Ramblings of an Altruist

Seven nights in with the idiot box

2011-09-28T18:37:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'What You Know' by Two Door Cinema Club [Tourist History]

So since I've been awol, I thought I'd share what I get up to in the evenings. Which is basically a lot of TV. In case you weren't aware, Freeview is awesome.

Monday:
2000-2030 - University Challenge (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!
2235-2305 - A Question of Sport (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).

Tuesday:
2000-2100 - Made in Chelsea (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.
2200-2230 - Later Live with Jools Holland (BBC2) - half an hour of live music, need I say more?

Wednesday:
2200-2300 - Fresh Meat (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 not going to watch this?

Thursday:

Friday:
2100-2200 - Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1) - starting this week, can't wait! Harry Judd, nom.
2200-2230 - QI (BBC2) - what could be better than Stephen Fry, Alan Davies and a myriad of bizarre facts? Nothing, that's what.
2230-2300 - 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4) - Another random quiz show. With Jimmy Carr, Jon Richardson and Sean Lock (and others). I loves it.

Saturday:
1930-2130 - X Factor (ITV1) - love love love this season. The new judges are brilliant.
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)

Sunday:
1945-2100 - X Factor (ITV1) - twice in one weekend, yay!
2100-2200 - Spooks (BBC1) - ah so good. Are real MI5/Russian agents really this easy on the eye? (Oh hi there Sasha! And Dimitri! And Callum!)
2200-2315 - Downton Abbey (ITV1+1) - the terrestrial airing clashes with Spooks, but +1 saves the day! TELL HIM YOU LOVE HIM, MARY! *ahem* sorry.
2315-0000 - The Only Way Is Essex (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.

If I'm bored and there's none of the above on (or it's Thursday), you might find me watching Don't Tell the Bride on BBC3, Poirot on ITV3, or the endless reruns of CSI/CSI:NY/NCIS on 5USA. I've also been known to dabble in a bit of Outnumbered (BBC1), How I Met Your Mother (E4), Big Bang Theory (E4), Cleveland Show (E4), American Dad (BBC3), Family Guy (BBC3) and the Ricky Gervais Show (E4). Oh and if I'm up that late, Misfits and Skins. And there are always one-off documentaries on BBC1/2/3/4 that are quite interesting.

Soooo yeah. Seriously, who needs to illegally download stuff when there's this much good stuff on TV?!

Whinge whinge whinge

2011-09-27T11:33:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Take It All' by Adele [21]

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.

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.

Ugh someone give me a job already.

2011-09-26T16:46:00.000+01:00

Um, yeah, hi.

Just checking this thing still works. Everything's changed and I'm not quite sure what I'm doing any more. But yeah.

I'm gonna go now, but I may be back.

The news of me having a life has been greatly exaggerated

2011-05-29T10:03:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

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.

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.

But yeah, I should probably think of something interesting to write here. Maybe.

The battle of the unexpected remixes

2011-05-06T16:01:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

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.

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 very well. Here, see for yourself:

Now if that wasn't enough, the amaaaaaaaazing 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:

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.

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 this good.

British rock, you say?

2011-04-26T13:03:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

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.

Free - Twin Atlantic

The Waiting Room - We Are The Ocean

Higher and Higher - The Blackout

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?

Enjoy!

Remembering the remixes

2011-04-24T13:01:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

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.

Aaanyway, 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.

Dreamlover - Club Joint Mix (not sure if this is an official mix, but I ♥ it)

Fantasy - Bad Boy Remix ft. Ol' Dirty Bastard

Always Be My Baby - Mr. Dupri Mix ft. Da Brat and Xscape

Honey - So So Def Remix ft. Da Brat and Jermaine Dupri

The '90s were cool, yo. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

On the IPL barf

2011-04-15T23:13:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

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 cheerleaders?!?! Totally unnecessary (if I wanted to see sexy women shaking their perfectly toned naked midriffs, I'd just watch this). Not to mention it's totally hypocritical in a cultural context, but let's not go there.

Everything about IPL just screams nouveau-riche at me. Maybe I'm being snobbish, I dunno.

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.

What a start to the New Year!

2011-04-14T11:32:00.000+01:00

Listening to: nothing

So yeah, I passed my viva :-)

Happy New Year everybody!

Behold the moment I died and went to heaven

2011-04-09T19:18:00.003+01:00

Listening to: my heart thumping

OK so I don't really know how to put this, other than to say...

I JUST MET STEVEN FINN!!!!!!!!!!

Now let me tell you how.

Middlesex CCC are playing Cambridge MCCU this weekend, in Cambridge. In case you've been living under a rock for the past I-don't-know-how-long, England fast bowler Steven Finn 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.

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 towards the bench where I was sitting!!!!!!!!!! He was with another guy who I assumed was a friend. I kinda whimpered "Finny" (I was sooooooo 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.

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?

yes, that's how much I was smiling/blushing

I should probably try and calm down and get some work done now. EEE!

I wish I was this cool

2011-04-03T14:39:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

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.

Aaanyway, here are a few songs that make me wish I was cool. It's been a while since a music post so...

Get Away - Yuck

I dunno why, but this reminds me of Smashing Pumpkins

Whirring - The Joy Formidable

Yay, yet another cool Welsh band!

Undertow - Warpaint

Random fact: This video was apparently directed by the girl who came in 40 Days and 40 Nights

If You Wanna - The Vaccines

"What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?" is such a cool album title!

Brick by Brick - Arctic Monkeys

Anyone else feel like they've been transported back to the '60s?

I'm really looking forward to the next Monkeys single. Is "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" an amazing title or what?!

Hope you like this stuff. If you know of any similar music that I may not have come across, feel free to suggest!

The time has come

2011-04-01T22:38:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

Four years have passed, and we're back where we belong - in the World Cup final. 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:

WHY YOU NO PLAY IN FINAL?!?!?! :'(

But oh well, what to do.

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:

I will now attempt to get to bed before sunrise (it's not as easy as it sounds).

Go do your best, boys...make us proud.

Why I love English cricket

2011-03-26T21:50:00.000Z

Listening to: nothing

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.

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.

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.

For instance, look at this tweet from Graeme Swann after today's match:

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 kept them up last night...but he didn't.

And what of the fans? I don't need to remind people about the behaviour of some 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:

The first, from the lovely englandcricketteam tumblr (which you must visit if you want yummy pics of yummy England cricketers :D ) -

And this from BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James, in a reply to Sri Lankan BBC Radio 1 DJ Nihal -

It makes me proud to be Sri Lankan, and proud to be an England cricket fan.

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.

I shall end with my favourite picture from today's match, courtesy englandcricketteam:

Awww Moggie ♥

My own 'special' World Cup

2011-03-20T19:11:00.003Z

Listening to: Radio 1

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 my World Cup. If cricket's not your bag, do not fear...this post has more to do with cricketers than cricket ;-)

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):

Group A
Australia
Pakistan
New Zealand
Sri Lanka
Zimbabwe
*Canada
*Kenya

Group B
India
South Africa
England
West Indies
Bangladesh
*Ireland
*Netherlands

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.

Each team ideally consists of players solely from one group (see above).
The quota is two players per full member team, and one player from the associate teams in that group.
Players can be those withdrawn due to injury.
When a full member team cannot source two players, that place may be filled in the following ways:
1. Another full member team in the same group may choose an extra player from their squad, failing which...
2. The associate teams in that group may choose an extra player from their combined squads, failing which...
3. The associate teams in the other group may choose an extra player from their combined squads, and loan that player to the opposition.
The best looking team wins (duh!).

OK, so after extensive research (i.e. tv coverage, cricinfo squad photos and Google image search), I've finalised my two World XIs. I cannot confirm or deny that the above rules were finalised after said research, but it matters not. Behold the finalists!

World XI A

Australia -
        Shaun Tait, Brett Lee

New Zealand -
        Brendon McCullum, Tim Southee
Pakistan -
        Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka -
        Angelo Mathews, Kumar Sangakkara
Zimbabwe -
        Ed Rainsford

Associate -
        Seren Waters (Kenya)

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 -
        William Porterfield (Ireland)

World XI B

Bangladesh -
        Rubel Hossain

England -
        Stuart Broad, Eoin Morgan
India -
        MS Dhoni

South Africa -
        JP Duminy, Graeme Smith
West Indies -
        -
Associate -
        Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands)

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 -
        James Anderson
        Andrew Strauss
This leaves the World XI B side two men short, so from the Associate teams, we include the following -
        Nigel Jones (Ireland)
        Alexei Kervezee (Netherlands)

So there you have it. As far as I'm concerned, this contest can be simplified to Angelo Mathews vs. 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 you decide.

How did I feel?

2011-03-15T22:10:00.000Z

Listening to: Radio 1

First of all, thank you very much to everyone who commented on my last post. I purposely didn't talk about my own reaction, because:

a) I didn't want to influence anyone's response, and
b) I genuinely wanted to know how you would feel.

So now I will tell you how I felt.

Overall, I couldn't care less. 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.

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). But...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 me.

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:

Ouch!
It's ok, only a little prick *tee hee*
This is proof that sexual harassment isn't just a 'Sri Lankan man in a bus' thing
Wait, so that was the only negative thing they had to say about me?
Yeah, go ahead and watch this ass as it walks away, way out of your reach.

Ahem...yeah OK so I may have added a little bit of swagger to my walk towards the dancefloor :P

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?

How would you feel?

