Bus thoughts.

I seem to be spending a lot of my times on buses. A few... stories - though not all that interesting I'm afraid.

#1 but nearly ran over an elderly lady the other day. Granted, she shouldn't have tried to run across the road when the light was red, but the bus didn't slow down at all. It's not like he didn't see her - it was on a looong stretch of road with no traffic, and he found the time to beep his horn for about 10 seconds before getting to the stop.

#2 since the bus has rerouted due to roadworks, it seems men on the buses are even friendlier than normal. In the past week I've been chatted up - or well, something to that effect anyway - twice. Don't get me wrong - I like that Brits are friendly and chatty. But it gets a bit much sometimes. If I have a book in my hand, only reply to you in single syllables and keep looking back down at my book - then I don't want to talk to you.

#3 whilst waiting for the bus the other day I made a new friend. This lady was chatting to me about all sorts of things - mainly her grievances and complaints. But I enjoy complaining so I joined in (damn council! I didn't tell her she was talking to a council employee...). She was telling me how she had been owed some money back (from overpaying council tax, I think it was) so she went to the council and refused to leave until she got her cheque. Sounds like a lot of effort.

#4 we already knew that York traffic is bad. But yesterday afternoon was awful. First bus - roadworks. Second bus was very late. Then it took 20 minutes to get out of town. Then the bus stood still 20 metres from my house for at least 10 minutes because some genius had decided the whold road needed closing because of a bust pipe. And bus driver couldn't let us off cos of 'health and safety'. Love it.

A couple of my lovely plants :) I've got greenish fingers...

It's raining today. It always rains when I'm geared up to walk to uni.

Presentation is coming along nicely. It's tomorrow, so that's good... I've restructured the writeup though, it didn't seem logical to do the different sections and then have to talk about the different aspects I'm looking at in each section - so now there will be a section all to do with articulation rate, one on voice quality... etc etc. It is fun work actually, I am rather enjoying it. Despite all the pissing and moaning I've been doing recently, and will be doing over the next two weeks.

So - it's raining today. The sky's a sheet of grey and there's a steady stream of tiny drops against my window. It doesn't really encourage going outside. Well, I do enjoy the odd walk in the rain. But not when I'm going somewhere.Esp not getting there and having to sit there soaked for hours. Like in Amsterdam - one morning the skies just opened up and we had a bit of a trek to/from the tram to the uni. We were completely soaked for most of the day.

But that's enough about rain.

On the bus this morning a little old man was studying his shopping list. I had a glance (as you do), and it said:

YORK

1. Pen refills
2. Matches

...

I just wanted to hug him. Things like that make me happy - I want to be that organised. I love lists.

I'm in the middle of writing. Of listening, of reading, and of writing. It's going slow and I'm rather stressed.

So! In true procrastrinator style, I'm sharing my to do list/plan with you. Actually, it's in the hope that I will get my arse into gear. Perhaps if someone is reading this and expecting me to meet my targets I'll be more inclined to do so? Yeah, right. It's worth a try!


Current goals:

End of today: reach 2500 words (currently on 1400). Finish Lit Review and send to Dad & Joanna to look over.

End of 25/8: Finish listening & write up Results section

End of 26/8: Have presentation sorted, powerpoint done etc.

End of 30/8: Finish Analysis/Discussion. 7000 words

End of 1/8: Finish Conclusion + Introduction. 9000 words



...looking at it like this, it doesn't seem so bad. But keep your fingers crossed for me, just in case.

A long time ago, we used to be friends
But I haven't thought of you lately at all
If ever again, a greeting I send to you,
Short and sweet to the soul is all I intend.

Come on now, honey,
Bring it on, bring it on, yeah.
Just remember me when you're good to go
Come on now, sugar,
Bring it on, bring it on, yeah.
Just remember me when.

It's something I said, or someone I know.
Or you called me up, maybe I wasn't home.
Now everybody needs some time,
And everybody knows
The rest of it's fine
And everybody knows that.

Come on now, sugar,
Bring it on, bring it on, yeah.
Just remember me when you're good to go
Come on now, honey,
Bring it on, bring it on, yeah.
Just remember me when.

We used to be friends a long time ago.
We used to be friends a long time ago.
We used to be friends a long time ago.
We used to be friends, hey hey

A long time ago, we used to be friends
But I haven't thought of you lately at all
If ever again, a greeting I send to you,
Short and sweet to the soul is all I intend.

We used to be friends a long time ago.


[the Dandy Warhols]

My gorgeous Scotch Bonnet :)

Some Sweden photos...