Excuse my mad photo skills

I hate adding multiple photos to this thing - they always end up upside down and back to front...though it *is* Alice in Wonderland so I suppose it's fitting...

Okay, like, a million years ago (or Oct 08) my wonderful UKS teamies (go Crafty Magpies, woop!) and I started a CJ, aka Circle Journal.

I didn't have a blitherin' clue what to base mine on but was re-reading Alice at the time so decided to force them all to contribute to an art journal based on the book.

In order, from top to bottom (so actually back to front...)

1. My sign in page - which I wouldn't have bothered putting on here if it wasn't for a few very adamant teamies that swore blind I had a photo sign in page.

Hmph.

Like I don't know my own CJ ladies?!

I shall accept your grovelling apologies in the comments box below.

;o)

2. Close up of Irene's accordian picture pull out bit

3. Irene's pages

4. Kathy's pages

5. Shirley's pages

6. Stacey's pages

7. Vanessa's pages

8. Karen's pages

9. Emma's pages

10. Becky's pages

11. Debbie's pages

Phew! I hope that's right...

I'm sorry I forgot to bring it with me to Cambridge ladies! I'm impressed I didn't forget anything else to be honest...!

Hope you all love it as much as I do

xxx

They were holding hands! OMG! Oh please....

Is there a rolling eye cartoon dude for on here?

I don't have anyone to gossip with about stupid things like this so I'm going to type it up, get it out, and let my brain focus on more important things. Like the strength to stand up...(grr)

So Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart (yes, yes, I know I said I'd give it up, but it is kinda all over the place) were 'caught' holding hands.
Oh please. Caught?! As sweet as it is to imagine they were taken by surprise by the nasty photographer hiding behind the...I dunno...in an airport right?...Airoplane?!...do you honestly think that they aren't in the slightest bit aware there is a possibility that they are being photographed every second they aren't behind closed doors? (and sometimes even that doesn't stop the vultures...)

Personally I think there are 4 possible reasons - I may have missed some...

1) Possibly the most unlikely, as they don't *seem* the type (though, they *are* actors - who knows...), but Studio says - be photographed doing something that could be considered romantic but could easily be denied so we can get a crap load of promo out of it. Of course it would probably mean that every little thing (concert, hotels etc...) would have been a set up too...
Oh I better not mention this theory to any nearby 12 year olds....(and god, does this film really need any more promotion anyway!?)

2) They are together and this was their pretty deniable but still 'look at us rebelling, studio people' act...yeah, rebelling by almost holding hands - wow! But it could be argued that they just wanted to do this, put it out there and show the bosses that, 'hey, we got photographed doing this, back off or guess what we'll be photographed doing next' (no, no, nothing like that - get your dirty minds out of the gutter, I'm thinking arms round, maybe a kiss on the head, subtle stuff...) You know, if you believe they're a couple. Personally I couldn't care less - who cares who these people date!? (well, yeah, quite a few people apparently but...err...yeah...anyway...)

3) They aren't together, she's just bloody exhausted from all this promotion and is leaning on her co-star/friend. Yes ok, the hand holding argument, but I walk that way with my friends/family a lot. When you are absolutely exhausted do you know how much energy it takes to hold your arm up? (e.g. link elbows) The way they are walking is how I lean on family & boy/girl friends when it may not be considered 'appropriate' be actually holding hands - it's just how the arm rests naturally...

4) They were soooo bored sitting around in their hotels doing sod all waiting for interview after plane after interview they decided to place a little wager. 'Let's get photographed doing something we can deny but make it look like 'proof', how long till it's all over the web?'
And they are now sitting in their car/hotel/plane....boat?....cracking up at all the daft twits (myself included) going absolutely *nuts* over one (yes, yes, 2000 or whatever, but only one moment in time...) photo. That's it. One picture and we have 'undeniable proof'. Err...no...bless!

I love it!
(I'm totally rooting for #4 of course - best option imo)
Is it wrong that in a way I really hope they aren't a couple? It's the only way all the speculation can last forever. That's bad isn't it? It's just so much fun watching all the obsessives twitch everytime they're seen.
If they are a couple and confirm I think it'll totally go all Justin and Britney (yes, forgive me, I'm going to quote myself from a few months back...I'm so sorry...but it gets the point across)Something along the lines of -

Are they?!
Aren't they?!
Oh my god, are they?!?!
They are! They said it!
I love them!
They're so cute!
Ok, I'm getting kinda bored with them now...
Oh look, they split up...

Don't tell me you don't agree with me.
I'm not talking to you 'fairytale, get married have 20 kids and live happily ever after people'. There is no help for you.
Actually, I guess It would be sweet if it did come true, as that would mean they were happy and everyone deserves a bit of happiness once in a while.
But I'm little miss sceptic and this is my belief.
Mark my words children, the day will come -

One day you shan't give a flying monkey who in the heck either one of them are dating...

dun dun duuuun

(unless it happens that one of them bats for the same side or has a sex change or something...people might care then...)

And I'm not putting the picture up on here as I do not approve of the stalker pap photos.
No matter how much entertainment they bring by winding up the masses.
Good times.

Now the *other* twilight co-stars caught holding hands?
Now there's a couple I could get behind.

um...so to speak...

