I have been quiet. This is due to many many things, the most important of which is that life is largely made of happy so I have no compunction to do whining sharing. The secondary thing being a triumvirate of infections in my respiratory system that have made me severely lacking in energy. This, obviously, doesn't come under the made of happy category though it has been downgraded to "merely fucking annoying" rather than "Everything is BAD!"

Today, other than work, I have done very little. In fact about the only thing of note that I've done is eat bacon and eggs. This is noteworthy because eating it has left me in a slight moral quandry for the eggs were from battery farmed chickens.
I wouldn't usually buy such things, obviously, but was fooled into believing they were from happy roaming free range chickens by the outer wrappings of the eggs. Once home and the cellophane surrounding the egg box was removed the eggs had a stamp that clearly proved they were battery farmed. I do not condone this. I am very much against this (as are most, if not all, of the rest of my family)*

This is what I get for buying them from the crazy spice scented (though no spices were on show) corner shop. Good for tomatoes, bad for eggs.

In order to alleviate my guilt over this egg fiasco I think I shall have to buy someone/s some chicks for birthday/christmas presents and not only help some starving people but (hopefully!) create some free range super duper plains roaming chickens in the process.

Whilst I'm busy social wrong righting/self flagellating I shall also link to this post by miss_s_b who is compiling a list of businesses whom help Trafigura line their pockets. If you don't know why Trafigura are evil then go here and thereafter stop living under a rock. You may also wish to think about the freedom of speech issues that come from this whole debacle.
As I'm with Lloyds (and rather dislike being so) this extra impetus may just make me find a shiny new banking establishment to place my money with.

The other things I've been doing this evening are catching up on webcomics (most recent exciting find is made of retail, transformers and batman!)and, entirely seperately of course, mooching around on the interwebs. I have therefore found several interesting things to point out to you:

From the ever awesome innerbrat a post on plagiarism so blatant it made me pull the sort of shocked face only jaundiced emoticons can usually manage. This is without going into my feelings about the content of the article/s (rape)for that would take more than circular yellow faces.

I feel (totally) less guilty about (totally) overusing certain words and phrases after reading that President Obama (totally) does it. A lot. Although I can't remember how I got to that article in the first place, damn you random link clicking! Though let me be (totally) clear, it (totally) doesn't say that he talks like a stoned american teenager anywhere in that article. I really need to stop saying totally at the moment, I'm driving myself (totally) up the wall!

If y'all read to the end of this you deserve some sort of prize, such as this incredibly pretty space geekery from the lovely Keegan.

Time for Mario Karting then bed methinks.

*My aunts farm (and petting zoo) where they take ex battery chickens and make them into super duper free range chickens. Though the website is a bit (or in fact a lot) out of date they're still there for those of you who might be nearby and might feel the need to go visit.

When's the last time you had a cupcake? I think it was when Simon and Sarah came over for dinner, so about six weeks ago? I could be wrong as do not make a note of my cupcake consumption.

Does yelling make you cringe? Yes. And cry and have panic attacks and hide. I'm so big and strong.

Are you a fan of Melissa Joan Hart? No.

What is something that people wouldn't know about you by just looking at you? My name. Or anything.

Would you ever install a star bucks in your house? No.

Are your nails painted at the moment? Nope.

Would you ever be a backround dancer for Britney Spears? Only if they lower their standards on coordination adn spacial awareness and well... dancing.

What do you think of when I say strawberries? Jam.

Would you ever run for mayor? Nope - people might expect me to knwo things and make decisions and look smart.

Do you think "The Sound of Music" is corny? Having never seen it I can't possibly comment.

Have you ever made a home-made pizza? Yes though not for many years.

Do you ever play dress-up games online? No.

Do you ever watch 'Full House'? I have no idea what that is. No.

Have you ever washed your hair in a lake? No.

Worst crime committed? Define worst? I really don't know, i'm sure some of my actions could be considered crimes.

Your heritage? I'm kinda just English. This makes me a mongrel of many nations as a matter of course. :o)

Your sexiest physical feature you don't normally tell people? I don't really know. I don't actually consider any parts of me sexy individually. Any suggestions? ;o)

What do you put on your hotdog? Onions and mustard.

Is the word "wicked" in your vocabulary? Yup.

Ever been on the radio? Nope.

Sleep with socks on or off? Off. Sleeping with them on is just plain wrong!

Ever crowd surfed? Where? Nope.

Name all of the amusement parks you've been to. Uh. Disneyland Parin, ALton Towers. There're probably more but i have the great mind blank.

