What a Week!

I have never had a December so hectic. I feel like I've hardly sat down for the last week. It's a good thing, but I love my chillout time! I've still got to wrap the rest of my presents, I've still got to work and find 2nd job!!! It's all too much this close to Yule. Yule's actually tomorrow, but I won't go into all that.
Yesterday was lovely; I saw a school friend and her little one and had a good catch up and even a little bit of fun. Today went to a group induction for a back to work Opportunities programme annd there was one guy there who was very chatty. He was very interested in my creative activities. He said to me he hoped to see me again as he'd like to talk more about my writing and whatnot. Not sure what to make of that. But men don't talk to me so I'm going to enjoy that aspect of it.
So today wasn't too bad. Shame my brain is frying through all the things I've got going on this week. I'll be lucky if I make it to December 25th.
So if I don't get the chance to blog before then, Blessings and glad tidings to everyone and have a Happy Holiday!!!!!

Christmas Tree

Did two significant things today!
1. I sorted out my wardrobe and got rid of some crap and reorganized it, and
2. George and I put up the Christmas tree and decorated it and the living room too.
When the tree goes up, Christmas officially starts in my house. We think it looks great, but you be the judge.

Right, now going to watch the Graham Norton Show. See you later!

Mid Week Ramblings

I got my pie today!!!!! And got an apology for last night.
Very busy today. Went back and forth to mum's office to get this comic book for George, but didn't get said comic book till it was time for me to get the bus home. I thought I had missed it when I got to the bus station. Turned out I hadn't *sigh of relief*.
Got stuff for Josh for tomorrow as he's dressing up as Jake Sully from Avatar (as his Avatar, not as Sam Worthington in a wheelchair) for the high school's Christmas Disco to celebrate the end of term. The Year 11's get to dress up (as they're the eldest in the school).
Was glad to get home as I could finally eat the Prawn Mayonnaise baguette I bought.
Whew, what a day. Got to go to work as soon as I've finished my pie; so, must dash!

Promises, Promises

I was promised a chicken pie for my dinner tonight. But oh no, the menu was changed to sausages and mash (potato in case you've never had this meal).
I was not consulted nor have I received an apology.
I spent all day looking forward to a good pie as I'm a glutton for pastry. I went to work today and was looking forward to coming home and having pie.
Thank you dad for promising pie and getting my hopes up only to shatter them.
Message to everyone: If you make a promise, please keep it.

My Weekend

This weekend ha been a roller coaster ride. On Saturday I sang Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You and I can sum that up in one word: Disaster.
My mic kept cutting out and my mind bailed on me when I got to the second verse!! I have no idea what the hell happened to my brain, but it returned in time for the middle eight and that note.
And today (Sunday), I was rushed off my feet behind the main bar at work, serving drinks and ordering food. And I hung up some Christmas decorations, bringing me to realise that Christmas is drawing ever so much closer so quickly.
At least I got to watch Strictly Come Dancing on my TV and not on my laptop (Very, very long story). Am very happy with this years finalists Matt Baker (and his partner Aliona Vilani), Kara Tointon (and her partner Artem Chigvintsev), and Pamela Stephenson (and her partner James Jordan).
And am now putting up with X Factor (more like Crap Factor). Josh thinks that the finalists are great this year, but honestly, in my opinion, none of them are anything special. I'm fed up with this show, it's been going 8yrs now and the only people who have made something of themselves from this show have been Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke (who are winners), Olly Murs (a runner up) and JLS (who came second to Alexandra Burke). Just in case some of you have been living under a rock lately.

Why was 6 afraid of 7?

I came out of the bathroom last night to discover that George and Josh were discussing the joke "Why was 6 afraid of 7?"
Everyone knows the answer: "Because 7 ate 9".
But Josh never got it. He got what was funny about it, but he never fully got it.
And this prompted this whole thing about why 7 ate 9. I said that 7 is the lucky number, that's why the other numbers don't like 7, but then George said: "But 3 is the magic number, so 3 can do magic on the other numbers."
It made sense so we figured that all the other numbers are really scared of 3, but then you have 6 and 9 who are numbers that 3 go into. Therefore you have this group of numbers that are very powerful together.
But then what about number 1? Well, 1 is 1, everyone's cool with it.
It was a very surreal conversation, talking about numbers like they were real people.
Thing is, this does come from the most coordinated brothers I've ever seen. Last night at rehearsal for Christmas Carol, George and Josh were very syncopated when they were playing beggars. They're not even twins (they're 2 years apart) and yet there seems to be a link between them. All three of us actually. It was funny watching them roll over and getting up from the floor at exactly the same time. Although it was one of those 'you had to see it to find it funny' moments.

