Nothing is Perfect Born

I owe my livejournal a couple of updates, I've decided:
Namely a pre Bloodstock entry
A Bloodstock entry
And a Post Bloodstock entry.

These probably will happen at some time soon, but I've decided for now to push this aside for a bit of a BOOK entry - cos books are cool, innit!?

I've been reading lots, because its the summer holidays and I can actually take the time to enjoy what I'm reading. Not that I don't enjoy what I read academically for university but I seem to devour my 'fun' (that is, unrequired reading) reading at a far greater speed for the most part.

First I suppose its worth mentioning I reccently read Donna Tart's "The Secret Histories" which is such an incredibly crafted, and beautifully decadent book that its made its way into my top reads. Something about the academic elitism, the darkening tone, the very physical wealthy descriptions all combined to make this book absolutely delicious to me to the extent that I regretted having made plans which required me to leave it behind, goodness me.

Something else which entertained me was ,Richard, the narrator's subsequent change at the end of the novel, in his major from classics to English literature:

"I spent all my time in the library, reading the Jacobean dramatists. Webster and Middleton, Tourneur and Ford. It was an obscure specialisation, but the candlelit and treacherous universe in which they moved - of sin unpunished, of innocence destroyed - was one I found appealing. Even the titles of their plays were strangely seductive, trapdoors to something beautiful and wicked that trickled beneath the surface of morality."

I think this is beautifully phrased, and I approve of his choice of subject, even though Richard himself probably has more reason than me to be entranced by the ambiguity of morality.

I've also reccently finished reading "The Girls" by Lori Lansens, a fictional autobiography of conjoined twins, a book I purchased a few years back because I thought it had a pretty cover but which did not quite live up to my cover based expectations.

I've also read "The Time Traveller's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger which is a deliciously addictive read that I was unwilling to part with. Although fairly predictable in part its a very romantic love story with a time travel twist, but incredibly well written and very enjoyable.

Finally, the book I am currently reading, "The End of Mr Y" by Scarlett Thomas. This is another novel based in academia, but this time in a UK university which, in every description appeared to me to sound more and more like the University of Kent, 1960s uni, complete from its descriptions of colleges and college bars (The "decrepit little bar in Russell building" with stained sofas sounding unaccountably like old Rutherford bar) even the ring road round the city and the view of the Cathedral from campus which disapears in bad weather.

Finally the similarities became to great to ignore and I found myself learning (with no great surprise) that Scarlett Thomas is a lecturer in English and Creative Writing at The University of Kent, which is quite cool - another one to add to the list of UKC authors I've read along with Sarah Waters, David Mitchell and Kazuo Ishiguro.

The book itself is fairly interesting, I'm not so far into it to know how it will go entirely, it certainly doesn't appear to be quite so well crafted as "The Secret Histories" but it is intriging. I'm enjoying all the academic references (as I tend to in fiction, I feel pleased when I know of whom they are talking about and often intrigued if I don't. Books like this make me want to be a general genius and know-it-all - not that this could ever happen. University Challenge makes me feel the same way too!).

Funnily the narrator, Ariel, at one point spends her final fifty pounds (on books of course) and is left to survive 3 weeks on five pounds. When I returned from Bloodstock to Canterbury I found myself left with only 3 pounds, completely bare cupboards and no petrol. Whilst I somehow managed to buy enough food for a couple of days with this (and like Ariel, almost found the attempt exciting) I was very pleased when I managed to get my overdraft extended and actually buy some real food.

Anyway, as interesting as the book is and as much as I could talk on - I must now depart for bed. I'm working on the phonelines during Clearing and tomorrow A level results are in so the phonelines will be INSANE with panicking students checking their places, or applying for new ones and I shall have to deal with it. Still 9.40 an hour makes it worthwhile (I hope) but I wish I got paid before the end of September!

Night x

As planned I set out for Stratford-Upon-Avon not long after 12 o'clock yesterday. Surprisingly the journey was much quicker than expected, I'd never realised how close Stratford was before. Once I'd parked my car, I gave Andy (my seminar leader at uni) a call, and he came and met me outside the Shakespeare Institute.


Woo! Road trippin

We went for a coffee in a cafe next door, and then went back into the Institute as Andy had arranged for the secretary to give me a tour around the building - which was stunning. As a converted house there was wood panneling and fireplaces in all the rooms.