2011-03-12T05:06:00.000Z

Listening to: nothing

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 'she could do with a boob job'.

How would you feel?

Oh the irony!

2011-03-07T23:37:00.000Z

Listening to: 'Salt Skin' by Ellie Goulding [Lights]

When Shorty's man was writing up his thesis, I went crazy with the red pen and inserted commas all over his draft in order to simplify the otherwise-incomprehensible academese. I've just started going through my own thesis in preparation for my viva, and what do I find on page 3?

There's a comma missing.

2011-03-02T20:35:00.000Z

Listening to: some crap

I wish the world would just fuck off and leave me alone. I hate this feeling...this "I should hide away and protect others from my volatility" thing. My head feels like it's gonna explode and I have this urge to stab something. Or break some crockery. Or insult someone. But I know that won't make things better. Nothing will. Heck I thought this Evening Primrose Oil was supposed to calm the mood swings? wtf.

I know I should deal with it. Meditate or something. But whatever. Later. For now I'll just tell the world to fuck off. And to those of you that think PMS is some kind of excuse or a joke or something, let me kick you in the genitals repeatedly for a week every month for about 30 years and we'll see how you like it.

Hell hath no fury indeed.

Aural Ambrosia

2011-02-27T12:34:00.000Z

Listening to: Radio 1

I've heard this a billion times, and it still gets me.

If that doesn't move you...I don't know what will.

Choosing demons

2011-02-15T22:07:00.000Z

Listening to: Nothing

So everyone's been going gaga over the events in Egypt over the past few weeks. Everyone except me. Don't get me wrong, I get it. The people want the right to select their leader, yes. And the numbers have been pretty phenomenal, yes. And it's been peaceful for the most part, yes. I get it. But...I dunno...it just seems a bit over-hyped really. Every Tom, Dick and Harry appears to be tripping over himself trying to spout the most profound yet ultimately rehashed rhetoric about the situation, each claiming to understand and empathise with the Egyptian people more than the other. It all just smells of people trying to cash in on the Egyptian people's legitimate issues in order to get their 15 mins of relative fame. Needless to say, I got a bit fed up.

There's also the issue of the democracy fanboys. You know, the ones that go "OMG this is like the most amazing thing to ever happen to the world ever! Peace and love and flowersinthesunshine, yo!" Oh ffs give me a break. This is politics. You replace one demon with another. Whether the new demon is less of a demon than the old one...well you'll only know that in 30yrs' time. For the time being, just try and make sure that the demon in charge is doing what's right for the country right now. We're all human. We're all fallible (unless you're the Pope, of course). And as long as we're governing ourselves, we're all prone to failures of some sort. It's not that I'm cynical or even apathetic about 'people power' (ok maybe a bit cynical)...but I don't believe that any one event can shape the future of a country. Yes it might alter the course in the short term, but no one can foresee the long term implications. Take Japan for instance. Did anyone think at the end of WWII that merely 60 years down the line, one of the major problems facing the country would be the abundance of old people? And to those who disagree with me and think that a single event (albeit unprecedented) can solve all the world's problems, I have two words: Barack Obama.

Nay, I am of the opinion that lasting change takes time. Not weeks or months, or even a couple of years...I mean decades - at least a generation. For a society to develop, mindsets have to change. And that doesn't happen easily. Take, for instance, the documentary I watched earlier today. My favourite DJ in the world, Scott Mills, visited Uganda to see what it was like for gay people living there. I'm still a bit shaken by the number of people who thought it perfectly acceptable to say that homosexuals should be killed. And the man who said that it's a 'proven fact' that life expectancy is reduced by 24 years if you're gay. I mean seriously, wtf is in their water? Even accounting for heavy editing (I'm not naive enough to believe in the 'impartiality' of the BBC), those views are still extreme. I can understand someone taking the Bible literally and saying that homosexuality is a sin...but to advocate the death penalty? What happened to not killing people? I thought that was in the Bible too...?

It saddens (and angers) me that people across the world are persecuted for being themselves. It's not even a matter of expressing an opinion - their 'crime' is their mere existence. The prejudices against women and different ethnicities are thankfully nowhere near as severe any more, but they do still exist. The gender stereotypes that are embraced by all communities merely reinforce the double standards that exist in society, and the same goes for racial stereotypes. It's easy to see that stuff like this won't change overnight.

What saddens me even more, is that while so much work remains to be done to overcome these serious injustices, the majority of people are happily preoccupied with choosing their favourite demon.

An apology (of sorts)

2011-02-14T22:58:00.000Z

Listening to: 'Ain't No Way' by Aretha Franklin [Respect: The Very Best of Aretha Franklin]

Dear KC,

I'm sorry you're still hurting a week after the 'incident'. OK let's face it, it's not like you were ever in the running for 'most beautiful knee cap of the year'...but now you look more like a choppa-fied plum than a knee cap. You feel like one too. You can blame that stupid bike of mine for being heavier than I, and Cambridge City Council for not maintaining the roads properly (oh yeah and my rubbish sense of balance, but let's not dwell on that).

I don't think I'll stop wearing short skirts (at least until I've properly smashed you up), but rest assured you'll be well hidden by dark-coloured tights for the time being. And let's not allow the prevalent sunshine to delude us into thinking about Summer.

OK I think that's all I have to say. You can go back to looking all scabby and bluey purple now. And can you stop hurting please? Thanks.

Love,
Me.

Whoops

2011-02-08T16:42:00.002Z

Listening to: My tummy

I just realised this blog turned 5 on the 29th of Jan...and it totally passed me by.

But I've already done my time!

2011-02-07T21:43:00.001Z

Listening to: Radio 1

Maybe I should just show this to everyone that asks me when I'm gonna 'settle down'.

I am a horrible person

2011-02-05T23:22:00.000Z

Listening to: 'A Million Love Songs' by Take That [Take That Greatest Hits]

Is it bad that I roll my eyes and barf a little inside every time my female friends mention their mothers-in-law? Oh don't bother answering...rhetoric q, I know it's bad. Horrible, in fact. I don't want to become one of those 'feminazis' that looks down at those who've decided to tie the knot...but that's exactly what I feel myself turning into. I suppose it doesn't help that I see every man's mother as the devil incarnate. There are degrees, obviously (South Asians tend to be the worst, although Europeans aren't entirely faultless either)...but no exceptions so far (ok maybe one, but that just proves the rule). I feel my neck tense up every time I hear about some woman fussing over her grown son. Cut that umbilical cord already, you stupid cow! Ugh.

My mother is mildly amused at all this rage I'm displaying. My father stays quiet, 'cos he knows that the nonsense coming out of my grandmother's mouth only serves to validate my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I love my grandmother to bits...but seriously, she puts my mother through hell.

I know that as the days go by and I get even more set in my ways and even more opinionated (is that even possible?), the chances of me meeting a guy who can put up with me decrease exponentially. So basically, I'm gonna turn into not just a feminazi, but also a condescending bitch who thinks she's too good for all the men she meets. Oh well, whatever.

Who let the brats out?

2011-02-03T00:03:00.000Z

Listening to: 'Three Marlenas' by The Wallflowers [Bringing Down The Horse]

How do you deal with the insolent brats? How do you deal with the kids that think teachers should be at their beck and call? How do you deal with the kids that think the world revolves around them? How do you deal with the kids that ooze that annoying, ungrateful sense of entitlement that is all too common in the younger generation?

Do you slap them and tell them to respect their elders? Do you tell them to stop being such a self-absorbed whiny little piece of shit and quit whinging? Do you tell them that while you acknowledge the fact that they're probably somewhat intelligent, it doesn't mean that the sun shines out of their ass? Do you tell them that their sarcasm only serves to prove their immaturity and that they should get back to you when they've decided to grow up? Do you stick your tongue out at them and say "Oooh I'm scared now!" and roll your eyes? Do you look at them and say "Look at my face. Is my face bovvered?" and carry on like they don't exist?

I wanted to do all of the above this morning. To one person. Luckily, I managed to keep my cool and I explained the situation to them, and I said that if they had a problem with the teaching arrangements, they should speak to my superior. And then I went and told my superior that he might get a visit from an annoying little prick :D. It probably won't happen, 'cos these egotistical types tend to be quite cowardly. Still, I got confirmation from my superior that I had done the right thing, which made me feel better.

I love teaching. And I hate not being able to help students. But I am not a servant. I don't have to put up with shit from spoilt brats. I will go out of my way to help kids who are appreciative of my efforts, but the ones that throw their toys out will just have to wait their turn.

*sigh*

Heather Morris is a goddess

2011-01-24T22:47:00.000Z

Listening to: 'Me Against The Music' by Glee Cast [Glee: Season 2]

So I know I'm a bit late, but I just caught up on last week's episode of Glee - Britney/Brittany. As I said on twitter...OMLG* that was amazing. Heather Morris' body moves in mysterious ways (if you don't believe me, check out this low quality LSFW youtube vid of I'm a Slave 4 U from that episode). I mean I know she's a professional dancer and all, but I've got so used to her being 'Brittany' that I forget that she's got more in her box of tricks than just comedy.

My favourite performance of the episode was Brittany's duet with Santana, and luckily I managed to find a high quality video of it. Just look.at.her.move.

I think every house should have a Brittany. She can sing, she can dance...and when you're sad, she'll cheer you up with lines like -

"I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist."
"Are you a cat?"
"Finn can fly?"

What more could you possibly want?

