About Chuck Close

The grid is back, filled in with lozenges and discs and painted dashes - tiny hamburger shapes, hotdog shapes, sperms and blips and squoinky ovoid donut shapes. 


http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/1999/jul/27/artsfeatures

Blog Every Day in August #31: I failed but what the heck.

I've returned home from 5 magnificent days in London with my parents and James.
We saw Hazel perform at the Royal Albert Hall.
The Wizard of Oz, Wicked, Potted Potter and loads of exhibitions and galleries.
I'm pretty much exhausted.

It was fantastic and I'm so very very lucky.

Blog Every Day in August #23&24

So, yesterday went by rather quickly. We went out for a lovely meal at a farm shop. I had a steak sandwich of mighty proportions and it was delicious.

After a short afternoon nap and a quick walk around the nearby area it was somehow tea time.

Haze showed us her wonderful photos of her Bavaria trip and we watched the Great British Bake Off.

It's now Wednesday afternoon, magically.
This morning Hazel, James and I walked into town so Haze could meet one of her friends and return some items that she'd ended up with by accident after the trip. We were just browsing and a little bit looking for some ink to do finger prints with. That was a bit of a redundant search though.

We took sandwiches up to the park and we were chased off the swings by wasps.

I'm not going to wear my lovely leather boots in London, I've decided. My feet hurt a bit now because they don't provide much cushioning.

I was told as I walked through the door just now that my Great Uncle Carl has died. My thoughts are with my Auntie Irene and everyone else who knew him.

Blog Every Day in August #22

I could have guessed in advance I'd have forgotten to write a proper blog on the right day the day James turns up after not seeing him for 3 weeks.

There was one point where I said "don't let me forget to write a blog" but then I forgot anyway.

The thing is, I will not be writing these when I'm in London now, most likely. Hazel's accommodation is sorted so we won't have to do that then.

I'm not actually sure what we'll do today but I'll try to write up about it tonight.

:)

Blog Every Day in August #21

We did spend the entire day sorting behind the sofa.
We have done a good job and I am proud of us all.

Now that's all I have to say and it's odd but today has been mentally exhausting.

JAMES COMES TOMORROW!

Yesssssssssssss.

x

Blog Every Day in August #20

The rain sounds delicious on my slanted window; really soothing.

My room is nearly entirely sorted. It's a relief and rather calming too.

Today I worked on it and that was about it, talked to James a fair bit and went on a walk to see my Nana with Mum and picked up some windfall apples.

I found my first library card in with some first year art work. That made me happy.

I'm quite tired and tomorrow we're going to tackle "behind the sofa" and hopefully I'll find my Emma Watson signature and my swimming badges to go on my camp blanket.

:)

So long.

Blog Every Day in August #19

Just got woken up with a reminder to post a blog.

Today I put nearly 500 brochures about the Durham Book Festival into envelopes, sealed them and put address stickers on them and then I wrote about paintings and mining.

This afternoon I got frustrated and worked with my parents to clear out and sort things that exist in my bedroom.

That is all I can tell you, I'm going back to bed.

x

Blog Every Day in August #18

You would not believe how much of a mess tidying up can be. Can CAUSE!
Well I didn't have a floor to stand on this morning and now I have less but somehow we've thrown a lot away. Also, a lot of what  I've got rid of has gone downstairs to be got rid of or restored in one way or another.

But Mum said that's enough for today so we had to stop. I think I could have carried on for another hour or so if we were actually doing something and not reading letters from the past. I have this box of random stuff to go to charity but I think there are paperclips at the bottom so I'm not sure how much might end up being rehoused.

Well, anyway. I'm tired now and I need to do some writing.

I'm running out of different ways to say goodbye.

Gutentag.

Blog Every Day in August #17

Going to watch the JK Rowling Who Do You Think You Are program that starts in 7 minutes so I think I'll try and get this written.

Today I've drawn, scanned in and posted drawings that I've done for my James.
Done the edge of the grass in the garden.
Sorted through my art shelves/box.
Watched Golden Girls and listened to old Adam and Joe podcasts.

Bit more productive than usual. Tomorrow is posting adverts on Uni sites about SSAGO and writing more photo blurbs. OH AND FINDING OUT HAZEL'S EXAM RESULTS.

She'll be fine.

BAI GUYS.

Blog Every Day in August #16

I coffee painted today for the first time in a while and was quite happy with how it turned out.
I read a few pages but not really enough.

Trying to measure out sleeves for the dress didn't go too well but I did update my website.

Golden Girls is still my current favourite show.

We watched the new episode of Great British Bake off and a round up episode of Come Dine With Me set in Newcastle.

Oh and a good old giggle at some quotes from our childhood.

That's all really though.

Didn't complete my to-do list and for that I fail a bit.

Cheers!

Blog Every Day in August #15

So I just finished watching a documentary called Antics Roadshow. It was alright but I've gone back to Game of Thrones before bed. There aren't enough kind/good characters though so I might even throw in some GG after this episode.

I just heard Dad drive off to pick Hazel up from her night of gluttony (she's had an eating competition with some friends at the Chinese EAMAYW) and so I know it's approaching 10pm.

I haven't got my Pottermore email yet. Tomorrow I will be productive, I promise to myself!

I have a list of things.

Sketch images to be put into mugs.
Design badges for SSAGO (pins).
Make practice sleeves for dress.
Draw at least one character for James and scan in other one too to send.
Blog about t'other day with images.
Paint in mugs.
Try some art ideas I had at the theatre the other day.
Try to finish my book.

Oh right, this morning I had a meeting with the Councillor, he was friendly and quite interested in the works but left us having to find paintings that sort of don't exist really. Not in the collection we have access to.

We did some shopping and had lunch out and did more shopping. However I still haven't found the black jacket I am looking for. Ah well, Haze got some lovely boots.

Byesie bye for now.

Blog Every Day in August #14

Would you believe it!?
Another reasonably early start so we could set off to get to Leeds in time to see Grandad for lunch.

A lovely Sunday dinner at our usual Leeds haunt the Cornmill and a good session of photo viewing were had.
Also, Hazel and I played cards for a bit which brought back many memories of previous holidays.

A car journey home took us through to 5pm where we dropped Hazel off at church.

I had a hot chocolate that Haze had brought back from Outward Bound called "type orange". It was sweet as anything and rather delicious.

It's nearly bed time and I have some work to do for my meeting tomorrow.

Sup'

Blog Every Day in August #13

What a day!

By 7:30 this morning we were in the car on the way to the Lakes to pick up Hazel. By 9am we were on the roads down the side of Ullswater and turning into the grounds of Outward Bound.

Hazel and I had a "badge off" hers is bigger and green. Perhaps because she did the "older" course.
We then went down the corridor to see a photo of me looking like a pigeon on the wall.

Soon though we were on out way back and we stopped off at a lovely farm shop for coffee and cake!

Hazel's stories are a hoot but they're hers to tell.

It was a lovely day of catching up and now I'm so very tired.

Toodilooooo.

Blog Every Day in August #12

I have to get this written before I go out.

I've been working hard all day today on these image blurbs. I also got to visit the storage area to pick a few up which will be going into the councillors office on Monday.

That took up 5 hours of my day though and after going shopping for household essentials with Dad I'm now painting my nails and about to eat tea before I go into town for a night chatting and hanging out with my friends!

Hazel is home tomorrow, we're going to pick her up about 9am.

GOOD TIMES

Blog Every Day in August #11

It's very late and I have a lot to report about today because it was my first busy day in a while.
Fully busy not just fill up the time busy.

I will probably post a re-hashed version of this blog to tumblr tomorrow with images because I have a few that will illustrate my points but it is dark and going to get my camera and edit images is the last thing I want to do now.

To start it all off I awoke comfortably at 7:50 so I checked tumblr back to the last posts I had seen. This is how I usually start my days here at home. It makes sense to me.

I showered and washed my hair and it turned out really soft and lovely today. The simple things that can make me smile.

I had a deadline for writing to reach and had to research and write three interesting blurbs for three paintings so I could email them before I left the house! I managed to get them done and sent before lunch.

After lunch Mum and I moved clothes from Hazel's bed so we could change the bedding but then we decided to take the duvet to the dry cleaners.

