So in an attempt to get my energies back under control and try forgive I am trying to restart doing yoga in my life - I used to do it everyday at University and it did do me the world of good. I used to be a hell of a lot more bendy too!
I am also trying to start meditating daily again. It was suggested to me to check out Sai Baba and try some chanting. If you don't know who Sai Baba is/was - he is the incarnation of a hindu deity. The second incarnation has recently passed but a new one will be born I am told.
I have been doing this 2 days now and I had a very vivid dream last night but all I can remember is there being this amazing big and beautiful full moon. I had a scout around on the tinterweb and it seems to indication intuition and change. So that kind of fits with what I am trying to achieve which is good. Hey my subconscious is on board!!!!
My lovely dad took me down to the pet shop and I now have some more fish. Since losing bob a few weeks ago Eddie has just been so lonely and hiding in the corner. So now I have 2 more oranda's which one is just white and the other is white and orange. I also treated myself to a black moor. I have wanted one for ages. He's so beautiful and a little bit bigger. He is almost Eddies size.
I have named my new fish - Sheldor, Penny and Evil Wil Wheaton. Yes after characters in one of my fave shows - the Big Bang Theory. Also a nod to Wil Wheaton - who's blog and you tube stuff I am a keen follower of and have been for years. Heres some pics - sorry for the slight blurriness - my fish are not easy to get a clear shot on account of the moment lol
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Monday, 2 July 2012
Back on track!
Since my oven blew up and I have been waiting for the part to come, I have had to eat a lot of non-kosher SW food. Last week lovely Helen and Andy fixed my oven. Honestly you never realise how much you use something until it dies on you!!!! I use my oven a lot! Anyway now its back and this week I am back on track and 4 pounds down!
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Harcourt and Haigh 1 & DA Origins
So after a long long long long long wait and weeks of being teased. Exhibits A, B & C
My friend Vern got ep 1 of the webseries he and his friend Chris have been working on up on the web. Here it is:
If I am honest, I am not sure what to make of it yet. I have watched it three times and so far come to the conclusion there is a nod to the blues brothers and back to the future in there. But then you can't really come to the conclusion of something in 1 ep and 10 minutes can you. Clearly further viewing is required. And as with "the Room" its probably multi-dimensional and requires thinking about. Vern's clever that way.
A couple of points definitely made me giggle - most notably the unnamed for licensing purposes Sci-fi prop and well the books. I think they were as far away possibly as you could imagine. Verns character was holding Cannibalism by T. Harris at the beginning and mid way Chris had Liber Null - Psychonant. Crazy evil cannibal criminal and chaos magik? Is this a hint of whats to come from the characters respectively??? Or am I just such a geek that I have come away watching it and picked up on something that's nothing at all?
Although the skateboard transport thing also annoyed me but probably more on account of all I could see was Francis Bouille from MIC. And if you follow this blog you know my feelings on the Skateboard incident lol
Regardless to me getting the full humour of it or not I enjoyed it and lets face it I'm not very good with a lot of comedy - I didn't find little Britain amusing and a ton of comedians that my sister and friends all seem to love . . . . . I imagine a lot of it has gone over my head. Sorry Vern!!!!!
But the point is the boys have taken something brilliant they have dreamed up and made it. Good for you!
A lot of thought and work has clearly gone into the making of H&H and I urge you all to keep tuning in. I know I will.
In other news . . . I have been working on a Dragon Age Origins fan fiction. The girls at work have been very encouraging, Jac even offering to Beta it for me. If Vern can take that huge leap and put his work out there I decided so can I. So I have put up the first 2 chapters of my story on fan fiction.net.
I am feeling quite nervous about it. I have written some stuff on and off for years and most of it is saved on my PC having been rehashed a billion times over and never seen the light of day to anyone else. So I am quite nervous. I imagine Vern is feeling the same about H&H.
I am not going to link it but if anyone does want a read (I know DA:O fan fiction is probably an acquired taste!!!!) However you can find it pretty easy enough on there. Theres a clue as to my fan fiction name in the blog tagline lol. Failing that drop me a PM and I will link you up!
My friend Vern got ep 1 of the webseries he and his friend Chris have been working on up on the web. Here it is:
If I am honest, I am not sure what to make of it yet. I have watched it three times and so far come to the conclusion there is a nod to the blues brothers and back to the future in there. But then you can't really come to the conclusion of something in 1 ep and 10 minutes can you. Clearly further viewing is required. And as with "the Room" its probably multi-dimensional and requires thinking about. Vern's clever that way.
A couple of points definitely made me giggle - most notably the unnamed for licensing purposes Sci-fi prop and well the books. I think they were as far away possibly as you could imagine. Verns character was holding Cannibalism by T. Harris at the beginning and mid way Chris had Liber Null - Psychonant. Crazy evil cannibal criminal and chaos magik? Is this a hint of whats to come from the characters respectively??? Or am I just such a geek that I have come away watching it and picked up on something that's nothing at all?
Although the skateboard transport thing also annoyed me but probably more on account of all I could see was Francis Bouille from MIC. And if you follow this blog you know my feelings on the Skateboard incident lol
Regardless to me getting the full humour of it or not I enjoyed it and lets face it I'm not very good with a lot of comedy - I didn't find little Britain amusing and a ton of comedians that my sister and friends all seem to love . . . . . I imagine a lot of it has gone over my head. Sorry Vern!!!!!
But the point is the boys have taken something brilliant they have dreamed up and made it. Good for you!
A lot of thought and work has clearly gone into the making of H&H and I urge you all to keep tuning in. I know I will.
In other news . . . I have been working on a Dragon Age Origins fan fiction. The girls at work have been very encouraging, Jac even offering to Beta it for me. If Vern can take that huge leap and put his work out there I decided so can I. So I have put up the first 2 chapters of my story on fan fiction.net.
I am feeling quite nervous about it. I have written some stuff on and off for years and most of it is saved on my PC having been rehashed a billion times over and never seen the light of day to anyone else. So I am quite nervous. I imagine Vern is feeling the same about H&H.
I am not going to link it but if anyone does want a read (I know DA:O fan fiction is probably an acquired taste!!!!) However you can find it pretty easy enough on there. Theres a clue as to my fan fiction name in the blog tagline lol. Failing that drop me a PM and I will link you up!
Sunday, 24 June 2012
RIP Bob the goldfish
Well I don't know what happened. One day Bob was as Bob has always been. A happy goldfish, eating and swimming around in the 35 litre tank he called home with Eddie my other fish. And then suddenly he was lying on the pebbles at the bottom and not eating.
I tryed water changes - although the other fish was fine. It kind of suggests it wasn't water quality. I went and bought some internal medicine and aquarium salt. My poor fish just got worse. I came home and he was on his side, hunched over just breathing really slowly.
Bob passed at some point friday night. I have since cleaned the whole tank out and Eddie just looks tiny in such a huge tank. And he's lonely. You can tell he's missing Bob. I will need to get some more fish now.
I tryed water changes - although the other fish was fine. It kind of suggests it wasn't water quality. I went and bought some internal medicine and aquarium salt. My poor fish just got worse. I came home and he was on his side, hunched over just breathing really slowly.
Bob passed at some point friday night. I have since cleaned the whole tank out and Eddie just looks tiny in such a huge tank. And he's lonely. You can tell he's missing Bob. I will need to get some more fish now.
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Table Table at Aspley Hudds review - Don't bother!
So I was tasked with organising a leaving do for a colleague at work and she picked this restaurant. To book a table the website told me to fill in this form indicating how many people I was booking for and my details. It said someone would be in touch within 48 hours.
Customer service fail # 1 - No one came back to me. I was forced through concern about the football making the place busy and the fact we had 10 people coming to then chase up the restaurant. It seems however that the phone details don't put you actually through to the restaurant. You get through to somewhere else entirely. Confused?????
Well I was when I had to have a conversation to a little Indian man who didn't seem to know anything about the offical booking process on the Table Table website and told me that the only way to book was a room only for the premier inn part. We ended up having a few words there, me bringing up the website again and finding exactly where it told you how to book a table. Not impressed!
He then informed me he would phone the restaurant on my behalf and then come back to me. When he came back to me he assured me that the staff were currently doing some sort of training. Every single staff member. And I would be called back within an hour. It was 4pm. I thought it rather strange that every staff member was training in the run up to one of their busiest times for food but did not question it.
They did not call me back within an hour!!!! Customer service fail # 2
In fact they called me back at around 11am the next morning. I was also told once again by someone slightly nicer to talk to than the chap yesterday that none of the staff there knew you could book online. I mean seriously . . . . I was then assured that the table had been reserved and it would be ready for 7.30pm that evening
However it wasn't! I was the first of my party to arrive. I told the man behind the bar who looked miserable I might add that I had booked a table for ten and all he said back was "Fantastic." I then had to ask where it was as no further information was indicated, he just went back to looking miserable. "Round the corner," was all I got and "It's not ready yet. We need to sort some cultery out."
Customer service fail # 3!!!!!!!
Interestingly "Fantastic" was pretty much his vocabulary for the entire night.
We finally got seated at our table and a waitress clearly on auto-pilot. I could make allowances if it actually had been that busy but it wasn't! Anyway she informed us that the fillet steak was on 25% off today as a special. Ruth in our party quite fancied that so she ordered it.
I ordered a table table chicken burger with a swiss topping. Pam ordered a regular chicken burger. Helen ordered rump steak. Kirsty ordered chicken curry.
When the food came, not remotely at the same time I might add, they gave Pam my dinner. She almost bite into it before noticing the cheese and mushroom topping. I was missing onion rings that the menu stated came with it. Helen was missing mushrooms and tomato's that the menu stated came with it.
Kirsty's was the last meal to come out and her's was cold. So that had to go back.
Customer service fail # 4/5 & 6
I will give them their dues, Helen and I didn't bother mentioning our missing items. We were just so glad to finally get our food after waiting so long. The waitress did offer Kirsty a free drink when she returned with her now hot dinner.
The final customer service fail of the evening - they brought the bill and then didn't knock the 25% off for Ruth's fillet steak. So I had to go back and tell them the bill was incorrect. I got Mr Fantastic again.
In conclusion. The food was blah. To be honest I think I had eaten better in morrisons cafe taking my gran for her weekly shop. The staff were in their own little world. I dread to think how they cope when the place is actually busy. It was about half full when we went. And a good corner of the place were students just drinking and watching the football. And if you want to book a table - the website is useless.
Customer service fail # 1 - No one came back to me. I was forced through concern about the football making the place busy and the fact we had 10 people coming to then chase up the restaurant. It seems however that the phone details don't put you actually through to the restaurant. You get through to somewhere else entirely. Confused?????
Well I was when I had to have a conversation to a little Indian man who didn't seem to know anything about the offical booking process on the Table Table website and told me that the only way to book was a room only for the premier inn part. We ended up having a few words there, me bringing up the website again and finding exactly where it told you how to book a table. Not impressed!
He then informed me he would phone the restaurant on my behalf and then come back to me. When he came back to me he assured me that the staff were currently doing some sort of training. Every single staff member. And I would be called back within an hour. It was 4pm. I thought it rather strange that every staff member was training in the run up to one of their busiest times for food but did not question it.
They did not call me back within an hour!!!! Customer service fail # 2
In fact they called me back at around 11am the next morning. I was also told once again by someone slightly nicer to talk to than the chap yesterday that none of the staff there knew you could book online. I mean seriously . . . . I was then assured that the table had been reserved and it would be ready for 7.30pm that evening
However it wasn't! I was the first of my party to arrive. I told the man behind the bar who looked miserable I might add that I had booked a table for ten and all he said back was "Fantastic." I then had to ask where it was as no further information was indicated, he just went back to looking miserable. "Round the corner," was all I got and "It's not ready yet. We need to sort some cultery out."
Customer service fail # 3!!!!!!!
Interestingly "Fantastic" was pretty much his vocabulary for the entire night.
We finally got seated at our table and a waitress clearly on auto-pilot. I could make allowances if it actually had been that busy but it wasn't! Anyway she informed us that the fillet steak was on 25% off today as a special. Ruth in our party quite fancied that so she ordered it.
I ordered a table table chicken burger with a swiss topping. Pam ordered a regular chicken burger. Helen ordered rump steak. Kirsty ordered chicken curry.
When the food came, not remotely at the same time I might add, they gave Pam my dinner. She almost bite into it before noticing the cheese and mushroom topping. I was missing onion rings that the menu stated came with it. Helen was missing mushrooms and tomato's that the menu stated came with it.
Kirsty's was the last meal to come out and her's was cold. So that had to go back.
Customer service fail # 4/5 & 6
I will give them their dues, Helen and I didn't bother mentioning our missing items. We were just so glad to finally get our food after waiting so long. The waitress did offer Kirsty a free drink when she returned with her now hot dinner.
The final customer service fail of the evening - they brought the bill and then didn't knock the 25% off for Ruth's fillet steak. So I had to go back and tell them the bill was incorrect. I got Mr Fantastic again.
In conclusion. The food was blah. To be honest I think I had eaten better in morrisons cafe taking my gran for her weekly shop. The staff were in their own little world. I dread to think how they cope when the place is actually busy. It was about half full when we went. And a good corner of the place were students just drinking and watching the football. And if you want to book a table - the website is useless.
