A comedy of sirens

seems only yesterday I blogged about the numerous alarms that go off in my flat every morning. It's been wonderful lately, as my flat mates are in the midst of moving out, so the flat - far from its usual chaos - has been silent.

Last night was the final Abridged evening of the fresher year, complete with crispie cake and pizza. Walking into the kitchen I almost died, as for the first time in weeks one of my flatmates was in there - looking just as surprised to see me.

I don't suppose it mattered much, as Laney and I only left my room to fetch the pizza, and Kajal (my flatmate) spent most of the time packing. This morning, I was woken by my classtime (7am) alarm, followed shortly afterwards by the echoey sounds of Leona Lewis blasted from across the hall.

When the music went off, I thought the flat would be quiet, but apparently not: My phone alarm decided to signal right at that moment.

It's ironic all right.

If War of the Worlds were Ouran...

In my Previous Post, I failed to specify the specific method Laney and I used while revising. Whilst watching our various anime shows, we compared the characters to characters from the novel.

E.g. Ouran High School Host Club



NARRATOR WOULD BE MORI: Mori is a hardworking guy, focussed on the care he has for Hunny-senpai, just like the narrator is focussed on the love he has for his wife.

CURATE WOULD BE TAMAKI: They both overreact and are quite dimwitted in behaviour, despite showing clear intelligence - they are both also extremely fanatical about their food.

ARTILLERYMAN WOULD BE KYOUYA: They are both interested in personal gain and profit and quick to forge a plan.

MARTIANS WOULD BE HUNNY: ...They both wield odd feeding habits and have both been accused of inhabiting another planet.

THE NARRATOR'S WIFE WOULD BE HARUHI: She is extremely domesticated, but on an equal par ot the men around her - just like Narrator's wife.

THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF THE NARRATOR;S BROTHER WOULD BE THE HITACHIIN TWINS: Because there's never one without the other (and they have been known to cross dress).

Freedom ^_^

It seems weird, thinking about packing my things to go home for the summer - doesn't seem so long since I stayed over night last year. Things were so much different then, I was a different person - everything has altered and fitted into routine, only to uproot into disorientation again next September. I wonder what kind of person I'll be next term - or if I'll even change at all?

I am not happy the way things are now; looking in the mirror, I do not see me the way I should. It is the ghostly face of a toddler, abandoned among the crowd. Having chased butterflies into a strange new territory, every face seems frightening, unfamiliar and grey.

I woke a few days ago to find my bottom lip deeply bitten and numb and my limbs aching - I'm not quite sure of the cause; whether it was a violent dream or a seizure.

I did not have much time to dwell on this fact, as I had my novel exam the next day and needed to revise. Laney came over in the afternoon and (in between anime episodes) we discussed War of the Worlds. The exam was this morning - not nearly as eventful as the poetry test (not sure if I'm disappointed about that or not).

The scene we got to analyse was tthe one where the Artilleryman speaks of his plans for the human race. I remember writing about imperialism and darwinism (and possibly gothicism, though it may only have been an annotation).

Now it is over, along with my Fresher year, leaving me with a tonne of free time that I wished I had before. It will be interesting to see just how I do divide my time in the final draftings.

Characters Meme

Write down twelve of your own characters and then answer the questions - NO LOOKING AT THE QUESTIONS BEFORE ANSWERING!! GOT IT? GOOD!


Zeh chars

1. Gurda Von Illyich
-Technically neither living nor dead. She is the ‘boss’ character, revived when her ‘shell’ dies.

2. Isobel Read
- A pirate wench, who toys with witchcraft.

3. Vladimir Von Illyich
-A Romanian lord - believed dead by all contemporaries. He also toys with witchcraft, for the purpose of his people’s safety.

4. Ileana Von Illyich/Lily
-The product of Isobel Read and Vladimir Von Illyich’s brief time together, thrown into poverty after her father’s supposed death.

5. Robert Tully
-A close friend of Vladimir Von Illyich and a close friend of the family,

6. Sylvie Cross
-An apothecary’s daughter, religious and pure.

7. Carver Cross
-The village apothecary. Raised in the north of England, he unknowingly married the daughter of Isobel Read.