We headed out because we were due in Newcastle for a tour of "7 Stories" a gallery/wonderplace full of creative literary wonders. I just had time to put a nerdfighter note into the only John Green book in the bookshop (Looking for Alaska) before we were off up the stairs to revel in the history of the building and begin our exploration. There was a great exhibition about Puffin publishing with extracts of manuscripts and original artworks. At one point there is a wall for adding your contributions and sheets of paper that said something along the lines of can you write a coded message to Atemis Fowl. So I just fluently scribbled some Gnommish and moved on. It was wonderful. I cannot explain my appreciation fully. I also got to handle one of Philip Pulman's manuscripts for the Tiger in the Well. AWE and WONDER. We finished off that trip with cream tea in the cafe!

After a quick jaunt around the town we headed to wagamama for noodles. Well, I had a rice meal but it was so delicious.

Our evening was topped of with a performance of "The Pitman Painters" which was top notch. Art is for everyone and boy did they prove it. It was comical and serious and engaging and heart-warming. Very very worthwhile.

In the car on the way home my mp3 player on shuffle brought up End of an Era and I weeped. Followed by I Believe from Spring Awakening.

Time for sleep now, I'm exhausted!

Blog Every Day in August #10

Today I've worked hard but in a way that gives me very little to write about.

I spent all morning researching aspects of County Durham and writing blurbs for paintings.

I spent all afternoon finishing the tidying of Hazel's room.
She had better appreciate the effort it has taken! I'm sure she will though.
We need to sort out all the clothes that are in piles though.
There are now 2 massive bags and one box full of "memories" tickets and posters and postcards and programmes. They're for Hazel to work out what to do with though and scrapbook etc.

I found her international insurance card though. Some stamps and a postcard she swore she didn't have. Oh and over 40 batteries.

Pip-pip.

Blog Every Day in August #9

I'm starting this one in the morning like I used to do.

I'm going to tick things off a list today and work to alarms on my phone because it is the only way I can be productive at home.

First things first:
Renew library books. DONE.
Did it online, really simple and very useful because it stops me from going into town.

Second:
My bedroom floor. It's a disgrace and it has been for weeks. Today I shall sort it out and I am setting myself until 11:45 to have it cleared and a bit more sorted.

Did my floor in time, started working on Hazel's room.
Put all clothes that were on hangers into the wardrobe. All shoes into a big box, all posters, postcards and tickets into one big bag, hats/scarves etc onto shelf in wardrobe, emptied lots of smaller bags. Found three more empty water bottles!

Lunch, more tidying and then I've just come upstairs to draw a picture for James.
Still haven't found Parrot Stories. :(

Back to Hazel's room in a bit to start on the dreaded DESK.
I didn't even get to the desk because of everything else.

Time to read now.

To finish today off there is a quiz I shall do about Pottermore:

1. What's your Pottermore username? FelicisHazel208.
2. What House do you think it sounds like? Who are the lucky ones? Ravenclaw I hope.
3. What House do you want to be in? Ravenclaw, I have the t-shirt and the tie and I used to be such a little know it all at 11. I honour hard work and studying, creativity and ingenuity. 
4. Does your username relate to you at all? It was my favourite of the choices and it has my sister's name in it. :D
5. What kind of wand would you wish to get? The one my Dad made me is turkey oak or something... Unicorn hair and an odd length. I don't mind what the site gives me too much.
6. Are you pure, half-blooded or Muggle born? I'm not sure. My Mum introduced me to Harry in the first place and my Dad is actually a magician but not pureblooded. Both magic parents but some muggles in my ancestry. 
7. Which day did you get into Pottermore? Day 2!
8. What shape is your Patronus? A ring tailed lemur? Maybe a goat though, they were the first animal I truly admired.
9. What does your boggart look like? Like Mrs. Weasley's-- the death of someone close to me.
10. Would you rather be an Animagus or a Metamorphmagus? Tonks-like.
11. If you were an Animagus, what animal would you be? Lemur... it's a lot more useful that a turtle. 

Tatty bye

Blog Every Day in August #8

Today has felt strangely paced.
I woke at about 6 and forced myself back to sleep. Woke at 9 and couldn't force myself out of bed until half past.
Showered and ate which included me opening the new box of Crunchy Nut. :)

Wrote some blurbs on photos in time for my meeting this afternoon.
Lunch.
Headed out to meeting with Colin about these blurbs on paintings and my choices.

I'd picked too many contemporary and arty ones when what is really needed are the ones of Durham and its geography and history. At least I know now what to really do.
I have to try and get 40-50 done by Monday but I'm not even sure there are that many relevant paintings in the collection. We shall see.

Stayed at the office working for 2 hours then came home, had an hour online then had tea.

Somehow it is now 20 to 7 and I feel like watching something... probably more Golden Girls but maybe some Adventure Time too.

Tallyho.

Blog Every Day in August #7

I've had this tab open for ages and I've been intending to write about how I designed a poster today.
I also went through a huge pile of paper, read a bit had a surprise nap and went for a walk with my parents that lasted 2 hours instead of the proposed 30 minutes.

It was a good walk though, even though I ruined my right heel with rubbing shoes... I then walked the last 10 minutes with just a sock on my right foot because it was honestly the most comfortable way.

I've nearly finished season 1 of Golden Girls. It really is fabulous.

That's all folks.

Blog Every Day in August #6

Today has been Golden Girls day.

I watched 14 episodes.

Also, I tried painting with coffee again but I've lost the knack. This is rubbish news but I'm also going to blame the bad lighting as there was no natural light today as the weather has been atrocious.

I need to do more reading and writing and drawing. Tomorrow I hope I feel better, I feel right drained now.

Signing off now bloggerinos.

Blog Every Day in August #5

http://itiselizabeth.tumblr.com/post/8523856529

So that link is the review I wrote about Les Mis last night.

Today I spent hours in the garden while Dad chopped lumps off the tree and Mum piled them up and tidied up around us, I was in charge of reducing the piles of leafy branches into "manageable chunks" that would fit in the big plastic bags to go to the tip.

It was good being out in the sun and doing something manual labour-like. It was peaceful and Dad and I discussed the tv show the Herbs and what the word might be for when something that it animate is made animal like. Not anthropomorphism because that's human-like. Anyway I looked it up and it's Zoomorphism.

I've also been researching artists and painting subjects for the project I'm working on.

S'all been good.

Also, Torchwood was better than usual this week.

Ciao for now.

Blog Every Day in August #4

Guys, it's bedtime but it's also still Thursday so I owe you a blog.

I slept in this morning and did less work than I should have done.
I started writing a letter for Hazel and got her a Pottermore account.

We went to see a version of Les Misérables at the Gala Theatre in Durham tonight.
It was awesome. It deserves a proper write up with all of my thoughts but I will probably tumblr that.

Don't be mad at me old blog, you mean a lot to me but I'm tired and tomorrow I will be more coherent.

Cheerio.

Blog Every Day in August #3

I've given myself 45 minutes for this blog.
I mean that in a way that actually translates as "I forgot about it until I saw yesterdays blog had been auto posted to tumblr".

Seriously, though here is my day:
Late rise, lazy morning playing Crayon Physics.
Lazy lunchtime with James, eating fajitas. Packing.
Trains from 3:50-8:30 with delays and waits and what-have-you.
Home in Durham, soup, reading Hazel's letter and tumblr.

On the train I was reading a book I picked up from the library called "Seven Days in the Art World". It's super fascinating. I'm learning a lot.

I'm exhausted though and I have a lot of tasks on my to-do list for the next few days/weeks.

'Til tomorrow!

Blog Every Day in August #2

Mum's just made me aware that Hazel has lost her glasses. Bit of a predicament for her being out and about in the Lakes.

James and I just watched a program about Stephen Hawking, we didn't learn all that much in nearly 50 minutes. Not really that worth watching.

We went on a lovely long walk today though, it was far too warm at points but a worthwhile endeavour.

Wanted is an odd film, I finally finished watching it today. All the actors do great jobs and the cinematography of it is rather fantastic it's just the crazy plot that lets it down.

I'll be heading home tomorrow... it will be strange to not be spending full days with James again.

I've got theatre on Thursday to look forward too though!
Les Miserables again and that's one of my favourites.

TTFN!

Blog Every Day in August #1

Hello there you little underused blog.

I did a full year of this once and now I tumblr everyday instead. So Long and Thanks for all the Fish. Or perhaps not because I'm giving this blog one last lease of life before I probably move over to tumblr for good.
I'll always remember this blog and I'll probably check who else has posted but it's a poor format and one that I'm keen to move away from really. Posts on here date back a long time.

Anyhoo, on with the bloggy side of things.

