Day Six: Black and White

Here's some things from the garden in black and white.

Photos taken in black and white automatically make the subject look more interesting.


Anyway, I have EXCITING (for me) NEWS! For my 23rd birthday in June, Daf is taking me to the Harry Potter studio tour in London! The tickets are already bought so it is definitely happening, and I am so excited!


Song of the Day: Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson. It's so damn catchy.


Currently reading: I Dreamed of Africa. It is all kinds of devastating.

Happy Leap Day!

It’s Leap Day! How exciting. It’s apparently the only day that it’s acceptable for a woman to propose to her boyfriend. Why is that? Who invented that idea? Girls, if you want to propose, do it any day you want. More power to you. I won’t be proposing today (Sorry Daf, I know you’ll be gutted about that).

Lately I’ve been really tempted to get a Paint by Numbers kit. I love arty-crafty things but I’ve always been held back by my complete lack of artistic talent. I’m incredibly jealous of people who are really good at drawing and painting, and although I sometimes get the urge to just paint something, I never do because I know I’ll end up disappointed and frustrated. Plus I don’t have any paint. But I’ve been looking on Amazon at their supply of Paint by Numbers kits, and I really want one. But is that cheating? Probably…I kind of don’t care though. I just want to paint something that I can stick on my wall and pretend to people that it is all my own work. Is that so wrong?

[source]

I will most likely do a terrible job. If you never hear anything about this ever again, it will be safe to assume that I am a massive failure at art.

Song of the Day: Dosed by Red Hot Chili Peppers


Currently reading: The Hobbit (it's awesome)

To Lent or not to Lent

I hope everyone enjoyed Pancake Day. I most certainly did, Daf makes awesome pancakes. Except for the first one, for some reason the first pancake always becomes incredibly mangled. It still tastes great, but it just looks a bit pathetic. I have my pancakes properly, with lemon juice and sugar. None of these maple syrup and bacon concoctions.


Anyway, Lent officially starts today, and I can't decide whether or not to give something up. I don't usually, and everytime I have in the past I always fail miserably. My willpower isn't that great. Whenever I've given it a go, I've attempted to give up chocolate, but after about a week I've been like, "I haven't had any chocolate in so long, I am going to reward myself with this 6-pack box of Creme Eggs". I don't think I've ever lasted the whole 40 days. Not even once.


So I've been trying to think of something I do a lot of that I could give up. The only thing I could really think of was giving up drinking tea, because that would be really hard. I really love tea. Then I remembered that I had a cup of tea this morning, but I suppose I could just start it from now. But then I'd probably just start replacing tea with coffee and hot chocolate. I suppose I could just cut out all hot drinks, but I really don't want to do that. It's painful just to think about it.


I guess I won't be doing Lent this year.


Song of the Day: Lucky Day by Nicola Roberts


Oh, and also, watch this video called Shit University Students Say. So accurate.

Barmouth

So February kind of crept up on me and I lost my blogging focus for a while, but I've been to Barmouth and I have some photos, so at least I have something to put on this little space of the internet for today.

Barmouth was awesome. Daf's sister and little nephew were there as well, so we got to play with cars and do some colouring in and puzzles, which is always fun. We also played with stickers, which basically consisted of putting stickers all over your hands, then put them back in the sticker book. It's all good fun. Also, Daf's mum sent us back to Wolverhampton with a cake, so that was a bonus.


I'll be back soon, and who knows, I might actually write something!


Song of the Day: Love Love by Take That

Happy Birthday, blog

Today is the first birthday of my blog. And to celebrate, I'm going bowling later. (Although to be honest, it's more of a coincidence that I'm going bowling on my blog's birthday - my blog can't come with me). I haven't been bowling for about five years or something so I'm excited. However I can get ridiculously competitive sometimes and can see myself sulking if it turns out that I suck at bowling and I lose.


It's going to be great.


I've added a new page in the sidebar bit over on the right somewhere which will keep you updated on my 30 books target, if by any chance you're interested in my progress. So far I've read the whole Hunger Games trilogy, so that's 3 books done so far. I think I'm on track. Daf's currently reading The Lord of the Rings and has been giving me condescending looks because he's reading an 'intellectual' book whilst the font in my book is apparently too large to be considered anything other than a children's book.