8. Freya Seinfeld
-One of Isobel Read’s coven, Freya hails from Germany.

9. Frederick Lundy
-A member of Vladimir Von Illyich’s council, he also a close friend of the family, though holds dark secrets of his own.

10. Cassiopeia Whitley
-Sylvie Cross’s mother, who died of an illness while she was very young.

11. Rosaline Hart
- Another member of Isobel Read’s coven.

12. Elspeth Moore
-An accident prone member of Isobel Read’s coven.




#1. Who would make a better college prof.? 6 ( Sylvie) or 11 (Rosaline)?

Rosaline - Sylvie is only about fourteen with hardly any experience of life. Though, out of the two of them, I deem Sylvie the most trustworthy - so *shrug*.

#2. Do you think 2 ( Isobel) is hot? How hot?

She was certainly beautiful once; I wouldn’t say hot, certainly not to her face.

#3. 12 (Elspeth) sends 8 (Freya) out on a mission. What is it? Does it succeed?

Errr….Elspeth is the ship’s chef, so it would probably be to fetch some ingredients for the next meal. Freya’s not that focussed so she’d probably miss the meal, leaving Elspeth to take the flack.

#4. What is or would be 9’s (Lundy) favorite book?

Marquis de Sade stuff ^^ - he’s a dark horse.

#5. Would it make more sense for 2 (Isobel) to swear fealty to 6 (Sylvie), or the other way around?

The other way round, Sylvie is naïve and Isobel is pretty quick witted, so Sylvie is more likely to be fooled into obeying. Plus Isobel is SCARY.

#6. For some reason, 5 (Tully) is looking for a roommate. Should (s)he share a studio apartment with 9 (Lundy) or with 10 (Cassiopeia)?

Lundy! They’re old friends!

#7. 2 (Isobel), 7 (Carver), and 12 (Elspeth) have dinner together. Where do they go, and what do they discuss?

Well Elspeth would be cooking, so it would be a masterpiece of lamb chops, mulberry wine and apple pie, all served on Isobel’s ship and punctuated by insults. They’d probably be discussing world politics.

#8. 3 (Vladimir) challenges 10 (Cassiopeia) to a duel. What happens?

Cassiopeia seduces Vladimir and snatches a win by kicking him when he‘s not looking.

#9. If 1 (Gurda) stole 8’s (Freya) most precious possession, how would she/he get it back?

She wouldn’t.

#10. Suggest a title for a story in which 7 (Carver) and 12 (Elspeth) both attain what they most desire.

Brains, Brains, Brains.

#11. What kind of plot device would you use if you wanted 4 (Lily) and 1 (Gurda) to work together?

Demonic possession, most likely, there’s no way Lily would work with Gurda.

#12. If 7 (Carver) visited you for the weekend, how would you get along?

I’d get him to teach me how to be an awesome apothecary, and in return take him to see a movie, followed by a meal of his choice.

#13. If you could command 3 (Vladimir) to perform any one task or service for you, what would it be?

LOL - don’t tempt me, the man is prettyful….

#14. Does anyone on your friends list write or draw 11 (Rosaline)?

Err…nooo…

#15. If 2 (Isobel) had to choose sides between 4 (Lily) and 5 (Tully), which would it be?

Lily, hands down. Vladimir was the only guy that Isobel loved and she will always sanctify that truth.

#16. What might 10 (Cassiopeia) shout while charging into battle?

Generic insults.

#17. If you chose a song to represent 8 (Freya), which song would you choose?

Jennifer Knapp, Martyrs and Thieves.

#18. 1 (Gurda), 6 (Sylvie), and 12 (Elspeth) are having dim sum at a Chinese restaurant. There is only one scallion pancake left, and they all reach for it at the same time. Who gets to eat it?

Well, Gurda has possession of Sylvie, and Elspeth is too polite to let Sylvie go without, so both Gurda and Sylvie, technically.

#19. What might be a good pick-up line for 2 (Isobel) to use on 10 (Cassiopeia)?

Isobel doesn’t flirt, especially not with Cassiopeia. But, if you must…

‘You are an oasis in me desert o’life.’

#20. What would 5 (Tully) most likely be arrested for?

Wasting police time.

#21. What is 6’s (Sylvie) secret?

She’s a witch.

