In the beginning a flame,
very pretty,
often hot and fierce,
but still only light and flickering.
very pretty,
often hot and fierce,
but still only light and flickering.
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Goosey Gander
8 minutes later...
Trez amusant!
On the jukebox: Katrina & The Waves ~ Walking On Sunshine
Friday, 16 January 2009
Collecting Coins
Today, I have £1.88 in my purse.
Back in September or so and such a time, I began to collect the 2008 coat of arms coins. I didn't realise until the start of term that that is what they were, but since I discovered this, the race has been on to find a full set.
Just before the new year, I completed the mission. Score! I know I am weird; I am the kind of person who will pay for a twenty-two pee cup of tea in coppers to avoid 'breaking into' a five pence piece. In my purse, I have the seven english coins that I shall never spend, a canadian dime, an american quarter and a euro cent. A couple of sterling notes too, cos they're always handy, eh?
Here's a bit of lateral thinking for you: what's the maximum amount of coins you could have in your purse and not have exact change for a pound (not including £1 and £2 coins, obviously)? Answers welcome below...
On the jukebox: Meja ~ All About The Money
Back in September or so and such a time, I began to collect the 2008 coat of arms coins. I didn't realise until the start of term that that is what they were, but since I discovered this, the race has been on to find a full set.
Just before the new year, I completed the mission. Score! I know I am weird; I am the kind of person who will pay for a twenty-two pee cup of tea in coppers to avoid 'breaking into' a five pence piece. In my purse, I have the seven english coins that I shall never spend, a canadian dime, an american quarter and a euro cent. A couple of sterling notes too, cos they're always handy, eh?
Here's a bit of lateral thinking for you: what's the maximum amount of coins you could have in your purse and not have exact change for a pound (not including £1 and £2 coins, obviously)? Answers welcome below...
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Stale Mate
Today, I have got caught up in thoughts.
So I saw him walking there and he saw me and I turned away and I wondered what I would have done if I hadn't been on the phone and he hadn't been talking to that professor.
Of course, then I couldn't get him out of my mind. So I snapped at the person on the other end of the line, although I didn't explain why, it wasn't the time. I sighed on the steps outside, went back upstairs and acted like nothing had happened...whilst wiping the tears from my eyes.
Because soon, it will be nothing. Soon, I will see him, and I won't need to look past his eyeline, wonder whether to say hello. Because soon, there will be a mutual sense of avoidance, and I can't choose to wonder anymore and I won't want to care anymore. Sometime soon, that will happen.
On the jukebox: Liz Phair ~ Why Can't I?
Of course, then I couldn't get him out of my mind. So I snapped at the person on the other end of the line, although I didn't explain why, it wasn't the time. I sighed on the steps outside, went back upstairs and acted like nothing had happened...whilst wiping the tears from my eyes.
Because soon, it will be nothing. Soon, I will see him, and I won't need to look past his eyeline, wonder whether to say hello. Because soon, there will be a mutual sense of avoidance, and I can't choose to wonder anymore and I won't want to care anymore. Sometime soon, that will happen.
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Facebook Friends
Today, I have visited a social networking site.
It freaks me out how very easy it is to find out about people. By way of mutual friends, news feeds and subtle stalking a whole host of information is revealed, knowledge that can't be unlearnt, photos plastered all over the place without permission, comments that could be held against you at a later date...
Despite the logical probability of it happening, to think that someone I know in personface has at the very least spoken to someone who I have known only through blogface is a strange sensation; the realisation that the two of the parts of my life that are usually kept so separate can so readily collide.
On the jukebox: Smash Mouth ~ Why Can't We Be Friends?
Facebook is really quite odd.
It freaks me out how very easy it is to find out about people. By way of mutual friends, news feeds and subtle stalking a whole host of information is revealed, knowledge that can't be unlearnt, photos plastered all over the place without permission, comments that could be held against you at a later date...