Friday, 8 June 2012
RIP Captain Noah Mitchell
I feel like I need to say a few words for one of the people that I wrote with. Chris - an American, was someone I met on one of the Trek Sims I play. He was a lovely lad, full of inspiration and a passion for writing. I followed him to the Archimedes Sim purely because he asked me too and he was a joy to write with.
Chris was one of those rare people who made time for you. Talked with you and listened too your idea's. He wasn't a power-monger - yes they do exist in the trek online Sim world! He was genieune.
It is with a sad heart that I found out today he had passed on. Chris has spent the last year or so battling cancer. I'm not sure what that means for the Sim yet. I think his brother will take over but we have to keep it alive in Chris's memory.
My own personal belief is you do not die. So for me I can take some comfort in those beliefs that Chris like Danny and my Aunty who we also lost to cancer is now in peace and gone forward for the next great adventure.
My love and prayers go out to his family. Captain - thank you for the good times and the memories. You will be missed.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Chris was one of those rare people who made time for you. Talked with you and listened too your idea's. He wasn't a power-monger - yes they do exist in the trek online Sim world! He was genieune.
It is with a sad heart that I found out today he had passed on. Chris has spent the last year or so battling cancer. I'm not sure what that means for the Sim yet. I think his brother will take over but we have to keep it alive in Chris's memory.
My own personal belief is you do not die. So for me I can take some comfort in those beliefs that Chris like Danny and my Aunty who we also lost to cancer is now in peace and gone forward for the next great adventure.
My love and prayers go out to his family. Captain - thank you for the good times and the memories. You will be missed.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
How many files!!!!!!
So one of the main reasons for updating my "rigg" was so that I would be able to play GW2. I had many many many happy hours playing GW1 and have some mates - both online and in RL lol playing. I have the PC now, I bought the game and I d/l the beta client. My god though how many files and updates. I d/l everything again monday. All day it took.
Mark at work then says to me weds you need to do it again there was a big update. I said I did it monday. Okay he says its a small one then. Shouldn't take long. No just another 4 hours!!!!!!
I shouldn't be whining as it just means areanet are doing everything they can to make this game as good as they can make it. I am sure when I finally manage to log in this evening and create my original characters great great great great great grandaughter and step into the starting area all of this will be forgotten. Just have to get through an entire day at work now . . . . . .
Mark at work then says to me weds you need to do it again there was a big update. I said I did it monday. Okay he says its a small one then. Shouldn't take long. No just another 4 hours!!!!!!
I shouldn't be whining as it just means areanet are doing everything they can to make this game as good as they can make it. I am sure when I finally manage to log in this evening and create my original characters great great great great great grandaughter and step into the starting area all of this will be forgotten. Just have to get through an entire day at work now . . . . . .
Monday, 4 June 2012
The white queen
So I made a promise to myself this year that I would read more. This came out of a comment my sister made about how I used to always read and well I did growing up. I'm not sure when I stopped reading as much but I decided to address it. I also decided that I needed to read different things. I love science fiction - have about a billion star trek novels and I love kind of your adventure almost Indiana Jones type stories. But I need to widen my horizons.
Anyway Waterstones was doing one of its buy 2 get the 3rd half price things and I picked up a book for work, a book I had been wanting by Iain Banks and took a chance on one called the white queen. This was about October time last year. It was the story of Elizabeth - wife of Edward during the time of the war of the roses. Not my normal cup of tea. Or so I thought. Yes its taken me over 6 months to get to it but once I started it was fascinating.
In fact I really enjoyed it. The author Philippa Gregory does an excellent job bringing Elizabeth's story to life. So much so that there was a taster chapter of her next book - the white princess - Elizabeth's daughters story that the end of the White queen sets you up for. So I have to read that too.
However Waterstones informed me its still in production. But what I wasn't aware of was there is a series - its called the cousins war. And the first book is called the lady of the rivers. So I picked that up yesterday for £5.99. And this is the story of Elizabeth (the white queens mother) - there is also a red queen one which I presume is the story of the Lancashire queen.
Here is the link to the authors website:
http://www.philippagregory.com/
I'll let you know how it goes.
In order news I had my favorite Geordie down this weekend with Mr Chaney. They came down for the Mumford and Sons concert. We didn't get much time together but we did get to go for a nice Sunday lunch yesterday and I got to practice my tarot skills on them. Thanks guys Xx
Anyway Waterstones was doing one of its buy 2 get the 3rd half price things and I picked up a book for work, a book I had been wanting by Iain Banks and took a chance on one called the white queen. This was about October time last year. It was the story of Elizabeth - wife of Edward during the time of the war of the roses. Not my normal cup of tea. Or so I thought. Yes its taken me over 6 months to get to it but once I started it was fascinating.
In fact I really enjoyed it. The author Philippa Gregory does an excellent job bringing Elizabeth's story to life. So much so that there was a taster chapter of her next book - the white princess - Elizabeth's daughters story that the end of the White queen sets you up for. So I have to read that too.
However Waterstones informed me its still in production. But what I wasn't aware of was there is a series - its called the cousins war. And the first book is called the lady of the rivers. So I picked that up yesterday for £5.99. And this is the story of Elizabeth (the white queens mother) - there is also a red queen one which I presume is the story of the Lancashire queen.
Here is the link to the authors website:
http://www.philippagregory.com/
I'll let you know how it goes.
In order news I had my favorite Geordie down this weekend with Mr Chaney. They came down for the Mumford and Sons concert. We didn't get much time together but we did get to go for a nice Sunday lunch yesterday and I got to practice my tarot skills on them. Thanks guys Xx
Thursday, 31 May 2012
All going wrong .....
Well you have to keep laughing right!!!
In the last couple of months my Vac has died, had to spend £120 quid on a new one. Then my microwave died. Another £40.00. Then I had planned this year to get a new PC. £700 quid.
And then last week my cooker blew up. Luckily for me Helen at work knew what had happened and her chap very kindly came and looked it over tonight. Its just the element. Thank god! If I had to fork another £300 out on another cooker I would be rather miserable.
But they say bad luck comes in threes. So that's me done now. Bring on the good luck to balance everything out!!!!
In the last couple of months my Vac has died, had to spend £120 quid on a new one. Then my microwave died. Another £40.00. Then I had planned this year to get a new PC. £700 quid.
And then last week my cooker blew up. Luckily for me Helen at work knew what had happened and her chap very kindly came and looked it over tonight. Its just the element. Thank god! If I had to fork another £300 out on another cooker I would be rather miserable.
But they say bad luck comes in threes. So that's me done now. Bring on the good luck to balance everything out!!!!
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Lets be honest . . . .
Who here has had a crush on a character in a computer game?
Come on don't deny it. Boys I'm sure you have drooled over Lara Croft or the bird from resident evil.
Well I'll be honest. Of course I loved Cloud Strife. Poor tormented Cloud from FF7. But I think my first real computer game crush was Cliff fitter from Star ocean. Now I have a new one.
As you know, I am ALWAYS about 3 years behind everyone in games and films etc etc. A couple of weeks ago in one of those 2nd hand buy used game shops that seem to be popping up everywhere in the Hudd I took a chance and purchased a game called Dragon Age - Origins.
Oh boy, suddenly I was hooked. Unfortunately my 2nd hand Xbox copy has some weird glitch thing going on. When ever I get to a certain mission, it suddenly won't come out of combat mode and I cannot pass any further.
The good news is you can get it on PC!!!!! Woooo. And now I have PC thats powerful enough to cope with something better than ermmm . . . . . . settlers from about 7 years ago it HAS TO BE DONE!!!!!
So I order not just dragon age Origins last night but the deluxe set - with all the add ones. Get in!!!!!
However I'm going off the point. My new computer game crush. Alistair. OMG ladies. Is he dishy or what? And I love his jokes, his personality, his voice. Bloody hell Bio-ware I salute you in the creation of this dream boat!
The games pretty dam good too. I created a female elf mage. She became a grey warden. Then she was questing to get 4 parties to help her fight a blight (big bad war). And she was starting to get it on with Alistair. How you interact with the characters determines the events. I'm loving that too. Some things you do upset some of your team and somethings make others happy.
Anyhoo, I was on route to Redcliffe ready to clear out a bunch of the baddies - darkspawn to you and me and Alistair has a conversation with me - he is actually a royal bastard LOL his father was the king.
I then went to get aid from the Elves and bam he starts a convo with me and gives me a rose. Yes please!!! So my romance was coming on quite swimmingly until that bloody mission!!!!!!
I cannot wait till my new PC copy comes to complete this game.
Yes yes yes I know. I'M SUCH A FANGIRL!!!!!!
Come on don't deny it. Boys I'm sure you have drooled over Lara Croft or the bird from resident evil.
Well I'll be honest. Of course I loved Cloud Strife. Poor tormented Cloud from FF7. But I think my first real computer game crush was Cliff fitter from Star ocean. Now I have a new one.
As you know, I am ALWAYS about 3 years behind everyone in games and films etc etc. A couple of weeks ago in one of those 2nd hand buy used game shops that seem to be popping up everywhere in the Hudd I took a chance and purchased a game called Dragon Age - Origins.
Oh boy, suddenly I was hooked. Unfortunately my 2nd hand Xbox copy has some weird glitch thing going on. When ever I get to a certain mission, it suddenly won't come out of combat mode and I cannot pass any further.
The good news is you can get it on PC!!!!! Woooo. And now I have PC thats powerful enough to cope with something better than ermmm . . . . . . settlers from about 7 years ago it HAS TO BE DONE!!!!!
So I order not just dragon age Origins last night but the deluxe set - with all the add ones. Get in!!!!!
However I'm going off the point. My new computer game crush. Alistair. OMG ladies. Is he dishy or what? And I love his jokes, his personality, his voice. Bloody hell Bio-ware I salute you in the creation of this dream boat!
The games pretty dam good too. I created a female elf mage. She became a grey warden. Then she was questing to get 4 parties to help her fight a blight (big bad war). And she was starting to get it on with Alistair. How you interact with the characters determines the events. I'm loving that too. Some things you do upset some of your team and somethings make others happy.
Anyhoo, I was on route to Redcliffe ready to clear out a bunch of the baddies - darkspawn to you and me and Alistair has a conversation with me - he is actually a royal bastard LOL his father was the king.
I then went to get aid from the Elves and bam he starts a convo with me and gives me a rose. Yes please!!! So my romance was coming on quite swimmingly until that bloody mission!!!!!!
I cannot wait till my new PC copy comes to complete this game.
Yes yes yes I know. I'M SUCH A FANGIRL!!!!!!
Saturday, 19 May 2012
New PC
Well I finally did it and bought myself a new computer. I am going to be paying back money forever but its worth it. My other one was knackered and 10 years old. It was slow and horrible. I am now on windows 7 with a fairly decent rig ready for Guild Wars 2 when it comes out.
This morning I pre-purchased the game and am currently down loading the beta which is HUGE! Been going half and hour and we are only at 10%. Madness! But exciting. I got many many many awesome hours of game play out of Guild Wars 1 so am really looking forward to the sequel.
As usual Yoda from work has told me everything I need and I got to putting it all on Thursday night. My sweet new graphics card makes the Sims 3 look like a whole new world. Unfortunately though I am experiencing some freezing with the base game. No idea why. When I look on the forums it seems there can be some issues with Windows 7. I'll have a play around with the graphics and put on a couple more games and see if its just the Sims being buggy. Fingers crossed I can find a fix as aside from GW2 the Sims 3 was the main reasons I wanted the new PC.
In other news, my kitchen is slowly happening. My mate Cheles mate Andy very very kindly came round and got all the crap round the windows I couldn't with the steamer and then did my ceiling for me. I still have to scrap a few odd bits of wet paper that stuck up but I'm not at the point where Steveo can come round and tell me whats next with a view to skimming everything and making it all pretty and then ready to paint.
I really hate DIY. I mean I started this at Xmas. We are nearly in June. I really am bad at DIY. But I have to keep telling myself it will look awesome when its finally done and add value to the flat. Which I need considering when I last had it appraised, the Halifax valued it 5k below what I bought it for. Not inpressed. I have spent 4 years overpaying and by my Martin Lewis spreadsheet calculations that meant I had got it 90% loan to view this month, only for them to do that and refuse to offer me another mortgage product.
Hehe we just got to 12%. I'm going to have to leave this running while me and my brother take gran for her weekly shop. Okay so now I am back up and running properly time to get blogging properly again. Until next time, peace out!
This morning I pre-purchased the game and am currently down loading the beta which is HUGE! Been going half and hour and we are only at 10%. Madness! But exciting. I got many many many awesome hours of game play out of Guild Wars 1 so am really looking forward to the sequel.
As usual Yoda from work has told me everything I need and I got to putting it all on Thursday night. My sweet new graphics card makes the Sims 3 look like a whole new world. Unfortunately though I am experiencing some freezing with the base game. No idea why. When I look on the forums it seems there can be some issues with Windows 7. I'll have a play around with the graphics and put on a couple more games and see if its just the Sims being buggy. Fingers crossed I can find a fix as aside from GW2 the Sims 3 was the main reasons I wanted the new PC.
In other news, my kitchen is slowly happening. My mate Cheles mate Andy very very kindly came round and got all the crap round the windows I couldn't with the steamer and then did my ceiling for me. I still have to scrap a few odd bits of wet paper that stuck up but I'm not at the point where Steveo can come round and tell me whats next with a view to skimming everything and making it all pretty and then ready to paint.
