Visceral Imitations and Persistent Doves

It would appear that I survived the night which is definitely good. Didn't break my promise to sobriety either which is even better. 
Yesterday's rescheduled lecture on Gender and Queer Theory was certainly a little dry and I couldn't for the life of my concentrate on it. I have an interest in the experiences of homosexuals/lesbians (this talk was primarily on lesbians), it's true, but I thought as I had no intention of using any of the information provided in my essays, then I wasn't too concerned that I couldn't focus on it. Managed to organise a meeting for the three of us tomorrow afternoon to discuss Thursday's impending Pamela/insincerity presentation. It does mean I will miss the Transat Air Show at 2pm, but I suppose this is of more importance.
The rest of my day after the lecture was taken up with climbing stairs with my friend Hannah, buying fish fingers (bag of 40 for £2 from Iceland!) and then reading some of next week's theory (a Mrs. Wittig on Lesbian Society). In due course, it was time for me to head out for the Korn Again gig - which I shall detail better on my Rock's Final Resting Place blog page. I could tell my friend Joanne was pleased to have me around and we really got into the dancing and moshing once Korn Again came on - they played some of our favourite songs and the singer had both the voice and the look to match JD himself. Bassist and guitarist looked like Fieldy and Head too. We thought it was all over with the last song - Blind - but the audience (smaller than expected) managed to get Got the Life out of them before the close. Then it was just a short taxi ride (£5 being a little steep for how far I had to go) and I was home for some tea by half 11pm.
Today, as I shall document thus far, I have discovered there are black collared doves nesting - or trying to nest - in the metal girder above my balcony. I'd heard them cooing a lot the last few days, but only now have they come to my attention. Despite the spikes, put there for the very purpose of keeping birds off, they have managed to start putting twigs in, but now I have returned from my first day back at the library (still sorting out the donated poetry collection) and a short food shop, they appear to have buggered off. (So long - for now - Peachy and Dexter).
Ahead of me, more queer theory reading, stuffed mushroom, and hopefully a successful Skype call with my lovely boyfriend, Jackson <3
I'll see you tomorrow with an update!
P.s. I think my post's title could be a good song title too

Paranormal Plymouth

You'll always have those days where it's hard to tell by the time you go to bed if it's been a successful one. Despite all that has happened today, I'm still undecided. 
I managed my third morning workout - good.
The recording of both seminars for my friend Alicia went pretty well - also good.
I made some tasty Quorn chicken, chickpea, yellow pepper and spinach curry - a yummy good.
Went on a ghost tour round the quieter, more cultural parts of Plymouth with said friend - a chilly but spooky good
Yet my mind has been inexplicably busy so I couldn't contribute in class like I normally do. I've managed to pin down the best points of insincerity in Pamela as of today (which is another good) but I think until I have a decent hold on my final three essays, I won't be happy. 
Perhaps even more so, I need to be back with my loving boyfriend - to remind myself of what it is I am fighting for down here. 
Oh by the way, I forgot to mention yesterday, the laughs I had with Alicia in the Costa. White chocolate will now be called 'half-chocolate' as it only uses half the cocoa product (the cocoa butter not the solids). 
But on the subject of the ghost tour, it was pretty insightful. There is a young girl said to haunt the Elizabethan House (like the little girl in our Blitz blog story back in October), a little old lady in the Tudor Rose Tea Rooms, a girl called Emily in the Reel Cinema, a French graveyard under the Athenaeum, a gallows by the lamppost on the Barbican, and strange smells in various places. Oh and a a pregnant woman in the ladies toilets of the Gin Distillery. I wasn't really affected by anything we might have felt except for a feeling of unease around the lamppost. We wound up at the Hoe where the ghost of Sir Francis Drake himself is said to wander, accompanied by his drum. Eerie....
Ok, enough ghost stories for one night. It is time I was going. Got a Korn tribute band gig tomorrow evening and a night at Envy with Joanne (to try and fix the memory I had a week ago - and not drink haha I am intent on staying sober)

Untitled

I've been busy enough today, at least I hope I've put in enough effort.
It's definitely not an easy process getting this material for our presentation next week, so many possibilities. But when you've got a friend to catch up with to break up the monotony, it does feel better. So I'd like to thank Alicia for that.
Also got inspired by a residential author, John McGregor who was reading from his upcoming novel, Reservoir 13. I've learnt it can take ring binders to keep all your characters together by the way. 
I hope you don't mind if this is a bit short and not really to the point but I'm all over the place in my head lately. 

