It doesn't rain it pours.
Lately everything has happened at once. I am now officially self employed, doing workshops and being an artist. And possibly a curator. And a volunteer. And very tired. It's all a bit manic and stressful, and I find myself needing to wear more formal clothes, which is difficult because I don't have all that many formal clothes.
The other day I received my very own shiny new printing rollers. They were EXPENSIVE. But worth it. It's hard to explain the wonderful-ness of rollers. If you are a person who likes to mono print, or relief print in some form, a good roller is SO important. Until this week I was using a crappy roller, and the resulting prints were sub-standard. Suddenly, as if by magic, I am creating things. Things I actually like. It's insane.
I also got some heat transfer ink. Which is equally, if not more exciting. One day I shall be able to afford my very own heat press, and my life will be complete. But yes, this heat transfer ink, oh how I have missed it! I'm going to be teaching some people about the joys of heat transfer soon, I hope they don't think I'm insane. I promise, I'm not. I just like to print. And after my crazy time of un-creative-ness that I have only recently come out of, discovering that I do still actually like to print is amazing to me.
The final crazy thing about my life lately is that I screen printed again, for the first time in a long while. I smelled that smell of binder, and mixed in some concentrated colour, and made some crazy stencils, and made a lovely mess. It was wonderful. And I am glad I have been able to come back to it. For a while there I was scared I wouldn't.
So yes, life has been crazy, I haven't read a book in a week, I haven't slept properly for two weeks, but I think I'm happy. And that is important.
Friday, 30 April 2010
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Accidentally
I am accidentally listening to Alanis Morissette today. Accidentally because it wasn't me that made my computer play it. But I like Alanis Morissette so it's ok.
Yesterday I made cookies, and they didn't last long. That is because I used the Mary Berry Recipe, and it is the BEST cookie recipe. (even the mixture tastes freaking awesome) My friend has given me the idea to make a giant, pizza sized cookie, which I intend to attempt in the next few days, I'll keep you posted.
Today I went to York, and went with my friend to the National Railway Museum. It was super cool, they have lots of trains and you can look inside at all the fancy old style seats and dining cars. They have examples of Royal carriages that have a full bath and beds and armchairs. So I have decided that when I have my own house it shall made of train carriages.
Also, I went to a book shop, and I couldn't find any books I wanted (except ones I want but shouldn't, because I know they will be bad), so I left without buying any books. Which is good for my bank balance, bad for my book addict-ness.
So in conclusion, everyone should go to the National Railway Museum in York, listen to Alanis Morissette, and make pizza sized Mary Berry cookies.
Goodnight World.
Yesterday I made cookies, and they didn't last long. That is because I used the Mary Berry Recipe, and it is the BEST cookie recipe. (even the mixture tastes freaking awesome) My friend has given me the idea to make a giant, pizza sized cookie, which I intend to attempt in the next few days, I'll keep you posted.
Today I went to York, and went with my friend to the National Railway Museum. It was super cool, they have lots of trains and you can look inside at all the fancy old style seats and dining cars. They have examples of Royal carriages that have a full bath and beds and armchairs. So I have decided that when I have my own house it shall made of train carriages.
Also, I went to a book shop, and I couldn't find any books I wanted (except ones I want but shouldn't, because I know they will be bad), so I left without buying any books. Which is good for my bank balance, bad for my book addict-ness.
So in conclusion, everyone should go to the National Railway Museum in York, listen to Alanis Morissette, and make pizza sized Mary Berry cookies.
Goodnight World.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
A Very Productive Day
Yesterday was a very busy day. I had planned a cinema day with my friends. So I went to the cinema, but when we got there it was much too sunny to spend the whole day in the dark. Thankfully we still viewed the first film on the list: Kick-Ass. Which, I just have to say, is an AWESOME film. Everybody (who is above the age limit) should go see it. Right now.
Then we went for lunch at a new restaurant, conveniently located next to the cinema, whose entire menu is made up of starters, or starter size portions of main meals, its a little confusing, but still quite yummy. Then we went shopping. Because really, when its a sunny Saturday what else can you do? I bought a new skirt, which is flowery and a little flouncy, generally its quite summery, which given the day yesterday I would say is quite appropriate.