*What?! You don't say Oh My Lady Gaga? OMLG!

Who do you love?

2011-01-22T13:29:00.000Z

Listening to: Radio 1

So I just finished watching a spectacular game of tennis. So spectacular that half way through, I called Sri Lanka and woke my father up from his mid-afternoon slumber to tell him to turn on the TV. I mean it's not often you get to say -

"Nadal's 4-love down in the second set against some random Aussie teenager!"

Needless to say, my father responded with an emphatic "oh my god!"...which obviously made my mother panic 'cos she thought we were talking about something life-threatening. My father and I are 'silly people', apparently. Tee hee.

But anyway, the 6-2 7-5 6-3 scoreline doesn't do justice to the 3rd round Aussie Open battle between world #1 Rafael Nadal and 18 year old wildcard Bernard Tomic. Tomic was a joy to watch - so calm, determined and fluid...and totally unruffled by the legendary powerhouse at the opposite end of the court. Most experienced players would lose faith after a 2-6 first set loss, but not this kid. He kept going until the final point. I look forward to seeing more of him - he has the talent, the ability and the tenacity to make it big one day. Apparently he has a bit of an unsavoury off court attitude...but I'll answer that with two words: John McEnroe.

As for Rafa...well admittedly today wasn't his best game ever. Although I'm not sure how much of that was just due to him (and everyone watching) being surprised by the fight from his opponent. He did have some brilliant shots here and there, but I'm a bit disturbed by his first serve (especially during the 2nd set)...pretty sluggish and not very accurate. Though to be fair, he was sweating like mad. I think the shirt count was at 4 by the end of the 3 sets...and he changed again before his (hilarious) post-match interview with Jim Courier. Still, plenty of photo opportunities for the ladies in the crowd *wolf whistle*.

My reaction to today's match was, perhaps, unusual for a self-confessed Rafa fan. You would expect me to be upset that he didn't walk all over Tomic. After all, that's what every fan hopes for, right? Not necessarily. The game will only survive if the next generation of players poses a real threat to the current greats. While that threat is not good news for Rafa, it's excellent news for tennis. And yes I love Rafa, but I love tennis.

Wish Lists

2011-01-18T10:44:00.009Z

Listening to: Radio 1

At time of publishing this post...

DVDs

Sherlock
Current Price: £8.93
Target Price: < £5

(500) Days of Summer
Current Price: £4.79
Target Price: < £3

Glee: Season 1 Box Set
Current Price: £27.93
Target Price: < £20

Inbetweeners: Complete Box Set (Series 1, 2, 3)
Current Price: £26.93
Target Price: < £10

Emma (2009 BBC version)
Current Price: £10.49
Target Price: < £5

Mean Girls
Current Price: £3.49
Target Price: < £3

CDs/mp3 Albums

Sigh No More - Mumford & Sons
Current Price: £3.99
Target Price: < £3

The Hits Collection: Volume 1 - Jay Z
Current Price: £6.49
Target Price: < £5

XX - The XX
Current Price: £3.99
Target Price: < £3

Catching a Tiger - Lissie
Current Price: £3
Target Price: < £3

Amazon mage salli kanawaaaaa*!!! And in addition to those 'target prices', I'm only willing to spend £10 per month on music/movies.

I need a job dammit.

*is eating my money

Getting used to my new life (or not)

2011-01-14T21:17:00.000Z

Listening to: Skream & Benga's 'In New DJs We Trust' show on BBC Radio 1

So it's been 10 days since I submitted. I slept for about 15 hours, and then the day after I buggered off to London for almost a week. Had an amazing time - slept a lot, chilled a lot, ate a lot...and spent a lot of quality time with people I love. Got back to Cam on Tuesday, and since then I've been chatting with people at the Careers Service, walking up to random shop assistants and asking if they've got temp vacancies, and um, sleeping a lot.

On Wednesday and Thursday I ended up going to the Dept 'cos I had to copy my stuff off the work PC etc. Turns out there's a newbie already so I've lost my computer, but my labmates have set aside a workstation just for me so that I can use the office facilities whenever I need to. Isn't that sweet? :-)

Today, I stayed at home. I did stuff like paying my rent, sorting out laundry and gossiping with my mother for an hour. And you know what? After just a day of chilling at home (and all you working people are gonna hate me for saying this)...I'm bored. I know, it sounds terrible. I'm supposed to be enjoying my free time after 4 years of PhD. But I don't know what to do. I've danced around to songs on the radio, watched TV, done housework, chatted with people, cooked...and it's only 9pm. My 365's gone all over the place and I need to get back to it, but there are so many photos that require editing that I'm not actually looking forward to it. I've actually made a list of stuff I need to do, so hopefully that'll motivate me. But I just feel idle. I don't like idle. Grr.

Anyway that's what I've been up to. I'm going to try and bake something this weekend. I don't know what yet. I haven't baked since I was 7, so this could get messy. We'll see.

A perfect start to 2011

2011-01-06T10:23:00.000Z

Listening to: 'Getting Nowhere' by Magnetic Man ft. John Legend [Magnetic Man]

Yes, it is done. Now I have the agonising wait until the viva (whenever that is). And in that time I have to start looking for jobs. But for this week, my brain and my body are on vacation.

And in case anyone still reads this blog, I'll get back to regular blogging next week :-)

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T00:00:00.004Z

Listening to: nothing

I'm still in thesis hell, so apologies to anyone who's contacted me and not got a response. I appreciate all your good wishes and I promise I'll reply when I'm done.

As an apology, please accept this video from ~~my future husband~~ Plan B -

Merry Christmas everybody! Stay warm and stay safe, people.

Yet another filler post

2010-12-14T19:57:00.000Z

Listening to: Radio 1

In the spirit of just posting random youtube videos until I submit my thesis, I randomly remembered this video today, and was surprised to find that I haven't shared it on here before.

Behold the king of cover versions that is Brett Domino.

It's December

2010-12-01T08:34:00.000Z

Listening to: Radio 1

...which means it's officially OK to share the best Christmas song ever made.

Back when she was normal and awesome. Oh god how I loved her.

Chris Moyles played it on Radio 1 and I danced around my room like a right loony...15 minutes later, I'm still short of breath. And that's how it's done, boys and girls.

Move over, rick-rolling!

2010-11-28T23:36:00.003Z

Listening to: nothing

So in case you've been living under a rock for the past few days, the Ashes have begun. Now I know that a lot of non-English/Aussie cricket fans like to rubbish the series as being over-hyped and overrated, but I think there's something magical about the tradition, the history and the rivalry. And this time we've even got good cricket! Day 1 saw a hatrick for Siddle and a lower order batting collapse for England, Day 2 was pretty even (if I recall correctly), Day 3 saw a batting masterclass from Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin, much to England's chagrin...followed by a lower order collapse for Australia (which went pretty much unnoticed, for obvious reasons). And then when all hope was lost for England, Day 4 saw some brilliant batting against what must have been a rather mediocre Aussie bowling attack...I can't say for sure, 'cos I went to sleep when they stopped for lunch.

Which brings me closer to the point of this post (there is one, promise). I've found that music is pretty ineffective at keeping me awake during late night thesis-writing, but a potent mix of Test Match Special on BBC 5live Sports Extra and the #theashes hashtag on twitter is exactly what the doctor ordered. It's quite a bizarre feeling - in reality I'm sitting in my flat, all alone, listening to the commentary...but with the live twitter feed from people who are listening to the same commentary or watching on TV, it's like I'm in a room full of cricket fans, cheering, jeering and discussing every minute detail of the match. And considering the time difference, you know that everyone tweeting from the UK is a genuine cricket fan, which is always nice. It's all general camaraderie, lots of retweeting of funny quips (of which there are a lot) and friendly banter.

Ah yes, banter...the reason I started typing this post. Ladies and gentlemen, meet @theashes. She's some girl in the States...and possibly therefore completely clueless about the significance of her username, especially over these few weeks. What probably started out as a mistake (someone typing '@' instead of '#' when tagging the match in a tweet) has turned into a bit of a meme. I'm not sure how many followers she had before her account was 'discovered', but at the time of this post, she has 3,914. And I don't even want to try and count how many mentions she gets...every second. Of course she tweeted this early on in the hope we'd take a hint -

Yeah right...you can't fool us!

- wishful thinking, eh? ;-)

I hope she takes it in good spirit...it is just friendly banter after all. And if it gets too much (which I suspect it has already) she could just change her username. Although life would be a lot better for all her fans if she didn't ;-).

Anyway, 10mins before final day's play. I'm gonna go get settled into my thesis. Come on England!

You are my medicine

2010-11-21T12:35:00.000Z

Listening to: Radio 1

Quick mini post 'cos I'm in the middle of a productive day. I'll blog about the Gorillaz gig later, but for now, treat your ears to 3 minutes and 14 seconds of pure awesome.

When I'm down and I feel like giving up

2010-11-14T11:15:00.001Z

Listening to: Radio 1

There are two songs that I can't get enough of right now. And as per usual, they're completely different.

Whip My Hair - Willow Smith

OK let's forget the artist for a minute, and focus on the song. It is a CHOON! The hook is catchy as hell...and if the beat doesn't get you bouncing, I dunno what will. I can't embed her music video, so here's her performance on Ellen.

