Friday, March 31, 2006

"I refuse to have a battle of wits with unarmed people." - Wendy

So now I'm home. It's a-rockin' and a-rollin'.
I've been to Caroline's, Karin and I made her a Sheila-doll for her birthday (for those of you who weren't Åvaiter, she was the Psych teacher. And for Caroline's birthday last year we gave her a Freud Action Doll). Well, Miss Sheila is a re-made Barbie, with Tippex hair and BLUE clothes. As well as a water bottle and a notebook. She is a Beach Fun Sheila, so she has a beach bag, sunglasses (incidently blue) and a beach bag. Was great fun making her!!

Spent the night at Karin's after that, then went into town to go shopping. Bought jeans:P Then went out to my old school, cos Joanna had been bugging me about it for ages! Hehe. After that, to Victor's, where we watched Corpse Bride, and Trainspotting, ate popcorn and played Jenga. I won:P They're re-doing the hall in our house so couldn't go home til ten - was meant to be allowed in at five but.. he was late. What is it with builders and time management? I know I know, I shouldn't say anything, it's probably a very hard job to do, but when I'm slow in doing something, that doesn't mean a whole family can't enter their house all night! Anyway, turned out alright in the end - I was invited to stay for dinner;)

Then on Tuesday, Emma and I went to Västerås, to Karin's (her own flat, last mention was her parents' house). Had a great night, made AMAZING food and just talked for hours. Oh, and we went to Ikea:P lol. Always fun. Wasn't very crowded so was ok.

Yesterday I didn't do much. Some baking and cooking, a lot of reading. Today will most likely be the same:P

It's so cold! Snowing again. It's like an April Fool's joke. Crazy stuff. Luckily I don't have to endure much more of the Swedish Spring as I'm flying back to lovely Manchester on Thursday. Yes, I'll happily and willingly admit I can't wait. Not because being at home is THAT bad (hehe) but because... wait for it... you know what's coming... I miss Mike. Damn ASDA not giving him loads of paid holiday. Lol.

Getting loads of Jack White tunes sent to me - I must be in heaven!

night night

xx

Friday, March 24, 2006












































































aaaand.. We're done with the photos!

Had a wicked night at the Sugarhouse, as always. Some people (read:person) I'd rather not have seen but thankfully, Emma saved me. Lol. What is it with the assholes creeping out from under their rocks on a Thursday night?

Also, why is it so hard to pack? Wish I could hire someone to do it for me. So boring! Especially when you have to tidy as well. I usually try to do both things at once, and fail both miserably. Ah well, it's not like anyone will see my room until I come back here anyway, and as long as I bring my passport and plane ticket I don't really need anything else. Oh, maybe laptop, but that's kinda hard to miss.

Had the last 203 seminar today/yesterday. Was pretty good, revised diacritics stuff and some transcription. Kev gave me compliments for what I'd written which was ace, felt well clever and like the exam will go.. swimmingly. Much like Kyle's period.

Was good to see Joanna - sorry I wasn't great company!! But to be honest, you didn't REALLY come just to see me;) Promise I'll spend more time with you when I get hooome! On SATURDAY! Really can't wait. Ten days is just about enough though, a break from uni and everything. Will be both good and bad to come back to England after it. Good cos - well, it's England. And Mike. And bad cos I won't be with le family.

I will stop writing now. If I get time tomorrow I'll do another post, otherwise you'll have to wait until like.. Saturday to read another post.

Night-night!

xx

Thursday, March 16, 2006

"I'm a man, I need manly hobbies... like picking heavy things and putting them back down again." - Mister Rob.

Thanks for that, made my night! Reminds me of Bradley Hathaway and his poem Manly Man. Don't be put off by his faith, by the way. He's done some well good stuff and I WISH I could write like that. Poo.

Finally finished that essay. Thank God! Probably need some touch-ups but I cannae be bothered. Don't have the time! Will look through it one more time, then I will shower and pack my bag, then go do my presentation. Then... guess where? Manchester-way. Obviously.

If you read this, Sarah - again, I'm sorry. Next week, yeah?

On a lighter note, Joanna is in the country AS WE SPEAK! Well chuffed. Seeing her on... Sunday! yayyayayayaya! Hehe. Can't wait.