Ok, I'll admit, I'm in love with Kristen - do you think that will go in a headline?
Have you seen her on this promotion thingy?! (proper photos, not behind a lamppost ones)
I want her skin.
Not in a creepy hunt her down kind of way, just a genetic, have you seen her complexion kind of way.
Sigh.
And her hair.
And her clothes.

So pretty...

(wow, did I just sound a bit obsessed?...hmm...)

Her clothes wouldn't suit anyway, she's all slim line and my boobs are far too big for some of the stuff she wears.
And my hips.
And my shoulders...

Bugger.

In other news, as the postal strike is now over ( I think...?) I'll be sending off my hair for analysis, wow! (there's that rolling eye dude needed again)
If anything maybe they can tell me why I keep getting all these split ends?...

I kid, I kid! I want answers.
Seriously.
I demand them in fact.
They better blimmin give 'em to me.

(hmm...I think I sound far more convincingly threatening in print than in that pain in the arse known as 'real life'. Is this good or bad?)

Alright, gossip over. I'm off to see if I can in fact stand up today - fingers crossed!
xxx

"I'm Significant!

...screamed the dust speck..."

Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes)

Finally tried out my long exposure. Looking to try it on some sparklers now they're in the shops so I tried it out on the clear night sky. I could stare up at the stars all night. So beautiful.

"For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars make me dream."

Vincent Van Gogh.

I've been thinking about that thing I talked about before. Hair analysis. I've tried reading some scientific opinions on the subject. Apparently it's a bit hit and miss. There isn't an official base line so where one lab might say your 5 times over in...I dunno...zinc?...another might say you're under! Mum really wants to try it though. I guess it is only £60 and if it works then bargain. Hmm.

I think I need to be off for dinner. Lucky world, no rambling for you today.

"Oh, don't lets ask for the moon. We've already got the stars."

Bette Davis.

xx

This week is bought to you with a guest appearance from...

one of the goblins from the Labyrinth! *woo!yeah!*

Ok, it's a cat, but still, I can't be the only one that thinks this.
He/she (didn't get close enough to check that one...) barged their way in, strutted round the house, jumped on the work top, then left. Charming.
Strangely the only other time we've seen him/her was this time last year.
It's like the Santa.
Except in mid October.
And they're a cat.

So, I'm sitting in the car waiting for dad to come out of B&Q and this couple walk past and I had to do a double take - I swear they're the absolute spit of Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (pre Joan Jett cut, but still black). That's weird right?
Do you think they were together before and this is how they've always dressed? Or maybe they thought, 'hey, we look kinda like them, lets dress like them too!' or maybe people that look like them are always drawn to each other? Like a style magnet?
They should run an ad campaign.
'Hey, if you scruff up like RP you too can catch a sexy Miss Stewart'
(did you see that photo shoot she did recently? Ok, I swear I like guys but there is totally something about her...I think it's the eyes....and I want her pre Joan Jett hair. She may rock it, I'd look like a prat.)

Bugger. I said I'd stop talking about them didn't I? 'damn the press! stop the gossip/hounding madness!' It was just so surreal...

Ok, change of subject-
I've just worked out how to get my iTunes songs into MP3 format so I can save them onto CD. I know it's not that exciting for some but I'm worryingly happy about this. I'm not sure I should be quite *this* happy...
I think I need a new hobby.

Mum says her art teacher has a space in her Fri afternoon classes. I'm in 2 minds.
On one hand I love art, I really do. It's something I know I want to do for ever. Thing is, I know if I want to be able to do what-have-you in the future it will require practise (insert cliche phrase here). BUT I want to get it right first time dammit! It's that total lack of patience again. Stupid personality flaws.

Eurgh.

Ok...
As is the habit on here (ignoring last month's lesson a day wotsit) I tend to only come on when I have a major thing swirling round in my head.
About a month or so ago dad went to get his hair cut (bear with me, this is going somewhere). Now at some point me and/or mum must have come up in the conversation with the old barber guy as dad comes home with a tale of how old barber guy knows a dude that was cured. As in lives a life like the normal folk do. And not only that, but he'll tell you how he did it if you call him.

All sounds a bit odd yeah? I'm pretty wary of things like this. Fairly certain the whole world is out to con you. I am my fathers daughter.

Mum called him up last week. I'm not sure exactly what was said but the basic was - he got glandular fever when he was 15 (snap) spent about 5 years in bed, tried pretty much everything his mum could find. Finally tried this thing that 'fixed' him. Hair analysis. Send of a few strands (and £60) they do some tests, find out what you have too much/too little of and start you on a detox type plan (with zeolite?) that of course they supply.
Thing is, he doens't work for them.
He doesn't get a commision.
And he was talking to mum at 10am after getting in at 4am from clubbing the night before.

I can't bear it.
I want it, but what if it's a lie?
What if I get close but then lose it?
I've wanted this for so long.
The cure. The fix.
Yeah, I know it won't work for everyone, but what if it did?
Or what if it doesn't and it breaks me.

I've watched my friends finish school, go to college, get jobs, move house, get married, have children.
Could I finally have that?
Would it be worth the £60 (and however much more after) if there's a chance?