The idea of studying my MA at The Shakespeare Institute (part of Birmingham University) gives me mixed feelings, as mentioned the area is absolutely gorgeous, and the institute would be great place to learn particularly since it is so specialised. But at the same time it is very small and a very close knit community, and Stratford itself is also very small, and as Andy mentioned filled mainly with tourists and pensioners so also quite expensive without a lot (beyond the educational faciliaties) to offer. The MA course too seems perhaps too Shakespeare orientated - as would be expected from the Shakespeare institute I suppose - when I am more interested in learning of the contempories. Funnily the staff there specialise more in the contempories but the MA students that come to learn there are more into Shakespeare.

Anyway after this it was about 3.30 so I left Andy to his work, and I went to explore Stratford, particularly some old bookstores. I had a bit of a wonder round, whilst waiting for my friend Charlie to arrive. I ended up paying entrance for some Tudor World Experience tourist attraction which kept me entertained for a while.




'sup Shakespeare

As I was heading back up to the Shakespeare Institute I passed a free Bible Exhibition, and curiosity drew me in through the door.




Bug bible: "This translation is called the bug bible. In Psalm 91:5 the Authorised bible says 'Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror of the night'. This bible translated that as 'Be not afraid for any bugges by night'.


Wycliffe bible

Had a look around there, then went back to the Shakespeare Institute where I spent about half an hour looking around there library. A library of books on Shakespeare and his contempories. It was awesome.

By this point Charlie had arrived in Stratford so we met up and grabbed some dinner, before walking down to the RSC theatre to get out tickets from the box office and had a glass of wine.

Then it was time to see "The Winter's Tale" a play I've never read, and the only thing I could recollect about was the famous "Exit: pursued by a bear". Andy had managed to get us tickets for just five pounds despite the fact it was sold out, I was a bit apprehensive that they might be bad, but we were on the balcony and could see very well.


Stage (taken sneakily before the play started)

The play was actually really good, it seemed to rely quite heavily on props and set which I hadn't been entirely prepared for but the giant book cases which fell in the storm, scattering books and pages which remained on stage for the rest of the play was fantastic. As was the bear, who emerged from between the book cases made of books and paper and glowing eyes, before eating poor Antigonus. There was a strange imagery running through the play with the books; the trees that later appeared where covered not in leaves but in pages from books, and a strange dance performed by, what we thought was meant to be soldiers but what looked more like sheep as the dancers too were covered entirely in pages with books tied to their heads.

The first half of the play too seemed almost tragic, whilst the second half far more comedic and in places very funny, which suggests its hard to place. One of the annoying things about it was (and this is with the play itself, not the direction), the ambiguity about Hermione and whether the statue comes to life (improbable, but not imposible given the classical setting) or whether she was just kept hidden for sixteen years (more likely, but curious why she would do this).

All in all though, a very fun day although it could have ended in disaster as I nearly ran out of petrol on the motorway as I was driving home. eeek.

Woo! My! Birthday! Today! AHH!

Got a charming text from Caroline:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
You are old...
Officially a legal drunkard in America right now...
9 Years off 30
And Closer to 40 than Birth.
HAHAHA
(will be joining you in 10 short months)

Some rather terrifying food for thought right there.

Birthday so far ok! Visited grandparents - got gorgeous 3 colour gold plaited necklace. Went to gym with Rachel. Came home and am preparing for party tonight - just opened presents from parents!

From my mum, nintendo wii console (woop!), lovely gold bangle, a clock from Octopus, some charms for my charm braclet, new gucci perfume, wagamamas cookbook, cake design book, pretty smelling stuff from Lush. From my dad - cheque for 2,000 pounds. Holy Crapsticks, money is intended for my savings and helping me fund my MA. But still bloooody awesome and most good!! Jesus Christ, I am so spoilt. I love being an only child. But its all down hill from now. Don't think I'll be so fortunate ever again. ;)

But on a most negative note, today my dad's goddaughter Katy died. Aged 18, in a car crash. She lives in South Africa and I haven't seen her since I was last over there when I was 9, but she was a good friend of mine when we lived out there and its very tragic. She was very arty, even as a five year old, and we used to make pictures together and play together at braais and things. Can't imagine how her family are coping.

But now I'm off to get ready for the party! Toodlepips x

Tomorrow I turn 21. This isn't particularly significant except that it means I can now drink alchol in every country (except for dry countries). We are having a bit of a huge family party, my mum got carried away and has invited family members I've only met a handful of times in my life. She seems to view 21 as a rather huge event, I'm not so concerned especially since I already had my party at uni. All the same, looking forward to the presents!!

