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.
:)