And, last night Dad said he'd get me a sewing machine! So all songanddance over here today... or something like that.

So hungry, food? Maybe?



This made me laugh. Especially after reading people's complaints about ads in the 232 seminar a few weeks ago. Sometimes, only a few people have to complain for them to ban an ad.. it's very strange. Can be for all kinds of reasons, and I think a lot of good and provocative ads have been cancelled because of it. Has anyone seen the baby with the silver spoon, for example? Now, that was allowed to stay on, which I thought was a good decision by the ASA, but some of the decisions they've made have just been silly (See above example). The public does not need to be protected. If something upsets you, why not avoid it instead of complaining?

Right, time to shower.
See you after le Weekend!
"jag tycker alla borde få en knarkhund, bra att ha när man tappat bort sina saker i lägenheten liksom"

The above is the quote of the day. Courtesey of Gustav.



Have also been thinking about accents. Does that make me sad? I'll say no. Accents amuse me. In my head, I can copy them all. Seriously, all of them. But they just don't come out right. Oh well! In our presentation tomorrow, I have to point out how I pronounce things differently. And I just know I won't pronounce them as I've written them. There will be t's all over the place - no taps! Madness.

Joanna is coming over soon! Well, to the country in the morning. But up to the dirty North on Sunday. YAY! I miss her so much.

Also miss my parents. But I'll get to see them in... wait for it! Ten days. So yey!

I'm bored now. Was going to post some links and comment on them but really can't be bothered. Bedtime, maybe?

Nighty.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Margit died today. So I'm not going to babble on in this post. Just hope she's somewhere where she isn't in pain. And I hope my Mum is alright. And everyone else, of course.




It took time, took time to develop a concept
A new me
based upon the traits from which I could not flee
It took time, took time to embrace the nature
All my dreams
All this time just turned into a sad long wait

This sad long tale of moments passé
must come to an end before it is too late
Wasn't born to hate, I was made to love
but I never knew it was so hard

It took time, took time to accept the fact
that one must lose
everything except what you do not choose

It's taken time, long time and yet more time
it will take
before my heart is free and brave enough to break

This sad long tale of moments passé
must come to an end before it is too late
Wasn't born to hate, I was made to love
but I never knew it was so hard

This sad bouquet of forget-me-not
that I threw away is growing scars and dots
In this weary heart where there's a bird, so shy
but one of these days that bird will learn to fly
Found this online, can't be arsed changing it from caps so you'll just have to bite your lip and read it anyway. Some of the things are too British for me to actually remember, but most of it still goes for any Western European 90's kid.


JUST CAUSE YOU WERE BORN IN '91' OR '92' DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE A 90s KID.
IT'S NOT LIKE YOU COULD REMEMBER SOME OF THE ORIGINAL SIMPSONS.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A BRITISH 90s KID IF...

YOU CAN SING THE RAP TO "THE FRESH PRINCE OF BELL AIR"

YOU'VE WORN LEGGINGS AND FELT COOL.

YOU USED TO LOVE PLAYING WITH YOUR "PUPPY IN MY POCKETS"

YOU REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY WORTH GETTING UP ON A SATURDAY MORNING TO WATCH LIVE & KICKING OR SM:TV.

YOU HAD A HUGE FRINGE AT SOME POINT IN YOUR CHILDHOOD.

YOU REMEMBER READING AND WATCHING "GOOSEBUMPS"

YOU TOOK PLASTIC CARTOON LUNCH BOXES TO SCHOOL.

YOU KNOW THE WORDS FROM THE SHAKEY JAKE MILKSHAKE ADVERTS

YOU REMEMBER THE CRAZE OF YO-YOS AND TAMAGOTCHI'S

YOU STILL GET THE URGE TO SAY "NOT" AFTER EVERY SENTENCE.
NOT.

YOU KNEW THAT KIMBERLY, THE PINK RANGER, AND TOMMY, THE GREEN RANGER WERE MEANT TO BE.

YOU COLLECTED POKEMON CARDS.

YOU PLAYED AND/OR COLLECTED POGS.