Of course the obvious answer is yes. But I'm scared.
What if I can't do it?
And I don't mean recover - I mean live.
What if, after all this time, I don't have the ability to learn. To finish my education. To deal with people and get an actual job. Survive living by myself. Maybe even , dare I say it, find love? Is that even possible? Goodness knows I have met guys, they just never want to know. Not even so drunk they'd hump a lamppost kind of guys (not that I'm complaining there, just - you know - am I so bad even beer goggles can't help?!)

I imagine I'm over thinking again.
Just - living with this crap for 10 years you do have quite a while to analyse the shit out of *everything*. And it sucks.

I'm not even sure what I've typed now.
Maybe I'll come back tomorrow and see what a freak I am.

There is an answer in my ramblings I know - just need to find it.

x

Day 30...aka - I only went and blimmin' did it!

Ha! Take that past 2 years me! I guess the fact that I've been taking a photo a day since last December kind of helps the whole 'routine' thang.
Now, you may be wondering about above photo. Shouldn't I have taken a picture of something more exciting seeing as how it's the last day? Well, possibly, but this is somewhat exciting for me. Well...maybe exciting is a bit strong, but still deserving of a mini victory dance in my eyes.
See - these jeans that I'm so wonderfully modeling? Size 10! I fit back into a 10!
...

what?
...

ahh, yeah, ok fine, I may *possibly* have not been able to do them up...but I did get them on! It's only a matter of time you know.
I'm kinda happy, all I did was start eating a bit healthier and cut out snacks after 10pm. It's taken a year, but I'm a stone lighter and a few inches thinner.
Yay.
So that's it I guess. Wonder if I'll ever remember to come back on here now that Sept is over? Hmm...we'll see...
xxx

Day 29...

2 for today -

1) Same as yesterday except replace watercolour sunset with bright moon.

2) Well, I really wish I didn't have to learn this one, BUT, it doesn't seem that my dermatitis (or eczema or whatever they call it next time I go to the doctors) is going anywhere anytime soon. Pain in the arse. (or, if we're being literal, actually pain in my hands, elbows, knees, back, head...)

Funny how these things can suddenly develop out of nowhere. Sidesplittingly hilarious really.

Ahh, I shouldn't complain really, at least it goes through un-itchy phases. I know some don't.

I guess my dreams of being a globally famous hand model are out of the window. Sob. Ain't it a shame?...

Day 28...

As much as a vintage wash helped some of my (quite dodgy) previous photos from this month, it doesn't really do much for a gorgeous watercolour sunset.

Day 27...

Even electronical equiptment can be in need of a bit of relationship counciling every now and then.

(My laptop and router decided they weren't on speaking terms again. Luckily I actually remembered what I had to do last time. Yay me.)

Day 26...

Now M.O.T's are electronic they go through blimmin' quick.

Day 25...

When you spend the whole day (up until 10pm that night) trying to find out what the gas men are doing by climbing in the holes with them you will be exhausted the next day.
Particularly if you happen to be a small cat.

Day 24...

Gas engineer man says 'suspected small leak in the area'.

Mum hears 'we're about 30 seconds from exploding in a gas fueled fire bomb'.

Day 23...

If you set out with the intention of not buying anything you will, in fact, buy quite a bit...

Day 22...

*Don't ignore a random ear ache, apparently they're there for a reason*

Ahh, my ear's been hurting the past few days (which, amazingly, is probably one of the few things about my person that don't hurt on a daily basis). For some reason I didn't pay that much attention to it. Now I keep sneezing and have a sore throat. Poop.

Though, I don't really know what I could have done to stop it...

Day 21...

If in doubt, take a step back.

(or a photograph...)

I started this *forever* a go. I did the face then panicked. See - there's a ton of shading still to do and I've only started on the hair today - I'm just so worried I'll ruin it! It's daft really. It's my first ever portrait, but...yeah...too much of a perfectionist, that's the problem.

I can't stand it when things don't come out how I envision them at first try. Ridiculous I know, but there we are. I'm sort of trying drawing as a way to 'train' my patience. We'll see how that one goes now I'm starting up again...

Back to the lesson of the day. See, I knew something wasn't quite right but I couldn't put my finger on it. (other than the obvious lack of shading/shaping on the face and hair...)

Mum always suggests holding it infront of the mirror but my eyesight's a bit odd and that never really works for me so I tried taking a photo, and voila!

The jaw looks to wide/heavy and I need to widen the mouth a touch - looks a bit pinched. I'm hoping the shading will fix a lot of those problems though...

Ahh, sorry I'm doing that 'typing my thoughts out loud' thing again.

Sweet dreams to all (I'm looking into that dream diary after last nights school play where I did the conga across the stage felt too hot and ran outside where my school playground had turned into a cemetry...hmm...)

xxx

Day 20...

The prettier the butterfly thinks it is (which, lets face it, it is beautiful) the more likely they are to pose for you.

It took me about half an hour to get the speckled wood to stay still long enough for a photo - which didn't even come out properly as it landed on the stones. The comma (above) didn't move an inch though. Love crazy ass butterfly week!

(yes, I know I called it 'day' yesterday but that was just for the fact that one day seems to be crazier than all the rest. Yesterday was that day.)

Day 19...aka crazy ass bee/butterfly day

So there's this bush (see above) at the end of our garden (it's our neighbours) and around this time of year for a few days the bees and butterflies go absolutely nuts trying to get all the nectar/pollen. It's mad! All you can hear is a constant drone from the bees and you have to keep ducking all the butterflies that just sort of glide all over the place. That on top of all the sunshine made for a lovely day!