Here's a photo of some of my 30 books. I don't actually have all 30 at the moment, I think my parents have some of them in Saudi.

I hope you're impressed that I've managed to write a blog post more than two sentences long. Also, I'm bringing back song of the day.


Song of the Day: 1996 by The Wombats

Animal Madness

This morning I was rudely awakened by a Blue Tit which had managed to defy logic and fly in through my barely open window. The curtains are really thick and this bird was tiny so it was trapped on the window-sill. I kept hearing flapping wings as it tried to get out, but it was obviously having trouble. Daf was still asleep so I woke him up.

"Daf. There's a bird on the window-sill."

"That's not possible."

"Well, there's something on the window-sill."

He got up to investigate because I was scared that there was an eagle behind the curtains. Or at least a huge pigeon. I told Daf not to open the curtains because I was worried the bird would start flying all over the room and shit everywhere. So he peeked through the crack in the curtain and said, "Aww, it's a tiny little Blue Tit." He opened the window further and managed to guide it out quite quickly which was good because apparently little birds can get really flustered and then have a heart attack and die, and a dead bird is the last thing I need on a Monday morning.

After that, Daf saw a squirrel knock something ceramic off next-door's bird table and break it, then he scarpered with his mate. Vandals.

In other news, I keep looking at all the Christmas gifts on websites and it's getting me ridiculously excited. How soon can I listen to my Christmas music?

Song of the Day: Do You Want It All? by Two Door Cinema Club

No, I do not know the history of everything

Before work yesterday (which I accidentally managed to show up half an hour early for) I was watching The Chase, which is a quiz show where people compete against really clever quiz... people (or whatever the correct term is). One of the contestants was a History student, and he got a question about Elizabeth I wrong, and afterwards the Chaser said, "I'm surprised you got the history question wrong" to which the student replied, "Well I specialise in Russian History." But the Chaser didn't look impressed.


I can totally relate to this. Because I have a History degree, everyone expects me to know the history of absolutely everything ever. What they fail to realise is that actually I only know the stuff I have actually studied, and that History is a pretty broad subject. If I'm playing Trivial Pursuit or something and get a History question wrong, everyone tuts at me and tells me I should have got it right, even if it's something obscure like "What was the name of Henry II's cat?" (By the way, I don't know if Henry II had a cat so please don't ask me about it). It's really irritating.


Anyway, it's starting to get colder, and it's getting darker earlier so autumn/winter is rapidly approaching. There's been a lot of squirrel activity in the garden which is funny because Daf thinks squirrels are hilarious and he keeps giggling like a five year old every time he sees them prancing around.

Fags & Booze

Today Daf and I drove past a shop brilliantly named 'Fags & Booze'. I said, "I wonder what they sell in there?" which I thought was hilarious. Daf didn't laugh, but I think my sense of humour is just too refined for him.

In other news, I'm getting over a nasty cold. The weather has taken a turn for the worse and the temperature has dropped so I think that's why. I had to call in sick yesterday which made me feel guilty, even though it would have been irresponsible for me to go in considering I'm a waitress and handle a lot of plates and cutlery (ewww, germs).

I'm still loving Keane at the moment. Go and listen to Bedshaped. You're welcome.

Holiday hiccups

I spent most of the day doubting whether I'd be going on holiday tomorrow or not after Daf had a minor precautionary trip to the hospital this morning. I'm happy to report that he's A-OK, and we will indeed be wending our way to Turkey tomorrow after all. Fingers crossed.

I should really start to think about packing...

See you in just over a week.

I don't mean to brag but . . . I have a degree

I graduated today. Which means that tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. Although technically I suppose you could say that every day.

Look, here's a photo of me and Daf looking really smart and sophisticated (because we are university graduates, don't you know).

The day went by with no major incidents. When I went to get my robes on, my cap was too big, as I thought it would be thanks to my head-measuring methods. I had to try on about six different caps until we found one that fit me. Also, the robes are just huge. My hood kept slipping off my shoulder which you can see in the photo, which was irritating to say the least. But anyway, I rolled with it, and managed to suppress the overwhelming urge to burst out laughing as I walked on stage. It wasn't until I got home and looked at the videos my Dad took on his camcorder that I realised I had spent my entire graduation with the label sticking out the back of my dress. Fan-tastic.

