Good evening once again, just a quick one this time (hopefully). I have just finished cleaning both bathrooms in the house - both showers were real black grime, grotty affairs but I managed without being sick (haha mum in the making for sure). My hands are feeling the effects of the cleaning products but I like to think they're stronger for it - as is my immune system. I swear the reason most people in this house keep getting sick is because of the level of mildew and bacteria in the small bathroom's shower (which I do not use except in emergencies because it is so damn small!)
Yesterday I braved the spiders and cleaned out the utilities room so the freezers didn't look so grey, the carpet tiles weren't so sprinkled with dead leaves and washing powder, and the garden was much less choked with the remnants of yet more dead leaves....and dirt.
Anyway, I have also been in the company of several very small children during my last RSPB session on Tuesday and....oh I realise I never remarked on going to see A Clockwork Orange on Saturday night, but then I guess my review over on my other blog probably covers that for you. Suffice to say, it surpassed my expectations by far and I am officially ruined for theatre now.
There are only a few days left to me in this house now - hence the cleaning - and my room, without its liberal covering of posters, is looking much bigger and barer. I will be sad to leave as it has been the comfiest room of the two I have lived in at uni, plus my housemates have been so so lovely to me.
Anyway, I said this would be quick, so I shall go now. My next entry may well be when I am back home in Kent. See you then!
Thursday, 15 June 2017
Friday, 9 June 2017
The Weather Knew What Was Up
So it's been almost a week since my last post. How has life treated me? Well, the weather down here in Plymouth has not been at all summery these last few days, with temperatures barely making it to 15-degrees Celsius, rain and wind on and off, and the sun has hardly had a chance to show its face all week. Monday would've been laundry day if not for the torrential rain (which I had to walk home from the library in)
Tuesday was the test run for the Port Eliot Festival which saw me and a group of English/Illustration students nosing around student digs to write a piece on university halls. We got our own half copy of what we'd written as a replica of the sort of thing we'll be producing at the festival.
Wednesday was a visit to the Devon and Exeter Institution in Exeter with the ladies of the Proprietary Library to see the library and their dictionary collection (and enjoy some sunshine for once). Such a beautiful place which my poem back in October really did nor do justice - will have to work on improving it. Also there is the chance I might be doing some volunteering work with them in the Autumn so fingers crossed.
Yesterday saw me out in the wind and rain helping 6- and 7-year old kids dig out and traumatise woodlice, snails, and centipedes in order to educate them about the kinds of wildlife living in their school grounds. Not intentionally, but when children are allowed outside, they tend to go a little crazy - but some of them were pretty sweet, especially one little girl who didn't want to be in a group so she followed me around.
Today, apart from library work and a short event ushering this evening, should've been a time to catch up on my reading, but I haven't felt up to it.
Tomorrow would've been a day with my wonderful friend Jenna petting her various small and fluffy animals, but as her poor dog had to be put down this morning, she's had to reschedule. This leaves me to spend the day largely my own way before going for a few drinks and seeing A Clockwork Orange performed in a theatre with my good pal Mark.
But for now, it's tea and creepy music and booking my train back here in July for the Port Eliot Festival.
Oh and I guess I should add that today was results day for the General Election and it genuinely is a weird state we've ended up in, marked by the fact that I make one status about said weirdness and confusion and feel like I've sparked World War 3 by the nature of the comments. Fortunately, it was only one person who wanted to be the firestarter (backing Theresa May....) with every other comment being on my side. Really not what I'd intended but I guess I should've seen it coming....oh well
Tuesday was the test run for the Port Eliot Festival which saw me and a group of English/Illustration students nosing around student digs to write a piece on university halls. We got our own half copy of what we'd written as a replica of the sort of thing we'll be producing at the festival.
Wednesday was a visit to the Devon and Exeter Institution in Exeter with the ladies of the Proprietary Library to see the library and their dictionary collection (and enjoy some sunshine for once). Such a beautiful place which my poem back in October really did nor do justice - will have to work on improving it. Also there is the chance I might be doing some volunteering work with them in the Autumn so fingers crossed.
Yesterday saw me out in the wind and rain helping 6- and 7-year old kids dig out and traumatise woodlice, snails, and centipedes in order to educate them about the kinds of wildlife living in their school grounds. Not intentionally, but when children are allowed outside, they tend to go a little crazy - but some of them were pretty sweet, especially one little girl who didn't want to be in a group so she followed me around.
Today, apart from library work and a short event ushering this evening, should've been a time to catch up on my reading, but I haven't felt up to it.
Tomorrow would've been a day with my wonderful friend Jenna petting her various small and fluffy animals, but as her poor dog had to be put down this morning, she's had to reschedule. This leaves me to spend the day largely my own way before going for a few drinks and seeing A Clockwork Orange performed in a theatre with my good pal Mark.
But for now, it's tea and creepy music and booking my train back here in July for the Port Eliot Festival.
Oh and I guess I should add that today was results day for the General Election and it genuinely is a weird state we've ended up in, marked by the fact that I make one status about said weirdness and confusion and feel like I've sparked World War 3 by the nature of the comments. Fortunately, it was only one person who wanted to be the firestarter (backing Theresa May....) with every other comment being on my side. Really not what I'd intended but I guess I should've seen it coming....oh well
Sunday, 4 June 2017
When the Fates Align
Good afternoon/evening, I have returned. Today has been an interesting one to say the least. I was so difficult to get motivated to do anything this morning: got hooked on Facebook and YouTube during and after breakfast, lingered in my room before and after my shower, and eventually got myself out of the house to do some reading in the library by about half 11. As if the fates aligned, however, the wonderful busker I wrote about on Thursday just happened to be passing by as I walked towards uni. He was so happy to see me and let me know how much he loved my poem - it really made my morning. Once in the library, I switched on a calm playlist, put in my earbuds, and settled into a small corner of the campus library to read The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford. Didn't get an awful lot of reading done as I needed to leave to meet a friend for sushi but I felt I could've stayed there for alot of the day, I felt so calm and cosy.