Now let's go back to the artist. She's ten, and the daughter of Will Smith a.k.a. the nicest, coolest guy in the universe. Child stars like her worry me a bit...I'm concerned that she might turn into the next LiLo/Britney/Demi Lovato etc. etc...but her parents seem pretty grounded, so hopefully that'll work in her favour. *fingers crossed*

Your Song - Ellie Goulding

When I heard Fearne Cotton mention that there was a cover of Elton John's 'Your Song', I died a little inside. It's one of my favourite songs and a cover that didn't show due respect would be a disaster in my books. Thankfully, Ellie Goulding doesn't disappoint. Obviously it helps that the track was produced by one of the guys from Mumford & Sons, but I think Ellie's voice really shines here. Her album is good, but sometimes the electronic production eclipses her unique tone, which is a shame. In this track, however, it's laid bare for all to appreciate. John Lewis have struck gold by making this the soundtrack to their Christmas TV ad, and although I think the iTunes release is a bit premature, I'm hoping this'll be a contender for xmas #1.

In other news, I've had 3 1/2hrs' sleep, I'm currently in the lab, and I'm off to London in the evening to see Gorillaz at the O₂! Oh the rockstar life I lead.

To-Do List

2010-11-10T13:20:00.000Z

Listening to: 'Like a G6' by Far East Movement [Free Wired]

Finish experiments before my collaborators go all juvenile (again) and say I can't use their lab any more
Write up so that my supervisor has enough time to read my thesis properly before I submit
Get a viva date before the degree committee meeting
Get a visa appointment before my student visa expires
Pass my viva (hahahahahahaha - I don't know why I find this so funny)
Get the confirmation letter before my visa appointment
Apply for my new visa before I get deported

And you wonder why I'm stressed.

Stressbuster!

2010-11-05T00:23:00.000Z

Listening to: 'The Heart Never Lies' by McFly [McFly: Greatest Hits]

I've been so stressed lately. Like a sumo wrestler is sitting on my shoulders. I've been trying to find quick fix stress relievers, but I haven't had much luck...until this evening. I was walking back from the lab (I left my bike at home today 'cos it was so windy) and listening to some music, when the following song came on. I pretty much sang along out loud and skipped all the way home. And now I'm feeling all energised. Not necessarily motivated, but I'll take what I can get :D

Anyway, here it is:

"There's nothing on Earth that can save us, when I fell in love with Uranus" :D

And since seeing them on the Chris Moyles Show Access All Areas Tour (which I'll blog about in more detail soon) yesterday, I am properly in love with McFly. Specifically Harry.

L-R: Tom, Dougie, Danny, Harry

Ladies (and gents), if you'd like to see more *ahem* revealing pics from their Attitude shoot, click here (they're totally NSFW, in case it wasn't obvious from the above pic). You're welcome.

Happy tears

2010-11-01T00:04:00.000Z

Listening to: Nothing

I dare you to watch this and not be smiling at the end (or crying, if you're as much of a stressed bunny as I am right now).

In retrospect

2010-10-28T00:19:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Me and You' by Nero [-]

I'm on a self-imposed TV ban at the moment...I have enough distractions from the thesis as it is, without feeling compelled to scream "bus wankers!" at no one in particular for a few hours after watching Inbetweeners. That said, I do allow myself exceptions...the MoBO Awards show was one, and the latest instalment of 'World's Strictest Parents' on BBC3 was another. I mean after RD told me that the priest at our meditation centre was in it, how could I not?!

The premise of the show, from what I could gather, is this: two wayward British teenagers are packed off to some far flung place for a week, where they will live with *drumroll please* the WORLD'S STRICTEST PARENTS *dun dun dunnn*. In Monday night's episode, a quintessential Essex girl and a posterchild of David Cameron's 'broken society' were sent to live with a family in Colombo. I enjoyed the show, partly 'cos the two chavs were hilarious and partly 'cos it made me long for home. And of course I got all excited seeing the priest on TV. And the doggy.

It also made me think about my own upbringing: were these parents really that strict? How strict were my parents in comparison? Would I have done anything differently?

I'm not sure if I can remember each and every issue that came up, but I'll list the ones I do recall.

No cellphones
The mother said that their children don't have cellphones. I can relate to that - I only got a phone when I came to university. It's not that I asked and my parents said no - there just wasn't a need for one. At my old school, none of us had phones. When I switched schools for A/Ls, suddenly loads of people had phones. I still didn't see the need for one though. I remember walking along the corridor once and I heard this girl in a lower Form telling her friend how her mother's a bitch 'cos she wouldn't let her have a phone...I was horrified! One, because what do you need a phone for at that age?! and two...well, see the next point.
No bad language
This is something that always disturbs me - children using bad language when talking to or about their parents. The two girls in the show...oh my word I wanted to slap them (or wash their mouths with soap #corporalpunishmentFTW). I dunno how that couple stayed so calm. If I had used that language in front of my parents, I would've been slapped silly. I've been slapped a fair bit, but never because of bad language - I just don't use bad language in front of my parents. Never have, never will. My parents know I use all sorts of words when I'm with my friends...but they know that I respect them enough not to let them hear it.
No smoking
Erm...that goes without saying, no?
No birthday presents
I guess that's unusual but then I didn't get birthday presents either. My parents worked on the principle that if I had been a good girl and they could afford what I was asking for, I'd get it regardless of the time of year. But seeing as I was being punished for most of the year, I didn't get much :P Which brings me to the next point...
No TV
Another supposedly extreme one. True, there was no TV ban in our house...except when I was being punished. When I was about 14/15, I had a nasty habit of talking back to my parents, especially my mother. My mother now assures me that it was normal teenage behaviour, but I'm still ashamed of it. Anyway, if I had been especially rude, my TV rights were the first to go. I was rude so often that I think I got used to not watching any TV at all! Then my radio started getting confiscated...that's when I calmed down and started to behave :P

So yeah, that's it. Were these parents strict? Yeah I guess so. Were they the world's strictest parents? Hell no...I had classmates whose parents were muuuuuch stricter than this. How about my parents? I'd say yes they were strict, but fair. Very fair. And looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Guiltless pleasure

2010-10-26T22:39:00.003+01:00

Listening to: 'Love You More' by JLS [BBC Children In Need]

In all honesty, if I could call anything a 'guilty pleasure', it'd be this song. I mean seriously, the lyrics are truly atrocious.

"...Day three was the same as day two..."

Really, Oritsé? Was that the best you could do? And I thought Craig David was bad *shakes head in disbelief*

But yeah, cheesy lines aside, JLS' newest offering is perfect. Soaring melody? Check. Beautiful vocals? Check. Marvin Humes a.k.a. Mr Sex-on-Legs? Mmm check. AAAND...it's the official single for this year's BBC Children In Need, so all proceeds are to charity! Everyone *awwww* in unison, please? Thank you.

Anyway, enough chatter from ol' sarcypants here. Here's the video. Don't you just love the return of the quintessential 90s boy band? The Wanted ain't got nothing on these guys.

And to all the haters, I shall give you a Cowell-esque reply:

Now excuse me while I return to my spot in front of the mirror. Clenched fists, outstretched arms and pointy fingers, here I come!

Sexy Rock/Pop/Punk

2010-10-23T08:16:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

OK so I may be a little late to the party, but I am LOVING this track by Sleigh Bells! As a group they're like a rougher Ting Tings, which isn't a bad thing by any means. As a song, I can hear elements of Cage the Elephant...also not a bad thing. I think what does it for me is the heavy beat. The beat is similar to the dubstep bass in that slow, pulsating way that makes your head bob up and down of its own accord.

Anyway here it is - 'Infinity Guitars' by Sleigh Bells. Enjoy!

Tightening the belt

2010-10-20T19:54:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Leaving Blues' by Bombay Bicycle Club [Flaws]

So today, I sat down at my PC in the office and watched the Chancellor George Osborne outline the proposed budget cuts in the government's Spending Review...while eating my home-made ham, cheese and mustard sandwiches. Yup, gone are the days of popping over to Boots for a lunchtime Meal Deal (sandwiches, drink and chocolate for £2.99, for the uninitiated)...Cambridge City Council has decided that since I've passed the four-year mark of my current degree, it's time for me to start paying Council Tax. As a result, my expenses have increased overnight by £96 per month. Now the easy thing to do would be to ask my parents to increase my allowance...but I decided that wouldn't be fair. They didn't budget for me to be in my fifth (?!) year of a PhD...I was supposed to be fully employed by now. So I'm cutting down. The first thing to go was internet on my phone...it's not like I used it much anyway. And I started using the Dialog website to send free SMS to SL. Next up was lunch...it's actually quite nice to have fresh sandwiches, although I've decided I hate Hovis with a passion. I could make better bread, and I don't even know how to make bread! I'm yet to see exactly how much I'll save, but it should be a substantial amount. I'm also cutting down on socialising in a big way. No meeting up for coffee (unless it's with someone who's working and therefore likely to buy my coffee out of sympathy ;-) ) and no going out to dinner. To be fair, I don't have time anyway. Finally, and possibly most obviously, no shopping. So the £50 black boots (well, £40 with student discount) that I've been eyeing at Dorothy Perkins will have to wait, as will the amazing debut album by the XX and the Season 1 DVD of Glee (which I had planned as a post-PhD treat). Things will change after submission, when I find myself a part-time job somewhere, but for now, this is it.

