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Because I would rather not be grilled alive in Calcutta
05 September 2008 @ 10:55 am
The Longest 40 Hours of my life
Its currently 16 hours and 58 minutes into my 40Hour Famine (if you don't know what I'm talking about, see my previous post, "40Hour Famine: Don't Trade Lives" or click here) and already, I'm having a hard time. Oh, I'm so hungry already, and I still have a little bit under a day left to go, so I can only imagine what its like for the children in Africa who starve everyday.
In other news, the screen for my laptop has been destroyed and I gotta get it fixed :( Hopefully it can be done under warranty, and hopefully I won't need to get the whole thing replaced...
In other news, the screen for my laptop has been destroyed and I gotta get it fixed :( Hopefully it can be done under warranty, and hopefully I won't need to get the whole thing replaced...
Imagine yourself: 
hungry
hungryBlanche is singing: Joy Williams - We
04 September 2008 @ 06:05 pm
When I need physical contact, people know something's terribly wrong.
The title isn't a joke. I do not like to be touched by other humans. The first thing I did when I got home today... well, okay, the first thing I did was snap at Jon, but I apologised right away. The second thing I did was head downstairs to calmly say "I need a hug. May I have one, please?" to my sister. She quite rightly took the clue that Something Was Wrong, and I began to tell her about what happened this afternoon.
I'd just finished my 5 drama and had started on a 6, when I began to notice a funny sound. Now, I'm zipping down the interstate at a brisk 73 miles an hour (117.5 kph for all the metric folks), so this understandably bothered me a bit. I turned off the drama to better listen and slowed down a bit, and then there was a loud pop. Blanca started shaking like mad under me, and the engine cut out. I was able to get her over to the side of the interstate and get her hazards on, and a very kind gentleman from the highway department pulled in behind me. He offered to change my tire to the donut, but I found out after it was changed that the engine would not start. It turns over, but it won't engage to go vroom and let the car move.
I called the shop that replaced the other three tires so they could come out and arrange a tow. You see, the tire that HADN'T been replaced had blown completely out on the inside, and there was a large gash on the outside, too. It's amazing I didn't lose control of the car. They sent the very cute Englishman to come pick me up and take me back to the shop, and gave me a loaner (an automatic, OMG! I miss my manual already!) so I can get to Chinese class tomorrow. I kept him talking the whole time.
Tow charge: estimated 75.
New tire: estimate 75.
New tire mount and balance: estimate 30 or so.
TESTING to see what's wrong with the engine: 100.
That's not counting whatever it's going to cost to fix it. *sigh* I had told myself that I was going to be SUPER cheap this semester, and do absolutely nothing extraneous that cost money. I only got maybe 2k back from my financial aid, and I need that money for gas to get back and forth.
I presented all this to my sister fairly calmly, once I'd got done with the short clinging and silent crying. (Even mentioned how I'd already yacked up once today--something I HATE doing more than anything in the entire world--because I've been worried about money. It just slipped out. The words, I mean.) I just feel so stuck, you know? She says we'll find a way of working something out. I just wish I could find a real job, as well. I can't go running my tush off for peanuts anymore, because I just don't have the energy. I'm not 18 anymore. (As all my older-than-me friends said to me, just wait until you get to be my age, if you aren't already. You'll see. I'm already terrified of what 35 plus will bring.)
So, yeah. I kept my cool, even joked openly with the guy from the highway department who helped me. He was stationed in Germany for 19 months when he was in the service, and developed a fondness for the beer and food there. It's just all this money stuff... it's going to kill me.
I'd just finished my 5 drama and had started on a 6, when I began to notice a funny sound. Now, I'm zipping down the interstate at a brisk 73 miles an hour (117.5 kph for all the metric folks), so this understandably bothered me a bit. I turned off the drama to better listen and slowed down a bit, and then there was a loud pop. Blanca started shaking like mad under me, and the engine cut out. I was able to get her over to the side of the interstate and get her hazards on, and a very kind gentleman from the highway department pulled in behind me. He offered to change my tire to the donut, but I found out after it was changed that the engine would not start. It turns over, but it won't engage to go vroom and let the car move.
I called the shop that replaced the other three tires so they could come out and arrange a tow. You see, the tire that HADN'T been replaced had blown completely out on the inside, and there was a large gash on the outside, too. It's amazing I didn't lose control of the car. They sent the very cute Englishman to come pick me up and take me back to the shop, and gave me a loaner (an automatic, OMG! I miss my manual already!) so I can get to Chinese class tomorrow. I kept him talking the whole time.
Tow charge: estimated 75.
New tire: estimate 75.
New tire mount and balance: estimate 30 or so.
TESTING to see what's wrong with the engine: 100.
That's not counting whatever it's going to cost to fix it. *sigh* I had told myself that I was going to be SUPER cheap this semester, and do absolutely nothing extraneous that cost money. I only got maybe 2k back from my financial aid, and I need that money for gas to get back and forth.
