What The . . . . . ?

I'm still not sure I can believe this.

I've read the article twice, and I am still struggling to accept that this could have happened.

A gang of teenage boys, ranging from 17 to 14 years old, raped a 14 year old girl because she called someone a name. Don't get me wrong, there is never any excuse for rape, it is an entirely unacceptable and criminal act, but because she called someone a name ? It was described as a "punishment attack". What the fuck ? A punishment attack ? Please explain how that idea even occurs to a bunch of teenagers ? No, wait, I don't think I really want to know how this became seen as an acceptable and/or reasonable response to name calling.

The judge has decided that seven of those involved should be named in a bid to discourage. I'm not quite sure how that's going to work. Personally I'd go with hefty jail sentences. And maybe public apologies, and a hefty fine. Slap them with all of it and send a clear message that this type of behaviour is criminal and will be punished appropriately. Then someone should make it very clear that this type of behaviour does not make you a "big man" but a pathetic little weasel who deserves nothing but the contempt and disgust of all right minded individuals.

Of course, they should already know that.

What the fuck is going on in this country ? Well, the world really.

You see rape is used as a weapon in many places. It can be used to instill fear, to aid in ethnic cleansing agendas, and just because some people are complete and utter bastards. Raped because of your political opinion. Rape is heinous enough but to rape a child ? To mutilate your victim afterwards ? Part of me wants to say that kind of cruelty is not even human, but it seems that it is. What a sad world we live in.

The UN now recognises the use of rape as a weapon of war, but what does that actually mean ? Is that likely to deter anyone ? Somehow I doubt it. And a horrid thought crossed my mind; will recognising it as a weapon of war at the UN Security Council simply provide further justification in the minds of those who use it ? Perhaps a better recognition might have been as a war crime or a crime against humanity.

UNESCO video I found on Amnesty Internationals Protect The Human site.


BBC link.

It's not like rape as a weapon of war is a new thing but I thought we'd come far enough that shit like this would cause more outrage than it seems to.

But then why should it cause more outrage in that situation than it does at home ? That's a question , not my opinion.

Amnesty International recently found that:

"More than a quarter of those polled for Amnesty as part of its Violence Against Women campaign believed that women were responsible if they wore sexy clothing; 28 per cent thought they were "partially responsible" if they behaved in a flirtatious manner; and one in 12 thought a woman was wholly responsible if she was known to have had many sexual partners."

Excuse me ? How exactly does wearing "sexy" clothes mean that someone has the right to rape you ? Or flirting ? And was does someones consensual sex life have to do with the criminal behaviour of another ? And someone being drunk, or having had a drink is not a justification either.

Get a clue idiots. THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION. Not a one.

To anyone holding an opinion along that line I ask:

If I see you have a phone, handbag or watch that I want and I mug you for it, is it your fault for having it ? You are responsible for my criminal behaviour ? If there is something in your house that I want does, your owning it give me the right to break in and take it ? Fanfuckingtastic. I want an iphone, a macbook and some new handbags. Watch out, I'm coming for it, and you'll have no one else to blame but yourself.

Yes I realise that theft and rape are very different things but they are both defined as illegal and if one can be the victims fault then so can the other.

Of course the victim is not at fault in either case, the rapist, thief or attacker is. They choose to commit a criminal act. End of.

There is only one person at fault in the case of rape. That would be the rapist. The piece of shit masquerading as a human being. A creature so fucking low that he or she deserves to be despised and condemned by the rest of us.

So there.

Quote Of The Undertermined But Really Long Stretch Of Time.

I was reading Shapely Prose today, well I was reading things and following links, generally touring and stopping at anything that caught my attention, and I found this quote, and I fucking love it

"The fact is, I am “an unbelievably unattractive woman”–and also an unbelievably attractive woman, a kinda meh woman, a kinda cute woman, and everything else on the spectrum between “eww” and “ooh.” It all depends on who’s looking–"

It is true genius. And something I wish I could hammer into my head. I think I'm kinda average, Boyfriend thinks I beautiful and sexy and I find it difficult to marry to two images. I try to accept his opinion but I do find it a little strange. So a big thank you to Kate for this quote, and the whole rather fabulous post.

Television

We get home after a lovely evening at the theatre, and switch the tv on. Guess what the best thing we could find was ?

A freakin' Jean Claude Van Damme movie. Double Team, with Dennis Rodman.

No really, that was the best that 30+ channels had to offer. And if we had a hundred channels it would be the same.

Don't get me wrong, I quite like bad movies, I once made friends watch Tremors 3(I think, I mean who can really tell the difference after the epic brilliance of the first one ?)'cause I find it hilarious. But seriously, a Thursday night and the best tv has to offer is Van Damme in Double Team ? Couldn't it have been Universal Soilder or Street Fighter ? Or Tremors 2,3, or 4 to be very honest 'cause I can live without the Muscles from Brussels. And giant flesh eating worms are always cool.

Graboids. Heehee.

So over to the polar bears to express how totally underwhelmed by television I am these days.

So Totally My Car . . . . . . Someday

Yeah . . . Em . . . . Dunno

So I haven't posted for ages, can't decide if I'm ever gonna again. I seem to have way too much to do to bother with this lark anymore: jobs to hunt, a house to run, things to organise for other people, and driving lessons to name a few.

But I do like having this so maybe I'll keep it going awhile longer and try to post at least once a week. Plan.

Hey Sarah Palin

I love this reworking of the song.

Investment Advice,: A Retrospective

If you had purchased $1000.00 of Nortel stock one year ago, it would now be worth $49.00. With Enron, you would have $16.50 left of the original $1000. With WorldCom, you would have less than $5.00 left. If you had purchased $1000.00 of Delta Air Lines stock you would have $49.00 left. If you had purchased United Airlines, you would have nothing left. But, if you had purchased $1000.00 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, and then turned in the cans for recycling, you would have $214.00. Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle. This is called the 401-Keg Plan.

More Pinky And The Brain From Atlantis

The evil bastards took my fav one down so here's some more. So not happy.



and another,



So there.

Pinky And The Brain, Atlantis Style.

