spring forward, fall back.

Hello chumlies. Shit is going down in the world today, particularly in Libya, Portugal and Israel - even in Britain where the budget has been unveiled. Unfortunately - despite my best efforts - I'm not very clued up on any of these things, and there are people in the world who are, so I suggest you read their blogs instead. If however, you want to read about Elizabeth Taylor, Bangable Dudes In History, Cheltenham Spa and deadpan political satire, you are in the right place!

So yes, Elizabeth Taylor died and I am sad. That is the gist. She was married a grand total of eight times, which I think is quite incredible. One of those marriages was to Richard Burton, need I say more?

Continuing on the theme of lusting after the deceased (this could refer to either Taylor or Burton, let's face it), I would like to introduce you to this site which offers an array of interesting political, intellectual and important figures from times gone by, accompanied with a little commentary (laced with bad puns) explaining just why this particular person should be deemed 'bangable'. You couldn't make it up. My particular favourite is Lewis-president-killer-Powell, whose piercing blue eyes and nonchalant air apparently absolve him of his crime.

I've now entered the horrid vortex of boredom that is the Easter holidays. I have plenty to be getting on with, such as learning two languages and reading lots of books, but all that can be put off for quite some time. Today I went to Cheltenham Spa, which has put me in an excellent mood. I spent lots of money and enjoyed the sunshine and hung out with middle-class, middle-aged women. In all, a splendid day. I then spent the whole evening watching 'The Thick of It', which I'm now a bit obsessed with. I am told by Labour Party insiders that it is really quite accurate.

The trouble with The Unthanks is that when you get one of their songs in your head, you sing it in a ridiculous accent. This is a gift I would like to pass on.



p.s. my new favourite author is Milan Kundera. Check him out, he writes beautifully. As does his translator...

remus and liz and mini with one 'n'...

I haven't as such been out today, so I thought I'd compensate by writing a brilliantly political post about the situation in Egypt, perhaps, or the ongoing drought in China, or even Berlusconi's latest little pickle. But THEN I found out that Elizabeth Taylor has been rushed to hospital with congestive heart failure, so I thought I'd write about that instead. I am no doctor, but I know that heart failure is never exactly good. I have always had a strange fascination with Liz. She was my iPod's namesake until I washed her (my new iPod is named Remus Lupin). So Liz, please don't die. I would miss you and your scary, scary face.

Over the past couple of days, I have been watching Skins. I always managed to resist before, but I cracked. Don't judge me, I'm home and I'm bored. My verdict? It's... okay. I do like it, and it's not too in-your-face or too tear-filled. Plus it's filled with pretty people who have lives much more interesting and shallow than my own. So while there are many things I prefer floating around on the box at the moment, this is a good way to pass some time while sipping tea at home alone on a Friday night. Just kidding. The dog was here. I've made my choice in life...

Okay, so I usually link to a nice little song at the bottom of a post, but today I give you the video that completely transformed my mood earlier. Life can be complicated, but thank God we always have videos of animals doing funny things to cheer us up...