Today I was fortunate enough to observe human behaviour in an unexpected situation. Of course, when I say 'fortunate', I really mean 'damned', and by 'situation' what I really mean is 'gridlock of traffic'. There is no doubt that driving during rush hour to university for your first week (and earliest lecture of said week) is stressful enough. I must say, I have been quite lucky as rush hour goes; I haven't been late to a lecture/seminar yet. So imagine my despair when I reached the final road of my journey - the road I park my car on - only to find myself in a major gridlock situation.
I should probably explain how this happened. The road (I shall not name it as it is hard enough to find parking near my university, without giving away the name of the secret road - which has all of two spaces left on many occasions - to my fellow Twickenham drivers) has various bollards down the middle of it, and cars parked on each side of it. This makes it impossible for vehicles to travel in two directions down the road, so everyone has to wait, be polite, let people through, etc, etc, etc. For some reason that I cannot fathom, the driver of a small lorry decided it would be a good idea to drive down this road... during rush hour. Although this would have been a nuisance and a pretty stupid thing to do under normal circumstances, it was exacerbated by a van coming the other way. Needless to say, people are not in the best of moods during rush hour, and so no one waited, no one was polite, and as a result, no one could 'get through'. Thus, we had a gridlock situation.
Now, I'm not afraid to say that I had no idea what to do at this point (apart from calling my friend and asking her to save me a seat at the back of the lecture which I would surely be late for). Everyone seemed to be waiting for someone else to sort it all out. I looked in my rear-view mirror to see what the man behind me was doing, to find him opening a book and beginning to read. Apparently he intended on staying a while. I looked back at the van and lorry drivers, who were parallel to each other, chatting through their open windows, and casting disapproving glances at the cars surrounding them, as if the situation was the fault of the other drivers. To be honest with you, I don't know whose fault it really was, but I can tell you that driving a van, let alone a lorry, down the secret road is a very, very, very stupid thing to do. Anyway - with the man behind me reading and the van and lorry drivers talking, it was now all down to Mother. Obviously making her way to work/ home after the school run, an authoritative-looking woman stepped out of her car and told everyone what they needed to do. I found it interesting that every driver's trust was in the mother-figure of the group. None of us knew her (to the best of my knowledge) and none of us knew if she knew what she was talking about. Good ol' Mother. Turban Man (I do not mean this in any disrespectful way, it just so happened that this man was wearing a turban, and like Mother, Book-reading-man, Van driver and Lorry driver, I did not know his name) also stepped out of his car, but just sort of stood there, as if his mere presence would be helpful. It was not.
When this little incident was over, I made two attempts to reverse into two different spaces, to which book-reading-man (now not reading... I hope, as he was driving) might as well have stuck two fingers up, because he made it impossible for me to do so. Luckily for me the space behind the tiny caravan at the top of the road was free (a rarity on such a road). So I parked, and got to the lecture five minutes early (before my friend as a matter of fact). Happy ending.
The lecture was on 'The Nature of Language', which was (thank God) interesting. After two years of fearing my love for English was dead (and pretty much detesting any lessons on language) I was grateful for this. However, I was somewhat saddened when I was told that a great deal of what I had been taught about the English language throughout my life was wrong. Here are some examples:
- Ain't is word that should be acceptable to use
- Pronouncing 'Ask' as 'Aks' or 'Ax' is perfectly acceptable. In fact, 'Ax' and 'Ask' we a part of the English language at the same time.
- (This one gets me right in the heart) A double negative does not make a positive. A double negative just makes a stronger negative. (Ouch. I still haven't come to terms with that one).
This 'free love' attitude to language is one I suppose I will have to get used to. Don't get me wrong, a great deal of what my lecturer spoke about had to do with different dialects, which was perfectly understandable. I just can't really wrap my head around the three points above. However, if next week I am told that the rules of apostrophes are wrong, I may just have to drop the course.
I'm about to go and be best friends with R. L. Trask.
Tails.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Things aren't always what they seem.
I would first like to talk about false promises. For example, I once wrote that I would make links to videos a regular feature in my blog posts. One time I forgot and well, the rest as they say is history. Now I know what you're thinking; "That's hardly a promise, is it?" and you're quite right, but a sentence does not need to begin with 'I promise' or end with 'I give you my word' for the people in the exchange to understand that what is being said should be meant - a binding contract of words. Therefore, when a person tells you that they would never do anything to hurt you, one would expect this to remain true. When it does not, you question why you decided to keep up your end of the bargain, if it was not being well kept on the other end. Yes dear readers, I am of course talking about the seemingly inevitable ending of friendships.
Now, while I do hope that some friendships last a life time, the past year has taught me that I would be a fool to hold such hope - mainly because for them to last a life time, they would have had to have been established at the very beginning of one's life. I do, as a matter of fact, have a friend like this. I have known her my entire life, minus five days or so. It was not until we were teenagers that we ever argued about anything important, and even then I am happy to say that we got over it. I wonder how long we will remain friends, as I know that University life and living further apart than we used to has caused us to drift apart. I still regard her as one of my best and longest friends, but I worry that this won't last forever. I never thought it possible, that a friendship as unbreakable as ours could waver, but as I said, the past year has introduced me to some nasty facts of life.
False promises is where I started, and I will try not to go off on a tangent too much. To me, when going into a friendship, one is silently promising to care for another person. Sometimes this promise is verbal, which makes it even more painful when the promise seems to have been meaningless to the other person involved. My friend put it very well today when she said, "It's like, you go out of your way to be a good friend, and people still screw you over". I don't want to be regarded as a doormat but seriously, I am shocked at how selfish people can be. It wasn't until recently that I realised just how many people I know will say and do anything, no matter who it hurts, as long as they're better off afterwards. Are they really better off though? I may have a limited amount of people who I would regard as true friends, but I wouldn't want to swap my life with someone who has countless 'friends', but cheats people to get what they want.
I am currently debating whether or not to confront someone who broke a promise. I wonder if it was even a promise to them to begin with, or just empty words combined to give the impression that they were a good person. I can't decide if I can go on pretending I'm not affected, but worry that confrontation will result in the end of the friendship. Then again, I wonder if I'd be mourning a friendship that is already gone. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that a different one, a meaningless one, has taken its place. That's the trouble you see, we often want to recreate 'the old times' or 'the good times', but really we should be mourning them because people have changed so drastically that there's no way those times could ever exist again. I also often feel saddened after losing a friend - they're still there, but I don't recognise them.
It's a hard concept to wrap your head around, people changing. It's an uncanny feeling when you someone looks the same, yet for some reason you can't recognise them. You feel as though someone has stolen them, and you don't like that someone. Or maybe you do; I don't know. For the sake of this post, let's say you don't. You feel like this imposter could not possibly be your friend, and if their fingerprints were to be tested right now, your suspicions would be correct. It's also a horrible feeling. I know this may sound overly dramatic to some of you, but it feels as though the person your friend used to be has died. Not only have they died, but someone nasty/vindictive/rude/uncaring/'insert trait here' is living on as them, giving the previous person who inhabited that body a bad name. It also takes a long time to realise someone has changed so drastically, especially when you see them everyday. I guess one day you just realise that you knew it all along, but you couldn't bring yourself to accept it. You were holding onto something that wasn't there anymore.
As I move from Sixth From and on to University, it does sadden me that things have ended in a way I never imagined they would. However, I'm still excited. I'm looking forward to the fresh start, and am happy knowing that I am only taking the good parts of the past with me. You can leave the airport with hundreds of identical silly trinkets for people you know, or you can leave with individual, special gifts for the people you love. Personally, I prefer the latter.
Before I finish I'd like to give a shout out to my brother Jack Taylor, who has just started a blog of his own. Read it here: http://thethoughtsthatcometolife.blogspot.com/
Peace,
Tails.
Now, while I do hope that some friendships last a life time, the past year has taught me that I would be a fool to hold such hope - mainly because for them to last a life time, they would have had to have been established at the very beginning of one's life. I do, as a matter of fact, have a friend like this. I have known her my entire life, minus five days or so. It was not until we were teenagers that we ever argued about anything important, and even then I am happy to say that we got over it. I wonder how long we will remain friends, as I know that University life and living further apart than we used to has caused us to drift apart. I still regard her as one of my best and longest friends, but I worry that this won't last forever. I never thought it possible, that a friendship as unbreakable as ours could waver, but as I said, the past year has introduced me to some nasty facts of life.
False promises is where I started, and I will try not to go off on a tangent too much. To me, when going into a friendship, one is silently promising to care for another person. Sometimes this promise is verbal, which makes it even more painful when the promise seems to have been meaningless to the other person involved. My friend put it very well today when she said, "It's like, you go out of your way to be a good friend, and people still screw you over". I don't want to be regarded as a doormat but seriously, I am shocked at how selfish people can be. It wasn't until recently that I realised just how many people I know will say and do anything, no matter who it hurts, as long as they're better off afterwards. Are they really better off though? I may have a limited amount of people who I would regard as true friends, but I wouldn't want to swap my life with someone who has countless 'friends', but cheats people to get what they want.
I am currently debating whether or not to confront someone who broke a promise. I wonder if it was even a promise to them to begin with, or just empty words combined to give the impression that they were a good person. I can't decide if I can go on pretending I'm not affected, but worry that confrontation will result in the end of the friendship. Then again, I wonder if I'd be mourning a friendship that is already gone. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that a different one, a meaningless one, has taken its place. That's the trouble you see, we often want to recreate 'the old times' or 'the good times', but really we should be mourning them because people have changed so drastically that there's no way those times could ever exist again. I also often feel saddened after losing a friend - they're still there, but I don't recognise them.