Short but definitely not Sweet

I have got to remember to check cinema times before I go out! Wanted to see High Rise and was disappointed by it having been on 2 hours previous.....I am busy though so I suppose there's not a lot I could've done. 
That aside, it's still been a confusing day:
Dull lecture on Robinson Crusoe and Atlantic Politics 
Rainy deary weather
No initial idea how to tackle finding 'insincerity' in Samuel Richardson's Pamela
However, I'm starting to get on track - slowly.
Tomorrow I might have more to report on.
Oh, but I am attempting a 30 day, 8 minute exercise plan in the mornings and potentially going sober for almost the rest of term. I'll keep you posted on that

I get by with a little help from my friends

Would you look at that? I'm usually terrible at keeping up posting every day and suddenly (I know English tutors seem to hate this word) you get two in one day! What is the world coming to? Haha! Yet I am here because today, despite it being a) a Monday and 2) a Critical Theory workshop day, I have enjoyed myself, more than I had expected. My dear friend Alicia has been absent awhile so I missed her company in lecture, however I ran into another friend Beulah while leaving the lecture and we got talking. Checked out the 'Great British Street Party' happening in the SU but it was nothing spectacular so ended up chatting away in  Drake Cafe for an hour. It's surprising how much in common you can have with some people, especially when you are in university discussing what it feels like to be older than some of the people who are graduating! The workshop was at 3pm so with another hour or so to kill, we ended up in the Writing Cafe where I attempted to make more headway with the required reading (I said I was mostly done with it). The workshop itself was on research methods and was more fun than expected simply because it required some group work (but with friends) and took us out of the usual classroom environment to do some casual quickfire research in the library. Gave me a chance to chat with more friends. In fact today has felt like I've been in touch with a lot more people than usual which is great, and there's only going to be more to come. Plus, I bought my Summer Ball ticket today - admittedly quite an expensive £45, but from the video of last year's ball, it'll be worth every penny. 
Now, though, I need to find a way to entertain myself until half 10/11....

Back on Track....I Hope

It's another new week! Closer to the end of year one, closer to going home for the summer, also closer to this scary deadline....But now, with most of the week's reading out of the way, I can begin to tackle essay plans and research. I've roughly decided what my essays will be on (Freud/psychoanalysis for critical theory definitely, with Barthes/Authorial Intent or Feminism as my second; Sensibility as a definite for Writing the Modern World). Time to get my game face on it would seem.
As for myself, my mood is still kicking me - as it will after such an horrendous blunder - but I went for the Rock Soc meal at the Fortescue yesterday and, while a little awkward because I didn't know anyone massively well, it was enjoyable food and a walk in the sun. Hopefully the weather will stay cheery for awhile now.

Closer to the Edge

Well I'd like to say I have the durability of a rubber ball because I'm bouncing back from last night's grave mistake. It's a hard thing to confess to and just as tough to work it out but I'm safe in the knowledge that no lasting harm has been done to anyone concerned.
I, however, am still struggling on with my reading and am praying I can get my research for my final three essays together in time. It is so close and yet so far!

It's All Wrong

I would write about how last night went from 'I don't want to be here' to 'This was one of the most fun nights of my life' but I can't. I would write about the overwhelmingly powerful flavour of Jagermeister in a Black Widow cocktail at Odd Bar, or the beauty that is a crowd of 5 people wearing Ian Turner (Rock Society Chair) masks outside Skiving Scholar, or drinking from a woman's cleavage in Fresher and Professor (I'm not sure why that happened either), or the thrill of watching a dancefloor come alive with excitement at the sound of Korn's 'Freak on a Leash' which I requested from the DJ at Club Envy. But I can't. Because I ruined an otherwise much needed night - I'd already been feeling so low that day - by allowing myself to be kissed by another guy. There, I've said it. Judge me as you wish because heaven knows I deserve it. I haven't even been back in Plymouth a week and already I've fucked up again! When am I going to learn large groups of people and alcohol do not mix for me.....?

