on the stairs in a graceful, elgant manner I managed to twat his knee/leg. Ho do I manage?

Example number 3: I have been riding my bike since last August. That's 7 and half months of near daily bike riding. I constantly have scrapes and bruises on my ankles and shins from where I knock myself on the pedals.

Maybe it's a leg thing?

Angry angry angry

The government want to decrease rail terms for rapists. Strictly speaking it's the Sentencing Guidelines Council. Why is this? Apparently the prison regime is now more demanding. They want to set out grounds where 'mitigating circumstances' will be taken into account. So if you have had sex with the woman before then it's ok to rape her later. They also want those convicted of domestic violence to 'escape jail terms'. Because going on a course will help them. Of course! Why didn't we think of that before? Systmatically beating your wife/girlfriend partner for months or years doesn't deserve punishment, just send them on a course telling them to be nicer and they shall change their ways.

Morons. How are you going to protect the women? How are you going to encourage rape and domestic violence victims to come forth and bring a conviction? Rape and violence are serious crimes, the issue needs to be highlighted across the country and respect for women should be taught from the first day of school. It is never acceptable and it's not ok.

I am quite frankly disgusted. I suspect I'm too angry to write coherently so shall just provide a link to the article:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1729136,00.html

They put the arguments across far better than I. And while I am aware that the media spin stories how they wish and we can't get the truth unless we read the report ourselves, I don't think the guardian are far off. Bet ya a dollar this council is full of men.

On a related note, why does this esteemed publication write jail instead of gaol?

In local news, the mental health charity rethink has put up aa statue of Churchill in a straitjacket to highlight that even the great and the good suffer from mental health problems, and it shouldn't be stigmatised. Unsurprisingly that paragon of wisdom Anne Widdecombe has a few words to say on that matter. 'It's very offensive' being the general train of thought if I recall correctly. I don't think the critics are quite getting the message, that statue is not criticising Churchill, merely showing him as he was at some points in his life. You can be ill and lead a country you know. Us depressed people are not freaks. Anyway, full story here:
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED11%20Mar%202006%2013%3A16%3A04%3A170

The sweet sound of hard consonants and soft signs

It's that time of the week again. Just back from my Russian class. For once it didn't go too horribly; I even came back remembering some words. Remember kids:
Word order is not fixed in russian.
There is no generic word for food.
How your teacher spells a word and how your dictionary spells a word may not be the same. Inexplicably, both seem to be correct.

I seem to have found the verb endings a wee bit easier and there wasn't an oh god I just want to cry at the hopelessness of it all moment. Yay me. And I found out what British Sign Language was in Russian. In case you want to know:

Britaneskii znakovi yazik

Wish I had a Russian alphabet keyboard.

Other good things:
Good day at work - my ideas for alterations to a document seemed to be well received by my boss.
The tosser has only 2 days to go. (Or is it one?)
It is Spring!!! It's rainy, Spring rainy not about-to-turn-into-hail-and-snow-rainy and it's definitely getting warmer, and it's light till about 6 now. Roll on the Spring. God I need some natural light again.

Shiny and new

I have a blog. To record meanderings. It will probably make me feel horribly self conscious so don't expect many updates or anything. Who am I talking to? I'm not telling anyone I have this!