It's a hard concept to wrap your head around, people changing. It's an uncanny feeling when you someone looks the same, yet for some reason you can't recognise them. You feel as though someone has stolen them, and you don't like that someone. Or maybe you do; I don't know. For the sake of this post, let's say you don't. You feel like this imposter could not possibly be your friend, and if their fingerprints were to be tested right now, your suspicions would be correct. It's also a horrible feeling. I know this may sound overly dramatic to some of you, but it feels as though the person your friend used to be has died. Not only have they died, but someone nasty/vindictive/rude/uncaring/'insert trait here' is living on as them, giving the previous person who inhabited that body a bad name. It also takes a long time to realise someone has changed so drastically, especially when you see them everyday. I guess one day you just realise that you knew it all along, but you couldn't bring yourself to accept it. You were holding onto something that wasn't there anymore.
As I move from Sixth From and on to University, it does sadden me that things have ended in a way I never imagined they would. However, I'm still excited. I'm looking forward to the fresh start, and am happy knowing that I am only taking the good parts of the past with me. You can leave the airport with hundreds of identical silly trinkets for people you know, or you can leave with individual, special gifts for the people you love. Personally, I prefer the latter.
Before I finish I'd like to give a shout out to my brother Jack Taylor, who has just started a blog of his own. Read it here: http://thethoughtsthatcometolife.blogspot.com/
Peace,
Tails.
Monday, 23 August 2010
The Unknown.
Picture this: you're in an elevator (for the purpose of this post, 'elevator' will now be known as 'lift') and you're going up. There are a few other people in the lift; they're chatting, humming something they heard on the radio, or watching the numbers increase above the lift doors as you feel yourself ascending to the floors above. You're also watching the numbers change, but not out of boredom. You don't feel right. Something's unnerving you and the only thing that can offer you any comfort is to watch the numbers, knowing you're getting closer and closer to getting to your floor, and getting the hell out of that lift.
Relief. The lift stops at your floor. Just as you take a step forward and wait for the doors to open, the floor shudders... the lift drops - one, two, three floors pass at speeds you didn't think possible. Further and further you fall, not knowing what fate will await you at the bottom.
Can you imagine having a dream like this every time something big is about to happen in your life?
It all started during GCSEs. I couldn't understand why I was having the same dream every night, for weeks. Eventually, the dream changed slightly. Now when I get in the lift, I know it's going to fall - but I still get in anyway. I always wake up before I hit the ground, but I do always wake up in a state of panic. When the dreams first started I'd have two or three a night, and so never wanted to go to sleep.
Now I've realised that the dreams are mirroring my uncertainty in life. Which is fine, because now they make sense (although I still get freaked out going in lifts). What I find interesting though, is how the dream has changed. I often wouldn't do something I wasn't sure about a few years ago, but I think that nowadays I view uncertainty as a challenge, and know that what ever will happen will happen for a reason. When I get in the lift in my dreams, I know the lift will fall. When I walk into the unknown in real life, I know there will be ups and downs (no pun intended, and I'm not trying to make my dream literal).
During the recent A Level results, pretty much every one of us was walking into the unknown. Even A* students didn't get into universities they wanted to go to, and so for once, everyone was on a level playing field. If it hadn't of been for the circumstances, the equality of it all would probably have been a very nice thing indeed. On my way into school, each person I spoke too was unhappy with their results, and hadn't got into the university they had hoped to get into. You can imagine how distressing that news is when a) these people are good friends of yours and b) you haven't got your own results yet and so automatically assume the worst. However, I walked into that lift and thankfully, I got out on the level I was heading for.
Now there's the whole worry of going to university. It's a daunting concept considering I've been educated at the same place for the past seven years, with the same people. Luckily for me a couple of people are making the next step by my side, so at least I'm not alone in the lift. At least if it falls, I have other people to scream with. I continue to ask myself if I've made the right decision, if the course will be right for me, if university is right for me... but I guess we won't know the answers for a while yet.
Okay, I'm going to change the subject.
I recently finished reading 'We' by Yevgeny Zamyatin. It was written in 1921 Russia, and is a fascinating insight into Zamyatin's thoughts and (I can only assume) own experiences during the Russain Revolution and World War I. Depending on your personal view of society (and the world, really) the novel could be interpreted as either Utopian or Dystopian. The attitude D-503 (the protagonist) has towards the way society works in the book is actually quite refreshing, and poses many questions as to whether or not individualism is really as idyllic as society believes it to be. There were a few lulls in the book as I found it to have "I'll tell you tomorrow" syndrome quite often, but it was a good read and I recommend it. The ending is especially interesting, and reminds you that although you may have been drawn into D-503's world, the book is really a reflection of the time it was written in.
Just a thought: what would happen if everyone who wanted a baby had to take a personality test first, to see if they were eligible to raise a human being?
Adios,
Tails.
Relief. The lift stops at your floor. Just as you take a step forward and wait for the doors to open, the floor shudders... the lift drops - one, two, three floors pass at speeds you didn't think possible. Further and further you fall, not knowing what fate will await you at the bottom.
Can you imagine having a dream like this every time something big is about to happen in your life?
It all started during GCSEs. I couldn't understand why I was having the same dream every night, for weeks. Eventually, the dream changed slightly. Now when I get in the lift, I know it's going to fall - but I still get in anyway. I always wake up before I hit the ground, but I do always wake up in a state of panic. When the dreams first started I'd have two or three a night, and so never wanted to go to sleep.
Now I've realised that the dreams are mirroring my uncertainty in life. Which is fine, because now they make sense (although I still get freaked out going in lifts). What I find interesting though, is how the dream has changed. I often wouldn't do something I wasn't sure about a few years ago, but I think that nowadays I view uncertainty as a challenge, and know that what ever will happen will happen for a reason. When I get in the lift in my dreams, I know the lift will fall. When I walk into the unknown in real life, I know there will be ups and downs (no pun intended, and I'm not trying to make my dream literal).
During the recent A Level results, pretty much every one of us was walking into the unknown. Even A* students didn't get into universities they wanted to go to, and so for once, everyone was on a level playing field. If it hadn't of been for the circumstances, the equality of it all would probably have been a very nice thing indeed. On my way into school, each person I spoke too was unhappy with their results, and hadn't got into the university they had hoped to get into. You can imagine how distressing that news is when a) these people are good friends of yours and b) you haven't got your own results yet and so automatically assume the worst. However, I walked into that lift and thankfully, I got out on the level I was heading for.
Now there's the whole worry of going to university. It's a daunting concept considering I've been educated at the same place for the past seven years, with the same people. Luckily for me a couple of people are making the next step by my side, so at least I'm not alone in the lift. At least if it falls, I have other people to scream with. I continue to ask myself if I've made the right decision, if the course will be right for me, if university is right for me... but I guess we won't know the answers for a while yet.
Okay, I'm going to change the subject.
I recently finished reading 'We' by Yevgeny Zamyatin. It was written in 1921 Russia, and is a fascinating insight into Zamyatin's thoughts and (I can only assume) own experiences during the Russain Revolution and World War I. Depending on your personal view of society (and the world, really) the novel could be interpreted as either Utopian or Dystopian. The attitude D-503 (the protagonist) has towards the way society works in the book is actually quite refreshing, and poses many questions as to whether or not individualism is really as idyllic as society believes it to be. There were a few lulls in the book as I found it to have "I'll tell you tomorrow" syndrome quite often, but it was a good read and I recommend it. The ending is especially interesting, and reminds you that although you may have been drawn into D-503's world, the book is really a reflection of the time it was written in.
Just a thought: what would happen if everyone who wanted a baby had to take a personality test first, to see if they were eligible to raise a human being?
Adios,
Tails.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Read me.
I don't like being readable.
You come up with certain safe guards to throw people off. Some people make excuses, some just stay quiet. Some get so good at the double-persona that they can switch one off and the other on in an instant, creating the illusion everyone else sees to be the truth. It's when someone recognises the signs - your ability to elude situations, the sudden switch in topic of conversation - it's then that you're in jeopardy of being caught out.
As someone who doesn't trust easily, I like to think I've got pretty good at putting my 'safe guards' into action when I need to. I've often said, "Thank God I take Drama".
So, when my own little secrets where discovered recently by a very insightful friend, I began to think: to what extent are our own thoughts actually our own these days? People seem to feel that other people's thoughts belong to them, as if they deserve to know everything. This wasn't the case with my friend, but you know what I mean - those people who will stoop to anything to find out what you're really thinking. They'll trick you until you let that guard of yours down. I've said it before and I'll say it again - Never tell anyone anything you don't want everyone to know.
In other news, my sleeping pattern has been messed up due to the encouragement of a territorial coffee drinker. You know who you are.
That's it for today, I know, not much, but it's all I have in my think tank of issues. Although, before I go, I'll just remind you that I've been in Spain for the past month, and returning has given me a nasty cold. Typical.
Laters.
You come up with certain safe guards to throw people off. Some people make excuses, some just stay quiet. Some get so good at the double-persona that they can switch one off and the other on in an instant, creating the illusion everyone else sees to be the truth. It's when someone recognises the signs - your ability to elude situations, the sudden switch in topic of conversation - it's then that you're in jeopardy of being caught out.
As someone who doesn't trust easily, I like to think I've got pretty good at putting my 'safe guards' into action when I need to. I've often said, "Thank God I take Drama".
So, when my own little secrets where discovered recently by a very insightful friend, I began to think: to what extent are our own thoughts actually our own these days? People seem to feel that other people's thoughts belong to them, as if they deserve to know everything. This wasn't the case with my friend, but you know what I mean - those people who will stoop to anything to find out what you're really thinking. They'll trick you until you let that guard of yours down. I've said it before and I'll say it again - Never tell anyone anything you don't want everyone to know.
In other news, my sleeping pattern has been messed up due to the encouragement of a territorial coffee drinker. You know who you are.