Thats about it really.

My laptop is dying. Bits of plastic are breaking off now, to match the broken wireless. I really need to buy a new one. Hmmm.

Canterbury was good. A bit quiet because there went that many people around, although on Wednesday Megan and I had a BBQ at our house which was awesome fun. We attempted to round up who we could, and ended up with Mitch, Jon Beer, Paul, Katy, Mark, Ciaron and Ben someone round for what turned into a bit of a mini party. I got incredibly drunk and really rather stoned but it was such a fun night, and really lovely to see everyone again after so long.

On the Wednesday I also had a job interview for a temp position working on the phonelines for the Clearing applications to UKC next month. Today I found out that I got it, six days work with the possibility of more work the week after, and the best bit? I'll be earning £9.40 an hour which means I'll earn enough to get out my overdraft in just one week (unless I end up spending ridiculous amounts beforehand).

The downside is that the work starts at 9.30 on 17th August - the very day after Bloodstock. It means I'll have to leave Bloodstock on the Sunday, and quite possibly have to miss the last band (Europe) or two which would be annoying, but nevermind. Moneeey.

I've been back home since Friday, my mum has gone on a crazy painting frenzy round the house so I've been helping out. Yesterday it was her birthday.

On Friday it is my birthday. 21. It doesn't actually sound very old. Probably because it isn't, but also partly because, since my party in June I already feel like I am 21, and when asked did tell someone I was. Any money I get will have to go into my savings, which might aswell be named Money You Will Never Get To Spend On Fun Stuff Because You Foolishly Decided You Want To Do A Masters.

On that note on Monday me and my friend Charlie are going to Stratford Upon Avon to watch the RSC production of The Winter's Tale which ought to be awesome. Also randomly meeting my ex-seminar leader Andy there (he got the tickets for us, discounted for a soldout show wooop) who has offered to show me around the Shakespeare Instiute there.

It ought to be interesting, as its a chance to take a look at the MA courses they offer, although I'm kind of uninspired by the course descriptions online but being there in person may change my mind. I'm trying to keep my mind open, but currently I do feel so settled on the idea of doing the Shakespearean Studies at King's College (/The Globe) although it would probably work out a lot cheaper to not study in London.

And on the subject of the Globe - Lara & Clare, I'm pretty sure all the performances at The Globe are sold out whilst you're in London, but we can still go take a look around it on the 11th if you want? And then find some other cool stuff to do for the rest of the day?

In my last entry I mentioned the amazing weather we've been having recently. I think I jinxed it. The past few days has been rain, rain, rain. How typically English of me to discuss the weather, but its unfortunate as Rachel and I were planning to meet for another game of tennis this morning. I think instead we may head into Windsor.

Well, in my last entry I didn't get far beyond mentioning my Myths and Legends party. After this I stayed in Canterbury for another week or too, but I've now been back home in Berkshire for just over 2 weeks.

Home is... home. Rather tedius and dull in many ways, but at least a lot cheaper and with free meals, woo. First week I was back, I spent it sanding down the woodwork and cleaning the walls in my very yellow-and-blue-ten-yr-old bedroom, and painting it. Its all very, very white now, with the same pine furniture although reccently I did persuade my parents to buy me a double bed. I'm still in dire need to buying curtains and duvet covers and things, I haven't quite decided on a colour theme but I'm going to have a look round Canterbury when I head back there in a few days.

Have been job hunting although probably not as much as I ought. I went for an interview for an admin role at a pest control company the other day. Horrible place in the middle of Slough but it did pay rather well. Bit dissapointed not to have heard anything back, but in a way relieved because 40 hrs a week is a bit much. I am however working 2 nights next week at the Venue on campus during graduation so it gives me a deffinite reason to go back.

I've been on a bit of a health kick since I've been home aswell, which is only a good thing. Got temporary mebership back at my gym so been going there pretty much every day to work out and/ or swim (and use the sauna hee) on top of various things like tennis. Went for a walk with Simran around Windsor great park the other day, and we managed to get lost, walking about 7 miles in total.

Other thing I've been really enjoying reccently has been being able to read. Just reading for fun is something I dont have time to do at uni so I've been getting through quite a lot now. I finally read Labyrinth by Kate Mosse the other day, and managed to find the sequel Sepulchre for 50p at a car boot on Sunday. I do however have to read through a lot of Middleton plays for my dissertation aswell as it will save me A LOT of time over the term if I do.