The plan for sushi was supposed to be a meeting of four people (including myself) but two had to bail because of health and finishing essays. Suffice to say, we ate for them and took pics to make them jealous.
Bought some extra food supplies and eventually made my way back home.
NOW - time to settle down for some more reading and music. Might have a cheeky glass of wine later on tonight.
Damn....forgot to buy more tealights.....oh well, gives me more reason to go for a walk in town later in the week.
See you later!
The plan for sushi was supposed to be a meeting of four people (including myself) but two had to bail because of health and finishing essays. Suffice to say, we ate for them and took pics to make them jealous.
Bought some extra food supplies and eventually made my way back home.
NOW - time to settle down for some more reading and music. Might have a cheeky glass of wine later on tonight.
Damn....forgot to buy more tealights.....oh well, gives me more reason to go for a walk in town later in the week.
See you later!
Monday, 29 May 2017
My Month of Madness
So....I have been rather absent from my blogging duties this last month, but I guess I've had good reason, that being 1. essay-writing 2. my mood, the latter being caused in part by the former, and in part because of me losing my ID on a night out at the end of last month....not a fun 4 weeks. But now the stresses of finishing second year are all over. My Victorian essay destroyed me mentally more than anything; I thought I had my plan together but it took me all-bloody-day! The next day was possibly my lowest moment as I panicked like crazy hating the intro I had pulled together and needed an emergency meeting with my tutor to fix my idea - which she proceeded to turn on its head and force me to rethink all the research I had spent the previous day doing.....I pulled a better intro together and emailed it to her that evening. From there, I had several days of anxiety and thoughts of 'what if I just didn't do it?' before the Sunday arrived and I was done with it (for the time being anyway). Essay #2: Gothic, was a bit kinder but I still struggled to reach my self-imposed word count on some days, meaning many days I had to forego my evening's entertainment (or my paid internship at the art gallery) just to get it done. And again, Sunday finally arrived and I was done. Monday 22nd May was my submission day and that felt SO good to see the back of, meaning Tuesday I could treat myself to a hair cut and colour before heading off to Budapest.
That was quite the trip: galleries, monuments, museums, synagogues, markets, and so many puns from my friend Jenna, it drove me and my other friend Tamsyn insane! But that was a fun kind of insane, unlike the two girls we were forced to room with. The trip was designed for History students but opened up to the English department as not enough people had signed up for it, meaning me and my two friends were the only 3 English students going, meaning we knew no one but each other. These two girls were very bitchy and judgmental and - oh dear - they took many of the jokes we made amongst ourselves literally (like how Tamsyn jokingly called me a Satan Worshipper). By the second night, we began to complain while they were gone, feeling judged for staying in every night. Ended up having a serious chat and sorted our differences but it didn't feel like it'd made much of a difference. The three of us were pretty glad to be going home, if only to get away from them. The trip itself was very rushed, our guide (Anxious Stepdad we called him) trying to keep us all together and following a strict timetable so we didn't have alot of time to ourselves to explore - one reason why I feel the need to come back to Budapest for a more relaxed look around. We got back on the night of Saturday 27th - meaning I had to miss the Victorian Party at the library which I thought I'd been able to attend. Now it is simply enjoying my free time and stressing a little over when I will get to go home and how I am going to work moving my stuff to my new house around the Port Eliot Festival at the end of July. Fingers crossed it all works out soon because I miss Jackson so much!
I will try to keep my blogging up through the holiday to make up for my missed days, alongside researching and reading for my dissertation and third year, and hanging out with friends and family.
Until then, later!
That was quite the trip: galleries, monuments, museums, synagogues, markets, and so many puns from my friend Jenna, it drove me and my other friend Tamsyn insane! But that was a fun kind of insane, unlike the two girls we were forced to room with. The trip was designed for History students but opened up to the English department as not enough people had signed up for it, meaning me and my two friends were the only 3 English students going, meaning we knew no one but each other. These two girls were very bitchy and judgmental and - oh dear - they took many of the jokes we made amongst ourselves literally (like how Tamsyn jokingly called me a Satan Worshipper). By the second night, we began to complain while they were gone, feeling judged for staying in every night. Ended up having a serious chat and sorted our differences but it didn't feel like it'd made much of a difference. The three of us were pretty glad to be going home, if only to get away from them. The trip itself was very rushed, our guide (Anxious Stepdad we called him) trying to keep us all together and following a strict timetable so we didn't have alot of time to ourselves to explore - one reason why I feel the need to come back to Budapest for a more relaxed look around. We got back on the night of Saturday 27th - meaning I had to miss the Victorian Party at the library which I thought I'd been able to attend. Now it is simply enjoying my free time and stressing a little over when I will get to go home and how I am going to work moving my stuff to my new house around the Port Eliot Festival at the end of July. Fingers crossed it all works out soon because I miss Jackson so much!
I will try to keep my blogging up through the holiday to make up for my missed days, alongside researching and reading for my dissertation and third year, and hanging out with friends and family.
Until then, later!