That's it for today, I know, not much, but it's all I have in my think tank of issues. Although, before I go, I'll just remind you that I've been in Spain for the past month, and returning has given me a nasty cold. Typical.
Laters.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Soul Mates - just an idea?
I was having a conversation with my friend today (Ourania, that's you) and it started getting pretty deep, talking about soul mates and destiny and what-not.
Many people cannot answer the question, "do you believe in soul mates?" They either brush it off with an "I don't know", or explain that they like/dislike the idea of having a soul mate, usually followed by something like, "what if I never find them?" No one seems to be able to give a solid answer, which is probably due to the fact that there isn't one. However, I was pondering the thought of a soul mate and it crossed my mind that many people fall in and out of love more than once in their lives, with the operative word being out. I've seen it, and it doesn't always seem to me that the new love is stronger than the last... it's just that the old love isn't there anymore.
When people marry, they promise to love, honour and obey (and fill up the dishwasher once in a while) for as long as they both live. While this is a lovely idea, it's not like people take it seriously anymore. I don't know why people don't just move onto Handfasting instead these days, because then they would only have to promise to be a couple for as long as the love lasts.
So, while I was talking about people being in love and having 'the one', it occurred to me that everyone takes for granted that 'soul mates' have to be lovers. I don't see anything in the name that dictates that. Perhaps soul mates don't have to like each other at all, or even acknowledge each other. To me, soul mates means two souls that are drawn to each other for some reason. Maybe this just means these two people need to be in one another's lives at some point, to put them in the right direction, or to cause them to make a mistake which in turn will be for the best. Something like that. Who says they have to be in love at all?
I've said before that I believe everything happens for a reason, although I believe we do have choices of our own to make. In the case of soul mates, I just don't know. Have I met mine already? Can they really exist? I'm one of those 'I believe in the supernatural' types so... maybe I do believe in them. All I know is, when I was thinking about them today, I most definitely did not.
But hey, a girl can change her mind can't she?
I'd really like to know your thoughts.
Many people cannot answer the question, "do you believe in soul mates?" They either brush it off with an "I don't know", or explain that they like/dislike the idea of having a soul mate, usually followed by something like, "what if I never find them?" No one seems to be able to give a solid answer, which is probably due to the fact that there isn't one. However, I was pondering the thought of a soul mate and it crossed my mind that many people fall in and out of love more than once in their lives, with the operative word being out. I've seen it, and it doesn't always seem to me that the new love is stronger than the last... it's just that the old love isn't there anymore.
When people marry, they promise to love, honour and obey (and fill up the dishwasher once in a while) for as long as they both live. While this is a lovely idea, it's not like people take it seriously anymore. I don't know why people don't just move onto Handfasting instead these days, because then they would only have to promise to be a couple for as long as the love lasts.
So, while I was talking about people being in love and having 'the one', it occurred to me that everyone takes for granted that 'soul mates' have to be lovers. I don't see anything in the name that dictates that. Perhaps soul mates don't have to like each other at all, or even acknowledge each other. To me, soul mates means two souls that are drawn to each other for some reason. Maybe this just means these two people need to be in one another's lives at some point, to put them in the right direction, or to cause them to make a mistake which in turn will be for the best. Something like that. Who says they have to be in love at all?
I've said before that I believe everything happens for a reason, although I believe we do have choices of our own to make. In the case of soul mates, I just don't know. Have I met mine already? Can they really exist? I'm one of those 'I believe in the supernatural' types so... maybe I do believe in them. All I know is, when I was thinking about them today, I most definitely did not.
But hey, a girl can change her mind can't she?
I'd really like to know your thoughts.
Friday, 2 July 2010
I wish I had...
I've been thinking a lot today about endings. It started with my last day at Sixth Form, and ended with talks of death. It made me think about my ending. Morbid, I know, but it made me realise that there are so many things I'm doing wrong.
They say that right before you die, or when you think you're going to die, your life flashes before your eyes. But no one said it was the life you lived that you see projected onto the inside of your eyelids. Perhaps it's the things you want to do, or say, or see, that hit you. Not the things you've done right, but the things you never did at all.
How exactly are we supposed to live life? We tip-toe around subjects, avoid people, say that ignorance is bliss - but at the end of it all, there can only be regret. Regret that you never got to speak about that thing again, regret that you never said what you should have said - usually these non-things are due to other people being involved. You can't tell someone you love them because they're married. You can't mention the death of a loved-one because it causes too much hurt to others around you. It doesn't feel right, but it's the right thing to do. Is it, though?
People lie all the time. They lie with words, with smiles, with silence - all for protection. Protection of you, themseleves, other people. Maybe these lies are for the greater good, but it doesn't always feel that way. We are forever left with 'What Ifs'; they create an entire universe in our minds - the life we could have lived with the truth we could have told. But we can't do that. We can't do that because society tells us it's not the right thing.
I guess it's more about the middle of the story than the end. I just mean to say, if you were to stop -just, end - would you be happy with how things are? Or... are you finding yourself thinking about the people, the places, the non-things?
So the question remains - what are you supposed to do about the non-things? Is it really better to live in a world of what-ifs, rather than in one in which you have answers? After all, when the credits stop... you don't get a re-run.
They say that right before you die, or when you think you're going to die, your life flashes before your eyes. But no one said it was the life you lived that you see projected onto the inside of your eyelids. Perhaps it's the things you want to do, or say, or see, that hit you. Not the things you've done right, but the things you never did at all.
How exactly are we supposed to live life? We tip-toe around subjects, avoid people, say that ignorance is bliss - but at the end of it all, there can only be regret. Regret that you never got to speak about that thing again, regret that you never said what you should have said - usually these non-things are due to other people being involved. You can't tell someone you love them because they're married. You can't mention the death of a loved-one because it causes too much hurt to others around you. It doesn't feel right, but it's the right thing to do. Is it, though?
People lie all the time. They lie with words, with smiles, with silence - all for protection. Protection of you, themseleves, other people. Maybe these lies are for the greater good, but it doesn't always feel that way. We are forever left with 'What Ifs'; they create an entire universe in our minds - the life we could have lived with the truth we could have told. But we can't do that. We can't do that because society tells us it's not the right thing.
I guess it's more about the middle of the story than the end. I just mean to say, if you were to stop -just, end - would you be happy with how things are? Or... are you finding yourself thinking about the people, the places, the non-things?
So the question remains - what are you supposed to do about the non-things? Is it really better to live in a world of what-ifs, rather than in one in which you have answers? After all, when the credits stop... you don't get a re-run.
Friday, 28 May 2010
The Universe and Stuff.
I know I haven't written for a while, but the fact that people have noticed this and are asking for more offers a sense of affirmation I quite like.
Basically, I haven't had anything to write about. Even the rest of the election didn't warrant a paragraph in my opinion. So... I've been thinking of what I could possibly write about today, and I must admit that I've been having some trouble. I wrote half a post a few days ago but it wasn't about anything, really.
And so... today I would like to address the following topics:
Missed things.
I've never used headings before... Anyway, missed things. We miss opportunities, real meanings of things, and things when they're not here anymore. We can even miss that which we never had in the first place, because we think about it so much. I've noticed though, that there are certain things which are missed in life that are not down to us. (Here's where I go a bit Hippy). People believe in destiny, but what is it called when destinies don't quite align properly? You know what I mean - it's like when you see two people who couldn't be more perfect for each other, who will never be together because they are at very different stages in their lives. It's almost as one of them drove down the path of their destiny, missing the other person who was walking down that same path. I notice these things, these missed things... and wonder if people experiencing them know that they're missing out.
Everything happens for a reason.
The second kind of missed things I just talked about are the anomaly in this instance. I think I've written in a previous post that I live by this quote. I'd go crazy if I didn't - worrying about things that have happened to me, rather than just thinking "hey, it was going to happen no matter what, there's nothing I can do about it." After all, we're all heading the same way, right? It's just how we get there that's different. But I think that insecurities and worries hold people back, and while hope can offer peace to some, it can also hinder the process of moving on. Some may view this as a positive but in some respects hope can ruin lives; waiting for something that will never come, and letting time fall away in the process. Even if there isn't a set path for all of us, what's the problem in believing there is? I think a hell of a lot more people would chill out a bit if they thought that way.
Eye Contact
I'm just wondering how you feel about eye contact. I find it very hard to hold sometimes, unless it's your typical game of eye tennis of course...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc3AOjV0Y2Q&feature=related
Ciao,
Tails.
Basically, I haven't had anything to write about. Even the rest of the election didn't warrant a paragraph in my opinion. So... I've been thinking of what I could possibly write about today, and I must admit that I've been having some trouble. I wrote half a post a few days ago but it wasn't about anything, really.
And so... today I would like to address the following topics:
Missed things.
I've never used headings before... Anyway, missed things. We miss opportunities, real meanings of things, and things when they're not here anymore. We can even miss that which we never had in the first place, because we think about it so much. I've noticed though, that there are certain things which are missed in life that are not down to us. (Here's where I go a bit Hippy). People believe in destiny, but what is it called when destinies don't quite align properly? You know what I mean - it's like when you see two people who couldn't be more perfect for each other, who will never be together because they are at very different stages in their lives. It's almost as one of them drove down the path of their destiny, missing the other person who was walking down that same path. I notice these things, these missed things... and wonder if people experiencing them know that they're missing out.
Everything happens for a reason.
The second kind of missed things I just talked about are the anomaly in this instance. I think I've written in a previous post that I live by this quote. I'd go crazy if I didn't - worrying about things that have happened to me, rather than just thinking "hey, it was going to happen no matter what, there's nothing I can do about it." After all, we're all heading the same way, right? It's just how we get there that's different. But I think that insecurities and worries hold people back, and while hope can offer peace to some, it can also hinder the process of moving on. Some may view this as a positive but in some respects hope can ruin lives; waiting for something that will never come, and letting time fall away in the process. Even if there isn't a set path for all of us, what's the problem in believing there is? I think a hell of a lot more people would chill out a bit if they thought that way.