YOU HAD A WEIRD ALIEN THAT LIVED IN GOOEY STUFF IN A PLASTIC 'POD' AND THOUGHT IF YOU STUCK 2 BACK TO BACK THEY WOULD HAVE A BABY!

YOU WATCHED THE ORIGINAL POSTMAN PAT, FIREMAN SAM AND NINJA TURTLES.

YIKES PENCILS WERE THE BEST!-WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?

YOU REMEMBER WHEN THE NEW BEANIE BABIES WERE ALWAYS SOLD OUT

YOU GOT YOUR MUM TO BUY 'BN' BISCUITS

YOU USED TO WEAR THOSE STICK ON EARRINGS, NOT ONLY ON YOUR EARS BUT AT THE CORNERS OF YOUR EYES.

YOU KNOW THE MACERENA BY HEART.

"TALK TO THE HAND" ENOUGH SAID.

YOU REMEMBER THE TIME BEFORE LITERACY AND NUMERACY HOUR EXISTED.

YOU THOUGHT BRAIN FROM "PINKEY AND THE BRAIN" WOULD FINALLY TAKE OVER THE WORLD.

YOU REMEMBER BUM BAGS.

YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE ON FUN HOUSE

YOU COLLECTED TAZOS OR POGS.

2 WORDS, SPICE GIRLS.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

I don't get why they don't have more CCTV in prisons. Well, they probably do actually. But in Prison Break they've been getting away with all kinds of things and there are no cameras. Anywhere. And the guy who's on death row gets to work alongside the other inmates. Now, I've never been to a prison. All I know about them is what I've seen on TV and read in books. But surely it can't be like that? I hope to God it isn't. We put away dangerous criminals and they can dig tunnels, form gangs, mafias, threaten guards... basically run their criminal operations from within the prison. It's like in Monopoly when everything's been bought, you end up in prison for three rounds and you can just sit there collecting money. Ridiculous is what it is!

But like I said, I don't know anything. So shouldn't speak:)


Spent tonight with Gill, she's SO lovely. We made veggie lasagne and chatted and watched Grease... Ah, I feel like a girl. Lol. Shocking, I know.


As for comments saying I should now join GreenPeace - I laugh in your general direction! That's awesome, would I care that much about anything? Feel that strongly about anything? ;) No, I'm still waiting for my calling. When I find it, I'll let you know.

I thought I was sleepy, guess I was wrong. Maybe I'll just do my coursework now? Again, laughter coming from this end. I'm sure I'll do it.. later... Just one more episode of Prison Break. 'Ang on - did Peter Stormare's character just die? NOOO!!

xx

Thursday, March 09, 2006

I've been watching the ITV News series "3 degrees from disaster." You can guess what it's about - global warming. A reporter, Lawrence, is travelling around the world (let's hope he's hiking or cycles, wouldn't want to raise those three degrees now, would we!) investigating what's causing the greenhouse effect. This week he's been in the Amazon jungle, where an area of _six_ football pitches is cut down and burnt every _minute_. I never used to care too much about trying to make a difference but lately the thought has actually crossed my mind. The other day, they were challenging a family to cut down their energy wasting, and apparently they could save a third of what they spend on heat and electricity by insulating the house, using energy saving light bulbs and not using their car as much. Crazy!

So, what can I do? Well, as a student I don't really have a car I can choose not to use, I always take the bus anyway. And living in halls, I'm not in charge of changing the light bulbs so that's out of my hands. Can't do a lot really, except turn lights off and keep heater low. Wanted: ideas?

On a similar note, what's with the Powergen ad? How can they get away with saying it's cheaper than Grittish Bass? I mean, I know how they can, as it's not a lie and if prices change they can always argue there is no such thing as Grittish Bass. But it's cheeky!

What is also cheeky is the new Grit - sorry, British Gas - scheme saying the March 1st prices will be frozen for three years. All good and well, I hear you say. Only the March 1st prizes are way higher than any other energy provider's.

Ah well, enough about energy!

