tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216574912024-03-14T03:09:55.524+00:00Ramblings of an AltruistTime for some 'me' timePseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.comBlogger389125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-68902656902475948402012-05-16T21:04:00.001+01:002012-05-16T21:04:24.845+01:00Countdown<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I think I've mentioned this before but I can't be bothered trawling through my posts to find the link...basically, I have/had this plan to start looking into adoption once I hit 35. The reasoning was that I'd have a secure job by then, complete with all the trimmings - nice house in a good neighbourhood, reasonable income <i>etc.</i> I'm turning 29 soon. I like to think I've got a stable job. I'm not earning a lot, but my income will (hopefully) increase in the next 6 years. I already have a nice place in a good neighbourhood. I'm gonna learn how to drive this year. So basically, I'm almost there. Which is kinda nice, I suppose...<br />
<br />
...but it's also scary. I mean, do I have the guts to go through with it? Or will it be like my fleeting flirtation with the idea of applying for X Factor? And if I <i>do</i> go ahead with it, what if I'm a crap mother? I know that's a question every prospective mother asks herself at some point, but it doesn't make it any less an issue.<br />
<br />
It all seems rather callous to type this up on a blog. But...yeah. My colleagues have kids. Most of my classmates/batchmates are having kids. I've been broody for the past I don't know how many years. This kind of post was just waiting to happen.<br />
<br />
Anyhoo, we'll re-evaluate in 6 years' time. Maybe I would've grown up by then. lulz</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-12899543913163180832012-05-14T19:59:00.004+01:002012-05-14T19:59:34.819+01:00I wish...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">...that I could ogle hot guys on the bus without worrying that they might be students.<br />
<br />
He was <i>hot</i> :(</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-7496416512027124282012-05-13T14:18:00.002+01:002012-05-13T14:18:53.425+01:00I need another life<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jonathan Overend, possibly the greatest radio tennis commentator to grace the airwaves in recent history (yeah I'm a fan, how'd you guess?) is in a <a href="http://naturacinematica.bandcamp.com/"target="_blank">jazz band</a>.<br />
<br />
James Toseland, former world superbike champion and all round hottie sings and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZgtI3p-_xQ#t=6m35s"target="_blank">plays the piano</a> really really well.<br />
<br />
I want to be good at my job, but I also want something more. I know I said <a href="http://not-so-pseudorandom.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/label-i-can-stick-to.html"target="_blank">I don't mind being defined by my job</a>, and that's true - I don't. But as I sit in my living room on a Sunday afternoon marking project reports, I wish I had an outlet. All this work and no play just makes me feel a bit dull.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately I live in the middle of nowhere, so what chance do I have eh. *sigh*</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-28878896316675439552012-04-27T20:04:00.000+01:002012-04-27T20:04:03.820+01:0010 things about my Avengers movie experience that aren't spoilers (so you don't have to kill me)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><ol><li>Black Widow is the only Scarlett Johansson character that I don't want to throw things at. In fact, I think she's amazing.</li><li>I wanted to shout "Scherbatsky!" every time Cobie Smulders was on screen.</li><li>The Avengers is possibly the only superhero movie I've seen where women are not treated like sex objects or weaklings.</li><li>Gwyneth Paltrow's legs are just wow.</li><li>Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. - HOW TO CHOOSE?!?!?!</li><li>I think I have a crush on Agent Coulson. He's just so...n'awwwwww.</li><li>142 mins goes so quickly.</li><li>You would think, after so many superhero movies, that people would know not to leave the cinema as soon as the movie ends. You would be wrong.</li><li>I haven't seen Thor or Captain America 'cos I was broke when they came out. I need to fix this.</li><li>I haven't had so much fun at the cinema since I went to see Iron Man.</li></ol></span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-20997969677095796782012-04-27T19:36:00.000+01:002012-04-27T19:36:18.733+01:00Work tales<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><h3><u>Kindergarten</u></h3><b>Student 1</b>: Dr, I'm not feeling well, can I go?<br />
<b>Me</b>: OK<br />
<b>Student 2</b>: *starts picking up stuff to leave*<br />
<b>Me</b>: I'm sorry where do you think you're going? Only he's allowed to leave!<br />
<b>Student 2</b>: Oh but Miiiiiissss...can I go please?<br />
<b>Me</b>: Have you finished answering the questions on the board?<br />