We're ignoring the fact that I manage to not wake up until 11.30 feeling like I went hiking the day before. I didn't. I barely managed to get up at all. I'm starting to wonder about sleepwalking. My dreams have always been so vivid. Though I did have a dream where I was running. I do tend to tense up a lot if I'm running...

It started out that I was Britney Spears and I was filming a new video, walking down the street singing, then this guy (dressed up as a cartoon Beatle, I'm thinking John Lennon) started chasing me (I'm me again now). I ran down the (very sunny) street and ended up running into a phone box (as in, literally, not as in opening the door) so of course he caught up with me. I turned round and it was now night and he was now Robert Pattinson ( I *swear* I stopped looking up Twilight weeks ago) and all the people had vanished. I wasn't exactly scared but I did wonder why it was night (which kinda makes a change in my dreams) I turned around and I was all alone back in my trusty, doesn't exist out of my dreams, empty car park in the woods outside a furniture store.

Then I wake up.

Now what the blinking heck was that all about, hmm?

I keep thinking I should keep a dream diary...

Day 18...

When all other food options fail, you can't beat a bit of marmite on toast. Mmm...
(not to offend the marmite haters out there of course...)
xx

Day 17...

Bit of a cop out I'd imagine, but have a guess at what I learned today...

Actually, I probably shouldn't admit to this, but I did sort of learn something else...

See, while attempting to figure out what the hell I was doing (gotta say intructions for this thing kinda sucked, so what if it's #5, I can't be the only one in the world who's never played this before?!) umm...well...yeah, okay, I'm there for a bit trying to figure out how in the hell you're supposed to be able to play along with the notes without looking at them.

I study the keys and wonder why they didn't put them in the order they're in on screen.

On closer inspection I notice they are in the same order, just back to front.

I wonder why they did that...

....

After I turned the guitar the 'right way round' it strangely worked so much better.

Funny that.

...sigh...

Day 16...

*Just when you think it's all over...

I noticed a glow of orange out of my bedroom window, coming from behind the (dead) Borage. I went to investigate and found this gorgeous beauty. Little bit of summer in autumn. Wonderful.
xx

Day 15...

*If you're going to try to take a photo of the dreary rainy day, with shakey cold hands, remember to turn the flash on otherwise it's all just blur.

As a sidebar to the above - remember to keep your batteries charged as when it does come out in a blur you can take a second shot with the flash on...

xx

Day 14...aka Dad's birthday

* My carpet is quite nice, when I can actually see it...

I shall probably be re-learning this lesson quite often. Things just end up getting piled in corners...pain in the arse when it comes round to hoovering. Oomph. Tiring day!

xx

Day 13...aka Nan's Birthday

*Sometimes you just need time to yourself.

I had planned a million and one things to do while mum and dad went to London to see my nan for her birthday. Instead I ended up curled up on the sofa with a hot water bottle (blimey it got cold quick!) playing games on the comp and catching up with my recorded bits n bobs.
Actually it was mostly a spendaholic/bank of mum and dad marathon - I love those programs! How the hell do these people get into so much debt?! My age and they owe £22,000?!?! Ok, yeah, I still live at home, but still! This one bloke had spent £25,000 on 42 imported Japenese robots. Robots! They didn't even look all that amazing, just like Transformers really. £25,000!!! Goodness.
xx

Day 12...

It's funny the things you spot when looking for something else entirely

(told you they liked our mouldy old grapes)
xx

Day 11...

Okay, I may have to come up with something more clever for my daily titles - *every* time I write 'Day whatever...' I want to follow it with 'of my life in a bubble'...

Perfectly normal response, no?

So, on to todays lesson..

The later in the year the prettier the sunsets. Mmm. I can't wait for Winter. I seem to remember having a lovely bright red one either last Christmas Eve or the one before.

Oh, and it's Crane Fly season. Joy. Thankfully I discovered this due to the one on the *outside* of the window.

Note to self - must remember to shut all windows and doors by 3pm...

xxx

Day 10...

Aaand...not a very exciting lesson today (so what's new...?)

* If you wake up at god knows what hour you too will discover that condensation season has arrived.

To be fair it may have started a few days back, it has been pretty clear/cold-ish for a while now, but today I found out for myself as some twit customer of dads decided to ring at stupid o'clock to let him know (before they borded the plane) that they didn't want him to put the blind back up in the bathroom. Which he wasn't going to do anyway. Oh what a waste of a lie in...

xx

Day 9...

Not so much of a learning as a re-learning -
I *love* autumn sunshine. I really do. No humidity, just sunny sunshine and lovely layers. Huzzah.
I also don't adhere to the whole 'autumn begins on Sept. 22nd' nonsense.
12/4=3.
3 months per season.
Sept-Nov=Autumn.
Period.
xx

Day 8...

I have been learning, I just haven't been blogging, so...yeah...

The butterflies I was talking about before? Yeah, they were fa-ar to big to work. Luckily my cousin had some cute little butterfly punch outs on the glasses at her wedding (which I may have brought home with me...)

And my 'lesson'? 30 butterflies sounded like such a small number in my head. After tracing and cutting? A tad larger than first thought...hmm...