I really hate DIY. I mean I started this at Xmas. We are nearly in June. I really am bad at DIY. But I have to keep telling myself it will look awesome when its finally done and add value to the flat. Which I need considering when I last had it appraised, the Halifax valued it 5k below what I bought it for. Not inpressed. I have spent 4 years overpaying and by my Martin Lewis spreadsheet calculations that meant I had got it 90% loan to view this month, only for them to do that and refuse to offer me another mortgage product.
Hehe we just got to 12%. I'm going to have to leave this running while me and my brother take gran for her weekly shop. Okay so now I am back up and running properly time to get blogging properly again. Until next time, peace out!
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Battleship
So I am just freshly back from the cinema having seen Battleship. I was a bit dubious, firstly it was Rhianna's acting debut and secondly I had horrible visions of it being a little starship troopers like. However I was swayed to view it on account of Alexander Skarsguard having a part.
It was kind of like transformers meets independence day meets top gun. I enjoyed it. Rhianna actually didn't suck. She held her own. The main guy was pretty hot. Alexander in miltary uniform was more hot. I mean hubba hubba hubba. But they killed him off early in!!!!!!!! If I may quote my friend Jac - "Dam it all to hell!"
All in all some pretty snazzy action sequences, some pretty unrealistic aliens yet a highly decent soundtrack - loved the montage of getting the old battleship working again set to ACDC.
Droolable men I would give it a 7.5. Losses points for killing off Alex.
Plot - ahhhhh 5. Hated the end, way too much american cheese with Liam Nieson suggesting a burrito with the main bloke. No continuity tying up what happened with the aliens. Hell there must have been some survivors. A surrender would have been nice. I suppose they are leaving it open in case they do a sequel.
Special effects - 8.0
Locations - 10.00 come on Hawaii and Hong Kong. Very cool.
It was kind of like transformers meets independence day meets top gun. I enjoyed it. Rhianna actually didn't suck. She held her own. The main guy was pretty hot. Alexander in miltary uniform was more hot. I mean hubba hubba hubba. But they killed him off early in!!!!!!!! If I may quote my friend Jac - "Dam it all to hell!"
All in all some pretty snazzy action sequences, some pretty unrealistic aliens yet a highly decent soundtrack - loved the montage of getting the old battleship working again set to ACDC.
Droolable men I would give it a 7.5. Losses points for killing off Alex.
Plot - ahhhhh 5. Hated the end, way too much american cheese with Liam Nieson suggesting a burrito with the main bloke. No continuity tying up what happened with the aliens. Hell there must have been some survivors. A surrender would have been nice. I suppose they are leaving it open in case they do a sequel.
Special effects - 8.0
Locations - 10.00 come on Hawaii and Hong Kong. Very cool.
Sunday, 15 April 2012
The Tarot
So yesterday I did a Tarot card workshop. I now know how to do a basic tarot reading. I need to memorise alot of the card meanings and practice alot on other people to get my skill going. I found the course really enjoyable. A lady called Nanette who lives quite close to me ran it at her house. Her house was amazing. Nanette is a white witch - So what I saw of her house was full of pagan decorations and herbs. She was a lovely lady - very welcoming, very beautful both on the outside and the in. I found her to be a very good teacher, to the point where I am already wanting to do her psychic development course next and excellent baker. (Nanette put on some lovely food for us and allowed me to bring home some banana bread) I must learn how to make Banana bread.
For anyone who has not heard of the Tarot heres a little back ground from the stuff I got in my pack yesterday.
History
While many clain that the Tarot has an ancient beginning, the cards as we recognise them today have their roots in medieval Italy. One of the oldest surviving tarot decks is the Visconti -Sforza, designed and painted for the influential Italian novle familites of the same name. These hand painted cards were fundamentally playing cards and comprised of four suits, one set of trumps, with a special trump card called the fool. The fact that the modern pack owes much of its development over the centuaries to the humble playing card is a subtle fact that should not be forgotten. While it is not unreasonable to assume that the "tarocchi" as it came to be known was used to some extent for divination purposes, it wasn't until the work of French occultist Antoin Court de Geblin tha the Tarot become known for its esoteric content. Without any historical research, Court asserted that the Tarot was a vessel in which ancient Egyptian widsom had survived over centuaries, waiting to be decoded by those willin and able enough to do so. To Court, the Tarot was nothing less than the fabled book of Thoth. Whatever one thinks of Court's thoughts they represent the basis for the mystery and percieved wisdom of the Tarot that we know today.
About the Tarot
A standard modern Tarot pack comprises of 78 cards, split into two interconnecting realms known as the Major and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana comprises of 22 Trump cards. All of which are strikingly illustrated. Depending on the particular deck, the order in which the Trump cards appear can vary. However while the order may change the basic symbolism of the card names will be simular. Having said this, there are some notable exceptions as certain Tarot decks are designed primarily for meditation purposes, not for divination. Alongside the 22 Trump cards you have the 56 cards of the Minor Arcana, commonly known as PIP Cards, these cards are split into four suits: Wands, Swords, Coins and Cups, each ahrking back to the Tarot card game past. You can clearly relate the Minor Arcana to any standard pack of playing cards, Clubs relate to Wands, Diamonds relate to coins or pentacles, spades to swords and Hearts to Cups. Each suit has four Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen and Kind.
Yesterday I found I seemed to be pulling our swords cards pretty heavily. Im still working on a bigger understand of the Swords suit but Nanettes notes indicate they are Air Element and cover Matters of idea and intelligence. All things of a logical, intellectual nature. A little further reading I did seems to pit them as covering conflict. Swords is supposably the most negative suit. What that says about me pulling them heavy who knows.
However - I left the workshop, making a new friend Suzy who is moving back to Wales on monday. We added each other on facebook with a view of seeing how both our spiritual journeys develop. Next I was picked up by my friend Yvonne and we went and watched some movies with Helen - a new friend I have met through Yvonne. I did a celtic cross reading for both of them and they said I got it bang on. So good stuff!
For anyone who has not heard of the Tarot heres a little back ground from the stuff I got in my pack yesterday.
History
While many clain that the Tarot has an ancient beginning, the cards as we recognise them today have their roots in medieval Italy. One of the oldest surviving tarot decks is the Visconti -Sforza, designed and painted for the influential Italian novle familites of the same name. These hand painted cards were fundamentally playing cards and comprised of four suits, one set of trumps, with a special trump card called the fool. The fact that the modern pack owes much of its development over the centuaries to the humble playing card is a subtle fact that should not be forgotten. While it is not unreasonable to assume that the "tarocchi" as it came to be known was used to some extent for divination purposes, it wasn't until the work of French occultist Antoin Court de Geblin tha the Tarot become known for its esoteric content. Without any historical research, Court asserted that the Tarot was a vessel in which ancient Egyptian widsom had survived over centuaries, waiting to be decoded by those willin and able enough to do so. To Court, the Tarot was nothing less than the fabled book of Thoth. Whatever one thinks of Court's thoughts they represent the basis for the mystery and percieved wisdom of the Tarot that we know today.
About the Tarot
A standard modern Tarot pack comprises of 78 cards, split into two interconnecting realms known as the Major and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana comprises of 22 Trump cards. All of which are strikingly illustrated. Depending on the particular deck, the order in which the Trump cards appear can vary. However while the order may change the basic symbolism of the card names will be simular. Having said this, there are some notable exceptions as certain Tarot decks are designed primarily for meditation purposes, not for divination. Alongside the 22 Trump cards you have the 56 cards of the Minor Arcana, commonly known as PIP Cards, these cards are split into four suits: Wands, Swords, Coins and Cups, each ahrking back to the Tarot card game past. You can clearly relate the Minor Arcana to any standard pack of playing cards, Clubs relate to Wands, Diamonds relate to coins or pentacles, spades to swords and Hearts to Cups. Each suit has four Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen and Kind.
Yesterday I found I seemed to be pulling our swords cards pretty heavily. Im still working on a bigger understand of the Swords suit but Nanettes notes indicate they are Air Element and cover Matters of idea and intelligence. All things of a logical, intellectual nature. A little further reading I did seems to pit them as covering conflict. Swords is supposably the most negative suit. What that says about me pulling them heavy who knows.
However - I left the workshop, making a new friend Suzy who is moving back to Wales on monday. We added each other on facebook with a view of seeing how both our spiritual journeys develop. Next I was picked up by my friend Yvonne and we went and watched some movies with Helen - a new friend I have met through Yvonne. I did a celtic cross reading for both of them and they said I got it bang on. So good stuff!
Saturday, 14 April 2012
Made in Chelsea Season 3
So my favourite real yet not real, totally scripted with dodgy acting and long looks reality tv thing is back. At Xmas - Spencer and Caggie had finally got it on. So imagine the surprise that she went off to Oz with Proudlock and came back having fallen heavily for someone else and tatooed his name on her. Of course Spencer took it very well, making you wonder of course if Xmas was a whole made up thing just to pull in ratings or in fact are they better as mates.
Hugo is now all happy snuggly with some blond Natalia (I think) bird. Millie is with Professor Green. Both have moved on. Which is a shame as I loved Hugo and Millie together. Spencer and Jamie are moving in together. Oh my god haha. It seems he bosses Jamie about, oh and Jamie stepped away from Louise who he really liked on account of Spencer. So nothing to do with getting it on with Gabby then??????
Now they have introduced a new lass - size 6 blond christian that seems to have all the boys in a tizz. Cheska is slowly falling for a mate of Ollies, clearly being set up for a Cheska/Gabby/Ollies mate triangle. Binky seems to be non - existent so far as does my fav Mr Locke. We need more Ollie!!!!!
And Bouille. Oh Francis. Who one earth gets filmed pretending to network in the gym. And Why why why would you put that dodgy headband on. Next question - you can't win against Spencer for women so why think you could against Jamie either???? I have not been a big fan of Ole Francis - if you look back at earlier blogs but Im starting to appreciate his comic relief. He's like the Mr Bean of MIC. I mean he's supposed to be this hotshot business man but nothing ever seems to go right for him.
Hugo is now all happy snuggly with some blond Natalia (I think) bird. Millie is with Professor Green. Both have moved on. Which is a shame as I loved Hugo and Millie together. Spencer and Jamie are moving in together. Oh my god haha. It seems he bosses Jamie about, oh and Jamie stepped away from Louise who he really liked on account of Spencer. So nothing to do with getting it on with Gabby then??????
Now they have introduced a new lass - size 6 blond christian that seems to have all the boys in a tizz. Cheska is slowly falling for a mate of Ollies, clearly being set up for a Cheska/Gabby/Ollies mate triangle. Binky seems to be non - existent so far as does my fav Mr Locke. We need more Ollie!!!!!
And Bouille. Oh Francis. Who one earth gets filmed pretending to network in the gym. And Why why why would you put that dodgy headband on. Next question - you can't win against Spencer for women so why think you could against Jamie either???? I have not been a big fan of Ole Francis - if you look back at earlier blogs but Im starting to appreciate his comic relief. He's like the Mr Bean of MIC. I mean he's supposed to be this hotshot business man but nothing ever seems to go right for him.
Saturday, 24 March 2012
sound advice and what happens when we die?
I haven't posted in a while but have been plodding on. Im happy to report I am now 17 pounds down. Im feeling much better about life on the whole - well barr last week when I had an uncomfortable run in with Mr Morrisons and we completely ignored each others existence.
That upset me that someone I have known so long, I can't even say hello too anymore. I went home and like the hopeless sap of a girl I am had a little cry about that.
Luckily for me - my mate who offered some sage words putting the whole thing in perspective. If you have tryed everything to fix something and you just can't then you have to just accept. I think his exact words were.
"Accept that. Your trying is making you suffer. Allow what IS to be. By allowing a situation to just be, we give it space, room to breathe, then it will sort itself out while we get on with our lives."
Now Im not saying thats easy, letting go and stepping outside of the issue. But I am going to try it. Because the thing is I really have tryed twice to fix things for the better. I can relax in the knowledge that I did try.
Anyway on with the more interesting stuff . . . . . . .
You know when you get those strange tugs - I can't really explain that very well. That inner bolt towards you having to do something????? Maybe its just me . . . . . . . . well I had one last week. I was reading my unexplained mysteries forum. As you know I love to do that!
And I came across a thread on reincarnation. Well thats an idea I have entertained a few times. Someone on the thread was talking about a person called Dr Michael Newton who had written a book Journey of the Souls. Now I have made a conscious effort to stop buying books until I can afford to get myself a Kindle. I love books, I love reading but I have a very tiny flat which has far far far too many books already. And I never want to throw any away.
I spent a few days trying to ignore the tugging that I had to get the book but as it didn't gone away, I bought it and its fascinating. Probably because whats come out of this mans life work in hypnosis (he's regressed and hypnotised over 7000 people to get the information he's written about and was a sceptic in the beginning) but it seems to fit with what I have always thought happens in reincarnation.
So there I was reading it a few chapters and I could feel energy all around me. My third eye felt like it was full of energy and the last few nights sleep have been the best in my life. Im not going to write a review yet as I am only about half way through the book but to date its very interesting.