Today I made a fairly short video for thesquirrelrebellion because I'm filling in for Hazel while she is away on Outward bound. It was only about a minute long but I unfortunately had very little time to actually spend on it. I feel a bit bad that once again it meant I didn't make a video for my own collab channel thesexymacaroni, however no one else was making videos for them either...

Over the last few days James and I have been on a huge Harry Potter kick. We've watched films 3-7 and then today been to the cinema to see 7ii. I've finally completed the computer game from 2001 and we've both got Pottermore advanced accounts. James' email was SO delayed and he was in a funk for a bit. Seeing as we both submitted out details within a 5 minute period and I got my email at 10:40 and he got his just after 12!

Anyway, a good day was had today.

An opportunity to take part in an art project for Durham Council has been offered to me so I'll update you on that when I know more.

That's all I really wanted to talk about today I think. We're going to watch Wanted and then eat some cheesecake.

Ta-ta.

Being home (a blog post)

So on Sunday my parents turned up in Lancaster with a packed lunch and the willingness to help me get myself and all my "stuff" home.
We sat and giggled about "buttery biscuit base" while we ate our tuna sandwiches, chicken crisps and carrot sticks and stared apprehensively at the pile of boxes and bags that sat on my bed.
I forgot to take a photo of it again but the whole surface area of the bed was covered and the pile was up to my shoulder in some areas.

Thankfully my Dad and James are rather strong, at least, they can carry my heavy boxes of my huge collection of  possessions to the car. It was a struggle to fit it in and still have space for me to sit, we were packed in tight and if some of my boxes hadn't been collapsible and the contents able to be distributed into gaps then I'd have had to get the train back.

We also raided the freezer because there was only Tom and I left in our flat and there was LOADS of food which, because James is staying in Lancaster for another week, we pilfered for him. There was also some Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream, that became mine for the car journey.

That's the majority of my going home story.

Since I've been home I've been to pick up my volunteer shirt for the Brass Festival, go for a picnic with some friends from school, pick up my mugs from Esquires and install the Zommbinis for endless logic fun.

Today I have some planning to do (quite seriously so), I should hopefully find an opportunity to update my website and I will probably play some more computer games.

Tomorrow I'm having tea with an old friend who I rarely see, Chinese food to be precise and we'll then go see the School Concert at our old school.


BASE KNOWLEGE

Gerry could smell fear, I think it's more like panic

I have a lot of things to do before Monday morning.

On Monday they start to mark our work.

Due to this blog being a near diary form of recording I shall lay down my plans for tomorrow.
Hopefully putting them into type will make them come about in a effective manner.

Friday morning should dawn and I will awaken myself with an alarm at about 8am.
I shall get up and blearily shower and eat the banana I have brought with me to James'.
Once I'm ready I'll set off to catch a bus to campus to make it to my 10am session where we'll watch the last of our presentations and hand in our D proposals.
(I have a lot of things on my mind about the big D but I'll save them for a later post.)
Straight from this session I would like to head back into town and buy some fabric or a tablecloth.
However, as no shops I've been in so far have had any white ones it looks like it'll be fabric.
Getting back to campus I will most likely just iron and tack this cloth into a reasonable square/rectangle and display my cups on top of it.
(I had to take my shelf down, Gerry didn't like it.)
Once that's done I'll be onto my sketch book. It's very behind.
This term I've taken a lot of photos of my work in progress and a lot of them still need editing, putting into a word document, printing, cutting out, sticking in and then, after alllllll of that, writing about.
I have the feeling that my sketchbook is going to take all weekend and not just Friday.

So, that's what's on my mind.

Cake is in the oven (a blog from Monday)

That it is, it's a coffee cake and it smells so good and in 5 minutes I can get it out and it is going to be the best thing.

This morning was my Art History exam, I wrote 3 essays in 3 hours, one about the credibility of the Poetic in art in contemporary culture, one about Death of the Author in art since the 1970s and a comparison between Early and Mid Post-Modernism.

Oh, the cake is out of the oven and it smells totally magnificent.

So, the rest of my day I am going to spend listening to old Adam and Joe podcasts and perhaps reading but mostly messing around online until James comes back from his lecture thing.

We're going to go out for a meal tonight and watch Kill Bill 2 on iPlayer.

I've not written any film reviews recently as the ones I've watched are all ones I've seen before, until Kill Bill Vol.1 the other day.
It's got gore but it's comic gore, it can't be taken too seriously because of how OTT it is. I...


---

at that point I was somehow distracted and haven't looked at this blog tab since then. Which is insane as it is now Wednesday afternoon and I've just eaten my lunch and soon I'll be going to my exec meeting.

Everything has been good and the next week and a half are going to be so super busy while I finish my art project for the year!

Toodles!

Possessions = Problems

I'm not going to lie, I like things.
I'm a massive fan of trinkets and keeping things for memories sake.
However, I'm also a huge fan of useful things. I never want to be the person who isn't capable of completing a task just because she didn't have the right thing to hand.

Due to this state of affairs I own a heck of a lot and I have a whole crazy amount of this stuff with me at University.
Last summer we barely could fit everything in the car to take me home and that was with an earlier trip to pick up ALL of my art things.

This year I need to keep a big box of my art things to work with for the next 3 weeks so I spent 2 hours today sorting my studio so that I can send as much as possible home early tomorrow.
I'm going to have to head back over there later/tomorrow because there is a board a folder and a bag that I won't need this year that can maybe go home tomorrow too.

Right now I'm listening to Viv on a recording of a lecture telling me that Tracey Emin is a symptom of the culture she live in and that her work is from an authentic experience and creates a similar one for the audience.

My bedroom floor is a tip. I think I should go through my wardrobe again and pack up as damn much as I can because I clearly will not be wearing everything in there before the end of term.

Right, I've taken out two dresses and two more tops... I know I still won't need all that I have but I do have 5 more weeks and I do like choice.

All that needs to be done now is to go through the piles and piles of paper and things that are on my floor and work out which of the papers need recycling, which need shredding, which to be kept but sent home and which are SO IMPORTANT that they have to stay here!

Right, so it's nearly 6 so that means it's nearly Who but it also doesn't for me. I'll be watching it with James later and later probably means after 9!

I'm going to go now, this is just distracting. :)

Four times I've opened this up to blog

Today has not been a blog worthy day. Neither have any of the other days recently.

They've not been particularly AMAZING or remotely bad. Just very average.

So, as you will have judged by now this is not going to be thorough description of an exciting encounter with a celebrity or an in depth discussion about an aspect of society that is lacking.

I'm currently listening to Glee, Grooveshark is my new internet best friend. I'm eating raisins in an attempt to snack healthily but also to compensate the chips I had at lunch. Sort of, it's also because it's the only snack food I have at the moment. Not even dried apricots.

What did you think of the last episode of Glee in this season?
I loved Kurt and Rachel's Wicked moment and Blaine's adoration.
It wasn't the best but that show is all about the cheese.

Mum said I'd stopped blogging. I knew it but now it has been pointed out to me I've set my goal to post on this one tonight and on my art blog tomorrow.

I do blog, every day, just not in words, more in a stream of appreciative moments. That's Tumblr.
I don't even tweet much these days because once again it stopped updating from my texts and if I'm on my computer I'll tumbl my thoughts instead with that bit more space.

I suppose I should write about my trip to Greenclose Studios yesterday but that topic seems like it should go on my website and so it shall. I'll make myself do it tomorrow.

Righteo. That's all for now folks.
Once I've had my exam on the 6th of June I think I'll be back over here (and on the bookshelf too) blogging about my free time. Or more of it.

:D

And the stars look down and give us vision to see the light!

Yesterday was Sunday, today it is Monday, Monday.

So, that's a bad start to a blog. A title from a beautiful Billy Elliot song and a crudely adapted lyric from Friday.

I have three things to talk about today.
A fire, A Knight's Tale and the stars.

1. A Fire.

We had carbonara for tea last night. It was the first time I'd ever made it by myself. After we'd eaten James set off to his to pick up some stuff (including A Knight's Tale on dvd which I had left at his). I completed the arduous task of washing up. Clicked onto my computer and was just starting to scroll when *WEEEOOOWEEEOOOWEEEOOO*, the fire alarm sounds.

So there I am, getting my phone and keys, locking my door, walking downstairs, smelling smoke, walking through smoke. Hang on, this isn't just a drill and this clearly isn't just a toast or deodorant malfunction!
As we got outside we looked up and around to see if we could see any huge billowing plumes.
It turned out that is was a small fire in the "Pump Room" which the porter managed to put out by himself.

