Category Archives: General Commentary on Life

Why would you boast about that? Or, admitting you have never read a book is not clever

I was at the day job yesterday, casually writing a short story on my break, when I was accosted by one of my co-workers wanting to know why I only worked weekends now and what was I writing. Apart from the great impertinence, although I suspect it was her way of making conversation, I couldn’t really see why I shouldn’t tell her the truth: I’m working part time to fund my reviewing habit, since nobody’s paying me in anything but books at the minute. She then asked about my writing, which is fair enough, but then she shocked me by admitting that she’d never read a book.

I asked why?

Continue reading “Why would you boast about that? Or, admitting you have never read a book is not clever”

Thoughts that occupied my mind last night, Or why are there no werewolf adaptations of ‘Pride & Prejudice’?

After I went to bed last night my mind became occupied with the above question. Don’t ask why, there’s no explaining the bizarre leaps my brain makes sometimes.

I’ve read vampire versions of P&P, zombie adaptations, seen modern film adaptations, and obviously read the original multiple times. I recently heard of modern settings for the story in a crime fiction context. I’ve yet to come across a werewolf version though. Maybe such a book does exist and I’ve missed it?

Any ideas anyone?

So, there I was puzzling over the fact that the recent trend for adapting classics for the ‘supernatural fiction’ section of the book shop had yet to throw up an example. I should have been sleeping. Instead I tried to work out how it would work. I think I might have come up with a workable idea. I’m going to have to see. I might even put a sample chapter on here, if I think it works.

Best be off now,

Bye,

Rose

No peace all week

This morning, while I was feeling in low spirits, I wrote this rant.
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By the time I finished work tomorrow I’ll have worked nine days out of ten. And on my day off I went to college all afternoon. I haven’t had any time away from people. The result is that right now I’m physically and emotionally exhausted. I can’t escape from all these people; even when they don’t need me for anything the constant presence of other people, the constant noise, is driving me mad.

I need to get away, go somewhere quiet, with no people, for a day or so. But I can’t, I have to go to college and shopping, the library and to visit friends.

I want to cry, but crying at work is a bad idea, people start asking what’s wrong, and apparently ‘I’m tired’ isn’t a good enough reason to be mardy.

Damn it I have to get back to work now.

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I apologise to anyone who normally reads my blog for my reviews. I’ve been going through some stuff lately and it’s leaked in to my writing.

You might be interested to know I’m feeling slightly better. I talked to the duty manager at my work and when I explained that I was exhausted and it wad affecting everything he was very understanding. Actually talking about why I was feeling so bad made me feel better.

Roll on 2pm tomorrow. A decent night’s sleep and I should start to feel better again.

Thanks for reading, normal service will be resumed ASAP

Rose

I should be writing up short stories…

But instead I’m crocheting granny squares. I think it might be because I’m tired and I can crochet while half asleep, whereas I prefer to be vaguely aware when I write.

I probably won’t get any writing done until next week now. The reason for this deplorable state of affairs is that I’m doing a little over time, to cover a full-time member of the tech department’s holiday. I usually only work weekends so working nine days out of ten is killing me. I’ve had today off, but spent all afternoon at college, so now I’m exhausted again. Basically, I’ll finally be able to get back to my scribbling on Monday, after college. I probably won’t want to look at a computer at that point.

When did I get so busy?

I only work part-time; that should leave plenty of time for reading, writing and staring longingly at books, CD’s and gig tickets I can’t afford right now, but I don’t seem to have much free time.

To be fair though, working part-time has been good for me. I’ve been able to earn a little bit of money while still having enough time to get a couple more qualifications and spend time reading, reviewing and other writing. I still need my medication just to cope with work, and I need to sleep a lot of the time (so nothing new there), but I’m managing a little better. It helps that I’ve moved departments at work as well. I’m marginally less bored, my hours are pretty much guaranteed and the people I work with are nice. They think I’m weird, but at least they’re happy to tolerate me finding a quiet corner to write in when I get really bored. Also, the manager signed my holiday forms so I have a couple of weekends off in October. I’m going to see Reckless Love, who’s new album is out at the end of August (it’s on my to buy list already) , and HIM, who I may have mentioned on a couple of occasions.

On the subject of gigs I’m planning to go to later in the year, I plan to go to see Alter Bridge in mid-October and 30 Seconds to Mars in late November. There is also a possible plan to go to Amsterdam in early November in the works as well. Depends on flight, trains and hostels, total cost and whether it’s manageable. While there I may go to see 30 Seconds to Mars, as a few of my friends/acquaintances will be going.

I’ve never been abroad before, which is a shocking thing for anyone my age to say, or so it would appear, from people’s reactions.

I’ve been thirty for nine days now, and I actually feel quite good about it. I had all sorts of plans when I was younger; none of them involved being at home still, and working a low paid part-time, if semi-professional, job because I live in a back water and am psychologically incapable of full-time work at the moment.