More about ads, however. By the way, I know it sounds like I've just been lazing about watching TV lately, but it's purely for educational purposes - I do do LING232; the Language of Media. I mean Hello! :) Back on track: Most ads in this country are to do with finances. Insurance, credit cards, loans, and so the list goes on... Makes me quite sad really. Should I blame capitalism? Do I want to go down that road? Go on then! In this capitalist society money is obviously, well, the basis, the building blocks so to speak. But to borrow money to pay off your credit card, and then borrowing off someone else to pay your mortgage... And then having to borrow again because you can't pay back your loans. Madness!

Me, I'll be cancelling the credit card I've used only once, and doubtfully ever getting another one. It would be too easy for me to fall into that trap - 'you mean I can spend £500 now and pay it back later? Hell yeah, sounds good to me!'

Have also been watching The Weakest Link. Anne Robinson is funny. And by that I mean dead boring. What's funny is how most people don't seem the least bit phazed by her attempts to throw them off. The other night there was this lad with trendy, greasy hair - and she kept going on about his spots! Was happy to see he just laughed at her.

Am looking to book a holiday in June. Somewhere hot. Obviously. Any ideas? Was thinking Turkey, but not sure how cheap it would be. Would love to go to Greece, but that's gone well touristy and expensive, so out of the question... sadly.

Just came back from doing a presentation, think it went well. Always encouraging to look over and see Kev nodding! At least he's not an arsehole when you say something silly, unlike some...

It's raining... at least it's stopped snowing!! Three days of SLASK was more than enough.

Got a letter off Kerstin today, not heard form her in a while! Wrote to her months and months ago, and she's just not replied. Haha, as if I never do that, not really bothered. Also got one off Victor:) So maybe this weekend won't be a 207 coursework weekend after all, but rather a letter writing weekend? Who knows. The only two things I know about this weekend is that I'm not going down to Mike's, and that I'm doing tours Saturday.

And next week my sister is here! YEY! Haha, both Mark, Andy and Lisa have offered to house a Swedish girl. Who to pick, who to pick? Do I trust any of them? ;) Nah, I'm sure it will be alright for them to share that mattress on Mike's floor, it's positively massive! Plus, avoids key-finding and up-wakings. We'll see.

Sugarhouse tonight? Not been in ages, kinda miss it. At least I'm not ill anymore! Only a matter of days before I get ill again, most likely. Poo!

Now, time has come for me to post this. And finish that skirt. Once and for all. And then I have to finish Joanna's top and bag - had nearly forgotten bout them!

tata!

Thursday, March 02, 2006

2/3 2006

Yeah, another post today. I'm just bored! Done work and that, could sew.. or tidy my room? Just don't know where to start! Have to be systematic about these things, but that's not my kettle of fish. It really isn't.

The room could do with a right makeover though.

Ok, here's the plan:

Make the bed
Throw out old receipts and other junk-stuff
Fold fabrics etc up nicely and find storage place for them
Wash up
Put clothes back in closet
Put lecture notes in ORDER! YES DAMN YOU - IN ORDER!!


...

Vacuum? If I can be arsed.



And the next question, what do I get my Dad for his birthday? Socks? Daddy Daddy, what do you waaant? Hmm?



Not going out tonight, headache still hasn't gone away. Or, it did. Then it came back. Evil! Pure evil, I tell you.

I really need some more interesting topics to write about!



Ooh, the 203 seminar today was pretty good, Dave's well clever and it's good that we're in the same group cos we always understand different things so can ask each other for help on MSN and that. Haha. The lass is a bit.. Yeah. She says it herself, she doesn't do much. But I think she kind of tries once she's there? Maybe she's just a good actress! Heh.
Anyway, in the seminar we were playing around with WaveSurfer a bit, and the tutor Kev is well rare! Came up and just stood behind me ALL the time, gave me a bit of a fright a few times... Bit unsettling trying to work when someone is watching everything you do. He did say we were right about a lot of stuff and gave a lot of generally helpful pointers. I thought I was clever as well when I figured stuff out. So hah! I now officially like 203 again! And my trapezium was just as trapezium-like as it should be; Kev didn't even comment on my schwas! Lol, that sounds a bit.. dodgy.