<b>Student 2</b>: *groan* Oh Miss you always have a way of twisting my arm, Miss<br />
<b>Me</b>: Yup *evil grin*<br />
<br />
I swear, sometimes I feel like I'm teaching kindergarten.<br />
<br />
<h3><u>Am I on the wrong side?</u></h3>Students are discussing the Avengers movie (which they're evidently going to see tonight), trying to decide which member is the best (they're <i>supposed</i> to be answering the questions on the board, but you can take a horse to water <i>etc. etc.</i>). I'm <i>itching</i> to join in. I've half a mind to go "♪I saw it yesterday, naa naa na naa naa!♪". I want to fangirl over the movie because IT WAS BLOODY AMAZING AND I LOVED LOVED LOVVVVVED IT AND I'M CONSIDERING GOING TO SEE IT AGAIN AT THE IMAX AND AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.<br />
<br />
Instead, I just calmly inform one of the students that my powerpoint slides aren't in 3D so he can remove his 3D glasses.<br />
<br />
<h3><u>Waxing Lyrical</u></h3>Someone says something about one of the other staff members using a song to teach chemistry.<br />
<br />
<b>Me</b>: *sounding far too excited for my own good* Oh you mean <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8dtquYDXEU"target="_blank">the Elements Song</a>?!?!<br />
<b>Students</b>: OMG you know it too?!<br />
<br />
Conversation moves to how no non-chemist gets as excited about chemistry as <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSAaiYKF0cs"target="_blank">Daniel Radcliffe</a>.</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-8331615836067849932012-04-24T20:47:00.000+01:002012-04-24T20:47:38.542+01:00A label I can stick to...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Those of you who know me know that I dislike labels. Not the sticky kind or the blogging kind, but the kind that we attach to people. In my eyes, a label reduces a beautifully complex human being to just one defining feature. Jocks, geeks, plastics (Mean Girls, anyone?), tomboys, goths...the list is endless. I get that we like to pigeon-hole people because it makes them easier for us to understand, but in reality it just means that we're overly confused when they present a characteristic that we have deemed to be incompatible with their 'type'. And let's not even think about getting into how most labels are derogatory and highly judgemental!<br />
<br />
I've resisted labels throughout my life. I've been the 'white' girl, the 'poor' girl, the 'geeky' girl, the 'plain' girl, (and most recently) the 'single' girl. I've hated all these labels. I've always wanted to be defined by who I am, not what I do or don't do. Until now.<br />
<br />
It probably has a lot to do with the fact that I don't have any friends outside work here, but work is my life now. The only time I'm not thinking about work is when I'm watching tv. I'm not kidding - I recently had a dream about a class test I was planning (and I <i>never</i> dream).<br />
<br />
I am an educator. And in spite of the low pay, the ungrateful students, the mindless bureaucracy and the towering pile of lab reports that I need to mark, there is nothing else I would rather be. And if people want to label me 'the lecturer girl', then I will wear that label with pride.<br />
<br />
I'll still watch the cricket and fangirl over Made In Chelsea though.</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-50069783741049821632012-04-20T00:35:00.000+01:002012-04-20T00:35:22.545+01:00Since I've Been Gone<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I realise the last post may have been a bit cryptic to those of you who only know me through the blog. So, a few things that have changed since I was last on here:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>I got my dream job</li>
<li>I no longer live in Cambridge</li></ul><br />
Er...yeah that's it. I'm so interesting.</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-26365043953826238782012-04-18T21:25:00.000+01:002012-04-18T21:25:20.371+01:00Special<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The second years were genuinely disappointed that they don't have me tomorrow morning. Get in :)</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-28302858516581754052012-04-18T20:26:00.002+01:002012-04-18T20:26:30.657+01:00Version 2.0<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yeah. I'm gonna try and pick up blogging again. I don't have time to read though, so apologies in advance (if any of the old bloggers are actually reading this...which they're probably not).<br />
<br />
Also, new me, new blog colour. ish.<br />
<br />
Let's see how this goes, shall we?</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-66171191368004612452011-09-28T18:37:00.000+01:002011-09-28T18:37:04.059+01:00Seven nights in with the idiot box<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Listening to:</b> 'What You Know' by <i>Two Door Cinema Club</i> [Tourist History]<br />
<br />
So since I've been awol, I thought I'd share what I get up to in the evenings. Which is basically a <i>lot</i> of TV. In case you weren't aware, Freeview is <i>awesome</i>.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Monday</u></b>:<br />