Thursday, 27 April 2017
All Systems Go on the Volunteer Front
Well, look how wrong I was! I believe I wanted to make my next blog post either before I went to Cervinia, or just after I got back, but you know my plans never go, well....according to plan. I suppose I ought to summarise the days surrounding the trip though (I will put my memory of the trip itself - which I know the passing of time has eroded slightly meaning I will never do it justice - up later when I again, get the time....)
So anyway, my holiday was largely spent traveling to and then IN Cervinia (12 of the 23 days to be exact so just over half) while the others were spent in various ways. April 2nd, for instance, was mine and Jackson's anniversary which saw us wandering through Central London in semi-finery (me in a floaty formal dress and surprisingly comfy old school heels) before I was taken to an expensive restaurant (The Ivy in Covent Garden). I had just been admiring the diamond pattern of the stained glass windows when he turns us in at the doorway to be faced with vast dim chandeliers and waitstaff in suits. It was the most beautiful (albeit expensive) meal out I'd ever had, with red AND dessert wine too (aren't I just spoiled?) Our presents were similarly glitzy, consisting largely of jewellery - mine including a 20s style tiara!
Once home after the trip, however, life resumed its normality: reading, typing uni notes, making dinner, shopping, getting mentally psyched up for my return to uni a week later. My sister was home for a few days after I came back so it wasn't so lonely, we baked a cake together the day before her return to uni.
Now I'M back, things are indeed as busy as I'd imagined they would be. When I'm not in class, I'm either reading or attending a volunteering position. Tuesday was my return to UPAD which was fun as it involved alot more games than usual, but also the routine made-up sketches, this time revolving around individual sounds. My group ended up enacting a D&D game where I had no clue what fantasy universe we were in.
Yesterday, apart from a failure of a workshop for creative non-fiction, I went and did some much needed shopping for essentials and food, finishing off my day reading.
Today was the start of my RSPB volunteering role with schools. It has been so long since I last had to interact in any significant way with young children so it was pretty unnerving having to engage with these excitable creatures and try to educate them about wildlife habitats. I think I just need to know what to say for next time and hope for the best. Today also involved my first paid session with the Pen Arts Gallery, which meant I had to stay for a poetry reading with another volunteer, then tidy and lock up. Tiring business but hey, I'm getting paid £9.36 an hour for this.
The coming weeks are only going to get more involved, but at the moment, I'm cruising along. Tomorrow is my Gothic seminar on Sherlock Holmes and Dare Night with UPAD - so craziness all round really (Karen Morton, my Gothic tutor is just a bit mad haha)
I think that's all I need to say for tonight. I will TRY to get my account of Cervinia written soon (hopefully before the week is out), so stay tuned.
Oh and extra note, now I've read over my last post: I am going to Budapest in May. My money stretched far enough.
So anyway, my holiday was largely spent traveling to and then IN Cervinia (12 of the 23 days to be exact so just over half) while the others were spent in various ways. April 2nd, for instance, was mine and Jackson's anniversary which saw us wandering through Central London in semi-finery (me in a floaty formal dress and surprisingly comfy old school heels) before I was taken to an expensive restaurant (The Ivy in Covent Garden). I had just been admiring the diamond pattern of the stained glass windows when he turns us in at the doorway to be faced with vast dim chandeliers and waitstaff in suits. It was the most beautiful (albeit expensive) meal out I'd ever had, with red AND dessert wine too (aren't I just spoiled?) Our presents were similarly glitzy, consisting largely of jewellery - mine including a 20s style tiara!
Once home after the trip, however, life resumed its normality: reading, typing uni notes, making dinner, shopping, getting mentally psyched up for my return to uni a week later. My sister was home for a few days after I came back so it wasn't so lonely, we baked a cake together the day before her return to uni.
Now I'M back, things are indeed as busy as I'd imagined they would be. When I'm not in class, I'm either reading or attending a volunteering position. Tuesday was my return to UPAD which was fun as it involved alot more games than usual, but also the routine made-up sketches, this time revolving around individual sounds. My group ended up enacting a D&D game where I had no clue what fantasy universe we were in.
Yesterday, apart from a failure of a workshop for creative non-fiction, I went and did some much needed shopping for essentials and food, finishing off my day reading.
Today was the start of my RSPB volunteering role with schools. It has been so long since I last had to interact in any significant way with young children so it was pretty unnerving having to engage with these excitable creatures and try to educate them about wildlife habitats. I think I just need to know what to say for next time and hope for the best. Today also involved my first paid session with the Pen Arts Gallery, which meant I had to stay for a poetry reading with another volunteer, then tidy and lock up. Tiring business but hey, I'm getting paid £9.36 an hour for this.
The coming weeks are only going to get more involved, but at the moment, I'm cruising along. Tomorrow is my Gothic seminar on Sherlock Holmes and Dare Night with UPAD - so craziness all round really (Karen Morton, my Gothic tutor is just a bit mad haha)
I think that's all I need to say for tonight. I will TRY to get my account of Cervinia written soon (hopefully before the week is out), so stay tuned.
Oh and extra note, now I've read over my last post: I am going to Budapest in May. My money stretched far enough.
Friday, 31 March 2017
Fun Costs Money
Well ok, things are looking up and down.
Submitted my Victorian essay, which I think came out pretty good despite the obvious stress. So that's an up.
Submitted my dissertation proposal, which again I think is pretty good and definitely something I can work on when the time comes (provided I get the research in over the summer - and this Easter holiday too just to be ready). So another up.
Had sushi with Megan and Jenna today and saved myself a little bit of money thanks to my student discount. A third up. Where am I going with this? I'm not sure.
Well I'm equipped for Cervinia with a new pair of gloves and a balaclava. I have a cute new beanie. I have nothing to do at the moment except relax and I'm fine with that.