Oh, and my counter on the side thingy has gone a bit odd. I swear whatever the number was (I don't really pay attention, not completely sure why I had it) began with a 2 and now it's a 1, and I'm sure it was only 4 digits and now it's 5...

Isn't that strange?

I had several theories, 1 being that I was going to find 10 ton of spam in the comments, OR some little Rob Pattinson/Kristen Stewart fan ferreted me out somehow and attacked my, frankly, amazing award show plan.

Turns out neither happened so heaven knows what the heck happened there. Maybe I've just gone a bit mad...shh..

xx

Day 7...

* When you ask the parcel gods for an early delivery so it's safe to wash your hair while mum's at art (for fear of running to the door soapy and drippping wet), they may well answer you. Should I offer them a virgin cardboard box in sacrifice?

* Mountain Dew has a freakishly long (I'm talking, like, Nov. 3009 here) best before date. I am now highly suspicious of it. Still, I've got 1000 years to pluck up the nerve...

Oh, and acid drops aren't nearly as mouth puckering as the description suggests. Hmph.
xxx

Day 6...

Even though they've stayed on the vine for too long, are packed full of seeds, have peel so thick you need a knife to cut them and a have a taste that will blow your socks off, it would appear butterflies quite enjoy our grapes.
Go figure.
xxx

Day 5...

I dragged myself out of bed today to find this guy curled on his head, completely zonked. Bless. Clearly he had a good time out and about while we were at the wedding.

Not overly sure what my lesson is but my discovery -

* even curled up on his head and not moving an inch for at least half an hour, Pip doesn't wake up stiff with a head rush. Completely unfair. When I try it I pull muscles and end up falling over...oh to be a cat...

xxx

Day 4...

* Don't try and predict what will happen in advance, odds are you'll be completely wrong.

I had two predictions for my cousins wedding today -

#1 - I'll be in a big puddly heap come 2.30 and be begging to be taken home (in fact I survived until 9pm! Though I think I'm paying for it now...sigh...)

#2 - With all the rain we've had all week I figured it'd be pouring down once we got to the church for 1pm. Nope. Glorious sunshine all day long! Should've guessed that as the weatherman actually said it would rain (unlike the sunshine they've been predicting all week when it's done nothing but pour down...)

Actually, maybe I should have a 2 part lesson for today -

* Never trust weathermen!

Though, really, I think I should have learnt that lesson by now...

Charlotte & Bubsy's wedding was absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous church, great food, lovely weather, and I *loved* Charlotte's dress. I've been to a few weddings now and, of course, each bride looked stunning, but Charlotte's dress was the first proper 'princess' dress (if you know what I mean!?) Even if she did need 2 helpers and have to stand to pee...guess that kind of takes the 'princess' edge off?! Ahh, who cares, she looked beautiful!

And the boys scrubbed up rather nicely too!)

Anyhoo, I'm done in. Not sure I'll be awake for long enough to learn a lesson for Day 5, but we shall see...

xxx

Day 3...

Hmm...may be too early in the day to have 'learnt my lesson' but I'm posting anyway as there's a very good chance I'm going to forget to come by here later!

Hopefully I won't be learning anything else (yesterday was only going to be the first three I typed then I checked my account...stupid fourth lesson!)

So back to today -

* Weddings are exhausting! How on earth am I going to cope with my own!? I think I'll be introducing a delegation rule...

(not that I have to worry about *that* any time soon...!)

Just been trying to work out how/where to journal in my book and I think I'll be cutting out 30 butterflies. 2 down...!

Still not completely sure what page/photo size to use but I seem to be leaning towards 6x6. I think this way I'll be able to use up a bunch of stash too so win win all round I say!

Not sure when I'll get round to putting the pages together but with my cousins wedding tomorrow I'm due to get a bunch of photos developed next week so hopefully I'll at least have the first week done while I'm still in September! That is if I get my new card?...though actually I think I'll be going to tesco or similar to get them done. Kinda loathe to type in my new card number *anywhere*. Good job we've cancelled lovefilm, so there's nowhere that *needs* the new number. Urgh.

Anyhoo, back to the butterflies!

xxx

Day 2...

Hmm...apparently I've used that title before...

So, my lesson for today? Quite a few really...

* If you have a bad back, don't leave the house! (stupid stupid stupid)

* If it looks like it's going to pour down with rain, chances are - yes, yes it is.

* Just because they have it 'in-store' online doesn't mean it will actually be *in-store*.

* Oh, and for heavens sake keep a detailed record of every expendeture on your bank cards. Whether in store or online. And check your bank statements regularly. That way you too will know when some sod has nicked your details and withdrawn £30. Grr...

(really wish I hadn't had a need to learn that last one...)
xxx

Learn something new every day? Day 1...

Even if you don't like a photo of yourself chances are your mum will love it.

(not that she's biased or anything...!)

xxx

Meh

I'm *so* over R&K now.

Attention span of a hyper 3 year old me.

They're cute. Friends, couple, engaged, moving in, meh. They seem like normal, none attention craving, human beings so good luck to them.