After it was over, I went back to the flat with Mum and Dad one last time to pack up the rest of my stuff and hand in my key. Well, I say 'pack up the rest of my stuff' but I still managed to leave a drawer full of scarves and hats and gloves. Luckily for me, Daf thought to check the drawers after I had left so at least I won't be cold this winter!

******

Song of the Day: Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) by Green Day

So take the photographs and still frames in your mind/Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time/Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial/For what it's worth it was worth all the while/It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right/I hope you had the time of your life

I am a little bit concerned

Okay, so the rapture was supposed to happen on Saturday, and it never did so that's good news. Except that now I think it's happening. God can do whatever He likes I guess, He doesn't have to stick to a schedule. That's one of the perks of being God. He lulled us into a false sense of security, and now it's the end of the world. It's SO ridiculousy windy, and it's been raining really really heavily, but due to how windy it is, the rain is horizontal. Isn't this how it started for Noah and his Ark? Lots and lots of rain, and also (I'm guessing) wind? Maybe this is the beginning of the apocalypse. I am afraid to leave the flat because a) I'll get blown over, and b) I might get raptured by some Zombies or something. That's what the rapture is, right? Zombies? I thought so. 

So anyway, I need to go to Poundland to get some toothpaste and Fairyliquid and milk, but if it really is the end of the world, I guess the washing up can wait. I have instructed Daf to get them on his way back from his exam, so fingers crossed he doesn't get raptured. I shall want a cup of tea at some point.

Elsewhere in the life and times of Emma, I think my Dad has disowned me because I (and I quote) "publicly dissed" him in my last blog post. That's right, ladies and gents, my Dad says 'dissed'. No one says dissed anymore Dad, that is so five years ago.

Hopefully you will be hearing from me again, dear reader, but in the mean time, I'm off to find someone with an Ark.

******

Song of the Day: The Science of Selling Yourself Short by Less Than Jake

I'm so far gone/That deep down inside I think it's fine by me/That I'm my own worst enemy

Graduation fears

With my dissertation in and only one exam to revise for, my thoughts have drifted to my graduation. I've been wondering what to wear both clothes-wise and shoes-wise, and also complaining about how much it costs to hire a gown, and why can't the university pay for it, blah blah blah, etc. Among these thoughts is a genuine concern about graduation photographs. My parents will undoubtedly want a nice shot of me with my degree certificate, but I have a real difficulty of looking....well, let's just say 'normal' in photographs.

The problem is, whenever anyone points a camera at me, I automatically give a thumbs up and my face does this:

I do this so often that it has become known as the 'classic' Emma pose, and my friends even do it with me now. (By friends, I pretty much just mean Soph):

Daf even does it:

But shhhh, don't tell him I put this on my blog.

My friend Lydia even did a 'classic Emma' on her wedding day - a very proud moment for me.

Anyway, the point to all of this is that my face is ridiculous and I'm going to look like a crazy fool when I graduate. There are plenty more examples of these photos by the way, I just think that you've seen more than enough of my face for one day.

Just before I go, click this link - you won't regret it, it has made my day.

******

Song of the Day: You Only Live Once by The Strokes

Sit me down/Shut me up/I'll calm down and I'll get along with you

Books and water and Grey's Anatomy

In celebration of finishing my dissertation, I went out and bought myself a few books to read recreationally. They are all Stephen King books, because I've never read any before and they were 3 for 2 in Waterstones. I got Carrie, The Shining, and Dreamcatcher. I also went to Smiths and bought It because they didn't have it in Waterstones and it was actually the one I most wanted to read. 

I've read Carrie now, it was the shortest so I figured I'd start with that one, and I think I enjoyed it. It's a weird book, but well written as I really wanted to know what was going to happen, but at the same time I was dreading it. No easy feat so well played, Stephen. I've now moved onto It. I haven't got very far yet but I'm wondering if it was the best idea. Like a lot of people, I'm not particularly fond of clowns. I don't have a phobia or anything, but there's just something about a painted on smile which is incredibly sinister. I have a feeling that It might turn my simple aversion to clowns into an inherent fear.  

Whilst looking for a creepy clown photo I found this list of creepy clowns, where the above photo was found, which is actually from the movie version of It I think.