That upset me that someone I have known so long, I can't even say hello too anymore. I went home and like the hopeless sap of a girl I am had a little cry about that.
Luckily for me - my mate who offered some sage words putting the whole thing in perspective. If you have tryed everything to fix something and you just can't then you have to just accept. I think his exact words were.
"Accept that. Your trying is making you suffer. Allow what IS to be. By allowing a situation to just be, we give it space, room to breathe, then it will sort itself out while we get on with our lives."
Now Im not saying thats easy, letting go and stepping outside of the issue. But I am going to try it. Because the thing is I really have tryed twice to fix things for the better. I can relax in the knowledge that I did try.
Anyway on with the more interesting stuff . . . . . . .
You know when you get those strange tugs - I can't really explain that very well. That inner bolt towards you having to do something????? Maybe its just me . . . . . . . . well I had one last week. I was reading my unexplained mysteries forum. As you know I love to do that!
And I came across a thread on reincarnation. Well thats an idea I have entertained a few times. Someone on the thread was talking about a person called Dr Michael Newton who had written a book Journey of the Souls. Now I have made a conscious effort to stop buying books until I can afford to get myself a Kindle. I love books, I love reading but I have a very tiny flat which has far far far too many books already. And I never want to throw any away.
I spent a few days trying to ignore the tugging that I had to get the book but as it didn't gone away, I bought it and its fascinating. Probably because whats come out of this mans life work in hypnosis (he's regressed and hypnotised over 7000 people to get the information he's written about and was a sceptic in the beginning) but it seems to fit with what I have always thought happens in reincarnation.
So there I was reading it a few chapters and I could feel energy all around me. My third eye felt like it was full of energy and the last few nights sleep have been the best in my life. Im not going to write a review yet as I am only about half way through the book but to date its very interesting.
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Reflections of this weekend
Well I allowed myself to get het up. Something I haven't done in a while. I was doing pretty well on the whole living peacefully thing and the diet. This week it all went to pot.
I allowed it to happen 3 times to be exact. Well if Im honest, I suspect the first time there was more at work than just me. My conversation with my friend was incredibly confusing in that he seemed to have an overview of our friendship that did not match any of my observations. In fact he seemed totally off on one over me apparently not enjoying being taught chess by him, acting like an arse and accusing me of always getting frustrated when I can honestly say this weekend is the first time I have ever felt frustrated. He's bi-polar and smokes weed, so I that was probably more behind his strange behaviour than anything.
But I also think he was pushing me away. Our mutual friends have split up and he's a mess. A big mess. When he met me his clothes had holes in and he smelt. I guess he doesn't feel like he deserves people to care about him so pushes them away. This friend talks a big talk about being able to "Read" people and understand them but he can't turn that inward and help himself. Normally when somebody presents themselves to me like this I fight for them. I figure that if it was me, I would want someone fighting for and believing in me but the penny has dropped now.
Only 1 person can do that. And thats yourself. You can try help people as much as possible but if they won't let you and want to push you away what can you do? I got frustrated and walked away. But thats what he wanted. I get that now. If he ever changes that mindset, I will of course be around. The ironic part of this is - I really did enjoy learning to play chess.
The next person snubbed me from something. And I was upset. But whats the point? There is no point wasting energy on wondering why and getting upset. Just let them get on with it. If my company isn't wanted then I will not give it. I would rather give my company to those who appreciate it.
The last person, really infuriated me but I have taken a course of action I don't normally condome. I have backed down and decided to just let her have her way. I think sometimes you really have to pick your battles and this is one of them.
I allowed it to happen 3 times to be exact. Well if Im honest, I suspect the first time there was more at work than just me. My conversation with my friend was incredibly confusing in that he seemed to have an overview of our friendship that did not match any of my observations. In fact he seemed totally off on one over me apparently not enjoying being taught chess by him, acting like an arse and accusing me of always getting frustrated when I can honestly say this weekend is the first time I have ever felt frustrated. He's bi-polar and smokes weed, so I that was probably more behind his strange behaviour than anything.
But I also think he was pushing me away. Our mutual friends have split up and he's a mess. A big mess. When he met me his clothes had holes in and he smelt. I guess he doesn't feel like he deserves people to care about him so pushes them away. This friend talks a big talk about being able to "Read" people and understand them but he can't turn that inward and help himself. Normally when somebody presents themselves to me like this I fight for them. I figure that if it was me, I would want someone fighting for and believing in me but the penny has dropped now.
Only 1 person can do that. And thats yourself. You can try help people as much as possible but if they won't let you and want to push you away what can you do? I got frustrated and walked away. But thats what he wanted. I get that now. If he ever changes that mindset, I will of course be around. The ironic part of this is - I really did enjoy learning to play chess.
The next person snubbed me from something. And I was upset. But whats the point? There is no point wasting energy on wondering why and getting upset. Just let them get on with it. If my company isn't wanted then I will not give it. I would rather give my company to those who appreciate it.
The last person, really infuriated me but I have taken a course of action I don't normally condome. I have backed down and decided to just let her have her way. I think sometimes you really have to pick your battles and this is one of them.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Annoyed
Seriously what is everyone's problem this weekend??????
I know 1 thing it ain't got shit all to do with Chess, small table bookings and Symbosis Commissions.
Get a life and stop being so petty!!!!!
I know 1 thing it ain't got shit all to do with Chess, small table bookings and Symbosis Commissions.
Get a life and stop being so petty!!!!!
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Fat girl slim update
I had a text from my mate Sahra last night asking me for my blog url and I felt guilty that I have not updated this in a while. So, especially if Sahra's going to be reading it, here we go.
I have been going to fat club for 3 weeks now. It will be my 3rd weigh in tommorow night. I started the plan a week before joining the club, which was stupid as I lost 4lb by myself before rejoining and then in class in the last 2 weeks I have only lost 5lbs. Still a total of 9lb in 3 weeks is pretty darn good.
I have been making myself walk on a lunch time at work. I have been going for at least an hours walk every sunday. I have noticed that I am no longer getting puffy walking up the big hill to Grans. My current jeans are starting to hang off me and I am sleeping better. All this is fantastic. On the downside my face has come out in spots. Typical that when I eat junk, my face is fine. Eat healthy and it breaks out. Good times!!!!
My friend Chelle is also doing the SW plan and shes lost a couple of stone. We have decided to take it in turns to cook for each other every thursday in an attempt to try new recipes and we are supporting each other. Thats nice. Also my sister is being very supportive, texting me well done and the people at work - the NVQ crowd are also on SW and Pam keeps asking me how things are and making suggestions.
Hopefully too I might make some new local friends from going to the class. Im not the most confident person meeting new people but I did make an effort and spoke to at least 2 while I was waiting for class to begin last week. I will have to try keep it up.
There are some fantastic people at my SW club who have lost lots of weight and are so positive. They have a closed club page on Facebook that I have joined and we are swopping encouragement and recipes. So all in all, so far my SW experience is proving to be a good one.
Sahra is running a marathon, so I would like to wish her the very best of luck with that. I would like to get back into running one day. She is possibly going to start her own running blog which I think is a really cool idea!
I started off fairly well last year but was so self conscious. So for me this time, I want to get some weight off and have another go. Last time I was still a size 22 and my knees hurt. This time I want to get down to a size 16/18 and try it again.
I have to keep telling myself that this is marathon not a sprint. Its not going to happen overnight, it will be a long slow constant process. I have managed to do it before, I can do this again.
I have been going to fat club for 3 weeks now. It will be my 3rd weigh in tommorow night. I started the plan a week before joining the club, which was stupid as I lost 4lb by myself before rejoining and then in class in the last 2 weeks I have only lost 5lbs. Still a total of 9lb in 3 weeks is pretty darn good.
I have been making myself walk on a lunch time at work. I have been going for at least an hours walk every sunday. I have noticed that I am no longer getting puffy walking up the big hill to Grans. My current jeans are starting to hang off me and I am sleeping better. All this is fantastic. On the downside my face has come out in spots. Typical that when I eat junk, my face is fine. Eat healthy and it breaks out. Good times!!!!
My friend Chelle is also doing the SW plan and shes lost a couple of stone. We have decided to take it in turns to cook for each other every thursday in an attempt to try new recipes and we are supporting each other. Thats nice. Also my sister is being very supportive, texting me well done and the people at work - the NVQ crowd are also on SW and Pam keeps asking me how things are and making suggestions.
Hopefully too I might make some new local friends from going to the class. Im not the most confident person meeting new people but I did make an effort and spoke to at least 2 while I was waiting for class to begin last week. I will have to try keep it up.
There are some fantastic people at my SW club who have lost lots of weight and are so positive. They have a closed club page on Facebook that I have joined and we are swopping encouragement and recipes. So all in all, so far my SW experience is proving to be a good one.
Sahra is running a marathon, so I would like to wish her the very best of luck with that. I would like to get back into running one day. She is possibly going to start her own running blog which I think is a really cool idea!
I started off fairly well last year but was so self conscious. So for me this time, I want to get some weight off and have another go. Last time I was still a size 22 and my knees hurt. This time I want to get down to a size 16/18 and try it again.
I have to keep telling myself that this is marathon not a sprint. Its not going to happen overnight, it will be a long slow constant process. I have managed to do it before, I can do this again.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Offically rejoined slimming world again
So I managed to actually find the confidence to walk into the DRAM centre by myself. I had been fretting about it all afternoon, but it had to be done. As it was 9 other new people joined tonight, including a little boy. To say it was the local club I only vagually recognised a couple of faces.
My 10 % target seems so far off but I have to keep telling myself, I want to be a size 16 for Kate and Steves wedding. I can't go to another wedding this big.
My 10 % target seems so far off but I have to keep telling myself, I want to be a size 16 for Kate and Steves wedding. I can't go to another wedding this big.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Fat Girl slim w/c 03.01.12
Well I have just weighed myself and its shocking. I have so much weight to lose. I have had a fairly good week. Not had too many bad things, I have been trying to drink more herbal tea and water at work, snack on yogurts, special k bars etc.
Time to get serious!
Time to get serious!
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Fat girl slim begineth again
So the diet starts today. I would have started it two days ago but I still had food not so good for me needing eating up. And the climate we are in now, you don't throw things away without using them. Plus I am back at work so its easier for me to get into a routine. I have my muller light, banana, wholemeal bread roll, mugshot - all ready for a green day. I have porrige at work and I have herbal teas. I am going to try drink more herbal teas - hopefully it will help with this annoying cold that won't die too.
What I also need to do is get into an exercise routine. I tried running last year with some limited success but I have knocked the gym on the head to save money and its far too cold at the moment. Perhaps when it gets warmer - towards April I can try again. I may have even lost some weight by them. What would be brilliant would be to find someone willing to come jogging with me but I doubt I can talk Chele into that. The truth is when I could do it last year I did enjoy it its just one day my body and my confidence just seemed to run out and I stopped. But shes up for swimming so perhaps we can get that going weekly.
The meditation is going well - 3 days in a row. Sessions all been about half an hour. Last night I kind of almost fell asleep but I think that was the cold and the medication more than anything but it will have still been beneficial for me.
Piano is going well too. Again I have practiced and played 3 days in a row. So I will try get back to doing an hour each night and half an hour meditation each night. Far more productive for me than spending all evening infront of the TV or on the PC. And if I can find an exercise DVD and make myself do that too, fantastic.
So all in all 2012 seems to be off to a good start.
What I also need to do is get into an exercise routine. I tried running last year with some limited success but I have knocked the gym on the head to save money and its far too cold at the moment. Perhaps when it gets warmer - towards April I can try again. I may have even lost some weight by them. What would be brilliant would be to find someone willing to come jogging with me but I doubt I can talk Chele into that. The truth is when I could do it last year I did enjoy it its just one day my body and my confidence just seemed to run out and I stopped. But shes up for swimming so perhaps we can get that going weekly.
The meditation is going well - 3 days in a row. Sessions all been about half an hour. Last night I kind of almost fell asleep but I think that was the cold and the medication more than anything but it will have still been beneficial for me.
Piano is going well too. Again I have practiced and played 3 days in a row. So I will try get back to doing an hour each night and half an hour meditation each night. Far more productive for me than spending all evening infront of the TV or on the PC. And if I can find an exercise DVD and make myself do that too, fantastic.
So all in all 2012 seems to be off to a good start.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Year of the Deb!
Well according to my brother this year is the year of the G. But thats for him. This year for me is the year of the Deb. In that I am going to succeed this year and enjoy it. When we get to this time next year Im not going to be moaning about how 2012 turned out (well unless some mad crazy event does happen on Dec 21st!!!!!!!!!!!!).
I suppose I could moan about last year now. It had some pretty horrible moments and Im also a big snot monster at the moment and feeling poo . . . . . . but instead Ive decided to be positive and focus on the good stuff.
The main thing being the birth of my gorgeous niece. That is the best thing that happened to me in 2011. Shes just so amazing and changed so much in 9 weeks.
Following that was getting some self respect and making the decision in April not to go out of my way with people who really cannot be bothered with me. Not that any of those folks have noticed or seem to care but thats their problem not mine. You should appreciate what you have in front of you when you have it!
I feel millions better about myself and now I am no longer being used. Im still working on the forgiveness part for the person who did use me and Im confident it will come.
I also got a promotion at work, recognition for all my hard work over the years.
