Long time no post but, tis the season to be neglectful of your blog. Just a quick post because my favourite Christmas song, Fairytale of New York, is on and I should like to go appreciate it fully with the obligatory skipping around like lunatics that me and my father like to do.
So, have a good holiday, whether you celebrate Christmas or not (Happy 25th December if not I guess) and if you do celebrate Christmas then hope you have a good ‘un, have a Proper Crimbo.
Snagged from WhatAboutAdam.
Grab the book closest to you. Go to page 56. Find the fifth sentence. Write that sentence in the text box.
“Lizard, take the line and have a glance under the buoy,” said the leader to one of the crew, a small woman who had blue scales tattooed all over her face.
Yep, that pretty much sums up what kind of books I like… fantasy ones, if you didn’t get that from that. It’s from Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix and this book is boring me so much but I want to read the rest of them so I kind of need to read what happens in this funnily enough.
I have exams in the next two weeks, only mocks, but buying four new books to read, and having two from the library that I have yet to read, is not good. Past experience dictates that I shall procrastinate studying for the exams with reading said new books. Still, at least I am then procrastinating in a cultured way… since the books are Drowned Wednesday, Sir Thursday, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Time Traveller’s Wife, The Book Thief & The Shadow of the Wind… yeah, that’s the height of culture, I tell you. Still, it could be worst… I could be re-reading Twilight for the god-knows-what-th time in preparation for seeing the film properly in the cinema.
(Note: Yes I have watched it already, but I am planning on seeing it on the release date here in the UK because I wish to see it on the big screen so I may drool if needs be, laugh at how constantly uncomfortable Edward looks & finally take the piss of the acting and/or special effects at appropriate moments. What fun I shall have.)
So I finally saw Casino Royale over the weekend (by illegal means? noooo!) and… much to my complete surprise, I actually liked it! After it ended I was sat staring at my (ipod) screen utterly baffled… I remember thinking “Wait… did you just… like that film? WTF?!” And I have no idea why. I’m not an action film fan at all, I’m not a Daniel Craig fan, I’m not a fan of casinos, poker and/or gambling so why did I like it? I’m thinking that my English teacher has been brainwashing me.
You see, she has a not-so-secret crush on a certain Mr Craig, which I don’t understand, he’s not that good looking, in my opinion… anyway when she needed to come up with a topic for our media coursework she decided upon Bond, more specifically the ‘Bond brand’ and it’s relevant advertising, common themes, iconic signifiers etc. etc. I wasn’t so pleased about this at first (I’m not a huge fan of the previous Bond films I’ve seen) and I had no idea how I was going to write an analytical essay about it later… but now I can see her point of view.
It is an intriguing idea, and this character of Bond is such a (albeit charming) bastard who likes shooting things, sleeping with ‘taken women’, drinking and fighting… and yet the legacy of the Bond films and even novels lives on and most people seem to like him, and the films based around this arsehole of a character. So, all in all, thanks to me liking Casino Royale, I think this coursework may be a bit nicer to write. And if it isn’t then I can at least watch the film a few times, procrastinating said coursework. And, hey having an excuse to watch a film… that’s always a good thing.
The major conflicts of World War I were officially ended with the German signing of the Armistice on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Today marks, not only Remembrance Day, but also the ninetieth anniversary of this event. Today is a day to remember all those that fought (and are still fighting in ongoing conflicts) for their nation, its future, and for the lives that we now live. Thank you.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The Larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Field.
(‘In Flanders Field’s by Lt.-Col. John McCrae)
(PS- I feel the need to point out that, though I do not have any close family members that fought in any of the World Wars or the conflicts since then, ‘Remembrance Day’ is something which I feel the need to commemorate.)