Anyway, I've had to put the reading of It on hold, as Daf has inadvertantly knocked a glass of water all over it. He dried it off with my hairdryer and it's now sitting underneath a pile of textbooks in an effort to flatten it down. It was only an accident so I'm not mad, but Daf has a habit of pouring water all over my stuff . In our first year of university it was my brand new laptop which was the unassuming victim, and I spent a very nervous half an hour wondering what I was going to tell my parents whilst a techno-savvy friend tried to fix it. Luckily, he did fix it, but it wasn't the last time Daf accidentally watered down my belongings. I'm beginning to wonder whether he has an unconscious wish to destroy of all my possessions.

As well as reading, I've been watching a lot of Grey's Anatomy before I get myself into a heavy revision routine. I really like it, but something devastatingly sad happens in nearly every single episode. It's exhausting. Also, a lot of really bad things happen to the characters, they're always nearly dying or something. It's ridiculous that these poor people should be plagued by such terrible misfortune. No matter what happens in the future, at least my life will never be as depressing as theirs.

******

Song of the Day: Traffic Jam by Vega4

All I want is someone to pull me out/I'm stuck in a traffic jam/With nowhere to run for miles

I don't even know what day it is anymore

My dissertation is currently in the library being bound, all that is left for me to do is pick it up tomorrow morning and then hand it in. So you're getting a blog post a day earlier than I thought, you lucky, lucky devils!

I had all these great intentions of having my dissertation finished well in advance so that I could save myself running around last minute trying to get the last bits and pieces together. Of course, that is so much easier said than done. I didn't go to bed until 4 this morning, got up at 8 and went straight to the library. I scanned everything I needed into my dissertation, added a few extra words, and faffed around for ages sorting out my Appendices, which I no longer care about because I have lost the will to live.
 
Not really. I am exhausted though, I don't even feel up to celebrating I'm that tired. I spent six hours straight in the library putting the finishing touches to everything and I didn't even have any breakfast. I rang Daf from the library because I realised I'd forgotten an important document which I needed, so he brought it up for me like the nice guy he is. When he got there, I mentioned how hungry I was, so he said he'd go and get me something to eat.

Daf: What do you want me to get?
Me: *shrugs*...a chocolate bar?
Daf: I was going to suggest a sandwich*.
Me: I'd prefer a chocolate bar.
Daf: Do you want some crisps, or-
Me: Get me a chocolate bar.

Don't judge me, you can totally have chocolate for breakfast.

Anyway, after about 4,ooo years, I was about as happy as I was going to get with it and printed it off then handed it into the binding lady, who told me to come and pick it up tomorrow. I went back to the flat, had a shower, put on my pyjamas and checked my email. To my surprise, I had an email from the library telling me that I left my purse there and could I come and collect it from the enquiries desk. I didn't even realise I'd left it - it has my debit card and drivers license in it, not to mention about £25. Thank goodness someone nice found it or I'd be feeling pretty stupid right about now (or at least more stupid than I do already). Needless to say, I coerced Daf into taking me back up to the library to pick up my purse, and all is right with the universe again.

I'll see you when my brain works again.

******

Song of the Day: Blame it on the Alcohol - the Glee Cast version

*I had to google how to spell sandwich. That's how tired I am.

This is what I have been doing

My Dad has complained about the lack of a new blog post, and I'm sure my LEGION of avid readers will agree so, without further ado...

I'm now back at home for the Easter holidays, and have lugged the majority of my possessions back with me to save me a mammoth job when I finish at the end of May. I had a minor panic attack when I was packing and couldn't find my dissertation research anywhere. After watching me frantically search my desk and shelves, muttering profanities as I went, Daf finally said; "Isn't it on that chair?" 
 
It was on that chair, obscured by a mound of clothes, because you know, why wouldn't I keep it there?

Anyway, I am successfully home with everything I need. Yesterday we went to Merry Hill (which is a big shopping centre), mainly because I wanted to go to H&M. It was a really nice warm day, and on the drive there we saw this young gentleman walking along the pavement, cigarette in his mouth, topless, and wearing a woolly hat. Brilliant.