Eye Contact
I'm just wondering how you feel about eye contact. I find it very hard to hold sometimes, unless it's your typical game of eye tennis of course...
You know, I would really love to have the ability to know what other people are thinking. Ultimate understanding. I wanted to write 'ultimate control' there but I was slightly worried I might come across as a tad... power crazy...
This (oddly) made me laugh:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc3AOjV0Y2Q&feature=related
Ciao,
Tails.
Friday, 16 April 2010
The First Debate (how utterly original).
I work on Thursday nights, so it wasn't until this afternoon that I managed to watch The First Debate. And, being me, I took some notes.
So, I sat down to watch the Podium Power Rangers, each sporting a tie of their party's colour (apart from Brown, who either decided to go for pink for no apparent reason, or accidentally put his red tie in with his dark laundry), battle it out in an attempt to win my vote.
It was a shame that I had, by this morning, already found out what people thought of the debate. I found that Nick Clegg had the upper hand, and why wouldn't he? He is allowing the public to call him Nick, after all. It seemed obvious from the outset though, that Clegg was gladly riding on the back of the conflict between Cameron and Brown. He used to it his advantage, which I don't hold against him at all. However, I do wonder how well he would have come across had Cameron and Brown not been there.
In contrast, Brown seemed to have a disadvantage as although he could make promises for the future, he was repeatedly criticised for what was happening at present. So, he spent much of his time having to defend himself, while Clegg and Cameron (well actually, just Clegg) painted pretty pictures of the country's future.
This isn't to say that Brown failed to win over the audience in this debate. I must admit that although Clegg was the more likeable character, as far as substance goes, Brown definitely knew what he was talking about. By that, I mean that he didn't seem staged, for the most part. A lot of the time he simply spoke, without sounding completely rehearsed, as Clegg often did and Cameron... well... let's just say his High School Musical quote "We're all in this together" was the cheese.
Immigration. Who doesn't like a good debate on that? My Sixth Form Common Room often hears an argument or two on this subject. Clegg proposed a partial solution that actually surprised me, as I had never heard anyone mention anything like it before. Yet, it seemed so simple - immigrants will only be allowed to work in places they are needed. Fair enough, I thought. Whether or not that could work is beyond me, as I don't pretend to have much knowledge on immigration. Cameron put forward the idea of a "Border police force", which made me laugh as I assumed we had one of those already. Brown confirmed my suspicions to an extent, as he said Labour had started to bring in this kind of border protection. I laughed again when Clegg fancied himself as "like anybody else". That's got to be the lamest line in the political book, hasn't it? I mean really, there's no way that just because your children go to a state school (that goes for you too, Cameron... I don't know where Brown's children are educated...) that you're the same as the average Joe working in Tescos. To be honest, I think it's ridiculous that even though they can afford it, they don't send their children to private schools, just so they will look good in the eye of the working class. At one point in the debate, Clegg proposed smaller class sizes (as small as 20, which would be fantastic, but I do believe it to be quite unrealistic given the cuts/caps education funding will undoubtedly receive). I thought to myself, if everyone who could afford to send their children to private schools did so, that target would be much more achievable.
I was disappointed to hear the "more police on our streets" line thrown at me left right and centre in this debate. It's the easiest thing to say, especially if you add "we need" in front of it. It shows an understanding of our dismal numbers of police officers on the beat, with no actual promise of improving the issue. Clegg mocked an ID card system (which, by the way, I have never heard of, and thought sounded very cool - as if John Anderton had thought of it himself), taking it out of the pipe line and replacing it with 3,000 more police officers. Okay, I thought - my Sci-Fi days can be put on hold if it means my house won't get burgled. But the one proposal that did make me favour the Liberal Democrats was stopping young offenders from re-offending in the future. This nip-it-in-the-bud attitude is what schools try to enforce now - why is it that the government has only just stumbled upon it? Brown did take back some of my support as he stated that parents must take responsibility for their children. Hallelujah. Just I had felt previously, Cameron didn't really offer much on this subject either. It was Clegg and Brown that stood out in this instance, offering solid proposals that actually made sense. I did feel sorry for Brown though, as his cringe-worthy attempt to mock the Tories's posters of himself was so utterly awful. I wish he had planned it slightly better, because it probably could have been quite funny. He got his own-back luckily, when he asked Cameron something about his cutting of funding for the police force, and Cameron had no answer and just started going on about what "Gordon is not telling you".
By the way, did anyone notice how many times Cameron said, "What small business, what big business (insert hardship here)"? I counted three, but I'd be much happier if you could prove me wrong and present me with a higher count.
The education section of the debate was something I was looking forward to, but none of my questions about University fees were answered, so I was disappointed. The whole thing about teachers and headteachers having more freedom was very nice - they did like to state the obvious. I really liked it when Brown said that we need Teachers and Teacher's Assistants, and that he didn't want to get rid of any jobs, like the Tories will. I feel very strongly about this - Teachers' jobs always need to be safe, because without them we'd end up having grown men wanting to represent our country having arguments on TV. I promise you, education has improved immensely... and I say this having been educated at a state school (and liking it) my entire life. Well done Eton, you've produced some marvelous pieces of work.
I understand that Clegg wanted to get the point across to the audience that the Liberal Democrats will be "straight" with us. I understand that because he said it at every opportunity. However, as much as I have criticised him, I liked Clegg very much. Even though his trousers were too long, the arms of his jacket too short and he had my Nan is uproar commenting that he should take his hands out of his pockets, he used the phrase "Millions and Squillions", which makes him one of the most amazing politicians ever, quite obviously.
So here's the deal:
Brown knew what he was talking about. He wasn't the most charismatic, but he was the solid, older man you feel you can trust to water your plants when you're on holiday. That's a good thing.
Cameron was just plain useless, and a lot of the time I forgot he was there, even when he was speaking. I heard he flew in the guy who coaches Barack Obama - so, while he spoke like a news reader, his content wasn't very impressive. His closing statement reminded me of my Year 6 house captain elections (I won... by the way) when my teacher told me not to say "if you fall over in the playground, I will help you" but rather, "If you want something to change, tell me and I will tell Mr Guest".
Clegg was, as I have already said, the most likeable character. He offered figures, which instantly makes people feel that he is a trustworthy kind of guy. And he did present some good points, for which I was very happy. I think Clegg showed that a change would be alright, as a matter of fact.
Oh, and Cameron - how do you know that woman is doing a great job with regards to our health service? For all you know she could be stealing office supplies and spending her shifts looking for bar maid jobs online.
It's probably only fitting that I link the debate to this post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk5HvJmy_yg
I also liked how Alistair Stewart never knew where the camera was.
Women - never forget the Suffragettes. Vote.
Tails.
So, I sat down to watch the Podium Power Rangers, each sporting a tie of their party's colour (apart from Brown, who either decided to go for pink for no apparent reason, or accidentally put his red tie in with his dark laundry), battle it out in an attempt to win my vote.
It was a shame that I had, by this morning, already found out what people thought of the debate. I found that Nick Clegg had the upper hand, and why wouldn't he? He is allowing the public to call him Nick, after all. It seemed obvious from the outset though, that Clegg was gladly riding on the back of the conflict between Cameron and Brown. He used to it his advantage, which I don't hold against him at all. However, I do wonder how well he would have come across had Cameron and Brown not been there.
In contrast, Brown seemed to have a disadvantage as although he could make promises for the future, he was repeatedly criticised for what was happening at present. So, he spent much of his time having to defend himself, while Clegg and Cameron (well actually, just Clegg) painted pretty pictures of the country's future.
This isn't to say that Brown failed to win over the audience in this debate. I must admit that although Clegg was the more likeable character, as far as substance goes, Brown definitely knew what he was talking about. By that, I mean that he didn't seem staged, for the most part. A lot of the time he simply spoke, without sounding completely rehearsed, as Clegg often did and Cameron... well... let's just say his High School Musical quote "We're all in this together" was the cheese.
Immigration. Who doesn't like a good debate on that? My Sixth Form Common Room often hears an argument or two on this subject. Clegg proposed a partial solution that actually surprised me, as I had never heard anyone mention anything like it before. Yet, it seemed so simple - immigrants will only be allowed to work in places they are needed. Fair enough, I thought. Whether or not that could work is beyond me, as I don't pretend to have much knowledge on immigration. Cameron put forward the idea of a "Border police force", which made me laugh as I assumed we had one of those already. Brown confirmed my suspicions to an extent, as he said Labour had started to bring in this kind of border protection. I laughed again when Clegg fancied himself as "like anybody else". That's got to be the lamest line in the political book, hasn't it? I mean really, there's no way that just because your children go to a state school (that goes for you too, Cameron... I don't know where Brown's children are educated...) that you're the same as the average Joe working in Tescos. To be honest, I think it's ridiculous that even though they can afford it, they don't send their children to private schools, just so they will look good in the eye of the working class. At one point in the debate, Clegg proposed smaller class sizes (as small as 20, which would be fantastic, but I do believe it to be quite unrealistic given the cuts/caps education funding will undoubtedly receive). I thought to myself, if everyone who could afford to send their children to private schools did so, that target would be much more achievable.