* edit: It's gone ! Now I will have to take over the world to reclaim my fav pinky and the brain atlantis vid. Move over pinky, and you brain, 'seph is on the war path !!

Ninja Cat

Pie Chart

more music charts

Invasion Versus Invitation

Does Dick Morris know what invitation means ?

No, seriously, does he ?

Plus his voice annoys me. He sounds kinda stupid.

Invisibility Cloak

Cool Harry Potter stuff or Kevin Bacon Hollow Man creepy weapon ?

BBC News story here.

Fish, Chips And A Man In A Thong

A care home in Cornwall has been in the news due to it's "Make a Wish" scheme for residents. Most requests, according to those in charge have been for day trips or a pint, but one 90 year old woman wanted to be served her fish and chips by a man in a thong.

Yup, a man in a thong.

Anyway, a member of staff volunteered to be the man in the thong and a see through apron, for safety obviously.

I like the lady and I like the care home and the staff member (ahem) who volunteered. I dislike the fact that subsequently an apology was made. Because someone, believed to be another member of staff, objected and sent a fax to the senior management.

From what I understand, and I have read several articles to check, the resident asked, someone volunteered, her family were informed, as were the rest of the staff and residents. They were told when it would happen so that if they didn't want to see it they didn't have to. And still some sad ass little jobsworth had to report it. See the important part for me is that the care worker who donned the thong volunteered. Nobody had to do this, some dude heard of the wish and thought something like, "She's 90, in a care home and this might make her smile. And possibly letch, but I'm okay with that. Done."

And the jobsworth had the chance to look away. Didn't have to see it but from the fax they sent I'd say they took a good look.

"'The thong that was worn had a see through plastic apron over the front. The back part of the body was bare enough to see the black narrow band over the rear area.

'Mind you, one could see the man's endowment through the clear plastic front.'"

So, not so uncomfortable that we didn't look away then, were we ? Personally I would have thought that all you'd see at the front was . . . a thong. But I suppose if you stared long enough.

The fax went on: "'Will we be asked to wear a bikini next week at work to meet with a male client's wish, we ask?'"

Maybe you will. But you just refuse. That's that. Back again to the fact that the nearly naked waiter was a volunteer.

A Weekend With The Girls

My body still feels posioned.

It was great fun though. We packed up lots of stuff, some necessary like the wine and smoothie maker, some not so much on the necessary, and we drove up to some bunkhouses. We did plan on doing more walking than we did but the wine got in the way. And it was good wine.

We went to one of the Glens which was very pretty, lots of cows and sheep roaming and a lovely river. We sat outside the next door hotel with a few pints before deceiding that the hotel restuarant was a better prospect than cooking for ourselves. That we could have done at home. The meal was good, I had corn fed chicken stuffed with haggis, which I have had for awhile and now I am wondering why I waited so long. Sooooo good.

After that we retired to the the common area and kitchen of the bunkhouses and consumed red wine while chatting for hours. And hours. At 4 am we deceide that bed was probably just what we needed. Then we met some local shepperds, and spent at least half an hour talking to them. I think we may have woken other people up. No body said anything to us but . . . .

It was my first experience of bunkhouses. It was interesting. And very small. But what do you really want for £11 a night. And for the four hours sleep we actually got.

After the lovely sunshine of our first day it rained all the next day. Turns out walking in the rain is actually a lot of fun. Bizarre. The scenery was stunning, as is only to be expected. And the rain meant that the waterfalls were at their very best.

The next day was spent a little differently, and with different girls, and a boy. We went antiques scouting, and I'm in the process of working out a delivery timescale for a wardrobe ! Then there was more walking, this time to see a Victorian folly. It sits in a forest over looking an amazing waterfall. Standing on the balcony there was a light spray hitting you, again the previous days rain made sure the waterfall was at it's very best. Unlike the previous day the camera came with us and I think I'll put some pics up. Later, though.

After some more wandering through woods we headed in to a nearby village, very quaint and cute for a nosey around some landmarks before finding a nice local restaurant for dinner.

All in all it was a great, if some what boozey weekend. And now I want to sleep.

A Man Kissing A Man !? Oh, My !

I recently saw Heinz new mayo advert and kinda liked it. I know it conformed to the pretty little nuclear family stereotype, but it raised a smile. And so much advertising just ticks me off.

I thought no more of it, as I generally do with adverts. Unless they bug me and then I resolve not to buy the offending product. Yeah, I remember your name, but you don't get my money.

Back to Heinz. Apparently the ad has been pulled, 'cause 200 people claimed it was offensive. It's inappropriate to see two men kissing, you see. Mum is played by a bloke in who is supposedly a New York deli guy. I get it, the new deli mayo products make it seems like a genuine New York deli guy is making your sandwich and that's better than plain old mum and mayo.

I don't understand what's so offensive. Even if it was a full on snog I wouldn't have a problem, but it's a peck. Their lips meet. That's it.

The Guardian article about the removal of the ad, as well as the ad, can be found here. See what you think.

Have A Risotto. No ? You Racist !

Sound insane ? Of course it fucking does.

But according to The National Children's Bureau that children as young as three who "react negatively to a culinary tradition other than their own by saying 'yuk'" could very well be racist.

They are also plotting to overthrow the government to protest the limited time the Tellytubbies have on screen. Really.

So my friends toddler who had serious issues with vegetables hates vegetarians ? Wow, that's not gonna go down will with the kids vegetarian father.

Couldn't be anything to do with the fact that toddlers are just like that ? They like stuff, then they don't. That they can be fussy. I think people who have a clue know have recognised that as fact. That toddlers are also asserting independence and that might be related.

These people need to get a frickin' life.

I did like this comment;

" Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on.

If not, join the majority and do nothing. "

Common Sense will be sadly missed.

Sometimes I Do My Head In

I've added Shapely Prose to my blog roll. I can't remember how I found it, I think I was searching on body image or something similar.

Anyway, I've really enjoyed reading the various entries, so I added it. And then I had an horrible reaction. I felt the need to explain why I have added it. So I thought about why.