But like I said at the beginning, I'm not the only one cutting down. The Coalition is aiming to save £84bn with these budget cuts/freezes, and a lot of people are unhappy. I am, perhaps surprisingly, less unhappy than I thought I'd be. The pre-Review rumour mill speculated that funding for science would be cut by 25%. That's over a billion pounds less than what we're getting at the moment, and what we're getting right now is definitely not enough. Scientists and engineers around the UK decided to fight for the future of research in this country, and around 36,000 signed the Science is Vital petition. There was also a protest. Now I generally don't agree with protests 'cos I think they're a lot of fart and no shit, but I think in this case, the protest was complemented by enough constructive action to make it worthwhile. I dunno if it was the petition, the protest, or the support from Britain's eminent scientists...but Whitehall listened. Instead of a 25% cut, the science funding budget has been frozen. Of course this means there'll be about a 10% reduction in spending because of inflation, efficiency savings etc., but compared to what we were faced with, this is good news. I'm not opposed to all cuts, 'cos I think something has to be done about the deficit, but this seems like a fair decision. And we all know how much the Coalition likes the word 'fair'.

Marry me Strickland...again!

2010-10-17T23:26:00.001+01:00

Listening to: 'This Love (Will Be Your Downfall)' by Ellie Goulding [Lights]

You may recall that I've proposed to Mr Banks before. You may also recall that I got myself a ticket to his gig at the Cambridge Corn Exchange a while back. When I booked the ticket, I thought that by now I'd be living in London with some new letters at the end of my name, searching for jobs. I'm still here, though, rocking the 'PseudoRandom is an epic fail' vibe...so all I had to do was walk around the back of my department to the concert venue.

After some initial hassle with seetickets (seriously, Ticketmaster is so much better), I made my way into the hall. I'll admit it was a bit weird...not because I was alone or 'cos I had literally just walked out of my lab...but 'cos I'd only been to the Corn Exchange twice before, and one of those visits was for the university-wide Health and Safety briefing *groan*. Can someone say 'major buzz kill'?

But back to the gig. The support act was Clare Maguire. I'd heard her single Ain't Nobody (check out the amazing Breakage remix too), so I was looking forward to her set. I have to say her other songs weren't as memorable (maybe I need a few more listens) but OH MY GOD her voice. So powerful, so rich, so...oh I dunno. It just grabbed my insides and didn't let go until the end of each song. And I could definitely sense that she was channelling Florence with the flowing dress and the wavy hands, which is definitely not a bad thing (although I'm not sure what the writhing on the floor bit was about).

Clare Maguire and her cape-y dress

Anyhoo, her set finished at around 8.30 and then by about 10 past 9, the lights went back down. Everyone thought it would be Plan B himself, but it wasn't. Instead, it was the absolutely fabulous FaithSFX. WOW. Anyone who can beatbox tracks by Chris Brown, Lil' Wayne and Tinie Tempah, and then freestyle with helicopter and explosion noises and Arnie impersonations gets my vote. He kept the crowd entertained for a good few minutes, and then introduced Plan B and the band.

FaithSFX beatboxing his way to my heart

The brilliant band

Now the problem with this 'review' is that I've only just got to the main act, and I've already run out of superlatives. I shall have to resort to OMGWTFBBQ...'cos there really isn't any other way to express how 'out of this world' Plan B's set was. 10 out of the 13 album tracks, including a reggae version of Prayin'; an unreleased track; a revamped version one of the more popular tracks from his first album, Charmaine; a complete reworking of Paolo Nutini's Coming Up Easy...and a phenomenal soul medley with stuff like Tracks of My Tears, My Girl and Stand By Me. It doesn't stop there though, 'cos half way through Stand By Me, FaithSFX came back on stage and the set went into dubstep mode. I had never heard Stand By Me or Ain't No Sunshine done in a dubstep style, but now I wanna hear them again. The soul medley was followed by a dubstep remix of Seal's Kiss From a Rose, and then Eminem's Forgot About Dre. As predicted, he finished with Stay Too Long...and while the crowd was moshing away in the pit, Plan B and FaithSFX were having their own moshing session on stage...while still performing, mind you! The atmosphere was incredible.

*hubba hubba*

So yes, I have now fallen even more in love with Plan B, if that was at all possible. As I announced on twitter soon afterwards, that was officially the best gig I have ever been to. And to top it all off, Plan B retweeted me! Oh don't look at me like that...how many famous people have retweeted your tweets, eh? :P

FCKH8!!!

2010-10-11T08:29:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

I LOVE this. Spread the love, not the hate, yo.

Taken from the youtube channel of fckh8.com. The work-safe version is here.

I found a love electric

2010-10-05T20:02:00.001+01:00

Listening to: 'Stylo (Labrinth SNES Remix)' by Gorillaz ft. Bobby Womack, Mos Def and Tinie Tempah [On Melancholy Hill]

I happened to visit last.fm today, and I noticed my 'top artists' list for the past twelve months. I figured I'd share it here.

Cool huh? What caught me by surprise is that despite only getting the album yesterday, Tinie Tempah's already #10...shows you how much I've been listening to Pass Out since it came out in March! The album is amazing, BTW. Heavy beats, catchy melodic choruses and oh so quotable rhymes...what more could you want?

Somewhat related, you should totally check out the SNES remix of Gorillaz' Stylo, done by Labrinth (and featuring Tinie Tempah). It is HEAVY.

In other news, I still haven't got my Plan B tix. The gig's next week! WTF Seetickets...sort it out.

Aaanyway, back to work.

Put your hands up in the air!

2010-10-02T13:26:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

Continuing with my Tinie Tempah obsession, and adding that to my love for repetitive beats...I give you Miami 2 Ibiza - I dare you to resist hitting the 'Replay' button (unless of course you don't like Electro House, in which case...*meh*)

Warning: NSFW

And I thought they couldn't beat One.

Sick to my stomach

2010-09-30T21:38:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Wonderful Life' by Kylie Minogue [Radio 1 Live Lounge ('Hurts' cover)]

"A New Jersey college student has leapt to his death a day after authorities said two students secretly filmed him having sex with a man and broadcast it over the internet."
BBC News

I'm disgusted. I mean so disgusted that my stomach feels tight. I'm not sure which bit I find more distressing: the fact that there are creatures vile enough to such a thing, the fact that there was no one who could convince the poor kid that it would eventually be ok, or the fact that I have a feeling this wouldn't have happened if he was straight.

I mean what kind of sick fuck live-streams his room-mate's private life? Voyeurism is one thing, but this is a whole different level. I feel violated just thinking about it. And then I just think about the guy. The media is focusing on the fact that he was gay but seriously, that's irrelevant. It doesn't matter if you're gay or straight or anything in between or beyond, no one would want intimate details of their lives broadcast on the internet without their consent. It was a betrayal of trust, an invasion of privacy and a violation of common decency. He was only 18 for goodness' sake...we have enough internal struggles as it is at that age, without having to worry about all this. I can't even begin to imagine how he must've felt.

And then there's the matter of his sexuality. This only matters to me because, like I said, I don't know if it would've happened had he been having sex with a girl. Which is awful, because it illustrates society's attitude towards non-heterosexuals. Legislation may have changed to provide equal opportunities to non-heterosexuals (unless of course you're in the US military, in which case you're considered a liability...WTF), but the mindset of the people is still pretty homophobic. It has reinforced my opinion about all social issues - legislation can only do so much, and change will only come when the people desire it (which is not yet, by the looks of it).

The hardest thing for me, personally, will be to wish the perpetrators well. Loving kindness and compassion, even for the most despicable among us - that is what is required of me. Hard as it might be, that's what I'll try to do.

RIP Tyler Clementi.

Hand over your money, your phone and your Pokémon cards

2010-09-27T23:22:00.001+01:00

Listening to: 'Written in the Stars' by Tinie Tempah ft. Eric Turner [Disc-Overy]

Nah, the title isn't relevant...I was just listening to Plan B's 'Kidz' on the way home.

I cleaned my keyboard. Not just a wipe down like normal...a proper 'unscrew the back and take all the keys out' job. Oh. My. God. I have never seen so much dirt. Ewwwwwwwww. Exactly how many eyelashes am I supposed to have?

Anyway it's clean now. Smells quite lemony too. Some of the keys are a bit stiff - only the ones with springs though...maybe I put the springs back the wrong way or something. I might investigate before going to bed tonight. The spacebar is definitely dodgy.

In other news, I think I'm just a little bit in love with Tinie Tempah. He's sooooo nice! And his speaking voice *swoon*. And his body *drool*. And he likes Michael Bublé...have you ever heard of a rapper admitting that they like the Bublé? So cool. I love the new video. I know he's just jumping around on a rooftop, but still... #suchasuckerfortheswaggeryo. If only he'd lift his trousers up a bit and get rid of that earring, he'd be perfect.

Oh oh oh and remember the fit drummer of Bombay Bicycle Club that I was going on about? Turns out my mother did ballet with his aunt or something. I don't care that it was almost half a century ago, I'm using that as my claim to fame. You heard it here first.

OK I should get back to work. When will this ennnnnnnnnd?! *sigh*

Paris photo post

2010-09-27T01:10:00.001+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

I need to go to sleep now but I thought I'd get the trip photos out of the way first. For those of you that I don't know personally, here you go...

If the slideshow's playing up, the Fluidr set is here

Highlights of the trip?