Tra la laa

Above pic is a building I used to live round the corner from. We happened to drive past it a few weeks back so I stuck the cam out the window and it actually took - go figure. You know if I had planned it it wouldn't have worked, but stick a dollop of 'spur of the moment-ness' to the situation and ta-dah! A somewhat in focus photo. The building used to fascninate me, I'm not sure why, I've always had a thang for brickwork. Show me an old waterworks factory and there may be drool - I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Is there a reason why photos of my childhood 'places' seem to fit my memory that much more when I stick a vintage wash over them? Is it because that's what photos from the 80's look like? Do my parents remember their childhood in black and white? Hmm...I shall have to ask...

Taking it has given me the urge to visit some of the places I went to/remember from when I was little though. For example, the shops I used to live round the corner from are going to be knocked down at some point soon - not sure when exactly, but would love to get some photos before it's all changed. The old library's already gone, one of my primary school's been knocked down (yeah, I switched when I moved) I wonder if I can get mum to take me out on a trip down memory lane?...

Anyhoo, In other news -

Went to see Harry Potter yesterday, it was very good *but* I was really looking forward to the ending, as in the book, and it,well, wasn't...of course 'the event' happened (no spoilers children) but, yeah, I thought it was a smidge lack lustre. Can see what some of the reveiwers meant about focusing too much on the love stuff. I'm sure if they cut down on some of those lingering, heartbroken stares they could have added some action somewhere else. Plus, they didn't exactly do much in the way of building up Harry & Ginny. One scene he dosn't seem bothered at all that she's seeing whats-his-face and the next Hermione's all 'It's so obvious you love her!' Is it!?!? Hermione was all heartbroken about 'Won-won' but Harry really didn't seem in the slightest bit affected...

On the plus side - *loved* all the bits with Draco. Tom Felton is such a good actor, I'm glad he's getting the chance to prove there's more to him than the snivelling bully.

I'm actually happy the last book will be split into 2 movies - so much was cut out of this film. All the mystery and suspense about the half blood prince, all the budding romance, so much of it was cut out it just didn't make any sense. I can understand the focus on the horcruxes as that will take us into the next movies nicely, but they completely chose the wrong other bits to focus on and it didn't really make much sense.

As I said, too much focus on trivial spits and spots, and the actual plot got lost in translation. Kinda like my review. I think I repeated myself several times. Ahh well.

Until next time...

xxx

Alright, I'll admit it

I *may* be getting a touch obsessed with the whole R&K are they aren't they phenomenon.

It all takes me back a few years to the whole Britney and Justin saga - remember that?! Months and months of speculation and denial. Something along the lines of -

Are they?!

Aren't they?!

Oh my god, are they?!?!

They are! They said it!

I love them!

They're so cute!

Ok, I'm getting kinda bored with them now...

Oh look, they split up.

Wonder if Rob/Kristen will get all pissy and write a bunch of crappy emo 'totally not based on my ex' songs?

Not that I'm saying they'll split.

Not that I'm saying they're a couple.

Latest - somebody on the casts wife (I'm gonna go with Peter can't-pronounce-or-even-spell-his-last-name as I think he's the only one that's married) said that Rob is dating someone on set, she just can't say who or she'll be told off by hubby. Um, yeah, cos I'm sure just saying that will go down well. He he. So funny. Now all we need is someone to have a public freak out about a photo or comment and the web will melt down. I'm thinking the studio may have to suck it up and let people either damn well confirm or deny soon or this is just going to end up getting insane.

Personally I'm still hoping for the secretly gay thang. I mean, she said a co-star, she didn't specify female. *come on Rob & Kellan/Jackson/...ok, not Taylor, I think he's illegal in US...umm...who else...one of the humans...oh whatever*

Or, you know, maybe the whole Kristen thing is a ruse, and while he is interested in the ladies he's actually secretly married to...say...the one who plays Jessica? Oo, or the one who plays Esme, I'm sure I read somewhere he likes the older lady, was this a hint? I don't think she's married...

Ahh. Bugger, Stupid conspiracy theories got me started now.

Oh, just so you know, I am aware that the above pic isn't R&K (I'm not insane) I just thought it was cute. Twas an outtake from EW I believe, found on a KS fan site - I keep looking for pics to draw, even though I still haven't finished the first one (!)

Ahh Bella and Jacob...poor little (!) Taylor. Just think, if it wasn't for all this 'chemistry' flying around the place maybe he could have joined the dating rumours bandwagon - Taysten has a certain ring to it, no? (stupid stupid name mergers...)

Ok, I'll try and add some 'real life' so no-one thinks I'm completely insane. Although I keep addressing this as though people are actually reading so that may do it on the insanity scale - talking to myself and all...

We may, or may not, lose our internet on Sunday. In theory we shouldn't, and I'll admit I feel a bit more comfortable with a confirmation letter from Virgin saying it won't be until the 6th that they'll cut us off, but I'm still not sure how Sky are going to work it that they give us the TV and not cut off the net. Maybe there are more cables round the back of the TV than I realise. But yeah...a month without the net? As it is, with luck on our side and no disconnect this weekend I'm still probably looking at a week, but yeah...I think I'll be watching a whole bunch of movies that week as TV atm both sucks and blows.

Though with the shiny new customer package we're getting 3 months of movie channels so that may be alright - movies look pretty good atm, no doubt they won't be next week...mm...I think we got the TV guide here somewhere, maybe I'll check that out...

Huh, if you ever wanted an insight into my brain, that may have been it - I totally went on auto pilot with that bit...strange...

Ooh - talking about films I need to sirt out my lovefilm account.