Wasn't going to go down to Mike's this weekend as I thought I had campus tours on Saturday... Turns out I don't. They're next week. And I've got Tuesday off as lecturers all over the country go on strike. Sooo... could technically go down tonight and stay till Weds morning! But I won't, because I have Plans. Yes, I have a social life! Believe it or not. Tomorrow night I'm meeting Sarah (FINALLY! We've not had a chance to spend time together in AGES! I miss her!!!) for dinner, then we're going to see Kiwis Ned play at feedback at the Farmer's Arms - should be good! Then there's apparently a party at Mike's (not my Mike, Kiwis Mike. I'll have to call him that from now on I think, to avoid confusion. Damn common names! Hehe. Lovely really) and I'll have to see how I feel. Will def make an appearance though!

On Saturday day I'm possibly/probably doing something with Dan - not properly seen him in a while either! Boo. And then going down to Mike's in the evening, staying till Tues night or Weds morning - Gill claims the whole point of the LU cinema showing Narnia next week is so she can drag me to see it, so apprently I have to be back Tues night? Hehe. We'll see...

Interesting link of the day - I'm not making it up! HAH!
Text injuries.


Well, I'm off. Maybe I'll even do one or two of the things on the list above? Or maybe I won't.
Toodles!
Exam period: 16/5 9:30 - 16/5 16:00

I knew I picked the right course!!



Flying back to the Stockholm on March 25th, coming back on April 6th. I think, anyway.

Meeting Gill now, so will update later. Buhbye.


Posted by Louise, not sure who wrote it:


Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who
has been with us for many years.

No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long
ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as
knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm,
life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more
than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are
in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using
mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly
student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the
job they failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even
further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer
Panadol, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but, could not inform the
parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became
contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better
treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise
that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was
promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his
wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is
to Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.

If you still remember him, please pass this on...

...if not, join the vast majority and do nothing...

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

1/3 2006
This week I have...

Bought two kilos of fabric, applied for fifteen jobs
Sent out letters, tidied my room
Slept twenty hours, sneezed a gazillion times
Been to my lectures, done all my work
Gotten ahead on the damn dissertation.

Made a bag, a skirt and a top
Started a bag which will be sold
Looked all around for work experience
Outlined a business, drawn a vowel diagram
Transcribed various texts
Started coursework for 207 and 203
Taken a long ass walk
Got out of bed at eight

...and it's only three pm Wednesday.



I seriously don't know what to do about 203. I sort of feel like I've got it under control but I'm not sure. Grammar last term was hard enough, phonetics is more fun but hard. Annoying, all those little diacritics etc. Formants.

But anyway, I shouldn't complain, because essentially I enjoy it.



Should do more writing though. I just can't find the time. Sounds odd, as I'm a student with oodles of spare time on my hands, but I'm always doing a trizillion things at once and for writing I need space. Buses and trains are usually ideal, and god knows I've been on enough of them lately!!

Enough about that, who wants to buy me a sewing machine? It won't be a gift, as soon as I start making money off what I sell I'll pay you back for it. Maybe a percentage? I only need about £75 - that's for a very basic second hand one. If you feel extremely generous and want to give me quality (1800 seams? please? hahaha) we're talking hundreds. And I don't need that! It just takes so long sewing by hand all the time. Don't get me wrong, I do like it, but you get tired of it.


Joanna is coming over soon, I can't wait! Made her a lace up type top out of my old purple skull and cross bone shirt. She's loving the photo I sent (at least that's what she said! The lying minx...) and I'm hoping it will fit. If not, I'll just have to redo a few seams. No biggie.


Can't get rid of this headache, it's probably because of the cold. Thankfully, that seems to be going. Had a few coughing fits in my lecture this morning, but no one tried to chuck me out. I was expecting them to! Anyway, munching paracetamol, and am on my fourth water bottle of the day. If that doesn't do the trick (and I doubt it will) I might take a nap. Just a nap, forty five minutes or so, nothing exstensive.. yeah right!



I've realised my blog must be immensely boring! I should write about.. current affairs, or do political satire or something like that. But that would require me being up to date on things like that. And I can assure you, I am not. Will however have a think about it, and possibly introduce a new feature to this blog in the next few days... stay tuned.

And comment! I love comments and hardly anyone comments. BOO!

xx