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.
:)

Home blog!

I shall apologise only briefly for my absence. Until this moment, right now, at 9am on Tuesday, I haven't felt the blogging urge. After years of blogging I am aware that the forced ones are less readable.

I'm back home in Durham, wouldn't you know. Now, you could have guessed this fact (due to it being close to Christmas) or know me enough to have read it on facebook, or most likely, you're Mum and you were in the car when you picked me up.
We were scared the snow would prevent me from travelling but thankfully it stayed clear, just cold instead.

Once I returned to our home I prepared myself for a meal/night out with the Durham friend circle. We went to Nandos, had a wonderful catch-up chat in Lloyd's and headed home about half 10 as we're all tired and/or ill.

Sunday night heralded a comedy adventure to Darlington where 4 comedians performed for us and each of the three main ones were totally awesome. I can't explain how much I laughed.

Saturday, so that's yesterday, I spend the day chilling and watching stuff, most notable Easy A, again, but this time with Haze. Also, we got to go to a church carol service in town where Hazel sang, we all sang, and Hazel (along with others) played handbells! So talented and totally enjoyable.

So now I don't really have a plan for the day, some sort of chill/sort day.



---

And now for what I have neglected!
FILMS!

Get Him to the Greek

I wasn't that bothered about this film, it definitely wasn't anywhere as good as people made it out to be! It made me laugh though, Tom Felton and the furry walls. But the jokes were stilted, old fashioned, awkward and a bit racist. Overall, I wouldn't watch it again but it was worth seeing once.

Predators

I quite enjoyed this one, not so much the plot but the world it was set in, the characters and the ideas. It made me think I might like the original film, but not enough for me to actively search it out. Compared to some films I've had to sit through... well.

The Killer Inside Me

Urgh, I didn't like this. For people who like creepy slow-paced realistic violence with drawling accents and Jessica Alba being beaten to death in the face and and STILL saying she loves him as he is doing it. Saying sorry isn't enough you douche. I thought it would be something exciting and mysterious but he just blatantly killed people and happily carried on lying and living.

She's Out of My League

After the last film this seemed pretty awesome, although it is only a mediocre film, the comedy characters (especially Stainer) make it worthwhile and it's a light-hearted laugh.

Easy A

Tumblr made me do it. I watched it and loved it and watched it again! Quote, screencap, quote.

The characters are lovely and realistic, the idea is similar to experience school but blown of proportion as any film must do. Truthfully it represents teenagerdom with the validity and speed of lies and rumours and the emotional distress this can cause. Yet it is tied together with some great filming, editing ideas and most of all comedy. Olive is witty, her family awesome, and her peers relatable. WATCH THIS FILM.

Light snow, it's going UPWARDS.

While I watch a program about Foods that Make Millions I shall inform you of my recent adventures.

Story No. 1. Key Loss

On Tuesday morning, when preparing to leave James' room in town, I patted my coat pockets only to reveal that there were NO KEYS within. I frantically ransacked my rucksack and they were not located. I spent the rest of Tuesday worrying and being annoyed by the lack of original keys. I had been able to borrow a spare from the Porter. On Wednesday morning I rang the bus company, described my keys and went to pick them up. The feeling of relief cannot be described. 

Story No. 2. Layers and Snow

Recently I have been wearing, at the least, 3 layers of tops. Yesterday it was 3 t-shirts 2 hoodies and my coat. It's ruddy cold. Yet there isn't much snow at all. Back home my sister Hazel is living through knee high snow. We still don't have enough to cover the grass properly. I sort of want it to snow properly to make the cold weather worth it.

Story No. 3. Films

Sunday was time for "The Expendables" a film written, directed, and starred in, by Sylvester Stallone.

I didn't much like it. It was in the same genre as "The Losers" and it was about 1/8th as good. James thought it was good but the mindless violence (pretty much for the sake of it) and lack of appealing characters just failed to engage me.

On Monday we saw "The Girl Who Played With Fire" which was the second film in a series I knew nothing about. It was actually pretty good, you could tell it was based on a book because of all the twists and the quantity of characters. It was subtitled in a yellowy white text that sometimes couldn't be read for over a minute due to some scenes being very pale. I'm not really compelled enough by it to read the book series or to watch the other films.

Story No. 4. Art

So I've been painting small again. I'm not fully happy with what I've done but I've uploaded them on facebook for people to see. I think they look better in real life than a photo can show. The scale impact is RUINED on a computer screen. I need to paint a whole load more and buy some coloured wool so I can connect them up in a big web on the wall. Oh and masking tape. I ran out and Bill isn't running the shop today and I have a lecture in the morning. *le sigh* Going to get on with my work this afternoon.

Story No. 5. Showtunes.

My mood has been lifted 100 fold recently by my showtunes playlist that I finally made. 

I feel it is lacking though, it needs Rocky Horror on it and Joseph and Starlight Express (just because) I crave more showtunes. I would also like the entire Beatles back catalogue. 

I think what I'd like is an iTunes gift card so that I feel that all the new music I want would be a present. 

Well, this program about cereal has been rather interesting. I think I might go to the library and see if there are any books about Photorealism as it interests me and I can't do it myself. 

Delay = Length

Thursday 
Greg Davies was hilarious. SO worth £12.50, worth more because Edd (the warm up act) was just as rip-roaringly funny.
Friday
Shrek Forever After
So much better than the 3rd one. I truly enjoyed this film, seeing these amazing characters and animation.
Saturday
Liverpool art galleries and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Really enjoyed this film. They're getting the hang of it now. I had issues with some bits (like Wormtail) but otherwise it was good.
Sunday
Eclipse
AHAHA My thoughts on this haven't changed much since the first time I watched it.
Monday
Salt with Angelina Jolie. I though it was alright but not amazing. Russian/American spy thingy.
Tuesday 
‎Gerry said, "Luvle, has been a bit wanky recently" and we all giggled.
SSAGO three legged bar crawl turned into a 10 legged bar crawl
Wednesday
After a terrible video about European student riots in 1968 I had Tourguide Training for THREE HOURS.
Thursday 
Art day learning about paper and egg tempera and dammar varnish and Gerry making more ridiculous jokes. Scott Pilgrim, 3rd viewing, still awesome. I adore this film to geekery heights.
Friday
The food concoction we had for tea was surprisingly tasty. Egg mayo, pasta, bacon and fresh peppers.
We went for a walk where I got thoroughly disoriented.
Misfits and QI were viewed.
Saturday
We had a "day off" and went shopping and were lazy and watched Scenes of a Sexual Nature on BBCiPlayer.
It was pants, it was so trite and the characters seemed so unrealistic, all except for that nice old couple. Even then they sang of CLICHÉ!

It's Sunday. I've made some more rice krispie slice. I've done most of my Art History.
Hazelizabeth was Hazel's turn this week. I hope you like it!