Woolies is shutting down! Only just hit me today as I shambled in for one last pick n mix, and to pick up a bottle of sun tan lotion for £1! Currently munching on those slightly sexy cherry lips and crazy fried eggs as we speak. Might even freeze some of them for posterity! got a rush from choildhood as well lookin at the star wars figures and other toys!
Back home Saturday for Xmas, can't wait! This week of college is so pointless, just mock exams, finished yesterday 40 minutes early and buggered off! couldn't answer any more! of course, I hope it all comes good for the uber geeks who stalk the halls of BPP, they deserve some reward for their lack of a sense of perspective!
been an alright term overall, i'm holding up better than I thought, and it's all starting to come together, just like uni. Awena also tells me I'm down to the last 30 for DBF as well which is bloody brilliant news! finally some progress!
won my debate, found out yesterday, also good.
Ciao x
18/12/2008
14/12/2008
Something else...
Wrote this poem in the wee small hours as a house party blared downstairs...
THE SMITHS PLAY THE NATIONAL BALLROOM, KILBURN
The gladioli of doubt
Pinion round the crown
Of the King of Fools
He sways, beatific,
and sings you a lullaby,
an anthem for doomed youth
The question, What is it
I've got that you have not?,
is not his to answer.
He is what you want him to be.
Effete, charming. Gaunt, wiry.
Lanky, striking. Sinner, saint.
A Man for All Suspicions.
What about his mind?
Is that what sets him apart?
He transforms the turgid,
electrifies the ordinary,
screws up the rulebook of rock n roll
Sunny days for him are dreaded,
He'd hang the DJ to quell the panic,
He opens up freer to the girl miles away
Than the girl across the street he lusts after
He should be rocking out,
but instead he's fucking up,
singing so beautifully about the pain of manhood.
He isn't right, this isn't proper,
it shouldn't work but it does,
Oh how it does!
You want to be him
and girls want to be with him
And you want to be with those girls!
So you sway along with everyone else,
a sight in your specs and hearing aid.
You came on your own, but don't want to leave alone.
So you spend the night, trying to catch the eye
of a buck-toothed girl from Luxembourg.
THE SMITHS PLAY THE NATIONAL BALLROOM, KILBURN
The gladioli of doubt
Pinion round the crown
Of the King of Fools
He sways, beatific,
and sings you a lullaby,
an anthem for doomed youth
The question, What is it
I've got that you have not?,
is not his to answer.
He is what you want him to be.
Effete, charming. Gaunt, wiry.
Lanky, striking. Sinner, saint.
A Man for All Suspicions.
What about his mind?
Is that what sets him apart?
He transforms the turgid,
electrifies the ordinary,
screws up the rulebook of rock n roll
Sunny days for him are dreaded,
He'd hang the DJ to quell the panic,
He opens up freer to the girl miles away
Than the girl across the street he lusts after
He should be rocking out,
but instead he's fucking up,
singing so beautifully about the pain of manhood.
He isn't right, this isn't proper,
it shouldn't work but it does,
Oh how it does!
You want to be him
and girls want to be with him
And you want to be with those girls!
So you sway along with everyone else,
a sight in your specs and hearing aid.
You came on your own, but don't want to leave alone.
So you spend the night, trying to catch the eye
of a buck-toothed girl from Luxembourg.
11/12/2008
Love and Death
An occasional series where I give the rundown on my favourite movies...
Love and Death (1975), Dir: Woody Allen
Allen's last "early, funny one", this 75 minute souffle slips by in no time at all yet leaves the viewer completely satisfied. Often acknowledged as the greatest Marx brothers never made, this melding of inspired sight gags, sex comedy, philosophical musing, historical spoof, European stereotypes and, of course, Jewish nebbish one-liners, is easily Woody's funniest effort.
The film benefits greatly from its authentic European stylings, with much of the supporting cast assaulting the audience with their rich Russian accents and adopting the kind of exaggerated theatrics to which Allen's script is tailor-made.
The movie is heavily plotted but never burdensome. It concerns a young Russian noble, Boris (Allen), and his unrequited love for his cousin, Sonya (the luminous Diane Keaton, outclassing Allen in the comedy stakes). Their on-again, off-again relationship is tracked the length and breadth of Franco-Russian relations at the turn of the 17th century as Napoleon's forces threaten an idyllic family life. Culminating in a riotous infiltration of the Emperor's palace, the movie is a laugh riot on both a gut-busting and a mind-bending level.