I met a couple of new friends. Both are really interesting people. Ones a musician with a bearded dragon. The others got an interesting outlook on life and magical hair!
So new years resolutions for 2012:
1-Lose weight. I need to get my fat ass back to slimming world and drop a few sizes and get fitter.
2-Continue trying to teach myself piano.
3-Try to Meditate every day - I need to get back into spirituality
4-Save some money for either a new computer or a holiday or if I am incredibly lucky - Both!!!!!
I suppose I could moan about last year now. It had some pretty horrible moments and Im also a big snot monster at the moment and feeling poo . . . . . . but instead Ive decided to be positive and focus on the good stuff.
The main thing being the birth of my gorgeous niece. That is the best thing that happened to me in 2011. Shes just so amazing and changed so much in 9 weeks.
Following that was getting some self respect and making the decision in April not to go out of my way with people who really cannot be bothered with me. Not that any of those folks have noticed or seem to care but thats their problem not mine. You should appreciate what you have in front of you when you have it!
I feel millions better about myself and now I am no longer being used. Im still working on the forgiveness part for the person who did use me and Im confident it will come.
I also got a promotion at work, recognition for all my hard work over the years.
I met a couple of new friends. Both are really interesting people. Ones a musician with a bearded dragon. The others got an interesting outlook on life and magical hair!
So new years resolutions for 2012:
1-Lose weight. I need to get my fat ass back to slimming world and drop a few sizes and get fitter.
2-Continue trying to teach myself piano.
3-Try to Meditate every day - I need to get back into spirituality
4-Save some money for either a new computer or a holiday or if I am incredibly lucky - Both!!!!!
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Recovered . . . I think
So xmas is over for another year. I have to thank my sister and her partner Steve for inviting me over and cooking an amazingly yummy meal. I went out xmas eve and drank wine. I don't drink much these days but it went right to my head and then I couldn't sleep at mum and dads. So that messed up my sleep pattern but now 2 nights later I think I am back to normal again. Great to be back in my own bed again.
So santa was nice as always this year. Also very practical. I have paint - for my kitchen if I ever get the crap thats currently on the walls off. Just spent 2 hours fighting some of it and am knackered. Theres like 6 layers of paint on top of the paper cause who was in before me couldn't be bothered to remove anything. They just painted over it instead.
My sister also got me some other bits for the kitchen. My brother got me a digital photoframe. He says theres some pics already loaded on it but I have not had chance to plug it in and look at them yet.
Mum got me a speaking roland rat mug. Prize for the most unique gift this year Mother lol. Got some funky slippers and tarot cards. I will have to have some meditation sessions and have a go at those. I actually got to speak to mum and dad in oz on xmas day. I must admit I am missing them. Gran came for dinner with me and my sister. She was in a incredibly grumpy mood.
Then in the afternoon we went up to see my brother and clan. I tryed to teach Sophie the first 3 lessions in the how to play keyboard book I got her. Shes promised to practice every day this week - I said I would show her lesson 4 but I suspect she won't have looked at it since. Who knows!
I have watched alot of good tv over the last couple of days - Dirty Dancing, Doc Hollywood, Miracle on 34th Street. Two miniseries - Earthsea and the Sword of Xanten which suprisingly featured a pre-twilight & HP fame robert pattinson. Based on norse myths. Apparently it was really huge in germany. I liked it though.
Got home and wrote some more gangster story. This is what I have so far. Im would love some comments but as no one ever seems to comment . . .. . *sulks*. Please comment!!!!!!!
So santa was nice as always this year. Also very practical. I have paint - for my kitchen if I ever get the crap thats currently on the walls off. Just spent 2 hours fighting some of it and am knackered. Theres like 6 layers of paint on top of the paper cause who was in before me couldn't be bothered to remove anything. They just painted over it instead.
My sister also got me some other bits for the kitchen. My brother got me a digital photoframe. He says theres some pics already loaded on it but I have not had chance to plug it in and look at them yet.
Mum got me a speaking roland rat mug. Prize for the most unique gift this year Mother lol. Got some funky slippers and tarot cards. I will have to have some meditation sessions and have a go at those. I actually got to speak to mum and dad in oz on xmas day. I must admit I am missing them. Gran came for dinner with me and my sister. She was in a incredibly grumpy mood.
Then in the afternoon we went up to see my brother and clan. I tryed to teach Sophie the first 3 lessions in the how to play keyboard book I got her. Shes promised to practice every day this week - I said I would show her lesson 4 but I suspect she won't have looked at it since. Who knows!
I have watched alot of good tv over the last couple of days - Dirty Dancing, Doc Hollywood, Miracle on 34th Street. Two miniseries - Earthsea and the Sword of Xanten which suprisingly featured a pre-twilight & HP fame robert pattinson. Based on norse myths. Apparently it was really huge in germany. I liked it though.
Got home and wrote some more gangster story. This is what I have so far. Im would love some comments but as no one ever seems to comment . . .. . *sulks*. Please comment!!!!!!!
America
in the 20’s. What an era. We had it all, bootleg liqueur, speakeasies, gangs,
drugs, weapons and the broads. America
was taking off; more specifically Chicago
was taking off. And it was in Chicago
that I made one of the stupidest mistakes I could make. I tried to rob Fat
Francis “Frank” Galdofini.
You see I made the mistake of thinking he was just a small
fry. When I passed through Chicago
the Irish ruled. More specifically Gabriel Fitzgerald had control of that town.
I should have done my homework. Fat Frank had just come back from a stint in
Sing Sing. He was pissed and he was rebuilding the Italians territory back
after Fitzgerald stitched him up.
So there you have it and there I was having my guts punched
out of me
Fat Frank was the epitome of calm when he walked into the
room his goons were holding me. That put the fear of god through me. An angry
Italian who was quiet was far far more dangerous than one shouting the odds.
He took a seat, hauling his broad frame into the chair
behind the desk. The chair creaked. At first he said nothing, just taking sips
from a drink and watching the other two men throw punch after punch at me. It
was only when a large amount of my blood dropped on his wooden floors that he
nodded his head and suddenly I was forced down on my knees.
Then Fat Frank leaned forward. “Perhaps,” he said finally,
“I should have them rompere
i coglioni a qualcuno.” (Break someone’s testicles – will need jacs mate to do
correct translation)
Now I knew enough Italian slang to know that was .
. . . not nice and definitely not something I wanted to experience. I also knew
enough about mobsters to know that if they made a threat they normally followed
through. So despite the excruciating pain I was already in, I mentally prepared
for the worst.
Strangely though it didn’t happen. The big man
instead sipped his drink one more time before adding,
“Or perhaps I should arrange for you two minchione (fools)
to be broken instead for letting him get past you,”
Now this was a turn up for the books.
“But boss, we got him,”
Finally I saw some of that Italian fire. He stood up
and threw the drink at goon number 1. “But he almost got away with,” the man
picked up the pile of notes I had come close to scoring, shook the pile wildly
and then threw everything off the desk. “Everything in my safe.”
A long silence passed, the men holding me clearly as
worried about their private regions as I was at that point.
“Pick that up, all up and get the “scientist.” I
want that safe repaired, the money back in it and I want it sorted yesterday.
Kapesh.”
“Yes boss,” both men said in unison dropping to
their knees in front of me as the big man settled into his seat once more.
“Oh and I want that blood off my office floor,” he
demanded.
“I should kill you,” Fat Frank stated after another
long silence in which both goons were frantically picking up money. He seemed
now as calm as he was when he walked in at the beginning. This time however, he
pulled a piece out of his suit jacket. As if I needed the point to be put
across any further.
I said nothing. I was just as stubborn as I was
stupid. And if this was where I was going out, I wasn’t begging for my life.
“However,” he placed the gun on the desk. “I could
use a man with you’re . . . . “Talents”. So instead, I am going to give you the
opportunity to “work” for me.”
Regardless to say, I didn’t need to think twice
about what the answer to that one was.
Friday, 23 December 2011
Alas no heroquest again
So last night was supposed to be a games night. It didn't quite pan out that way. My mate was upset so it got cancelled and we went out to dinner instead to cheer her up. Even bought cheesecake. I have a wad of blueberry cheesecake in my fridge now that needs eating. Which is not good for me as I will eat it. So I am considering giving it to Inny my neighbour. She took some parcels in for me the other day, so I need to go round for those anyway.
Yesterday my sister and I took gran shopping. Never ever do that with a 91 year old 3 days before xmas. It was mental. I thought I was going to pass out at one point. Never good. Then we went and got a turkey. I have been saving my nectar points all year for that turkey. £17 it was. I had £15 of nectar points. So all in all not bad. A turkey for £2.00. I hung out with my sis at hers for an hour and we went up to see my brother and co.
So I got more cuddles with Ellie. I was even braver and manourved her up to my shoulder and in thanks the little darling headbutted me LOL. She may be small but shes powerful hehe
I watched the made in chelsea xmas special last night and "SPAGGIE" finally. About bloody time. Just wish Hugo and Millie could make it up now. I liked those two together. I also, and I never thought I would say this, but I also didn't find Francis as irriating last night. I think he endeared himself to me the fact he can't sing!
Im really loving this van morrison song at the moment
Yesterday my sister and I took gran shopping. Never ever do that with a 91 year old 3 days before xmas. It was mental. I thought I was going to pass out at one point. Never good. Then we went and got a turkey. I have been saving my nectar points all year for that turkey. £17 it was. I had £15 of nectar points. So all in all not bad. A turkey for £2.00. I hung out with my sis at hers for an hour and we went up to see my brother and co.
So I got more cuddles with Ellie. I was even braver and manourved her up to my shoulder and in thanks the little darling headbutted me LOL. She may be small but shes powerful hehe
I watched the made in chelsea xmas special last night and "SPAGGIE" finally. About bloody time. Just wish Hugo and Millie could make it up now. I liked those two together. I also, and I never thought I would say this, but I also didn't find Francis as irriating last night. I think he endeared himself to me the fact he can't sing!
Im really loving this van morrison song at the moment
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Returning back to writing
So yes I have been terrible lately. I think ongoing writers block and just down right being knackered all the time has combined in my poor blog just sitting here. Well I just broke up from work for xmas so I have no excuse now. Also Jacs at work has encouraged me to think about starting to write properly. I did look for a creative writing course but no joy. Kirklees used to do one but not anymore.
There are some online courses but your talking £150. So instead I have treated myself to a couple of half price books on amazon. The "home study" creative writing course lol and the plan is I am going to work through the exercises in there and Jac read them for me as shes done an english degree. We are also talking about writing a novel together. It may just be one of our, we can do this to get rich and finally go to NYC and see Michael Buble plans or it could be something.
The ideas we came up with so far have merit. I won't ruin ought by telling all on here as it could just be a blip. However you will surprised to see whats coming out so far is a gangster story not as most people would guess from me a science fiction one.
Piano has been bad too. Its like all I have had the energy for lately is work. And yes thats paid off. I have just had my PDR and everything was good and positive but I need to work on me now. Get some weight off - I have been bordom eating which I need to nix, I need to practice piano as I was getting somewhere then I stopped and you start to forget and I need to be creative. So there are my new years resolutions right there.
Oh right I forgot, finish the kitchen. I started stripping the walls and haven't done any more. So thats another goal, as my sister has bought me new paint for xmas and my dads got me 3 shelves. Which I can't put up until I paint it . . . God I hate DIY but it will look better once its done.
My gorgeous niece is now 6 weeks old and I am getting braver at holding her. I changed my first nappy last week. Ellie is starting to fill out and get bigger now. Its so amazing to see it. I mean shes starting to see further and see colours. I am really looking forward to spending her first christmas with her. Although it will be strange without mum and dad. They are visiting my aunt in oz this year. We haven't heard anything, so I hope they got to HK safely.
Anyway I promise more posts now.
Peace out and holidays love
Debs x
There are some online courses but your talking £150. So instead I have treated myself to a couple of half price books on amazon. The "home study" creative writing course lol and the plan is I am going to work through the exercises in there and Jac read them for me as shes done an english degree. We are also talking about writing a novel together. It may just be one of our, we can do this to get rich and finally go to NYC and see Michael Buble plans or it could be something.
The ideas we came up with so far have merit. I won't ruin ought by telling all on here as it could just be a blip. However you will surprised to see whats coming out so far is a gangster story not as most people would guess from me a science fiction one.
Piano has been bad too. Its like all I have had the energy for lately is work. And yes thats paid off. I have just had my PDR and everything was good and positive but I need to work on me now. Get some weight off - I have been bordom eating which I need to nix, I need to practice piano as I was getting somewhere then I stopped and you start to forget and I need to be creative. So there are my new years resolutions right there.
Oh right I forgot, finish the kitchen. I started stripping the walls and haven't done any more. So thats another goal, as my sister has bought me new paint for xmas and my dads got me 3 shelves. Which I can't put up until I paint it . . . God I hate DIY but it will look better once its done.
My gorgeous niece is now 6 weeks old and I am getting braver at holding her. I changed my first nappy last week. Ellie is starting to fill out and get bigger now. Its so amazing to see it. I mean shes starting to see further and see colours. I am really looking forward to spending her first christmas with her. Although it will be strange without mum and dad. They are visiting my aunt in oz this year. We haven't heard anything, so I hope they got to HK safely.
Anyway I promise more posts now.