It comes down to this, I'm happy for you if you're happy with you. I don't have issues with other peoples weight. I do have an issue with mine. So you could even say I'm envious of those you can accept their body, what ever size, who are happy to be healthy and not worry about shit as superficial as weight. There's no "I need to bitch at/about you 'cause I'm insecure" here, it's more like "Why can't I be like you ?", in a longing, whiny kinda way.

I accept that health and weight are not necessarily related. They can be, like my hangover and the need for pizza, but it's not automatic, sometimes all I want it a big bowl of fruit. And water. Lots of water. Weight and health can be related, and that's under and over. Nobody is ever gonna convince me that starving yourself to be thin is even close to healthy.

I hope I'm not biased, rude, ignorant or intentionally hurtful about weight but when you start to think about it and your attitude to it, you start to second guess yourself. Or at least I do. One thing I learned from Shapely Prose was that I need to watch I what I say about my self image issues to other people. While I might be targeting the criticism at myself, other people can be hurt by it. It's unintentional but that doesn't excuse it.

Edit : Is fat acceptance an acceptable term ? Should that be body acceptance ? I have no idea. Arrrrgggghhhhh. I don't know what the terms of reference are.

Edit, the second: What does it say about me that I even posted this ? I have never explained any other blog on my roll. Does this mean I should remove this post as it is inherently biased ? Or that I should leave it, and further examine the reasons for it ?

Books, Books, Books

The following was nicked from someones live journal that I stumbled across in my internet travels.

Except my answers, obviously.

According to a LibraryThing survey, these 106 works are the ones most often marked as “unread”, That is, they sit on the shelf to make you look smart or well-rounded.

Bold the ones you’ve read, italicize the ones you started, but didn’t finish.

Final touch: denote (*) the ones you liked, and would (or did) read again or recommend. Even if you did read them for school in the first place.


Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell*
Anna Karenina
Crime and Punishment
Catch-22
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Wuthering Heights*
The Silmarillion
Life of Pi : a novel*
The Name of the Rose
Don Quixote
Ulysses
Madame Bovary
The Odyssey *
Pride and Prejudice*
Jane Eyre*
A Tale of Two Cities
The Brothers Karamazov
Guns, Germs, and Steel: the fates of human societies
War and Peace
Vanity Fair
The Time Traveler’s Wife*
The Iliad
Emma*
The Blind Assassin
The Kite Runner
Great Expectations
American Gods
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Atlas Shrugged
Reading Lolita in Tehran: a memoir in books
Memoirs of a Geisha*
Middlesex
Quicksilver
Wicked: the life and times of the wicked witch of the West Sorry but this was CRAP
The Canterbury Tales
The Historian : a novel
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Love in the Time of Cholera
Brave New World
The Fountainhead
Foucault’s Pendulum
Middlemarch
Frankenstein*
The Count of Monte Cristo
Dracula*
A Clockwork Orange
Anansi Boys*
The Once and Future King
The Grapes of Wrath
The Poisonwood Bible: a novel
1984*
Angels & Demons
The Inferno
The Satanic Verses
Sense and Sensibility*
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Mansfield Park*
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
To the Lighthouse
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Oliver Twist
Gulliver’s Travels
Les Misérables
The Corrections
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time*
Dune
The Prince
The Sound and the Fury
Angela’s Ashes: a memoir
The God of Small Things
A People’s History of the United States : 1492-present
Cryptonomicon
Neverwhere
A Confederacy of Dunces
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Dubliners
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Beloved
Slaughterhouse-five
The Scarlet Letter
Eats, Shoots & Leaves
The Mists of Avalon*
Oryx and Crake: a novel
Collapse: how societies choose to fail or succeed
Cloud Atlas
The Confusion
Lolita
Persuasion*
Northanger Abbey*
The Catcher in the Rye
On the Road
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Freakonomics : a rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything*
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance : an inquiry into values
The Aeneid
Watership Down*
Gravity’s Rainbow
The Hobbit*
In Cold Blood : a true account of a multiple murder and its consequences*
White Teeth
Treasure Island
David Copperfield
The Three Musketeers

Looks like I need to read some more. But I'd have to buy them first.

One Weird Ass Mood

Not even amused by lolcats.

Shit.

Changed, Again.

I realise that no one will have noticed, since it's only been an hour sine the first time, but I have now changed the template six times. Nothing suits so I'm going with plain.

How boring am I ?

(Please note: that is a rhetorical question, I am well aware of the answer).

Needed A Change

Somethings just need to change sometimes. Now I just need a new picture too. Somehow the gun thing just doesn't seem to work with the new look. Mind you, we'll see how long it lasts. Kinda in a changeable mood today.

Possibly. Maybe. I don't know.

More of a fickle mood perhaps.

Oh, I don't know.

I was just going to get rid of the blog as I have been very inconsistent in my blogging and I'm not actually sure that the whole thing is for me. I'm not in to detailing my life for people, can't see how that would be terribly interesting for anyone. I expect my life is much like other peoples. Then, of course, there is the whole anonymous blogging thing. I don't want to say too much 'cause I don't really want anyone to know who I am. If I wanted you to know who I was I'd tell you straight out. So I generally write about silly things I've found, stuff that pisses me off or just a bit of what ever is in my head. And sometimes I'm too busy for that.

I'm going to stick it out a bit longer, not entirely sure why.

Stubborn ? Perhaps.

Stupid ? Possibly.

To fill a desperate need for acceptance and approval from people I don't know and will never meet ? Unlikey.

Reality Check For Me

The world is alot stanger than I thought.

And I already thought it was pretty fucking strange.

A Question I Was Asked, And An Answer

You've rented a sky-writer to propose to your significant other, but it's completely overcast. What will you do?

I wouldn't rent a sky writer in the first place. Carbon footprint alert ! Oh and I wouldn't propose. Don't believe in marriage. Neither does he. That's that dealt with then.

A Plan

I have a plan. Well . . . more of an idea, and I'd like to share it with anyone willing to read it, and put up with my probably inconsistent blogging on the topic.

I am going to attempt to come up with a theory of happiness.

Over ambitious, no ? But what the hell, I going to try.