<b>2000-2030</b> - <i>University Challenge</i> (BBC1) - my twitter followers may recall my elation last week as I managed to get 15 questions right (out of, I dunno, 50?). The questions are usually so highbrow, it's a wonder I even understood that many!<br />
<b>2235-2305</b> - <i>A Question of Sport</i> (BBC1) - clearly Monday night is 'specialist quiz night' in my flat. I pride myself on being able to get the majority of the cricket and tennis questions right (I'm rubbish at other sports, but oh well).<br />
<br />
<b><u>Tuesday</u></b>:<br />
<b>2000-2100</b> - <i>Made in Chelsea</i> (E4) - yeah so it's actually broadcast on Monday nights but clashes with QofS so I just watch the repeat on Tuesdays. I thought I would hate these 'staged reality' shows but OHMYGOD it's so much fun. The majority of the characters are either complete a-holes or so posh it should be illegal, which means I have plenty to laugh at.<br />
<b>2200-2230</b> - <i>Later Live with Jools Holland</i> (BBC2) - half an hour of live music, need I say more?<br />
<br />
<b><u>Wednesday</u></b>:<br />
<b>2200-2300</b> - <i>Fresh Meat</i> (Channel 4) - the writers of Peep Show made a tv show about uni students with Joe Thomas off of Inbetweeners and Jack Whitehall...was I ever <i>not</i> going to watch this?<br />
<br />
<b><u>Thursday</u></b>:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Friday</u></b>:<br />
<b>2100-2200</b> - <i>Strictly Come Dancing</i> (BBC1) - starting this week, can't wait! Harry Judd, nom.<br />
<b>2200-2230</b> - <i>QI</i> (BBC2) - what could be better than Stephen Fry, Alan Davies and a myriad of bizarre facts? Nothing, that's what.<br />
<b>2230-2300</b> - <i>8 Out of 10 Cats</i> (Channel 4) - Another random quiz show. With Jimmy Carr, Jon Richardson and Sean Lock (and others). I loves it.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Saturday</u></b>:<br />
<b>1930-2130</b> - <i>X Factor</i> (ITV1) - love love <i>love</i> this season. The new judges are brilliant.<br />
Whatever movie's on (this week I have to decide between Frost/Nixon and Shaun of the Dead...or I could watch the latter on ITV1+1)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Sunday</u></b>:<br />
<b>1945-2100</b> - <i>X Factor</i> (ITV1) - twice in one weekend, yay!<br />
<b>2100-2200</b> - <i>Spooks</i> (BBC1) - ah so good. Are real MI5/Russian agents really this easy on the eye? (Oh hi there Sasha! And Dimitri! And Callum!)<br />
<b>2200-2315</b> - <i>Downton Abbey</i> (ITV1+1) - the terrestrial airing clashes with Spooks, but +1 saves the day! TELL HIM YOU LOVE HIM, MARY! *ahem* sorry.<br />
<b>2315-0000</b> - <i>The Only Way Is Essex</i> (ITV2+1) - not as good as Made in Chelsea IMO (the characters are too realistic for me to be able to take the piss) but Joey Essex is adorable (albeit incredibly thick) so it's OK.<br />
<br />
If I'm bored and there's none of the above on (or it's Thursday), you might find me watching <i>Don't Tell the Bride</i> on BBC3, <i>Poirot</i> on ITV3, or the endless reruns of <i>CSI</i>/<i>CSI:NY</i>/<i>NCIS</i> on 5USA. I've also been known to dabble in a bit of <i>Outnumbered</i> (BBC1), <i>How I Met Your Mother</i> (E4), <i>Big Bang Theory</i> (E4), <i>Cleveland Show</i> (E4), <i>American Dad</i> (BBC3), <i>Family Guy</i> (BBC3) and the <i>Ricky Gervais Show</i> (E4). Oh and if I'm up that late, <i>Misfits</i> and <i>Skins</i>. And there are always one-off documentaries on BBC1/2/3/4 that are quite interesting.<br />
<br />
Soooo yeah. Seriously, who needs to illegally download stuff when there's this much good stuff on TV?!</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-64090029636716587732011-09-27T11:33:00.000+01:002011-09-27T11:33:56.024+01:00Whinge whinge whinge<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Listening to:</b> 'Take It All' by <i>Adele</i> [21]<br />
<br />
Just got back from the Dr's. Apparently the back pain isn't anything to worry about, but I've been referred to a physiotherapist just in case. And apparently I should start swimming again 'cos otherwise I'm on the fast track to becoming a cripple. Thanks for nothing, scoliosis.<br />
<br />
Combine all this with the lack of money and the fact that a 45min swim session costs £4 (?!), and I am not a happy bunny. Where the hell am I supposed to find ~£20 a month from? Oh and have I mentioned how I don't actually like swimming 'cos it leaves me with a runny nose for the next 24hrs? Although I suppose I'd take a runny nose over using a zimmer frame at 40.<br />
<br />
Ugh someone give me a job already.</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-5570134452065644722011-09-26T16:46:00.000+01:002011-09-26T16:47:13.062+01:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Um, yeah, hi.<br /><br />
Just checking this thing still works. Everything's changed and I'm not quite sure what I'm doing any more. But yeah.<br /><br />
I'm gonna go now, but I may be back.
