It's late, I really should be winding down for the evening and allowing the sleep fairy to lead me drowsily by the hand to the land of dreams. I'm wide awake however, thinking of literature and the wonder that comes with the complete immersion in another world.
I miss it, literature and immersing myself in it. I find myself thinking longingly of the three years I spent submerged in the words of wonder induced by writers, of being guided to explore and analyse the language, characters and motifs by intelligent and skillful lecturers. I long to experience again the hours I spent discussing books: putting forward notions of the author's intent, psychoanalysing the characters and pulling a part the prose to offer textual evidence. I long to read and debate the merits of different theories from academic essayists.
I dream of days and nights spent talking, studying, researching and drafting my own theories on novels. I think, idealistically, of one day pursuing my PhD whilst knowing the roof of my intellect is a Masters.
“What an astonishing thing a book is. It's a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you're inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.”
― Carl Sagan
Thursday, 26 September 2013
Some things you wish were genetic
My mamma is one talented and gifted woman. She might not have the education of most women but there's no denying when it comes to creative talent she's at the top of the class!
Creative wise I'm average: possess a good eye for colour, have strong ideas, can make up stories very easily (ask me about the canary in the pelican doing reconnaissant work for taking over Torrance's water supply) and I can manage the basics in sewing. I can't draw or paint at all, in fact I'm still at the stick people level. My doodles are okay, nothing impressive though.
My mamma...she's a different story. She made this:
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It's fully lined, handmade and a one off. This is a man's Christmas stocking and she makes a more feminine one for women too. I think they and she are amazing. This one is for a friend, who has asked for their child's name to be embroidered on it. My friend liked it so much she's ordered another for her daughter and possibly some bunting after Christmas.
I wish I had half my mum's talent and patience when it comes to things like this. I wish we lived closer so that I could watch her and soak in the know-how to make things like these.
I hope her creative talent is genetic.
Creative wise I'm average: possess a good eye for colour, have strong ideas, can make up stories very easily (ask me about the canary in the pelican doing reconnaissant work for taking over Torrance's water supply) and I can manage the basics in sewing. I can't draw or paint at all, in fact I'm still at the stick people level. My doodles are okay, nothing impressive though.
My mamma...she's a different story. She made this:
.JPG)
It's fully lined, handmade and a one off. This is a man's Christmas stocking and she makes a more feminine one for women too. I think they and she are amazing. This one is for a friend, who has asked for their child's name to be embroidered on it. My friend liked it so much she's ordered another for her daughter and possibly some bunting after Christmas.
I wish I had half my mum's talent and patience when it comes to things like this. I wish we lived closer so that I could watch her and soak in the know-how to make things like these.
I hope her creative talent is genetic.
Managing Expectations
L told me I need to do this.
We're moving in 16 days and whilst I am ready for a fresh start I'm also a little apprehensive about making new friends: I'm a marmite girl, so you either love me or hate me. Maybe not hate, maybe indifferent to me. Plus, when we first moved here I made friends with the 'wrong' people and it bought me trouble in the form of what I like to call patch politics.
I mentioned this to L and also said I was after a friend who was really into literature, like a university lecturer, and also some one who would be my gym/workout buddy.
That was the point L told me to manage my expectations. He's such a meany sometimes!
We're moving in 16 days and whilst I am ready for a fresh start I'm also a little apprehensive about making new friends: I'm a marmite girl, so you either love me or hate me. Maybe not hate, maybe indifferent to me. Plus, when we first moved here I made friends with the 'wrong' people and it bought me trouble in the form of what I like to call patch politics.
I mentioned this to L and also said I was after a friend who was really into literature, like a university lecturer, and also some one who would be my gym/workout buddy.
That was the point L told me to manage my expectations. He's such a meany sometimes!
Monday, 23 September 2013
Metamorphosis
This evening I watched UFC165 Jones v Gustaffson. Wow. A truly amazing fight, although a little disappointed there wasn't as much grappling and wrestling as I'd have liked, it was an amazing fight. I think Gustaffson was robbed and deserved to win...but I imagine there are a few of us arm chair referees who hold the same opinion.
Jones seemed to favour his legs and kicking, indeed he seemed to be using his legs and feet to do his utmost to avoid Gustaffson's anvil-like fists. That said, there were a few comical moments in which Gustaffson used his height and long legged advantage to 'run' away from Jones.
I have no idea what it is about UFC that brings out my more, shall we say, passionate side but there is no denying that it does. If I had been worried about turning into my grandmother whilst watching UFC - The Ultimate Fighter - this evening my worst fears were realised: I was on the edge of my seat, eyes glued to the screen, shouting various things at the tv. A full metamorphosis took place this evening and it happened quite naturally without me noticing it at all, I was punching a pillow and shouting 'Hit him! Hit him!'
Nanna, this little caterpillar has morphed into a fully fledged impassioned UFC butterfly...I can feel you laughing and smiling at me. Merde I hope you're proud.