Day 1 - seeing Marie and Pierre Curie's tombstones at the Panthéon; feeling my knees go weak as I entered Notre Dame; almost being squashed to death on the Metro; seeing the Sacré Coeur; walking around Monmartre
Day 2 - being pleasantly overwhelmed by the Louvre (I say pleasantly 'cos I was overwhelmed by the Met in NYC as well, but not in a good way); being predictably underwhelmed by the Mona Lisa; feeling chuffed that I managed to climb up the Notre Dame towers without my heart going into overdrive
Day 3 - The Eiffel Tower...everything about her is pure heaven for an engineer; feeling almost sickened by the grotesque opulence of the Palace of Versailles; getting rained on at Versailles; eating escargot
Day 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 - lots and lots of mother-daughter and father-daughter bonding time :-)

And there we have it. Sorry I don't have time to write a full account - hopefully the pictures will speak for me.

Post-PhD To-Do List

2010-09-24T21:21:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Let The Sun Shine' by Labrinth [-]

Yes I've already begun. So far, I have...

Buy the Glee: Season 1 DVD
Get a TV (and a TV License)
Watch Glee: Season 2 (it starts in the UK in Jan)
Learn to drive
Learn to play guitar

Oh and there's also that other one...

Get a job

:-|

In the meantime, I shall get on with my thesis while listening to this awesome choon. Hate Simon Cowell all you want, but I for one am thankful that he signed Labrinth on as not just a producer.

Bonjour, mes amis!

2010-09-17T01:18:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Tomorrow Never Dies' by Sheryl Crow [OST - Tomorrow Never Dies]

No, I haven't suddenly become a francophile...but yes, I have returned to the UK. I had a wonderful trip. Paris was ace, and catching up with the parents in Geneva was bliss. I wish it could've been at least a week longer, but no such luck.

As expected, I went a bit apeshit with the camera...the photo count currently stands at 817. It's gonna take a while to sift through them all, especially considering I've got 3 months left until my actual final no-more-faffing-about thesis deadline. So far I've just done all the Project 365 pics from the week, so I'm up to date on that stuff. The rest will have to wait.

Anyway, I'm off to bed now. Will blog about the trip soon, maybe this weekend. Till then, au revoir!

The greatest of the greatest

2010-09-04T12:33:00.001+01:00

Listening to: 'All About You' by McFly [Greatest Hits]

I went on the Amazon website 'cos I needed to download some music for my father...and I saw that they were selling a bunch of 'greatest hits' albums for £3. I am now the proud owner of...

and...

also...

and not forgetting...

Cheesetastic, baby!

Oh and to counteract the cheese, I also got the greatest hits albums by Stereophonics, Texas and Aerosmith. Now excuse me while I go shimmy around the room to McFly.

Bullet points

2010-09-01T23:44:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Evening/Morning' by Bombay Bicycle Club [I Had the Blues but I Shook Them Loose]

I'm not in the mood to blog. Too stressed. But there's stuff that needs to come out, so I'm gonna be the stereotypical engineer and blog in point form.

I'm 17.3% through my Project 365. That's two 31-day months and one day, for those of you who are not mathematically inclined. Some of the photos are good, some of them are awesome, and some are just plain pigeon shit. But they're all up there. If you haven't seen them yet, what are you waiting for? Go go go!

I bought two albums recently - Who Needs Actions When You Got Words by Plan B, and the one I've got on now - I Had the Blues but I Shook Them Loose by Bombay Bicycle Club. They're both awesome. The former is scary and satirical at the same time. He's like a less glamorous, less messed up Eminem. You listen to this, and then Defamation of Strickland Banks...they could be by two different people.
As for the BBC album...it's lovely. It just makes me want to jump around. I think if I had to describe the boys in 3, 4 and 5 words, it'd go something like this:
- 3: quirky Brit indie
- 4: Vampire Weekend meets Editors
- 5: ohemgee Suren is so fit.
So yeah. Their new album 'Flaws' is on my wish list already...I am loving Rinse Me Down.

I had my first lab accident today. Which is pretty good going, considering I've been doing lab work for almost 4 yrs. I was wearing the appropriate PPE, and I'd closed the fume cupboard...else there might've been trouble. And I'm pleased to report that safety training does work! I didn't panic, I just did what had to be done. I'm quite proud of myself. People give me grief for being a goody-two-shoes and stuff, but whatever man. If not for my 'sticking to the rules', I might be in hospital now, or worse.

Hmm...I think that's it for now. Incredibly sleepy. Will try and squeeze in another post before Paris.

Nuu moosiks!

2010-08-23T09:35:00.001+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

So I was in a right mood yesterday...I think I've underestimated how stressed I am, and my brain has just lost the ability to cope. Sigh. Anyway, I was wheeling my bike through town feeling properly awful, when I heard some buskers - a band called Arabella. Their music made me stop and rest my bike against a lamp post and listen...and I felt a wave of calm wash over me. Yeah I know that sounds clichéd, but it's true.

Anyway, I managed to find them online, and in particular, the song they were playing when I heard them. Being the lovely soul that I am *cough*, I've already bombarded all my twitter followers with the link, and I shall now do the same for you. Enjoy!

If you like this, there's more on their website.

My life is a comedy of errors

2010-08-15T23:51:00.002+01:00

Listening to: 'Katy on a Mission' by Katy B [-]

Yeah I've been MIA. Not really in the mood for blogging...each post that comes to mind just feels like too much of an effort to construct. So apologies in advance if this post makes no sense.

Anyway...I've started the procedure to defer my thesis submission. I felt my stomach do somersaults when I clicked on the request page...I felt like a big fat fail whale. I mean four years on this bloody thing and I'm still not done?! WTF. Anyway, the sup doesn't seem too bothered about it, so I guess it's not all bad news. The fact that I have to finish before my visa runs out at the end of Jan, however, is another matter. Nose to the grindstone, pedal to the metal, and so on so forth.

Which is all well and good, except for the fact that I'm taking a week off next month to go travelling. No it's not entirely my decision, and no the timing couldn't have been worse, but let me explain. The parental unit is visiting Switzerland next month, on work. It's far too expensive for them to add a stopover here, and to be fair it's not worth the hassle. So I'm going there. So far so good. Except that Switzerland only bloody went and joined the Schengen zone two years back! So I need a visa. Now if you've been following this blog since before the dawn of time, you'll remember that I've been to Geneva before, when there was no visa requirement. £75 for a visa to a place that I've been before? Not cool. But wait...with a Schengen visa, I have free passage through all Schengen states...which means I can go to Geneva via...(wait for it)...PARIS!!! So oui, mes amis, I will be off to Paris in a few weeks' time - 3 nights there, and then on to Geneva for 4 nights with my mummy and daddy. My mother has major plans that involve us working on my CV. Oh dear.

I'm quite excited about exploring Paris on my own. No I don't speak a word of (useful) French, apart from "Parlez-vous Anglais?"...but I've been assured that the locals are a lot more accommodating of us ignoramuses than they used to be. Three whole days isn't a lot, but hopefully it should be enough to cover the basics - Eiffel Tower, Sacré Coeur, Notre Dame etc. I should probably get a guide book or something. And I should probably also tell the sup. Hmm.

So...what else? Oh my mobile contract's up so I'm thinking of going in for a new phone...all the normal nokias seem inferior to my wonderful 6300, so I think I might go for the 5230. The ovi maps will come in handy in Paris! My computer's being a dramaqueen. Keeps messing up some updates. I need to sort it out soon...but not before I backup everything thesis-related. Stupid technology.

Oh and I've developed a love for dubstep. I used to hate dubstep...it was too slow, too hypnotic. I much preferred the fast-paced intensity of dnb. But now dubstep is my friend. Well a few songs at least - notably 'I Need Air' by Magnetic Man, 'Rescue Me' by Skepta and the song I'm listening to now (on repeat) - 'Katy on a Mission' by Katy B. Check 'em out.

And I think that's it. All that's left is for me to go get another slice of cheesecake (as featured here in my Project 365) and get back to my 'Materials and Methods' chapter. Yawn.

The Aberdeen Chronicles pt.3

2010-08-04T22:17:00.001+01:00

Listening to: 'Crossfire' by Brandon Flowers [Flamingo]

You might wanna check out Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 first.

So I'm back in Cambridge, and have been for about a week and a half now. I was so knackered on the Monday after the trip. I was in the office and just staring into space...I was afraid to go into the lab in case I broke something. Hardly surprising, I guess, considering the round trip was about 900 miles.

There were a few amusing incidents that didn't make it into the last two posts. The first one was on Friday itself, during my jaunt around the city. I had just finished dinner at a quaint restaurant on the promenade, and I decided to take an alternative route back into the town centre, rather than just retracing my steps. With my by-now-somewhat-faded Google Maps print out in hand, I head off in my chosen direction...only to find that I had wandered into an area that wasn't on my map - the dockyard. It was about 9 o'clock and getting a bit dark, and there I was on a lonely street consisting of warehouses, warehouses, and more warehouses. Joy. I was contemplating whether to forge ahead (potentially stupid) or head back to the restaurant and retrace my steps back into town (definitely boring), when I saw a forklift truck moving in a nearby yard. I wandered over to the entrance to the yard (I didn't want to trespass) and put my most innocent smile on and waited to catch the driver's eye. I think I must've found the nicest forklift truck driver in the whole world - not only did he acknowledge that I was standing there, but he stopped his truck, got out and came round to where I was, to ask how he could help. Oh and did I mention that he was adorable?! He had the most amazing smile on the planet, and the softest eyes...I melted then and there! Anyway, turns out I wasn't lost...and had I forged ahead as planned, I would've ended up exactly where I wanted to. But hey...at least this way, I got to see some eye candy. Such a beautiful man *sigh*.