#22. If 11 (Rosaline) and 9 (Lundy) were racing to a destination, who would get there first?

Rosa - because she is the most likely to cheat.

#23. If you had to walk home through a bad neighborhood late at night, would you feel safer in the company of 7 (Carver) or 8 (Freya)?

Freya; Carver’s trade is his apothecary shop, he doesn’t know any self defence. Freya is an established witch. Though, she would also probably run off and leave me too.

#24. 1 (Gurda) and 9 (Lundy) reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by 4’s (Lily) sinister secret organization. 11 (Rosaline) volunteers to help them, but it is later discovered that she is actually a spy for 4 (Lily). Meanwhile, 4 (Lily) has kidnapped 12 (Elspeth) in an attempt to force their surrender. Following the wise advice of 5 (Tully), they seek out 3 (Vladimir), who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fic?

Just another day in the loony bin

One hundred minus a day

Yesterday my parents were here - on one of their annual visits. It's quite amusing really; I've known for months that the reason behind them is 'checking up' moreso than 'coming to see', but my mother still has always been extremely careful in her phrasery. This was the first time all year she admitted it.

I'm not going to be in the flat much longer - three weeks at most. It took us months to fill my room in the first place with all the books, DVDs and clothes I have now - equally amusing, since I never got around to using half of them. Emptying my wardrobe yesterday, in an attempt to ease up the signing out effort, we discovered what must have been twenty towels I had never seen before.

And so, as it stands, my dad is in the process of driving everything to Whitters just to make way for my new flat, which funnily enough is just a few yards to the left of this one.

I have no books now except for War of the Worlds, a CD player and no CDs (yeah Saiyu, that was smart), several blank pads of paper, a couple of DVDs (though probably not in the correct boxes) and a half filled box of food.

Only three weeks...only three weeks....

Situations Meme

	Bryan Adams - Summer Of '69
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Situation #1

You happen to be shopping in a near by town. As you are seated in a small cafe', You happen to notice a neighbor's child. They are 14 years old, and with clearly a older person in their late 30's. Someone you have never seen around there house, or at any picnics you have been invited to. They are holding hands and getting a little touchy feely, what do you do?

I would do nothing at that moment in time; it would be wrong to make a judgement when there could be a perfectly acceptable explanation. Instead I would mention it to my mother upon returning home - she knows our neighbours well.

Situation #2

It is Mothers Day! Your Mom lives in the same town that you do. She has always been very critical of you, your whole life. Nothing you have ever done is right in her eyes. Now how do you Honor Thy Mother, and make Mothers Day Special ?

Spend the day with her, just being in her company.

Situation #3

You have been surfing the net, and you come across a blog from a old flame. On it they have posted pictures that you gave them for their eye's only. They also have let a few dark secrets out that you never wanted any one to know but them. What do you do?

E-mail the guy and politely request that he removes them. If he refuses then it's not really a problem. I doubt I would have given him those photos without having some back of him >:3

Situation #4

Your spouse of many years has came down with Alzheimer's disease. There is no none cure for it here but on the other side of the world in a remote rain forest it is said that one can live out there live normally with no sign of the disease. Of course in that part of the world there is no modern convinces....no roads....phones...electricity....stores. You live off the land and travel by mules.......What do you do?

If it helps my spouse recover his mind then i would definitely do it.


(All situations came from this blog)

Cram notes Edition 1

Thom Gun

*Gay
*AIDS
*Drugs
*British Form, American Idioms

Denise Levertov

*Traditional - experimental; change came with to move to America
*Radical manipulation of form
*Black Mountain Poets - Charles Olsen, Robert Creely, Robert Duncan
*William Carlos Williams - wrote in the way people speak

Anne Stevenson

*Married four times ->talks about it a lot
*Somewhat whiny

Ruth Fainlight

*Whiny bitch
*Jewish
*Woman
*Incorporates this into everything

Anne Rouse

*Studied History ->Student Nurse -> mental health charity
*Doesn't seem to like Britain

Eva Salzman

*Dancer ->choreographer before moving to the UK
*Also doesn't seem to like the UK

Love and stop lights can be cruel

I had my first exam two days ago - and a cramming session with Laney to boot. It's probably shameful to admit that I had not revised much beforehand, but considering the paper was on only one of the topics we had covered I was not filled with the urge to be as studious as I knew I should have been.