But I think, despite not being in immediate financial difficulty, this is the first time in awhile that I am worried I will be. The Cervinia trip does often put me out in that sense, but it's an experience I want one last time while I can. Also the English department here at uni have put out an offer for a few English students to join a history trip to Budapest for only £200 which is money I do have but which will put me close to having to dip into my overdraft to pay for my rent. I think my main problem is that Jenna has convinced me to join her and now I probably won't get a reply from the school office until Monday. I want to make this a certainty because I really DO want to go. And I'll be home tomorrow so I'm not sure how that's going to affect my chances.
Ugh, I guess moaning about it here won't fix anything.
I'll make an effort to be cheery because I am looking forward to going home too. It's mine and Jackson's 2 year anniversary on Sunday and he has a (surprisingly well kept) secret for me so I am understandably excited for that. And of course Cervinia itself on Wednesday. Damn things come round fast, huh? Just look at this, my second year, in its final months now. I'll be writing my dissertation before too long (aheh oh boy) I'm going down again. Got to keep it happy. What else can I say?
I guess just that I will make the effort to write again before Cervinia and, if possible, while I'm away. I know Facebook may well find out what I'm up to. Better go now, though. I'm running out of stuff to talk about.
Submitted my Victorian essay, which I think came out pretty good despite the obvious stress. So that's an up.
Submitted my dissertation proposal, which again I think is pretty good and definitely something I can work on when the time comes (provided I get the research in over the summer - and this Easter holiday too just to be ready). So another up.
Had sushi with Megan and Jenna today and saved myself a little bit of money thanks to my student discount. A third up. Where am I going with this? I'm not sure.
Well I'm equipped for Cervinia with a new pair of gloves and a balaclava. I have a cute new beanie. I have nothing to do at the moment except relax and I'm fine with that.
But I think, despite not being in immediate financial difficulty, this is the first time in awhile that I am worried I will be. The Cervinia trip does often put me out in that sense, but it's an experience I want one last time while I can. Also the English department here at uni have put out an offer for a few English students to join a history trip to Budapest for only £200 which is money I do have but which will put me close to having to dip into my overdraft to pay for my rent. I think my main problem is that Jenna has convinced me to join her and now I probably won't get a reply from the school office until Monday. I want to make this a certainty because I really DO want to go. And I'll be home tomorrow so I'm not sure how that's going to affect my chances.
Ugh, I guess moaning about it here won't fix anything.
I'll make an effort to be cheery because I am looking forward to going home too. It's mine and Jackson's 2 year anniversary on Sunday and he has a (surprisingly well kept) secret for me so I am understandably excited for that. And of course Cervinia itself on Wednesday. Damn things come round fast, huh? Just look at this, my second year, in its final months now. I'll be writing my dissertation before too long (aheh oh boy) I'm going down again. Got to keep it happy. What else can I say?
I guess just that I will make the effort to write again before Cervinia and, if possible, while I'm away. I know Facebook may well find out what I'm up to. Better go now, though. I'm running out of stuff to talk about.
Friday, 24 March 2017
So Many Deadlines!
I have a small window of time this morning before my 11am Gothic seminar, which I could be using to edit the introduction for my Victorian essay (deadline, March 29th) but I don't like to pressure myself, so instead I'm here doing what I said I would do every day and have failed to.
Hello again. I believe I said I'd be back after my Gothic deadline (which I am) but maybe a bit further after it than expected. That essay was quite the nightmare, as you'd expect from the Gothic, and I'm still not sure it's going to live up to the pattern of its predecessors but we'll find out in a month. In the mean time, it's my final deadline this side of the Easter holiday coming up next week so I'm equal parts eager to get it out of the way and dreading having to get down to it in earnest (which should be today).
I also have my dissertation proposal to think about and get submitted by a week today! I went to a tutorial with one idea and came away with four in both creative and critical styles....which has complicated but also made interesting my options now. I think my goal for this final week is to try and get my essay completed asap so I can spend some time considering my options in good time. That's the plan but as you know, my plans don't always go, well....according to plan haha.
Anyway, 10 minutes to go before I need to leave for class. How shall I spend that time? Usually ends up being on Facebook or YouTube....
Well I shall probably be back in about a week, hopefully feeling more relieved than I am now.
Hello again. I believe I said I'd be back after my Gothic deadline (which I am) but maybe a bit further after it than expected. That essay was quite the nightmare, as you'd expect from the Gothic, and I'm still not sure it's going to live up to the pattern of its predecessors but we'll find out in a month. In the mean time, it's my final deadline this side of the Easter holiday coming up next week so I'm equal parts eager to get it out of the way and dreading having to get down to it in earnest (which should be today).
I also have my dissertation proposal to think about and get submitted by a week today! I went to a tutorial with one idea and came away with four in both creative and critical styles....which has complicated but also made interesting my options now. I think my goal for this final week is to try and get my essay completed asap so I can spend some time considering my options in good time. That's the plan but as you know, my plans don't always go, well....according to plan haha.
Anyway, 10 minutes to go before I need to leave for class. How shall I spend that time? Usually ends up being on Facebook or YouTube....
Well I shall probably be back in about a week, hopefully feeling more relieved than I am now.
Friday, 17 March 2017
Stratford-upon-Avon: Flutterbyes, Fake Blood, and Food
And just like that, the Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare trip is over! But it was a fun (and surprisingly sober) 2 days spent watching plays (with their respective levels of gore, nudity, violence, and incomprehensible plot), shopping, and puns (courtesy of Jenna the Butterfly Queen - more on than later).
