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'My Corduroyed Life' - Mark A's Journal
Happy New Year to all my readers!
Apologies for the tardiness, but I’ve had lots of stuff going on: the majority of it stressful and upsetting. It feels a bit weird writing this ten days into January, and having to omit stuff that’s happened most recently, but obviously, that’ll be on next month’s review…
WORK
Dull then stressful, dull then stressful, dull then stressful… There’s gotta be a way to sort that out, but I just can’t find it. Saying that I was only in work for two weeks in December! Yay!
JOB HUNTING
Starts in January…
My new years resolution is to get myself into a more challenging, more enjoyable (and preferably better paid) job in six months.
MONEY
Managed to eek out my cash over Christmas, but will be skint until payday. Not unexpected! In fact, I did better than expected, really! January doesn’t count as a month for finances as I’m going to Paris.
LOVE LIFE
We had a really great week at Christmas together – the first Christmas where I’ve had a boyfriend. It was really quite special. He bought me a Sully (from Monsters Inc) cushion (incidentally, it’s my new favourite), and Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norris. I got him tickets to Paris! We’re going to Paris on 17th Jan. Hoorah!
NINJA
Non-existent after the middle of the month, due to the students being away. However, the course with big scary 7th dan Ninja was much fun earlier in the month. Another New Years Resolution is that 2005 is the year I get a brown belt! I am really gonna go for it!
HEALTH
Hmmmm… Christmas is bad, mmmkay!
BOOKS
I still haven’t finished Why Do People Hate America - I got distracted by less demanding books. Join Me by Danny Wallace was hilarious and touching (more on that in another blog). I also read Random Acts of Kindness: 365 Ways to Make the World a Nicer Place by Danny too. I’ve also started reading the Series of Unfortunate Events books by Lemony Snicket (surely that can’t be a real name?!). I’ve read the first three, and they’re fun, but lack the sophistication and adultness of Harry Potter. I will probably read them all anyway though. Got loads of books for Christmas and am finding it hard to decide which one to start.
MUSICA
Got a couple of albums for Christmas – will give them a listen and then report back here.
FILM
I’ve hardly been to the cinema again this month! I will have to start to not call myself a film geek if this continues! Screenselect has been a bit pants due to Christmas post too.
Oh Brother Where Art Thou?
A good film, cleverly based on the Odyssey. However, after much hype from friends that were fans, I was a bit disappointed.
***
The Secretary
A good film, with an interesting theme and philosophy. However, after much hype from friends that were fans, I was a bit disappointed.
***
Rashoman
The same event is viewed through the eyes of four different witnesses. It could have been dull and repetitive, but instead it was a clever representation of the psyches and egos of four very different people. Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune are both, as usual, on fine form.
****
Last House on the Left
Limited, dated and still horribly mutilated by the censors. Shame really, because it was a pretty good horror film for its day.
***
TELLY
Didn't watch any of the Christmas telly, but I have watched some DVDs.
Alias – Season 1
Excellent television. I can see that the fact that it is ridiculously far fetched might irritate some people, but it doesn’t irritate me. Action, totty, crazy twists, interesting characterisation, gadgets, spies, explosions: what more could you ask for?
*****
That Peter Kay Thing
Perhaps a little hit and miss in some parts, but for the vast majority of the time, this was utterly hilarious. ‘Senor Woppy’ had me in tears of laughter.
***
Max and Paddy – The Road To Nowhere
Not as funny as Phoenix Nights, but still some huge laughs and wincingly funny parts. I kind of expected this to fall on its face, but it didn’t.
***
Prime Suspect 2
After the joy that was the first one, PS2 was another heavy but enjoyable crime drama.
****
Prime Suspect 3
Hitting close to home as PS3 tackles the issues of homophobia and gender issues, this could have been awful. It wasn’t. It was brutal and heartbreaking, but sensitive and I just couldn’t fault this drama if I tried.
*****
RPG AND GAMING
Ninja Oli’s D&D (where I play Havok) has been a little slow this month due to Christmasness. Havok levelled up to Fighter 5, and I’m really looking forward to level 6 because he gets two feats, an increase in saves, and two attacks. Nice!
Because Mal couldn’t make one session, Oli ran a level 15 session, and I played a gnome bard 7/ virtuoso 8 called Glittergem. Really enjoyed it, but realistically, no-one has the time to do another session per week, so the characters will be occasional at best. Shame really because after just one session, I like her a lot.
BLOGGING & T’INTERNET
Not really had much of an opportunity to blog much with my limited internet access, and similarly, not found any good stuff online either. Sorry…
BLOGROLL
I've learnt a new term from The Guardian's Weblog Glossary. Some of these are are updated more regularly than others…
Alley Katt
Blurty Friends: Jadash, Ajax, Fi and Deiselboi
Bowch
fishmonger malarky
Fluff
mcphee
Mojo
Pixie
Prince Gaz
Shooting Parrots
ANYTHING ELSE INTERESTING?
Well I had a great break, and felt thoroughly relaxed because of it. The major news has already been covered, and mom and dad are great.
THE WHOLE MONTH IN A FEW WORDS
A cool yule!
Have fun,
M x
Current mood:
happy.Current music: Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by Santa Esmeralda.