Tuition Fees - My Two Cents

I am a prospective student, hoping to start in 2011 and I want to put in my thoughts about the last 24 hours.
I am appalled by the behaviour of those individuals who turned yesterday's protest in London from peaceful to destructive. I understand that these people are angry, but that is no reason to use violence! I think these individuals need to take a lesson from the most famous peaceful march in history: Martin Luther King's march in Washington DC (the one where he made his 'I Have A Dream' speech).
Honestly, what was the achievement in attacking the Royal car? It wasn't Prince Charles nor the Duchess of Cornwall who made the decision on the fees.
I, of course, am all for the cause, but these things can be done in peace. The focus should be on the message, not vandalising public buildings. Oh and Winston Churchill's statue too!!! And climbing up the cenotaph too! These war memorials are nothing to do with the matter at hand!
And now to the British government and Mr Cameron: You elitist b*******s! (Sorry, had to get it out.)
By raising the fees, many people will be put off applying to universities because of a massive debt they will have to pay off . £9,000 a year is extortionate. And many find it difficult to get a job in their chosen field, even though they are qualified. I do not want to have to pay off £27,000 for the rest of my life! And my chosen career is in the Performing Arts, and I am perfectly aware that means I will be spending more time trying to find work than actually doing work. With fees such as this, there is no way I will be able to clear my debt. I did consider applying to Drama School, but their fees are about £11,000 a year and because of this I opted for universities. And my 17 year old brother, George, is in the same boat as me. He is looking at a career in animation and he feels as strongly as I do. Both my brother s and myself watched Newsnight last night and even when it was over we were still discussing it. George said that "politicians think only in the short term" and I think he's right.
Who does this benefit in the long term? It's just taking more of the tax payer's money to help with the funding scheme. I also think it's not helping our economy.
And another point: There is no money going into Arts and Humanities. What improvement can be made to these departments if there is no funding for them? This means that my brothers and I are stuffed because this will have an effect on our learning experience. I will add that all the cuts made in education will mean that the departments will suffer in one way or another.
And why is EMA being scrapped? My brother Josh is starting at Sixth Form next year, and with our household income, EMA is greatly appreciated.
Despite yesterday's mishaps, I hope the government will realise that we will still fight for our rights and that they made the wrong decision.
This is my final thought: In the Human Rights Act, it states that every citizen has the right to a decent education. Is this decision taking away those rights?

A Rather Pleasant Day

I still find it amazing how you think about someone and then you see them 5 minutes later. Saw one of my old friends from high school and her little one today when I went into Costa. That little girl of hers get cuter every time I see her; I swear to God.
Usually I hate Wednesdays, because of obligations at the Job Centre. I can't wait to get a second job so I don't have to go there anymore. But it was all right and I had lunch with my mother afterwards.
Now I'm home I can learn my lines for A Christmas Carol and practice Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You for work this Saturday (I'm slightly dreading it).
And will make sure I get an early night tonight as last night I became rather delirious. I usually get delirious late at night. But funnily enough, that's when I get my creative juices really flowing and I can come up with some insane ideas. I know one friend in particular who can back me up on that...
But last night, I was talking to my 15 (going on 5) yr old brother Josh about the sitcom Miranda. And I totally went blank on character names even though 2 seconds earlier I'd said their name (it was Gary, the chef Miranda has the biggest crush on for those who have never seen it). It was then I knew I should get to bed. I should just shut up after 10pm.

Poignant Movies

Today I have been up and down. Physically and a little emotionally.
Not only was I up and down the stairs cleaning the house and tidying etc., but I watched 2 movies that brought you up and down: Rent and Remember Me. And both with the audio commentary.
Despite the voice-overs of both cast and crew, I was still swept up in the story. Both films are ones that make me think and all the characters are relatable.
Rent might be a musical, but it's the most real musical I've ever seen. Jonathan Larson was a genius. I cry every time I watch (SPOILER ALERT) Angel's funeral.
The lyrics make a point about how fleeting life is and that's what gets me thinking and leaves me feeling rather sombre.
The same with Remember Me. I can relate to Rob Pattinson's character most.
(God this is sounding like a movie review)
But I am always amazed by the ending of this film. I first saw it at the cinema and I did not see that ending coming. And I totally get the point of it. (SPOILER ALERT) And director Allen Coulter said that it was a reminder that normal, real people died on 9/11; they were going about their normal day when their lives were tragically cut short.
I can't get over how good both movies are. Because they're both about real people you can meet in the street. They have universal messages that I think are very honest and true.
I know that life is fleeting - that's why I live in the present; because the future is scary.