First day was an easy enough one, though very much one of gluttony as I'd had a sizable breakfast, had alot with me for lunch, and by the time we'd arrived, some people were hungry again. So once Jenna and I had set our stuff down in our room, we joined Megan and Caitlin for a McDonalds before getting lost trying to find the theatre. A theatre which was visible from where we were standing at a pedestrian crossing, yet somehow we ended up walking around the houses (quite literally) and ending up back where we started, only to spot the red lights and massive screen ahead of us.
We were well placed for Antony and Cleopatra, close to the stage side so we saw the action comfortably - missing full frontal female nudity at the end though (shame). It felt so long, even by the interval after 90 mins but we had a laugh at the character of Antony groaning while trying to run himself through with his sword in the second half.
Thursday was a tasty continental/traditional breakfast and a trip down to Shakespeare's birthplace (with imitation fabric wallpaper and several beds - one traditionally for show). Spent about £8 in the gift shop, and then more in local shops (£9.99 on a little bunny from Guess How Much I Love You - childhood memories came back with that one) Ended up at the Butterfly Farm which was gorgeous, full of flutterbyes (I believe the Victorians called them) in all shapes and sizes and colours. Jenna, as I mentioned, ended up being rather a magnet for them due to her perfume, while Megan kept getting scared of injuring them if one landed on her, and Caitlin and I were lucky to hold cockroaches and a millipede (like moving Velcro!) More money spent on a necklace in the giftshop, then lunch in a little Italian shop - mmm chicken risotto - a £1 slice of pie from a street vendor (which I saved for later on), a black snake ring and badge with a Tempest quote on it from the theatre shop, and then back to the hotel for a short rest. Jenna and I got into the habit of browsing Instagram to see what sort of things would come up and we realised chinchillas were her most common item (surprise, surprise). Dinner came round and it was off to Pizza Hut which felt a bit rushed as service was slow and we had to be at the theatre 90 mins after we arrived. I ate my pie (cherry and vanilla crumble top) en-route to the theatre - which Megan and Caitlin bailed from out of exhaustion and a need to pee badly, leaving Jenna and I to enjoy the blood and conspiracy and shouting that was Julius Caesar. The clean-up team were onstage for a good while in the interval clearing away all the blood. I'd been bothered by a smear of it on the stage before but that was nothing in comparison! I did notice alot of 'gallant' suicides though which led me to wonder how sane men in those days really were.....still very well acted. But alas it was an early-ish night to be had after that as we were up by 7 this morning for a prompt departure at 8.30.
And I'm still wishing I was back in Stratford-upon-Avon now, such a picturesque little town - plus it keeps me away from the responsibility that is my Gothic essay - I'm only 293 words deep after about 4 hours work and still at least 1050 words from my goal on Monday afternoon.....I know I can do it, I just hope my argument comes out sound enough.
Anyway, must go now, will probably be back after this is over
First day was an easy enough one, though very much one of gluttony as I'd had a sizable breakfast, had alot with me for lunch, and by the time we'd arrived, some people were hungry again. So once Jenna and I had set our stuff down in our room, we joined Megan and Caitlin for a McDonalds before getting lost trying to find the theatre. A theatre which was visible from where we were standing at a pedestrian crossing, yet somehow we ended up walking around the houses (quite literally) and ending up back where we started, only to spot the red lights and massive screen ahead of us.
We were well placed for Antony and Cleopatra, close to the stage side so we saw the action comfortably - missing full frontal female nudity at the end though (shame). It felt so long, even by the interval after 90 mins but we had a laugh at the character of Antony groaning while trying to run himself through with his sword in the second half.
Thursday was a tasty continental/traditional breakfast and a trip down to Shakespeare's birthplace (with imitation fabric wallpaper and several beds - one traditionally for show). Spent about £8 in the gift shop, and then more in local shops (£9.99 on a little bunny from Guess How Much I Love You - childhood memories came back with that one) Ended up at the Butterfly Farm which was gorgeous, full of flutterbyes (I believe the Victorians called them) in all shapes and sizes and colours. Jenna, as I mentioned, ended up being rather a magnet for them due to her perfume, while Megan kept getting scared of injuring them if one landed on her, and Caitlin and I were lucky to hold cockroaches and a millipede (like moving Velcro!) More money spent on a necklace in the giftshop, then lunch in a little Italian shop - mmm chicken risotto - a £1 slice of pie from a street vendor (which I saved for later on), a black snake ring and badge with a Tempest quote on it from the theatre shop, and then back to the hotel for a short rest. Jenna and I got into the habit of browsing Instagram to see what sort of things would come up and we realised chinchillas were her most common item (surprise, surprise). Dinner came round and it was off to Pizza Hut which felt a bit rushed as service was slow and we had to be at the theatre 90 mins after we arrived. I ate my pie (cherry and vanilla crumble top) en-route to the theatre - which Megan and Caitlin bailed from out of exhaustion and a need to pee badly, leaving Jenna and I to enjoy the blood and conspiracy and shouting that was Julius Caesar. The clean-up team were onstage for a good while in the interval clearing away all the blood. I'd been bothered by a smear of it on the stage before but that was nothing in comparison! I did notice alot of 'gallant' suicides though which led me to wonder how sane men in those days really were.....still very well acted. But alas it was an early-ish night to be had after that as we were up by 7 this morning for a prompt departure at 8.30.
And I'm still wishing I was back in Stratford-upon-Avon now, such a picturesque little town - plus it keeps me away from the responsibility that is my Gothic essay - I'm only 293 words deep after about 4 hours work and still at least 1050 words from my goal on Monday afternoon.....I know I can do it, I just hope my argument comes out sound enough.
