definitely night time now.

Evening comrades, or is it night time now? By the time I have finished this and you are reading it, it will almost certainly be night time. So I should probably say good night. But then that sounds a bit dismissive, doesn't it? A bit like I've ended before I've even begun. And while I'm sure this would be a relief for you, Mr Reader, it would sort of defeat the point. I have digressed... no matter.

I am pretty much only writing this because I have told myself that I have to complete my essay on representations of the Italian Family by the time I leave for Bristol on Sunday, and at the moment, that is looking like a tremendously unappealing prospect, so I am blogging and applying for work experience on The Archers instead. Such is my life. As an incentive, I have told myself that I am not allowed the new Harry Potter DVD until the aforementioned essay is done and dusted, but my resolve could crumble at any moment.

This woman, artist and freedom fighter Rania Matar has had the brainwave of photographing teenage girls in both the US and the Middle East in the comfort of their own rooms. Turns out, the appeal of messy floors and collaged walls transcends background. What a lovely thought.

Also, stolen from the same website (thehairpin.com) is an interesting demonstration of the way in which the feminine ideal is vanishing before our eyes. Quite literally. Marilyn Monroe was at least a size ten. Just saying.

Time for music time now. Have a lovely weekend, and if any of you know anything about Italian literature, do let me know.

ten things that make the holidays excellent.

1. I never have to wear makeup or look at all good ever - I haven't even put mascara on for four whole days. It's liberating. Of course, I'm always kicking yourself on the rare occasion that someone of interest decides to pay a surprise visit, and I look a bit like the evil one from The Little Mermaid, but luckily, we're not very sociable people.
2. I get time to get back to the important things in life, such as Waking the Dead and Inspector Morse, then watch lots of silly comedy when I've freaked myself out a bit by watching too much Waking the Dead and Inspector Morse. 
3. Sun.
4. I get to see my excellent friends, who much to my relief have remained excellent friends, and whom I shall adore for all eternity. 
5. There is food in the fridge. Sort of. If you count lard as food. 
6. The village in which I live is actually quite pretty at times. The neighbours have a beautiful magnolia, and though it becomes less lovely with the passing of the days, it is still pretty magical. And there are ducks and shit residing on the canal. And by shit, I mean actual shit. 
7. I can catch up with my correspondence (by which I mean texts). 
8. I saw two cows kissing yesterday. 
9. I get to spend lots of time with my doting, oh-so-maternal, caring mother. 
10. Spaced.

N.B. from this point onwards, when I have said little of interest, and as a result can find no relevant picture, I will include a random snap from the Guardian website. You have been warned. 

maybe.

It may shock and surprise you to learn that Wolverley is not the most left-wing of places. There is a man I encountered during my brief stint in the Old Village Store (a wealthy landowner) who comes in on a daily basis to pick up his copy of the Telegraph, never failing to comment wryly on the way in which Gordon Brown ruined the country, or how Cameron is a "solid fellow". Now, I'm not saying all inhabitants of this weird little village are as extreme as the aforementioned gentleman, but I live in one of the most conservative sections of a generally conservative area, and it's a little bit depressing.

I was shocked nonetheless when I found out that there is not even a Labour candidate standing in the upcoming election. That is how Tory Wolverley is. I am only nineteen years old, so the ability to vote is still a massive novelty, but now it's a toss-up between abstaining and voting Green(!). I would abstain, but I distinctly remember a Citizenship lesson with Mrs Nightingale in year 6, in which we were told that voting was a large part of becoming a 'Good Citizen'. I always take these things to heart, so I think I probably will vote, even if it is for a non-party with only one objective.

Besides, I'm going to have to vote in the AV election anyway, in spite of my indifference. I'm going to vote Yes, because in general, it's a more positive word than 'no', and because lovely Ed told me to. Indeed, I'm all about change. Even if it's only a little, slightly wimpy change like this one. If you happen to live in Wolverley, you should vote for Robin in the parish election. He lives next door, and is a thoroughly nice fellow. The time he shouted at us because the dog was barking at an inappropriate hour was, I'm sure, an isolated incident.

.

Two and a bit weeks left of holiday. Not much has changed, if I'm honest.


I've spent most of the day watching old reruns of 'Inspector Morse' interspersed with stints in the sun. It wasn't a memorable day, but unlike yesterday, I did not fall asleep outside and wake up with an unceremoniously red nose. It's odd how I always think I'm a winter person until summer arrives, but then I realise that being warm is quite pleasant really. Although wearing lots of knitwear is frowned upon when it's above 10°C.


I have sort of run out of things to say. This is because I have become immensely dull and uninspired in my old age, so I'm going to embed some short films that will break your heart, and some songs which will only make it ache a little bit. 




The Search from Phase VI on Vimeo.



That last one is a killer...







So you see, the unthinkable has happened, and I have finally run out of words.I hope your Saturday night would blow mine out of the water.

it hurts to look at you.

I'm not all that good at having lots of time off. One of the good things about university is that I don't really have the option of spending all that much time alone. I'm not exactly a social creature by nature, so it's nice that I've had to work on my people skills a bit. The third week of my five week holiday has now begun, and though I've enjoyed it so far, I'm beginning to get a little bit bored, and more than a little bit grumpy. I have no money, no car and no desire to do anything but sit and watch rubbish t.v. all day long.

So that is what I have been doing. Big time.

Firstly, I've got into 'My So-called Life', which is melodramatic and depressing and everything a teenage drama should be. It stars Claire Danes and Jared Leto back when they were completely beautiful. Danes's drawling pearls of wisdom achieve just the right level of melodrama and even at the ripe old age of fourteen, she really was a rather good actress. It's honestly quite enjoyable. If you're in the right mood.




Next up is the almighty 'Friday Night Dinner' which is one of the best things that has been televised in really quite a long time. It has Mark Heap and Tamsin Greig in it, so I was always bound to be a fan, but I'm glad i wasn't disappointed.

I've also just got into series two of Glee, and am as yet undecided over whether it is so shit it's un-shit, or whether it's just shit. Your opinions are welcome, and I think I know on which side most of them will fall, but all I'm saying is that it's fun to find an hour every week to absorb yourself in a world where people express themselves through autotune and swap boyfriends every episode.

So yes, there has been lots of television. I'm not saying I haven't done anything else (just ask Baudelaire), but I am beginning to hear a Claire Danes-esque monologue in my head, so it's possibly time to get out. I went to Merry Hill earlier, but that wasn't exactly any better. Woe is me.