I presented all this to my sister fairly calmly, once I'd got done with the short clinging and silent crying. (Even mentioned how I'd already yacked up once today--something I HATE doing more than anything in the entire world--because I've been worried about money. It just slipped out. The words, I mean.) I just feel so stuck, you know? She says we'll find a way of working something out. I just wish I could find a real job, as well. I can't go running my tush off for peanuts anymore, because I just don't have the energy. I'm not 18 anymore. (As all my older-than-me friends said to me, just wait until you get to be my age, if you aren't already. You'll see. I'm already terrified of what 35 plus will bring.)
So, yeah. I kept my cool, even joked openly with the guy from the highway department who helped me. He was stationed in Germany for 19 months when he was in the service, and developed a fondness for the beer and food there. It's just all this money stuff... it's going to kill me.
Adele should go to: int he ratloft
Imagine yourself: 
depressed
depressedBlanche is singing: Jax snishing as she explores Daddy's closet
04 September 2008 @ 10:53 pm
shocking
It's recently occured to me that I have bought at least 10 full bottles of perfume in the last 12 months.
craaaaazy
I'm slightly scared to do an inventory of all the ones I've bought and the prices I paid for them.
The latest addition was Jo Malone's Nectarine Blossom and Honey cologne.
I'm still waiting for someone to tell me I smell nice.
craaaaazy
I'm slightly scared to do an inventory of all the ones I've bought and the prices I paid for them.
The latest addition was Jo Malone's Nectarine Blossom and Honey cologne.
I'm still waiting for someone to tell me I smell nice.
04 September 2008 @ 10:19 pm
I realise that I have not kept at all this year's new year resolution to lose weight, trim down. Instead, I have continued to indulge my predilection for carbs, chocolate (dark), mouldy cheese and fatty salamis. And I have done the least amount of exercise in four years. Indeed I am at my unfittest level since 2003! I got a rude shock when I saw photos of myself on facebook. So I have resumed running (ostensibly to stalk these days) and last night, impulsively purchased an x-pole from ebay. I have dithered on getting a platinum pole for some time, putting it off because it was so damn expensive ($660 at one stage, now $600). But my recent bloatedness and motivation to get fit compelled me to bid on a pole that was selling for a really good price ($400). The catch was that it could only be picked up from Wollongong. I'm sure that deterred other potential buyers. But luckily for me, I was in North Wollongong. I telephoned the seller this morning and picked it up from her in the afternoon, on my way home back to Sydney. It was a bit of hassel carrying it on the train. Luckily, the train wasn't crowded but everywhere I went, people starred at the large heavy box, noticing the semi-naked poledancer on the cover and then giving me glances. Pretty rude actually.
It's erected in the living room now. Dad can now dismantle the red pole he set up for me in the backyard. I cannot wait to get my fitness back.
It's erected in the living room now. Dad can now dismantle the red pole he set up for me in the backyard. I cannot wait to get my fitness back.
04 September 2008 @ 07:08 am
Oh, god. I'm lucky if I got two hours sleep last night. Damn noisy cat.... damn heat. Now, I have to go off and work for, at the very least, 10 hours straight.
*throws self pity party*
Coffee, please don't let me down. :(
*throws self pity party*
Coffee, please don't let me down. :(
Imagine yourself: 
groggy
groggy04 September 2008 @ 02:39 am
Things the Republican party has failed to mention after three nights of their convention:
- health care
- paying off our nation's war debts
- reforming veterans' benefits
- women's reproductive rights
- stimulating the job market in a meaningful way (i.e. returning the jobs that have been cut to the American people)
- regaining America's status and respect amongst the world's most influential nations
- President Bush
Things that were important enough to mention:
- bashing Barack Obama
- honoring soldiers (but no mention of helping them when they come back)
- "reforming" the party that has been in power for the last eight years and has apparently learned nothing of value except that it wants to retain power at all costs.
Telling, isn't it?
Sarah Palin had a chance to unify the Republican party and gain swing voters; at this point, she is more popular among the Republican base than John McCain. The speech she gave was pure hate and an insult to the hope Barack Obama and the Democratic Party inspired during their convention. She showed her true colors tonight; her speech stunk of Karl Rove and his divisive politics which focus on culture wars instead of the real problems plaguing the American people, problems that his party has helped to exacerbate. Sarah Palin is nothing but a shill for Big Oil and corporate greed, and she is dangerous because people think they can relate to her, just as they thought they could relate to George W. Bush.
I say BRING IT ON. I'm itching for a good fight and I'm sure Obama and Biden are too. And no, you're not allowed to cry sexism when someone calls you on your shit. You're playing with the big boys now.
From Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Covention:
America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this. [...] We are more compassionate than a government that lets veterans sleep on our streets and families slide into poverty; that sits on its hands while a major American city drowns before our eyes.
Tonight, I say to the American people, to Democrats and Republicans and Independents across this great land - enough! This moment - this election - is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive. [...]