Allen would 'grow up' after this last guffaw, charming the Academy with the definitive relationship movie that is Annie Hall the next year. Whilst he certainly matured as a writer, he was never as good a filmmaker in the true sense of the word after this and Sleeper. The screen teems with often inspired images, particularly in the key battle scene between the French and the Russians. What a long way he has fallen in the last decade; the best thing for him to do would be to retire to his mansion and re-watch his magnificent life's work. I certainly recommend you do the same.
Love and Death (1975), Dir: Woody Allen
Allen's last "early, funny one", this 75 minute souffle slips by in no time at all yet leaves the viewer completely satisfied. Often acknowledged as the greatest Marx brothers never made, this melding of inspired sight gags, sex comedy, philosophical musing, historical spoof, European stereotypes and, of course, Jewish nebbish one-liners, is easily Woody's funniest effort.
The film benefits greatly from its authentic European stylings, with much of the supporting cast assaulting the audience with their rich Russian accents and adopting the kind of exaggerated theatrics to which Allen's script is tailor-made.
The movie is heavily plotted but never burdensome. It concerns a young Russian noble, Boris (Allen), and his unrequited love for his cousin, Sonya (the luminous Diane Keaton, outclassing Allen in the comedy stakes). Their on-again, off-again relationship is tracked the length and breadth of Franco-Russian relations at the turn of the 17th century as Napoleon's forces threaten an idyllic family life. Culminating in a riotous infiltration of the Emperor's palace, the movie is a laugh riot on both a gut-busting and a mind-bending level.
Allen would 'grow up' after this last guffaw, charming the Academy with the definitive relationship movie that is Annie Hall the next year. Whilst he certainly matured as a writer, he was never as good a filmmaker in the true sense of the word after this and Sleeper. The screen teems with often inspired images, particularly in the key battle scene between the French and the Russians. What a long way he has fallen in the last decade; the best thing for him to do would be to retire to his mansion and re-watch his magnificent life's work. I certainly recommend you do the same.
01/12/2008
For some reason, I haven't made an entry for about 6 weeks now, but I finally feel moved to. Look at the tumultuous events occurring on the world stage for a start. So much to talk about.
So it seems that Barack Obama is being more tentative about the change agenda than at first we thought. By filling his cabinet with a great number of former aides-de-camp of Bill Clinton, he is avquiring wise old heads but also charges of a lack of nerve to upset the status quo in Washington as he promised he would. This all adds up to moderate-leaning administration which may not have the inclination or cross-party appeal to carry through the radical overhaul of policy that the US badly needs.
What has to be borne in mind is that Barack comes in when the very cetainties of Western liberal capitalist democracy are under severe strain. The consensus that having a former Wall Street executive run the Fed, for example, is being challenged on all sides, especially when that exec may at the current rate be handed the job the afternoon of the day his bank collapses. But a kneejerk reaction on all sides is not the way to develop sustainable policy. We will always need experts in the field at the head of the financial sector, who have had vested interests in the money markets and are in a position to properly direct policy.
One more serious sticking point could be the foreign policy outlook of Obama's ensigns. Hillary Clinton is set for State, and I was involved in a debate this week that asserted this a risky move. Bearing in mind her soundings on the obliteration of Iran and less than clear approach to the Iraq exit, she could present a view to foreign powers that does not tally with those of her boss. Any gap between them is then open for Ahmadinajad and other geo-political rivals to drive through.
I suppose it's all far too early to condemn the Obama term before it even starts, just interesting how quickly doubts have been raised. What concerns me even more is that the race for Minnesota rumbles on. I looked into the background of it when I heard Al Franken was running, to my surprise, on the Democrat ticket. Never for one minute thinking a comedian could present a credible candidate for Senate, I am now convinced that Al is a good an alternative as anyone to the suit with a parachute who is Norm Coleman. What I don't understnad is why the intemrinable process of recounts is so engrained in the electoral system. It's been 27 days since most results were declared, and yet here we are still waiting for legal challenges over literally handfuls of votes to be decided. There's even talk of an appeal to the Supreme Court. Why not just re-run the contest? This murky scrapping in far-flung corners of the state undermines the mandate of the eventual winner, which can only be restored if the voters minds are made plain again by a re-casting. I just think it sullies a victory if it's dragged out this long.