A while ago, it came up on my home page that:
This shouldn't have come as such a surprise. The thing is, with knowing people from universities and homes all over the country, it's not exactly unlikely that there's an overlap in particular places. Add in the fact that the internet is international - the way we 'meet' people on t'web doesn't require being in the same geographical location at the same time - I suppose it'd be weird for there to not be some common aquaintance.
[RealLifeFriend] is now friends with [NetLifeFriend]
This shouldn't have come as such a surprise. The thing is, with knowing people from universities and homes all over the country, it's not exactly unlikely that there's an overlap in particular places. Add in the fact that the internet is international - the way we 'meet' people on t'web doesn't require being in the same geographical location at the same time - I suppose it'd be weird for there to not be some common aquaintance.
Despite the logical probability of it happening, to think that someone I know in personface has at the very least spoken to someone who I have known only through blogface is a strange sensation; the realisation that the two of the parts of my life that are usually kept so separate can so readily collide.
On the jukebox: Smash Mouth ~ Why Can't We Be Friends?
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Meandrous Wanderings
Today, I have eavesdropped on conversations.
Do you ever wonder what all those people are doing? Where their cars are going? Where their lives are taking them?
Do you ever take a guess at what subject they study? Or why she seems so sad? Do you think he recognises you or would remember your name? Do you find yourself observing how the interaction plays out between people; what they really think of each other? Do you ever consider whether he has a huge crush on her but will never admit to it? Do you ever look people in the eye as you walk past and smile, just to see if they do too?
On the jukebox: Razorlight ~ Wire To Wire
It was rush hour as I walked home.
Do you ever wonder what all those people are doing? Where their cars are going? Where their lives are taking them?
Do you ever take a guess at what subject they study? Or why she seems so sad? Do you think he recognises you or would remember your name? Do you find yourself observing how the interaction plays out between people; what they really think of each other? Do you ever consider whether he has a huge crush on her but will never admit to it? Do you ever look people in the eye as you walk past and smile, just to see if they do too?
I do.
Monday, 12 January 2009
Conducting Conversation
Today, I have asked questions.
Questions show you're interested; questions show you're involved; questions show you're listening. Conversations require questions to keep the topic flowing and to open new paths of discussion. That's not to say it's necessary to ask questions all the time. Too many questions can feel like interrogation or that you have nothing to offer of yourself.
Just a simple "hi, how are you?" would suffice to start with, it's a common phrase in the english language, it doesn't require an in-depth response or even an honest one, but it's an easy way to engage in verbal exchange, especially with someone you haven't heard from for a while. On the other hand, it is not a good idea to use "I'm bored" as your opening remark, it doesn't offer up many conversational options or ways to progress from there. How am I supposed to even respond to that?
It makes me feel like you don't really care what I have to say; that I'm just something to fill your day; a means of procrastination; a way to make yourself feel better. In fact, it makes me really annoyed and I wish you could see how self-centred it makes you sound. But would that actually make a difference?
On the jukebox: Kimya Dawson ~ So Nice So Smart
Questions show you're interested; questions show you're involved; questions show you're listening. Conversations require questions to keep the topic flowing and to open new paths of discussion. That's not to say it's necessary to ask questions all the time. Too many questions can feel like interrogation or that you have nothing to offer of yourself.
Just a simple "hi, how are you?" would suffice to start with, it's a common phrase in the english language, it doesn't require an in-depth response or even an honest one, but it's an easy way to engage in verbal exchange, especially with someone you haven't heard from for a while. On the other hand, it is not a good idea to use "I'm bored" as your opening remark, it doesn't offer up many conversational options or ways to progress from there. How am I supposed to even respond to that?
It makes me feel like you don't really care what I have to say; that I'm just something to fill your day; a means of procrastination; a way to make yourself feel better. In fact, it makes me really annoyed and I wish you could see how self-centred it makes you sound. But would that actually make a difference?
I'm bored of you, bye!
On the jukebox: Kimya Dawson ~ So Nice So Smart
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