It's time for the [Republicans] to own their failure. It's time for us to change America.
You see, we Democrats have a very different measure of what constitutes progress in this country.
We measure progress by how many people can find a job that pays the mortgage; whether you can put a little extra money away at the end of each month so you can someday watch your child receive her college diploma. We measure progress in the 23 million new jobs that were created when Bill Clinton was President - when the average American family saw its income go up $7,500 instead of down $2,000 like it has under George Bush.
We measure the strength of our economy not by the number of billionaires we have or the profits of the Fortune 500, but by whether someone with a good idea can take a risk and start a new business, or whether the waitress who lives on tips can take a day off to look after a sick kid without losing her job - an economy that honors the dignity of work.
It's a promise that says each of us has the freedom to make of our own lives what we will, but that we also have the obligation to treat each other with dignity and respect.
It's a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation and generate growth, but that businesses should live up to their responsibilities to create American jobs, look out for American workers, and play by the rules of the road.
Ours is a promise that says government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves - protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology.
Our government should work for us, not against us. It should help us, not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who's willing to work.
That's the promise of America - the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper.
That's the promise we need to keep. That's the change we need right now. [...]
The times are too serious, the stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain. The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America - they have served the United States of America.
So I've got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first. [...] If you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters. If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. You make a big election about small things.
What the nay-sayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me. It's been about you.
For eighteen long months, you have stood up, one by one, and said enough to the politics of the past. You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics with the same old players and expect a different result. You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time.
This country of ours has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military on Earth, but that's not what makes us strong. Our universities and our culture are the envy of the world, but that's not what keeps the world coming to our shores.
Instead, it is that American spirit - that American promise - that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend.
That promise is our greatest inheritance. [...] And it is that promise that forty five years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln's Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream.
The men and women who gathered there could've heard many things. They could've heard words of anger and discord. They could've been told to succumb to the fear and frustration of so many dreams deferred.
But what the people heard instead - people of every creed and color, from every walk of life - is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one.
- health care
- paying off our nation's war debts
- reforming veterans' benefits
- women's reproductive rights
- stimulating the job market in a meaningful way (i.e. returning the jobs that have been cut to the American people)
- regaining America's status and respect amongst the world's most influential nations
- President Bush
Things that were important enough to mention:
- bashing Barack Obama
- honoring soldiers (but no mention of helping them when they come back)
- "reforming" the party that has been in power for the last eight years and has apparently learned nothing of value except that it wants to retain power at all costs.
Telling, isn't it?
Sarah Palin had a chance to unify the Republican party and gain swing voters; at this point, she is more popular among the Republican base than John McCain. The speech she gave was pure hate and an insult to the hope Barack Obama and the Democratic Party inspired during their convention. She showed her true colors tonight; her speech stunk of Karl Rove and his divisive politics which focus on culture wars instead of the real problems plaguing the American people, problems that his party has helped to exacerbate. Sarah Palin is nothing but a shill for Big Oil and corporate greed, and she is dangerous because people think they can relate to her, just as they thought they could relate to George W. Bush.
I say BRING IT ON. I'm itching for a good fight and I'm sure Obama and Biden are too. And no, you're not allowed to cry sexism when someone calls you on your shit. You're playing with the big boys now.
From Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Covention:
America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this. [...] We are more compassionate than a government that lets veterans sleep on our streets and families slide into poverty; that sits on its hands while a major American city drowns before our eyes.
Tonight, I say to the American people, to Democrats and Republicans and Independents across this great land - enough! This moment - this election - is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive. [...]
It's time for the [Republicans] to own their failure. It's time for us to change America.
You see, we Democrats have a very different measure of what constitutes progress in this country.
We measure progress by how many people can find a job that pays the mortgage; whether you can put a little extra money away at the end of each month so you can someday watch your child receive her college diploma. We measure progress in the 23 million new jobs that were created when Bill Clinton was President - when the average American family saw its income go up $7,500 instead of down $2,000 like it has under George Bush.
We measure the strength of our economy not by the number of billionaires we have or the profits of the Fortune 500, but by whether someone with a good idea can take a risk and start a new business, or whether the waitress who lives on tips can take a day off to look after a sick kid without losing her job - an economy that honors the dignity of work.
It's a promise that says each of us has the freedom to make of our own lives what we will, but that we also have the obligation to treat each other with dignity and respect.
It's a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation and generate growth, but that businesses should live up to their responsibilities to create American jobs, look out for American workers, and play by the rules of the road.
Ours is a promise that says government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves - protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology.
Our government should work for us, not against us. It should help us, not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who's willing to work.
That's the promise of America - the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper.
That's the promise we need to keep. That's the change we need right now. [...]
The times are too serious, the stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain. The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America - they have served the United States of America.
So I've got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first. [...] If you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters. If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. You make a big election about small things.
What the nay-sayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me. It's been about you.