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies....and Wine

Good evening. I'm going to attempt to use what remains of my alertness tonight to let you know a few things. 
1. It is unfortunate that I only just got enough time to read the week's reading....because now I've got to start over in preparation for next week.
2. I may have been good in splitting the contents of a quality bottle of wine over three days but that still doesn't stop me from exceeding my limit for three days in a row.
3. I am being tormented by insatiable hunger between 11 and 4 these days and I'm starting to think I'm neglecting lunch more than I should.
4. The story of Pride and Prejudice was a beautiful tale of love and lies and beauty. When someone had the bright idea of adding zombies to the mix....they actually made it even more interesting. Then it got turned into a movie, I saw said movie tonight, and yeah, it's good. The casting was sweet despite only recognising one person (the exuberant and unfortunate Parson Collins played by Matt Smith). Our two male leads were handsome as can be while the combination of feminine elegance and kickass zombie fighting was refreshing. The jump scares, creepy music, and zombie makeup were enough to give me a fright too. I give it 4.5 out of 5.
Erm...5? Did I have a point 5? Well I guess these next few days are going to be busy. But as I have another 9am class, I'd better get some more sleep.
Oh and as an added note: I had better keep a neutral mind before more of my favourite celebrities start dying. Prince and Victoria Wood died this week alone. I'm beginning to liken 2016 to George RR Martin in its quest to kill all our beloved figures.

My Fate Rests in Their Hands

I've missed another day so this is my update: all assignments have been submitted and the deadlines are now passed so it's up to the powers that be to decide what standard my work is at. In the meantime, I'm carrying on with the week's reading (which I won't lie is confusing as all hell!) as well as getting a few errands out of the way. 
Tomorrow is finally time to do a proper week's worth of food shopping so I can actually feel like I'm not starving myself....
But I really am missing being in Cervinia, with Jackson, away from the solitude and stress of uni work (isn't it great that I've only got a month and a half left of this until summer, eh?)

Spring Term Part 2 - Or - The Momentary Life of a Cadbury's Creme Egg

Ever wondered just how long a Cadbury's Creme Egg will last in my possession? Not even 30 seconds, I've just discovered, thanks to the lingering Easter spirit of the people who came to check my room over Spring Break (they left me a Creme Egg with my report, in case you hadn't guessed).

But my gluttony aside, I'm back in Plymouth and the coastal academic life after a tricky journey to Paddington just to get here! Bakerloo line not serving Paddington, Circle Line closed, my own train delayed. I know I was reluctant to come back but this was a bit extreme. Regardless I'm here now and have just submitted my first assignment - the second I'll look over tomorrow (and see just how bad my waffle really is! *cries*)

I'm definitely missing my dear boyfriend Jackson already *real tears* but thankfully this is the shortest period between holidays so I'm on the home stretch you might say.

There isn't a lot to say otherwise. I've surprised myself with how good [I think] my work (now submitted) is, and I'm going to give myself a reward in the form of (apart from the ephemeral Creme Egg) some Netflix! Breaking Bad maybe....though I have been powering through Season 2 of Daredevil while at home...I'll think on it.

P.s. Do not underestimate the power of Cajun spice - I 'over-Cajuned' by beans on toast earlier!

A few deep-fried sparrows' legs

Just a quick check in. I've almost completed my critical theory essay which is one part a relief, and several parts 'oh-crap-this-is-utter-rubbish-i-need-to-rewrite-the-entire-goddamn-thing!'.....but I'm sure I'll get over it.
In other news, accompanied my father to the hospital to book some necessary tests - more on that as it develops.
Also had a bangin' (being British here) lamb curry at a local 'Spoons, and some of my dad's unwanted spicy chicken wings/legs (/more like sparrows' legs) which were so nommy I considered eating them all, but didn't because 'calories!'
So yes, this has been a change of tone from pretty much any post I've made and I'm not 100% sure why. 

Getting Lazy

Ok I know I'm getting a bit lax with keeping up with my blog, but when I'm at home, there's not a lot that goes on so I'm kind of left....drawing a blank on what to write. But I shall try to give some interesting information...
Today I'm around 3/5 into my Critical Theory Essay
I caught a huge spider in my room - without shitting myself in fear!
Have cooked dinner at home (successfully) for two days in a row - and it has felt so good after having it all made for me since the start of the month.
I also cannot wait to get back to uni, despite that signalling the commencement of my final leg of Year One, and a further few weeks of separation from my boyfriend *sadface*
But it will all be worth it though. So I've just got to keep at it!