Anyway, must go now, will probably be back after this is over
Monday, 13 March 2017
Easter Showcase
So it's been over a week. How am I doing? Well, health-wise I'm a little unsure. I don't think I'm being bothered by my acid reflux anymore; I've stopped taking the pills so....we'll see it goes eh?
I have just submitted my creative non-fiction piece due today (just over an hour away from the deadline, no less) and am almost ready to move onto essay number 2: The Gothic trope of imprisonment. Just need to sort out a packing list for the Stratford-upon-Avon trip on Wednesday then I'll be good to start planning said essay.
Saturday 11th was the Easter Showcase and that went surprisingly well despite my small role. I was involved in some of the stage management and ended up being an extra in Summer and Star-Crossed as well (the mushy gay summer romance). Found the time to do some reading of Jekyll and Hyde in between (and finished it last night) which means I'm almost ready to go for Victorian tomorrow. But damn, the amount of frights and screaming in Fraser's play In Those Chthonic Depths was insane, but it made me glad I was being a stagehand as I got to be backstage for the whole thing. Poor Jenna, her screaming eventually got to her throat. By the end of the showcase, there were a lot of dead people (in both Chthonic and Wayward - I'm sensing a theme here).
I think that's all I need to relay for now. Oh, it was my dear late mother's birthday yesterday so I used her strength to get me through finishing my CNF essay - as well as the sunny weather, which is persisting even now (yay, Spring is coming!)
Will probably write again when I'm back from Stratford-upon-Avon.
I have just submitted my creative non-fiction piece due today (just over an hour away from the deadline, no less) and am almost ready to move onto essay number 2: The Gothic trope of imprisonment. Just need to sort out a packing list for the Stratford-upon-Avon trip on Wednesday then I'll be good to start planning said essay.
Saturday 11th was the Easter Showcase and that went surprisingly well despite my small role. I was involved in some of the stage management and ended up being an extra in Summer and Star-Crossed as well (the mushy gay summer romance). Found the time to do some reading of Jekyll and Hyde in between (and finished it last night) which means I'm almost ready to go for Victorian tomorrow. But damn, the amount of frights and screaming in Fraser's play In Those Chthonic Depths was insane, but it made me glad I was being a stagehand as I got to be backstage for the whole thing. Poor Jenna, her screaming eventually got to her throat. By the end of the showcase, there were a lot of dead people (in both Chthonic and Wayward - I'm sensing a theme here).
I think that's all I need to relay for now. Oh, it was my dear late mother's birthday yesterday so I used her strength to get me through finishing my CNF essay - as well as the sunny weather, which is persisting even now (yay, Spring is coming!)
Will probably write again when I'm back from Stratford-upon-Avon.
Monday, 6 March 2017
The [Farewell] Kiss of Dawn
I can see a future trend emerging here. I can't find the time to write a daily entry, even just a few lines about how the day went and then, when something bad happens, I suddenly find the time. Well today's installment of unhappiness comes courtesy of the early morning wake-up call in the form of the news that HIM (my beloved Finnish love-metallers) are breaking up after a 26 year career making the most beautiful music I have ever heard. I fell in love with them about 10 years ago and never looked back, my infatuation with the lead singer Ville Valo being a particularly memorable highlight in many of my friends' eyes (thank you Eloise for the card and the chanting all those years ago!)
I hope I can make it to their farewell tour in London on December 17th (whether I remember or can is another matter altogether though....)
In other news, my rehearsals for the Easter Showcase with UPAD are going alright, though a lack of time meant I wasn't able to perform my single part during the full run-through - which sucks because me and Lois are still having troubles getting our part right. In good news though, Jenna is doing better than she thinks in her play so I shall have to congratulate her when I see her next.
I went to the doctors last week and found the acidic taste in my throat was stress-induced acid reflux (so now I have pills.....which I genuinely hate taking) and I have to make sure I give myself suitable breaks from my work to stop the stress building up, but I know my main problem is I procrastinate before I work and then run out of time. Hmph.
However, I do feel I am getting a handle on the necessary things and I shouldn't be stressing excessively come deadlines - though it may be a little early to be saying that so I'll just leave it as an open-ended hope at the moment.
Cervinia is my light on the horizon - paid in full now and under a month to go before I'm back in the Italian Alps, enjoying pasta and snowy vistas and trying not to fall on my arse again.
I should probably end here as I have work to do and an ever decreasing time frame in which to do it in, so I shall say bye and hopefully be back sooner next time.
I hope I can make it to their farewell tour in London on December 17th (whether I remember or can is another matter altogether though....)
In other news, my rehearsals for the Easter Showcase with UPAD are going alright, though a lack of time meant I wasn't able to perform my single part during the full run-through - which sucks because me and Lois are still having troubles getting our part right. In good news though, Jenna is doing better than she thinks in her play so I shall have to congratulate her when I see her next.
I went to the doctors last week and found the acidic taste in my throat was stress-induced acid reflux (so now I have pills.....which I genuinely hate taking) and I have to make sure I give myself suitable breaks from my work to stop the stress building up, but I know my main problem is I procrastinate before I work and then run out of time. Hmph.
However, I do feel I am getting a handle on the necessary things and I shouldn't be stressing excessively come deadlines - though it may be a little early to be saying that so I'll just leave it as an open-ended hope at the moment.
Cervinia is my light on the horizon - paid in full now and under a month to go before I'm back in the Italian Alps, enjoying pasta and snowy vistas and trying not to fall on my arse again.
I should probably end here as I have work to do and an ever decreasing time frame in which to do it in, so I shall say bye and hopefully be back sooner next time.