For eighteen long months, you have stood up, one by one, and said enough to the politics of the past. You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics with the same old players and expect a different result. You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time.
This country of ours has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military on Earth, but that's not what makes us strong. Our universities and our culture are the envy of the world, but that's not what keeps the world coming to our shores.
Instead, it is that American spirit - that American promise - that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend.
That promise is our greatest inheritance. [...] And it is that promise that forty five years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln's Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream.
The men and women who gathered there could've heard many things. They could've heard words of anger and discord. They could've been told to succumb to the fear and frustration of so many dreams deferred.
But what the people heard instead - people of every creed and color, from every walk of life - is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one.
Imagine yourself: disgusted
04 September 2008 @ 12:07 am
I think I may have a stalker and his name is Rod...I'm trying to remember where I may have posted my alternative gmail address, but I really can't think of where...all of a sudden I received an email about an hour ago and this guy is telling me how much he appreciates my poetry and ideas, likes how I am able to express my feelings which apparently are the same as his...but he's also listened to my podcasts? This was the part that confused me because the only 'podcasting' I ever did was Voiceprint newsreading...hmm...and he says that he enjoys my voice and likes my accent...lol, I never realized that I had an accent...
I'm confused and a little disturbed...hmm
I'm confused and a little disturbed...hmm
03 September 2008 @ 06:57 pm
I dealt with quite a bit of brain fuzz today...woke up early to go to work because volunteering won't start until September 17th (training though starts next week). Anyway, I barely did anything at work and feel a little guilty for doing nothing...Cathy gifted me with a Futura apron...hahaha :)
I'm on the hunt for an external hard drive with a firewire port and speeds of 7200rpm...so far it looks like Best Buy and Future Shop don't carry anything other than USB external HDs...sucks...I might have to build my own, which technically is cheaper, but I don't really know what I'm doing...as far as I understand, all I need is a SATA 3.5" internal drive, but instead of installing that in my computer, I buy an external case with a firewire port to put the drive inside...I think that's all I have to do and the benefit of building my own is that it is slightly cheaper and there is no additional AC adapter required because the hard drive is powered through plugging it into the comp...hmm...
I went to English class afterwards and waiting outside...saw quite a few RTA people, Nima tapped me on the shoulder and I fell for the opposite shoulder tapping trick...lol...it was good to see him, and I got a big hug which I must say was better than the awkward "episode" I had with Jon the other day...heh. Nima really leans forward into hugs though...it's like you're being enclosed...Adam on the other hand hugs really tightly...and why am I comparing hugs now? I don't know...
Well Televisual Texts looks like it'll be an awesome course, except I fear that it'll be a bit boring...kinda like pop culture where as much as I loved the course, the lectures sort of put me to sleep...I'm not sure how any of this makes sense, but yeah...not looking forward to spending $96 on the course kit though...maybe I'll be able to split a copy with someone...hmmm
I'm on the hunt for an external hard drive with a firewire port and speeds of 7200rpm...so far it looks like Best Buy and Future Shop don't carry anything other than USB external HDs...sucks...I might have to build my own, which technically is cheaper, but I don't really know what I'm doing...as far as I understand, all I need is a SATA 3.5" internal drive, but instead of installing that in my computer, I buy an external case with a firewire port to put the drive inside...I think that's all I have to do and the benefit of building my own is that it is slightly cheaper and there is no additional AC adapter required because the hard drive is powered through plugging it into the comp...hmm...
I went to English class afterwards and waiting outside...saw quite a few RTA people, Nima tapped me on the shoulder and I fell for the opposite shoulder tapping trick...lol...it was good to see him, and I got a big hug which I must say was better than the awkward "episode" I had with Jon the other day...heh. Nima really leans forward into hugs though...it's like you're being enclosed...Adam on the other hand hugs really tightly...and why am I comparing hugs now? I don't know...
Well Televisual Texts looks like it'll be an awesome course, except I fear that it'll be a bit boring...kinda like pop culture where as much as I loved the course, the lectures sort of put me to sleep...I'm not sure how any of this makes sense, but yeah...not looking forward to spending $96 on the course kit though...maybe I'll be able to split a copy with someone...hmmm
04 September 2008 @ 12:02 am
Tweets Today
- 08:17 @julesgotheblues Eep, I hope you weren't TOO late! #
- 21:16 Job hunting sucks balls. Especially when they don't get back to you!! #
03 September 2008 @ 05:07 pm
moar hopkins
Imagine yourself: 
tired
tiredBlanche is singing: "Mr. Raindrop" ~AMPLIFIED
03 September 2008 @ 11:43 am
I feel like I'm dying
Last week we went on a little vacation, correction: road trip, to San Diego and it was beautiful. The main reason was to see Radiohead live, which is always amazing. Too bad for me I had the worst seat in the world, and couldn't snap one good video or picture, but the music was great. (Talk Show Host- my favorite Radiohead song? maybe) Well all was too good to be true, and I caught this massive flu on the way home and it feels like it won't go away! I look like death itself! and the worst part is that food doesn't have any flavor! boohoo. I've been watching the hurricanes and the RNC and drinking coffee, and sheepishly calling in to work. I'll never take my health for granted again! :D here's a little post to lessen the ennui.