After about 2 and a half hours of shopping we all went home. I watched a bad TV programme with my mum, and then read a book my friend lent me. It was called "The Manny" by Holly Peterson. It was really rather good for chick lit (which is a phrase I quite hate, but seems to sum up that genre quite well), in fact I read it all in one sitting, which kept me up past midnight, which is something I haven't done in a while.
So yesterday was a busy busy day.
Today however, was not. I woke up, lazed about for a while, and contemplated changing my current playlist on my computer. I did the usual, flicking through artists on itunes till something inspires me. Today it is All American Rejects, who I always seem to return to. They are really quite nice. But they also require me to listen to them very very loudly (which I don't think my Mum appreciates). So after some crazy dancing to overly loud music I then decided it was time to make that Owl shaped cushion I have been thinking about for weeks now, and that it was time to start watching Gilmore Girls again (not that I really ever stopped). It being Sunday I didn't rush this cushion making. I did all the sewing by hand (which I like to do sometimes, because its nice), and watched about 5 episodes of Gilmore Girls during this time. Now it is 8 o clock pm and all I achieved today was a cushion. Not terribly productive (see, the irony of the title here?). But I don't think I care. Here's my cushion, the fruit of my terribly un-productive day (because if I was being productive I would have made at least 3):
(Can you tell that this whole post was simply an excuse to post a picture of my new favourite thing? He's a little lopsided, but that just makes him special.)
Then we went for lunch at a new restaurant, conveniently located next to the cinema, whose entire menu is made up of starters, or starter size portions of main meals, its a little confusing, but still quite yummy. Then we went shopping. Because really, when its a sunny Saturday what else can you do? I bought a new skirt, which is flowery and a little flouncy, generally its quite summery, which given the day yesterday I would say is quite appropriate.
After about 2 and a half hours of shopping we all went home. I watched a bad TV programme with my mum, and then read a book my friend lent me. It was called "The Manny" by Holly Peterson. It was really rather good for chick lit (which is a phrase I quite hate, but seems to sum up that genre quite well), in fact I read it all in one sitting, which kept me up past midnight, which is something I haven't done in a while.
So yesterday was a busy busy day.
Today however, was not. I woke up, lazed about for a while, and contemplated changing my current playlist on my computer. I did the usual, flicking through artists on itunes till something inspires me. Today it is All American Rejects, who I always seem to return to. They are really quite nice. But they also require me to listen to them very very loudly (which I don't think my Mum appreciates). So after some crazy dancing to overly loud music I then decided it was time to make that Owl shaped cushion I have been thinking about for weeks now, and that it was time to start watching Gilmore Girls again (not that I really ever stopped). It being Sunday I didn't rush this cushion making. I did all the sewing by hand (which I like to do sometimes, because its nice), and watched about 5 episodes of Gilmore Girls during this time. Now it is 8 o clock pm and all I achieved today was a cushion. Not terribly productive (see, the irony of the title here?). But I don't think I care. Here's my cushion, the fruit of my terribly un-productive day (because if I was being productive I would have made at least 3):
(Can you tell that this whole post was simply an excuse to post a picture of my new favourite thing? He's a little lopsided, but that just makes him special.)
Friday, 9 April 2010
Monkey Pants and Pirates
I said at the beginning of my blogging career that the next blog would concern monkey pants and how Xander should always be a pirate. I'm sorry, I lied, its taken me longer than that. So here is the promised ramble on those subjects.
In the Season 2 Episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer entitled "What's My Line, Part 2" Oz and Willow have a conversation that revolves around Animal Crackers, animal shaped biscuits with one half covered in chocolate (or at least that's what they are in England, I don't know about America). This is one of the couple's first conversations, and it is quite possibly the cutest (with the witch pez/bowling one from Season 3 being second). You see according to Oz, the monkeys are the only animal crackers who wear clothes, and the monkeys all "I mock you with my monkey pants" (in a french accent of course), and all monkeys are french, didn'tcha know that? And the hippos all "I have my hippo dignity" (I don't think this is in the right order, I'm sorry).