Are you good @ giving directions? I can be.

Pool or Ocean? Pool! I very much dislike not knowing what's beneath me. Even paddling can freak me out.

Book or movie? Book.

Any siblings? One. Norty tiny Ashley.

Board game/Video game? Either :o)

Do you like holding hands? Yup, I especially like it if i can do some skipping too!

Do you wear cologne/perfume? Paco Rabonne Black XS

Are you a good cook? When I take my time and actually think about what I'm doing.

Are you a good kisser? I think so.

Qualities you look for in a friend? Sense of humour. Ease to talk/listen to.

What is your favorite kind of art? In a visual depcition way I love Impressionism (as teh postcards on the book room walls will give testament to).

Can you paint? Oh hell no.

What kind of art do you like creating? Words.

Do you have any artwork in your room? In this room there's a cow and lots of "beautiful" pirate pictures.

What kind of books do you like? Ones with words. Plot optional (Fantasy for preference)

Will you name 5 books you liked? The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, Perfume by Patrick Suskind, Year of Our War by Steph Swainston, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The High Lord by Trudi Canavan.

Have you ever high fived someone who was missing a finger? No.

Have you ever walked somewhere, like a park or something that had no bathroom, and all of a sudden, you realized you had to pee and it was a long walk from home or anywhere with a bathroom? *laughs hyseterically* only all the time.

Do you still have your tonsils? Yes.

Which do you say more- "hello", "hey", "hi", etc.? Hey or heya.

Do you prefer the old or new Willy Wonka film? The old one.

Do you watch Ugly Betty? Nope, not ever seen it.

Ever used the phrase "bitch, i don't know your life!"? Um, no.

What brand of shampoo do you use? Ususally Body Shop honey but often random things from Lush. ;o)

Do you have perfume on? Not right now.

What different colored flip flops do you have? Black. Red.

Do you make hearts over your i's? No. I'm not twelve.

Do you pump your own gas? I have no car.

Do you put up your pinkie when drinking out of a glass? I don't think so, i clearly don't pay enough attention as i don't really know.

Do you prefer thongs, boyshorts or underwear? French knickers.

Do you carry a purse? Yes, my eeeenormous pretty purse inside my Pirate handbag.

Do you write in print or cursive? Hodge podge mix of both.

Would you step on a roach with your bare foot? No. Ew.

Could you do the stunts on Fear Factor? I doubt it very much though I have only the vaguest idea what that is.

When is the last time you had a latte? A few months ago I guess.

Did you ever want to be Cher in the movie Clueless? Yes.

Do you know anyone with a butt chin? With a what?

Do you know how to pole dance? Nope.

Disney Channel or Nickelodeon? Nickelodeon!

If you’ve been staying over at someone’s house/apartment, do you clean up after yourself before leaving? Ususally at least to the best of my ability.

Do you tend to overuse the word ‘like’ in everyday speech? Like, totally! hee hee.

Would you rather spend the rest of your life with somebody nice, or somebody interesting? Can't i have both?

When a guest who lives far away from you leaves your house, do you ask him/her to call you when s/he gets home to make sure s/he arrived safely? Yes.

Did your high school principal know you by name? Yup. I'm sure he knew most of us by name.

Would you rather have a personal trainer or a personal cook? Neither thanks.

Does you handwriting change with your mood?Not with my mood but with my busyness.

Do you sometimes forget what you’re watching during the commercials on TV? Don'tt end ot watch TV.

Do you know where your first love is right now? I know what town yes.

I had an incredibly busy and action packed day yesterday.

Met up with Simon in the morning and headed into Swindon to pick up some tasting cups for his shop. As we were in the outlet it seemed rude not to pop to the factory shop so we both bought some Cadbury's Double Chocolate bars. I don't really know what I think of it. It was sweet and gooey but that's about all, there's a reviews here at Chocablog that goes into a bit more detail but it was largely meh.

Back in the Ding we popped to the new sweet shop in the Harris Arcade and got some not at all meh sweeties then I deposited Simon at work and went and purchased my ticket to see Half Blood Prince. Again.

As I'd just missed the start of one showing I got my ticket and then headed off to Staples and Homebase to look at desks. Tis a rock and roll lifestyle I lead.

Back into town to the cinema and, upon second viewing, I can confirm that I do indeed truly love Half Blood Prince. I think it's the best film yet. I could go on at length about it but this isn't the post for that. I'd get sidetracked and I'm only halfway through my day yet! I will say that although I've more or less come to terms with the fact that Twilight is actually pretty bad the New Moon trailer was awesome and I can't wait to see it. Bad me.