Peace out and holidays love
Debs x
Thursday, 6 October 2011
"So, peoples is peoples, okay"
Ive been really bad and not posted in a while. I kind of lost my mojo on the writing front. Writers block but last night I managed to write some of a star ocean story I have had kicking about in draft for about 2 years. So I am hopefull that my dry spell is over now.
The above quote is from Jim Hensons the Muppets take Manhatten. Infact this is the scene. Ive carried this with me forever and ever.
I guess I am saying that as I have been watching a documentary called one giant leap today and it had a lot of different peoples in it. I have also been reflecting on my friends and family and the different things that influence us for example belief, money etc.
Its scary how much people can change when the factors and variables around them also change. Sometimes its good and sometimes its not but as Pete says peoples is peoples is peoples. Theres not much more you can do except roll with it.
In other news the new muppets movies is out really really soon. Very excited.
And I recently had the pleasure of going to the Distant Worlds concert in the Royal Albert Hall London which was just awesome. To hear some of the tunes from my all time favourite games in full orchestra and sit in a room of geeky people who appreciated it just as much, was brilliant. I think the hightlight for me had to be Kiss me goodbye, to Zanarkard and the opera.
Enjoy! And all pre-order the sequel to FF14!
The above quote is from Jim Hensons the Muppets take Manhatten. Infact this is the scene. Ive carried this with me forever and ever.
I guess I am saying that as I have been watching a documentary called one giant leap today and it had a lot of different peoples in it. I have also been reflecting on my friends and family and the different things that influence us for example belief, money etc.
Its scary how much people can change when the factors and variables around them also change. Sometimes its good and sometimes its not but as Pete says peoples is peoples is peoples. Theres not much more you can do except roll with it.
In other news the new muppets movies is out really really soon. Very excited.
And I recently had the pleasure of going to the Distant Worlds concert in the Royal Albert Hall London which was just awesome. To hear some of the tunes from my all time favourite games in full orchestra and sit in a room of geeky people who appreciated it just as much, was brilliant. I think the hightlight for me had to be Kiss me goodbye, to Zanarkard and the opera.
Enjoy! And all pre-order the sequel to FF14!
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Made in chelsea season 2
So my favourite cheesy completely unreal show is back. Last night Ollie who came out as Bi and wanting to date men last season is suddenly all happy with a another women. Also he now has an interesting in fishing.
Gabby his ex from last season has a chip on her shoulder, and went and bought the dress his present girlfriend wore for a photoshoot to send a message. What message?
Hugo and Millie are having problems. Its not looking good for them. I don't think they will last the season. Theres a new lass victoria who Hugo seemed quite intrigued with.
Spencer was embracing the whole friends with benefits thing with his ex louise trying to pretend Caggie meant nothing to him.
Francis "I am a pompous prat" Boulle continued trying to look like a serious business man. He was holding court with what looked like some rounded up and stuck in bad suits work experience boys.
Fred featured for about 10 seconds as Francis explained his plan to start things up again with Louise. Come on dude - your going up against Spencer . . . . . . AGAIN. Seriously how is that going to end?????
Strangly enough though I know I will watch ep 2.
Gabby his ex from last season has a chip on her shoulder, and went and bought the dress his present girlfriend wore for a photoshoot to send a message. What message?
Hugo and Millie are having problems. Its not looking good for them. I don't think they will last the season. Theres a new lass victoria who Hugo seemed quite intrigued with.
Spencer was embracing the whole friends with benefits thing with his ex louise trying to pretend Caggie meant nothing to him.
Francis "I am a pompous prat" Boulle continued trying to look like a serious business man. He was holding court with what looked like some rounded up and stuck in bad suits work experience boys.
Fred featured for about 10 seconds as Francis explained his plan to start things up again with Louise. Come on dude - your going up against Spencer . . . . . . AGAIN. Seriously how is that going to end?????
Strangly enough though I know I will watch ep 2.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Veggie experiment
I am trying to eat less meat for a couple of weeks to see if it makes a difference to a) my IBS and b) my weight and c) my spiritual wellbeing. Two days in I am happy to say I am not craving meat but I am struggling what to cook. Normally its chicken with veg or fish with veg. Okay I can still have the fish but I need to be more creative, hence I got the old slimming world mags out last night and started digging through green recipes.
That aside I am trying to get back into my meditation again. I won't try for everyday but maybe 3 times a week. That was enough last time to make me more open to the universe and energies and my sleep was so much better, I worried less. So many benefits! I want to get back into the angel cards also. Last nights 40 min session I had a flash of someone running across a beach. No idea what that means like but it was interesting
.
That aside I am trying to get back into my meditation again. I won't try for everyday but maybe 3 times a week. That was enough last time to make me more open to the universe and energies and my sleep was so much better, I worried less. So many benefits! I want to get back into the angel cards also. Last nights 40 min session I had a flash of someone running across a beach. No idea what that means like but it was interesting
.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeing deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers."
I'm reading a book by M. Scott Peck. Apparently its a ten million copy bestseller. I am told that if I let it it can change my life. Lets see what happens.
Saturday, 10 September 2011
such an idiot
Evidently there was no point wallowing earlier today at all as the person in question is a complete and utter spineless prick! And Im an idiot for always wanting to believe in the best in people, still trying to fix things with someone who doesn't respect me in any way, shape or form and is a pitiful excuse for a human being.
Whats in a song?
I have never been big into music. I say that as I have friends who just live for music, they go to loads of gigs, worship certain singers. I have a new friend that actually has a band. My dad was in several growing up but I've never been that type of person.
I have come to appreciate music more in the last few months. My quest to learn some piano. Its going slowly but its fun. And it dawns on me now music isn't just about melodies and songs, its a sound track of your life.
There are those songs that resonate inside you and you need to take note of the lyrics. Sometimes I think they are subcosciously inside you already. Theres a song by Mr Big that both intrigues and tortures me. And theres a history behind that.
Right now Im up at stupid o clock, worrying and over analysing things. I didn't set out to do this right now and despite a little blip a couple of weeks ago in which I was worried about a family member I was doing really well on the whole not doing all this kind of thing. Infact sleep has just been amazing the last few months.
I guess my subconscious mind is once again reflecting and processing what it needs to get out of its system.
Okay thats a lie. A big fat lie. Why do I do that? I always try hide something under some psychobabble.
I know what its stressing about but I already tryed to address that issue earlier and got hit by a big fat wall of silence. Thats the worst thing anyone can inflict on me. A new friend of mine would no doubt say I'm being overly dramatic, and its because I didn't get the reaction I wanted. Yeah thats true too but having silence inflicted on me - its my Kryptonite.
At least if you talk about something that communication means there is a chance to address it, sort it out. Silence just leaves it hanging there and your powerless to make any changes.
And as Im not superman and Lois Lane or Jimmy Olsen isn't going to miraculously appear and throw it out of the way so I can get my strength back, Im going to wallow in Elton John for a bit instead.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
17 ways humanity's first contact with aliens could go down
I came across an article on 17 different ways alien contact could go down. Thought I would share it:
http://dvice.com/archives/2011/08/what-nasa-think.php#17
I think an 18th needs to be added in. I love that hitchhikers is taken into account but they have missed out one obvious one . . . . . Aliens think we are a joke. I.e. its a bit of fun to buzz us with UFO's and perhaps Douglas Adams is right. Everyone will get a chance for one to land infront of us and then insult us just for fun lol!
- ETs ignore us Just like in Star Trek, it’s possible that ETI has some kind of Prime Directive or other non-interference policy with other species for whatever reason, so that even if we did know for sure that they were out there, they might not respond to us. They also might not communicate simply because as a species, humans don’t interest them, whether it’s because of our primitive nature or violent tendencies or terrible taste in music or otherwise. Or, they could show up in the form of a giant alien probe, have a pleasant conversation with the whales, and then leave, without sparing us so much as a glance.
- ETs maybe contact us, but maybe not When ETI does contact Earth, it may be as unambiguous as a UFO landing in Times Square. Or, it may be a signal that we only receive once and can’t understand or decode. In fact, it’s possible that this has already happened, as with the still unexplained “Wow signal” . . .
- ETs change our philosophy No matter when or how we detect ETI, if it happens it’s going to cause massive changes to everything from science to religion, even if we find out nothing else besides the fact that ETI do exist. All of a sudden, we’re not alone in the universe, and Earth and everyone on it goes from being a super special place to just another planet covered with self-replicating and tolerably aware biological lifeforms. While most people would probably argue that this is a good thing to know, we’d have to seriously re-evaluate our existence, which has been unavoidably human-centric.
- ETs help us solve our problems It’s likely that ETI will be much, much more advanced than we are. And it’s also likely that ETI will be generally cooperative, since it would be hard for a fundamentally uncooperative society to expand into space. This combination (which is the fantasy of everyone interested in alien life) might provide insights that could enable us to learn how to avoid a technological catastrophe like global nuclear war or climate change.
- ETs threaten us, we kick their ass As unlikely as it seems, it’s within the realm of possibility that humans could successfully repel an invasion of earf by more advanced ETI, whether it’s because we have some technology that the ETI doesn’t, or because some environmental factor defeats the ETI for us. In addition to forcing Earth to unite as a planet, after it’s all over, we’d be able to steal a bunch of cool new tech from all the crashed flying saucers. It’s also conceivable that a second ETI could come to our rescue, which would be pretty sweet.
- ETs are boring and/or annoying While we generally think of ETI as something profound, there’s no certainty of that. Perhaps we’d start receiving unintentional signals from an ETI similar to our own civilization 50 years ago, with no hope for two-way communication, just cryptic military signals and reruns of bad TV shows. Or, a bunch aliens might show up to our planet as needy refugees, requiring a significant amount of resources without offering much in return.
- ETs eat us Everything has to eat something else, and aliens are no exception. Unfortunately, being high up on the food chain and intelligent enough to take care of ourselves means that we might be an ideal source of nutrition for carnivorous ETIs. Plus, there are lots of us to choose from and we seem to reproduce very rapidly, so the only question is, do we taste good? If the Kanamits from that Twilight Zone episode are to be believed, we sure do.
- ETs enslave us Advanced ETI may already have solved problems related to food production and manual labor, but on the other hand, animals slaves are cheap, reliable, and versatile. Enslavement can also take many other forms, such as forcing us to adopt their belief system, using us for entertainment purposes (like trained seals), or simply keeping us as pets
- ETs steal our resources It would be hard to develop a galactic civilization without maintaining a society that operates on generally sustainable principles, but that doesn’t mean that Earth might hold some physical value for ETI. Maybe they sprinkle rare-earth metals on their cupcakes or something. It may also be that a rapidly expanding ETI needs to consume the resources of other planets just to sustain their greed for shiny things (think Avatar, but reversed), and while this level of expansion may not be feasible in the long term, that’s not gonna do Earth much good if an expansionist ETI finds us before they burn themselves out.
- ETs destroy Earth because it’s in the way Even if ETI doesn’t necessarily wish Earth any harm, they may destroy our civilization and planet anyway if they think it would serve a greater good. For example, if Earth happens to be in the way of a Vogon hyperspatial bypass construction project that would lower the commute times of a countless aliens, could our paltry six or seven billion people really object to annihilation in the name of progress?
- ETs kill us all for being a bad species In greater scheme of things, humans kinda suck. We have a penchant for ruining our environment, we’re currently wiping out other species left and right, and we’re making more of ourselves at a rate that is clearly unsustainable. All of this makes it hard to argue that we’d make for responsible and respectful citizens of the galaxy, and ETI may just decide that everyone (including residents of our own planet) would be far better off if homo sapiens just weren’t around.
- ETs kill us all by accident ETI may be different enough from humans that we don’t have to worry about catching a disease from them. In fact, this is very likely. But it also may be the case that an ETI is just barely not different enough that we catch something that loves humans but that our immune systems are totally unprepared for and it wipes us out. ETI could also destroy us by accident if they unwittingly introduce a tenacious invasive species to Earth that eats all of our quadrotriticale, or if they otherwise negatively modify our ecosystem without intending too.
- ETs kill us all because they can Consider what happens when we humans encounter an intelligent species, like dolphins or chimpanzees: we hunt them for meat, we hunt them for sport, we lock them up and use them for research, we give them diseases, we dissect them, and we put them in zoos and teach them to do tricks, all because they’re not quite as smart as we are. It’s entirely possible, even likely, that a more advanced ETI might treat humans the exact same way. And if we have a problem with that, well, maybe we should consider how we treat other species.
- ETs get us to kill ourselves If all ETI wants to do is destroy Earth, the cheapest and easiest way to get us to do it is to simply send a message that provides detailed instructions on how we can go about killing ourselves. This could be in the form of a technology that we are unready for, more deliberate directions telling us how to (say) construct a particle accelerator that will actually create a black hole that will destroy our entire planet, or even simply an alien presence that makes us all go nuts and kill each other.
- ETs are intentionally hiding from us Instead of ignoring us because of some type of Prime Directive noninterference doctrine, it’s possible that ETI are taking it to the next level and actively trying to keep us unaware of their presence. They might be hiding out in the asteroid belt spying on Earth, they might have cloaking devices that allow them to get closer still, or they could be lizard people living among us in disguise. One other intriguing possibility is that ETI have surrounded our entire solar system with a giant “virtual planetarium” that shows the universe as empty, when really it’s full of life.