I am a bit of an Oz fanatic. I mean not that I don't appreciate the wonders of Angel (who is really quite wondrous, although lately I am more attached to Seeley Booth), and of course Spike, and for brief moments even Xander, but Oz is most certainly probably the best. This is because he is a werewolf. And werewolves are COOL (although please note that at this moment he is not a werewolf, just a guitar playing extremely cute and witty type person).
This conversation, heck the whole episode and its preceding part, is a perfect example of the genius of both the Buffy writers and Joss Whedon (who is my second favourite genius, after Jim Butcher). The Oz and Willow relationship (that begins with this conversation about monkey pants) lasts through to Season 4 (with a slight hiccup in the middle for the Xander affair), at which point Oz leaves to try and control his werewolf situation (why he must do this I don't understand, I mean yeah so it made him like Veruca, but we can forgive him for that, can't we?). Oz's departure was a very sad moment for me, but at least he ended well: "My whole life... I've never loved anything else." (in reply to Willow asking if he loves her).
I'm trying to remember the point of this post now, I think I got side-tracked in my Oz ramble. Oh yes, now to mention why Xander should always be a Pirate. Well, I'm not really sure why I mentioned this. Oh yes, because he looks like a Pirate when he has had one eye poked out by Caleb (the evil preacher man from Season 7), because he is the one who sees. Xander has had some of the most loveliest speeches in Buffy history, and his coolness sometimes just sneaks up on you, see:
"I'm not joking. I know you're in pain. I can't imagine the pain you're in. And I know you're about to do something apocolyptically evil and stupid and hey, I still wanna hang. You're Willow.... The first day of kindergarten you cried because you broke the yellow crayon and you were too afraid to tell anyone. You've come pretty far - ending the world not a terrific notion - but the thing is, yeah, I love you. I love crayon-breaky Willow, and I love scary veiny Willow so if I'm going out, it's here. If you want to kill the world.. then start with me. I've earned that. (Willow: You think I won't?) It doesn't matter. I'll still love you." (From Season 6's "Grave")
And so Xander saves the world with his wonderful kooky Xander-ness. And makes every girl in the whole world wish they had someone that loved them enough to stop them from destroying the world with their magical powers and a demon goddess type person.
Later on, in Season 7, Xander shows his specialness all over again:
"They'll never know how tough it is, Dawnie, to be the one who isn't chosen. To live so near to the spotlight and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes because nobody's watching me. I saw you last night. I see you working here today. You're not special. You're extraordinary." (From Season 7's "Potential")
That's just beautiful. And that's why he gets his eye poked out. Which is just mean.
I was worried that when I was writing about Buffy, that I would just ramble incoherently. That was probably a sensible worry. I fear I may have just rambled for a very long time about things that probably don't interest most of you. But you see (I really need to stop saying that), I am a Buffy Geek. Have been for about 12 years now, and I don't see it stopping anytime soon. I now have to ration my Buffy watching, or else it's all I would watch (that and Gilmore Girls, cos that's an awesome show).
I will watch anything made by Joss Whedon religiously, because he has proved, over and over again, that he is a TV genius, which is not necessarily evident to most people, but is obvious if you watch what he makes. Recently a friend told me to watch Dollhouse, which I hadn't watched yet, for some reason (don't ask me why, I can't remember), and after the first couple of episodes I was hooked. Having restrained myself through Season 1 I then watched most of Season 2 in one day and went a little bit crazy from it.
So to all you people (which probably isn't that many) reading this, who have never watched anything by Joss Whedon, watch Buffy, then watch Angel (but not Season 4), then watch Firefly, then watch Dollhouse and I promise, it will be awesome.