We had to stay out for about 40 minutes while they made sure it was safe but we spent that time in Pizzetta playing word disassociation. Basically, everything is fine. Thank goodness!

2. A Knight's Tale

This is one of the first dvd's we ever owned. I remember really enjoying it the first few times I watched it. I hadn't seen it in years but I really wanted to re-watch it. Mainly for the fact that Watt is Wash is Alan Tudyk.
I really enjoyed the whole story, once again. A good choice of film for a Sunday Night.

3. Stars

The credits rolled at about 11:05. James reminded me that I'd agreed to go out and look at the stars if the sky was clear so we could find constellations with his special app on his phone.
Despite it being rather cold it was rather good and once we'd walked down onto the field, away from the lights, it was pretty darn clear.
Really worth a look.

Anyway, today is another research and revision day. Toodles!

#30

I'd like to address the topic of exercise in this blog today.

When I was younger I used to have swimming lessons. They were my only real exercise every week.
When we did PE at Infants and Juniors I wasn't very good but I didn't hate it. I rather liked our silly games and attempts at netball or whatever.
At break time you would probably find me skipping or playing games that involved running.

However, when we got to Comp I sort of developed a dislike for sport. It was a chore, it was 2 hours a week that I didn't like doing because it tired me out and I wasn't good at it. I wasn't fat or particularly unable, I think if I'd tried harder and been dedicated to something I might have been alright at something, maybe. Although I am quite un-coordinated.

Worst of all was running though, anything longer than the 100m would give me stitches, make me feel awful and make me feel bad about myself for the rest of the day. I just didn't have the stamina or determination to be better at it. Basically, badminton and hockey were the only sports I really enjoyed doing at school. By the time we got to 6th form and I didn't have to do sport at all I was happy. Finally I didn't have to work up a sweat over something I didn't enjoy. In my spare time I could read and learn and share and enjoy life rather than feel all ikky and exhausted.

I know the adrenaline from exercise is supposed to be good, and I have to be truly honest and admit that sometimes it did feel good to compete and win. I once got a stamp for a gymnastics routine I came up with and I sometimes aced at ping pong if I was in the right mood.

Basically, I do jack - nowt about keeping fit other than not gorging myself silly on junk food.

Last year I developed a very strange ailment that has something to do with exertion and heat reactions. Once time last year I looked down at my thighs and was a bit grossed out so I went for a run.
This run sent my new and strange hive reaction illness into overdrive and after a 10 minute jog I was so itchy my skin would have felt better if I'd clawed it to blood, I was thankfully running with James and he walked with me back to my room as I tried my best not to tear my skin apart. I ended up blacking out just as I got to my room.
I spent the rest of the day in bed feeling horrendous.

This hive reaction isn't just a running caused thing though. Being in a room that is suddenly warm after a cold outside (or the other way round) and make my skin hive up and itchy. Before I got prescribed my daily anti-histamines I would sometimes have a severe reaction from just a very gentle walk in the sun.

I'm telling you this because it worries me, I don't know if I'll ever be able to exercise properly if I ever decide to make that decision. Also, I don't have a bus pass any more (I only got a 2 term one) and I am now walking every time I go to and from campus/town. Today I felt a tiny bit itchy on my walk. I was meandering, not even walking briskly. It was windy and I was a bit warm from movement. This slight clash was enough to make my elbows flare up even though I'd had my anti histamine an hour before. (Bear in mind they last for 14 hours).

I'm hoping this near daily walking won't be bad for me, I'm hoping very much it will help me tone my legs so I can feel better in shorts in the coming months. Less tights, more leg.

There is no argument to this blog, there is very little point at all. It is a record of my thoughts, feelings and actions and today you got an insight into my experience with sports.

I should have done this earlier in the month.
Alas, earwax.

I'll write back soon, I promise.

#29

I'm typing this up quickly at James' because I don't want the day to go by without me making a note of what happened.

Very little out of the ordinary, if I'm honest.

Early to rise I have read, revised and considered. Made a short and not so brilliant video and walked to town.

We were very lazy tonight and went to KFC for tea, we've been meaning to do it as a treat as soon as James was eating meat again.

500 Days of Summer was really lovely to re-watch. Some of the deleted scenes seemed so strange and I can see why they changed it for the final version.

Anyhoo, busy busy day tomorrow with a training day from 10-6!

Tatty-bye!

#28

I spent most of "today" (I'm fully aware that it's the 29th now) alternating between sorting my room out, putting stuff away, running errands and sorting out my presentation that needs to be handed in on Wednesday.

I watched the Masterchef final, which I thought went really well for all of them and the winner deserved their win.

As it reached the evening, James and I had a really late tea, spent ages discussing his story for his blog and ended up starting to watch Zombieland far too late so that I fell asleep during it and was not inclined to wake up and write this blog.

So there you go!

See you tonight, hopefully!

#27

I'm back in Lancaster in my room in Slaidburn.

My kitchen was found today with the fridge hanging open and despite me putting a chair against it early on, when I came back later it was open again.

Tomorrow I am going to complain about it but for now I am tired and would probably phrase it badly.

Mum and Dad drove me back today and because they are lovely and wonderful they took us out for a meal at Bella Italia!

We walked back from town, James and I.

I started editing my video and he fell asleep.
It's only just gone past 9 o'clock!

Glee was fantastic today. I'll have to save the Masterchef final until tomorrow so please don't spoil it!

Toodle pip!

#26

So, hello.

Today I finally stuck a blog up on elizabethcreaghan.com, went for a walk with Mum and Hazel to the bank on the highstreet and was shocked and appalled to see that the Noddy badges had him in a plane and not a car.

What children must watch on tv these days I just don't know.

I went through some of my old seminar notes too which has got me more in a mindset of security for my exam. Now I just need to learn how to use a pen again and write solidly for 3 hours.

That'll be this weekend's task.

#25

I'll write to you as I admire Master Chef again.

I've been to Leeds and back 4 times since I've been home. Today I got to eat a big meal at my Aunt and Uncle's house, see my Great Aunt again and visit Grandad in hospital.

There were some amazing moments today.

• watching Hazel's stop frame on the tv
• hearing Uncle Steven laugh to near tears at Uncle Carl's false teeth (even though he was just remembering)
• The story about the crazy guy on Grandad's ward. "No not your trousers, your cardigan!"
• Tutoring Matt with his English as both Haze and I have studied Death of a Salesman at A Level too.
• and, best of all
• Grandad's face when we showed him the knitted hedgehog. He lit up and was just suddenly so him, so alive and spirited again, it was wonderful.

So I've made my VEDA video for today, Masterchef has ended, I've only got one full day back at home. Just what I'll do is still unknown!

#24

Hazel has made a genuinely fantastic video today with the help of the sweetest knitted hedgehog ever, Mum knitted it.

We're watching a harrowing program about a plane crash in 1958 that involved the Manchester United football team. David Tennant is in it and so is the guy who played Cook in Skins.

I've finally put faces to the names on our exec page on the SSAGO site.

Also, Dad has found me some bingo game cards. Get in.

I'm going to Leeds tomorrow, have Tuesday to revise and pack and do all sorts and then I'm back to Uni on WEDNESDAY!

I'm looking forward to going back but I'm going to miss home too. Miss my family and Durham in general.

But the lure of Lancaster looms too.

I have about 6 weeks left before my exam. Getting a bit intimidating now.

Ta'ra.

#23

Another late typing sessions because I made a video today and on days such as these I find little need to type too.

I made a video about Dr Who (the start of NewS6) today.
I also finished off going through the set texts from this year for quotations.

Tomorrow I hopefully get my hands on some books.

YES!

Night.

#22

It's Dad's Birthday today so we went out for quite a sumptuous meal this lunch time.

Eslington Villa was a beautiful and sedate venue with such a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

We took Nana along too so it was lovely to all be dressed up and enjoying time together while we ate delicious food.

Afterwards we went to South Shields to a knitting/art exhibition which was very intriguing. My favourite was perhaps the proggy mat fish or the fully knitted Scream pastiche.

We've just watched "The Wedding Singer" which was an Adam Sandler film made in 1998. It was rather great considering the age of it and that it starred Adam Sandler. I think he's just got worse with age.

Time for some topical comedy on Have I Got News For You.

: )

#21

By way of tiredness and lack of time I shall direct you to my video for today.