Breuil-Cervinia Trip - March 31-April 10, 2016

So I've been away from any decent form of Internet connection for the last 12 or so days, hence this long gap between posts, but as the title suggests it wasn't wasted. I've gone a trip (the furthest from home yet) and it has been one hell of an experience. I'll try to break it down for you as best I can.

So the first day (Thursday March 31st), I was up at 3am to get myself ready to be picked up at 5 - which became 6 - by Jackson (my wondrous boyfriend), his brother, and his father in their taxi (the rest of the family travelling in a separate car). That day's journey took us to Dover and onto the ferry to Dunkirk. Here we could rest for an hour or so and eat before embarking on the next leg of the journey. This was, I believe, the first time I'd been on a ferry in daylight hours and a very pleasurable journey it was. 

On the other side (France), I was reminded of how peculiar it feels to travel on the right hand side of the road. We stopped off several times along the way for breaks and food at a Carrefour (French equivalent of Walmart or any generic superstore which sells everything). Sandwiches were the main source of sustenance whilst on the move. With daylight fading, we finally pulled into a Formula 1 Hotel in Troyes Sud where we stayed for the night.

Beautiful view over Lake Geneva

Friday April 1st: Breakfast at Formula 1 and the second stretch to the second Formula 1 in Thonon-le-Bains. During this trip, we passed a lot of interesting and beautiful scenery (such as this), passed through the French-Swiss border twice, and had pizza in a French restaurant called Freddos. Again, it was another late night when we made it to the Formula 1.

Saturday April 2nd: Here is where the trouble started (as there always is with large trips of this kind). Upon attempting to manoeuvre both cars from the car park of the hotel, the starter packed up on the Jeep, ergo we could not go anywhere until we had called for help and had the vehicle towed to a nearby garage where it would await repairs on the Monday (yes, a two day wait, and we weren't even at Cervinia yet!) We had to pile what stuff we could into the taxi, along with the rest of the family (leaving many important suitcases behind), and travel onto Cervinia like that. Suffice to say, I do not handle stress well and let's just say, it got to me. I was, however, one of the lucky ones for whom the majority of my luggage was taken with us (aside from 2 pairs of shoes, some slippers, and a gift for our anniversary). We made it up the steep and winding hills to Italy and our final

Ski-high mountains were so strange at first

destination around 3pm. The scenery was such a reward (I mean, just look at it!) but we were unable to relax too much just yet. There was ski gear (helmets, skis, and boots) to fit, and later a meal at a nearby restaurant with friends of the family who had flown to Italy (instead of driving like us). The lasagne - proper lasagne - was just so tasty!

Jackson and I returned to the apartment we were staying in early to unpack and relax before bed that night.

Sunday April 3rd: My first ski lesson! Taught by a friendly Italian named Roberto. I proved myself a little less than able on the slopes, but within the hour I got the basics of slowing, stopping, and turning (at least to the left) into my head - maybe not so in practice! But seeing Jackson watching from afar cheered me a little through my frustration. We had dinner at the same restaurant again (and I was still amazed at how tasty traditional Italian food is - which was just as well seeing as how that was pretty much all we lived off of for the rest of our stay). 

Monday 4th April: (Dad's birthday - back home) Second ski lesson, this time with Andreas who made us (that is me and one of the friends of family) attempt skiing without poles, which made me look such a fool when it came to using the 'Magic Carpet' (conveyor belt used to get skiers back up the slope). He asked us to go over to the 'Button Lift' (another method of getting skiers back up the slope - and later my mortal enemy!) This proved tougher than expected, especially when, after removing my skis, I proceeded to slide backwards into a

Gondolas up to Plan Maison, Cervinia

safety net when trying to put them back on! The lift itself was a peculiar principle as it consisted of a rubber seat on a retractable cord, and a metal pole. You had to brace your legs pretty hard in order to stay upright and be pulled up the slope - a fact which didn't stop me tumbling many a time (ergo the hatred). Going down, however, slowly became easier - and more fun on that particular day as the clouds had descended and obscured the slope after a few feet so I was skiing downhill almost blindly. After 2 hours, we were done and free to return to our friends for chips (yum - and much needed). My legs ached so badly after that lesson, and I wasn't feeling too great about my ability to ski either, so when it was suggested we go to a gelato bar, I declined. Jackson stayed with me that evening, both of us passing up dinner in favour of Breaking Bad and each other's company. On the bright side, his parents had made the long journey to collect the remains of our luggage and so I was able to give him his present (4 snapback hats) and I don't think he could've been happier!