- ETs are unintentionally hiding from us It’s big galaxy out there, and an even bigger universe. We’re listening in for ETI signals all the time, but only in a few isolated parts of the spectrum that we think might be useful for communication, so it’s entirely possible that ETI is blaring away on a different spectral band that we’re not paying any attention to. Or maybe ETI is just too far away to detect us or be detected themselves. Or, our assumption that ETI is anything like us is inherently flawed, and it exists as some manifestation of vast hyperintelligent pan-dimensionality (like the little white mice from Hitchhiker’s Guide) and we can’t interact with it.
- ETs are not there The final scenario to consider is that ETI is simply not out there, and that humanity is completely alone in the ‘verse. At this point, the only thing we have do disprove this is some math that says that the Universe is a frikkin’ huge place and no matter how infinitesimally small a probability life has to exist somewhere besides Earth, the sheer volume of space ensures that it probably does. But that’s just a supposition, and until we actually make contact for the first time, all we can do is watch the skies, and hope.
http://dvice.com/archives/2011/08/what-nasa-think.php#17
I think an 18th needs to be added in. I love that hitchhikers is taken into account but they have missed out one obvious one . . . . . Aliens think we are a joke. I.e. its a bit of fun to buzz us with UFO's and perhaps Douglas Adams is right. Everyone will get a chance for one to land infront of us and then insult us just for fun lol!
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Are we in a computer game?
Just reflecting on a conversation I had this weekend, the sociological part of my brain thats if Im honest has laid dormant for a while, felt the need to investigate further.
What is reality? Mike, my lecturer at Leeds Met had us do a fascinating module in our degree on cybertheory. Well I think if this article had existed back in my uni days it would have been really interesting to do a thesis on.
Apparently a philospher chap in Oxford, Dr Bostrom believes that mathematically its a certaincy that we are living in someone elses computer simulation.
Can you imagine that? I mean for one thing it sounds like the plot of one of my favourite games - Starocean till the end of time.
Secondly I play the sims, and I love the sims. I play RPG games and I love them. Whos to say that there isn't another consciousness out there and Im in their game? We could all be Sims. Mindf£$king stuff.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/science/14tier.html
What is reality? Mike, my lecturer at Leeds Met had us do a fascinating module in our degree on cybertheory. Well I think if this article had existed back in my uni days it would have been really interesting to do a thesis on.
Apparently a philospher chap in Oxford, Dr Bostrom believes that mathematically its a certaincy that we are living in someone elses computer simulation.
Can you imagine that? I mean for one thing it sounds like the plot of one of my favourite games - Starocean till the end of time.
Secondly I play the sims, and I love the sims. I play RPG games and I love them. Whos to say that there isn't another consciousness out there and Im in their game? We could all be Sims. Mindf£$king stuff.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/science/14tier.html
An interesting week
So I am aware I have been incredibly lax on the posting lately so this was my week:
- Went out Sunday into town. I braved town. How rare I do that. Normally on account of money and self confidence. But all in all it turned out to be a really enjoyable night and I even felt comfortable enough to talk to new people.
- Cross referenced 2782 records from an excel matrix against a database. Eyes went muchos gammy.
- Worried about a family member
- Played a very enjoable game of heroquest
- Had some strange semi lucid dreams
- Listened to some very funky music
- Debated some cybertheory ala sociology with a stranger who's either a total genius or fairly insane
- Practiced the mexican hat slapping song for a couple of hours on piano
- Watched some classic x-files
- Ate chinese food with my sister and mum
- Got a funny fortune in my fortune cookie!
Monday, 29 August 2011
Did a quiz to see what D&D character I would be and . . . .
I Am A: Neutral Good Human Sorcerer (3rd Level)
Ability Scores:
Strength-9
Dexterity-10
Constitution-13
Intelligence-13
Wisdom-15
Charisma-11
Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.
Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.
Class:
Sorcerers are arcane spellcasters who manipulate magic energy with imagination and talent rather than studious discipline. They have no books, no mentors, no theories just raw power that they direct at will. Sorcerers know fewer spells than wizards do and acquire them more slowly, but they can cast individual spells more often and have no need to prepare their incantations ahead of time. Also unlike wizards, sorcerers cannot specialize in a school of magic. Since sorcerers gain their powers without undergoing the years of rigorous study that wizards go through, they have more time to learn fighting skills and are proficient with simple weapons. Charisma is very important for sorcerers; the higher their value in this ability, the higher the spell level they can cast.
Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)
I Am A: Neutral Good Human Sorcerer (3rd Level)
Ability Scores:
Strength-9
Dexterity-10
Constitution-13
Intelligence-13
Wisdom-15
Charisma-11
Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.
Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.
Class:
Sorcerers are arcane spellcasters who manipulate magic energy with imagination and talent rather than studious discipline. They have no books, no mentors, no theories just raw power that they direct at will. Sorcerers know fewer spells than wizards do and acquire them more slowly, but they can cast individual spells more often and have no need to prepare their incantations ahead of time. Also unlike wizards, sorcerers cannot specialize in a school of magic. Since sorcerers gain their powers without undergoing the years of rigorous study that wizards go through, they have more time to learn fighting skills and are proficient with simple weapons. Charisma is very important for sorcerers; the higher their value in this ability, the higher the spell level they can cast.
Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
And I can can can . . . . . . very slowly
I really don't know why but the can can is so far the hardest piece I have attempted so far, which is really annoying as everyone else working through the book says its cafe vienna and blow the man down. Hell I did not struggle as much with them as I am doing with this.
Anyway . . . . . . getting there slowly! At least its sounds somewhat like the can can should. Thats good.
Anyway . . . . . . getting there slowly! At least its sounds somewhat like the can can should. Thats good.
More Alfreds piano course - Got those Blues
I have to say I am really enjoying the blues stuff. All the beginners forums I have been visiting seem to be of the opposite thinking but there not bothering me - well yet!
This piece is coming on, I just need to work on the timing between moving my hands up to play the E flat. You can so tell in this video that my brain seems to skip a beat when ever I have to move my hands higher up for the black notes. I definitely have to work on that.
Harcourt and Haigh
The legend beginneth . . . . .
Okay well I am majorally biased in the fact that I fancy Verne who plays one half of this duo something rotten but it has finally started to land and knowing and having experienced Vernes humour - its going to be GOOD!!!!!
Anyway moving on to the important stuff. . . . . Harcourt and Haigh is the brain child of Verne and his friend Chris (who I have never met but have seen on tv once as an extra in coronation street I think. I also did a pencil drawing of the photo that spawned the creation of this when I was going through my drawing phase not so long back).
So what is Harcout and Haigh?
Just in case you cannot be bothered to click the newly added link under the my favourite websites list! Here you go:
To this day I have not managed to get Verne to verify if my conclusion of what did happen in this film is correct, its one of those things you watch that make you wonder several different things. However I think that was his desired effect.
I know on good authority that there is an even earlier filmed commercial revolving round Oranges that he also filmed in his media studies days but as Sahra (also staring in it would kill me. I mean serious chop me up and hang me out to dry!) and due to the fact I actually cannot find the link on youtube - Sorry folks!
Anyway click the link, visit the newly created blog and experience Harcourt and Haigh!
P.s. just found a humorous out takes vid from the room. Heres the linkage:
Okay well I am majorally biased in the fact that I fancy Verne who plays one half of this duo something rotten but it has finally started to land and knowing and having experienced Vernes humour - its going to be GOOD!!!!!
Anyway moving on to the important stuff. . . . . Harcourt and Haigh is the brain child of Verne and his friend Chris (who I have never met but have seen on tv once as an extra in coronation street I think. I also did a pencil drawing of the photo that spawned the creation of this when I was going through my drawing phase not so long back).
So what is Harcout and Haigh?
Just in case you cannot be bothered to click the newly added link under the my favourite websites list! Here you go:
Well, it’s an upcoming web-based comedy show about two drunk out-of-work actors who are trying to find that breakout job, or to just survive on a day to day basis and to keep themselves topped up with booze by any means necessary.
Trust me, you wouldn’t like them when they’re sober.
The BBC passed on this series - Idiots! So it is up to us bloggers, youtubers and the allround tinterweb community to get the word out. We need to get a following behind it like other such good web shorts/videos i.e the Guild or the V-Log Brothers.
This is not Vernes first venture into filming. I draw your attention to his earlier major work- The room.
To this day I have not managed to get Verne to verify if my conclusion of what did happen in this film is correct, its one of those things you watch that make you wonder several different things. However I think that was his desired effect.
I know on good authority that there is an even earlier filmed commercial revolving round Oranges that he also filmed in his media studies days but as Sahra (also staring in it would kill me. I mean serious chop me up and hang me out to dry!) and due to the fact I actually cannot find the link on youtube - Sorry folks!
Anyway click the link, visit the newly created blog and experience Harcourt and Haigh!
P.s. just found a humorous out takes vid from the room. Heres the linkage:
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Even more amazing things
Yesterday my boss told me I was being made a grade 4 for all my hard work!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!
I strongly believe that good luck comes in threes. So thats a comment from the fabulous Martin Spitznagel - 1, a promotion - 2 and . . . . something else - 3. Theres going to be another dose of good luck hit me. I'll let you know once I know hehe.
I took some time this morning to catch up with some of my youtube subscriptions. Three vlogbrothers ones - joint ones which were extremely funny. Its nice to see Hank and John together at the same time for a change. I want a t-shit that says "don't mention my t-shirt or I will stick a fork in you!" how cool is that hehe.
Toyko Sam put up a vid talking in Japanese completely. He's going on a diet and thinking of starting a new blog up. I will deffo be dipping into that. We are in the same place dude. Trying to get rid of mine too! He recommends watching a documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly dead. Heres the trailer and it looks pretty good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9SGWcZwk7c - Won't let me embed!
I think I will be needing this on DVD as soon as its out. I recon it will be a useful tool to watch to make myself feel disgusted like with Supersize me. I'm not sure but I may be able to watch it on megavideo. I'll check that one out later. On granddaughter duty and baking a guinness cake today. That sounds so good doesn't it Im make a big fat cake yet talking about watching an australian diet documentary in the same paragraph.
Ortopilot put up a lovely cover of The A Team by Ed Sheernan. Never heard of it but some gorgeous piano.
In other news in a mates round up, one friend has had a bloke write 2 songs about her. Another is getting a horse. One may be getting a £120 corset. Ones on holiday in grand canaria. Ones having a third date (hope it went well, want the goss tommorow or no Guinness cake for you!) and ones hopefully going to be doing a teaching course - yes! For years I have told him how brilliant a teacher he would be!!!!
Right breakfast and then get my fat arse up to the G'Ma's! Peace out folks.
I strongly believe that good luck comes in threes. So thats a comment from the fabulous Martin Spitznagel - 1, a promotion - 2 and . . . . something else - 3. Theres going to be another dose of good luck hit me. I'll let you know once I know hehe.
I took some time this morning to catch up with some of my youtube subscriptions. Three vlogbrothers ones - joint ones which were extremely funny. Its nice to see Hank and John together at the same time for a change. I want a t-shit that says "don't mention my t-shirt or I will stick a fork in you!" how cool is that hehe.
Toyko Sam put up a vid talking in Japanese completely. He's going on a diet and thinking of starting a new blog up. I will deffo be dipping into that. We are in the same place dude. Trying to get rid of mine too! He recommends watching a documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly dead. Heres the trailer and it looks pretty good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9SGWcZwk7c - Won't let me embed!
I think I will be needing this on DVD as soon as its out. I recon it will be a useful tool to watch to make myself feel disgusted like with Supersize me. I'm not sure but I may be able to watch it on megavideo. I'll check that one out later. On granddaughter duty and baking a guinness cake today. That sounds so good doesn't it Im make a big fat cake yet talking about watching an australian diet documentary in the same paragraph.
Ortopilot put up a lovely cover of The A Team by Ed Sheernan. Never heard of it but some gorgeous piano.
In other news in a mates round up, one friend has had a bloke write 2 songs about her. Another is getting a horse. One may be getting a £120 corset. Ones on holiday in grand canaria. Ones having a third date (hope it went well, want the goss tommorow or no Guinness cake for you!) and ones hopefully going to be doing a teaching course - yes! For years I have told him how brilliant a teacher he would be!!!!
Right breakfast and then get my fat arse up to the G'Ma's! Peace out folks.
Friday, 19 August 2011
Wozer encouragement and BB
I got up this morning and one of the most amazing things happened. Martin Spitnagel commented on my blog encouraging me to keep learning piano. How brilliant is that? I mean even my own family don't encourage me. I tryed to get Dad to look at my videos last weekend and he couldn't be bothered. That was so totally unexpected. I considered the fact he might read my comment on his blog but to actually take the time to look at my blog in return and make a really encouraging comment back. Brilliant. Thank you Martin. I will continue to learn! And I think I can feel a CD purchase coming on once pay day hits hehe.
All I need now is for Wil Wheaton and the Vlog brothers to comment on here too. I will be an exceptionally happy women then!
So last night hearlded a new era of Big brother. And boy what a mismatch of celebrities went in the house. Kerry Ketonia, Tara Reid -seriously. She seemed totally out of it. The bloke from my big fat gypsy wedding, some paparazzi guy, the levi's model (kudos for that one actually, we needed some eye candy!), the hoffs ex-wife, some polititans wife made famous by posing in a sheet, so lass from something about Essex, some bit star from Corrie and Jedward! Recon theres some major car crash tv ahead!