As it's an incredibly long film once it finished I practically ran back to my hosue so that Adam could pick us up for dinner. As he got lost (thankfully ending up on Curzon street so i could arrange directions back to mine with ease) I had a few minutes to sort myself out before he whisked us off to his house to play with the kitty and eat dinner.
Dinner was tasty good (sweet peppers stuffed with cream cheese for starter, fajitas for mains and cheesecake for dessert. Nom nom nom), the conversation was amusing and watching the cat stare off in the garden provided literally hours of entertainment (with Adam occasionally popping upstairs to get a better view of the situation, especially after the black cat moved next door). Doobs, Adam and Caz's kitty, with much encouragement from all of us, finally learnt how to use the cat flap and was more than little startled by the huge cheer she got once she got into the house! We tried some whisky Adam had been given from work which had both his name and the Prudential label on the bottle, which was actually very tasty with a really lovely smokey after taste. At around eleven Adam drove us home and David settled down with the Wii to play Mario Kart.

Twas not the end of my evening though. I bounded up the stairs and got swiftly changed (into a much tinier outfit) and headed off to take Ashes of Lela's hands and do some dancing at the TUC. As I have no pennies I wasn't intending drinking any of the alcohols but a nice boy was nice so I had some vodka and coke too, though not enough to make me drunk. Twas very quiet, presumably most people don't get paid til next week, and that combned with the fact that I hadn't worn heels for months so I was having to relearn how to do the dancing in heels business. This meant I was a bit grumpy for the first forty minutes to an hour but, aided by some stonking tunes from the lovely Angel, I soon got the hang of my feet and had a fantabulous evening. Was nice to see Jo too :o)

I fell into bed sometime around three and am now sitting here procrastinating asmy feet are still complaining and the thought of doing things is hard. I do need to do things though so I can go and celebrate Alice's birthday later.
Woo for fun!

I am wandering around filled with inner peace and a broken body courtesy of last night.

Last night I went to see Nine Inch nails supported by Jane's Addiction.

Jane's Addiction were good. I remember enjoying it.

NIN took my mind away so I'm afraid I can't really comment on what came before.

I honestly don't think words can do it justice, forget everything else I've seen this year- that was the best. Absolutely amazing. I existed largely in a world of my own (the actual world of being squished between three total strangers, Ashes and Mr Bunn was too mundane and smelly to be thought of) and loved every second of it. I couldn't hear Trent over the crowd for most of Head Like a Hole (the penultimate song) which was brilliant- I love a happy and involved crowd! The momentary silence when gary Numan came on stage (to duet for Metal and Cars) was almost as excellent as the amount of cheering that followed. And the music of course.

On this shiny website you can see the full setlist and play a video for each song- twill be a fraction like actually being there. I think if you start at the beginning the bideos play themselves in order for you. I'm not sure though.

In conclusion- going to see one of all time favourite bands, always going to be a winner!

*beams impartially at the world*

Number oneDesperate Romanticswhich looks like the kind of thing that wold make me watch television.

Two, old news that I don't even know how I managed to miss: Fantastic Mr Fox

And finally some preview clips from HBP which had me bouncing off the ceiling!

As I am now unempolyed I may have time to do some of the things I've been neglecting recently. By recently i mean for about the last twelve months as life has been rollercoaster of fun and frolics mixed with some madness and sad times. Like life really.
Of course, as I'm hoping to get new one of those job things fairly quickly, I may not get around to much of it.
One thing's for certian I intend to move forward on the Not So Secret Project as this will a) clear some space in the house and b) make some money. As well as c) being me living my dream. Go me!

I've spent the last six months temping (not tempting as I typed at first) at freedrinkdave's office (AON) in Farnborough and it was just the break I needed after the madness of the previous six to eighteen months (depending on how you look at it). I had a job that was easy to do, with people who were genuinely nice and seemed to like me. Although it required a two train commute, it was a fairly pretty one and I bumped into various friends on several occasions which is always nice. Plus there was a pet shop with a HUGE bunny cage and run right by the window where youcould always see some cute little bunnies hopping around, climbing and playing on tehir boxes and toys and sometimes just sitting having a cuddle. That always made me smile. Especially as they seemed to have much better amenities than one usually finds in a pet shop. So yes, although it was slightly montonous and the amount of money I earned was so small as to be almost invisible, I will miss it a little bit.

I feel much cheerier and more myself and I'm havign a two week holiday house sitting for my mummy in Gloucester just to top this up and then to Exeter for the 10th to 12th July, after which I shall go back to Reading and stride out into the world more like a human being and less like a dribbling mess. Maybe. We can but hope.