The Damian Green affair has also left me confused. Sifting through the timeline yesterday, I realised he must have behaved out of the ordinary for the police intrusion to reach the stage it did. Leaks occur all the time but arrests never occur as a result. There is talk of him having induced these leaks, which is apparently not the same as plain old receiving them. This appears in some way to be linked to a Tory mole at the Treasury. If this is the same civil servant who is being investigates, surely they didn't need inducing in the first place? Are we talking about blackmail here, or simply bribery? Why does any of this even matter when the four instances of supposed breach were not even national security issues, just mildly controversial and embarassing admissions? It all seems pretty kneejerk to me, but we shall see.
As for me personally (!), got back from a weekend in Cardiff yesterday, had a super time at the match, that last five minutes was the longest of my life! Glad Gatland's nerve held in keeping Jones on the pitch depsite his usual erratic efforts with the boot. He was integral to the midfield play and dictated the pace of the match. It may not have been pretty but it got the job done. Onwards to the grand slam!
What else? Back to work this week really, currently wading through powers of directors, lovely solicitors accounts to crack this evening. Still, not long till Xmas, kinda occupying a big corner of my infantile mind right now. Can't help it when there's frost outside and I'm all warm indoors. Think I'll reach my peak of giddiness when the Radio Times comes out: then it's official for me! Been getting into the mood for a good week or so though, repeated visits to the German market yielding brandied drinking chocolate and delicious biscuits. Best part of Xmas in Manchester.
Well, best get back to work, deadline approaching!
So it seems that Barack Obama is being more tentative about the change agenda than at first we thought. By filling his cabinet with a great number of former aides-de-camp of Bill Clinton, he is avquiring wise old heads but also charges of a lack of nerve to upset the status quo in Washington as he promised he would. This all adds up to moderate-leaning administration which may not have the inclination or cross-party appeal to carry through the radical overhaul of policy that the US badly needs.
What has to be borne in mind is that Barack comes in when the very cetainties of Western liberal capitalist democracy are under severe strain. The consensus that having a former Wall Street executive run the Fed, for example, is being challenged on all sides, especially when that exec may at the current rate be handed the job the afternoon of the day his bank collapses. But a kneejerk reaction on all sides is not the way to develop sustainable policy. We will always need experts in the field at the head of the financial sector, who have had vested interests in the money markets and are in a position to properly direct policy.
One more serious sticking point could be the foreign policy outlook of Obama's ensigns. Hillary Clinton is set for State, and I was involved in a debate this week that asserted this a risky move. Bearing in mind her soundings on the obliteration of Iran and less than clear approach to the Iraq exit, she could present a view to foreign powers that does not tally with those of her boss. Any gap between them is then open for Ahmadinajad and other geo-political rivals to drive through.
I suppose it's all far too early to condemn the Obama term before it even starts, just interesting how quickly doubts have been raised. What concerns me even more is that the race for Minnesota rumbles on. I looked into the background of it when I heard Al Franken was running, to my surprise, on the Democrat ticket. Never for one minute thinking a comedian could present a credible candidate for Senate, I am now convinced that Al is a good an alternative as anyone to the suit with a parachute who is Norm Coleman. What I don't understnad is why the intemrinable process of recounts is so engrained in the electoral system. It's been 27 days since most results were declared, and yet here we are still waiting for legal challenges over literally handfuls of votes to be decided. There's even talk of an appeal to the Supreme Court. Why not just re-run the contest? This murky scrapping in far-flung corners of the state undermines the mandate of the eventual winner, which can only be restored if the voters minds are made plain again by a re-casting. I just think it sullies a victory if it's dragged out this long.
The Damian Green affair has also left me confused. Sifting through the timeline yesterday, I realised he must have behaved out of the ordinary for the police intrusion to reach the stage it did. Leaks occur all the time but arrests never occur as a result. There is talk of him having induced these leaks, which is apparently not the same as plain old receiving them. This appears in some way to be linked to a Tory mole at the Treasury. If this is the same civil servant who is being investigates, surely they didn't need inducing in the first place? Are we talking about blackmail here, or simply bribery? Why does any of this even matter when the four instances of supposed breach were not even national security issues, just mildly controversial and embarassing admissions? It all seems pretty kneejerk to me, but we shall see.
As for me personally (!), got back from a weekend in Cardiff yesterday, had a super time at the match, that last five minutes was the longest of my life! Glad Gatland's nerve held in keeping Jones on the pitch depsite his usual erratic efforts with the boot. He was integral to the midfield play and dictated the pace of the match. It may not have been pretty but it got the job done. Onwards to the grand slam!