</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-25378659861667227002011-05-29T10:03:00.000+01:002011-05-29T10:03:09.357+01:00The news of me having a life has been greatly exaggerated<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Listening to:</b> Radio 1<br />
<br />
I've been neglecting this blog. Partly 'cos I've become a tumblrwhore, and partly 'cos I haven't really got anything interesting to put on here. I haven't been doing anything 'interesting' in fact, apart from stalking cricketers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTOazaHVKdo/TeII72t7ImI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/A7rMPsiAB00/s1600/with%2BKP_tumblr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTOazaHVKdo/TeII72t7ImI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/A7rMPsiAB00/s320/with%2BKP_tumblr.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Hmm let's see what else I've been up to...I've had a fish pedicure (gimmick, but got it on the cheap so why not eh?), I've watched some cricket, I've...yeah OK that's all I've done. The job hunt is soul destroying, so let's not talk about that.<br />
<br />
But yeah, I should probably think of something interesting to write here. Maybe.</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-88017063640377069362011-05-06T16:01:00.000+01:002011-05-06T16:01:22.071+01:00The battle of the unexpected remixes<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Listening to:</b> Radio 1<br />
<br />
Most of you will hopefully be familiar with the first single from the forthcoming Foos' album, Rope. It took a while to grow on me, but I'm loving it now.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="400" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kbpqZT_56Ns?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />
Some of you will also be familiar with the remix of this single done by a certain Mr Joel Zimmerman, a.k.a. deadmau5. An electro-house remix of a rock song? Surely that's not gonna work? On the contrary (in my opinion at least) - I think it works <i>very</i> well. Here, see for yourself:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="400" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8qnwtiC239g?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />
Now if that wasn't enough, the <i>amaaaaaaaazing</i> Chase & Status were in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge today with Delilah, and guess what they covered? If you can't guess, go to the top of this post and start reading again :P. But yes, again...a dubstep remix of a rock song? With female vocals? Surely a no-no? Well have a listen:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="400" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/u9p8mDwQCXs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />
So what do you think? Personally, I love all three. I think the remixes are faithful to the original without being carbon copies, and they're also faithful to the genres of their respective artists. And I love Delilah's voice.<br />
<br />
Die hard Foo Fighters fans might be offended that someone has dared to touch the work of their darlings, but I think it should be taken as a compliment. Especially when the remixes are <i>this good</i>.</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-40799817907668274242011-04-26T13:03:00.000+01:002011-04-26T13:03:33.000+01:00British rock, you say?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Listening to:</b> Radio 1<br />
<br />
Nothing much to blog about these days, so I'm just gonna share more new British music. Not quirky indie for a change...more 'rock' I guess.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Free</i> - Twin Atlantic</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="450" height="283" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8TAJ_be8S8A?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />
<b><i>The Waiting Room</i> - We Are The Ocean</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="450" height="283" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NWTIgmAHFS4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />
<b><i>Higher and Higher</i> - The Blackout</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="450" height="283" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W4ST7VT39cs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />
Interestingly, Twin Atlantic's first EP was produced by Romesh Dodangoda, who also produced The Blackout's first album/EP...and We Are The Ocean have apparently supported The Blackout on tour. Howzzat, fact fans?<br />
<br />
Enjoy!</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-33555367413364329672011-04-24T13:01:00.000+01:002011-04-24T13:01:58.287+01:00Remembering the remixes<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Listening to:</b> Radio 1<br />
<br />
It's Sunday...and in my world, that means 'flashback'. A little known fact (or is it?) is that while growing up, my idol was the one and only Mariah Carey. Before she went bat shit anyway. I wanted to be as beautiful and as talented as her. Ah well, one can dream.<br />
<br />
<i>Aaanyway</i>, instead of giving you the usual 'single' versions of some of my preferred Mariah tracks, I figured I'd give you the remixes...the ones you may not have heard before.<br />
<br />
<b>Dreamlover - Club Joint Mix</b> (not sure if this is an official mix, but I ♥ it)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="450" height="368" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2IybGbYG5i8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />
<b>Fantasy - Bad Boy Remix <i>ft.</i> Ol' Dirty Bastard</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="450" height="368" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PkFUP3tL9o8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />
<b>Always Be My Baby - Mr. Dupri Mix <i>ft.</i> Da Brat and Xscape</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="450" height="368" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lcw_i3Hituw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />
<b>Honey - So So Def Remix <i>ft.</i> Da Brat and Jermaine Dupri</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="450" height="368" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wOJRA3E3idU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />
The '90s were cool, yo. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-23205736968624332922011-04-15T23:13:00.000+01:002011-04-15T23:13:12.956+01:00On the IPL *barf*<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Listening to:</b> Radio 1<br />
<br />