a retro 'Mad Men' party... note the failed jell-o mold :)
( snaps of san diego and others )
a retro 'Mad Men' party... note the failed jell-o mold :)
( snaps of san diego and others )
03 September 2008 @ 12:23 pm
One of the many recent signs of the apocalypse, methinks
I'm grateful for the coolth today. It was perhaps in the fifties when I left this morning, and is now hovering about 61. I'm sitting in the classroom for my Chinese class (which is always empty the hour I have off) with the windows open and the breeze coming in, and it feels SOOO nice. I just wish the windows had screens. But, atm, I'm willing to trade the risk of a mosquito for the cool breeze. I didn't even have to think about putting on the AC in the car this morning. Since I prefer more modest, heavier clothing, this coolth suits me fine. I'm not ready for the COLD, mind, but this coolth is a welcome respite.... despite the pollen. :P
Okay, back to review.
Okay, back to review.
busy03 September 2008 @ 09:07 am
Catch Up
I had a fairly busy-ish weekend last weekend so here's a round up of events.
Firstly, was working in London on Thursday and Friday so took the opportunity to pop down to the Doctor Who exhibition at Earl's Court - I was quite impressed actually as it's been set up with lots of twists and turns rather than in a big square space which was what let down the Manchester one IMO. You can still whizz round pretty quickly but it takes slightly longer than Cardiff or Manchester (hardly a ringing endorsement I know !!). Photos here :-
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5
On Friday night, F & I ventured to the monthly Outpost Gallifrey drinks gathering, The Tavisode, for the first time - was fun ! We only went for a couple of hours as I wasn't sure if it would be full of too many weirdoes and I still had (which is still lingering to this day) a bad throat and hacking cough but there was a fair chunk of people that we already knew there which was fine. The inevitable photos (even though you won't know anybody on them !) :-
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5
Saturday morning we came back to Droitwich Spa and spend the rest of the day watching the next two segments of The Key To Time - The Stones of Blood and one of my all-time Who favourites, The Androids Of Tara - plus associated DVD documentaries in preparation for the Key To Time mini-con at the end of September.
Sunday was off to Stratford to see Shakespeare & Me which was a Q&A with Patrick Stewart, David Tennant and Greg Doran - bumped into![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
schehera and f_100 while we were there. A very entertaining hour although no autographs - DT sped away sharpish afterwards although PS did an organised signing but I didn't stay as a) not bothered about him and b) didn't know about it ! It sounded a bit conveyor belt anyway from what I heard and also no personalisations so even less bothered !! Photos here of the talk :-
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5
The two ladies had to dash off for trains etc so F and I went to lunch - I was trying to find a place that I've been to before but not for at least 8 years !! I knew it was opposite the Post Office but we couldn't find the Post Office ! Eventually we found it, after unnecessarily going in a huge circle, and it was still a restaurant although with a slightly different menu - was still worth all the effort in finding it though !
This weekend there are various exciting things happening - the Blakes 7 Aftermath convention featuring ALL the surviving cast possibly for the first time in decades. Also a huge crowd of my Doctor Who friends are off to Cardiff Pride. Am I doing any of these things ?? No - F and I are "entertaining" my brother and parents in Blackpool for the weekend (groan). Wish us luck !!
Firstly, was working in London on Thursday and Friday so took the opportunity to pop down to the Doctor Who exhibition at Earl's Court - I was quite impressed actually as it's been set up with lots of twists and turns rather than in a big square space which was what let down the Manchester one IMO. You can still whizz round pretty quickly but it takes slightly longer than Cardiff or Manchester (hardly a ringing endorsement I know !!). Photos here :-
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5
On Friday night, F & I ventured to the monthly Outpost Gallifrey drinks gathering, The Tavisode, for the first time - was fun ! We only went for a couple of hours as I wasn't sure if it would be full of too many weirdoes and I still had (which is still lingering to this day) a bad throat and hacking cough but there was a fair chunk of people that we already knew there which was fine. The inevitable photos (even though you won't know anybody on them !) :-
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5
Saturday morning we came back to Droitwich Spa and spend the rest of the day watching the next two segments of The Key To Time - The Stones of Blood and one of my all-time Who favourites, The Androids Of Tara - plus associated DVD documentaries in preparation for the Key To Time mini-con at the end of September.