The pressure is off; I failed to live up to the expectations I and everyone else had of me. I’m out of my twenties and now my life is probably set. I’m never going to be a great scientist, or even a half-way decent academic, because I made a complete hash if it all. So instead I’ll do what I wanted to do before I got talked into choosing a ‘sensible’ career, a choice I regret making. I like playing in labs, really I do, and studying at Durham was brilliant, but I really would have been happier if I hadn’t felt pressured to give up hiding in libraries with my head in a book or scribbling stories.

So, feeling like a failure because I hadn’t lived up to expectation I went off to Download to celebrate my birthday, and do you know what? I had a complete change of heart. As we were packing away the tent it struck me; that part of my life is over. I don’t have to live in the shadow of ‘might have been, should have been’ any more. I accept that failure, and now I’m going to make a successful life for myself without that shadow hovering over me. Yes, I’m broke, and I live at home still, but so what? I get to read books, listen to music, watch films and plays, and go to gigs or do other bits of travelling, and write about it. I accept that right now all I earn is a few free books, but free books are free books! I’ll work on that, give me time to build my confidence and a scrapbook of writing, and maybe I’ll get some paid writing work. It’s cool if I don’t, because I like writing and I wont stop, but it would be great if I could earn a little cash from it.

Until then, I’ll keep working at the factory and dreaming.

And that blog post was way longer, more emotional and honest than I get in public, and actually covered thoughts I hadn’t planned to share with the world. See this is what happens when I’m tired; I can’t control what gets written down. My brain to fingers filter goes away (my brain to gob filter is non-existent anyway). I think I should probably stop rambling now, make my sandwich for my packing-up for work tomorrow and go to bed.

Addendum to Download Festival Review part 1

Despite the rain and noise, I had a really good time camping with my friends. We ended up with a lodger sleeping in our porch for two nights as well. It’s been years since I went camping for more than a night and I actually enjoyed the experience.

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The Village was great, I got to try food I’d never had before and it was certainly an eye opener. There were all sorts of people there of all ages, and every one was there to have a good time. It was a good atmosphere, even if it did reek of weed. This is not an odour I like.

So, yes I had a great time over my birthday weekend with Lellibo and Shelley (and Mark the unexpected lodger). Thanks guys, same time next year?

Rosie

Brain finally in order, now where do I start?

I’ve been trying to decide where to start with my posts about Download Festival. I think I’ll start with my impressions, since I want to add videos and such to my reviews.

I definitely enjoyed the experience, although I did keep noting things to do differently next year. That will be the subject of another post, I think. I was very tired by Monday morning and napped in the car on the way back. It was quiet when I got home and that felt weird, after several days if constant noise.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start at the beginning rather than the end, shall we?

Thursday morning arrived and I was incredibly nervous, scared something would go wrong, or I’d forget something vital. I knew I had everything, because I’d packed, checked, repacked and rechecked it all.

Getting there wasn’t too stressful as we had sat nav and Download is well sign posted once we got close enough. Once there we had to get everything to the campsite. It’s quite a walk from the drop off point to the campsite. Getting through the check in process was easy, as there was quite a few people available to do bag and ticket checks. The only problem we had was convincing the stewards that we didn’t have any alcohol with us (we didn’t, because we hadn’t been able to get any on the way) and the bag checker deliberately missunderstood me when I said my bag contained food and boots, insisting I’d meant booze. I know my dialect can be a bit odd, and my accent strong, but if I’d had alcohol with me I’d have said precisely what I was carrying. My companion was asked if we didn’t drink. Why do people make assumptions like that?

By this point I was tired, frustrated and losing patience with the world in general. But, I remembered that the next few days included HIM and Sacred Mother Tongue, and soldiered on with a smile.

Even the thunderstorm didn’t get me down. We were at Download, we’d got our tent up with the help of a neighbour and had a cup of tea. I resorted to having a quiet cup of tea and doing some writing whenever things got a little too much.

The most overwhelming aspect of it all was the constant noise, even early in the morning, and the lack of sleep. I coped with it all better than I thought I would, especially once the rest if our group arrived and I stopped stressing about their safe arrival. We discussed it on Sunday morning, and came to the conclusion that because I was with people I love and trust, was fairly happy, taking my medication regularly (they made sure I took it when I had my breakfast) and was able to escape to the relative solitude of the tent when I needed to, I could cope with the experience better than most people predicted.

One thing I did though was religiously tidy; having a tidy environment helps me feel better. I felt uncomfortable on the campsite because everyone else just dumped their rubbish around their tents.

The familiarity of drunk people also seemed odd. Download is a place where the normal rules of social interaction no longer apply, so being drunk at 9 am and spending three days wearing a pikachu onsie is perfectly acceptable but refusing to high five or hug random drunk strangers makes you a bitch. I didn’t speak much to people I didn’t know, though I made polite small talk while waiting in various queues and at various stalls.

So, all in all, for a person who struggles with social interaction, loud and aggressive people/situations and strange places, I don’t think I did too badly. It is possible to go to a festival and enjoy it if you concentrate on one thing at a time, are with people you trust and know that you have a place to retreat to if necessary. Next year I’m going to try actually getting to know the people around me.