What else? Back to work this week really, currently wading through powers of directors, lovely solicitors accounts to crack this evening. Still, not long till Xmas, kinda occupying a big corner of my infantile mind right now. Can't help it when there's frost outside and I'm all warm indoors. Think I'll reach my peak of giddiness when the Radio Times comes out: then it's official for me! Been getting into the mood for a good week or so though, repeated visits to the German market yielding brandied drinking chocolate and delicious biscuits. Best part of Xmas in Manchester.
Well, best get back to work, deadline approaching!
18/10/2008
By the same token...
...any mental health expert will tell you its as healthy to unload those things that piss you off or just annoy you, so here goes:-
The apparent emotional sterility of far too many people I come across
The word 'no' and its connotations
Society's attitudes towards certain vices
The mainstream media, particularly the BBC
Political correctness gone mad
Rah's
The Manchester bus infrastructure
Flakes (people)
Identikit nightclubs, playing the same commercial R n B for the same assholes to pose to
The unpredictability of the winds in Manchester, re. positioning of one's umbrella
Being told I read too much
Intellectual bullies (I know I can be accused of this)
Paraochialism/Little England-ism/The Last Night of the Prom
Having said that, townies ignorant of the demands of country life, in particular vermin control
Racist, sexist, unfunny comedians
Rowan Atkinson and John Cleese since they sold out
Organised religion
The ending of Pearl Harbor, great movie until then
Rude, curt rejection letters
(Think that's it for now, probably think of some more later)
The apparent emotional sterility of far too many people I come across
The word 'no' and its connotations
Society's attitudes towards certain vices
The mainstream media, particularly the BBC
Political correctness gone mad
Rah's
The Manchester bus infrastructure
Flakes (people)
Identikit nightclubs, playing the same commercial R n B for the same assholes to pose to
The unpredictability of the winds in Manchester, re. positioning of one's umbrella
Being told I read too much
Intellectual bullies (I know I can be accused of this)
Paraochialism/Little England-ism/The Last Night of the Prom
Having said that, townies ignorant of the demands of country life, in particular vermin control
Racist, sexist, unfunny comedians
Rowan Atkinson and John Cleese since they sold out
Organised religion
The ending of Pearl Harbor, great movie until then
Rude, curt rejection letters
(Think that's it for now, probably think of some more later)
13/10/2008
10/10/2008
An exercise in positive thinking
Taking a cue from one of my friends, here is an alphabetical list of things and people I like and love to refer to when I'm feeling a bit down and frustrated:-
American democracy
Albert from Only Fools and Horses
Apple juice
Answering quesitons correctly
Beaches
Brian Eno
Beautiful girls
Bags of free stuff from conferences, etc
Charlie Higson's work
Camel cigarettes
Chanteurs/chanteuses
Civil disobedience
Dad
Dozier, Lamont
Dewdrops on leaves
Dogs, not all of them though
Eating good food, or cheap stuff that tastes fine
Entrepreneurial spirit
Entering a club/bar
Entertaining relatives
Finding stuff
Finding stuff out
Fresh clothes and bedding
Freedom of speech
Gareth
Gogol Bordello
Gordon Ramsey
Gates kept in good repair
Hyannis
Hope
High items that I can reach and others can't
Howlin Wolf
I.T. support staff who are human beings
Indigo Jones, and other classical architects
Inigo Montaya (The Princess Bride)
iPod culture
Jewish humour
Jeans
John Sparkes
Jon Culshaw
Kate Moss
Kewell, Harry, circa 1998
Kit Kats
Kicking stones/leaves on an autumn day
Lazy days
Leone, Sergio
Libraries
Late service in fast food restaurants, very civilised
Monty from Withnail and I
Maggie
Making it in on time
Mum
Neil Young
New-born babies
Neckties
New shoes
Order of the Phoenix, book and film
Octupus, surprisingly tasty
O'Neills pub, anywhere in the world
Opening presents
Philosophy
Politics
Physical fitness (in certain circumstances!)
Ploughed fields
Q.I.