Sunday was off to Stratford to see Shakespeare & Me which was a Q&A with Patrick Stewart, David Tennant and Greg Doran - bumped into
schehera and f_100 while we were there. A very entertaining hour although no autographs - DT sped away sharpish afterwards although PS did an organised signing but I didn't stay as a) not bothered about him and b) didn't know about it ! It sounded a bit conveyor belt anyway from what I heard and also no personalisations so even less bothered !! Photos here of the talk :-http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5
The two ladies had to dash off for trains etc so F and I went to lunch - I was trying to find a place that I've been to before but not for at least 8 years !! I knew it was opposite the Post Office but we couldn't find the Post Office ! Eventually we found it, after unnecessarily going in a huge circle, and it was still a restaurant although with a slightly different menu - was still worth all the effort in finding it though !
This weekend there are various exciting things happening - the Blakes 7 Aftermath convention featuring ALL the surviving cast possibly for the first time in decades. Also a huge crowd of my Doctor Who friends are off to Cardiff Pride. Am I doing any of these things ?? No - F and I are "entertaining" my brother and parents in Blackpool for the weekend (groan). Wish us luck !!
Imagine yourself: 
busy
busy03 September 2008 @ 12:28 pm
Обожаю сушеные яблоки.
Извращенный у меня вкус, знаю.
После того, как 2 года назад зверзки отравилась бабушкиными, родители и муж запрещают даже думтаь о них.
Но вчера я тайком купила яблочные чипсы.
Ну, не бабушкины, конечно, но тоже вкусные:-))
***
Только сажусь за диссер, как сразу что-нибудь отвлекает. Надо брать себя в руки.
Извращенный у меня вкус, знаю.
После того, как 2 года назад зверзки отравилась бабушкиными, родители и муж запрещают даже думтаь о них.
Но вчера я тайком купила яблочные чипсы.
Ну, не бабушкины, конечно, но тоже вкусные:-))
***
Только сажусь за диссер, как сразу что-нибудь отвлекает. Надо брать себя в руки.
Adele should go to: Б. Вербер "Тайны богов"
Imagine yourself: 
creative
creativeBlanche is singing: Helene Segara - Dans nos souvenirs
03 September 2008 @ 04:51 pm
Human Physiology = Stupid
So I actually made it on time to my Human Physiology prac, and was intent on having a productive day when two things happened:
1) 2 people came in late
and, 2) The questions were too much
To elaborate, 2 weeks ago, when I had my 2nd prac for Human Phys (I have alternate prac weeks, that way, everyone in the course gets a turn with the limited resources that we have), I actually rocked up late to the prac. Now, before every prac, we have a little quiz that will end up as 12% of our final grade, which can be all the difference between a pass and a fail. Now, when I had turned up late, I had received a withering glare from Miss I-can-never-understand-what-the-heck-it-i
I. Was. Furious.
You'd think that there was such thing as fairness within university, wouldn't you? When I approached the demonstrators with the issue, one played dumb with me, claiming she didn't know what it was that I was talking about, and the other said that she would have to consult our lecturer about it. No doubt I'm gonna consult with her as well!
In addition to this, most of our prac classes have us come in and take down all the prac info we need, and then go home and complete in questions at home on our own time. These intelligent people expected us to get not only the 3 hour prac done within the 3 hours, but the essay long questions that go with them as well. I cannot believe it, my head hurts with the actual shock of it all. I think I'm gonna have to go write that email now before my head explodes...
1) 2 people came in late
and, 2) The questions were too much
To elaborate, 2 weeks ago, when I had my 2nd prac for Human Phys (I have alternate prac weeks, that way, everyone in the course gets a turn with the limited resources that we have), I actually rocked up late to the prac. Now, before every prac, we have a little quiz that will end up as 12% of our final grade, which can be all the difference between a pass and a fail. Now, when I had turned up late, I had received a withering glare from Miss I-can-never-understand-what-the-heck-it-i
I. Was. Furious.
You'd think that there was such thing as fairness within university, wouldn't you? When I approached the demonstrators with the issue, one played dumb with me, claiming she didn't know what it was that I was talking about, and the other said that she would have to consult our lecturer about it. No doubt I'm gonna consult with her as well!
In addition to this, most of our prac classes have us come in and take down all the prac info we need, and then go home and complete in questions at home on our own time. These intelligent people expected us to get not only the 3 hour prac done within the 3 hours, but the essay long questions that go with them as well. I cannot believe it, my head hurts with the actual shock of it all. I think I'm gonna have to go write that email now before my head explodes...
Imagine yourself: 
irritated
irritatedBlanche is singing: Selena - La Carcacha
03 September 2008 @ 01:06 am
Fred Thompson,
Yes, we are acting like it's the Great Depression because FOR SOME OF US, IT IS LIKE THE GREAT DEPRESSION. Millions of Americans have lost their homes. Millions of people have lost their jobs so that the corporations you give tax breaks to can increase their profit margins at the expense of American workers.
Millions of people are trying to get by on decreased salaries and increased costs because your party decided to borrow money from China to pay for a stupid war for oil! Not all of us are rich pigs like you!