I was disappointed to hear the "more police on our streets" line thrown at me left right and centre in this debate. It's the easiest thing to say, especially if you add "we need" in front of it. It shows an understanding of our dismal numbers of police officers on the beat, with no actual promise of improving the issue. Clegg mocked an ID card system (which, by the way, I have never heard of, and thought sounded very cool - as if John Anderton had thought of it himself), taking it out of the pipe line and replacing it with 3,000 more police officers. Okay, I thought - my Sci-Fi days can be put on hold if it means my house won't get burgled. But the one proposal that did make me favour the Liberal Democrats was stopping young offenders from re-offending in the future. This nip-it-in-the-bud attitude is what schools try to enforce now - why is it that the government has only just stumbled upon it? Brown did take back some of my support as he stated that parents must take responsibility for their children. Hallelujah. Just I had felt previously, Cameron didn't really offer much on this subject either. It was Clegg and Brown that stood out in this instance, offering solid proposals that actually made sense. I did feel sorry for Brown though, as his cringe-worthy attempt to mock the Tories's posters of himself was so utterly awful. I wish he had planned it slightly better, because it probably could have been quite funny. He got his own-back luckily, when he asked Cameron something about his cutting of funding for the police force, and Cameron had no answer and just started going on about what "Gordon is not telling you".
By the way, did anyone notice how many times Cameron said, "What small business, what big business (insert hardship here)"? I counted three, but I'd be much happier if you could prove me wrong and present me with a higher count.
The education section of the debate was something I was looking forward to, but none of my questions about University fees were answered, so I was disappointed. The whole thing about teachers and headteachers having more freedom was very nice - they did like to state the obvious. I really liked it when Brown said that we need Teachers and Teacher's Assistants, and that he didn't want to get rid of any jobs, like the Tories will. I feel very strongly about this - Teachers' jobs always need to be safe, because without them we'd end up having grown men wanting to represent our country having arguments on TV. I promise you, education has improved immensely... and I say this having been educated at a state school (and liking it) my entire life. Well done Eton, you've produced some marvelous pieces of work.
I understand that Clegg wanted to get the point across to the audience that the Liberal Democrats will be "straight" with us. I understand that because he said it at every opportunity. However, as much as I have criticised him, I liked Clegg very much. Even though his trousers were too long, the arms of his jacket too short and he had my Nan is uproar commenting that he should take his hands out of his pockets, he used the phrase "Millions and Squillions", which makes him one of the most amazing politicians ever, quite obviously.
So here's the deal:
Brown knew what he was talking about. He wasn't the most charismatic, but he was the solid, older man you feel you can trust to water your plants when you're on holiday. That's a good thing.
Cameron was just plain useless, and a lot of the time I forgot he was there, even when he was speaking. I heard he flew in the guy who coaches Barack Obama - so, while he spoke like a news reader, his content wasn't very impressive. His closing statement reminded me of my Year 6 house captain elections (I won... by the way) when my teacher told me not to say "if you fall over in the playground, I will help you" but rather, "If you want something to change, tell me and I will tell Mr Guest".
Clegg was, as I have already said, the most likeable character. He offered figures, which instantly makes people feel that he is a trustworthy kind of guy. And he did present some good points, for which I was very happy. I think Clegg showed that a change would be alright, as a matter of fact.
Oh, and Cameron - how do you know that woman is doing a great job with regards to our health service? For all you know she could be stealing office supplies and spending her shifts looking for bar maid jobs online.
It's probably only fitting that I link the debate to this post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk5HvJmy_yg
I also liked how Alistair Stewart never knew where the camera was.
Women - never forget the Suffragettes. Vote.
Tails.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Too cool for nothing at all.
We are too obsessed with what is cool. From when we get dressed in the morning, to what we decide watch on TV in the evening, we are forever worrying about what others will approve of. A prime example: Facebook and Twitter. I know for a fact that when updating their statuses, there are a lot of people who spend a great deal of time deciding what the coolest/funniest/most intelligent-sounding way to write what they've got to say. And most of the time, that something is as insignificant as "I'm bored". Yet the fear that people may find "Today was so boring" to mean you have no social life, you instantly feel the need to change your quote to something like, "Today was boring until I spoke to (tag person here)". You didn't really have fun speaking to that person, but at least that gets your point across and saves you from being a social outcast.
It's no wonder we are so fearful of what others think - if you step outside wearing the 'wrong' shoes the muttering will start. Working in a clothes store I regularly hear things like "what the hell is she thinking?" or "yeah, like she's going to look good in that". However, we have become such a consuming-driven society (we're suckers for an advert or two) that even if we know that we don't have the figure for that skimpy size 10 dress, we still need to have it, just so people won't think we're off-trend. God forbid we wear something that fits and actually looks decent, because who wants something that nobody else is wearing? We do like to shun individuality, after all.
I'm going off on a slight tangent. What I mean to say is, why can't people just be themselves? (Please ignore the cliché). Say what they really think, dress how they want to dress and do what they want to do? Another example: when I get a car, I want to have 'My other car is a TARDIS' on the bottom of the number plate. Already, I know a lot of you are thinking, "what an idiot", and that's fair enough. But so what? If I was as obsessed with what other people think as some people are, I wouldn't be having much fun at all... and I most certainly wouldn't be writing this blog.
This isn't to say that I don't care what people think. I do, to an extent. It's frustrating really, because a lot of the time I don't mean to care. I think these little insecurities are built-in for a lot of us. If you're sitting there reading this thinking, "I don't give a shit what people think", I'd like to direct you to the clothes you wear that you think make you look good, the things you say that you hope will make you sound funny or intelligent, and the things in life that you don't do. That's what it's all down to, isn't it? Not just what people will do to seem cool, but the things they won't, even if they really want to, in case it makes them look like a loser.
In other news, I've almost come to the conclusion that I want to go to St Mary's to study Media Arts and English. They have an awesome Media course there, and unlike many universities, actually include Shakespeare in their English course.
This link will take you to an interview about video games, which made me quite angry. Notice the attack on the video-game-guy, and the fact that no one else can comprehend the fact that video games have certificates. It was on The Alan Tichmarsh Show. Also notice that I left that statement until last.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryH2WemACIM&feature=player_embedded
As my birthday nears, the excitement builds. More on this story next time...
Happy blogging,
Tails.
It's no wonder we are so fearful of what others think - if you step outside wearing the 'wrong' shoes the muttering will start. Working in a clothes store I regularly hear things like "what the hell is she thinking?" or "yeah, like she's going to look good in that". However, we have become such a consuming-driven society (we're suckers for an advert or two) that even if we know that we don't have the figure for that skimpy size 10 dress, we still need to have it, just so people won't think we're off-trend. God forbid we wear something that fits and actually looks decent, because who wants something that nobody else is wearing? We do like to shun individuality, after all.
I'm going off on a slight tangent. What I mean to say is, why can't people just be themselves? (Please ignore the cliché). Say what they really think, dress how they want to dress and do what they want to do? Another example: when I get a car, I want to have 'My other car is a TARDIS' on the bottom of the number plate. Already, I know a lot of you are thinking, "what an idiot", and that's fair enough. But so what? If I was as obsessed with what other people think as some people are, I wouldn't be having much fun at all... and I most certainly wouldn't be writing this blog.
This isn't to say that I don't care what people think. I do, to an extent. It's frustrating really, because a lot of the time I don't mean to care. I think these little insecurities are built-in for a lot of us. If you're sitting there reading this thinking, "I don't give a shit what people think", I'd like to direct you to the clothes you wear that you think make you look good, the things you say that you hope will make you sound funny or intelligent, and the things in life that you don't do. That's what it's all down to, isn't it? Not just what people will do to seem cool, but the things they won't, even if they really want to, in case it makes them look like a loser.
In other news, I've almost come to the conclusion that I want to go to St Mary's to study Media Arts and English. They have an awesome Media course there, and unlike many universities, actually include Shakespeare in their English course.
This link will take you to an interview about video games, which made me quite angry. Notice the attack on the video-game-guy, and the fact that no one else can comprehend the fact that video games have certificates. It was on The Alan Tichmarsh Show. Also notice that I left that statement until last.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryH2WemACIM&feature=player_embedded
As my birthday nears, the excitement builds. More on this story next time...
Happy blogging,
Tails.
Saturday, 3 April 2010
The Shadow Proclamation and other matters.
I am a huge Doctor Who fan, so tonight was a very important night indeed. Still grieving the loss of my beloved David Tennant, and worrying what the programme would be made into with a new TARDIS, no Tennant and no Russell, I sat with my knees to my chest as I anxiously awaited the opening drum beats.
I wasn't very happy that the music had changed slightly. It does change every so often, but I must admit that I wasn't comfortable until it neared the end, when last series' tune came into play.
I was very impressed with Matt Smith. I had believed that no one could possibly compare to Tennant, especially not a nobody that caused the hair rating of the programme to fall from a 10 to a 2. However, the quick pace and wittiness of him made the Doctor easily recognisable and for that, I am happy. It was almost as if if I closed my eyes, it could have been Tennant. Almost. In my opinion, Smith most definitely did the character justice; I let out a sigh of relief as the episode came to a close, knowing that I could look forward to the next. The absence of Russell T Davies didn't do much damage, thankfully. After writing Blink (which I felt had been written by someone else at the time, even before I knew it had [it was quite different]) Steven Moffat gained my support. After seeing this episode, he can keep it.
As for the TARDIS, well... they built that up, didn't they? The fear filled me entirely and yet it didn't have to - the same hat stand stood tall, and the TARDIS remained pretty much the same, just with a few changes of colours and materials here and there. Thank The Shadow Proclamation for that.
In other news (literally) did anyone see the April Fool in The Guardian the other day? 'Lame' doesn't come close - I mean, seriously, as soon as I saw the images I was scanning the page for some sort of April Fools anagram. Granted, they dropped the s, but I found it eventually. To be honest with you, it would have been received with much more 'gotcha' humour if it had been in a tabloid. Saying that, if anyone did fall for the article, they most definitely should not be reading The Guardian in the first place.
Speaking of The Guardian, I read a story in Weekend about a couple who are paying £30,000 to chose the sex of their baby. After having three boys, they desperately want a girl. But I ask, how ethical is this? I understand that there are people who would be disappointed with having a baby of a particular gender, but should these people be having children at all?