I have bought myself a trilby hat, because I've wanted one for ages and I think that now I have shorter hair I can pull it off. I think it makes me look super awesome. Daf respectfully disagrees.

When we got back, I supervised while Daf mowed the lawn, then I pranced around taking pictures, some of which I will put on here, as soon as I find my camera cable.

It's another sunny day so I should probably get out of my pyjamas and go outside.

******

Today I'm loving: The sun of course!

Today I'm hatin': I keep sneezing, and not like once or twice, but about seven times in a row, several times a day. Could this be hayfever? I've never had it before, but can you develop it pretty much whenever? These are genuine questions by the way, let me know if you are a hayfever connoisseur (if that's even a legitimate thing).

Song of the Day: Last Words by The Real Tuesday Weld, continuing on my Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist theme.

You said you loved me/And I kind of believe that/But these days who knows what it means?

Sunny Saturdays

I was going to go to the library today, but it was sunny out so I made Daf come with me to get a vanilla frappucino and then wander along the seafront. I spent most of the time complaining about how the bastards in Costa trick you into buying the bigger cup sizes, and taking pictures of seagulls/pigeons. Nevertheless, a nice distraction in my day, and the library will still be there tomorrow (boooo).

Quantum of Solace is on right now, which I have on DVD, but somehow it always seems more exciting when it's on live TV. Daniel Craig - what a man. (That's so something Soph would say.)

Here's some photos, hooray!

  

The pigeon was on its own when I first taking pictures of him, but as I was snapping away more of them kept showing up. I think they were jealous of the attention the original pigeon was getting. There was quite a lot of people about, and Daf said: "Emma, please stop talking to the pigeons." I hadn't even realised I was. 

I also discovered that trying to take pictures of seagulls in the air is really difficult. I was sitting on a bench, looking through my camera lens and following the birds as they flew around, and people kept giving me weird looks because I think they thought I was taking pictures of them, in a weird, creepy way. Oh well.

******

Today I'm loving: My new sunglasses.

Today I'm hatin': That Formula One has started again, and I will no doubt be forced to watch every single race from now until November. Fantastic.

Song of the Day: Black Coffee by All Saints

I wouldn't wanna be anywhere else but here/I wouldn't wanna change anything at all/I wouldn't wanna take everything out on you/Although I know I do/Everytime I fall

Free stuff!

Popped into town today and was given a free nail polish in Superdrug. I was applying it back at the flat to see what it was like when Daf wandered in.

"Painting your nails eh? But that's like something a girl would do!"

Charming.

I'm so bad at applying nail polish anyway so I don't know why I bother. I have a terrible habit of biting my nails so they're not the longest, and I don't exactly have a steady hand so I end up with more on my finger than my actual nail.

Oh the trials and tribulations of being a girl.

******

Today I'm loving: That it was so nice outside that I didn't even need a cardigan. T-shirt weather in March? Awesome.

Today I'm hatin': My ear again. I'm having on-going issues. Bad times.

Song of the Day: I Wouldn't Mind by He Is We

Tell me, everyday I get to wake up to that smile/I wouldn't mind it at all/I wouldn't mind it at all

Bad accents

Daf went out last night for a friends birthday so I had the flat to myself, which is nice because it means I get to watch films or TV programmes that he doesn't normally let me watch. I watched The Edge Of Love about Dylan Thomas and his wife and ex-girlfriend (Sienna Miller and Keira Knightley) because it was on the BBC. I don't know whether I thought it was good or not to be honest, because I was too busy flying into an incandescent rage over Keira Knightley's Welsh accent. I like her as an actress, and Welsh accents are hard to do if you're not Welsh, so I don't blame her, I blame the director. If it is that vitally important to the plot that the accent is Welsh, then hire a Welsh actress, or at least an actress who can convincingly do the accent properly. On the other hand, if you're so set on having Keira Knightley in this role, then do that thing that directors do a lot and make a slight script change so she can speak in her normal voice. Sienna Miller's accent wasn't very good either. I think she was supposed to be Irish, but then I couldn't tell if she was Irish or Welsh.

I've just looked on Wikipedia and apparently Keira's mum wrote the script. I still think my point is valid. Bad accents can ruin films.