Sunday, 12 February 2017
In Memorium
So today is a very sensitive and significant day in my life, marking half a decade since my dear mum passed away from breast/bowel cancer. It was a thing my family and I knew was going to happen, like watching a building fall in slow motion. I had to become a lot less dependent - which has come in handy for me now what with the cooking and cleaning and such. I was aware of how close this day was getting since the start of the month, and combined with the general pressures of starting my second term of second year, and missing Jackson, I wasn't in the best head space. It was a great relief, therefore, to have Jackson come stay with me for a few days, cook me food, watch movies, and generally make me forget the stresses of day-to-day life. Today, I actually forgot for awhile what importance the date had until he went home again and something just clicked in my mind. I'm not feeling sad though, which is good - it may have something to do with the half bottle of wine I have drank! But as I watch the many lights flicker in my central heated bedroom, I feel I have a degree of control and freedom with my life that she would be proud of.
So to end this increasingly short entry, I want to say thank you to my mum, to praise all others who, like me, had to grow up a little bit faster, and to admire those mothers who continue to amaze us with their skills which the former camp feel they may never master.
So to end this increasingly short entry, I want to say thank you to my mum, to praise all others who, like me, had to grow up a little bit faster, and to admire those mothers who continue to amaze us with their skills which the former camp feel they may never master.
Saturday, 4 February 2017
Little Announcement
House Update: I have a new housemate so we're back to six people in this crazy place. I hope all goes well with us.
In other news, I finished my library internship yesterday but I've been so busy today, I haven't had a chance to get myself back to the Proprietary Library since last Saturday. I'm trying (hopefully for the best) to get all my notes from the Autumn term typed up. Still got to keep going with the reading too. It's going to be so hectic. But at least I have Jackson coming to visit me next weekend - I do miss him...and anything close to human love.
In other news, I finished my library internship yesterday but I've been so busy today, I haven't had a chance to get myself back to the Proprietary Library since last Saturday. I'm trying (hopefully for the best) to get all my notes from the Autumn term typed up. Still got to keep going with the reading too. It's going to be so hectic. But at least I have Jackson coming to visit me next weekend - I do miss him...and anything close to human love.
Wednesday, 1 February 2017
You Can't Fall Off the Floor
It's been almost a week since my little accident and, as per my amazing immunity, my finger is healing well. I'm almost done with my library internship too, however I have a feeling that these last two days are going to be long ones - tomorrow especially. I have been inspired by the intro lecture on Monday for Creative Non-fiction to be more fearless in my writing, excited at the prospect of incorporating Freud, psychology, and the sublime into my work once more with the Gothic on Tuesday, today I've been complimented highly by the quality of my piece on the graveyard (I genuinely couldn't believe the rest of my group had nothing big to point out to me). I got a bit wet bringing my Aldi food shop home as I didn't have a third arm to hold my umbrella. Just now, I got back from a performance entitled Pact with Pointlessness, a contemporary/comedy piece about dealing with death. I may have been reading too much into it, but the pressure of keeping that memory at bay by focusing on other things was very evident in Wendy Houston's performance. The comedy element, in my opinion, ruined it at times, however, I did appreciate the confusion and disjointedness of her words (reminding me a little of Hannah Silva's Schlock! which I saw in first year and I was enchanted by). At times she danced, at times she ran about, at times she danced and ran about in a cardboard box (weird). But it made me cry a little, without any particular cue or remark other than the tone which everything eventually took. The title of this post, by the way, was among the many random messages Wendy had scrolling across the bottom of a projected screen behind her at intervals. Made me think there was a message behind that; something about not being able to fall any further once you've hit the bottom. I don't know.
Anyway, tomorrow is another early start so I'll be going. Classes starting for real in just a few days now.
Sunday, 29 January 2017
T'is but a flesh wound
So another week over and I'm making steady progress towards getting set for the new semester. Granted that new semester officially begins tomorrow but I think I've got this. I have all my immediate required reading and writing done, I'm making steady progress with The Woman in White (again) - though I must remember to get into The Italian pretty swiftly as I have not read that at all.
Must also remember to try and get my notes for Romanticism and Dramatic Writing typed up too so they're out the way.
And then there's the stresses of trying to get a new house together and decided for third year....this is going to be (sarcastically) fun.
To add to that, I managed to cut part of my fingernail off preparing curry on Friday night. I wasn't in the best mood that night so chopping coriander turned into slicing the top quarter of my nail off and having to numb it under the cold tap before swaddling it in a huge plaster which I really didn't need. But I've gotten so used to injuring myself - to a greater or lesser degree - that I've kind of learnt to take it in my stride and work with the inconvenience of it.
And troubles aside, I'm halfway through my library internship and I feel I've learnt a good deal about the industry while there, so at least my [potential] future prospects are a little brighter.
Anyway, I think I've rambled on long enough. Time for relaxation before Monday hits again. (yay - not)
Must also remember to try and get my notes for Romanticism and Dramatic Writing typed up too so they're out the way.
And then there's the stresses of trying to get a new house together and decided for third year....this is going to be (sarcastically) fun.
To add to that, I managed to cut part of my fingernail off preparing curry on Friday night. I wasn't in the best mood that night so chopping coriander turned into slicing the top quarter of my nail off and having to numb it under the cold tap before swaddling it in a huge plaster which I really didn't need. But I've gotten so used to injuring myself - to a greater or lesser degree - that I've kind of learnt to take it in my stride and work with the inconvenience of it.
And troubles aside, I'm halfway through my library internship and I feel I've learnt a good deal about the industry while there, so at least my [potential] future prospects are a little brighter.