"Why ?" I hear no one ask. Well, why not ? I fairly sure that being happy is a good thing. Although it probably depends on your definition of happy, among other things. I'm not advocating happiness for serial killers, for instance, as I think that has to including killing people. And that's a bad thing.

So this will be about finding my definition of happy, and how to get there. Hopefully.

A Thing . . . . Possibly Part One

Right now, I am having my moment.

I did the celebrations the way you are supposed to for family and friends. So it wasn't mine.

But right now, here and where ever, is mine. I am sitting in a room, the only light coming from this screen, and here and now, on my own, is where it is real to me.

I've been told that I was the only one in any doubt, but surely convincing ourselves is the hardest, and most important, part ? I'm not saying that I now believe that I'm . . . I don't even know what to put there.

But whatever the feeling is, I'm enjoying it right now. And I don't want to wake people, so.

Right here, right now, I feel like I deserved my first class honours.

It won't last. Never does.

So, Its Been A While . . . . . . . .

Yeah, I got my results a few weeks ago. And I haven't been about since then.

Well there has been a lot of partying since then. Not all of it in celebration of me, in fact not most of it. But some was. There have been two birthdays, one of which was the big 30, then there was . . . um . . not sure what that one was for actually, and one to celebrate my results, and one 'cause someone we know was playing with their band at a local pub,another one that I don't quite recall what it was for, maybe it was because it was Friday and a visit to some friends in the capital, and then there was the trip over the water to Boyfriends home town for visiting, and partying, and some bands, and then there was the whole official university thing. Speaking of which, I believe I need to head to the pub now to meet some friends.

For the last (that's what we are calling it right now) big night.

The Waiting Is Over And . . . .

I got a first class honours.

170 Women, Lots Of Bubbly And A Movie

It was an epic girls night out. A local bar and club organised a mass trip to the cinema to see the Sex and the City movie.

I only knew 10 of the other girls.

On arrival at the pub, pre movie, we were served champagne. A good start to any night out I feel. After a few glasses our transport turned up and we headed to the cinema where more champagne and popcorn were provided. And a private screening of the movie.

I won't say too much about the film, just in case anyone actually wants to go an see it. It wasn't the worst film I have ever seen, and it wasn't the best. It seemed to cover all the bases, have all the designer labels necessary and sex talk. I wasn't exactly champing at the bit to see it, but it was fun.

I watched the show sometimes. I have not, and most likely never will, seen all the episodes but the prospect of a girls night out, getting all dressed up and having a laugh was enough of a temptation for me. I got home at half three in the morning.

Waiting . . . . .

I hate waiting.

Actually, that's wrong. I don't mind waiting for nice things, like presents and guests, or a table in a restaurant.

I dislike waiting for other things, like weight to fall off, the lottery jackpot to be mine or a taxi on a cold, wet night.

I hate waiting for results.

I am starting to feel a little crazy. I really need my results now. Damn it, uni, tell me please ! Have I failed so miserably that at least we'll get an epic poem out of it ? Or is it going to be more of a "Oh fuck" as I wander off, wondering why I spent those years accruing so much frickin' debt ? Or, fingers crossed, am I going to be pleased ? I'd like to be really pleased, really, really pleased but I will happily take pleased. Perhaps it's more like pleasantly surprised.

I'd say it feels like I'm checking every few hours, but that would imply I'm not actually doing that. And I am.

I hate waiting.

Totally Freaked Out

I stepped out of my bedroom to see a stranger standing in my living room the other day.

I had decided, being a little hungover and having the beginnings of a cold, to take my book and go to bed. After a little while I heard what sounded a little like a key in the front door. I didn't think much of it, it was about the right time for our flatmate to be coming home. Had that been the case the door should have opened and Flatmate should have said hello. Always does.

That didn't happen.I didn't hear the door open. After another minute or so I heard sounds again. I decided to investigate. Perhaps flatmates key had stuck in the door, or maybe, how ever remote the chance, someone was actually attempting to break in to my flat.

What I didn't expect to see was some strange woman standing in my living room having a look around.

She seemed as surprised to see me as I was to see her. At first I accepted her tale of having accidentally ended up in the wrong flat, in part due to hangover/cold and in part just because I wanted to get her out of my home.

Not long after closing the door, in the range of minutes, I realised what utter crap that was and called the police. How do you 'accidentally' end up in the wrong flat ? My door was closed, a lock keeping it that way. This part I am utterly sure of. I have a thing about my door being properly closed. It borders on a case of OCD. Plus she changed her story when I pointed out that the key she claimed to have, that was supposed to be for her friends house, would have been the wrong type of key for the lock she pointed to. Also for me not to have heard the door open and close she would have had to have been really, really quiet. My door makes a lot of noise.

Nothing was stolen, I don't think she had time for more than a look but it is kinda freaky stepping out of your bedroom to see a total stranger in your home.

And A Great Weekend Was Had.

My first full weekend of freedom is coming to a close. And it's been great.

On Friday evening I met up with a bunch of friends in a local drinking establishment and consumed a large quantity of wine, and a few shots of butterscotch schnapps. About ten of us ended up back at a friends house. I think it was after four in the morning when we got home. Much nonsense was talked and much fun was had. I think I danced.

My ever lovely and perfect Boyfriend, at least when he isn't annoying, had breakfast treats in so we had breakfast in bed, okay it was more like brunch, then lounged around watching cheesy TV until some friends called and asked if they could head our way for an evenings entertainment and stay over. This was readily agreed to. When they arrived we ordered takeaway from one of my favourite restaurants before heading out for a few pints. Unusually for us we all headed for our respective beds before two am.

Boyfriend yet again dealt with breakfast concerns. I don't think I have ever known him to spend so much time in the kitchen. Unless there was a party going on. All good parties end up in the kitchen. It's closer to the booze. And food.

After a relaxing morning we headed in to town for a stroll around. All was very leisurely. For the girls anyway, the boys headed to the gym 'cause they are mad. Unfortunately our friends couldn't stay for dinner, but Boyfriend and I called in to another restaurant we like. A whole weekend without cooking. Whoopee for me !

I feel like I have a social life again. And I like it.

Ooops.

I forgot what this post was going to be about.