More shall be typed in the morning I assume.

#20

I'm in a foody mood.

We've had a wonderful carbonara for tea and we're watching Masterchef.

For lunch I had a rather fancy chilli con carne and last night was, well, it needs a paragraph of its own.

Red Hot Buffet. The sign caught out eye as we left the car park in "The Lights" in Leeds. We thought about it as we went on a short walk into the city and decided that a worldly buffet was just what we needed.
As we headed down the stairs in the restaurant we passed fake check in desk and walked through a corridor decked out like an aeroplane's cabin. Taking out seats in the thriving consuming area we marvelled at the decor and aromas.

Taking our first plates around the room of food was an adventure in itself. I piled mine up with various salad, curry, naan bread, noodles, rice, prawn crackers, sausages, buttery veg (and more!). It was delicious. There were even some dishes that you could order to be cooked in front of you on a hot plate! Puddings were various and plentiful too in perfect bite sized portions which made it very easy to eat a bit too much!

Anyhow, I'll stop harping on about food now and get some sleep.

x

#19

We're heading off to Leeds today, I don't know how good the internet is going to be there but I hope I'll be able to get online tomorrow.
Today's blog is stolen straight from Hayley G Hoover.

1. The overall theme for the apocalypse:
January's Child - The Alice Band
I can't remember what this song is about but I doubt it's suitable. Especially as I'm a December child.

2. The song that plays when I kill my first zombie:
Try Your Best - Kaiser Chiefs
Quite right, I wouldn't be an expert.

3. The song that plays while I'm being chased by a horde:
Tonite - Phats and Small
I don't know why I keep these songs from the Hits CDs.

4. When I kill my loved one:
Fake Tales of Sanfranciso - The Arctic Monkeys
:(

5. When I find a group of survivors:
Cuyahoga - REM
It's about building a new world. Pretty good!

6. When I meet my new love interest:
Steppin' Sideways - E-Quest

7. When I make my final stand:
I've Got Nothing - Chartjackers
AHAHAHAH

8. When I think I've survived it all:
Clouds [instrumental] - James and the Giant Peach Sountrack

9. When I discover a bite mark on me:
Rambling Pony - Fleetwood Mac
Totally irrelevant

10. The song during the end credits:
A Brief Repose - The Whomping Willows.


Well that was a bit of a failure, I don't want to do it again to see if it works better.
Toodles.

#18

Not too much to report to day guys.

Lots of reading and revision, a lovely chat with James on Skype.

Over 6 resets of the internet.

Some podcasts.

I am not in the mood to try and type again today, still a little bit sleep deprived and we have to get up early tomorrow as far as I'm aware.

Toodillyo.

#17

So, dear readers of mine.
I'm currently running on under 5 hours sleep right now and my ability to type has deteriorated to a poor level.

Last night has been briefly covered in the latest Hazelizabeth video.

Once I returned home today I caught up on blogs and some videos, started listening to a podcast and fell asleep for only half an hour. Woke up refreshed and ate lunch.

This afternoon Mum and I undertook a cake project.
They are wonderful.







Time for more podcasts and total relaxation.

#16

Today is going to be one of those life experiences.

You might expect that a 20 year old would have, by now, experienced a birthday night out that lasts until 3 in the morning.

I haven't but tonight that is going to change. I'm going to be on sober duty (as per) but also on camera and taxi duty too.

It's Ross' birthday bash in Newcastle; I'm a bit apprehensive.

An adventure it will be I'm sure.

#15

So, this is pretty much a "what I did today diary". However I don't do all that much and today I'm making a video.

Technically it's now past midnight and I've failed...

But also, I've not been to bed yet so I haven't.

I was counting vouchers but now I've given up on them as I'm tired.

Sorry for the lack of intrigue of any type.

x

#14

Our day in York went very well indeed.

Train journeys are lovely most of the time but sharing one with Hazel and introducing her to Sopio just made it even better! (She won!)

The shops in York are gorgeous, the type of shop that makes you rethink being thrifty.

York Uni has a massive man made plastic bottomed lake full of birds. We nearly got attacked by a goose.

I liked our day out even though I had to keep telling people that I wasn't applying and I was there with my sister.

Tonight I've counted more Tesco and Sainsbury's vouchers for Dad's school and listened to more podcasts and also watched some of the HPDH1 special features.

All is well, it is bedtime.

Night x

#13

"Well, I think I might have had some juice..."

To the unaware reader (I assume only James) the above may seem to be a fairly bland phrase.
You might find it difficult to believe that it had Hazel and I bent double, barely able to breathe, in the car this evening.

We drove past the entrance to Hamsterly Forrest.
It reminded me of a trip I'd taken with my friend Steph when we were probably about 6 or 7.
I recalled being offered boiled sweets that I had to refuse because of my eczema.
Hazel and I reminisced about how often we had to do that.

I brought up the fact that I would often blame any after party eczema on juice (as you cannot deny a thirsty child a drink)...

Then the laughter overtook us.


Other than that I've just made a video of Hazel's Clarinetix and I revised a bit today and listened to more Russell and Jon casts from 2006.

All is well, York tomorrow.

#12

Half 10 this morning as I popped my headphones on and locked the door I didn't really know what my trip would entail and how long I'd be out. I wasn't fussed, I knew I'd enjoy my day.

Today's walk was good although it was windy and a little cold. I met up with Ross and we went here and there all over town so he could buy some things for his designing. I had the most delicious paninni for lunch and we went to look if there were any films on. They were all due to start at 4 so instead we just finished up with some Waterstone's browsing and chatter.

I was home by 2, I stuck on a podcast but fell asleep. I don't even know how but I did.

Well, now it's nearly 7pm and I'm going to write out some notes for Art.

x

#11

I'm going to redirect you to this blog:
http://tikken.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/beda-free-michael/
it matters.

Today Mum and I drove to Leeds, picked up Auntie Irene, drove to The House of Lords and, after eating lunch, set off with mu Aunt, Uncle and cousin Matt to a lovely church about 20 mins away.

Auntie Hilda's funeral was a pure celebration of the life of someone who was clearly beloved by all she knew.

We also popped in to see Grandad while we were in the vicinity.
He's still lying down in bed and not his usual upbeat self. :(

Since I returned to Durham I've edited and posted a video and laughed myself silly at my own behaviour, also Hazel's latest squirrel video is well worth a watch for the giggle factor.

I'm exhausted for no real reason and I'm going to town to meet Ross tomorrow.

Until yonder morning breaks.

x

#10

Today I worked through the Dave Gorman live show, drawing in the talking parts and writing notes in the music parts. 

I'm listening to the extras on the podcast now because I can.

I'm sure I had more to write about today.

Probably something about how I haven't ticked any of my other tasks off my long list.

I really need to fill in my health cost claim form thing, and do a lot of SSAGO stuff.

My own website has been neglected too and that needs rectifying. 

However, tomorrow is a day off from work so you'll have to wait to see any significant updates. 

I miss James.

x

#9

Not got long to write this, I nearly forgot!

Hazel had a concert this evening at Bowes Museum with the County Durham Wind Band.
It was really fantastic, they're all so talented.

Before heading to Bowes we watched the Grand National at my Nana's house.
Dad picked the winner, Nana picked the one that came third. Everyone else lost.

Early parts of my day consisted of writing a letter, revising and massive editing on the geddan video that you can see on Hazelizabeth!

Night y'all.

#8

"Too early," I thought as I awoke, "I bet it's not even 7 yet."
I switched on my phone to see 6:57 staring at me.
Typical.

Anyway, after about an hour of just lying around, too lethargic to go downstairs, I eventually decided I couldn't put off a bathroom visit any longer.

Soon I was showering and getting ready to go food shopping with Mum before a haircut at half 10.

My haircut was done and dusted just as it reached 11, the time I'd planned on meeting up with my friends for a picnic.

We spent a good 4 hours around the dun cow sculpture, eating and reminiscing. The sun was totally lovely and there was just enough breeze by the river for it to be comfortable and not clammy.

I got the bus home around 4 because I was not prepared to walk for an hour in the sun to get home.

Since then I was put to work shredding receipts while I indulged in yet more old Jon Richardson podcasts.

Mum is on the phone to Auntie Margaret and it's so funny to hear just her half of this conversation. I'm in the living room because BT infinity is very temperamental!

I have the distinct feeling that after our chicken based tea I'll be counting TESCO and Sainsbury's vouchers all night.

Ta'ra!