In the Season 2 Episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer entitled "What's My Line, Part 2" Oz and Willow have a conversation that revolves around Animal Crackers, animal shaped biscuits with one half covered in chocolate (or at least that's what they are in England, I don't know about America). This is one of the couple's first conversations, and it is quite possibly the cutest (with the witch pez/bowling one from Season 3 being second). You see according to Oz, the monkeys are the only animal crackers who wear clothes, and the monkeys all "I mock you with my monkey pants" (in a french accent of course), and all monkeys are french, didn'tcha know that? And the hippos all "I have my hippo dignity" (I don't think this is in the right order, I'm sorry).
I am a bit of an Oz fanatic. I mean not that I don't appreciate the wonders of Angel (who is really quite wondrous, although lately I am more attached to Seeley Booth), and of course Spike, and for brief moments even Xander, but Oz is most certainly probably the best. This is because he is a werewolf. And werewolves are COOL (although please note that at this moment he is not a werewolf, just a guitar playing extremely cute and witty type person).
This conversation, heck the whole episode and its preceding part, is a perfect example of the genius of both the Buffy writers and Joss Whedon (who is my second favourite genius, after Jim Butcher). The Oz and Willow relationship (that begins with this conversation about monkey pants) lasts through to Season 4 (with a slight hiccup in the middle for the Xander affair), at which point Oz leaves to try and control his werewolf situation (why he must do this I don't understand, I mean yeah so it made him like Veruca, but we can forgive him for that, can't we?). Oz's departure was a very sad moment for me, but at least he ended well: "My whole life... I've never loved anything else." (in reply to Willow asking if he loves her).
I'm trying to remember the point of this post now, I think I got side-tracked in my Oz ramble. Oh yes, now to mention why Xander should always be a Pirate. Well, I'm not really sure why I mentioned this. Oh yes, because he looks like a Pirate when he has had one eye poked out by Caleb (the evil preacher man from Season 7), because he is the one who sees. Xander has had some of the most loveliest speeches in Buffy history, and his coolness sometimes just sneaks up on you, see:
"I'm not joking. I know you're in pain. I can't imagine the pain you're in. And I know you're about to do something apocolyptically evil and stupid and hey, I still wanna hang. You're Willow.... The first day of kindergarten you cried because you broke the yellow crayon and you were too afraid to tell anyone. You've come pretty far - ending the world not a terrific notion - but the thing is, yeah, I love you. I love crayon-breaky Willow, and I love scary veiny Willow so if I'm going out, it's here. If you want to kill the world.. then start with me. I've earned that. (Willow: You think I won't?) It doesn't matter. I'll still love you." (From Season 6's "Grave")
And so Xander saves the world with his wonderful kooky Xander-ness. And makes every girl in the whole world wish they had someone that loved them enough to stop them from destroying the world with their magical powers and a demon goddess type person.
Later on, in Season 7, Xander shows his specialness all over again:
"They'll never know how tough it is, Dawnie, to be the one who isn't chosen. To live so near to the spotlight and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes because nobody's watching me. I saw you last night. I see you working here today. You're not special. You're extraordinary." (From Season 7's "Potential")
That's just beautiful. And that's why he gets his eye poked out. Which is just mean.
I was worried that when I was writing about Buffy, that I would just ramble incoherently. That was probably a sensible worry. I fear I may have just rambled for a very long time about things that probably don't interest most of you. But you see (I really need to stop saying that), I am a Buffy Geek. Have been for about 12 years now, and I don't see it stopping anytime soon. I now have to ration my Buffy watching, or else it's all I would watch (that and Gilmore Girls, cos that's an awesome show).
I will watch anything made by Joss Whedon religiously, because he has proved, over and over again, that he is a TV genius, which is not necessarily evident to most people, but is obvious if you watch what he makes. Recently a friend told me to watch Dollhouse, which I hadn't watched yet, for some reason (don't ask me why, I can't remember), and after the first couple of episodes I was hooked. Having restrained myself through Season 1 I then watched most of Season 2 in one day and went a little bit crazy from it.
So to all you people (which probably isn't that many) reading this, who have never watched anything by Joss Whedon, watch Buffy, then watch Angel (but not Season 4), then watch Firefly, then watch Dollhouse and I promise, it will be awesome.
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