My brain is not so good at keeping on track at the moment. Without clearing it with me, it has decided to take life at a holiday pace. Might be okay, might not.

That, and I have just discovered how much weight I have put on recently. Not amused.

Time to hit the gym. And stop swigging red wine. And start eating properly rather than living on takeaway.

May be that holiday mode won't quite work out.

Freeeeeedommmmm !

It's all over folks.

Dissertation, done.

Exams, over.

Oh fuck.

Stupid ASA, Stupid.

Apparently the following advert attracted 774 complaints as it was "offensive, frightening and distressing. The largest group of complaints related to the poster ads and the effect they could have on children."

The complaints were upheld.

Hello ? Isn't that the frickin' point ? We want smokers to stop and children not to start. Loons. Maybe those people would be happier with a fluffy bunny telling us smoking is bad so you shouldn't do it. 'Cause that'll totally work.

Too True.

The Planet Is Just Fine. We, However, Are Fucked.

Still Busy So Please Amuse Yourselves With This

Only just found this guy recently. I like him.

I'm British, Who The Drat Are You ?

Music And Muppets, Kinda For Pumpkin

What can I say ?

Furryyyyy, happyyyy monsters laughiiiinnnggg !

Just be glad you only had to read it, Boyfriend had to hear it.

Speaking To The Atmosphere

I am still very much alive but I am also rapidly approaching the end of my final year at uni. As a result I have oodles of work to do. So I won't be around much. If at all for the next month. Or so.

'Cause obviously I have an audience who need to know.

I Want To See This

Indy ! Indy ! Indy !

And I want to see this too.

Leave Prince Harry Alone

I'm not much bothered by the Royal family. They're there. It's fine. The tourists really seem to like them.

But leave Harry the fuck alone. The guy wants to do his tour. He should have been allowed to. It's not just his life that's put at greater risk when his deployment is known. It's everyone around him. And your story does not trump lives. LIVES you jumped up, arrogant little assholes.

In case you don't know what I am ranting on about it's the news that Prince Harry was deployed to Afghanistan 10 weeks ago and that the British agreed media blackout over that info. Please note: the media were told in advance of his actual deployment. Otherwise they couldn't have agreed to keep it quiet. It turns out that an Australian magazine reported it and an American website also. So now it's out and Harry may have to be pulled out. Way to go losers.

He trained to be a soldier, he wants to serve. He doesn't seem to think he's all that different from any other soldier. It's nice he thinks that way but he is different. Not necessarily better, just different. He is a member of the Royal family. That makes him different. As a soldier that makes him an even bigger target than other soldiers. Not nice but true. It also, apparently , makes him more important than those other soldiers in some peoples opinion. 'Cause I haven't seen too much on all the other soldiers deployed. All those other fucking brave men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq. Fuck what I think of the actual wars, I stand by our troops. Yeah it is actually possible to oppose war while supporting the troops involved. I want every last one of them home safe.

And back to my original rant. I seem to have wandered a little.

Some people think the media blackout in the UK was irresponsible and it's good that it has been broken. Explain that to me. Please, do. Irresponsible how ? In the possibly getting people killed kind of way ? No ? They would have released the information as soon as Harry was back. But the need for a scoop means that a great big frickin' target has been painted over him, and everyone in his vicinity. Anyone who doesn't think that those soldiers are now at greater risk of attack in an attempt to hit an heir to the throne . . . . . take your stupidity elsewhere. I don't actually have anything to say to you.

According to someone on the news that I didn't catch the name of knowing that Harry was out there would have been a moral boost for the troops who are also there. I got the impression from other sources that quite a few soldiers knew he was there. Like those serving alongside him. And perhaps they did get a moral boost from it, I don't know 'cause they didn't feel the need to shout about it. Wonder if that was anything to do with a possible increase in danger if the information was out there ? Hmmmmm.

Books, Books, Books,

I am currently waiting for the last instalments of a number of trilogies to hit the shelves. I would like some other books to fill in the time. Since I have overspent somewhat on books of late I can't buy any more right now. Poo.

On the upside I have over 500 books lining my book shelves so it's not like I'm low on potential re-reading material. It's always fun to slip back through the pages. If you lose the hunger to know the twists and turns of a new book, you gain the luxury of knowing where you are headed, seeing the path clearly and using that knowledge to enjoy the writing more. And sometimes you see things in a new way, discover new things. Oh the happiness.

So I am starting out with Sophie's World.

Too Much Of A Hangover To Write

So there.

I Found Your Camera

I think reuniting people with their photos is a nice idea.

Guantanamo Bay Pants

I am not actually referring to Guantanamo Bay being pants, it wouldn't be a strong enough sentiment, I am referring to Guantanamo Bay pants, knickers, lingerie.

Yup, such a thing actually exists. The world really has gone totally bonkers.

"The absurdity of this collaboration reflects the absurdity of Guantánamo Bay, in which people are held indefinitely without fair trials. The pants are no more absurd than that."

Supposedly. Well absurdity aside the guardian article didn't mention what benefit the pants would be to those held at Guantanamo. Are the profits going in to a fund to pay legal fees or to help those released re-establish their lives ? 'Cause I know the message, "Fair trial my arse", isn't going to be read by many people. Protest t shirts I can see but protest see through knickers ? Not so much.

Or is this a case of profiting from the misery, and stupidity, of others ?

She Cast A Spell On Me !!!

Apparently a woman in Saudi has been convicted of witchcraft and sentence to death. I wonder if they are going with burning at the stake ? Or would that be too inhumane ?

One of her accusers claims she made him impotent. Really ? Wow, do you think she could do something about all the other idiots fertility ? She was convicted on the basis of witness statements that she's a witch and a coerced confession. What, no dunking her in water ? Or seeing if she weighs more than a holy book ? Because those are both very logical means of determining if some one is a witch. Honest.

It seems that no attention was paid to the fact that she was held for 35 days, hospitalised at one point as the beatings she received were so sever, and recanted her confession in court as she had been forced to accept a confession document which she couldn't actually read. The need to have her fingerprint rather than signature might have been a clue to her illiteracy. They even broke their own rules of conduct. She was denied access to a lawyer initially then her legal representation was excluded from some court sessions. Witnesses were not cross examined. Defence ? What defence, she's a witch I tell you.