And finally, last monday my university results arrived in the post. Was quite a surprise as I was not expecting them until this monday, and I was not especially pleased. Especially with my exam results for the Shakespeare Tragedies which at 57% happens to be the lowest mark I've got since coming to university in what can only be my favourite module. In fact, as expected all my exam marks seem to have dragged down my overall marks, except for in Medieval and Tudor literature which was the exam I was most worried about and yet managed to do rather well.

Anyway, my marks for 2nd year:

Shakespeare and his contemporaries I: Comedies
Essay 1 [20%] – 68%
Essay 2 [20%] – 70%
Seminar Performance [10%] – 85%
Exam [50%] – 64%
OVERALL MODULE MARK – 68%

Shakespeare and his contemporaries II: Tragedies
Essay 1 [20%] – 67%
Essay 2 [20%] – 70%
Seminar Performance [10%] – 80%
Exam [50%] – 57%
OVERALL MODULE MARK – 64%

Medieval and Tudor Literature
Essay 1 [20%] – 68%
Essay 2 [20%] – 68%
Seminar Performance [10%] – 68%
Exam [50%] – 67%
OVERALL MODULE MARK – 68%

Early Modern Literature
Essay 1 [20%] – 68%
Essay 2 [20%] – 67%
Seminar Performance [10%] – 67%
Exam [50%] – 62%
OVERALL MODULE MARK – 65%

I ended up completing 2nd year with an average of 66% which all things considered is a fairly good mark, but because my coursework marks had been rather high I couldn't help but want a higher mark. Even one percent would have been an improvement, but was just annoying averaging lower than my lowest coursework score. BUT nevermind, 66% is not bad as it is higher than the 65% I need to do the MA I want, and with next year to make improvements.

Hi livejournal! I'm alive, woo! I thought you might like to know this since you haven't actually heard anything from me since the end of April.

Its summer now, both in the sense that uni term has finished (quite a while ago actually) and in terms of the weather which has been pretty incredible reccently. Consider that they have only had to use the new roof over centre court at Wimbledon once in the past few weeks. Thats pretty incredible weather for England, in fact earlier in the week Rachel and I went to play a game of tennis and I managed to get rather burnt in like an hour. Shocking.

Anyway, in terms of general stuff thats happened in the past few months. April mostly was Easter holidays, for which I was at home for a while and not very much interesting happened that I can recall, and then I headed back to Canterbury for some joyous revision time. Before the holidays ended I took another journey, and went to visit daughteroflight in Southampton and to see Nya play there which was rather lovely. Back home for a few days, in which time I went to see a production of A Midsummer Nights Dream in Newbury acted by Propeller, an all male cast. Was a spectacular performance and I really enjoyed it.

Back to Canterbury and on the 11th May the summer term kick started at uni with my first exam. By the 19th May all 4 exams were out the way, and I remained in Canterbury to enjoy some free time with friends (and hunt unsuccessfully for a job). A term of many, many BBQs and a couple of memorable days including beach trip to Whitstable with my housemates, Keynestock, Artefest, Wine and Cheese night, Nya performing in Canterbury, Eurovision, and not to mention, my 21st birthday party (although I should mention my ACTUAL 21st birthday isn't until the 31st July).

My birthday party was pretty awesome. The theme was "A 21st Midsummer Night's Party - A night of Myths and Legends." People came in some fantastic costumes, and we decorated our house like a summer forest. I made an Isis costume which was a bit of a last minute descision and my housemate Anna made me an AWESOME castle birthday cake.

I'll share a few photos behind a cut to bring this entry to an end:

( Myths and Legends within )

I know I'm no longer so regular in my livejournal posts as I once was, but its hard to believe I've had this livejournal since the end of 2003.

I've met some fantastic people over livejournal, however the first person I met was Lucy palodelvampiro who I met way back in 2004 when we were both going to see Red Hot Chili Peppers at Hyde Park. I didn't actually meet Lucy in person until January 2006 when I was going to see Dragonforce, Sabaton and Edguy with Erin.

Next would have been Maaike, snowonyourlips although that was a long time ago when she was known as afterforever__. Not long afterwards in 2005 I met Izzy daughteroflight and through her Miss Erin kewen who I first met in person at the nightwish gig ^^. I met Izzy later that year when Erin and I went to Bloodstock, where we all briefly met the Seasons-enders like alphanomical and wabe. the_opheliac must have been around then too! Some time in 2006 I think, sancta_terra added me also.