Unfortunately that was my only encounter with dashingly handsome men. The amusing incidents, however, just kept coming. The next one was on Saturday, at the wedding. It was about 11pm and the reception was in full swing, and I was chatting with the bride's 17yr old brother about his potential university choices. He was asking me about my work, and then the following conversation ensued:

Him: It must be difficult being a similar age to your supervisees
Me: Hehe it used to be, but there's quite a few years between us now
Him: Wait, how old are you?
Me: I'm your sister's age, why?
Him: WHAT?! I thought you were just a few years older than I!

*Sigh*. A 17yr old thought I was just a few years older than him. I dunno if that's a compliment or an insult. At first, Shorty said it was a good thing, 'cos it meant I had a better chance of getting a toyboy...but then we realised that the whole point of a toyboy is that the age difference is obvious...so this 'looking young' business doesn't work. I think I've decided that it's a tragedy of epic proportions.

Sadly, the final anecdote from the trip is also a tragedy of epic proportions. Partly my fault this time, but still. It was Sunday night and we had just got into Stevenage. I was standing on the platform waiting for the train to Cambridge, when I noticed that there were some people next to me looking very confused about the trains. There were three of them - an American couple and an Indian man. So, being the helpful soul (read: glutton for punishment) that I am, I asked them if they needed any help. Turns out they did, so I explained how the departure boards on the platform worked, and then just as I was about to get back to my music, the Indian man started to make smalltalk. I was tired and bored so I thought 'ok whatever' and I chatted with the group until the train arrived. It was packed. I was looking into the carriages for any free seats and I saw some wonderful eye candy, so I thought I'd try and get a seat in his carriage. Turns out my new travel buddies had picked the same one...and as luck would have it, I got a seat across from the Indian man (I could still see my eye candy, so I was happy). I stuck my earphones in and took my thesis chapter out of my bag and proceeded to read. Suddenly I realised that the Indian man was talking to me. So, to be polite, I took one earphone out and answered his question, and then quickly went back to my music and thesis. But noooo, he was in a mood to tell me his father's life story. I mean WTF? I'm wearing my earphones. I'm reading. That's supposed to be a signal that I'm not in the mood for conversation. Why do you keep talking to me, old man? Stop iiiiit. AAAAAARGH! I practically jumped off the train when it pulled into Cambridge station and ran for a taxi. Creepy Asian men...ugh. And my eye candy didn't make eye contact even once. What a waste of energy.

So yeah, those were my random highlights from the trip. Oh apart from the time I overheard some guy introducing himself to the girl next to him, and then proceeding to introduce her to the dot product. I was laughing so hard I had to call Shorty for distraction. I couldn't even contain my laughter long enough to figure out if his explanation was right...d'oh! But seriously...who in their right mind thinks that explaining vector calculus is the way to a girl's heart/pants? El stupido.

OK I think that really is a full account of my trip. Turns out I had underestimated my photographic skills (either that or I'd overestimated my standards), and there were not 10, but 28 photos from the weekend that made it onto flickr. I've put them all in a slideshow in case you're interested.

It was a good weekend and in the end I'm glad I went, despite the insane cost. I really need to get some work done though. But maybe after I go to London this weekend to see Inception at the IMAX. D'oh!

Well, um, I wouldn't say no...Part er...

2010-07-31T00:47:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Clair de Lune' by Philadelphia Orchestra [OST - Ocean's Eleven]

...three. Yes, I'm still going (here's one and two, in case you missed them).

"I bothered to listen at school; why didn’t the rest of you?"

David Mitchell is not my idea of good looking. Also, he's

David Mitchell (L) with his comedy partner
Robert Webb

snobbish, pedantic, and he whinges. A lot. But oh my, he's bloody hilarious. And I don't mean just on Peep Show, That Mitchell and Webb Look, or any of the other shows he's on. Even his interviews are hilarious (not sure if that's visible outside the UK - soz!). There's just something about him that makes me happy. Maybe it's that pathetic smile. Can I become a groupie? Do comedians even have groupies? I dunno. Anyway, yeah. ♥ David Mitchell. Maybe it's 'cos he's from Cambridge? Hmm.

"I came here to drink milk and kick ass…and I’ve just finished my milk."

Richard Ayoade. Well, specifically his character

L-R: Moss, Jen and Roy are The IT Crowd

Moss in The IT Crowd. How adorable is Moss?! I'm watching Series 4 at the moment (really really good so far) and I just grin like a jackass every time Moss is on screen. He's just so...so...awkward. And loveable. Aww. Maybe it's 'cos he's from Cambridge? Hmm.

"If we don't get served, I will be humiliated in front of the girl I've lusted after since she was eight."

Aww...sweet, pathetic Simon Cooper, off of

Simon in Series 1

The Inbetweeners, played by Joe Thomas. I ♥ Simon. So yes he's obsessed with that useless Carli, and yes he did puke all over her little brother, but he's so unbelievably nice to Will. Even when Will's being a complete 'briefcase wanker'. And he's so cute! In an 'I-have-way-too-much-gel-in-my-hair teenager' kinda way. He makes me laugh so much. Maybe it's 'cos he's from Cambridge? Hmm.

Actually, no. Cambridge has nothing to do with it (although I am very chuffed that I have some distant connection to these guys). It's just a coincidence that all three are alumni (the first two are past-presidents) of Cambridge Footlights, that well-known hit factory. If you think you don't know any other Footlights alumni...do the names Douglas Adams, Emma Thompson, Sacha Baron Cohen, Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry ring any bells?

Anyway, this wasn't supposed to be a totally Cambridge-related post. I've recently (as of a few days ago) developed an obsession with yet another TV character. You know how I said the BBC worked some kind of magic with Mr Darcy and Mr Knightley, and somehow turned decidedly average men into absolute sexpots? Yeah well they've done it again.

"Because you're an idiot. No no no don't be like that, practically everyone is."

No I don't think he's good looking. But in his role as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC's absolutely brilliant Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch is pushing a lot of my buttons. Here's the trailer.

He's just so interesting. The arrogance with patches of concern, the extreme intelligence, the voice, the way his shirt fits just perfectly...I can totally relate to Molly Hooper. *sigh*

I've seen him in other movies (most recently, the equally brilliant BBC adaptation of Small Island) and there was nothing. And I enjoyed Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes, but I didn't fancy Sherlock in that (despite how adorable RDJr is). So I dunno what it is. But who cares, I've got another two episodes (why only two?!) of this series, so I'm just gonna sit and enjoy ~~him~~ it.

Oh and is 'Benedict Cumberbatch' the most awesome name ever or what?!

The Aberdeen Chronicles pt.2

2010-07-26T23:10:00.000+01:00

I wrote this in my notebook on Sunday...(continued from here)

Listening to: 'Mardy Bum' by Arctic Monkeys [Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not]

1.50pm. I'm sitting on the train - the 13:50 East Coast rail service from Aberdeen to London King's Cross. I'll be reaching Stevenage at 20:53 (assuming there are no delays) and then on to Cambridge - I should be home by about 10pm.

I wanted to write another update from Aberdeen, but frankly I was having too much fun. I've had a wonderful weekend, full of exploration and matrimonial joy (not mine)...oh and babies (also not mine). Between the time I left Cambridge on Friday morning and the time I went to sleep last night, I'd taken 275 photos. They'll probably be whittled down to about 10 that are worth flickring, but still, it's been an excellent trip.

My verdict on Aberdeen can be summed up in three words:

grey
fishy
seagully (yes, I know it's not a real word)

Oh and one more word:

4. omgtherearesomanygoodlookingmenhere!!! (what?! that's not a word either? bollocks)

I did a lot of walking around on Friday - about 5 hrs in total. My 'room' at the SYHA hostel was in fact a dorm with two bunk beds, and when I got to my room, the top two bunks were already occupied. I attempted to make small talk but my roomies were a tad unresponsive - they were pleasant enough I suppose, but the subtle-but-not-so-subtle-really rolling of the eyes when I told them I was from Cambridge was a bit of a giveaway. I txtd Shorty and we had a little laugh about it, and then I went to sleep.

Saturday was also fun but tiring, albeit in a completely different way. I hurriedly straightened my hair and painted my nails (which looked disastrous, but *meh*) and found my way to my friend's place. I got dressed while he went off to buy a new shirt (easier than ironing the ones he had, apparently) and once I was dolled up and ready, we made the 45 min taxi journey up to Crathes Castle for the wedding ceremony.

I love Sri Lankan weddings (except when I get pimped to all and sundry) but I must say, British weddings are growing on me. There were less than 50 people at the ceremony, which was in a quaint garden at the castle. The ceremony itself was simple and intimate, and the couple looked relaxed and happy. We spent a few hours at the castle - most of the guests sipping champagne, and me broodily gazing at one of the bride's colleague's one year-old baby.

After the couple had been sufficiently papped, we moved on to a nearby hotel for the 'wedding breakfast' and reception. The food was exquisite. The atmosphere, once again, was relaxed and happy. There was a quiz about the couple and their favourite songs, places etc...our table annihilated the competition and won some yummy chocolates for our troubles - I really think 'pub quiz person' is my new calling.