All I need now is for Wil Wheaton and the Vlog brothers to comment on here too. I will be an exceptionally happy women then!
So last night hearlded a new era of Big brother. And boy what a mismatch of celebrities went in the house. Kerry Ketonia, Tara Reid -seriously. She seemed totally out of it. The bloke from my big fat gypsy wedding, some paparazzi guy, the levi's model (kudos for that one actually, we needed some eye candy!), the hoffs ex-wife, some polititans wife made famous by posing in a sheet, so lass from something about Essex, some bit star from Corrie and Jedward! Recon theres some major car crash tv ahead!
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Friendship
I seem to be really on a roll with the blog posts today. I think meeting up with my highly creative friend earlier has sparked a fire in me to attempt to let out more of my thoughts and creativity! That can only be a good thing!
And in putting up all my piano vids, I was compelled to find out more about Mr Spitznagel (cantina rag - a few posts back) and I discovered he had a blog. Naturally when I come across anyone particually interesting I have a read up. And when I come across someone else who also keeps a blog - well thats even better. I had a noisy . . . .
Not only does this man play piano spectaculously exhibit B (A is the starwars cantina vid already posted)
Yes its the muppets and I love them. Naturally such a cool version of a muppets classic had to be shared . . . . but he also writes some pretty interesting stuff. I really felt the need to share the below views on friendship as it was really interesting to me and I think Mr Spitznagel has hit the nail on the head.
As I am really crap with technology and have no clue how to link this post to sed gentlemans blog - I tryed to click follow the blog and something about RSS feeds????? popped up. No clue . . . .the jargon scared me! So an ole copy and paste did the job instead. I hope thats okay and I haven't broken some sort of sharing bloggers link rule Im not aware of. Anyway Im babbling. This is the part of the post that interested me:
Friendship comes out of nowhere, grows inexplicably, and has the potential to delight and devastate you like nothing else on the planet. If friendship was a plant, it'd be illegal and we'd have to buy it from the guy who stands outside the fence by the tennis courts.
I've been thinking a lot about friendship recently. It's kind of a weird thing, if you ask me. The ideal friendship involves two people who share an equal amount of respect and affection for each other, but if you think about this, it's crazy talk. How can you possibly expect someone with an entirely separate set of life experiences, hopes, goals, moods, and dreams to be able to reliably love you in the way that you need them to? It's like relying on an electric motor with two magnets that may or may not attract or repel one another on a given day. When it runs, great. But what about when it stops running?
Some friendships grow slowly over time, a planet accreting into a sphere under the gravity of shared experiences, while other friendships, Big Bang Friendships, explode into a galaxy in the first few minutes and feel you feel like you've found a shard of yourself. No matter how they're formed, both take work to sustain and, if left to wither untended, sustained only by inertia and the memory of hotter days, you wake up one day and realize they died. The magnetism is gone.
It's not really one thing that kills a friendship, is it? It's the myriad miniature hurts and minor slights, the diaspora of disappointments and the steady rhythm of resignations. It's the you-never-call-me's and the you-weren't-there-when-I-needed-you's, the where-were-you's and the I-can't-talk-about this's. They're like cavities that turn the inside of the tooth to powder.
Martin Spitznagel
http://spitzfire.com/?p=187 - Ive just had a thought perhaps all I needed to do to link it was put that address in???? Oh well . .
Anyway as I said, just something interesting to think about . . . . .
And in putting up all my piano vids, I was compelled to find out more about Mr Spitznagel (cantina rag - a few posts back) and I discovered he had a blog. Naturally when I come across anyone particually interesting I have a read up. And when I come across someone else who also keeps a blog - well thats even better. I had a noisy . . . .
Not only does this man play piano spectaculously exhibit B (A is the starwars cantina vid already posted)
Yes its the muppets and I love them. Naturally such a cool version of a muppets classic had to be shared . . . . but he also writes some pretty interesting stuff. I really felt the need to share the below views on friendship as it was really interesting to me and I think Mr Spitznagel has hit the nail on the head.
As I am really crap with technology and have no clue how to link this post to sed gentlemans blog - I tryed to click follow the blog and something about RSS feeds????? popped up. No clue . . . .the jargon scared me! So an ole copy and paste did the job instead. I hope thats okay and I haven't broken some sort of sharing bloggers link rule Im not aware of. Anyway Im babbling. This is the part of the post that interested me:
Friendship comes out of nowhere, grows inexplicably, and has the potential to delight and devastate you like nothing else on the planet. If friendship was a plant, it'd be illegal and we'd have to buy it from the guy who stands outside the fence by the tennis courts.
I've been thinking a lot about friendship recently. It's kind of a weird thing, if you ask me. The ideal friendship involves two people who share an equal amount of respect and affection for each other, but if you think about this, it's crazy talk. How can you possibly expect someone with an entirely separate set of life experiences, hopes, goals, moods, and dreams to be able to reliably love you in the way that you need them to? It's like relying on an electric motor with two magnets that may or may not attract or repel one another on a given day. When it runs, great. But what about when it stops running?
Some friendships grow slowly over time, a planet accreting into a sphere under the gravity of shared experiences, while other friendships, Big Bang Friendships, explode into a galaxy in the first few minutes and feel you feel like you've found a shard of yourself. No matter how they're formed, both take work to sustain and, if left to wither untended, sustained only by inertia and the memory of hotter days, you wake up one day and realize they died. The magnetism is gone.
It's not really one thing that kills a friendship, is it? It's the myriad miniature hurts and minor slights, the diaspora of disappointments and the steady rhythm of resignations. It's the you-never-call-me's and the you-weren't-there-when-I-needed-you's, the where-were-you's and the I-can't-talk-about this's. They're like cavities that turn the inside of the tooth to powder.
Martin Spitznagel
http://spitzfire.com/?p=187 - Ive just had a thought perhaps all I needed to do to link it was put that address in???? Oh well . .
Anyway as I said, just something interesting to think about . . . . .
Piano video - Blues for Wynton Marsalis
I absolutely adore playing this. First of all it says Lazy. So if I stuff up I have time to improvise or get it back on track. Two its actually once you get your head round it really simple and sounds pretty nifty. My brother really liked it when I played it him the other day. Again dabbling with my first couple of flats.
Piano video - On top of old smokey
Ahhh the old favourite from guide camp, except we sang different lyrics. Our lyrics were, "On top of Spaghetti, all covered in cheese, I lost my old meatball when somebody sneezed. It rolled off the table and onto the floor and now my old meatball is nothing but mush!"
Piano video - Rock it away
My first dabble with a flat note. Wasn't sure about playing blues at first but its growing on me now. Again youtube chopped off the first note or so.
Piano video - Joy to the world
So I have had a couple of people suggest posting my progress up on here. Its taken me roughly 3 hours to get my pinnacle software to cooperate and then blogger just decided to be a total arse and not recognise anything so I had to post everything to youtube which took absolutely forever to upload 4 items . . . . but anyway heres a few bits of Alfred I have been working on. NB - They are not perfect and for some reason youtube has cut off the first couple of notes on some of them. Madness! Anyway enjoy!
Because you can can can . . . .
Actually I can't can't can't right now. I naively moved on to attempt the can can piece in my Alfred book. It should look like this:
My version right now is a total mess! It feels like Im right back to the beginning. I clicked somewhat with Blow the man down and Cafe vienna and now bam Im right back to waiting for my hands to coordinate and speed up again. Very frustrating!!! Oh well back to practice practice practice!
My version right now is a total mess! It feels like Im right back to the beginning. I clicked somewhat with Blow the man down and Cafe vienna and now bam Im right back to waiting for my hands to coordinate and speed up again. Very frustrating!!! Oh well back to practice practice practice!
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Piano
I am really really getting into this. I mean its difficult as hell remembering everything and getting my hands to coordinate but wow when they do you belt out something that doesn't sound half bad. Like at the moment Im working on this blues piece. I didn't really like the idea of blues intially but once my brain started to click somewhat its pretty nifty. Infact my brother and the clan are gracing me with their presence tommorow so I may debut it.
I can now play on top of old smokey and joy to the world. I moved on and had a look at the cancan piece but at the moment I am still struggling with the bass line notes. I think I need to purchase one of those charts and try memorise them. Infact do they have charts with chords on as well . . . . perhaps I should investigate.
I have been checking out some bods on youtube who can play amazingly. I thought I would share a few favourites with you. Theres this chap called PianoNoobAlexMan whos fantastic for watching vids to see if Im getting the Alfred stuff anywhere near right. He also plays beautifully.
Martin Spitznagel - What a name. I love him just for his name. But his starwars cantina. Respect!
And of course the main reason I wanted to learn - the final fantasy music. This chaps pretty good!
In fact I REALLY REALLY REALLY wish I could afford Piano lessons. Theres a chap does them just down the road from me but I can't afford £20 a week. Sobs. One day!
I can now play on top of old smokey and joy to the world. I moved on and had a look at the cancan piece but at the moment I am still struggling with the bass line notes. I think I need to purchase one of those charts and try memorise them. Infact do they have charts with chords on as well . . . . perhaps I should investigate.
I have been checking out some bods on youtube who can play amazingly. I thought I would share a few favourites with you. Theres this chap called PianoNoobAlexMan whos fantastic for watching vids to see if Im getting the Alfred stuff anywhere near right. He also plays beautifully.
Martin Spitznagel - What a name. I love him just for his name. But his starwars cantina. Respect!
And of course the main reason I wanted to learn - the final fantasy music. This chaps pretty good!
In fact I REALLY REALLY REALLY wish I could afford Piano lessons. Theres a chap does them just down the road from me but I can't afford £20 a week. Sobs. One day!
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Creative writing and photobombing
I am considering at some point looking out for a creative writing course. I write, well I start stuff and never seem to see it through. I think I need some help with the story development part. I started writing a book back at college - okay it turned out to be rather starwars like lol but I have re-written and rewritten certain parts of it for years and still no completion in sight.
Im really bad as I haven't got the whole thing typed on here. The last incarntation is in an old notepad somewhere. I started writing the story of guildwars, following my character but that died too. I have two starocean fan fictions that started out great but so far the stories drizzled. I really need to plan stories out better and Im not sure how I go about doing that. So yes I think I will look out for a creative writing course. Or a book on creative writing. I mean no way can I afford to do an online one - and I did look. I found one for £150 but Im saving for so many other things first.
Okay I just googled books on amazon. Only 42,576 suggestions. How do you know if ones a good book? Creative writing for dummies. Yeah that sounds like me. Awwww the stress at just trying to find a book to help . . . . . . . .
In other news I was doing incredibly well healthy eating today and have now just devoured a bag of haribo. Damm it! Fingers crossed that doesn't cancel out all my hard work for the rest of the week.
Also Im wondering what the deal is with all the photo jacking at the moment. Yoda at work keeps sending me amusing photos of Wil Wheaton (I know one of my idols!) and nathan fillion photo bombing folk. Is this a new celebrity craze? Its rather amusing anyway. May warrent further investigation.
Im really bad as I haven't got the whole thing typed on here. The last incarntation is in an old notepad somewhere. I started writing the story of guildwars, following my character but that died too. I have two starocean fan fictions that started out great but so far the stories drizzled. I really need to plan stories out better and Im not sure how I go about doing that. So yes I think I will look out for a creative writing course. Or a book on creative writing. I mean no way can I afford to do an online one - and I did look. I found one for £150 but Im saving for so many other things first.
Okay I just googled books on amazon. Only 42,576 suggestions. How do you know if ones a good book? Creative writing for dummies. Yeah that sounds like me. Awwww the stress at just trying to find a book to help . . . . . . . .
In other news I was doing incredibly well healthy eating today and have now just devoured a bag of haribo. Damm it! Fingers crossed that doesn't cancel out all my hard work for the rest of the week.
Also Im wondering what the deal is with all the photo jacking at the moment. Yoda at work keeps sending me amusing photos of Wil Wheaton (I know one of my idols!) and nathan fillion photo bombing folk. Is this a new celebrity craze? Its rather amusing anyway. May warrent further investigation.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Grumpy
I have just felt grumpy today. Honestly Im sat here starving but I have had appropiate food portions. Im drinking water trying to fill me up but so far all I feel is annoyed. I don't know if its the sea kelp. Had coffee with Rach at the weekend and she suggested it for energy and helping lose weight. I definitely feel more alert than normal but its not curbing my appetite. Meh! Maybe Im just that way out . . . . . .
Anyway offically put the event up for this years halloween doo. Need to find a costume now. But what to go as:
Spooky/ Witch
Cowgirl
Cavegirl
Wonderwomen - I do love the costume . .
Betty Rubble - I also love that costume . .
Nessa from Gavin and Stacey? Found the stick on Wales tatoo . . . .
Endless possibilities hehe
Anyway offically put the event up for this years halloween doo. Need to find a costume now. But what to go as:
Spooky/ Witch
Cowgirl
Cavegirl
Wonderwomen - I do love the costume . .
Betty Rubble - I also love that costume . .
Nessa from Gavin and Stacey? Found the stick on Wales tatoo . . . .
Endless possibilities hehe
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