I suppose, if someone has the inability to love a boy, because they want a girl so much, then they should be given the chance to have a girl. Not because this is what they deserve, but because if this wasn't the case then there would be an unloved baby boy brought into the world. How awful is that? I once watched a programme about babies and gender - a couple had four boys and were going to have a scan of their unborn baby number 5. They were hoping for a girl, just as they had done during the previous four pregnancies. They had the scan, and the baby was revealed to be a boy. You know what the woman did? She cried. She was so upset and disappointed that she was having another boy. I feared for that child. That unwanted baby boy.
So, perhaps there are pros as well as cons for deciding your baby's gender. For health reasons, this is obviously a wonderful thing. However, in the case of choosing your baby's eye colour, hair colour, etc... aren't we going a little too far? Designing a baby, just as if you were choosing an outfit for the weekend. Where's the love and pride? It's more like having a baby that will cause your friends to envy you - my baby's prettier than yours, ner ner.
It's my birthday soon - I'm very excited.
Oh, and by the way - I passed my driving test this week. And got my drama exam over and done with. Good times.
A video for you: very different from what I usually give you, because it's one of my own. I was watching it today... that's really the only reason I'm putting it in my blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tKNpN88AGk
Au revoir,
Tails.
I wasn't very happy that the music had changed slightly. It does change every so often, but I must admit that I wasn't comfortable until it neared the end, when last series' tune came into play.
I was very impressed with Matt Smith. I had believed that no one could possibly compare to Tennant, especially not a nobody that caused the hair rating of the programme to fall from a 10 to a 2. However, the quick pace and wittiness of him made the Doctor easily recognisable and for that, I am happy. It was almost as if if I closed my eyes, it could have been Tennant. Almost. In my opinion, Smith most definitely did the character justice; I let out a sigh of relief as the episode came to a close, knowing that I could look forward to the next. The absence of Russell T Davies didn't do much damage, thankfully. After writing Blink (which I felt had been written by someone else at the time, even before I knew it had [it was quite different]) Steven Moffat gained my support. After seeing this episode, he can keep it.
As for the TARDIS, well... they built that up, didn't they? The fear filled me entirely and yet it didn't have to - the same hat stand stood tall, and the TARDIS remained pretty much the same, just with a few changes of colours and materials here and there. Thank The Shadow Proclamation for that.
In other news (literally) did anyone see the April Fool in The Guardian the other day? 'Lame' doesn't come close - I mean, seriously, as soon as I saw the images I was scanning the page for some sort of April Fools anagram. Granted, they dropped the s, but I found it eventually. To be honest with you, it would have been received with much more 'gotcha' humour if it had been in a tabloid. Saying that, if anyone did fall for the article, they most definitely should not be reading The Guardian in the first place.
Speaking of The Guardian, I read a story in Weekend about a couple who are paying £30,000 to chose the sex of their baby. After having three boys, they desperately want a girl. But I ask, how ethical is this? I understand that there are people who would be disappointed with having a baby of a particular gender, but should these people be having children at all?
I suppose, if someone has the inability to love a boy, because they want a girl so much, then they should be given the chance to have a girl. Not because this is what they deserve, but because if this wasn't the case then there would be an unloved baby boy brought into the world. How awful is that? I once watched a programme about babies and gender - a couple had four boys and were going to have a scan of their unborn baby number 5. They were hoping for a girl, just as they had done during the previous four pregnancies. They had the scan, and the baby was revealed to be a boy. You know what the woman did? She cried. She was so upset and disappointed that she was having another boy. I feared for that child. That unwanted baby boy.
So, perhaps there are pros as well as cons for deciding your baby's gender. For health reasons, this is obviously a wonderful thing. However, in the case of choosing your baby's eye colour, hair colour, etc... aren't we going a little too far? Designing a baby, just as if you were choosing an outfit for the weekend. Where's the love and pride? It's more like having a baby that will cause your friends to envy you - my baby's prettier than yours, ner ner.
It's my birthday soon - I'm very excited.
Oh, and by the way - I passed my driving test this week. And got my drama exam over and done with. Good times.
A video for you: very different from what I usually give you, because it's one of my own. I was watching it today... that's really the only reason I'm putting it in my blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tKNpN88AGk
Au revoir,
Tails.
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Don't worry, I'm still here.
I haven't had anything to write about recently, but I've been having withdrawal symptoms from this blog.
I feel the need to share this link with you - it's a forum called "Things Supply Teachers Hate About Class Teachers". It's pathetic, mean, and utterly hilarious:
http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/t/387346.aspx?PageIndex=1
Talking of teachers, there's always this issue about them talking to students on social networking sites. As society crawls further back into their caves of political correctness, I wonder why this country is so afraid of teacher-student friendships. It's a very tricky subject, and I understand people have extremely strong views on it. However, I have many friends who have at some point been educated in other countries, such as my good friends from Brazil (hello!), who find it strange that students in England can't call their teachers by their first names, and that no teacher would ever dare merely 'hang out' with their students without fear of being shunned, or even fired. The shock on my friend's faces as the outrageous Brazilians told us of the meals and fun days out they'd had with their teachers made me think that maybe it's all just a little too restricting. I mean, unless the situation screams "paedophile!", is there anything wrong with it? In the words of Scroobius Pip, 'some people are just nice'. (Okay, that's a playful lyric made to insinuate otherwise, but you know what I mean). I'd be interested to know what you think.
Lately I've been doing a lot of research into the representation of the working class in Britain. Mainly looking at television drama, I've realised (well, realised the true extent of it) just how conceited society really is. There's not just the stereotypes of Chavs in hoodies and shoplifters with bangles for earrings to consider - it's the patronising way the middle class police officers in The Bill adjust the way they speak depending on whether they are interviewing the hoodie-wearing-ear-stretching-Chav or the well-dressed-well-mannered-ideal-member-of-society. I understood this straight away, because it happens in everyday life. It's exactly the same when we speak to children. Speaking to a Toddler, automatically we put on a friendly, high pitched voice as we act as though every syllable of a word is exciting. Similarly, when you speak to someone of working class you assume they will feel intimidated if faced with 'big words' and so slip into slang or drop the Ts and change 'yes' to 'yeah'. Equally, when speaking to someone of middle class, you feel embarrassed to talk about what happened on Eastenders last night, and instantly you feel you should know something about what Gordon Brown said last week. Apparently we are to become a 'classless society'. If you say so Mr PM.
You should read this article, unless you read it yesterday. Actually, even if you did, read it again. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/mar/20/no-one-knows-about-persian-cats It's sort of a real life We Will Rock You. The determination of some people is inspiring.
Well, that's it for today. Yet again, I had no idea how this blog was going to turn out. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint. And, as always, I look forward to hearing your comments.
This is a fantastic song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvcohzJvviQ
I recommend you listen to it with your eyes closed though, the video kind of sucks.
Adios,
Tails.
I feel the need to share this link with you - it's a forum called "Things Supply Teachers Hate About Class Teachers". It's pathetic, mean, and utterly hilarious:
http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/t/387346.aspx?PageIndex=1
Talking of teachers, there's always this issue about them talking to students on social networking sites. As society crawls further back into their caves of political correctness, I wonder why this country is so afraid of teacher-student friendships. It's a very tricky subject, and I understand people have extremely strong views on it. However, I have many friends who have at some point been educated in other countries, such as my good friends from Brazil (hello!), who find it strange that students in England can't call their teachers by their first names, and that no teacher would ever dare merely 'hang out' with their students without fear of being shunned, or even fired. The shock on my friend's faces as the outrageous Brazilians told us of the meals and fun days out they'd had with their teachers made me think that maybe it's all just a little too restricting. I mean, unless the situation screams "paedophile!", is there anything wrong with it? In the words of Scroobius Pip, 'some people are just nice'. (Okay, that's a playful lyric made to insinuate otherwise, but you know what I mean). I'd be interested to know what you think.
Lately I've been doing a lot of research into the representation of the working class in Britain. Mainly looking at television drama, I've realised (well, realised the true extent of it) just how conceited society really is. There's not just the stereotypes of Chavs in hoodies and shoplifters with bangles for earrings to consider - it's the patronising way the middle class police officers in The Bill adjust the way they speak depending on whether they are interviewing the hoodie-wearing-ear-stretching-Chav or the well-dressed-well-mannered-ideal-member-of-society. I understood this straight away, because it happens in everyday life. It's exactly the same when we speak to children. Speaking to a Toddler, automatically we put on a friendly, high pitched voice as we act as though every syllable of a word is exciting. Similarly, when you speak to someone of working class you assume they will feel intimidated if faced with 'big words' and so slip into slang or drop the Ts and change 'yes' to 'yeah'. Equally, when speaking to someone of middle class, you feel embarrassed to talk about what happened on Eastenders last night, and instantly you feel you should know something about what Gordon Brown said last week. Apparently we are to become a 'classless society'. If you say so Mr PM.
You should read this article, unless you read it yesterday. Actually, even if you did, read it again. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/mar/20/no-one-knows-about-persian-cats It's sort of a real life We Will Rock You. The determination of some people is inspiring.
Well, that's it for today. Yet again, I had no idea how this blog was going to turn out. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint. And, as always, I look forward to hearing your comments.
This is a fantastic song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvcohzJvviQ
I recommend you listen to it with your eyes closed though, the video kind of sucks.
Adios,
Tails.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Apparently, I like a good analogy.
I really wanted that three day thing to last. Question - are titles really necessary?
In amongst some of the comments people made about my last post, one person said something like, "you can tell me your problems". This sparked off this post.
When you're on a plane, the cabin crew tell you that in an emergency you should put on your own oxygen mask before putting on anyone else's. The picture in the Emergency Evacuation pamphlet shows a woman putting on her oxygen mask before her young child's. Each time I see it I understand, but something about it just doesn't feel right.