Everyone else came a bit later, but I've made some great friends through out the years. I've met quite a lot of my livejournal friends in real life too which is fantastic, even some lovely ones whilst I was in Australia over Christmas. In fact, I'm going to stay with Izzy in Southampton next week to see Nya!

So a big big thanks to livejournal for the chance to meet such lovely friends, and to you guys for being part of my life. (/cheese)

It may be a strange way to break the silence; posting a crisp advert on my blog, but everytime I see this advert it makes me feel happy. I love the quirky video and song. So, after a bit of a google quest I found the band The Mostar Diving Club, the song is The Honey Tree, and they are a little bit fab and summery.

Livejournal has become only fun to update when I have essays due...

But currently there is a rather giant hole in my bedroom ceiling, and our shower is out of action for the present.

Fortunately I'd moved my desk and none of my stuff was damaged by the down pour of water, but all the same am missing the environment of my bedroom for sleeping and essay writing. Now spending more time than ever in the library, but I am hopeful that soon the ceiling and shower shall soon be remedied, the sofa isn't all that comfy.

In other news, I'm getting a bit fed up of Canterbury and glad there is only 9 or so days till my essay deadlines and I can get away for a little while to head home and see some friends over the Easter holidays.

Everything has become rather bitchy here, and whilst I'm certainly partaking in this its getting a little annoying the amount of people that have taken to coming and bitching to me, although in one case I'm glad that someone has taken to bitching to me as it shows they trust me and subsequently I feel we've got closer.

I think I just need a bit of time away to freshen my brain before heading back for revision and exam mania, because at present its getting to the stage where I don't really feel like socialising that much. There was a Rock Soc Prate Night on Friday, which wasn't particularly great tbh, but I didn't even feel like going and spent the earlier part of the evening working in the library.

I'm also off of alcohol a bit since the Friday before last I managed to get utterly destroyed at a random houseparty spent the next day incapacitated by a hangover, and accompanied by a bucket. How pleasant. Even worse then was that the following day was my housemate Jess' bday house party and so I had to dress up and socialise when I felt more like curling up in hibernation. On the Sunday however I did join Katy and Paul for Part I of our epicly planned Star Wars marathon, which was taking place because shockingly neither Katy or myself have ever seen Star Wars, and watched episodes IV, V and VI. Funny since the Sunday before I somehow ended up watching large amounts of Star Trek with Alley and Mark, whilst Alley and I baked a cake. I feel I am being educated in the Ways of Geekdom.

Since John has updated his livejournal, so will I.

I'm currently reading through two books (The Expense of Spirit: Love and Sexuality in English Renaissance Drama and Erotic Politics: Desire on the Renaissance Stage, heh) for the essay I'm currently planning:

"Examine the importance of the regal or ducal court for tragedy. Answer in relation to any two plays."

Its a really interesting question, and I'll be exploring the idea of corruption within the two plays. I'm attempting to choose an Elizabethan play, and a Jacobean or Caroline play, to compare how the idea of corruption (particularly corruption through sexuality) changes over time and contextual reasons as to why this may be.

The biggest problem I face is choosing WHICH plays, I want to write on. There are so many perfect plays for this answer and I only get to choose two, at the moment I'm toying with Marlowe's Edward II, with references to Shakespeare's Julius Ceaser and Hamlet, compared against The Duchess of Malfi with reference to The Revenger's Tragedy, Anthony and Cleopatra and so many more. Gah.

Unfortunately whilst I'm still struggling to decide which plays, the two books I mentioned above, both 24 hr loans from the library are being recalled at 4pm so I have about 3 hours to read the bits I think are going to be relevant for the plays I haven't decided on. Then I'll probably have to spend a fortune on photocopying.

This post was going to consist of a lot more stuff, and a bit less geeky talk but I've just realised how little time there is, so I'm off to read now. Maybe I'll update sometime soon about some life stuff. Maybe.

I haven’t been updating my livejournal as meticulously as I might have, recently for whatever reasons. I’m still well and alive though, which is an essentially good thing to report. The essays of my last entry are all complete, although I did have to cave and ask Andy for an extension but felt fairly justified in doing so since my tonsils swelled up and I was rather sick over that weekend, I seem to always get sick in essay week, due to stress undoubtedly.