So I watched a bit of the KKR v DC match a few days back...ugh. Words/phrases that came to mind: tacky, decadent, grotesquely flamboyant. I mean the cricket is good (because the cricketers are good and cricket, in general, is good), but it's masked by ridiculous cheerleaders and nauseating product placement. Why the hell are there <i>cheerleaders</i>?!?! Totally unnecessary (if I wanted to see sexy women shaking their perfectly toned naked midriffs, I'd just watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOgnmKXywGQ"target="_blank"><i>this</i></a>). Not to mention it's totally hypocritical in a cultural context, but let's not go there.<br />
<br />
Everything about IPL just screams <i>nouveau-riche</i> at me. Maybe I'm being snobbish, I dunno.<br />
<br />
Anyway, whatever. I don't know why I care (I mean the way Kallis is playing, Moggie's not gonna get to hold a bat this season anyway). I think the post-WC lull has got me looking for cricket. I'm sort of following county cricket, for goodness' sake! At least there, the focus is on the cricket...I'll take that over IPL any day.</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-2568011034472331412011-04-14T11:32:00.000+01:002011-04-14T11:32:42.518+01:00What a start to the New Year!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Listening to:</b> nothing<br />
<br />
So yeah, I passed my viva :-)<br />
<br />
Happy New Year everybody! </span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-51898675032603498982011-04-09T19:18:00.003+01:002011-04-10T11:34:17.024+01:00Behold the moment I died and went to heaven<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><b>Listening to:</b> my heart thumping<br />
<br />
OK so I don't really know how to put this, other than to say...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 300%;">I JUST MET STEVEN FINN!!!!!!!!!!</span></div><br />
Now let me tell you how.<br />
<br />
Middlesex CCC are playing Cambridge MCCU this weekend, <i>in Cambridge</i>. In case you've been living under a rock for the past I-don't-know-how-long, England fast bowler <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/210283.html" target="_blank">Steven Finn</a> plays for Middlesex (along with England captain Andrew Strauss and England batsman - and my future husband - Eoin Morgan). So I knew Finny was gonna be in Cambridge this weekend (the other two are on post-WC leave and IPL duty respectively), and decided to do viva-prep all day and then cycle over to Fenner's for a bit of the afternoon session.<br />
<br />
I got to Fenner's and I watched the cricket and took a few photos, all the while surreptitiously trying to spot the delectable Mr Finn. I mean he's 6'7"...surely he can't be that difficult to find? And sure enough, he wasn't...'cos a few mins later I saw him walking <i>towards the bench where I was sitting</i>!!!!!!!!!! He was with another guy who I assumed was a friend. I kinda whimpered "Finny" (I was <i>sooooooo</i> nervous and excited and my heart was RACING) and I don't think he heard me but the other guy did and he stopped and then Finny looked at me and smiled and then I asked "could I get a photo please?" and he said "yeah sure" and then I like a dumbass turned my camera OFF (so classy, PR :-| ). So then I fumbled and turned it back on again and the other guy offered to take the photo so I said yes please. And then I said "hmm maybe I should stand on the bench" and they laughed and then Finny stood next to me (and I almost died) and then we took the photo and then I said "thank you" and he said "no worries" and then I said "good luck" and he said "thanks" and then I sat down and then I realised that the other guy was actually a journalist about to interview him. Oops.<br />
<br />
So yeah. I was planning on just getting an extensively zoomed-in picture of his right foot or something, and instead he stood next to me and I got a photo of us. Perhaps I should buy a lottery ticket today?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEqZ2RFYzOI/TaCd6uucabI/AAAAAAAAAQo/icxN--gCckM/s320/me%2Band%2Bfinny%2BII.jpg" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>yes, that's how much I was smiling/blushing</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I should probably try and calm down and get some work done now. EEE!</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-15753258147182747122011-04-03T14:39:00.000+01:002011-04-03T14:39:11.492+01:00I wish I was this cool<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><b>Listening to:</b> Radio 1<br />
<br />
That's one of my tags on tumblr. I mean is it too much to ask to be effortlessly cool? I wanna be one of those people that rolls out of bed looking awesome. Haha wishful thinking indeed.<br />
<br />
<i>Aaanyway</i>, here are a few songs that make me wish I was cool. It's been a while since a music post so...<br />
<br />
<b><i>Get Away</i> - Yuck</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="283" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Kz7vyrFhFE8?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="450"></iframe></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I dunno why, but this reminds me of Smashing Pumpkins</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><i>Whirring</i> - The Joy Formidable</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="283" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/a2BUEzdjfpY?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="450"></iframe></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yay, yet another cool Welsh band!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><i>Undertow</i> - Warpaint</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="283" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BMkqbY0oGKQ?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="450"></iframe></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Random fact: This video was apparently directed by the girl who came in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243736/"target="_blank">40 Days and 40 Nights</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><i>If You Wanna</i> - The Vaccines</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="283" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uQKjI6395iU?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="450"></iframe></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?" is such a cool album title!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><i>Brick by Brick</i> - Arctic Monkeys</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="283" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/riV77WoFCBw?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="450"></iframe></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Anyone else feel like they've been transported back to the '60s?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I'm <i>really</i> looking forward to the next Monkeys single. Is "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" an amazing title or what?!<br />