Fuck you fuck you fuck you...I hope the Democrats DESTROY your party in November. How dare you say that! How dare your precious princess of a pathetic VP candidate call Hillary Clinton a whiner and then try to use her for her own political gain! Sarah Palin is not fit to spit on Hillary's shoes! I hope to never see the Republicans again until the old guard like you is DEAD and BURIED.
Yes, we are acting like it's the Great Depression because FOR SOME OF US, IT IS LIKE THE GREAT DEPRESSION. Millions of Americans have lost their homes. Millions of people have lost their jobs so that the corporations you give tax breaks to can increase their profit margins at the expense of American workers.
Millions of people are trying to get by on decreased salaries and increased costs because your party decided to borrow money from China to pay for a stupid war for oil! Not all of us are rich pigs like you!
Fuck you fuck you fuck you...I hope the Democrats DESTROY your party in November. How dare you say that! How dare your precious princess of a pathetic VP candidate call Hillary Clinton a whiner and then try to use her for her own political gain! Sarah Palin is not fit to spit on Hillary's shoes! I hope to never see the Republicans again until the old guard like you is DEAD and BURIED.
02 September 2008 @ 10:28 pm
This is my obligatory first day of school journal entry...I suppose marking it off as such is sort of silly, but whatever. I woke up at 6:30am which is earlier than I have to be up on Tuesdays, but I figured I should avoid sleeping in this week so I can adjust myself to waking up early again (even though I've sort of been doing that over the summer on work days). Left the house at around 8:30am and made it to school before 10am...stopped by Shoppers to pick up my mom's calcium supplements then off to EFP lab/class...we ended up taking the full 6 hours :( That really stinks because I was so bored in the first half of the class, Rick really didn't have to read off the course syllabus and assignment sheets, I felt like I was in grade 2...blah. Funnily enough, I do know a few people in my EFP class...Teresa, Adam, Victor...and even Rob was there. Actually, Rob and I haven't said two words to each other although we made eye contact a few times...hmm...I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing. I guess it's technically not an issue as we're not even in the same group together...maybe next week things will be better...maybe...
We learned how to set up the cameras in EFP, they're a lot bigger and more high-tech than the ones we used last year...the gear is friggin' heavy (or at least it's pretty hefty, so carrying it for a long distance would be brutal). I'm a little worried about the camera test in the upcoming weeks as we'll need to each put everything together in 12 minutes...I mean in general, I know what to do, but some of the knobs/screws are too tight for me to unscrew...that's going to be an issue.
I didn't end up going to CBC with my resume...I got lazy and didn't feel like running around confused. I did however pick up my agenda and then hung out with Adam and his girlfriend for an hour...we wandered Eaton's Centre and then sat in Dundas Square...a bee flew on my arm and Adam flicked it away with a flyer...phew, the bee had a stinger and that was sort of freaky :-/ I'm happy for Adam, his new girlfriend seems really nice and he seems really happy...although I could do with a few less stories about his sex life...I must say though, it was cute when he said that they fell in love over food and he stole her away from another guy with a piece of cake :P
Research methods class was afterwards and so Adam and I went to the Architecture Building, we bumped into Jacob along the way...it was nice to see him...definitely one person I missed seeing when school was over, perhaps there is still a little spark of interest on my end...anyway, Jacob, Adam and I sat together...this seems like one of those classes that everyone is going to complain about (like Broadcast History)...I know I probably won't hate the course...I tend to like guest lecturers, but it's going to be tough to focus, especially after such a long morning...
Class ended a half hour early and Adam convinced me to go to the Ram with him and a few other people...it was my first time in a pub...I never went to the Underground when I was at York...anyway, that was an interesting hour...Jon was there and we rekindled our "flame" or "nearly dying ember" as he called it...lol...I haven't seen him really since first semester of last year...anyway, Adam was all happy talking about Sam and then Jon was talking about his girlfriend who is now in BC so he's been missing female flesh, apparently. Josh/Wolfie cheered at my masturbation commentary, Adam babbled about another one of his sexual conquests rather graphically and Josh says, "Karen, you're okay with this?" meh...in some ways, despite the profanity and perhaps gratuitous embellishments on his part to make the story more interesting, I like his "honesty" in that he can say just about anything and not give a crap as to what other people think...I admire that...
Jon and Adam each had a pitcher of beer...then Adam hugs someone, I can't remember who now...Jon says, "Hey, I haven't hugged you yet" okay...so I give him a hug, except it was a bit too touchy feely...let's just say there was far too much rubbing than I was comfortable with...I'm feeling hands on my back and then he's rubbing his face on my arm..."Uh...Jon..." I'm glad that that was over rather quickly without me needing to do anything violent...he did apologize, so I just chalked it up to being in part due to the beer and the other part for just being Jon...unfortunately the boys are horny stereotype is being perpetuated here...hrm...
Adam says that the girls that show up at the RTA parties get so hammered and are too easy...well, somehow I'm not entirely surprised and on the other hand it makes me sad to hear this...sigh...