Consequently I did not end up going to Alley’s party – or in fact really go beyond the vicinity of home, seminars and the library for the next week until the essay was completely done and handed in, except briefly to a course related showing of The Revengers Tragedy (a film made of the Jacobean tragedy by Middleton but which was based in post apocalyptic Liverpool which was amazing!) and also a to see a performance of Medea at the uni theatre (which was okay, albeit a bit dull).

Since then I’ve been out a couple of times, along to Woodys last Friday to see Black Sun Down, then on Wednesday to the Cart and then saw Black Sun Down perform at The Foundry, and finally on Friday to here Andy (seminar leader of above) giving another lecture on Lyly for the English Society, ending with a few cocktails (I drank the ‘Silly Lyly’ hah) before heading to the Rock Society’s Love Music Hate Racism night in k-bar which was good fun, with music from Castro Disco, Tim & Adam (improvising Black Sun Down with various stand in band members to replace a missing band), and Soliss. However there is a severe monetary shortage at the moment which is not good, and I can’t really go out much, probably not helped by the £40 I spent on amazon buying The Watchmen graphic novel, Spaced series 1&2, The Revengers Tragedy and a couple of other cheap Shakespeare films (for revision).

I decided to come home to Berkshire on Saturday since my mum is busy next weekend (mother’s day) and it was coincidental that Caroline too was home from uni, on behalf of her dad’s birthday so I went round to hers before arriving home for a bit of a catchup session. This weekend, however, has been surprisingly quite pleasant with no silly arguments between me and my mother, we’ve had some nice chats, as well as visiting my grandparents who are not so well (being at the grand ages of 86 and 87) and my cousin Chris and his baby Adam who is now 6 months old and has the most adorable crop of spikey hair. I’m about to drive back to Canterbury any second now, but felt slightly compelled to update livejournal before I went.

Today is the first day in which I can choose my modules for 3rd year. I’m quite anxious to choose something I want to do, of the core modules I think I will be doing early 18th century literature followed by Modernism – both sounding the most interesting of the 4 choices. As for special modules, the choice is far harder – being absolutely in love with the Shakespeare and his Contemporary modules I’m doing at the moment I’ve decided I definitely want to take “Devils, Whores and Deceit: the Dramatic Repertoire of the Prince Charles' Men (c. 1610-2)” which is taken by Marion who I believe is meant to be very good. This leaves only a module to choose for next year’s spring term and after a lot of thought I’ve narrowed this down to either “Literature of Terror” which is basically Victorian horror like Dorian Grey and Dracula and does sound rather fabulous, or otherwise writing the long essay, basically a dissertation, which I think I would like to write on Middleton but I have no idea whether I would be capable of actually doing a dissertation or my inability to work for deadlines would handicap me and mess up my degree, and also how even to choose what question to write on??

I’m currently working at a high 2:1 overall, managing to get 68% on 4 of my essays (something I shall be discussing tomorrow with my seminar leader Rosanna, how to push this into the region of 1st class) and 1, 70% plus then a 68% and an 85% on seminar performance from last term. I’m aware that I normally tend to drop a few marks in exams and I’m currently waiting back for my last essay (on the idea of early modern plays emphasizing their own theatricality) from Andy, after which I have just 2 more to write this term and then those dreaded exams… Basically I really want to finish my degree with a first, whether or not this is a bit ambitious it is at least giving me a reason to work and I very much hope, perhaps stopping me be so careless about being so last minute with all my work, in which case the idea of doing a dissertation would be beneficial especially if I then did go on to do an MA since I’d have developed individual research more, but then again perhaps my chances of getting a better mark are with the taught modules so arghhhh… I’m still not sure.

What better way to put off writing your presentations for 9am tomorrow than by playing Simcity 3000 (haha yes I am that cool)? And once you've finally conquered that then there is of course facebook and msn. And once quoting the lyrics to The Lion King over msn grows old then you can always find facebook for having interesting conversations like this:

Joseph:
Gutted
Not bad
I finished my book and drank all the wine
Hooray!
Jessica:
haha this is indeed good!
And harnessed the power of cats
Joseph:
yep
Well you say power
Jessica:
ok well maybe not the strongest of creatures but at least you'll always land the right way up
Joseph:
haha
Will they make my sledge land the right way up do you think?
Jessica:
Hopefully!
Joseph:
Well if I get enough cats I could make them go off jumps and i'd never crash
I'd be like evil canevil
But without the dying part
Or crashing
Jessica:
What way do you reckon a cat would land if you tied a piece of buttered bread to its back?
DO you reckon it would just defy gravity?
Joseph:
HAHAHAHA
that's the best dilema i've ever heard
Jessica:
I'm still waiting for an answer. It was my FB status a while ago but I've not yet tried it out
Joseph:
it'll land sideways
That way cat and toast are safe from the perils of the err floor
Jessica:
but would it?
Joseph
Err i dunno i'll but the toaster on
Jessica:
haha
I just hope they will spin exponentially
Stuck for eternity in a bready, catty catherine wheel
Joseph:
that would be amazing
And they'd never land