<br />
Hope you like this stuff. If you know of any similar music that I may not have come across, feel free to suggest!</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-80384328565687120142011-04-01T22:38:00.000+01:002011-04-01T22:38:39.861+01:00The time has come<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><b>Listening to:</b> Radio 1<br />
<br />
<a href="http://not-so-pseudorandom.blogspot.com/2007/04/its-just-gameits-just-gameits-just.html" target="_blank">Four years have passed</a>, and we're back where we belong - <i>in the World Cup final</i>. It's not gonna be easy. Today brought a setback that would've been huge even if our opponents didn't have the world's greatest batsman in their side:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/image/509014.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/130800/130881.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>WHY YOU NO PLAY IN FINAL?!?!?! :'(</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>But oh well, what to do.<br />
<br />
The team have been preparing for tomorrow, no doubt...and so have I. The near-faded Sri Lanka cricket t-shirt has been ironed, and the war paint applied:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pseudorandom/5580476656/" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="282" width="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5580476656_62ccdcb8fc.jpg" /></a></div>I will now attempt to get to bed before sunrise (it's not as easy as it sounds).<br />
<br />
Go do your best, boys...make us proud.</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-35157858853412288562011-03-26T21:50:00.000+00:002011-03-26T21:50:36.129+00:00Why I love English cricket<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><b>Listening to:</b> nothing<br />
<br />
So unless you're just back from a day trip to Atlantis, you'll know that Sri Lanka gave England a real thrashing today. A lot of my Lankan fb friends seem to have forgotten that we dropped Morgan thrice (two of those chances being absolute dollies...luck of the Irish, eh?) but it didn't matter in the end, so I won't be a spoilsport. Today's performance bodes well for the semi-final on Tuesday, and I hope we deliver. Being the realist/cautious optimist that I am, I won't be as arrogant and cocky (and to be honest, downright irritating) as some of my friends and claim to have a hand on the trophy already...but I'll gladly acknowledge that we have the talent and the form to go all the way.<br />
<br />
And that is all I'm gonna say about Sri Lanka's performance in this post. The rest of this post, I want to dedicate to the England team and its supporters. I've been getting a lot of stick from people for supporting England in this WC. A lot of Sri Lankans can't understand how I could support a team of our 'colonial oppressors'. To them, I say: wake up (and grow up), we're not in the 1940s any more. A lot of Sri Lankans can't understand how I could support a team that's not my 'home' team. To them, I say: I was born in the UK and I've spent almost 15 years of my life here...I'm almost 28 - you do the math. A lot of Sri Lankans can't understand how I could support two teams. To them, I say: watch me.<br />
<br />
So England aren't the best team around. So what? Did ardent Sri Lankan cricket fans only start supporting our team after '96? Oh wait...:D. But seriously, I like the attitude of this England team. They enjoy their cricket, and they have a laugh. They try hard, and they can take defeat. There's an excellent team spirit, and a sense of gratitude towards the fans that is lovely to see. They seem like the kind of people I'd want to go down to the pub with after work on a Friday. I won't deny that it helps that a lot of them are extremely easy on the eye, but that's just a bonus. I also won't deny that they've had lapses in sportsmanship (Colly's jelly-gate comes to mind), but I think they more than make up for it the rest of the time.<br />
<br />
For instance, look at this tweet from <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/20431.html" target="_blank">Graeme Swann</a> after today's match:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Swannyg66/status/51693147494948864" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5GPKsVfDoo/TY5Gzn7MCYI/AAAAAAAAAQM/6Mlaf8FU4kE/s320/Swanny_tweet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>He didn't bowl that badly, but he got thrashed around the ground nonetheless. To finish a match like that and a) give due respect to your opponent, b) put it in perspective and c) compliment the opponent's home crowd...I think that's big of him. He could've moaned about the fatigue, the heat, the noise, the fact that the Taj (I think?) nightclub music<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Swannyg66/status/51345074176536576" target="_blank"> kept them up last night</a>...but he didn't.<br />
<br />
And what of the fans? I don't need to remind people about the behaviour of <i>some</i> cricket fans when their team loses *cough*India*cough*Australia*cough*. But here are two responses that appear to be representative of the sentiment in the UK:<br />
<br />
The first, from the lovely <a href="http://englandcricketteam.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">englandcricketteam</a> tumblr (which you <i>must</i> visit if you want yummy pics of yummy England cricketers :D ) -<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://englandcricketteam.tumblr.com/post/4109698934/england-are-out" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="93" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7dKcU9cdKg/TY5Jr11tBUI/AAAAAAAAAQU/Hpow6QPqXF4/s320/englandcricketteam_tumblr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And this from BBC Radio 1 DJ <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/gregjames/" target="_blank">Greg James</a>, in a reply to Sri Lankan BBC Radio 1 DJ <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/review/profile/" target="_blank">Nihal</a> -<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/gregjames/status/51674799063318528" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mx7iNfUeuoc/TY5Ky-723UI/AAAAAAAAAQc/xq1E6pSuzFo/s320/GregJames_tweet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It makes me proud to be Sri Lankan, and proud to be an England cricket fan.<br />