Other people's problems are much easier to solve. You step back, you see the big picture. You're presented with a puzzle. You examine it, first finding the corners, and then work your way to the middle. Emotions detached, slowly but surely the pieces come together. You've cracked it - the problem goes away and left in its place is a solution. I guess there's an element of procrastination within this method. Other people always need helping. You can put off your puzzle until tomorrow, knowing that instead you can get satisfaction from solving one with less pieces. Because, when it's your own puzzle, the pieces are smaller - the lid of the box is missing - it's harder to visualise the final outcome. Tomorrow comes and you're faced with a daunting challenge. But, like I said, other people always need helping.
I couldn't bear to be one of those people who others look at with pity. They may not mean to, but once you've let them in, the way they look at you changes. Just slightly - but enough for you to notice. I know it's cliché, but you really can see it in their eyes. So, tying in my previous post with this one, I fail to see the benefits of trusting everyone with my problems. They either end up being passed around, until they're not your problems anymore but the mindless gossip of idiots instead, or you come to be pitied.
I would just like to point out that I'm not a majorly troubled person. I don't have any particularly important problems.
On a brighter note, I've found one of the most amazing T-Shirts of all time. I cannot wait to buy it:
As most people know, Shaun of the Dead is my favourite film of all time. If you're a fan, you'll get this Tee. If you're not, there's an explanation of them on the web page. Also, if you're a fan of any other Zombie movies, there's probably something in there for you too.
For a better view, and to understand the 'in-jokes', click here:
http://www.darkbunnytees.com/movietshirts/tshirts/shaunofthedeadmovietshirtladiesfit.html
That brings me to the end of my post. I look forward to debating with some of you about it - this seems to be a regular occurrence after I publish a blog post.
No... I didn't forget.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiUujoVmQ8A
To most, this will be the most pointless video ever made. However, it combines two of my most favourite viewing experiences ever, which therefore makes it utter genius. Plus, it links in with that T-Shirt. Clever, eh?
Laters,
Tails.
In amongst some of the comments people made about my last post, one person said something like, "you can tell me your problems". This sparked off this post.
When you're on a plane, the cabin crew tell you that in an emergency you should put on your own oxygen mask before putting on anyone else's. The picture in the Emergency Evacuation pamphlet shows a woman putting on her oxygen mask before her young child's. Each time I see it I understand, but something about it just doesn't feel right.
Other people's problems are much easier to solve. You step back, you see the big picture. You're presented with a puzzle. You examine it, first finding the corners, and then work your way to the middle. Emotions detached, slowly but surely the pieces come together. You've cracked it - the problem goes away and left in its place is a solution. I guess there's an element of procrastination within this method. Other people always need helping. You can put off your puzzle until tomorrow, knowing that instead you can get satisfaction from solving one with less pieces. Because, when it's your own puzzle, the pieces are smaller - the lid of the box is missing - it's harder to visualise the final outcome. Tomorrow comes and you're faced with a daunting challenge. But, like I said, other people always need helping.
I couldn't bear to be one of those people who others look at with pity. They may not mean to, but once you've let them in, the way they look at you changes. Just slightly - but enough for you to notice. I know it's cliché, but you really can see it in their eyes. So, tying in my previous post with this one, I fail to see the benefits of trusting everyone with my problems. They either end up being passed around, until they're not your problems anymore but the mindless gossip of idiots instead, or you come to be pitied.
I would just like to point out that I'm not a majorly troubled person. I don't have any particularly important problems.
On a brighter note, I've found one of the most amazing T-Shirts of all time. I cannot wait to buy it:
As most people know, Shaun of the Dead is my favourite film of all time. If you're a fan, you'll get this Tee. If you're not, there's an explanation of them on the web page. Also, if you're a fan of any other Zombie movies, there's probably something in there for you too.
For a better view, and to understand the 'in-jokes', click here:
http://www.darkbunnytees.com/movietshirts/tshirts/shaunofthedeadmovietshirtladiesfit.html
That brings me to the end of my post. I look forward to debating with some of you about it - this seems to be a regular occurrence after I publish a blog post.
No... I didn't forget.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiUujoVmQ8A
To most, this will be the most pointless video ever made. However, it combines two of my most favourite viewing experiences ever, which therefore makes it utter genius. Plus, it links in with that T-Shirt. Clever, eh?
Laters,
Tails.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Irritating Things.
My blog posts have so far all been three days apart. Isn't that nice? Orderly, neat - I can't say it'll last, though. It happened completely by accident.
Unfortunately, this post is to be a bit of a moany one. My day was full of irritating things, you see. Let me remind you of my supposed Laryngitis. There is not much to update you on apart from the fact that it could not have come at a worse time. I've read that the voice-loss can last for up to a rather inconvenient three weeks, meaning that my drama exam, (which of course would just have to be a practical one, on which 25% of my final grade rests on) falls during this term of non-voiceness. You can see how this would be irritating, I'm sure. Along with this, the entire situation is physically irritating also, as my throat hurts rather a lot, and it takes a great deal of effort just to say "I'm supposed to be resting my voice".
And so, off to a superb start, my day reaches irritation number two. In fact, this next issue has been an on-going problem for a number of months. Adults - grown adults over the age of at least 30 - acting like spoilt twelve year olds having a tantrum. I couldn't possibly tell you the ins and outs of this (although as I'm sure you've guessed, I'd love to) as it would get me into a great deal of trouble that I'd rather stay out of. It's not hard to work it out though. All I ever do is go to school, to work, and back home again. So, one could safely assume that these grown adults over the age of at least 30 acting like spoilt twelve year olds having a tantrum fall into one of those categories. I'm not saying that I'm particularly mature for my age (although I think I probably am), I'm just saying that these people are most definitely not mature... full stop. It makes you wonder what these people would be like if they had to serve a really, really, fat King. The King would demand food and foot-rubs all day long, and these people would crumble because they either couldn't get what they want, or because they were sure that they were much better than the King.
I know a person that likes to find new ways of telling me how she is better than I am at every opportunity she can find. And when I say 'better', I mean in every sense of the word. I really feel like telling her to shut up and act her age, but unfortunately such freedom of speech is not possible when talking to a member of authority. I realise I've been rather vague and haven't said anything remotely interesting for about two paragraphs now but if you have this sort of person in your life, you'll know what I mean. Respecting your elders is something I agree with, but not unless this respect is some-what reciprocal.
My friend Ahsan (hello Ahsan) said to me today, "I hate people." I replied, "I'm not too fond of them either."
Don't get me wrong - I don't hate all people and my day wasn't all bad. I had two Media lessons today which is always... I can't think of a word for it. You know, it's one of those things that makes you give a sigh of relief. Whatever the word for that is. I like the people in my Media class, and I like the things we talk about. I go to these lessons knowing I'm going to laugh. A lot. Which is very nice indeed. My classmates come to me smiling saying, "We've got media today, Amy!" without a hint of sarcasm, which is more than can be said for my other lessons. So there's the proof that I do like some things.
I guess my main problem with people is they can be so stupid. It's as simple as that. I often look at people and find myself thinking, "But why the hell would you do that?" Not that it's my job to judge - but I'll do it anyway. We all do. (And for those of you who just thought to yourselves, "I don't", you're not just stupid but you're also a liar - shame on you). 'Trust no one' is a motto that I live by. It's kind of sad, I suppose, but people are so stupid it's hard to trust them. I can't even trust that when someone says they'll get me a Galaxy Cookie Crumble from the shop across the road, they'll come back with the right chocolate bar, even though they usually do. When people ask you what's wrong, 97% of the time (yes, that is extremely accurate. How dare you question my statistics?) they don't really care. They're just moving through the motions, wanting a bit of gossip, or wanting a bit of affirmation because they know you're about to tell them that they're a good friend for listening. Don't ever tell anyone anything that you don't want everyone to know. I never do, which is why I've never had one of those embarrassing/everyone hates me/everyone's talking about me behind my back situations.
Sorry, I still haven't said anything very insightful or relevant. Or have I? (Insert dramatic music here).
After being told that a few people like my blog, I felt a little under pressure when I started to think about writing this one. Then I started writing it and forgot about all of that. Never mind.
Just one video today. You've probably all seen it, but it honestly makes me laugh every time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs
Over and Out,
Tails.
Unfortunately, this post is to be a bit of a moany one. My day was full of irritating things, you see. Let me remind you of my supposed Laryngitis. There is not much to update you on apart from the fact that it could not have come at a worse time. I've read that the voice-loss can last for up to a rather inconvenient three weeks, meaning that my drama exam, (which of course would just have to be a practical one, on which 25% of my final grade rests on) falls during this term of non-voiceness. You can see how this would be irritating, I'm sure. Along with this, the entire situation is physically irritating also, as my throat hurts rather a lot, and it takes a great deal of effort just to say "I'm supposed to be resting my voice".
And so, off to a superb start, my day reaches irritation number two. In fact, this next issue has been an on-going problem for a number of months. Adults - grown adults over the age of at least 30 - acting like spoilt twelve year olds having a tantrum. I couldn't possibly tell you the ins and outs of this (although as I'm sure you've guessed, I'd love to) as it would get me into a great deal of trouble that I'd rather stay out of. It's not hard to work it out though. All I ever do is go to school, to work, and back home again. So, one could safely assume that these grown adults over the age of at least 30 acting like spoilt twelve year olds having a tantrum fall into one of those categories. I'm not saying that I'm particularly mature for my age (although I think I probably am), I'm just saying that these people are most definitely not mature... full stop. It makes you wonder what these people would be like if they had to serve a really, really, fat King. The King would demand food and foot-rubs all day long, and these people would crumble because they either couldn't get what they want, or because they were sure that they were much better than the King.