Question Time when no politicians are on
Quoting obscure lyrics/books/comedians, etc
Quails' eggs (again surprisingly tasty)
Roger Moore
Rule-bending (not breaking)
Rhodedendrons
Right-wing people being shouted down
Stephen Fry
Simon Amstell
Sancerre chardonnay
Sir Robert Winston
Taking time to do a good job
Trust
Tenacious people, women especially
T'Street (Coronation)
UV rays
Unbelievable (that dance song)
Unimaginable genius of Daniel Day-Lewis, The
Umpires decisinos being verified by a TV screen
Very long walks
V for Vendetta
Verizon US
Vocal singing
Werner Herzog
Wily old people
Who, The
Waiting for Godot
Xabi Alonso (great player even if a Red)
Xavier, Professor Charles
Xylophones, the kind Santana sample
X-ray specs
Yootha Joye sparring with Brian Murphy
Young Ones, The (TV)
Yelling jokey abuse at mates
Y2K celebrations
OK, I'll stop at Z but you get the idea. I'd also add proportional representation, the rest of my family and friends, and Shami Chakrabati/Clive Stafford-Smith and Michael Mansfield, the Holy Trinity of Human Rights lawyers.
Thanks!
American democracy
Albert from Only Fools and Horses
Apple juice
Answering quesitons correctly
Beaches
Brian Eno
Beautiful girls
Bags of free stuff from conferences, etc
Charlie Higson's work
Camel cigarettes
Chanteurs/chanteuses
Civil disobedience
Dad
Dozier, Lamont
Dewdrops on leaves
Dogs, not all of them though
Eating good food, or cheap stuff that tastes fine
Entrepreneurial spirit
Entering a club/bar
Entertaining relatives
Finding stuff
Finding stuff out
Fresh clothes and bedding
Freedom of speech
Gareth
Gogol Bordello
Gordon Ramsey
Gates kept in good repair
Hyannis
Hope
High items that I can reach and others can't
Howlin Wolf
I.T. support staff who are human beings
Indigo Jones, and other classical architects
Inigo Montaya (The Princess Bride)
iPod culture
Jewish humour
Jeans
John Sparkes
Jon Culshaw
Kate Moss
Kewell, Harry, circa 1998
Kit Kats
Kicking stones/leaves on an autumn day
Lazy days
Leone, Sergio
Libraries
Late service in fast food restaurants, very civilised
Monty from Withnail and I
Maggie
Making it in on time
Mum
Neil Young
New-born babies
Neckties
New shoes
Order of the Phoenix, book and film
Octupus, surprisingly tasty
O'Neills pub, anywhere in the world
Opening presents
Philosophy
Politics
Physical fitness (in certain circumstances!)
Ploughed fields
Q.I.
Question Time when no politicians are on
Quoting obscure lyrics/books/comedians, etc
Quails' eggs (again surprisingly tasty)
Roger Moore
Rule-bending (not breaking)
Rhodedendrons
Right-wing people being shouted down
Stephen Fry
Simon Amstell
Sancerre chardonnay
Sir Robert Winston
Taking time to do a good job
Trust
Tenacious people, women especially
T'Street (Coronation)
UV rays
Unbelievable (that dance song)
Unimaginable genius of Daniel Day-Lewis, The
Umpires decisinos being verified by a TV screen
Very long walks
V for Vendetta
Verizon US
Vocal singing
Werner Herzog
Wily old people
Who, The
Waiting for Godot
Xabi Alonso (great player even if a Red)
Xavier, Professor Charles
Xylophones, the kind Santana sample
X-ray specs
Yootha Joye sparring with Brian Murphy
Young Ones, The (TV)
Yelling jokey abuse at mates
Y2K celebrations
OK, I'll stop at Z but you get the idea. I'd also add proportional representation, the rest of my family and friends, and Shami Chakrabati/Clive Stafford-Smith and Michael Mansfield, the Holy Trinity of Human Rights lawyers.
Thanks!
05/10/2008
Getting better all the time
Beginning from a position of complete smugness at the fact that I don't pay tax (who'd want to when so much government money is being lavished on irresponsible monsters in the city?), I can honestly say that I feel a whole lot better about life than I did a few weeks ago. Yes, much of the LPC is still a pain in the arse, but I am learning to take the rough with the smooth, and find things to do to keep me sane.
Yesterday, for example, I went out hiking in the Cheshire plain with a group based in Manchester. It's aimed at young professionals so I was pretty young to be there, but I held my own against a lot of "real people". There was a very nice girl who'd graduated from Man Uni Law school 10 years ago, and who now works for Brittania, in no way connected with the law! Funny old world. I couldn't believe it when she said she'd turned down interviews with firms, I would KILL for one of those right now! But she'd decided it wasn't for her and fair play to her. She seems happy enough.