Blackbirds circling the town

Tuesday 5th April: First ski day without lesson - in short, a disaster! Primarily because of the bad snow/ice, but also because I kept falling from the button lift so many times that I hardly got a decent shot down the slope from top to bottom. I was pretty pissed off after 90 minutes of half-hearted skiing and drowned my sorrows in a plate of tomato ravioli from the Plan Maison ski bar.

That evening, we had the family friends over for a big pasta salad dinner. As there were a lot of people my own age, we ended up playing card games, only with the addition of a box of Beanboozled jelly beans (Warning: if you have never heard of them, it's for the best. If someone asks if you want one, refuse adamantly). All I can say is, there are certain inedible things you don't want to know the taste of (care to lick a stinky sock?) Then again, I was a little drunk.

Wednesday 6th April: This was a day off of skiing for Jackson and I, as we decided to go down to the town of Cervinia. Despite the shops all being shut for the afternoon, it was a pleasant walk taking in the many ski rental shops, hotels, and restaurants about the place, as well as the flocks of blackbirds. The walk back up the hill was tough but with the promise of more Breaking Bad and pizza when we got in (which we had bought before we began the hike), it was well worth it. Dinner that night was just a family affair, but I was roped into another round of Beanboozled (even worse than the night before - anyone for skunk spray?) So glad we had wine to remove the taste!

Thursday 7th April: This was my proudest day yet! I was fed-up of being beaten down my the button lift (as well as not seeing Jackson snowboard) so I bit the bullet and went up with him (he was wearing a penguin onesie over his ski gear) on the bigger chair lift which took us to the top of Plan Maison (2555m). Such a beautiful ride up (and so much easier too). I made the chair lift 'my bitch' that day! However, it was here I learnt that I still sucked at turning as upon descending a slightly steeper slope, I picked up too much speed and ended up sliding down on my ass, trying to stop with my gloved hands! Eventually I got the hint that laying back would stop me - which it did. From there, it was a case of picking up tips from Jackson's family on how to turn, until I was gradually weaving my down the mountain. I still lost control and slipped in a few places but made it to the Chalet Etoile in one piece. We waited here until the rest of the group joined us and then went in to eat before attempting the final part of the slope. Somehow managed to jump on the lift once more which gave me yet more confidence which even an awkward fall couldn't mar. I twisted my left knee though, and that worried me the following day. We stopped off in a gelato bar that day which was a pretty sweet way to end.

Family and friends group-shot on Plan Maison

Friday 8th April: Last day of skiing, and as I mentioned, I was so scared that my twisted knee would stop me going. After a short panic on the gondolas (the skis are placed in a rack on the outside before you get in, but it should be noted you do not put your poles with them - as Jackson's brother learnt the hard way), I was relieved to find out my leg didn't get in the way at all. What was even better, I didn't fall once! We returned to the Chalet Etoile for lunch (pasta again - but in Italy, up a mountain, you can't really get tired of the stuff! Had tiramisu too because why not?) We missed the last chair lift so I couldn't have a last run, but it didn't bother me. Ate cold pasta in the apartment and relaxed, watching him play Fallout New Vegas as the snow began to fall very heavily outside. This stopped us going to a bar in town but again, I wasn't bothered, just a little ill....got persuaded into a final game of Beanboozled before bed (Jackson adding vodka and orange to the mix which did not bode well for him the next day). We saw some peculiar flashes in the mountains that night too...

Saturday 9th April: Homeward bound sadly. Our first stop was Dijon. It was a late start, throwing snowballs and playing Tetris with luggage, not leaving Cervinia until around half 1 in the afternoon, and then Jackson started to feel ill (a combination of last night's drinking and the twisty mountain roads) but he eventually got better, and slowly Cervinia was left behind us. It was a LONG and tiring journey to the Formula 1 in Dijon. I slept on and off until we pulled into the hotel at 10.30pm.

Snowy morning after view from the apartment

Sunday 10th April: Last leg of French journey to the ferry which involved a stop at a KFC (as per a tradition of Jackson's) but we made it to Dunkirk by 10, in time for the early ferry. I was very achy and tired at this point. We landed in England just as after midnight and within an hour, I was home.

I will always remember that trip, as a landmark for my relationship and as an experience I couldn't hope to have gained any other way.