I know a person that likes to find new ways of telling me how she is better than I am at every opportunity she can find. And when I say 'better', I mean in every sense of the word. I really feel like telling her to shut up and act her age, but unfortunately such freedom of speech is not possible when talking to a member of authority. I realise I've been rather vague and haven't said anything remotely interesting for about two paragraphs now but if you have this sort of person in your life, you'll know what I mean. Respecting your elders is something I agree with, but not unless this respect is some-what reciprocal.
My friend Ahsan (hello Ahsan) said to me today, "I hate people." I replied, "I'm not too fond of them either."
Don't get me wrong - I don't hate all people and my day wasn't all bad. I had two Media lessons today which is always... I can't think of a word for it. You know, it's one of those things that makes you give a sigh of relief. Whatever the word for that is. I like the people in my Media class, and I like the things we talk about. I go to these lessons knowing I'm going to laugh. A lot. Which is very nice indeed. My classmates come to me smiling saying, "We've got media today, Amy!" without a hint of sarcasm, which is more than can be said for my other lessons. So there's the proof that I do like some things.
I guess my main problem with people is they can be so stupid. It's as simple as that. I often look at people and find myself thinking, "But why the hell would you do that?" Not that it's my job to judge - but I'll do it anyway. We all do. (And for those of you who just thought to yourselves, "I don't", you're not just stupid but you're also a liar - shame on you). 'Trust no one' is a motto that I live by. It's kind of sad, I suppose, but people are so stupid it's hard to trust them. I can't even trust that when someone says they'll get me a Galaxy Cookie Crumble from the shop across the road, they'll come back with the right chocolate bar, even though they usually do. When people ask you what's wrong, 97% of the time (yes, that is extremely accurate. How dare you question my statistics?) they don't really care. They're just moving through the motions, wanting a bit of gossip, or wanting a bit of affirmation because they know you're about to tell them that they're a good friend for listening. Don't ever tell anyone anything that you don't want everyone to know. I never do, which is why I've never had one of those embarrassing/everyone hates me/everyone's talking about me behind my back situations.
Sorry, I still haven't said anything very insightful or relevant. Or have I? (Insert dramatic music here).
After being told that a few people like my blog, I felt a little under pressure when I started to think about writing this one. Then I started writing it and forgot about all of that. Never mind.
Just one video today. You've probably all seen it, but it honestly makes me laugh every time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs
Over and Out,
Tails.
Saturday, 6 March 2010
A day with no words.
I think... no.... I'm pretty sure I have Laryngitis. The fact that this incessant coughing has caused me to lose my voice almost completely kind of verifies it. Most people who know me also know I talk a hell of a lot, so this is very difficult for me. I find myself straining my voice with all my might to continue speaking, with very little success. I cease to find any perks that come with such an inconvenience - I can't be waited on hand on foot because I can't use my voice to ask for anything. And so, it proves extremely lucky that I started this blog. At least I have some outlet for the words just aching to get out. At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, let me just say that I am not someone who thinks what I have to say is always mighty important - but I do like to say things none-the-less.
I was reading yet again today about the recent Jon Venables development. Now I admit that I have almost no knowledge about the justice system and (for the lack of a better phrase) stuff like that, but I think this case is pretty obvious. Not only was this monster of a person let out a prison, and given the gift of a new identity, but now that he has re-offended, he is being protected once more. How is this right? Shouldn't it be the duty of the justice system to make society feel protected, rather than as if their opinions have been tossed aside? It seems that criminals now have the upper hand. In my personal opinion, once someone has been proved guilty of such an inconceivable crime, they should lose all rights to any protection or safety - especially once they have re-offended. I understand that Venables's first crime was committed when he was just ten years old, but to be honest, what hope is there for a child who does such awful things to another human being? I could rant on all day about this. I'd be interested to know what you think.
Moving on, I'd like to share this with you:
'Absolutely hilarious' are the first words that spring to mind. Consider this an extension of my first post, about the importance (or rather, the non-importance) of monuments in society. Pavel Pepperstein is subtle and yet it is clear to see that he is pure genius. Just as his work was recommended to me, I highly recommend it to you, even if for nothing but a good laugh. Just search his name + 'Perspectives of Development'. This one is called 'The Monument of the Yellow Colour', in case you were wondering. See what I mean now?
I might try making ending on a video link a regular feature on my blog. Here you go:
I'd like to take this opportunity to clear up a thing or two about my last post. It was the impression of some that I was portraying a very "what's the point?" attitude to life in general in one of my last paragraphs. I was not being "emo", as I was also accused of. I was merely expressing myself, which is what I said my blog was for in my first paragraph. So, poked tongues to you all.
I was reading yet again today about the recent Jon Venables development. Now I admit that I have almost no knowledge about the justice system and (for the lack of a better phrase) stuff like that, but I think this case is pretty obvious. Not only was this monster of a person let out a prison, and given the gift of a new identity, but now that he has re-offended, he is being protected once more. How is this right? Shouldn't it be the duty of the justice system to make society feel protected, rather than as if their opinions have been tossed aside? It seems that criminals now have the upper hand. In my personal opinion, once someone has been proved guilty of such an inconceivable crime, they should lose all rights to any protection or safety - especially once they have re-offended. I understand that Venables's first crime was committed when he was just ten years old, but to be honest, what hope is there for a child who does such awful things to another human being? I could rant on all day about this. I'd be interested to know what you think.
Moving on, I'd like to share this with you:
'Absolutely hilarious' are the first words that spring to mind. Consider this an extension of my first post, about the importance (or rather, the non-importance) of monuments in society. Pavel Pepperstein is subtle and yet it is clear to see that he is pure genius. Just as his work was recommended to me, I highly recommend it to you, even if for nothing but a good laugh. Just search his name + 'Perspectives of Development'. This one is called 'The Monument of the Yellow Colour', in case you were wondering. See what I mean now?I might try making ending on a video link a regular feature on my blog. Here you go:
For all lovers of the next big thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayx2mzm1QVw
And, an all time favourite, which I have (shamefully) only recently seen (I recommend you watch some of the other videos that come up next to this one):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayx2mzm1QVw
And, an all time favourite, which I have (shamefully) only recently seen (I recommend you watch some of the other videos that come up next to this one):
Tails.
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Hello.
I feel like I need a short introduction or something. This blog is just a means for me to express myself, and write about those little things that pop into my head that I feel are worthy of a typed word or two. I've been told on numerous occasions that I moan a lot, so perhaps this blog will be a new outlet for such a talent. Please feel free to comment, as I like a good debate.
A few days ago I was in English, where we found ourselves reading the poem 'Ozymandias' (Percy Shelley, 1818). It talks of a "pedestal", supposedly created for and by Ozymandias, who believed himself to be "king of kings". Ozy boldly says "Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Such comment is followed by the line, "Nothing beside remains."
We started talking about monuments (after a few questions about what a pedestal is, might I add) and I commented that Ozy needed one to show his importance. This got me thinking; even now, society feels the need to build great monuments and buildings to show its importance, and indeed to show meaning - and give itself meaning. We are so obsessed with trying to make ourselves and our lives seem more impressive, as if if we didn't build such things, we wouldn't exist at all - not in the eyes of other members of society at least. They are built to make us feel more real. However, one can build an impressive landmark and know exactly why it was built and what it means, while someone else can pass by it not understanding it at all. Peculiar, isn't it, that these monuments are erected to give us meaning, yet if we don't know the reason it came to be built in the first place, we can't understand its meaning at all. So, at the end of it all, "Nothing beside remains."
This also made me think about people in general, and how they always strive to fill that small 'emptiness' that consumes them to such an extent that they become fixated on it. Why do we struggle with such tasks, knowing just how unreachable they are? It seems ridiculous, that we would put ourselves through something that is so unnecessary. It is safe to say that we all know there is a void that we can never fill.
Quite a short post, but it's only my first, so be nice. I'd like to finish by recommending you watch this:
http://youtu.be/qybUFnY7Y8w
And, if you're interested in Universities, Musicals, or Unstable Crazies, this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGn3-RW8Ajk
Until next time blogging friends,
Tails.
(How about this font? I've never used Trebuchet before.)
A few days ago I was in English, where we found ourselves reading the poem 'Ozymandias' (Percy Shelley, 1818). It talks of a "pedestal", supposedly created for and by Ozymandias, who believed himself to be "king of kings". Ozy boldly says "Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Such comment is followed by the line, "Nothing beside remains."
We started talking about monuments (after a few questions about what a pedestal is, might I add) and I commented that Ozy needed one to show his importance. This got me thinking; even now, society feels the need to build great monuments and buildings to show its importance, and indeed to show meaning - and give itself meaning. We are so obsessed with trying to make ourselves and our lives seem more impressive, as if if we didn't build such things, we wouldn't exist at all - not in the eyes of other members of society at least. They are built to make us feel more real. However, one can build an impressive landmark and know exactly why it was built and what it means, while someone else can pass by it not understanding it at all. Peculiar, isn't it, that these monuments are erected to give us meaning, yet if we don't know the reason it came to be built in the first place, we can't understand its meaning at all. So, at the end of it all, "Nothing beside remains."
This also made me think about people in general, and how they always strive to fill that small 'emptiness' that consumes them to such an extent that they become fixated on it. Why do we struggle with such tasks, knowing just how unreachable they are? It seems ridiculous, that we would put ourselves through something that is so unnecessary. It is safe to say that we all know there is a void that we can never fill.
Quite a short post, but it's only my first, so be nice. I'd like to finish by recommending you watch this:
http://youtu.be/qybUFnY7Y8w
And, if you're interested in Universities, Musicals, or Unstable Crazies, this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGn3-RW8Ajk
Until next time blogging friends,
Tails.
(How about this font? I've never used Trebuchet before.)
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