Without A Trace And CSI

My cup runneth over.

Gil Grissom and Jack Malone, on screen at the same time. I have an affection for thinking men. This can be accompanied by other traits that don't include generally being a git. Okay, Malone looses a little on the not being a git thing. Cheating on your wife is a very git thing to do. Hmmm, Maybe I like him alot less now that I think about it. Arse.

I love CSI and Without A Trace. The leads are only part of the attraction. I think both series are well written, interesting and entertaining on a brain including way. Both have well drawn characters, thought provoking plots and good formats. And no Shades of Justice. Or weekly Islamic terrorists. Or any of the other things I find annoying about some crime shows.

As you may have guessed, if you are interested in either show, I have just seen the two crossover shows, starting with a CSI episode followed by a Without A Trace episode. Happy me. They were good. Not the very best TV I've ever seen, but good. Very good as far as I'm concerned. I say there should be more. I accept that they can't be too often, I mean how often will crimes in Vegas and New York be related but the on screen chemistry between the actors and the characters was good.

I am not saying anything about the plot on the off chance that someone who reads this hasn't seen the episodes yet. 'Cause that would happen.

The Best Ever First Dance ?

I think it might just be.

No To Any Religious Law

The Archbishop of Stupidity . . . . sorry Canterbury today let loose a shocking idea. He thinks the adoption of some elements of Sharia Law is an inevitable course for the UK. Someone should sack him for being senile in charge of a mouth.

I say no. I say no to any religious law in this country. Religion, any religion, needs to stay the fuck out of the legal system. There must be equality before the law and that can only happen when the law is applied equally to everyone. If Muslims or Jews or Christians also want to live by the codes of their religion insofar as is does not conflict with the law of the land then they should feel free to do so. If they want to have religious councils where they deal with their religious codes and laws, again as long as there is no conflict with the law of the land, fine. Do so. Not a problem.

Apparently the Archbishop thinks it would lead to a more cohesive society.

What ?

Permitting the adoption of different laws in different communities would lead to greater cohesion over all ? Are you on drugs ? Seriously. Someone should have that checked. It's like some bizarre take on the Orwellian language set up in 1984.

"Division leads to cohesion"

Wait, was that actually in 1984 ? Am I in 1984 ? . . . . . . No sign of a Ministry of Peace so I'm assuming we are safe for a little while yet. Maybe.

I know the blasphemy law that counts in relation to the Church of England is still on about but they are talking about canning it. The blasphemy law in Scotland might still be on the statute books as well. Both need to go. If there are any others, in Scots or English Law, they need to go too.

Edit: Just had a thought, will I be prosecuted for my opening statement ? Perhaps I should make it clear that I'm having a go at the man not the position ? 'Cause I care. Really I do.

The Joys Of Teenage Angst

Thanks to a friend I rediscovered some of my teenage poetry.

Whahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

There are some love poems, unrequited love poems. Angst ridden, heart broken outpourings. I have no idea who that great love of my life was. The poems are dated. I still can't figure it out. Then there are my vampire themed ones, evidence of too much time spent reading about Dracula and his ilk. And the beginning of my goth days.

At least they have provided a laugh today.

Incase There Is Any Doubt Where I stand On This Issue (See Image Below)

This is from a previous post of mine.

"Abortion is not actually about foetus viability, it's about a woman's right to determine whither she becomes a mother or not. I don't want to hear about foetus rights because as far as I am concerned the rights lie with the woman. I'm not sorry if this offends any one's sensibilities.

Please, bring on the irrational hate if you feel the need. It's not going to change my opinion.

Motherhood, parenthood in general, is far too important to be foisted on people. It's something that should be entered in to willingly, with an idea of the responsibilities that lie ahead and at least a vague plan of how you are going to navigate it. Plans change of course but you need an idea to start with. And the parents should, ideally, be in a good financial position, capable of providing for their offspring. You also need to be mentally mature and prepared enough to take responsibility for a small person who will need to rely on you for everything; food, shelter, and guidance among others. Children should be wanted, loved and cherished. They are too important to be anything else.

And don't tell me that women who have abortions don't use contraceptives so it's their own fault
they got pregnant. Hey stupid, no means of contraceptive is 100% effective, not even sterilisation. That fails in rare cases for unknown reasons. After that argument comes you shouldn't be having sex if you don't intend to reproduce.

Wahahahahahahahahahahahahah. 'Cause that's gonna happen. Folks, sex is just too much fun.

And on a more serious point, this line of argument seems to be mainly directed at women. I am not a baby factory, I will not be defined by my reproductive biology. For the fun of it let's imagine that rule applied to men. No man may have sex if he does not intend to father a child, and be an active parent to that child. 'Cause that would happen. Can't you just see it ?

Then you get the abortion is murder argument. Sorry folks it is not murder. Murder is a criminal offence, the unlawful and intentional killing of another human being. Abortion is legal not criminal. Abortion is the termination of pregnancy by inducing the expulsion of a foetus. Or if that's just too damn clinical for you it's the intentional killing of an unborn child. This fact is not debatable. That's why it's a fact. See ? No airy fairy skipping the uncomfortable points here.

To be honest I don't really think anyone does. I doubt having an abortion is something anyone takes lightly. There is a whole lot more to this subject but this is a post about the thoughts that the Scotsman article and the comments on it made me think."

Shout and scream at me as much as you like.

The only amendment I would make to this, having skimmed over it again, is that sex can be more than just fun. It can also be an expression of love between two people. If you choose not to experience that level of connection with another person, either purely physical, emotional even spiritual some times, then that is your right to choose. Do not attempt to push your ideas and choices on other people.

Stupid Quiz Answers

Just a copy and paste job today. Can't be arsed to do anything else.

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE
Bamber Gascoigne: What was Ghandi's first name?
Contestant: Goosey, Goosey?

THE WEAKEST LINK
Anne Robinson: Which Italian city is overlooked by Vesuvius?
Contestant: Bombay.

NATIONAL LOTTERY JET SET
Eamonn Holmes: What's the name of the playwright commonly known by the initials G.B.S.?
Contestant: William Shakespeare.