<br />
I suppose a part of me feels pressure from my Sri Lankan friends to feel guilty about liking anything about England, sport or otherwise. After all, I'm only here for uni, right? Well...no. If 'home' is where you feel safe, happy, welcome, and that you belong...then this is 'home' for me. I'm not saying it always has been, or that it always will be...but for now, it is. A lot of Sri Lankan friends will call me names and what have you, but that'll just make me feel more at home in the UK, far away from their judgemental narrow-mindedness. Home is where the heart is, and right now my heart is snug as a bug in a rug in the UK. If you don't like it, that's your problem.<br />
<br />
I shall end with my favourite picture from today's match, courtesy englandcricketteam:<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://englandcricketteam.tumblr.com/post/4106963444/eoin-morgans-bat-breaking" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lio3uhJ9Ok1qhsjhwo1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJ6IHWSU3BX3X7X3Q&Expires=1301260843&Signature=Tn%2BWa4a20%2BebRkRKbIcoty994Gg%3D" width="475" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Awww Moggie</i> ♥</td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-53741242916738400372011-03-20T19:11:00.003+00:002011-03-21T10:08:14.484+00:00My own 'special' World Cup<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><b>Listening to:</b> Radio 1<br />
<br />
Now unless you've been living under a rock for the past month or so, you'll be aware that the 2011 Cricket World Cup is in full swing. The group stage has just been completed, so I figured now would be a good time to present to you <i>my</i> World Cup. If cricket's not your bag, do not fear...this post has more to do with cricket<i>ers</i> than cricket ;-)<br />
<br />
Anyway, a quick intro for those of you not following the tournament. There are ten full ICC member teams and four associate teams, in two groups. They are as follows (associate members marked with asterisks):<table align="center" cellpadding="20" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 125%;"><b>Group A</b></span><br />
Australia<br />
Pakistan<br />
New Zealand<br />
Sri Lanka<br />
Zimbabwe<br />
*Canada<br />
*Kenya</td><td imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 125%;"><b>Group B</b></span><br />
India<br />
South Africa<br />
England<br />
West Indies<br />
Bangladesh<br />
*Ireland<br />
*Netherlands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Yes, that's pretty much all you need to know. Now for the rules of my tournament...which, to be fair, isn't really a tournament. It's just one match, played between two World XIs.<br />
<ol><li>Each team ideally consists of players solely from one group (see above).</li>
<li>The quota is two players per full member team, and one player from the associate teams in that group.</li>
<li>Players can be those withdrawn due to injury.</li>
<li>When a full member team cannot source two players, that place may be filled in the following ways:<ol><li>Another full member team in the same group may choose an extra player from their squad, failing which...</li>
<li>The associate teams in that group may choose an extra player from their combined squads, failing which...</li>
<li>The associate teams in the <i>other</i> group may choose an extra player from their combined squads, and loan that player to the opposition.</li>
</ol></li>
<li>The best looking team wins (duh!).</li>
</ol>OK, so after extensive research (<i>i.e.</i> tv coverage, <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/squad?object=381449" target="_blank">cricinfo squad photos</a> and Google image search), I've finalised my two World XIs. I cannot confirm or deny that the above rules were finalised <i>after</i> said research, but it matters not. Behold the finalists!<br />
<br />
<u>World XI A</u><blockquote>Australia -<br />
Shaun Tait, Brett Lee<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/332707.html" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UtyyUhEzb1c/TYY9HcvcD_I/AAAAAAAAAMI/gXABwxwLQpk/s320/Tait%252C%2BLee.jpg" width="173" /></a></div><br />
New Zealand -<br />
Brendon McCullum, Tim Southee<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/489355.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dXTGyZPVB0w/TYY9-1Pa4AI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/hTKASv98GAc/s320/BMcCullum.jpg" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/495984.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7xKsO1fauXM/TYY-v-b5EgI/AAAAAAAAAMY/76w-hAgphvw/s320/Southee.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Pakistan -<br />
Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/image/501303.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bjn5U_nN6VQ/TYZF2VlZJoI/AAAAAAAAAN8/TzDElSidHyY/s1600/Afridi.jpg" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/image/501305.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mKMDLzcrxUg/TYZG2mi3RWI/AAAAAAAAAOE/LglcPVdYr0w/s1600/Riaz.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sri Lanka -<br />
Angelo Mathews, Kumar Sangakkara<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/485312.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qBgF-bBgl4/TYZHaQ4PwOI/AAAAAAAAAOM/0KnitbGic6I/s1600/Mathews.jpg" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/504768.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRCR8rdVGt4/TYZHzXqja2I/AAAAAAAAAOU/GBLMZz3YXgs/s320/Sangakkara.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Zimbabwe -<br />
Ed Rainsford<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe/content/image/501124.html" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="155" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGgWAoA1H1o/TYZITK0sfMI/AAAAAAAAAOc/nmz-W6KZqHI/s320/Rainsford.jpg" /></a></div>Associate -<br />
Seren Waters (Kenya)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/image/464768.html" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eoolkOxQU5U/TYZIqD55sOI/AAAAAAAAAOk/qxgdfpiLkyI/s320/Waters.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Due to the lack of talent in the Zimbabwean, Kenyan and Canadian sides, the World XI A squad is one man short. The other teams are equally bad, so as per the rules, the eleventh man is therefore sourced from the Associate team squad for World XI B -<br />
William Porterfield (Ireland)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/image/503717.html" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAjIDQNh8fI/TYZI-oD7tJI/AAAAAAAAAOs/e8r7AkvZIgk/s320/Porterfield.jpg" /></a></div></blockquote><u>World XI B</u><blockquote>Bangladesh -<br />