Jones seemed to favour his legs and kicking, indeed he seemed to be using his legs and feet to do his utmost to avoid Gustaffson's anvil-like fists. That said, there were a few comical moments in which Gustaffson used his height and long legged advantage to 'run' away from Jones.
I have no idea what it is about UFC that brings out my more, shall we say, passionate side but there is no denying that it does. If I had been worried about turning into my grandmother whilst watching UFC - The Ultimate Fighter - this evening my worst fears were realised: I was on the edge of my seat, eyes glued to the screen, shouting various things at the tv. A full metamorphosis took place this evening and it happened quite naturally without me noticing it at all, I was punching a pillow and shouting 'Hit him! Hit him!'
Nanna, this little caterpillar has morphed into a fully fledged impassioned UFC butterfly...I can feel you laughing and smiling at me. Merde I hope you're proud.
Friday, 20 September 2013
Jack the Legend
Jack is our 5 year old next door neighbour. He lives with his mummy, his daddy and his little sister, Princess Sophie (the princess part has been added by me).
Jack is an utter legend for coming out with the most amazing bits of information, jokes and comically timed questions. Today was no exception....
L was working on the car, changing our disc brakes. Jack and Princess Sophie were out playing on their scooters, zoom vooming up and down the little stretch of pavement between their house and the lamp post. Naturally curious and always willing to lend a hand, Princess Sophie wants to help. L, is great, he lets her pass him tools and have a play. Inevitably Jack wants some of the action, so he squats down and L lets him have a go.
Mum wanders over and Jack looks up her to utter the immortal request, "mummy can we have L as our daddy and not Andrew?"
Needless to say a period of stunned silence ensues before L looks up at Gemma, Mummy pulls a face and says "Nah you wouldn't want that, I'd never get round to taking you to the park". Mummy eventually says "Let's not tell daddy that"
Yup. Jack is an utter legend!
Jack is an utter legend for coming out with the most amazing bits of information, jokes and comically timed questions. Today was no exception....
L was working on the car, changing our disc brakes. Jack and Princess Sophie were out playing on their scooters, zoom vooming up and down the little stretch of pavement between their house and the lamp post. Naturally curious and always willing to lend a hand, Princess Sophie wants to help. L, is great, he lets her pass him tools and have a play. Inevitably Jack wants some of the action, so he squats down and L lets him have a go.
Mum wanders over and Jack looks up her to utter the immortal request, "mummy can we have L as our daddy and not Andrew?"
Needless to say a period of stunned silence ensues before L looks up at Gemma, Mummy pulls a face and says "Nah you wouldn't want that, I'd never get round to taking you to the park". Mummy eventually says "Let's not tell daddy that"
Yup. Jack is an utter legend!
Thursday, 19 September 2013
A Calamity of Errors
The past two days have been a calamity of errors and so much so I'm filled with trepidation for today.
1. Tuesday I need to post a respirator L sold on Ebay, you read right a respirator. Don't ask, I've no idea. There I was in the post office desperately trying to cram this respirator into a padded envelope, because you know I don't, contrary to L's popular belief, have a surplus of boxes or postage material for things like respirators. I was forcing is square peg into a round whole because I'd forgot the tape I needed to take with me in order to buy a box, I know error part b to error 1.
2. One of the very people I was trying to avoid came into the post office...so I crept into the next aisle and hid, while I'm still battling with this respirator to stuff it in an envelope. I was so busy forcing it into the envelope I missed her coming round the corner! Ugh!! I'm not proud of what I did but it is funny: I avoided eye contact and pretended not to know her voice...I know mature!
3. Walking to the swimming baths to go for a swim...one of the other people I was avoiding ran passed me! Seriously. How hard is it to avoid people?! I deliberately left the house when I thought I'd have the least chance of bumping into people I didn't want to see...argh! Bloody small world. Humpf!
4. I failed a practice maths test by 1 mark. One lousy stupid mark! Are you kidding me?!
Right, so that was Tuesday.
Wednesday,
1. I cried in my tutor session. Yes, I'm 35 and I cried out of frustration in my tutor session. The maths isn't hard and when I work the sum out again....I know where I've gone wrong. Yes I'm ashamed of myself.
2. I dropped a spoon covered with mashed sweet potato on the floor showering it everywhere.
3. Apparently not having learnt anything from the spoon incident, I did the same with the metal masher...who knew mashed sweet potato could travel that far with such velocity?
4. I turned round caught the chopping board I was holding on the door and the knife that was on it fell off toward my toes! Toes we're okay....avocado everywhere! Of course, why wouldn't that happen and why wouldn't there be avocado everywhere. Green and orange...what a great colour combination!
5. The avocado I was freeing of its stone skidded out of hand and landed flesh side down on the banana stalks...yup you guessed it...avocado flesh everywhere.
6. I dropped a glass bottle in the floor shattering glass everywhere.
Phew! It's a wonder I made it in one piece through yesterday ha ha ha.
Anyone else had a day like that?...