Okay, so it’s only November of my last year of compulsory education but I’m 100% certain I’m going to Post-16 and then university… it just makes sense to me. Plus if I don’t gain some independence in the next, what 5, 6 years then I literally never will! It’s more about the experience than anything. That having been said I am not settling for going to the Uni of Teesside (no offence to it, okay it is actually offence but whatever) just because I want the uni ‘experience’ more than anything. Post-16 Open Evening for my school was last night, and I actually don’t know where else I would go… Macmillan is my first, and only, choice for Post-16, and that’s worrying. Everyone keeps saying to me “Why worry, of course you are going to be accepted no problem” but I think they need to see my point of being pessimistic and coming up with the worst case scenario about everything!
Anyway, back to my (sort of) point… at A Level I’m not struggling so much with what I want to take. I’m thinking English Literature, English Language, Spanish & Critical Thinking… however that leaves a spot open (CT isn’t counted as an option, more of an add-on to existing choices)… and the only thing from the Pool left that I won’t absolutely hate is Government and Politics. That being said, someone on my LJ f-list does Government and Politics (albeit at a public school (the ones you have to pay for, I know the ‘public’ bit of it has always confused me too) so you know, higher standards and what not) and the things she says she does in lessons just sound… well, a bit crap and work intensive, and yes I’ll say it, mind numbingly boring. I’m thinking I should just take a Science or Maths (I’m good at both at GCSE so it doesn’t really matter which as I won’t be continuing them at uni), drop it after first year, and then maybe do Government and Politics as an AS rather than full A Level. Argh, see I’m confusing myself just by talking about this. Maybe I should actually go and research this… imagine that, pfft.
Note: While I was writing this I was listening to the High School Musical 3 Soundtrack, now come on, you can’t say that isn’t the music choice of someone worthy of being offered a place to read English at Cambridge. *wink* (For anyone who doesn’t get the concept of sarcasm, go back and read that last comment and you will find, oh yes, sarcasm. Well done.)
This is for my own benefit… I do not expect any merit to come out of you reading this… except to maybe gain an insight into why I procrastinate homework- because it’s (usually) monotonous, if you don’t get that already.
Things to Remember
Saturday 6pm- 11am: Kate’s Sleepover
Things required include sleeping bag (obviously), clothes etc. (duh), popcorn, cheap sugar, Pepsi/Coke, Doritos/crisps of some form, ice cream (?) & DVDs such as Shaun of the Dead, Reservoir Dogs, Mean Girls, Fight Club, POTC 2 &3, Clueless/Legally Blonde, Van Helsing/Underworld/Brothers Grimm, Bridget Jones/About A Boy
Monday: Year 11 & tutor group photos
Things required include brush, comb & straighteners as hair will be a crappy mess after PE
Tuesday: Gabriella Cilmi, Carlin Academy, N’castle
Things required include mobile, iPod, camera, money (!), all homework to be done by that point (urgh, joy)
Homework To Do This Weekend
Biology- revision sheet on death & decay
Maths- equations questions sheet
English- essay analysing Night, Night advert; storyboard for own advert; two stills from own advert, annotated to explain theories, camera angles, representation etc.
ICT- individual project diary so far; team log; website buttons for Mr King
Spanish- study grammar notes, write summary of said notes & produce quiz to test partner on them
Art- development (at least 2 pages) of development, leading into final plant/piece
Probably useful to do, but not necessarily set homework
English- finish notes on Ralph v Jack; completely chapter 3 notes; poetry grids for Havisham, My Last Duchess & Anne Hathaway
Maths- revise for upcoming apparently important test
As you can see… my weekend needs to be productive, but probably will not be. Woo.
One note on the final Twilight trailer which was unveiled last night… Oh.My.God.I.Effing.Love.It.
Note: I am completely sad and a pathetic fangirl when it comes to Twilight, do not diss, please and thank you.
Remember that YouTube channel I created to make my own videos on but never did… I has videos! Two of them! Only one of which features me properly… and I don’t speak it that one… so it’s not really v-logging, but believe me, just uploading it makes me all =S.