I’m going now, I need to get a few things done today, now that I’m home.

Later today: lessons for next year.

Bye

Rose

I need an internet connection

I have three reviews, or at least the outline of three reviews, to put online. Unfortunately I currently I have no internet (I’m writing this from my phone) so it may be sometime before you see them. I need to add links and suchlike and that’s difficult when I use my phone. It’s frustrating but not the end of the world.

In other news I found out this morning that one if my favourite bands, Reckless Love, is doing a UK tour in October. I am going to have to see them this year, since I didn’t get to see them last year.

And finally, if anyone has any suggestions for books and music they think I should review drop me a line.

On my lust so far I have the new Science of Discworld IV and an ebook called Knot in Time to read. I would like to read The Long War and hear Black Sabbath’s album 13.

Quietly dying of shock (and quite proud); A Thank You to my readers.

I just thought I’d show you all something.

Look at the screen shot below. This month I have had twice as many views as I had all last year. I’m in shock

Thank you all for taking the time to read my scribbles and thank you to those who comment, like and reblog. You’re doing wonders for my confidence. I appreciate it immensely and I’ll do my best to be worthy of your time and effort.

Download Festival 2013 (A victory for the socially awkward)

My First Festival

In just over two weeks I will be departing Lincolnshire in the company of my dear friend Lellibo for that great celebration of all things rock and metal, Download Festival 2013.

http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/news

I’m rather excited. I’ve never been to a music festival before. I’ve never been interested in that sort of thing. I was not a normal teenager or student; now I’m getting on a bit I am interested in music (if you hadn’t noticed). I have no idea what to take, although I have been trying to find out. The Download website is quite helpful and when I contacted the organisers with questions they were answered promptly. I also found a festival survival guide written by a veteran of Download, especially for people going to Download for the first time. There’s a link to it on the Download website.

http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/info

I’m going to meet up with an old friend I haven’t seen in a few years, and two new friends that I’ve yet to have a chance to meet up with. I hope to also meet new people. I don’t find it particularly easy to make new friends or even acquaintances, but I want to try. As well as a celebration of my 30th birthday this trip is also going to be a celebration of how far I’ve come this year. I still have trouble dealing with people (and occasionally leaving the house – people are scary) but I managed to go to London and meet a large group of strangers, and to go to a concert in Nottingham on my own, so this will help me prove to myself that I can do this stuff.

This morning I’ve been going through the line-up and stage times, trying to work out which bands I definitely want to see. There are quite a few. If I get my timing right I should be able to see most of them. Bands I have no intention of missing include HIM, Korn, Motorhead, Young Guns, 30 Seconds to Mars, Stone Sour and Sacred Mother Tongue. There are a few that I would like to see but I don’t mind if I miss a bit of their set getting between stages: Down, Papa Roach, 3 Doors Down, Turisas, Iron Maiden, QOTSA, Alice in Chains, Rammstein and Limp Bizkit. The rest of the time I’ll just catch whoever I like the sound of.

http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/line-up/all

I did a quick calculation and worked out that it might be expensive for the weekend (we’ve got 5 night camping tickets) but even if I only see those 16 bands, that’s £12.81 per band with free accommodation plus £20 towards petrol. You can’t get concert tickets, accommodation and train tickets for that; such good value for money! Now I just need to get some spending money together 😀

I’m planning to write about my experiences, and have purchased myself a notebook to write everything down in while I’m at the festival. I’m on the cadge for a camera to borrow so I can take some decent pictures. While I am getting one of the lockers and will be able to charge my phone, I want to save the battery for emergences, for example when I inevitably get lost, confused or forget my medication and need rescuing by my friends who I’m going to issue with spare inhalers for me.

So for the duration of Download I will be offline.

When I get home I plan to sleep, shower and start writing about it. Not necessarily in that order. It might take a couple of days for the band reviews to get published but they will be. In addition to band reviews I intend to write a general commentary on the festival as a whole, and a discussion of my reactions to it. I’m wandering how I will react to all the people, the constant stimulation and general atmosphere. I don’t generally do well in loud crowded places for more than a couple of hours at a time (it’s a wonder I survive concerts).

If anyone has any survival tips for the festival I’d appreciate the advice (or if any of my friends/relatives want to contribute to the 30th birthday spending fund – you know where I am).

Bye for now,

Rose

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Listening to the radio

I’m listening to BBC Radio 4 Extra; there’s a radio play on called ‘I want to go home’ by David Pownall. The play is about word meanings and sound changes, and is from the perspective of the words that make up the sentence.

The characters are anthropomorphisms of words, ‘I’ starting out as ‘Ich’, ‘want’ as ‘willa’, ‘Home’ and ‘Haim’ and ‘to go’ as ‘gan’, and the story of how they changed over time. It’s an interesting and entertaining programme, very educational as well.

It will probably be on iPlayer for a week if you want to listen, I would recommend it.

Bye,

Rose