Luckily, the cramming session paid off as one of the poems (it was a poetry test) was by Denise Levertov, who Laney had explained to me about just the night before. We pinned a sheet on my notice board of stuff to remember about the poets we had studied - things that were indeed extremely unflattering, but would help us to remember. (It was only after she wrote the list that Laney realised her writing was too small to read from her position in the room).

Now the exam is over - and a bizarre experience it was too. It was held in the gym, so many people put their belongings inside lockers on the way in. I did not, because I was convinced I would lose the key. (oh, the IRONY).

The invidulators had pinned maps on the walls highlighted in different colours to represent the different classes, but it may as well have been written in gobbledygook - you never know, I might have understood that, my mother has been known to digress. In the end, Laney and I ended up going into the hall and flagging down invidulators, rather than doing what should have been the obvious thing and spy where our classmates were sitting.

It appears our university has a rather strange timing system where examinations go. Students arent allowed to leave in the first hour (which is fair enough) but not in the last fifteen minutes either. Where's the sense in that? Anyway, we started and, as previously mentioned I was quite ecstatic because there was a Denise Levertov poem - quite a nice one too. I was midway through making an excellent point, when some strange invidulator came and dragged my jacket off my chair (I had planned to leave it with my bag, but forgot to take it off). Anyway she said she was going to put it at the side and then scarpered.

After I finished I looked for said jacket, but it was nowhere to be found - the only place it wasn't? The side. Reluctant to stand rummaging through other people's belongings for too long, I hastily retreated and left the hall, with all intentions of retrieving my jacket later.

I got it back, but it must have taken about three invidulators to get it for me - all this fuss for a jacket? Where did she put it?

At the moment I am preparing for my upcoming novel exam and reading War of the worlds. When I'm not reading that, which usually is the norm, I'm reading lots of manga, which is where I discovered the following.


^^^^ Here is Kaname. He is a vampire. And a boy.



^^^ Here is a character in Ouran High Host club that looks like Kaname. Who is female. And is a maid.

Vincent

Before I die...

-I want to have seen Egypt.

-I want to have bought my parents something ludicrously expensive in return for all of the nappies.

-I want to be on the Waterstones list

-I just want to be happy ^_^

-I want to have been married at halloween with everyone in costume.

- I want to go to Japan and screech KAWAII at a real lolita (possibly get arrested, but who cares, at least I'll have ramen).


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I may add to this later. Right now i cant get that Eurythmics song out of my head... here it is for your own enjoyment:

	Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Buttercups

There are one thousand oceans
And each one is dry
Lurking at the bottom of this
Merciless divide
There are one million buttercups
Which I planted and cried
I knew
You would pick one
And tell me goodbye.

EARTHQUAKE

If asked, those who know me will confess that one of my strangest habits during term time is setting my alarm clock for silly times in the morning. Whenever Elle comes over, its a comedy of sirens, as i have the term time alarm (muffled, as now it's stuffed in my drawer), followed by a medication-reminder alarm a couple of hours later.

The truth be told, the alarm is only half of a strange habit.

I come from a family ripe with sleep afflictions; my dad snores like a moose - if I'm quiet enough in my room I can hear him snoring in his. While my mother doesn't snore, her own problem could be deemed worse - she clicks and sometimes has violent nightmares, which got so bad at one point that she considered sleeping in the bathroom so as not to injure my defenseless dad.

Up until recently, I thought that I had escaped the tradition, but appparently not, for now I know for sure that I hallucinate.

It all started off with stupid small things, like hearing someone shouting me and getting up for breakfast at 4am. Then it moved on to physical things, like shaking - when the earthquake hit, I passed it off as something imaginary. Recently, I was half asleep and the entire room started shaking - I was in two minds whether to get out of bed and wake Elle up or stay where I was.

Thinking about it - it's a good job it wasn't real, I'm not sure how I would have coped during an earthquake with Carley next door.

Since her lessons are over and her exams are almost finished, Chris has been here more than usual. It has also been a time of extreme hot weather. Weather that breeds agitation.