Then there was another chap who works for HBOS : o ! he's in IT and he reckons his job is safe. We had a very interesting talk about, amongst other things, grandparents and anthropology. He also told me about a pub crawl he'd devised in Somerset, so I immediately respected him!
The final characters were this crazy pair of guys from the South, one of whom is a lawyer with some niche fraud law firm in town. I'd never heard of them and they don't take trainees, but I listened anyway. He proceeded to rant unbroken for about half an hour about how I should abandon all hope of getting anywhere as a law student: he'd done his BVC, got nowhere, then cross-qualified onto the LPC, again got pretty much nowhere, and only has a job now because he re-located from the City to Manchester. That in itself gave me encouragement: I have on interest in leaving MCR and that is now pretty much a settled matter. Sure, I may end up bitter and twisted like him in a few years but goddamn it I'm willing to give it a try first!
The really interesting part of the conversation came when his friend got in on the act. I'm not entirely sure what he does, something to do with libraries in east London, but he originally qualified in neuroscience(?). Go figure. Anyway, he was obviously very clever and opinionated, and we had a ridiculously heated argument about Phillip Pullman (don't ask). He also regaled us with his stories about living out in America, and the pair's harassment by a local ropey old bird down the pub the other night. I could nod in shameful familiarity with the predicament.
So all in all a good day, nice to get back hiking and to get out of the city. the route wasn't too stressful, just a climb up a big hill before a descent into Macclesfield. i'll definitely be going out again.
As for this week, more of the same c.r.a.p ahead. BLP is the bane of my life, although it's more to do with our tutor than anything. The woman is incapable, utterly clueless. Reminds me of Mrs Goode, my old geography teacher: uttrely clueless if you asked a question outside the syllabus. none of the other staff are as unbearable, in any way. Property's alright, that guy justs whips through it and doesn't get hung on it, nothing wrong with that. Civil Lit is fun, pretty sure I want to be a litigator in the future. The girl teaching is an absolute doll as well.
Not long till reading week now, the thrilling prospect of business accounts and interviewing technique to work on. Gotta b done I suppose.
That's about it for now, must try and add to this more than once a month!
Oh, one thing. Was encouraged to get a letter from SAS Daniels of Stockport yesterday saying they'll consider me when their interviews start up. It may not sound much, but I really am just happy to have received a letter which doesn't start "thank you but unfortunately". I hope the reader can appreciate the distinction!
Bwi Bwi!!!
Yesterday, for example, I went out hiking in the Cheshire plain with a group based in Manchester. It's aimed at young professionals so I was pretty young to be there, but I held my own against a lot of "real people". There was a very nice girl who'd graduated from Man Uni Law school 10 years ago, and who now works for Brittania, in no way connected with the law! Funny old world. I couldn't believe it when she said she'd turned down interviews with firms, I would KILL for one of those right now! But she'd decided it wasn't for her and fair play to her. She seems happy enough.
Then there was another chap who works for HBOS : o ! he's in IT and he reckons his job is safe. We had a very interesting talk about, amongst other things, grandparents and anthropology. He also told me about a pub crawl he'd devised in Somerset, so I immediately respected him!
The final characters were this crazy pair of guys from the South, one of whom is a lawyer with some niche fraud law firm in town. I'd never heard of them and they don't take trainees, but I listened anyway. He proceeded to rant unbroken for about half an hour about how I should abandon all hope of getting anywhere as a law student: he'd done his BVC, got nowhere, then cross-qualified onto the LPC, again got pretty much nowhere, and only has a job now because he re-located from the City to Manchester. That in itself gave me encouragement: I have on interest in leaving MCR and that is now pretty much a settled matter. Sure, I may end up bitter and twisted like him in a few years but goddamn it I'm willing to give it a try first!
The really interesting part of the conversation came when his friend got in on the act. I'm not entirely sure what he does, something to do with libraries in east London, but he originally qualified in neuroscience(?). Go figure. Anyway, he was obviously very clever and opinionated, and we had a ridiculously heated argument about Phillip Pullman (don't ask). He also regaled us with his stories about living out in America, and the pair's harassment by a local ropey old bird down the pub the other night. I could nod in shameful familiarity with the predicament.
So all in all a good day, nice to get back hiking and to get out of the city. the route wasn't too stressful, just a climb up a big hill before a descent into Macclesfield. i'll definitely be going out again.