#7

I awoke this morning from a very strange dream which involved catching the wrong bus over and over then getting told off by my dad for not owning a waterproof torch and then doing some sort of potato sack race over water.

Once I'd shaken that dream from my head I showered and prepared myself for the day.
Walking into town, listening to music, to meet up with Caitlin.
I ran some errands and had a quick chat with Hannah Howden when I saw her in the market place before Cait arrived.

We pretty much talked non-stop for 4 and a half hours. Only food could stop us and the chicken wrap and Daim bar cake did very well.

One of the most fun parts of our shop browsing was trying to find cups and mugs for my art project in charity shops. Mostly they were in sets that I couldn't separate by buying just one. Some of the tacky items they have for sale are hilarious.

By the time I got home at half 5 my feet and hips were aching. I felt a bit old and creaky but realised I'm just terribly out of practice.

Tomorrow brings with it a possible haircut and a picnic instead of a night out. Plans change and so I'm all up for a picnic in the sun!

Talk to you tomorrow!

#6

Foo Fighters - Best of You

What a wonderful song to hear as I turn my DAB radio onto Kerrang for some inspirational music to get me though what I am deeming "the day of productivity".

As I mentioned yesterday I have plans for every day until Tuesday.
Tomorrow is "Caitlin Day" then I have "Reading and Going out Friday".
Saturday is "Sister Saturday" because I have to make a VEDA video, which might be a joint one and in the evening I'm going to Bowes museum to watch her perform in a Clarinetix.
Sunday might not have proper plans but I have to revise so it's pretty much taken up with that.
Monday is a funeral which will take up most of my day travelling to.

The End - Roadrunner United

I've never heard this one before, it's not the best song ever but it have this sound to it which is just SO Kerrang. Takes me right back to when I first got this radio/cd/tape deck system.

Onto my work now, I'll be back to type to you soon enough I guess.

Lonely Day - System of a Down while I write out Greenberg quotations...

---

So I've got up to week 4 in notes and I've listened to about 5 podcasts today too!
I'm really thinking about reading Witch's Boy again so I might start that tonight even though I know I should finish LOTR first.

Mind you, it's Masterchef in a bit so I think that's going to have to be watched!

#5

Late post today but I've been busy.

I've let down my dad my not doing the washing up properly and I let down myself by loosing my keys within my own coat.

However, I have started writing up quotations from the first few lectures of the year and I have made a video.
Last night's ginger biscuits have been a constant temptation but I survived by only caving and eating one pig and one rabbit.

I got to go see Hazel sing in a massive performance of Carmina Burana. She was part of the Durham County Choir but there was also the Darlington choir, a load of instrumentalists and a small section of younger students form various schools to make up some specific high chorus parts. It was an immersing and engaging experience which I thoroughly enjoyed. All 75 minutes of it.

Yesterday, Dad gifted me some pastel sharpies. They're very interesting and I am sure they will help me in my quest to organise my holiday via lists.

I have something planned pretty much every day until next Tuesday at the moment so that shall be fun to blog about!

Hope you're all well!

:D

#4

The Justin Bieber episode of Glee is on so I'll be watching that thank-you very much.

Today was an odd one. I woke up once everyone had left the house and so couldn't decide whether to stay in bed all day (or at least my pyjamas) or make a move and get dressed properly.

I compromised by staying in bed until 9 and then only putting on my comfy shorts and Dr Who top.

I spent a bit of this morning making a plan for the next four weeks and then a bit of time on my Prezi for art. However I've not sorted out a script for that yet or got the path quite right. I want some spinning bits I think.

We made ginger biscuits this afternoon and because I am a failure at all things "measuring" I SABOTAGED the whole experience by just pouring in some syrup without using a table spoon. The exact science of cooking was not entirely ruined when a bit more was added and the biscuits came out fine and dandy.

You should check out thesquirrelrebellion video by Hazel later on so you can see them.

OH right, yeah. The casting for The Hunger Games was revealed today. Tumblr is upset. I'm not too fussed because to be totally honest I never believed either of the guys were all that handsome in the books. They're very rural.

Going to sit back and watch Sue and Britt make this show awesome.

Ciao.

#3

I couldn't upload my video for so long, I actually tried about 8 times.
It's up now though and within the right time frame so technically we haven't failed VEDA.

Today I went to visit my Grandad in hospital in Leeds.
It was an emotional journey to say the least.
He's 91 and has been such a strong, decisive and independent man for so long.
Being in hospital and having to eat their food and be in bed does not suit him at all.

We also called in on my Great Aunt and Uncle, brought them some broccoli and carrots. They're not in the best shape either.

Mum told me all about her trip to Middleton in Teesdale with her Year 5s. It sounds like an adventure and a half.
During her explanation of the dog owned by the lady in charge of the centre she beautifully worded this description:
"That dog is just a flapjack on legs"

Night night!

#2

Ruddy BEDA I nearly forgot.

I've brought my laptop downstairs while I watch Russell Howard's Good News with the whole family.
I'm back home in Durham, we travelled from Lancaster today and stopped in Kirby-Stephen for lunch on the way back.

The internet here has gone off 4 times this evening which is an arsekettle.

We took a trip to tkmaxx today and I got a good shopping haul for the first time in AGES!
A dress, some shorts, a top and some shoes!

Well, this isn't a quality blog but I have to watch this show.

Night all!

#1

I've had an odd day.
I half made a VEDA video this morning but couldn't think of how to start it properly but then Hazel and I decided to collaborate on VEDA and do it on hazelizabeth.
I feel much better about that because it means we can share the load and it also will not clutter up our personal channels!

I've vacuum'd today, finally! I'm nearly packed to go home. All my left over fresh food is at James' as he is staying at Uni over these holidays.
I'm going to miss him so much.

I've got a horrendous pile of books and papers to take home and revise from.

This is gibberish but I think I'll get back into the writing flow as this moth progresses.

I'm very tired, I got up at 8ish this morning and it's only around 11pm but I could sleep right now if I wasn't writing this.

Alas, I'm heading offline soon so that I can get my 40+ winks and be lively in the morrow.

Toodles.

Films of the last 2 weeks

Easy A
This was on at the cinema at Uni, it was the 5th time I had seen it so I knew it was fantastic. However, the experience of seeing on a big screen was RUINED by the noisy girls sat behind us who full on roared with laughter at the slightest amusing moment.

Tron: Legacy
I really rather liked this film. The look of it was fantastic, we saw it in 2D and I don't think it spoiled it. The colours were so vibrant and the characters were interesting. One niggle though, it was called Tron and the character Tron was barely in it! I know that was also the name of the arcade game but still. Anyway, it's worth watching if you like action stuff or appealing visuals.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians - The Lightning Thief
Oh dear me, this film was not good. It wasn't the worst thing I've ever seen but it was so cheesy and oh my goodness, a laughable film. Steve Coogan as Hades though, he wasn't as scary as Hades should be but he made the film better.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice
This one wasn't so bad. The actors were recognisable and the musical lightning was pretty fab. The whole thing was ridiculous but fun too. A very childish film and mediocre.

Never Let Me Go
Well this is a darn fantastic film. It's creepy as anything and sinister from the very beginning. You can play guessing and be heartbroken as some aspects of the plot are revealed. It's a sci-fi film set in a very realistic and not obviously high-tech England. Watch this film if you haven't already!

Date Night
Comedy with Steve Carell and Tina Fey. I found this one rather amusing, it was absurd in many ways but not in a way that made it cringe-worthy. You should give it a watch if you want something funny with mild peril.

Clash of the Titans
I didn't hold much hope for this one and it pretty much lived up to my poor expectations. It was odd to see both Tony and Effy from Skins dressed up as ancient greeks. Also, Voldemort as Hades. Much better. However the title is very very misleading as it is really "build up to a fight between something that is a bit like a Titan but isn't even one of the original ones and a Demi-God called Perseus. Well, Pete Postlethwaite was in it too, so that was good. Don't bother with it though, really.

The A Team
Wasn't all that brilliant. I was a bit confused by the plot. I was drawn in though and wanted to see what happened but there were not amazing moments to push it into being a great film.

Exam
This one was pretty darn good. A psychological thriller and even though it started in a pretty low key and not so enthralling way, I enjoyed it. It certainly gets you thinking and is pretty rewarding when you finally reach the end.

So, that's it for my film reviews. Life is good. :)

Wednesday, the day of productivity.