There is so much snow. I wanted to organise a snow picnic but everyone else appears to be stubbornly busy so instead I shall sulkingly go to Coffee and Corks with Alley to do some much needed work. Uni is in fact cancelled today, although this makes little difference to us with days off.

I went home for the weekend, rather spontaneously really. My mum suggested it, I claimed lack of money, she offered to pay petrol and so home I went. It was quite nice, we had a log fire burning, and on Saturday I went to the sauna which I've been craving to do.

Since its soon Shev's birthday, Caroline and Simi also came home for the weekend. We had prelash at Shev's house and then went out to Guildford. Was a very expensive night, a SoCo and lemonade cost 5.20. Ouch. Ended up getting into some random club and had a pretty fun night.

Yesterday I drove back to Canterbury in the hopes of beating the snow, although by the time I was half way into Kent every available space had been painted white - it was a stunning drive, although less fantastic when the snow clouds were above me and the sky grew dark. Got back to Canterbury safely, but I picked my hou semate Jonny up from work at about ten and coming back up our little road of untouched snow my car was stuck on ice and wouldn't move except to swerve in crazy patterns up the road, engine revving manically. Scaaary.

I think it says something about my current state of mind, which is rapidly going down hill I must admit, that I once again turn to fortune cards and the fates to see what my fortune holds.

I find it even more fustrating that the cards tell me my future holds 'the unknown'. Fucking fantastic. I thought the point of fortune telling was to conquer the unknown. :(

Edit: Did I mention the snow?! So much snow. Its amazing.

A strange moment when I was wondering round San Francisco airport last week, eyeing up the alcohol in the duty free shops. It occured to me that I wasn't allowed to buy any.

Stupid American 21 drink laws. I felt so patronised. How weird that you can vote, marry etc before being able to drink. Substantially before. I was annoyed, because it seems wrong. But mostly I was just annoyed because they had a damn good deal on Southern Comfort that I had to ignore.

Anyway, off to London soon, accompanied by my giant anthology so I can read The Spanish Tragedy and Dr Faustus on the train. Meant to be meeting Rachel for lunch, I'm hoping we can go see the parades and what nots in Chinatown since tis soon to be the year of the Ox. Then tonight off to see the wonderful Nya who may possibly be headlining now Nemhain have pulled out? Awesomeness, although Izzy, Mark is totally going to be there too. =/

Vodka was a MISTAKE. Urghh I so do not feel good right now. I thought I was over the disastrous hatred my body has of vodka after artesfest but I was very, very wrong. At least there was no splitting headaches this time, but urgh I do feel very rather sick. We didn't make it to Studio in the end since Phil had no ID, so spent evening in the Hob.

Our landlord should be here soon so we can sign our contract for next year, which has all happened a bit sudden but it got to the case of sign for the house, or lose it.

I didn't think I was jetlagged, but I suppose I must be to a degree. My mind is strangely active for 2am, probably because it is still working in Australian time where it would be 1pm. I failed at sleeping, and without much else to do right now, I have retreated onto the world of el jay to attempt to catch up with several hundred friendslist updates.

I have, as my presence on livejournal suggest, survived Australia. That is, I did not get attacked by any sharks, sting ray, crocodiles, jelly fish, rock fish, blue bottles, snakes, spiders, swimming knives or any other variation of killer Australian specimens. I did however get a slight tan which is a tad... unnatural for me. Normally I just burn, but factor fifty suncream seems to work.

I will update in detail about my two weeks of campervanning at some point. It was a pretty awesome trip, we drove down from Sydney via Canberra to Melbourne, then back up the coast via Sydney again, ending up in Byron Bay and taking a day trip to Brisbane. Lots of traveling, having now been to 4 of the 8 Australian territories, New South Wales, A.C.T, Queensland and Victoria. We spent a fortune on petrol, but our campervan was pretty awesome in its own special way. Shame we didn't get a photo of the back, "every time you masterbate a china man kills a kitten." Lovely.