I was going to share some links and photos as well but they're all on my laptop and as there's no wifi here i'm on Mummy's PC. I shall instead point those of you who didn't see it on miss_sb_dw's journal to this How to Meet and Woo a Nerdy Girl which made me chuckle.

ETA: Oh yes and the tiny Ashley monster has moved in with King Rich (as a lodger) in Reading and is now working in Whittard. A summer with Sibling! Woop!

ETA2: And a lovely tea link via the equally lovely Anna

I'm sitting wrapped up in my dressing gown drinking a cup of tea and taking a moment to do nothing. It's very nice.

Yesterday I threw a surprise party for my lovely freedrinkdave as we're going to be Oop North with my family for his birthday on Wednesday. This was hard for a number of reasons, the largest of which being my inability to keep secret! I managed to get supplies in, bake a cake, have a careers interview with alysha_t and quickly jump in the shower in about an hour and a half having done pretty much nothing all day. As always Alice was far more helpful than I had any right to expect and did lots of little things and a lot of tea making to keep me from exploding. Yay for Alice.
David enjoyed it, he smiled and laughed and we played a board game Cyrus brought with him that's been in his family since it was bought in 1947 called Shipping which everyone (except possibly Martin) throughly enjoyed though it goes on for a long time. We started at about seven and gave up around half ten when the people who'd arrived to late to play were running out of other things to do while they waited. David won. Game was a bit like nautical monopoly but way more fun (possibly because it was new).

Once I've finished my cup of tea I'm going to pack, wash up and then catch a train up to Doncaster for Ashes birthday and Daddy's wedding celebrations next week. I come home a week on Tuesday.

In the meantime I shall recommend to possibly disparate films that I watched with Rich and David t'other week.
First Josie and the Pussycats (2001) which is a ridiculously silly film about the pop music industry and disposable fashion. It made all three of us giggle and laugh. It has Alan Cumming in it. There's a pretty, ditzy blonde who wears kitty ears. Fun.
Second and in a slightly different vein The Scarlet Empress (1934) all about the rise of Catherine the Great. Catherine is played by Marlene Dietrich and the section of the summary where it states that she "...likes Russia, and is very fond of Russian soldiers..." really doesn't lie! Also made us giggle and sparked much debate.

Now my cup of tea is dwindling so I ought to get on with the packign malarkey.

I'm worried my trousers will fall down because I've forgotten my belt.

I also have a feeling I'm going to have to change the toner in the photocopier simply because i'm wearing a white top.

Sing along now children: Paranoia, paranoia everybody's trying to kill me...

I can't get my head out of my dreams from last night. I have lots of random images and sayings from them floating around in my head.

"Oh no! The magma's nearly at the fabric softener, get the monkeys behind the blast doors" the fact that there were no monkeys, we were in a field and seconds before there had been no blast doors was irrelvant. In fact I'd quite like the whole freaky scenario to fade away but I keep getting random panics about the magma hitting us. This means one of three things: 1) I'm still dremaing, in which case i'd like to complain to the management about such a tedious post magma section of dreaming (who dreams of scanning pension files FFS?), 2) my painkillers are affecting my thought patterns or 3) it's actual a sign of the end of armageddon. If the world ends in Fiery!Monkey!Fabric Softener!Blast door! Apocalyptic madness then you heard it here first folks!

There was also a bit with tropical fish in a cardboard box that I had to keep moving a they'd die if the water level stayed constant, eating lime pickle marmalade on toast and the fact that people became naked if you glanced away and then back at them. I don't think any of those are harbingers of doom though, they seem more like the result of the cabbage I had for dinner.

I'm all bouncy, so many much funs on the cards. Hurrah. Tomorrow is ATP time, joyous music and fun with luffly people for three/four days. I can do some dancing and my ears can explode. Woop.
Twill be more fun as i'm still all revved up after seeing Therapy? on Tuesday. That was fucking kickass. Hurrah again.

Once safely returned from ATP next week I shall be seeing Ross Noble and then heading to Exeter for Rock for Rich with yet more luffly people (and yet more awesome music).
The following week there's lots of washing and *gasp* ironing and organising so I'm ready to go to Northern parts for the Ashley/Chelsea/David birthday/Daddy wedding combo week. Eight days later I shall return home, go straight into work and be a zombie for a week before having a weekend of nothing in order to recover. That's in June.

Now I must finish my sandywichy and do some of that there work thing.