As for this week, more of the same c.r.a.p ahead. BLP is the bane of my life, although it's more to do with our tutor than anything. The woman is incapable, utterly clueless. Reminds me of Mrs Goode, my old geography teacher: uttrely clueless if you asked a question outside the syllabus. none of the other staff are as unbearable, in any way. Property's alright, that guy justs whips through it and doesn't get hung on it, nothing wrong with that. Civil Lit is fun, pretty sure I want to be a litigator in the future. The girl teaching is an absolute doll as well.
Not long till reading week now, the thrilling prospect of business accounts and interviewing technique to work on. Gotta b done I suppose.
That's about it for now, must try and add to this more than once a month!
Oh, one thing. Was encouraged to get a letter from SAS Daniels of Stockport yesterday saying they'll consider me when their interviews start up. It may not sound much, but I really am just happy to have received a letter which doesn't start "thank you but unfortunately". I hope the reader can appreciate the distinction!
Bwi Bwi!!!
16/09/2008
Sorry...
God this last two weeks has flown by! Really not had a mind to put down an entry in the meantime, been so hectic settlnig into this course. Which, by the way, is not going all that well. Lot of work, fairly easy, but often mind-numbing. The good thing is that once you know it, you know it, and it'll be a lot more interesting to apply in practice. Still kind of at the early stages with a lot of it. Litigation is probably quite interesting and sounds good, but the perks are difficult to see when ur falling asleep as a lecturer drones on about deadlines for delivery of pre-action protocols (zzzz). And how many demonstrations of how to use a library do they think we need? God!
Still, this will be the measure of the career I suppose, and it's all part of the learning curve. The trick is not to make work your life, in any profession. That's why I've decided to work full days in school as far as possible but holster it when I get home. Keeps you sane that way. Alright for me though, I don't have exams to work towards yet, unlike Phil, poor bugger. Looking to do community type stuff in Chorlton, tried in vain to find a drama group in Chorlton last week, thankfully heard properly from them today, give it a shot again this week. Also finding a lot of events groups in the area so plenty of opportunities. All be up and running when I settle in.
Feeling pig sick looking at friend's photos from China and Australia. Not raining quite as much in Manchester now though so stick that!
That's about it for now, sounds pretty boring eh? Try and get back to it soon, batten down the hatches for the impending global recession!
Still, this will be the measure of the career I suppose, and it's all part of the learning curve. The trick is not to make work your life, in any profession. That's why I've decided to work full days in school as far as possible but holster it when I get home. Keeps you sane that way. Alright for me though, I don't have exams to work towards yet, unlike Phil, poor bugger. Looking to do community type stuff in Chorlton, tried in vain to find a drama group in Chorlton last week, thankfully heard properly from them today, give it a shot again this week. Also finding a lot of events groups in the area so plenty of opportunities. All be up and running when I settle in.
Feeling pig sick looking at friend's photos from China and Australia. Not raining quite as much in Manchester now though so stick that!
That's about it for now, sounds pretty boring eh? Try and get back to it soon, batten down the hatches for the impending global recession!
02/09/2008
First day at school
So, how did it go? Came back with all the books and material for the term, was not fun carrying it on the bus and cycle path but hay-ho. Nearly there with all the admin, lectures start properly tomorrw which is a bit annoying but never mind. We're also tested on Tuesday on business law, gonna b a long weekend with only 160 pages of the handbook for company! Saturday will of course be a write-off! Hit 6 firms yesterday with applications/CVs, probably chase them up Thursday to see they've been looked at.
OK, back home, books to shelve, probably bed byn 10! Ciao x
OK, back home, books to shelve, probably bed byn 10! Ciao x
01/09/2008
The News
- That businessman and his family were probably murdered by creditors. Family murders don't happen in Shropshire.
- Russia will come out of this whole Georgia business far stronger than it came in.
- Brown will not be forced out at conference. No one has the stones to challenge him.
- I wish Manchester had a super-cool Mayor like New Orleans.
As for me, course starts tomorrow. Woo!
- Russia will come out of this whole Georgia business far stronger than it came in.
- Brown will not be forced out at conference. No one has the stones to challenge him.
- I wish Manchester had a super-cool Mayor like New Orleans.
As for me, course starts tomorrow. Woo!
30/08/2008
Phew!!!...
So it's been a few days, but currently without internet at home so snatching a few minutes on a public system. It's been absolutely crazy the last couple of days getting the new flat together, prepping for the course, squeezing information out of firms, etc etc...
Arrived in MCR Wednesday, caught up with Phil (flatmate), re-oriented the room, got unpacked, made a list of further stuff to do.