Rubel Hossain<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/image/501800.html" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5w-jrMhlEw/TYZJu6xpWoI/AAAAAAAAAO0/kxgmsM5vOY0/s320/RHossain.jpg" /></a></div>England -<br />
Stuart Broad, Eoin Morgan<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/471650.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4ZBKNT9rUw/TYZL4jkJcII/AAAAAAAAAPM/JEX9EbKkn8Y/s1600/Broad.jpg" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/466943.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLeT6uOkaKA/TYZL4pa_p2I/AAAAAAAAAPU/nNMqPwW_laY/s1600/Morgan.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>India -<br />
MS Dhoni<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/501490.html" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="145" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxxd_rChaQw/TYZKISAhCLI/AAAAAAAAAO8/uZDFEeI78Q8/s320/Dhoni.jpg" /></a></div>South Africa -<br />
JP Duminy, Graeme Smith<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/image/500869.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yp7GcODObKM/TYZMzCMXrdI/AAAAAAAAAPc/MTZg5Pu-Pp4/s1600/Duminy.jpg" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/image/499979.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LDj4w-NVZbw/TYZMzRhkG5I/AAAAAAAAAPk/-CtRRhRVPig/s1600/Smith.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>West Indies -<br />
-<br />
Associate -<br />
Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/466667.html" target="_blank" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kS6PddXQk1w/TYZKgEywEFI/AAAAAAAAAPE/XjxhmBq_STI/s320/tenDoeschate.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Due to the lack of talent in the Bangladeshi, Indian and West Indian sides, the World XI B team is four men short. Thankfully, the English side is abundant in eye candy, so included in the side are -<br />
James Anderson<br />
Andrew Strauss<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/image/506518.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oiZul-f8S6A/TYZNnmwMB2I/AAAAAAAAAPs/QsLOixz97AQ/s1600/Anderson.jpg" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/503093.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0ZrtRFKKmE/TYZNnzw0ZxI/AAAAAAAAAP0/owdKY-Sa-UM/s1600/Strauss.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This leaves the World XI B side two men short, so from the Associate teams, we include the following -<br />
Nigel Jones (Ireland)<br />
Alexei Kervezee (Netherlands)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ireland/content/image/501436.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3iHvS0iOv8c/TYZOUuN9kiI/AAAAAAAAAP8/q8uABNDxZb8/s1600/Jones.jpg" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/image/501774.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxqTmlvirYw/TYZOU7BpC9I/AAAAAAAAAQE/ySipUpSEXnU/s1600/Kervezee.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table></blockquote>So there you have it. As far as I'm concerned, this contest can be simplified to Angelo Mathews <i>vs.</i> Eoin Morgan...and since I'm planning on marrying Eoin Morgan someday, I'm going for World XI B. But seeing as I'm democratic and all, I'll let <i>you</i> decide.</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-11345061736936911592011-03-15T22:10:00.000+00:002011-03-15T22:10:35.003+00:00How did I feel?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Listening to:</b> Radio 1<br />
<br />
First of all, thank you very much to everyone who commented on my <a href="http://not-so-pseudorandom.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-would-you-feel.html"target="_blank">last post</a>. I purposely didn't talk about my own reaction, because:<blockquote>a) I didn't want to influence anyone's response, and<br />
b) I genuinely wanted to know how <i>you</i> would feel.</blockquote>So now I will tell you how <i>I</i> felt.<br />
<br />
Overall, <i>I couldn't care less</i>. When I heard it, I'll admit...it stung a bit. But my very next thought was a big fat 'meh'. I was facing my back to the guys so luckily I didn't have to look them in the eye, but anyway I just completely ignored them and walked towards the dancefloor and joined my friends.<br />
<br />
A lot of you had suggested retorts I could've used. To be honest I wouldn't have wasted the pleasure of my attention on them, but if I had, I probably would've said something along the lines of "Thanks for the tip, Captain Obvious". I mean let's face it...I know I have miniature boobs, I see them every day. It's one of the many things about my body that I hate (there's a long list). <i>But</i>...I've come to terms with it. In fact, I've come to terms with the entire list (almost). And that's why it didn't bother me. Nothing to do with the perpetrator, the venue or the value of the comment. All to do with <i>me</i>.<br />
<br />
Looking back at at the episode, I can break down the moment between the initial sting and the final 'meh' into micro-thoughts...and it goes a little something like this:<ol><li>Ouch!</li><li>It's ok, only a little prick *tee hee*</li><li>This is proof that sexual harassment isn't just a 'Sri Lankan man in a bus' thing</li><li>Wait, so that was the <i>only</i> negative thing they had to say about me?</li><li>Yeah, go ahead and watch this ass as it walks away, way out of your reach.</li></ol>Ahem...yeah OK so I <i>may</i> have added a little bit of swagger to my walk towards the dancefloor :P<br />
<br />
So there we have it. To be fair, they were just stating the obvious. I suppose a part of me just assumed that that's what guys think when they see me any way...so I wasn't surprised in the least. Don't get me wrong, I know the statement was offensive, but I wasn't 'offended' as such...I've been told far worse (namely "she should put a bag over her head"). With regards to this episode, I suppose "water off a duck's back" is a good way of describing how I felt. I consider that to be a good thing...don't you?</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21657491.post-52958986380108085622011-03-12T05:06:00.000+00:002011-03-12T05:06:10.468+00:00How would you feel?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><b>Listening to:</b> nothing<br />
<br />
You're at a club, handing over your coat to the cloakroom, and the guys behind you start hassling you with the usual 'all right darling', 'give us a dance eh' nonsense...and then you hear one saying '<b><i>she could do with a boob job</i></b>'.<br />
<br />
How would <i>you</i> feel?</span></span></div>PseudoRandomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com16