Anyway, after that was finished, I flipped through the channels and saw that the 2003 version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was about to start on Film4. Daf hates horror films, so I figured I may as well watch it. I got about 5 minutes into it, before anything had really happened, and then decided that this was a terrible idea because I was alone and it was dark, and you can't watch a horror movie with the light on. So then I watched Star Trek instead.

******

Today I'm loving: That there was a fox running around Twickenham stadium before the 6 nations match started.

Today I'm hatin': Essays again, as I have one due on Tuesday and it's going slowly.

Song of the Day: Getting Up With You by The Yeah You's

I didn't wanna get out of bed this morning/But it feels much better/To know I'm getting up with you

Gleek

I wish Glee was on every day, not just Mondays. I love it so much, and even Daf is watching it with me this series, he kind of lost interest in the first season. Although he did say last night while we were watching it: "I wish they didn't sing in Glee." That's kind of the whole point, love.

Anyway, how freakin' adorable is Darren Criss?

Look at that happy face. I wish real life was like Glee, I'd love to be able to burst into song whenever the hell I felt like it.

That's about all I wanted to share with you today...just Darren Criss's face.

Today I'm loving: The awesome mark I got for my essay, and the fact that I get PANCAKES later.

Today I'm hatin': That although Daf managed to put a load of washing on for once in his life, he declined to wash anything of mine.

Song of the Day: What You Know by Two Door Cinema Club (it's on iTunes for 59p, go buy it!)
In a few weeks, I will get time/To realise it's right before my eyes/And I can take it, if it's what I want to do

Floor Brownies

I had an absolute mare today.

I wanted to make brownies, and I had most of the ingredients, so I went into town for some unsalted butter and chocolate chips, the only things I was missing. It's a nice, fairly warm, sunny day, and I was wearing a shortish dress over my thick black tights. As soon as I stepped outside, I realised it was a bit more windy than I had anticipated, but nevertheless, I kept on walking. I live up a hill, and it wasn't until I got to the bottom of it that I discovered that it was indeed just windy enough to blow my dress up. Lovely. However, as I have said, I live up a hill, and not even an awkward walk around town holding onto my dress would make me go back up and change. Laziness wins every time. Besides, I wasn't going to take long, right? Wrong.

There are two Spar shops very close to where I live, so I went to the bigger one. They had almonds, dried fruit, glacier cherries, and a few other bits and pieces that you can put in cakes, but no chocolate chips. Also, no unsalted butter. This meant that I had to walk all the way across town to Co-op, where luckily they did have what I needed, but it added about half an hour onto my 'quick' shopping trip, which is quite long when the dress you're wearing isn't particularly wind-friendly.

After about a million years (because I ALWAYS get stuck behind slow walking people who take up the whole pavement), I got back to the flat and started making my brownies. They were supposed to take about half an hour in the oven, so after the half hour had gone I went to see if they were done. The oven in our flat is stupid because it doesn't open down, it opens to the side, like a door. It makes me paranoid whenever I'm getting things out of it because it always starts to close on me and I'm worried about burning myself. So anyway, with my trusty (crap) oven gloves on, I had one hand propping open the door, and the other trying to guide the brownie tin forward to see how much longer they needed. Anyway, I still don't quite know how it happened, but the tin just slid out of the oven and the brownies (which were nowhere near done) plopped out and onto the floor. I sat there, on the floor for a moment, inwardly cursing my life, before running back to the living room.

"Daaaaaaf, you need to come and help me."
"Yeah, in a minute."
"No, you need to come and help me nowwwww."

Daf thought it was hilarious.

"Stop laughing, we need to get it back in the tin so I can put it back in the oven."
"You're still going to cook them?"
"I went out specifically for chocolate chips, I am cooking those brownies."

Daf managed to get the gloopy mess back in the tin, and they successfully cooked, so hopefully they don't taste like floor. I'm so glad we don't have carpet in the kitchen, it would have been a disaster. I took a picture on my phone, it's not the greatest quality but I didn't really have time to whip out the Nikon D90.

Yeah, it looked like cow-pat. Yum.

They'll still taste great.

Today I'm loving: Creme Eggs, I got some from Poundland. Money-saving and delicious.

Today I'm hatin': I think it should be pretty obvious from this post.

Song of the Day: Bad Day by R.E.M
It's been a bad day/Please don't take a picture