I awoke this morning to a text from my dearest sister, her annoyance at missing Serenity on tv last night because she was asleep.
Well, I'm not too fussed because it means when I go home next weekend I can watch it with her and it will be amazing once again.

I've got a huge list of tasks to power through today and so I'm going to document my day as I do them and hopefully this blogging will help to keep me on track.

Firstly: tidying... I've done a little bit, I've folded up all the clothes on the floor and put the bin bag by the door to take out later.
Secondly: emails... simple and then there was one from Alex asking me to check if my Parrot Stories image would be suitable quality to be printed up at 12inches for a vinyl release. I think it is but I don't have a high quality version of it with the text on so really I'm probably going to have to sort this out with Alan over the next few weeks.
Thirdly: blogs and youtube... I've watched everything in my sub box and commented on those I think matter most.
Fourthly: watch Becoming Human. I liked it actually. Even though there wasn't that much new footage it was better to see the whole story as one. Poor ending but it was never going to be as good as Being Human.
Fifthly: (and this is what I'm about to do now at 10:22 am) Video for itiselizabeth about art... I've recorded the footage  I need and so now comes mega edit. Also, I broke my tripod. :( I'm saving it now and starting on number 6.
Sixthly: Christopher and His Kind and painting my nails... A truly beautiful piece of film.
Seventhly... though this wasn't on my list... LUNCH and a program about David Mitchell.
Eighthly: SSAGO exec meeting. I'm off to that now, I hope my video gets some comments while I'm away.
Ninethly: Cash cheque and hand in census. Done and done.
TENTHLY: (as if I've got to number 10 on my list!) Blog on my website... done!
Fire alarm interrupted my tidying...
+ A revision time-table
+ Blog, book reviews. Especially for "The Dead" which is worth a read.
+ tea time before Harry Potter Quiz!

After the quiz that is at 7 I'll be heading out to town to see James.
More productiveness tomorrow as I still haven't vacuum'd, I have letters to write and post, emails to send, websites to update, designing to do, planning to do, revision to start etc.

The sun on the hills is beautiful.

Catch-up (of the film review variety)

So since Percy Jackson we've watched a lot and I've not reported on it.

The American was cancelled so we actually didn't get to see that.
We watched Up in the Air that night instead. I liked this film, it was well acted. However, the story was a tiny bit disappointing yet the music was good.

Monsters was alright actually, a mix between District 9 and every other invasion film ever. The monsters were quite beautiful when you saw them at the end. It ended abruptly as films have recently started doing... It had a few of those jump-in-your-seat moments and other gruesome scenes. I'd not watch it again but if you think it falls in your genre of preference you might like it.

Machete is a action/comic wonder film. It was by far the best thing I've seen in a while purely because it was so hilarious. It was gory and totally ridiculous from the very first scene but it was so bizarre that it pulled itself into the realm of wonder. I'd watch it again probably.

An Education was an odd one. I liked it but I didn't get why she stayed with him. If I put that to one side it was rather fantastic but I still cannot believe that a girl like her would stick with a man like him once she found out some of those things. I know she was supposed to be so smitten/in love but I just, er, she was too clever. I think if I gave it a few years it might merit a re-watch but I'm not that bothered. You might like it though.

We skipped on Paranormal Activity 2 because we hadn't seen the first one and couldn't really be bothered.

The Tourist was actually much better than I expected. That is because I had been told it was bad and cliché and predictable. To be honest it was both cliché and predictable but that didn't make it bad. The story was not a bad one and the genuinely adorable character of Frank (played by Johnny Depp) but made it much better. I'd maybe even watch this again if it was on tv.

Otherwise, my life has been busy in art and other areas. :)

Fourth blog in February

I've just tidied my desk in my studio space.
It feels so good to have a wide space to work in rather than a 30cm square gap in all my rubble.
I'm about to... (interrupted train of thought as Gerry and Bill pop in to say hi and then wander off again to look at other peoples work)

Erm, yeah, look up an artist called Brian Alfred who has been suggested to me. Maybe his animations will be relevant to my future work.
Hopefully they will, and the internet will speed up soon over here.

Last week the SSAGO social was the White Cross Pub Quiz.
Our team, Albert (because of Albert Stroller), got 73. Which is a damn respectable score as that quiz is difficult!
We beat the two other SSAGO teams and game 5th in the pub, we also won some chocolate for correctly guessing 93 weeks in a speed answer question about Paul McCartney.

Due Date was alright, it was entertaining at least. It wasn't good, I wouldn't bother with it again, but it wasn't bad either. It seemed a little disjointed, some of the ideas seemed to have been just thrown in for the sake of it. It didn't gel and I wasn't too fussed how it all ended up as neither of the main characters were wholly likeable.

A Town Called Panic was pretty odd. It was so ruddy strange and loud, the noises were harsh. The colours were too much and the movement (because it was animated) was was jumpy. Reading the text meant that you got distracted and missed things!

While I was at home last week I got to see Tangled which was a seriously beautiful film.
So Disney, wonderful songs, a strong and feisty female lead.
A charming and cute male lead. An ADORABLE chameleon companion.
A devious nasty witchy "mother"...
I adored it and I will watch it again many times I'm sure.

Today I bought myself a t-shirt. It's the 11 Doctors and they're all stood on some Escher-like stairs.
I'm in love with it already and I cannot WAIT 'til it arrives!

5 times

This is my fifth attempt to talk to you this week.

I'm just going to do the film reviews that are overdue and leave it at that.
My creative writing failed me and I'm not in the mood right now to blog about anything else!

Since the travesty that was Buried I've actually seen some alright films.

The Kids Are Alright
Okay, I liked the characters (two lesbian Mum's, their two kids and their sperm donor) and it made me cry, the plot was new and it was vaguely compelling. Not the best film ever though.

Burke and Hare (Which I nearly called Borgin and Burke)
Dead bodies have never been funnier. Simon Pegg, Bill Bailey, Gollum (sorry, what! I forgot the actor's name!) and other famous faces made this comedy quite great. Not sure that I'd watch it again soon but I wouldn't skip it if it turned up on tv in a few years.

Let Me In
A disappointing remake. If you can stand watching things with subtitles and you want a vampire film with proper vampires that burn in the sun, check out Let The Right One In. I suppose I should read the book, I've been told that it's worth it! (I liked the original btw).

Another Year
A slow dip into the life of two old people and their friends. Jim Broadbent made this one good, oh and his brother Argus Filch (well, the actor but I'm not going to google it, you know who I mean!). It was a bit bland and it ended abruptly. It was also fairly downbeat toward the end.

RED
Best film at the cinema this term by a long shot. It was exciting and powerful and brilliantly acted. I grew to love the characters, there were unexpected moments and predictable ones too. Well worth it for the old age CIA agents bringing it back in a great way. Ahhh.

Serenity
We watched this on dvd after watching all of the brilliant Firefly. It was a good film, very good. :)

An honourable mention goes to the gosh darn fantastic magnificent best thing ever that is Firefly which we watched in its entirety over the last week. 14 episodes is not enough. Damn it Fox, you should never have cancelled it!

If you don't like it you cannot be my gorram friend. (If you haven't seen it yet that's ok, just get watching it now!)

Heart to Heart

I'm currently sitting on my swivel chair in E12 (my room on campus) and watching the little lights of cars as they pootle around the roundabout.

I dislike the look of the word roundabout. It's unpleasant.
Nifty, however, is a very lovely word in both sound and appearance.

I used to blog like this all the time. Tell you all about me, about what I'd been up to. The discussions we'd had in English or the comments from car journeys.

A lot of my life is sitting by myself listening to musicals and painting or drawing or plain thinking.
Another lot of my life is spent watching moving images; videos on youtube, films at the cinema, tv shows on iPlayer and James playing Runescape.
I spend hours and hours every day with James. I can't understand people who don't want to spend every moment with their significant other.
I'm trying to read a bit every day (currently in Lord of the Rings Two Towers) and I'm also updating my proper website with my artwork nearly every day.
I read through the skype conversation that I have called "the sexbucket" it's a load of awesome internet friends and my sister (who is also an awesome internet friend).

I don't listen to the radio and I find out my news through youtube and tumblr.
I always intend to make food before heading out to art in the morning but I often find I'll meander over and I'll get there and be working and then realise I didn't. So I buy more ready made sandwiches than I should.
I talk to Paige the most in art, she's pretty awesome and I don't even know if you know that I have a friend called Paige. Which is sad.
If I blogged more I'd spend less time "living" and more time "recording" but I miss it. I seriously miss my diary of events.