My flight leaving Australia was cancelled. I ended up having to catch a later flight to San Francisco and then had an eight hour wait for my connection. I randomly caught a free shuttlebus to a hotel, just to get out the airport, and had a coffee in their lounge. A random 30 yr old attached himself to me at the airport and I couldn't shake him off so he accompanied me, which I found rather iffy but I made it back to the airport safe and strangely we had very similar taste in films/books etc. I arrived home on Saturday afternoon, and just 2 days to do some washing and pack up and then tomorrow I'm heading back to Canterbury which I'm looking forward to. Have missed the Canterbubble!

So I'm still in Sydney, but for my last night. Tomorrow, Ash, Martin and I go to pick up our campervan and then we head off on our epic 13 day trek to Canberra, Melbourne, Byron Bay and Brisbane plus assorted places in between. Excitement!! Looking forward to hopefully meeting personphone_20, artemisofluna and armageddonriver in Melbourne especially! :D

So of Sydney so far, on Tuesday Ash, Martin and I went to the beach in the morning and then we Ashley and I, partially accompanied by Martin and their flatmate Heath went into Sydney centre. Ash and I had a picnic in the botanical gardens, before walking across to Sydney Opera House and round Circular Quay. We walked round to The Rocks, which had a strangely European feel to it with its older buildings and million cafes and then to Darling Harbour where we stopped for coffee, and Ash and I went t see "Santa Vs the Snowman" at the imax - the movie wasn't especially great but it was awesome to actually see it in 3D. After that we caught the monorail and then got off in China town where we went for dinner.

Yesterday then, Ash and I went again into Sydney to some big crazy shopping centre of which I've forgotten the name for a while, and then came back and spent the afternoon again at Maroubra Beach. We then came home and got ready to go into Sydney again, getting drunk on goon before seeing the very spectacular New Years fireworks at Sydney Harbour. Was insanely busy, and in fact we ended up behind a police panic line. Fun times. After the fireworks were over we struggled to find any bars which weren't charging excessive entry prices and so ended up just walking round Darling Harbour for a while before catching the bus back to Maroubra.

Today then has been a day of effectively chilling out and recovering, whilst getting ready for campervaning tomorow. We went again down the beach for a while, and are back now doing washing and things. Think we might end up playing an epic game of monopoly at some point.

Anyway, since we'll be on the road as of tomorrow, this is probably the last you'll here of me for a bit. Just wanted to say once again that I hope everyone had fantastic new years celebrations and all the best for 2009. :) I'll probably end up doing some 2008 in reflection meme once I'm back in England, be warned. ;) Lots of love to you, my lovelies! xxx

Sooo... I'm in Ashley's apartment. In Maroubra. In Sydney. In Australia.

And its awesome!!

Didn't get to bed till fairly late on Friday as I went to go see Twilight with Caroline and Simran and then out for dinner for some girly catch up. Then I had more last minute packing to do.

Subsequently quite tired when I woke up on Saturday at 6am to get ready for the airport - but I stayed awake for the duration of the flight to LA and although the in flight entertainment was fairly crap I read the entirety of Twilight which I'd picked up at the airport for some light reading. I was sitting next to a really nice guy who was switching at LA to fly to Auckland and we talked for a while. Across the aisle from me were 2 very stressed parents and their 1 year old triplets, oh god, I spent much of the journey retrieving blankets which the babies thought was some kind of game.

8 hours at LA airport were slightly hellish, for the last hour or so (it was by then about 6am UK time so I'd been awake for about 24 hours) I was ready to collapse and when finally on board the plane for Sydney I fell asleep before we'd even left the runway. Woke up watched a bit of mamma mia before dozing for a while and reading a bit of The Duchess and then finally after about 13 hours Sydney came into view and quickly I made it through the airport and there was Ashley!!! And it was so very exciting :D

Sydney gave me a sunny welcome, but as the day progressed its got a bit cloudy. We went for coffee in a cafe by the beach but having a fairly chilled day which is good as I'll probably crash for need of sleep soon, computer is making me feel sleeeeeepy shall have to get up and DO something soon.

Okay so the apartment here is awesome, two of the bedrooms have sort of outer rooms which are kind of studies or changing rooms and their are balconies and ensuits and its prettttyyy.

Tomorrow we are off to explore the sights of Sydney, and then going to see some Cristmas feature at the imax. Lolz, right off now to go and visit supermarket now as tiredness plus computer screen is making me dizzy. Tooooodles all xxx