FAMILY FORTUNES
Something a blind man might use? - A Sword

A song with the word Moon in the title? - Blue Suede Moon

Name the capital of France? - F

Name a bird with a long Neck? - Naomi Campbell

Name an occupation where you might need a torch? - A burglar

Where is the Taj Mahal? - Opposite the Dental Hospital

What is Hitler's first name? - Heil

A famous Scotsman? - Jock

Something that floats in a bath? - Water

Something you wear on a beach? - A deckchair

Something that flies that doesn't have an engine? - A bicycle with wings

RADIO LINCS PHONE-IN
Presenter: Which is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world?
Contestant: Barcelona.
Presenter: I was really after the name of a country.
Contestant: I'm sorry, I don't know the names of any countries in Spain.

STEVE WRIGHT SHOW, RADIO 2
Wright: On which continent would you find the River Danube?
Contestant: India.

Wright: What is the Italian word for motorway?
Contestant: Espresso.

Wright: What is the capital of Australia? And it's not Sydney.
Contestant: Sydney.

DARYL'S DRIVETIME, VIRGIN RADIO
Daryl Denham: In which country would you spend shekels?
Contestant: Holland?
Daryl Denham: Try the next letter of the alphabet.
Contestant: Iceland? Ireland?
Daryl Denham (helpfully): It's a bad line. Did you say Israel?
Contestant: No.

Stupid is sooo much fun !

Something To Think About ?

Do People Actually Listen ?

I may be missing something here and let me know if I am, but this particular youtube vid was under the title "The serenity prayer". Okay it was capitalised but whatever. And I was looking for things related to Joss Whedons Serenity. And I've been drinking wine while msning Pumpkin. We is both a little worse for wear. Besides that though. It has the text of the serenity prayer beside it. Which seems to have no relation to what Enya actually sings. I am confused. Is my hearing screwed or is it that some people will hear what ever they want to hear regardless of what is actually there ? Or I am missing the point of laying your own message over someone else's genius. Her voice is amazing. Stop trying to hijack it for anything other than she wants it to say.

As near as I can tell her first lines are

"May it be an evening star shines down upon you,
May it be when darkness falls your heart will be true,
You who walk a lonely road,
Oh how far you are from home"

Didn't go any farther because it seemed that was different enough from

"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference. "

You can add what ever words you like but it doesn't change what she sings. Do not interrupt genius. Kthxbai.

Serenity Meets Evanescence

Fucking amazing. If you don't get it just get lost. I don't want to know.

If Judgemental Is Okay Then Here's My Judgement

I occasionally peruse others blogs, a handy list of which can be found under the title Interesting Blogs According To Me. Two of these blogs, Violent Acres and Wide Lawns and Narrow Minds, will soon be disappearing.

I am bored with them. So very fucking bored. Also I never really expected them to be narrow minded. Apparently it's okay to be judgemental, according to W, so that's my judgement.

These two women think anyone who has a child out of wedlock is a slut. V thinks they should be hidden, ashamed to be pregnant without a husband. Not just a partner but a husband. Because obviously marriage is forever and never falls apart, sayeth the second wife. And according to her if you are not committed enough to marry someone you shouldn't have kids with them. This is a paragraph or so after she points out that marriage is no real commitment , you can always get a divorce. So why then does she think the marriage part is so fucking important in the first place ? What about just having an adult relationship of depth and meaning bitch ?

What is the problem with people having their kids at their weddings ? If the kid is old enough to be a flower girl/ring bearer/whatever then obviously they are committed. They have been together at least 9 months before the kid was born, and, one would assume, intending to stay together. Perhaps marriage wasn't financially viable to begin with, perhaps they had better things to spend their cash on like, nappies, baby clothes, baby food. Nah, that marriage was way more important than actually providing for their child.

According to W single women and teenagers are having children 'cause we stopped telling them it was wrong. Last time I checked the good ole' US of A was a big promoter of sexual abstinence. Isn't that a federal government sponsored thing ? Didn't it expand from it's teenage focus to single adults too? Don't have sex until you're married. So not so much on the telling them it's okay then. Oh yeah, and it makes you a slut. As long as your not wed 1 sexual partner is enough to make you a slut in the eyes of these fucktards it would seem. Perhaps teaching teenagers about contraception could be a plan ? 'Cause it's apparent that telling them not to have sex isn't working if, as you say, loads of teenagers are having babies. Then when they grow up to be single adults they will still know about contraception. Joy.

Does it matter if consensual sex occurs between two people who are married, just to someone else ? Not that I approve of such behaviour, it's just a question.

I have decided I can't be arsed thinking about the points of view of these two any longer.

Human Zoo

In appears that the government in Thailand is under the impression that it's acceptable to make a zoo exhibit out of people.

20 Kayan women are basically being held against their will as tourist attractions. Go read the BBC article if you like.

After being separated from the rest of the Burmese refugee population by the Thai authorities when they fled their home country, the Thai government is now claiming they are not refugees as they don't live in a refugee camp. The government claims they are economic migrants who chose to live outside the refugee camp. I believe you. Really I do.

The reason this particular has been singled out ? They wear neck rings and as a result appear to have elongated necks.

Originally there was no objection to being a tourist attraction; it's not like they had that many other choices. Going back to Burma ? Bad plan. Bad, bad plan. At least as part of the tourist industry they were earning some cash. I doubt it's too many peoples dream in life though. For the last two years there has been a better life on offer to these women. For one, Zember, and her family there is a house in New Zealand, permanent resettlement, a home and the chance at a life. The Thai authorities will not do the paperwork to allow them to leave. As a protest act Zember has removed her neck rings which I imagine must be more than uncomfortable, and on more than just a physical level.

So if you are going to Thailand, please do not go and see the Kayan women. They don't want to be there.

Another One Bites The Dust

I don't check in on the blogs I like with any great regularity but I do enjoy dropping by and having several new posts to read. Lots of treats in one go. So I was very upset to see that Who Stole My Peanut Butter is gone ! I am deprived of the joys there in. Poo.