Anyway, I think I've rambled on long enough. Time for relaxation before Monday hits again. (yay - not)
Thursday, 26 January 2017
Interning, Networking, and Fourth-Wall Breaking
According to my previous post title, it was Monday when I last posted. A fair bit has happened since then. I had a bit of a rubbish day Tuesday, female troubles interrupting my first day interning at the university library (pain and such), but I eventually recovered enough to go to my first UPAD session of the new year which was pretty alright (Brechtian style performing) Got pulled into a group of guys who broke the fourth wall with a re-take of the Star Wars prequels (which I know practically nothing about). Joined in on a pub quiz with my good friend Mark Jones at James Street Vaults (unfortunately came 5th) and ended the night tired but happier than before.
Yesterday I was completing odd tasks (emails, creating LinkedIn profile, etc.) before I even got onto reading the necessary material in preparation for my Gothic module in a fortnight or so. Fortunately, I got my hands on a tub of cookie dough ice cream and a copy of Suicide Squad on DVD so that was my Wednesday night.
And now I'm here, having successfully completed not only a full day of library interning, but also my first Networking Evening as part of the Exploring Your Future in Arts and Humanities week which I have been unable to attend the majority of due to aforementioned interning. But it was so useful: I picked up tips on writing, ways to get noticed, and potential offers for future employment. Sweet! When you've had a bit of wine and a few canapes, you do really open up. I have my fingers crossed for future luck. And shall see you again soon.
Monday, 23 January 2017
Tacos are back in town!
Hello once more, another interesting day under my belt. Library work and reading and tacos. I did miss my Old El Paso Quorn mince and guacamole tacos! Can't say I miss the internal tensions of the library wanting to prevent their leap into the modern world (I mean, Facebook isn't that bad....) Got free peanut M&M's though so sweet! But I am starting my internship at the university library tomorrow morning, super early too (8.30!) so will definitely need my sleep tonight. I'm slowly getting through The Woman in White (again) though I can't say I'll be done in time. Heh no matter. UPAD tomorrow night too! Happy days! See you later
Friday, 20 January 2017
Library Closures - A Slap in the Face
So, interesting update. I may be getting published in a feature for the Plymouth Herald about the area's massive library closures. I only found out about it recently but damn, this is not good. I mean, I didn't spend a whole month last year writing poetry about them only to have at least ten of them be shut down. Granted, none of them are the libraries I've written about (which could count for something) but this still feels like a disappointment. I'm glad there are good people in the area who are willing to put up a fight for libraries - AND get me involved.
On a lighter note, today has been a fairly relaxed day. Cleaned the kitchen, gave myself a pedicure, did my reading for upcoming Creative Non-Fiction module, had a curry, watched The Woman in Black (not the best choice of viewing material at 9pm but hey, I'm awkward!)
Tomorrow I return to my volunteering at the Proprietary Library, pick up some supplies, and go to a house party. I think I'm finally get back into the routine.
Thursday, 19 January 2017
New Year feels like Same Old Me
Well.
I've been gone a long time.
That's what, over a month?
But I've had good reason, namingly 1. coursework, which only today have I submitted the last of, and 2. reading every night during the holidays after I was done with coursework, and then staying up so long to continue writing coursework when I came back to Plymouth that I didn't have the time to write on here.
I do regret missing out on recording how my holiday went because I've had a fun enough time despite all the work I needed to fit in otherwise. I've spent sooooo much money on the people I love (about £20-£50 each!) and then in the new year, I had Jackson's birthday to celebrate. Incidentally, he wanted to see me so bad before I left that he ended up staying Sunday night before I came back, helped me with my luggage, and even got his dad and his taxi to drive me to the station (this being the terrible day the Tube staff went on strike so that was fun....)
Anyway, I'm back now (how did that holiday go so fast?) and my first half of second year is officially over, though I will still have to wait for results in 3 weeks time. I have high hopes for this year (but no solid resolution because hey, another year is really just another day and you can promise you'll lose weight any time) and I want to get the most out of my time here by getting more experiences, which starts next week with my university library internship! Haha strange thing to be excited about, I know, but I want this experience as it's different from my usual library work.
But other than that, I'm not sure what other things I'll try out. Wait and see, I suppose.
Again, sorry for being away, but I'll try to be more regular now.
I've been gone a long time.
That's what, over a month?
But I've had good reason, namingly 1. coursework, which only today have I submitted the last of, and 2. reading every night during the holidays after I was done with coursework, and then staying up so long to continue writing coursework when I came back to Plymouth that I didn't have the time to write on here.
I do regret missing out on recording how my holiday went because I've had a fun enough time despite all the work I needed to fit in otherwise. I've spent sooooo much money on the people I love (about £20-£50 each!) and then in the new year, I had Jackson's birthday to celebrate. Incidentally, he wanted to see me so bad before I left that he ended up staying Sunday night before I came back, helped me with my luggage, and even got his dad and his taxi to drive me to the station (this being the terrible day the Tube staff went on strike so that was fun....)
Anyway, I'm back now (how did that holiday go so fast?) and my first half of second year is officially over, though I will still have to wait for results in 3 weeks time. I have high hopes for this year (but no solid resolution because hey, another year is really just another day and you can promise you'll lose weight any time) and I want to get the most out of my time here by getting more experiences, which starts next week with my university library internship! Haha strange thing to be excited about, I know, but I want this experience as it's different from my usual library work.
But other than that, I'm not sure what other things I'll try out. Wait and see, I suppose.
Again, sorry for being away, but I'll try to be more regular now.
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