So, what do you think?
Should I try and make blogging a daily or at least every 3 days or so occurrence?

James is writing a story that should be made public in March.
I think once we hit March I'll be back blogging more often.

Toodles for now!

Not Up To Scratch

The Town
Ben Affleck's acting was superb and the story was compelling. It wasn't the best film ever but it was much better than some of the others this term. It wasn't clever bank robbery in the way that Hustle or Oceans or Lucky Break manage it but it was swift and well planned. Also, Pete Postlethwaite was the florist who they used to get their money into the system.

The Social Network
I really liked this film, it was dramatic and compelling and the characters were so well crafted and acted. It ended abruptly and I'm not sure I could watch it again soon. Overall it is worth watching, especially if you've ever had anything to do with Facebook.

Proof
This one was on iPlayer, it was Gwyneth Paltrow and Jake Gyllenhaal and it was pretty good. Few characters, a plot about maths and madness.

Mary and Max
An animation about pen-pals. An 8 year old girl and a 40something man, she Australian and he American. She inquisitive and chocolate loving, he Aspergers and chocolate loving. It told the story from their first letter until Mary was in her 20s. At times it was depressing and creepy and downright odd. I wouldn't recommend it but it wasn't the worst thing ever.

Buried
This is the first film we ever walked out of. I don't regret it at all.
We watched the first 30 minutes or so and then it broke, we waited thinking if they got it fixed soon then we might as well see how much worse it could get. After a 5 minute wait we decided that the start hadn't been good enough at all so we'd just look up the plot online.
Seriously, a guy buried in a box with a phone and a lighter and some pens. He's constantly burning the oxygen and he somehow has signal underground. He is rude to all the people on the phone who might help him. Apparently later on he finds a bag with a knife in it that somehow he hadn't seen before and a snake gets in. I wasn't remotely bothered about if he lived or died, (he dies) and it's all just dramatic rubbish. For the first 30 seconds the screen was entirely black while you heard heavy breathing. Worse than Goodbye Solo. So that makes it the worst film ever!

We might re-watch Inception tonight. Or just Hustle...
Anyway.

That's all folks.

Life and Times of Liz

So, I feel like I've been ever so busy since I wrote that random piece of fiction.

We've seen "Winter's Bone" "Exit Through The Gift Shop" "Despicable Me" and "The Illusionist" recently.
I've been painting my mini portraits and even though there are some errors I feel I'm getting much better.
I'm excited to pursue this project into an area that could even include digital representations such as a projection of the links between.
We shall see.

In my downtime I've been re-doing www.elizabethcreaghan.com which I'm so much happier with now.
I know it needs improving and personalising but with the Wordpress style of it I'm sure I'll be able to design a smashing layout when I get around to it.

I've also been reading The Lord of the Rings. I seem to still have a form of book narcolepsy and so I find myself barely able to get through a chapter without dosing off. Anyway, I'm enjoying it (thankfully) and I'm only about 50 pages from the end of the first one!

I'm going to log off this laptop of mine and do a drawing. It's going to be something experimental and different because I need to test things as that's one of the ways to move forward.

For Art updates you should check the Posts! area of my website.



Or right, I didn't review those films.

Winter's Bone was gritty and strange and a bit slow and at points I didn't really mind what happened to the characters. It was ok though if you want to put yourself through an experience.

Exit Through the Gift Shop was a Banksy documentary based around street art and the film collections of a pretty crazy man called Thierry. Well, I've read about it after and people seem to think it's a "hoax" cooked up by Banksy himself. Whatever it is I think it was quite fascinating as I've never known much about street art or even Banksy except for him being witty and clever and subversive and now I see his appeal. He's pretty much a genius and to become so well know without revealing his identity (unlike the freaking Stig) well that's just amazing. I recommend this film/documentary.

Despicable Me I thought was lovely, charming, strangely proportioned (but many animations are). It was quirky and cute and had enough laughs. You engaged with the characters and it was just a good film. I have to point out that James wasn't so won over by it though so maybe you mightn't like it. Oh well.

The Illusionist had so much promise but it just didn't live up to it. It was oh so beautifully animated and the music was fitting and wonderful and magical. The story was strange (as in a man buys a woman shoes and then she follows him to Edinburgh and they live in a hotel while she manipulates him into buying a new coat/dress etc for her and he fails to get much good work as an illusionist on stages. Gradually they don't fall in love and she meets someone else. With subplots of other failing entertainers and barely any speech that ranged from French to Gaelic.) it just wasn't that great. I nearly fell asleep because I just wasn't engaged by the characters.

So there you go. It's the Town at the end of the week and that looks a bit pants too. We'll see.

Write for at least 250 words about a breakdown, a promotion, and a house.

As I ventured across the unkempt pathway, tripping slightly on the loose gravel and snagging my thin tights on the twigs of bushes that had stopped flowering years ago, I spied the faded green paint of the door. Cracked with the heat of the decades of summers and left to peel, it brought memories of my childhood rushing back. Those days when Mum had brought me here to stay when I was sick and couldn’t go to school; my reluctant fingers would grip the worn doorknob when she tried to drag me home at the end of the day. It didn’t smell right though, I thought as I tucked the keys into my pocket. Gingerbread, blankets, hot chocolate. Not this musty, empty, smell. Bracing myself I entered the living room. It was too much though - salt water leaked and fingers formed fists. I edged to the window, drew back the curtains, trying to relax. Each ornament and photo, the depressed area of carpet where her favourite chair had sat, snagged at my mind. I sank to the floor, my back to the window and bawled.

The vibration of my mobile cut through my stupor and brought my attention to my bedraggled and frankly vulnerable state. I dabbed my eyes, reached into my bag and took the call.
“Where are you?” Vicky hissed, “You’re late and I need your help.”
Trying not to sob I replied, “I’m not really available right now, can this wait?”
“No.” She’d hung up.

Reluctantly, I pulled myself to me feet maintaining that I’d come back when I had more time. Coming before work was a bad idea anyway but I’d thought the quick visit would have put my mind at rest and not, as it happened, cause a minor breakdown.  

Entering the office I was greeted by an eerie lack of people, no Vicky, and a note to head to one of the conference rooms. A promotion party, for me.

So, this is different for me. What do you think? 

He was my King Lear

James is writing so much at the moment and it makes me feel pretty rubbish that I don't blog much any more.

Pete Postlethwaite's tribute show is on iPlayer so I'm watching that while I tidy the last remnants of my unpacking up.

Well actually, I'm watching it while I blog for now (with the full intention to tidy in a bit).

I've watched a few films, but not many, since I last blogged and I'm looking forward for this new term and more Cinema!

The Nativity (with Martin Freeman) was so lovely! It was charming and funny and ever so clever.
Adam, a film Hazel got for Christmas, was totally wonderful, it was heart-wrenching and beautifully filmed.

I've played a lot of LEGO Harry Potter and drawn some sketches for The Stones of Arzingdale (James' hidden blog story).

I re-watched Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist and Labyrinth.

Now I've come back to Uni, made a video, drawn up some sweet timetables and am getting ready for a full 11 week term of KNUCKLING DOWN.

I hope to start some short creative writing projects soon. We shall see.

Merry New Seasons Greetings Year Thing

'11 has started.
I have much to record in this online journal of mine.
Christmas has been and gone. I was lovely.
My 20th Birthday has passed. That was alright too!

James is here and I've been playing Lego Harry Potter on the DS and all is good.

I've watched rather a lot of films since term ended and I don't want to write full on reviews for them all, a few words should suffice.

Shaun of the Dead
Great characters, very funny, amusing take on a zombie film, well worth watching.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Classic, wonderful, watch it yearly.
Holes
Wonderful adaptation of a brilliant novel, glad to have re-watched this.
Kinky Boots
Another re-watch, enchanting, feel-good, heart-warming.
Love Actually
Cheesy, in the best way, so many lovely aspects, worth the re-watch.
How To Train Your Dragon
SO AWESOME, great voices, wonderful animation, lovely Christmas present.
Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist
Cera plays it well, mostly good characters, quirky story.
Dave Gorman: Stand Up. Live.
Lovely comedy show full of quick witted laughs.
The Princess Bride
Pretty much fantastic! Loved the ridiculousness of the whole enchanting affair.

I also watched the end of Narnia: Prince Caspian and a bit of Elf but they don't really count.

I've posted a Hazelizabeth video today too.
:)