Standing in the kitchen recently making myself some noodles, i was alarmed by the arrival of the pair - Carley in a violet dress and silver kitten heels. Chris in a tracksuit. She shrieked her greeting and proceeded to limp over to a chair, moaning about the weather and pouting at Chris to get her some juice from the fridge easily four meters away from me.

He refused, but his reason was, 'I want the kitchen to be free.'

I'm not sure which was worse, that or Carley's reply of 'But it IS free!'

The Writer's Meme

1. Do you outline?

In my head, usually, though it's always extremely vague. I like to have an idea of certain important events. Writing detailed descriptions makes me want to deviate and write a completely different story.

2. Do you write straight through a book, or do you sometimes tackle the scenes out of order?

As of yet I've only ever finished one of my projects and it was fan fiction so i don't count it. It took me a year and a half - i was nine at the time without a clue of technique, so everything was done by hand and in order.

3. Do you prefer writing with a pen or using a computer?

Computer, defintely *cuddles Tosh*

4. Do you prefer writing in first person or third?

It really depends what it is i'm trying to express. If it's autobiographical, then first person - if it's not, then third person.

5. Do you listen to music while you write?

Yes, my favourite song at the moment is KIRA KIRA TRAIN by Ikimono gakari, though usually i try and listen to music that fits the theme of what i'm writing.



6. How do you come up with the perfect names for your characters?

I steal their mail.

7. When you’re writing, do you ever imagine your book as a television show or movie?

When it comes to my scripts, it's an important factor, so all the time - as for my other work, not so much.

8. Have you ever had a character insist on doing something you really didn’t want him/her to do?

Yes. One of my characters betrayed his marital vows. He was one of my favourite characters and it really upset me.

9. Do you know how a book is going to end when you start it?

Always, though I'm sometimes inclined to change my mind.

10. Where do you write?

In bed, usually.

11. What do you do when you get writer’s block?

Get extremely annoyed and whine to whoever will listen.

12. What size increments do you write in (either in terms of word count, or as a percentage of the book as a whole)?

Errr...I don't keep track...I just write.

13. How many different drafts did you write for your last project?

Three? I dunno.

14. Have you ever changed a character’s name midway through a draft?

I extended a character's name from Rosa to Rosalyn, but deep down i think that was always my intention. It's too easy to confuse me, so changing a characters name really isn't a good idea.

15. Do you let anyone read your book while you’re working on it, or do you wait until you’ve completed a draft before letting someone else see it?

I let my friends read my drafts, sometimes I even spam Laney over MSN as I'm writing :3. I like it when people read the finished version though.

16. What do you do to celebrate when you finish a draft?

Other than start the next one? Errr... Make myself something to eat, normally. I spend hours on my drafts - it's hungry work.

17. One project at a time, or multiple projects at once?

Where's the fun in a single project??? It's multiple all the way!

18. Do your books grow or shrink in revision?

I'm always revising my work. It took me a year to finish a script, because I changed the story round so often.

19. Do you have any writing or critique partners?

Yus, Laney.

20. Do you prefer drafting or revising?

Both I guess, I love getting my ideas into the open and I love going back to them later and manipulating them.

I'd play his double role

I haven't updated lately.

I could give a number of reasons for this; that I have been busy with a stupendous new hobby - perhaps a meaningful job that helps the planet, all the while filling my pocket with fifties? Or even a new man in my life who spends every morning, noon and night making up for his late arrival.

The only problem with this of course is none of it is remotely true - my late updates are due to my own laziness, rather than much else. The upcoming exams have enforced a kind of reluctance upon me; the kind where doing anything remotely productive seems barbaric and inane. I should be counting my lucky stars; of the subjects I'm studying, I have only two exams. I have known students with at least eight to twelve.

Elle visited this weekend - we went to see 'The Eye'. It was a pretty decent film, but I know the japanese one is inevitably going to be better.

Quite recently, Elle has become a fan of DH Lawrence, or more appropriately, Lady Chatterley's Lover. She recently heard of a film adaptation of the book featuring Sean Bean and so has become intrigued. Going into Waterstones, I have never been so embarrassed to ask for a book, considering it was rendered obscene at the time of publication due to its explicit content - particularly since in the end they didn't even have it. We found a copy in the end, hidden away in the corner of WHSmiths.