Ramblings

The great old US of A. Where men are men and women are . . . .property. In one state at least. Maybe in a few others. And perhaps in the eyes of the Federal Government.

No really, I'm not making this shit up. Go have read yourselves. Spousal theft ? What the fuck is that all about ? And yes, the swearing is totally necessary. So to steal a spouse do you get all done up in black, break in during the night and stick them in a large sack with SWAG stenciled in in large black letters ? After the big break in, said spouse is wined and dined in captivity until they develop Stockholm syndrome and stay with the spouse thief. Not quite as glamorous as cat burglar but a step up from bag snatcher ?

What I'm really interested in is has this particular quirk in the legal system ever been successful used by a woman ? That wouldn't be a good thing either, you can't own your husband any more than you can own your wife. It would just be interesting as a comparison.

On to other things.

Brazilian waxes for kids. Yup, that really does say Brazilian waxes for kids. And Nair hair removal products aimed at 10-15 year olds. What a truly fucked up world we live in. Apparently no one really likes pubic hair and you should start removing it as soon as it turns up. And why not rip the lot out ? The Full Bikini Wax is the way to go to feel sexy. Apparently. Sexy ? Why should kids that age want to feel sexy ? Why are people advocating that these kids should be worried about that ? Here's the link. I'm not sure what the target age for this website is but they are also promoting Nancy Drew online games.

I may have said this before but I think removing all your pubic hair is creepy. Really, really creepy. It's even more so when encouraged in kids.

And more creepy stuff. Channel 4's programme My Fake Baby. As one friend pointed out it's probably just as well that those freaky fake babies exist, some people just shouldn't have kids.

Moving on, hoe the hell did they miss this ? Nine years of hearing loss over a freakin' cotton bud head ? He's seen doctors and specialist and none of them manged to spot a lump of cotton wool in his ear ? They put it down to wax. Wax, cotton wool, not a lot of difference there. Perhaps they should go back to school for a while.

Was going to go for more but I have better things to do. Sleep, mainly.

I Am Not Legend

I have now seen I Am Legend.

What a fucking waste of time.

Don't read any further if you don't want to know about the movie or the book. Yeah, there was a book.

I was actually fooled for the first part of the movie. It was looking good, then we rolled over that Hollywood cliff of having to balls everything up and ruin a perfectly good story. Yeah, I know the whole cliff thing is a little random but this is my blog.

I didn't mind the change of scene from the suburbs of L.A. to New York. Nor the insistence in making Robert Neville a virologist and Lt. Colonel rather than an average everyday guy in a really bizarre situation. Okay, the latter I minded just a little but I'm kind of use to it, he was Dr. Robert Morgan in The Last Man On Earth, and Colonel Robert Neville in The Omega Man. What was wrong with him just being the average man ? And I didn't mind too much that the dog was there from the beginning . . . . well I don't think I do, let me think about it for awhile.

Anyway, they changed the whole point of the name of the book/movie. I am legend. There's a point people, a point to the name of the book. And the movie misses it totally 'cause they go for a sickly sweet, a what a hero, ain't it grand, it all worked out for the best, pukey Hollywood ending. Sorry folks Robert Neville was the last man on earth. There was no survior coloney. I am legend is the last line of the book and it makes you rethink the whole book.

Robert Neville has become the creature of terror, stalking the population, killing them in their sleep. His name will be the name used to scare small children, he is the bogyman for the new society. He is legend.

I Think I Could Get To Like The Gym

Boyfriend and I decided it was time to join the gym.

For me festive season weight, all many pounds of it, was starting to be difficult to ignore. And believe me I tried. I really, really tried. For Boyfriend it's heading down for a swim after a stressful day at work. Unfortunately I hate exercising in public. And I really hate swimwear. Swimwear is evil. As is sportswear. It has been quite sometime since I did any exercise that required specialist clothing, and I had to go shopping for workout gear. Yuck. It was possibly the most icky shopping experience I can call to mind right now. Evil, sadistic people trying to sell me clothing of clingy material in which I am supposed to jump around, and generally make the wobbly bits . . . . . wobble. If I had a Christmas card list the would all be off it. Assuming I would have random shop staff I don't know on this imaginary list to start with.

Icky shopping done, the next challenge was to actually go to the gym.

I decided to start gently. As gently as possible. Today I sat in the sauna, the steam room, the hot tube and splashed in the pool. I looked at the gym from the hot tub and the pool. So I was close. It was heaven. Not the looking at the gym, the sauna and things. Very relaxing. And definitely the sort of end to my day I could get used to. I have an induction day at the gym tomorrow, and I am going to find out what treatments are on offer at the spa, then to relax I'm off to the pool again.

Yup, I think I could start to like the gym. If not the exercise part so much.

Ok, So This Is Better

The Death Star Canteen.

Whahahahahahahaha.

This Is The Best I Can Do

So enjoy


moar funny pictures

One Commercial Event Over, Get Ready For The Next

I went into town today.

I went to the local WH Smith for a few things, including a birthday card. As I perused the the cards my eye happened to fall on a display that was being put together. I held back the spew of expletives that desperately wanted to greet the air and turn it blue. What caused this slightly
nutso reaction ?

Valentines cards.

New Year is barely passed (hey I'm Scottish) and most peoples bank accounts are still suffering the after effects of Christmas but the shops are gearing up to try and rip more of our hard earned cash from us. Well not me, Boyfriend and I don't do Valentine's Day. We tend to prefer to tell each other that we love each other and just how much when ever we feel like it. If we want to buy each other a gift we'll do that when we feel like it too.

People almost recoil in horror when I tell them we don't do anything on the 14th of February to "celebrate our love". It seems that some people think that as long as you do Valentine's Day, the gifts, the cards, the flowers, going out for a meal that romance is pretty covered and your relationship secure. It seems like they put so much effort into that one day to show their partner, and the world, that everything is good. Here's a tip, free of charge; work at your relationship all the time, and it will very rarely need any great effort; tell them you love them when it pops into your head, especially if it's at a really unromantic time.

Bollocks to Valentine's Day.

Happy New Year

I am only just recovering from our New Years Eve and New Years Day parties. Much fun was had.