And my bank - something very strange happened earlier and I'm a *fraction* bit worried about hacking but I won't be able to tell anything until tomorrow - I really wish they'd put transaction details up a bit quicker. The problem may just be a debit of £40 that should have come out on the 6th but didn't register until yesterday, or maybe it's my math skills (or lack thereof) but I somehow ended up with a -£4.50 in my available balance, and I don't have an overdraft so that shouldn't actually be possible...

I seem to remember once that they did things in the wrong order on the statement and although money went in before it went out on the statement it went out first and said I was -£20 or something. Hmm...

Like I said, I wish they'd have the transaction details up a bit quicker, you know?

Ah well, it's not the account I keep my money in, just enough for Lovefilm and a bit extra for the odd book/film splurge, so it wouldn't be like they could take much, though that minus worries me as it clearly says no overdraft...

Ahh, I can't worry about this now. Nothing you can do at 10.45pm! I'll panic tomorrow instead - fingers crossed for updated transaction details!!!

TTFN!xxx

Well...mmm...

(photo credit to whoever that logo was on the corner - I got it off somewhere who got it off someone else...i dunno...I didn't take it! Pity pity...)

I gotta say, of all the screwing up they did with the Twilight movie, they did do a prettyful job with the casting...All the girls looked pretty damn good too (jealousy rules) but for some reason they don't appear to be as well documented. Wonder why?...

Er, yeah, anyways. I have no idea what in the heck went on with the awards (which I found out earlier is the teen choice - giant surfboards as prizes...only in America...) but apparently the vamps won 11 out of 12 and the internet didn't die from over use so I'm gonna guess my vision of yesterday didn't come true. Damn. Woulda been hella funny.

Anyhoo, onto other things...
So. I'm trying to move my music onto my yummy new iPod aaand my laptop decides it won't let me as my harddrive is now full. Now I know for a fact it's lying as it's split/partitioned and there's still 50GB still floating around. (that and the fact that if it was in fact full I wouldn't be able to open up the programs). SO a quick lookie-loo around and it turns out you have to move things over manually. Well...what!? Shouldn't the comp be all 'oh, no more room on the C drive, better send it over to the D drive instead!' But no, apparently as annoyingly smart as they can be on occasion, taking over and doing junk you don't want, on this one you're on your own.
Still, it was 'fun' shifting my photos and music over. Then getting iTunes to recognise that yes, the music is still there, just somewhere else...fixing broken shortcuts...urgh. You ever wonder sometimes if it's worth the bother?

Umm...yeah...anyway, I think I better go as there are some odd noises coming from the kitchen which sound somewhat like mum baking her own birthday cake...sigh...I *said I'd do it after lunch! No faith these people...
xx

mm, blogger cut off Jackson R. and the photo credit which is...Mr Pattinson.com. so there you go.

Did you know you can find Herons in trees?

Yeah, me neither. Though apparently, according to my dad, it's common knowledge. Gold star if you can spot it!

So, not having the ability to do all that much this week, I've been surfing the net (as one does in these situations). And it's been hilarious! I started off by checking out some of the New Moon clips again because of the sheer hysteria of them - 'oh my god, my heart my heart!' all he did was take his bloody top off! And from the sounds of her voice she could prob be his mother. For shame.

Well, yes, while checking all this out I made a discovery - Robsten! (Oh dear lord I wish they would stop merging names, remember Bennifer #1? That all went beautifully didn't it.) Yeah, anyway, there's this section of (quite scary) tweenies and gay guys who are absolutely obsessed and completely convinced that Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are in love. Ahh. Sweet if they are, but that isn't the point. These people are *convinced*. As in, do not even mention anything that may possibly prove otherwise or they will hunt you down.
I feel pretty sorry for R & K really, I mean, either they are in love or they're just friends but they can't even hang out and have lunch without the press being pretty much in their laps. They must have a lot of patience. I think I would have snapped and punched at least one of them out by now.
Anyhoo, all the obsessives are getting a bit twitchy as they've been 'spotted' (hounded, hunted, stalked...leave them alone!!) hanging out on and off a fair bit this week and general consensus is they're gearing up for a big announcement. Hmm...
They have an award show on...today? Yesterday? And of course Twilight are nominated in every category inc. Best couple or best kiss. Now - here is what I *really* want to happen -

They win (of course - it's Twilight) best kiss (or whatever it is) and they go up to accept and they're supposed to reinact it (maybe that's just MTV? ok, say the audience are chanting kiss, kiss, kiss) and Rob's all 'Oh I dunno, kiss Kristen? What would your boyfriend say?' And she's all 'Oh, Michael?' (or whoever - insert random dudes name here)
And the audience is like

.....

WTF!?!?!?!?

That would be so bloody funny. I'd pay to see that. Ooo - OR maybe she could ask him about *his* boyfriend!? Yeah, that's better than my other idea. I'd pay double for that. The internet would break down with all the sobbing broken hearted tweenies, and all the excited gay guys who will now take over all the stalking duties.