It proved to be the focal point of conversation the next day, as the painting on the cover basically shows a man's thumb and belt buckle. The thumb though, is really short and squat and Laney, seemed to find this a really obscure sight as her own thumb is really thin and narrow. Since Lawrence hailed from our area, I made the comment that it's a Midlands thing, which prompted a comparison of thumbs.

Regional variations in thumb size...what will they think of next?

I'm afraid of 19 out of 72 common fears...

[ ] the dark
[x] staying single forever
[ ] being a parent
[ ] giving birth
[ ] being myself in front of others
[ ] open spaces
[ ] closed spaces
[ ] heights
[ ] dogs
[x] birds [one of my school friends had parrots and she used to let them fly loose, which really freaked me out]
[ ] fish
[x] spiders
[ ] flowers or other plants

Total so far: 3

[ ] being touched
[x] fire
[ ] deep water
[ ] snakes
[ ] silk
[ ] the ocean
[x] failure
[x] success
[ ] thunder/lightning
[x] frogs/toads
[ ] my boyfriends/girlfriends dad
[x] boyfriends/girlfriends mom
[ ] rats
[x] jumping from high places
[ ] snow
Total so far: 9

[ ] rain
[ ] wind
[ ] crossing hanging bridges
[ ] death
[ ] heaven
[ ] being robbed
[x] falling
[x] clowns
[ ] dolls
[x] large crowds of people
[ ] men
[ ] women
[x] having great responsibilities
[ ] doctors, including dentists
[ ] tornadoes
Total so far: 13

[ ] hurricanes (aren’t they the same as tornados?)
[x] incurable diseases
[x] sharks
[ ] Friday the 13th
[ ] ghosts
[ ] poverty
[ ] Halloween
[ ] school
[ ] trains
[ ] odd numbers
[ ] even numbers
[x] being alone
[ ] becoming blind
[ ] becoming deaf
[x] growing up
Total so far: 17

[x] creepy noises in the night
[ ] bee stings
[x] not accomplishing my dreams/goals
[ ] needles
[ ] blood
[ ] dinosaurs (wtf?)
[ ] the welcome mat
[ ] high speed
[ ] throwing up
[ ] falling in love
[ ] super secrets
Final Total: 19


If you get more than 30, I strongly recommend some counseling
If you get more than 20, you’re paranoid.
If you get 10-20, you are normal.
If you get 10 or less, you’re fearless.
People who don’t have any are liars.

STFU DX -I'M NORMAL

Animal Idol

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Btw, you don't have to reply to this video, I just thought it was cute ^^

Introductions

In a world of body language and missing words, are introductions necessary? Do you even need my name to know what I believe? A picture of my face, perhaps, to enlighten you further.

If I were to stand in front of you and recite these words, would you feel at ease? Knowing the colour of my skin, the style of my hair and tone of my voice, you would make your own decisions of me. There are no faces behind computer screens, only introductions. Introductions for the purpose of vanity and preening, kidnapping and murder.

Behind the faceless screen, who is it that watches you? Who are you and who am I?
I have gone by many names in my lifetime - some bad, some good. All of them were different, but all of them were me. From the Egyptian murderess to the literary genius to the child who believed fairy tales were real - they shaped a greater entity, making the world a happier place. When hostility reigned I became a contemptuous fiend by the name of Nsikhonsou. During times of deep enlightenment I was a silent mastermind named Olivia. During the course of my life, I have never worn the same face twice; even if you saw me, would you know who smiled back? If I showed myself to you, whose name would I bear?

A woman’s job is to find her feet against the blows of the world; just like the geishas of old who learned to walk and dance on blocks of solid wood. We paint our faces and hide away every facet of what we are. Our beauty is our shame, hidden behind a toy box of lingering perfumes.

It is from this toxic reverie that I found my name; a nod in the direction of Sayuri, the geisha queen, a Queen whose palace was filled with masks and fans. A woman like me, whose true face lay forgotten behind a multitude of shells.

After hearing these words, are you even sure was me that said them; who was it that heard?

...Super Action Gothic Ouran

Squuuuuueeeeeee I finally got around to watching Vampire knight the anime...It's actually very faithful to the original graphic novel - a huge sigh of relief all round.