We left the Ram at around 7:30pm and I took the subway home...caught the eye of a cutie at the bar, but I don't really think I want to go back there...got a message from the volunteer coordinator about the adult literacy thing and she says she understands the situation I'm in and that it's okay for me to show up late to the training sessions...I just hope that all this extra stuff I've scheduled for myself (volunteering, voiceprint coordinating, tutoring, and Futura) will all fit in and won't interfere too much with the RUtv cooking show and EFP filming outside of class.
I forsee many weird and hopefully wonderful stories in the upcoming months...hopefully not too many subway stories or awkward situations...I could do with a bit less RTA drama...
We learned how to set up the cameras in EFP, they're a lot bigger and more high-tech than the ones we used last year...the gear is friggin' heavy (or at least it's pretty hefty, so carrying it for a long distance would be brutal). I'm a little worried about the camera test in the upcoming weeks as we'll need to each put everything together in 12 minutes...I mean in general, I know what to do, but some of the knobs/screws are too tight for me to unscrew...that's going to be an issue.
I didn't end up going to CBC with my resume...I got lazy and didn't feel like running around confused. I did however pick up my agenda and then hung out with Adam and his girlfriend for an hour...we wandered Eaton's Centre and then sat in Dundas Square...a bee flew on my arm and Adam flicked it away with a flyer...phew, the bee had a stinger and that was sort of freaky :-/ I'm happy for Adam, his new girlfriend seems really nice and he seems really happy...although I could do with a few less stories about his sex life...I must say though, it was cute when he said that they fell in love over food and he stole her away from another guy with a piece of cake :P
Research methods class was afterwards and so Adam and I went to the Architecture Building, we bumped into Jacob along the way...it was nice to see him...definitely one person I missed seeing when school was over, perhaps there is still a little spark of interest on my end...anyway, Jacob, Adam and I sat together...this seems like one of those classes that everyone is going to complain about (like Broadcast History)...I know I probably won't hate the course...I tend to like guest lecturers, but it's going to be tough to focus, especially after such a long morning...
Class ended a half hour early and Adam convinced me to go to the Ram with him and a few other people...it was my first time in a pub...I never went to the Underground when I was at York...anyway, that was an interesting hour...Jon was there and we rekindled our "flame" or "nearly dying ember" as he called it...lol...I haven't seen him really since first semester of last year...anyway, Adam was all happy talking about Sam and then Jon was talking about his girlfriend who is now in BC so he's been missing female flesh, apparently. Josh/Wolfie cheered at my masturbation commentary, Adam babbled about another one of his sexual conquests rather graphically and Josh says, "Karen, you're okay with this?" meh...in some ways, despite the profanity and perhaps gratuitous embellishments on his part to make the story more interesting, I like his "honesty" in that he can say just about anything and not give a crap as to what other people think...I admire that...
Jon and Adam each had a pitcher of beer...then Adam hugs someone, I can't remember who now...Jon says, "Hey, I haven't hugged you yet" okay...so I give him a hug, except it was a bit too touchy feely...let's just say there was far too much rubbing than I was comfortable with...I'm feeling hands on my back and then he's rubbing his face on my arm..."Uh...Jon..." I'm glad that that was over rather quickly without me needing to do anything violent...he did apologize, so I just chalked it up to being in part due to the beer and the other part for just being Jon...unfortunately the boys are horny stereotype is being perpetuated here...hrm...
Adam says that the girls that show up at the RTA parties get so hammered and are too easy...well, somehow I'm not entirely surprised and on the other hand it makes me sad to hear this...sigh...
We left the Ram at around 7:30pm and I took the subway home...caught the eye of a cutie at the bar, but I don't really think I want to go back there...got a message from the volunteer coordinator about the adult literacy thing and she says she understands the situation I'm in and that it's okay for me to show up late to the training sessions...I just hope that all this extra stuff I've scheduled for myself (volunteering, voiceprint coordinating, tutoring, and Futura) will all fit in and won't interfere too much with the RUtv cooking show and EFP filming outside of class.
I forsee many weird and hopefully wonderful stories in the upcoming months...hopefully not too many subway stories or awkward situations...I could do with a bit less RTA drama...
03 September 2008 @ 12:01 am
Tweets Today
- 15:07 Ironing REALLY sucks with the bad shoulder. Wish me luck that I get the Lush job!! #
- 17:08 @julesgotheblues I really hope I get it, it would be like sort of a dream job even if it's not THE dream job, you know? #
- 18:31 @julesgotheblues I want to work in prisons. Be a forensic psychologist. I'm not sure if that'll ever happen though. :( #
02 September 2008 @ 04:04 pm
Before I get onto the recent trips, I ought to share some pics of the (first) mad dash round Stamford and Peterborogh I had with my friend Dan. This was... a month ago I think.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Adele should go to: Brayford
Blanche is singing: Silver Threads and Golden Needles - Wanda Jackson