Of course maybe they'll just accept awards and the world will carry on as normal. I do wish they'd put all the poor tweenies out of their misery either way though. General theory is it's the studio that's 'stopping' them admitting it (not the fact that they may not actually be a couple, heaven forbid) and it won't all come out until after New Moon's finished promoting. I dunno.
I don't actually care either way, despite what this post may suggest (!) but I do wish the press would back the hell off them. I have seen a few of the videos ( I now refuse to watch anymore) and it's like a swarm all over taxis, cams through windows, how people don't get hurt is amazing.
I've always been in the camp of 'you know what you're siging up for when you become a celebrity' but I never in a million years thought it was *that* bad. I know a lot of them ask for it but I'm fairly certain a whole bunch (inc. them) don't. I mean, are they the same when said celeb has a child in their arms!? God, no wonder some of them snap and hit them/smash cams etc..
Disgusting way to make a living.

Wow, that was quite a long ramble. This is the only safe place I can do it though - attack of the tweenies is never a fun thing...
Well, yeah, anyway...here's to R&K and his wonderful coming out party! ;o)
xxx

So I lied

That thing I said before, being the eve of the week before the dreaded b-day? (or, you know, whatever the hell it was) well, I accidently lied as that was Thursday and now it's Sunday and it's 1 week to go today. I'm not sure why I'm so determined to make my birthday on a Friday this year...strange.

Photos above are of the adorable Miss Penelope.
Cute with a capital Q.
I wanted to get a pic of her in that chair looking like an adorbale pink little munchkin, and Serena (big sis) climbed onto my lap to take a look at the back of the camera to see what I was taking a pic of. (side note - wow they learn quick don't they?! She's only 2, I still have to remind my mum that there isn't an eye bit on digi cams)
Anyway, she sees Penny moving through the cam and starts laughing (she has the *best* laugh btw, really need a vid cam to record it) and in turn Penny laughs at her. So she's wiggling, which makes Serens laugh more which makes Penny laugh more and so on...of course we're all cracking up and Penny looks like she can't breathe and Serena finds the whole things hilarious.
Good times.

So rumour has it

I wore a dress to my cousins wedding...check it out, I *do* have legs. And yes, they're just as lily white as the rest of me. As my Nan so kindly pointed out. Did you know my outfit also made me look short? Yeah. Great. Cheers Nan. Least my ma n pa said I looked pretty...
It twas a lovely wedding - Becky looked gorgeous and Simon scrubbed up quite nicely ;o)
I like my London side of the fam, wish we could see them more often. I've barely seen any of them for years. I've only met one of my uncles twice, at the wedding and at my Granddad's funeral 2 years ago. Ah distance...

So here I am on the eve of one week till my quarter of a century. Actually scratch that, it may be true but it sounds so much worse than 25 dosen't it? Eurgh. I knew I'd hate this year. Not so much the actual digits but the fact that I *still* haven't accomplished anything. 10 years in Sept since my life just came to a grinding halt.
I've come so close so many times to nearly making something happen. Only last summer I was all booked in a paid for an A level art course. I actually cried when I did. I couldn't believe after all this time I was actually doing something productive, something I've been dreaming of since I was 15. Then, of course, my body had other plans. 'Nope.' it decided, 'can't let you do that, actually achieve something? Heaven forbid! No, I'd much rather you waste your life away doing sod all than, you know, be happy'
I have a really love/hate thing going on with my body. I mean, I'm very lucky. All my limbs complete and in working order, but sometimes I wonder what the point is if I can't even use the damn things.
I mean, take this week. I haven't been feeling quite right so I thought I was fighting off a bug and give it a few days and all would be good again. Ha! Currently I'm contending with jelly legs. You know that feeling in your muscles when you tense them for a while then relax, like that except there is no tensing, just the wobbly jelly-ness. Which means I can't walk, or even sit up properly. Sod.
Just when I'm finally starting to feel a bit creative since, well, let's be honest, Christmas?!
Eurgh.

Ok...try and end on a positive...

Going to see Harry Potter on Tues (fingers crossed!) I know I'm going to be in tears by the end but I'm still happy about this. (must remember to wear my waterproof mascara...)
Is that positive enough? Ahh there are probably a ton more but I wanted a minor rant. I could have gone on for hours - there are so many things I *need* to say but no-one will ever let me. I'm surrounded by postive, half glass full people (how the hell that happened I'll never know). 'Don't worry, it'll all get better soon...' yes, I know. You've told me this every few months for the past 10 years, has my life actually changed in any way since I was 15? 'Now, don't be like that. Things change, it will get better...' ARGH! It's like banging my head against a brick wall. I know they just think they're helping but sometimes I want to wallow, ok!? Plus, sometimes, I really don't need to hear a general 'things will work themselves out' prediction. It dosn't always help. Not when, I repeat, it's all I've heard for the past 10 years. Are they better yet?
There, see, wallow wallow wallow.

Wow, I dropped the positive ending didn't I?!

See, and I feel bad for feeling like this as I know people around me that have it *so* much worse and 'up in the air' than me right now but I just can't help it. Center of our own universe and all that.

You know, it's funny (well, not funny haha but...you know...) because I *knew* I may feel this way this year (I always get like this around my birthday but the monumental 10 yr 'anniversary-ness' kind of adds to it 10 fold) but yeah, because I knew it would probably be worse I was hoping it wouldn't be as I was aware of it coming. Apparently this is not how things work. Go figure.

Oh for goodness sake, I really shouldn't be allowed to type when I'm tired and depressed.

I'll try again another day when I feel a bit lighter/clearer.

Sweet Dreams
xxx