I hate cameras. I hate hearing my voice recorded. And for some odd reason I thought maybe making vlogs would help me desensitise myself to video cameras and maybe, make me a tad more comfortable around them. It’s wishful thinking I know… but yes, I have videos uploaded on YouTube, for once I followed through on something I said I would do! Yay me!
And now there is something more urgent that I have not followed up on… and that is Art homework, lots of it, which is due in for tomorrow and it’s now 26 minutes past 10… crap.
So, considering I wish to take English at A Level, and later probably degree level, I made a decision that I need to read more ‘intellectual’ or ‘important’ books, aka something other than Harry Potter and Twilight. I have made a bit more progress on the ‘read more serious books’ front as of today, namely that I am further through Pride and Prejudice than the point at which I always think “fuck it, I can’t be bothered reading this”. Yay me! That isn’t to say that I won’t reach a point today while reading it when I think/say said thing… but still, I like to see this as a positive thing. It could also explain why I prefer books like Twilight and Harry Potter that are incredibly easy to read and follow.
I’m sorry Jane Austen but you and I don’t seem to get along when the distraction of a computer with t’internet is within reach, like right now for example. Still, I have to finish P&P, and then read the rest of her novels, because her books are considered a wee bit more important than say, Size 14 Isn’t Fat Either- a rather less ‘important’ book which I enjoyed immensely.
I swear I need to stop reading such ‘rubbish’… still, I guess that’s what A Level/Degree Level English Lit is for, right? I mean, all it really is, is an excuse to read a shitload (excuse my French, hehe I love saying that) of ‘serious books’ that some old examiners reckon are ‘influential to the way literature has progressed throughout history’… right? Thing is, I reckon I’ll absolutely love English Lit… I really will. And I know this for a fact, as I am one of those freaks that actually, heaven forbid, likes writing essays about writing techniques, character development and major themes. Yes, I am a freak… I did warn you to begin with, and if I didn’t warn you, you should have guessed that… eeesh.
Over the weekend I made some decisions (hey they were decisions for me, I’m arsey about committing to something I might fail) of which the shorter term ones are:
1- I shall make a revision timetable this year and stick to it come exam time
2- I shall make regular revision notes or cards to aid in said revision come exam time
3- I shall actually do revision this year at regular intervals
4- I shall make more of an effort to be involved in extra-curricular activities
5- I shall take up a sport/activity with a friend at weekends
6- I shall also suggest daily walks to mother dearest, and persuade her to come with me
And some longer term ones:
7- I shall take English Lit & Language, Spanish and Critical Thinking or Biology at A Level
8- I shall get a part-time job next year, over the summer, to earn money for… yep you got it, uni
9- I shall apply to ‘top’ universities and stop being so negative about my own abilities
10- I shall stop being so negative, self-doubting and self-deprecating (ooo I has clever sounding words!)
Believe me, those ‘longer term’ ones will take a long time to achieve/get round to/stick to. Actually, thinking about it, so will the ‘shorter term’ ones. Ah the joys of being a procrastinator by nature.
I seriously need to have a better lifestyle. I just start to feel comfortable with (as cliché as this sounds) “the skin I’m in” and then I look at my fat legs and come crashing down again. Height is on my side… that is about the only thing I like, physically, about myself… the rest of me I see as “fat” or “okay not morbidly obese but certainly not slim either”.
I need to do something. I need to stop spending so much time on this bloody computer. I need to exercise. But you know the thing I worry about most? Not that I can’t exercise, no because I know I can… I worry that people will laugh, especially my dad. Sometimes I think “hang on, if he’s a lazy bugger, he can’t comment about exercise”… but argh, I hate him making fun of me for wanting to “get fitter”. I just don’t stick with things if people comment on it, even a little snide comment or look here and there… it really brings me down and I think “fuck it, I can’t be arsed with this”, and slip back into my normal routine.
I just need to get up off my arse and do… something, but it’s the actual getting up which is the hardest (metaphorically, not actually) to do!
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