Thursday mad dash to town to sort out council tax (STILL not exempt), Argos for home supplies, BHS for bits and bobs, then Thursday afternoon MEGA shop in Morrisons, had to taxi back with all our stuff.
Friday a good day, got Homes4U to show me the full rostrum of incriminating photos (they're in the right!), lunch with Awenna (very helpful and fun!), and ordered desk from a store in Didsbury. It's all coming together!
Off to Liverpool this avo to meet the folks with Phil and check out the Klimt exhibit 0 I love my birthdays! Probably work towards start of the course the next two days, then hit the induction of Tuesday with my runing shoes on! Wish me luck!
Arrived in MCR Wednesday, caught up with Phil (flatmate), re-oriented the room, got unpacked, made a list of further stuff to do.
Thursday mad dash to town to sort out council tax (STILL not exempt), Argos for home supplies, BHS for bits and bobs, then Thursday afternoon MEGA shop in Morrisons, had to taxi back with all our stuff.
Friday a good day, got Homes4U to show me the full rostrum of incriminating photos (they're in the right!), lunch with Awenna (very helpful and fun!), and ordered desk from a store in Didsbury. It's all coming together!
Off to Liverpool this avo to meet the folks with Phil and check out the Klimt exhibit 0 I love my birthdays! Probably work towards start of the course the next two days, then hit the induction of Tuesday with my runing shoes on! Wish me luck!
26/08/2008
Excited!!!...
Back in Manchester tomorrow, can't fucking wait! New neighbourhood, new flat, new course, gonna be fantastic. Also hearing good things from a couple of firms, so very pleased with that. Actually can't wait for the new course, gonna be so much better than uni.
25/08/2008
Ill...
This 'bug' has got me and I'm unable to do much today. Typical rainy Bak Holiday. Currently watching Stagecoach, the great Western. I reckon it would work well in the theatre, a lot of over the top characters and 3-act structure. Hmmm...
24/08/2008
So.....
...welcome to the Internet's newest blog! I suddenly decided to set this up on a whim, as I do with most of my life. Never put more than a day's work into deciding anything, me. Still, this costs nothing so I thought why the hell not. Anyway, justifications over with, this is what I'm thinking right now.
Got back from an insane three days at the Edinburgh Festival yesterday, so absolutely exhausted but also very happy. Saw 12 shows in three days, including Rhod Gilbert (perfect), a transsexual female comedienne (wry, interesting), and a lorra lorra rainy street theatre. Bloody brilliant, inspiring almost. I've often thought I'd like to be a performer in some capacity, nice to see people going up there in their thousands to have a go themselves. And hats off to the wonderful city of Edinboro for devoting itself entirely to the event. The only downside was on the last night when the last gig I'd booked got cancelled. This was following my having walked all the way up Cowgate and back to see it in the sodding rain! Never mind.
So back to reality now. Leaving for Manchester in a few days, moving into **SHOCK** a flat with another man, I'm sure Phil and I will keep it spotless, for the first time ever. Looking forward to my new course and meeting new people, less looking forward to having to grovel to law firms over the next year in search of a TC. Gotta b done though. The economic slowdown might bring everything to a halt as it is, but I'm more than prepared to beaver away for as long as necessary. And of course there's always the pro bono community.
That's it really, I've enjoyed it, hope you have, speak soon!
xxx
Got back from an insane three days at the Edinburgh Festival yesterday, so absolutely exhausted but also very happy. Saw 12 shows in three days, including Rhod Gilbert (perfect), a transsexual female comedienne (wry, interesting), and a lorra lorra rainy street theatre. Bloody brilliant, inspiring almost. I've often thought I'd like to be a performer in some capacity, nice to see people going up there in their thousands to have a go themselves. And hats off to the wonderful city of Edinboro for devoting itself entirely to the event. The only downside was on the last night when the last gig I'd booked got cancelled. This was following my having walked all the way up Cowgate and back to see it in the sodding rain! Never mind.
So back to reality now. Leaving for Manchester in a few days, moving into **SHOCK** a flat with another man, I'm sure Phil and I will keep it spotless, for the first time ever. Looking forward to my new course and meeting new people, less looking forward to having to grovel to law firms over the next year in search of a TC. Gotta b done though. The economic slowdown might bring everything to a halt as it is, but I'm more than prepared to beaver away for as long as necessary. And of course there's always the pro bono community.
That's it really, I've enjoyed it, hope you have, speak soon!
xxx
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