1. Tuesday I need to post a respirator L sold on Ebay, you read right a respirator. Don't ask, I've no idea. There I was in the post office desperately trying to cram this respirator into a padded envelope, because you know I don't, contrary to L's popular belief, have a surplus of boxes or postage material for things like respirators. I was forcing is square peg into a round whole because I'd forgot the tape I needed to take with me in order to buy a box, I know error part b to error 1.
2. One of the very people I was trying to avoid came into the post office...so I crept into the next aisle and hid, while I'm still battling with this respirator to stuff it in an envelope. I was so busy forcing it into the envelope I missed her coming round the corner! Ugh!! I'm not proud of what I did but it is funny: I avoided eye contact and pretended not to know her voice...I know mature!
3. Walking to the swimming baths to go for a swim...one of the other people I was avoiding ran passed me! Seriously. How hard is it to avoid people?! I deliberately left the house when I thought I'd have the least chance of bumping into people I didn't want to see...argh! Bloody small world. Humpf!
4. I failed a practice maths test by 1 mark. One lousy stupid mark! Are you kidding me?!
Right, so that was Tuesday.
Wednesday,
1. I cried in my tutor session. Yes, I'm 35 and I cried out of frustration in my tutor session. The maths isn't hard and when I work the sum out again....I know where I've gone wrong. Yes I'm ashamed of myself.
2. I dropped a spoon covered with mashed sweet potato on the floor showering it everywhere.
3. Apparently not having learnt anything from the spoon incident, I did the same with the metal masher...who knew mashed sweet potato could travel that far with such velocity?
4. I turned round caught the chopping board I was holding on the door and the knife that was on it fell off toward my toes! Toes we're okay....avocado everywhere! Of course, why wouldn't that happen and why wouldn't there be avocado everywhere. Green and orange...what a great colour combination!
5. The avocado I was freeing of its stone skidded out of hand and landed flesh side down on the banana stalks...yup you guessed it...avocado flesh everywhere.
6. I dropped a glass bottle in the floor shattering glass everywhere.
Phew! It's a wonder I made it in one piece through yesterday ha ha ha.
Anyone else had a day like that?...
Saturday, 14 September 2013
Is it in the Genes???
Apparently I've been so busy trying not to and watching for the signs that I'm turning into my mother I missed the fact I'm turning into my nana! On my mother's side.
Since I am only 5ft it seems obvious to point out I suffer with a certain amount of aggression and small person syndrome, which might go some way to explain my interest in UFC. You're shocked, I can tell. I, as primary school teacher with a Masters in Modern and Contemporary English Literature hardly strike most as the type to watch and like that kind of thing.
The thing is...I love it! Last night L and I were watching UFC - The Ultimate Fighter with Meisha Tate and Ronda Rousey, I had started the show as a huge fan of Rousey but her rudeness and petulant insecure temper tantrums and postulating have made me start to despise her. It's immature and disgusting behaviour. But I digress. Last night I watched Rousey's Shayna take on Tate's Julianna and it was an amazing fight! Julianna as the underdog was written off from the start: younger, less experienced, lacking confidence....absolutely owned Shayna and I was over the moon. Aggressive arrogance is not only unattractive it screams for a humiliating ass kicking to put things back into perspective, like their ego.
As Julianna served Shayna a large helping of humble pie I was on the edge of my seat shouting 'Hit her! Just start pounding! Hit her in the face!'....which was entirely reminiscent of my nana shouting at the tv 'it him! it him!' in a heavy French accentuated accent as she watches a Bruno vs Tyson fight on the edge of her seat.
Like I said, I've been trying so hard to avoid turning into my mother....I missed the fact I've turned into nana...oh merde, to coin one of nana's phrases.
Since I am only 5ft it seems obvious to point out I suffer with a certain amount of aggression and small person syndrome, which might go some way to explain my interest in UFC. You're shocked, I can tell. I, as primary school teacher with a Masters in Modern and Contemporary English Literature hardly strike most as the type to watch and like that kind of thing.
The thing is...I love it! Last night L and I were watching UFC - The Ultimate Fighter with Meisha Tate and Ronda Rousey, I had started the show as a huge fan of Rousey but her rudeness and petulant insecure temper tantrums and postulating have made me start to despise her. It's immature and disgusting behaviour. But I digress. Last night I watched Rousey's Shayna take on Tate's Julianna and it was an amazing fight! Julianna as the underdog was written off from the start: younger, less experienced, lacking confidence....absolutely owned Shayna and I was over the moon. Aggressive arrogance is not only unattractive it screams for a humiliating ass kicking to put things back into perspective, like their ego.
As Julianna served Shayna a large helping of humble pie I was on the edge of my seat shouting 'Hit her! Just start pounding! Hit her in the face!'....which was entirely reminiscent of my nana shouting at the tv 'it him! it him!' in a heavy French accentuated accent as she watches a Bruno vs Tyson fight on the edge of her seat.
Like I said, I've been trying so hard to avoid turning into my mother....I missed the fact I've turned into nana...oh merde, to coin one of nana's phrases.
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