Warning: this site contains attempts at wittiness and references to rugby and chocolate croissants.
Accolades for 'Buses in Autumn'
'hilarious' - someone who wants something from me
'Read it, loved it. Vintage Pen. Bound to win awards quite soon.' - some guy
'Othello and Neighbours rolled into one' - some other guy who wants more references to him
'i love your blog.' - my darling Sis
'that apricot scroll was the most delicious thing i've ever eaten!' - Stalkergirl (oh, OK, that quote was totally unrelated to my blog...)
What religion do you think is most relevant to this age?
I think that needs context! We were talking about the history of some religions, and if we accept that they are influenced to some degree by the social circumstances of the time at which they are founded, then there should be some religion which is particularly applicable to now. Or some mix of religious ideals.
I'm inclined to think that earth religions appeal to our growing awareness of the damage we're doing to the environment. But I think we also need to renounce material goods. I think also that it's a good idea to encourage independent thought (to counter the media/propaganda onslaught). Dunno. Any ideas?
Buttercup 11:07 PM
Monday, January 12, 2004
Took a Mental Health Day yesterday, and stayed at Fish's all day. It's a good place to take a day off, as it's equipped with all kinds of modern gadgetry. Unfortunately, we're not into the same type of books (except Footrot Flats, which he has a load of), so there's not lots to read. I ended up watching 2 movies on cable, including The Sweetest Thing. The first time I saw that, I thought it was reasonably entertaining in an unthinking kind of way. This time, it actively annoyed me. I'm not sure what it is that annoys me... it has a weak storyline, but other movies have been good with a weak storyline. Ooh, but I saw a very good movie on Friday night: Tais Toi, made by the guy who made The Closet. Very funny.
Buttercup 9:27 PM
Sunday, December 28, 2003
Technically, we're all still on holiday, but here I am at uni. The Christmas festivities were tops. On Christmas Eve, Scooter and I went to visit Moose and Claus (he looks a lot like Santa should look, that's why I'm calling him Claus). We cycled there so that we could drink - and we drank and ate quite a bit, and I haven't laughed so much in a long time. Scooter and I then cycled home, drunk, along the river. It was cool and calm and quite lovely, although Scooter was swaying all over the bike path.
I went to Fish's family's place on Christmas day. It was the first time I'd met them, and they're lovely and lots of fun to boot. Fish's dad kept topping up my glass of champagne - I think he thought I was too shy to get my own drink, but in fact I was just drinking slowly. I gave Fish a water pistol as one of his pressies, which was a mistake! I spent most of the day running away. We wound up the day by ringing Scooter and singing the Irish rugby song to her (she's Irish), while Fish's dad in the background yelled "There goes Keith Wood! And he's naked!".
I got my book! But it looks suspiciously like a trashy novel, whereas I thought it was some feminist diatribe. I'm sure the other book I read by Erica Jong was feminist. Still, perhaps it's just marketed as a trashy novel.
The back wall is coming down. Billy the Builder said that he should have the lintel up today (there's a lintel going in because it's a load-bearing wall). It's all very exciting, if somewhat dusty. Adding to the excitement is the fact that Billy's wife has gone to Wales, and Scooter is desperately hoping that Billy will finish the demolition before he goes to Wales too.
Just got a visit from Borgod, who is SUPPOSED to be on annual leave. Got told off for not updating him while he was away. That's because I thought that by the time he'd had his leave and we'd all gone off for xmas, he would have forgotten that I didn't update him. Oddly, being told off really didn't bother me. Too much caffeine? So now, do I update him, or do I make a point of not doing it because polite people don't tell their students they're going on leave and then show up, with no notice, to terrorize them? I must consider whether to or not.
Good news - I am getting a free book from random bookcrosser! She is offering loads to give away, and there's an Erica Jong one that I like the look of.
Did I mention I'm reading Canterbury Tales? The good thing about the train is that I get about 30 mins of reading in per day now. I'm in the first story of CT, and so far it's interesting but I find myself wanting to speak in their style of English. Also feeling very sappy and romantic and I'm sure that's due to the story.
Buttercup 1:46 AM
Monday, December 15, 2003
Got an email from an ex, saying he thought I'd be amused that he's broken up with his girlfriend. Does he really think I'm that nasty? I assured him that I'm not amused. But it is easier to feel magnanimous when you have someone like Fish to make you feel loved.
Buttercup 10:54 PM
Yesterday I went to an engagement party. That sort of thing usually freaks me out a bit, but how can I really object to sitting in someone's back yard drinking alcohol on such a perfect day? He (of they) and Her dad both made speeches, which annoyed me a bit as it's reminiscent of Her being handed from one male to another; but the two glasses of wine did make me forgive them a little for being so conventional. Also, His speech was incredibly sweet - he said "... not only that, she's my best friend." Aaawwww...
Went to see Amandla! last night, a documentary about music and song as part of South Africa's struggle against apartheid. I really enjoyed it, but stories of South Africa always cause a tumult of emotions inside me. My dad was in prison there for very short periods of time in the early sixties - he was held under some emergency laws (yes, similar to those that have been introduced in Australia). When I see how many people were killed either in prison or by security forces, I think how lucky he was that he was white and had a respectable Afrikaans name. He was only active for a few years too, as he left to come here when he was 21 or 22. There was a scene in the documentary last night of Mandela after being released, and there was a huge crowd singing to him and about him, that he was their leader and brought them freedom, etc. Can you imagine how it must have felt to him, after being imprisoned for 25 years, and during that time not knowing when he would die or when he would be freed, not knowing whether he would ever see the end of the struggle; and then to be released and be the instrument of the people's freedom! Amazing.
Buttercup 1:11 AM
Thursday, December 11, 2003
I feel so frazzled. I think it's due to moving, and not having had time to settle in properly. Heh - I still have boxes plunked in the middle of my room, which I have to shuffle around when I want to shut the door! I was going to sort it last weekend, but I had to go shopping, and plant the tree seeds, and then we had to move everything out of the kitchen because the back wall is coming down... I also blame the light, because it stops me from sleeping in. "Sleeping in" being sleeping past 6am. I need another Mental Health Day. For some reason, it always feels more relaxing to spend a day doing nothing during the week, rather than on a weekend. Perhaps people expect you to run around and use the days on the weekend.
Buttercup 2:05 AM