The reception was a good laugh. About 50 more people turned up, and there was a lot of merry making at the bar (or chatting/gurgling with the bridesmaid's 8 week-old baby, if you were me). The band was excellent - I've never seen a band that can perform Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Clash, Bryan Adams and a host of Scottish ceilidh dances with such ease and perfection...and I've never seen a man (the lead singer/keyboardist/accordian player) looking so incredibly sexy in a kilt! I watched the ceilidhs from afar, partly because I didn't want to lose my footing on the slippery floor, and partly 'cos I was worried about any possible wardrobe malfunctions. You'll be pleased to know there were no accidents.

So yeah, that was my weekend. Photos will follow. I'm not sure where I am at the moment, but I know we're somewhere between Dundee and Edinburgh - 1 1/2 hrs gone, 6 1/2 to go!

To be continued...

The Aberdeen Chronicles

2010-07-26T01:09:00.002+01:00

I wrote this in my notebook on Friday...

Listening to: 'Like the Sea' by Alicia Keys [The Element of Freedom]

10.05am. 3 1/2 hrs done, 4 1/2 to go. I'm on the train, somewhere between York and Darlington. A few things are running through my mind:

I love train travel in the UK. Especially when I have a window seat that's facing the back of the train. I dunno, there's something about relative motion that excites me.
Man did I choose some awesome music for this weekend! So far I've had Arctic Monkeys, Gorillaz, John Mayer, Alicia Keys and Florence. And Tinie Tempah. And I know there's some Plan B and Girls Aloud on the way at some point.
Wow this train is packed. It's the East Coast service from London to Edinburgh, and I can't see a single non-reserved seat in this coach.
I really need the loo, but the middle-aged gentleman next to me is busy checking facebook on his laptop and I don't wanna disturb him.

Hmm.

I've spent the past 3 hrs or so talking to Shorty, reading some journal articles (yes, I brought work) and playing with my camera. Oh and people watching (the lady in front of me is wearing gorgeous nail polish - I WANT!).

The 'almost-exact' route
(colour change = train change)

It's a beautiful day outside the train - blue skies with plenty of white fluffy clouds, and plenty of sunshine. I hope it's the same in Aberdeen, though I doubt it. Yes, that's where I'm headed. A batchmate from my undergrad days is getting married tomorrow, so I'm using the weekend to explore Aberdeen. It's the first solo touristy jaunt I'm doing since NYC, so I'm quite excited. There's something liberating about travelling and exploring alone.

OK I'm gonna stop now...another update from Aberdeen, perhaps. But what's this? miniha nidi ne! (the man's asleep!) How am I supposed to go to the loo now? Haiyo!

To be continued...

Why can't my body just behave?!

2010-07-14T23:30:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Squealing Pigs' by Admiral Fallow [Boots Met My Face]

Blood tests and ECG tomorrow. I'm not worried...needles don't really bother me. And the ECG...well it's been about 15 years since I last had an ECG, and all I can remember is stickiness. Or was that an Echo? Meh. I'm rather desensitised to these medical thingies anyway. I just hope the tests are conclusive. In a weird way, I'd rather be told that there's something (minor, and treatable) wrong with me, than be told that I just have to 'live with it'. It's not that I have some unrealistic expectation of the scope of modern medicine, or a repressed death wish...but I'm fed up of inexplicable phenomena...I have enough of that in my own research, dammit!

And let's face it, I haven't really been doing a good job of 'living with it' so far. I can wear three pairs of socks and my feet will still be (literally) icy cold in winter...and I can wave them in front of a fan and sprinkle water on them and they'll still be red hot and swollen during summer. I can wear two pairs of thermal gloves and my fingertips will still go blue and hurt like hell in winter. And I can sit peacefully and sip water and do nothing else all day and I can still get palpitations. Hello, I'm 27...I'm not supposed to be getting 'old people' ailments. Gah.

Anyway, time for bed. I won't see my Dr till next week to discuss the results, and unlike in SL, the nurse is unlikely to let me bring the reports home...so I'll just have to continue 'living with it' (or not) until then. Ugh.

P.S. For the initiated amongst you, yes I am a suspected Reynaud's case, but my Dr said there's no point doing all the tests 'cos the 'treatment' is just treatment of the symptoms. Joy.

I ♥ Admiral Fallow!

2010-07-14T00:11:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Taste the Coast' by Admiral Fallow [Boots Met My Face]

I heard these guys on the radio during the T in the Park coverage, and today on the insanely cool Fearne Cotton's mid-morning show. I am in love with these songs!

I know I've been rubbish at regular blogging...will try and find something to blog about soon.

Well, um, I wouldn't say no...Part DEUX!!!

2010-07-05T23:59:00.002+01:00

Listening to: 'Dangerous Animals' by Arctic Monkeys [Humbug]

Ha! And you thought I was done with my list of weird celeb crushes. Hell no. Let's pay another visit to the somewhat disturbed mind of your favourite evil babushka.

The 'Special' One

Liking the pensive look, José!

Yes I know he talks nonsense and I know he's old but...oh I dunno. What I do know is that he looks damn good in a suit. And I'm seeing shades of Jude Law. Maybe that's it.

Coach of the year

From manager to coach. Except this one's not really a coach. In fact, he's not even real. But the actor who plays him? Definitely real. There's something about James Corden that's just so...cuddly.

I'm not usually into 'cuddly' guys, but I see James Corden and I just go 'awwwwww'. Though not when watching the BBC Sports Personality of the Year sketch he did for Sport Relief. Then I was properly ROFLing. You need to check it out. It features a lot of my more conventional crushes - Jenson Button, David Beckham, Freddie Flintoff, *ahem* Gary Lineker and Tom Daley...

But yeah, a cuddly man who's hilarious...who can resist?

If you believe, you can achieve...innit?

Next up is one of James Corden's buddies. No, not his comedy partner Matt Horne, but the collaborator on his #1 hit single, Shout. Yup that's right, Mr Dizzee Rascal himself. I wasn't a 'fan' as such initially, though I thought Old Skool, Flex and Fix Up, Look Sharp were pretty cool. And then Obama became president. And Paxman decided to interview the 'coolest' black person he could find in Britain. And since then, I've been chanting "Dizzee for Prime Minister!" with the rest of them.

I don't really find him that good looking, but he exudes this fun-loving positive energy that just makes me feel good when I see him. And in case it wasn't obvious before, I am a sucker for boyish charm.

I'm Pro, I'm no intermediate!

And now, one of Dizzee's contemporaries. I'm really really not into tattoos, let alone tattoos on a person's neck...but I seem to be able to ignore them in this case. Again, he's not that good looking. And again, I have no idea why I fancy him, but I do. I'm currently loving this remake he and Lily Allen have done of Beats Internationals' Dub Be Good To Me. Lily Allen's a bit trashy, but she looks pretty with make up on, and I love her short hair in this video! And the scenes of them together...maybe it's the perfect height difference or the lighting or something, but I'm sensing some serious chemistry.

Random thought: he probably has the best dentist in the world. I mean check out this video...maaajor dental work alert!. I probably wouldn't have fancied him had I see him like this first. Good song though. Perfect reworking of Brahms' Hungarian Dance #5, and nice use of the meter from Forgot About Dre.

Alright, Treacle?

Ah...the love of my life, Scott Mills. Scott presents the drive time show on Radio 1, and to be honest, if it wasn't for Radio 1, I probably wouldn't have got so attached to any of these celebrities in the first place. But I digress. Scott's voice and his on-air personality are simply adorable (as is his face), and I find myself using his catchphrases in everyday life. I am obsessed. Which would be fine, except for the fact that crushing on a gay guy is a bit of a waste of time, no? *sigh*

So there we have it. Five more bizarre celebrity crushes. Will there be more? Only time will tell.

Reminiscing

2010-07-04T20:17:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

I just finished watching an almost clinical (well, save a few unnecessary unforced errors and 2nd serves) Wimbledon Final performance by Rafael Nadal. Rafa is my absolute favourite and I'm thrilled that it was so easy for him, but I had kinda hoped that Tomas Berdych (who is actually quite cute, btw) would rise to the occasion. He did against Federer and Djokovic, but not today. He's got potential though, and as with most of the players on the tour, he just needs to work more on his mental game.

While I was screaming words of encouragement at the monitor, my mind went back to a time when I wasn't into tennis. Yes folks, believe it or not, there was a time when I couldn't stand the stuff. Or cricket, for that matter. Oh how things have changed.

I used to be really into my Premier League football. I was a steady Spurs supporter (two words: 'Gary Lineker'). Tennis, in my opinion (if you can count the opinion of a 9 yr-old, that is), took far too long. Realistically though, there was a deeper reason. My father worked long hours, and I cherished the time he was at home...but with Wimbledon on TV, he might as well have been at work. I still remember that famous '92 Wimbledon final between Agassi and Ivanisevic. I was in the middle of a very tough 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, and I wanted Thaththi's help. But nooooo, he and Ammi were screaming words of encouragement at the TV (sound familiar?). Hmph. I can't remember why I went and sat next to them, but I did. And I followed the ball, and the cheers. And the scoreboard. Before long, I had grasped the basics of the game. And you know what? It wasn't that bad. In fact, it was actually quite enjoyable. Maybe I would learn to like this tennis malarkey after all.

Or maybe not. We moved back to SL in '93, and had no contact with tennis for a while (except through the papers). But then somehow, we managed to catch the 1996 US Open. I saw Pete Sampras play, and I was hooked. For a while at least...I briefly lost interest when Sampras retired, and it took the first of the Federer/Nadal encounters to reel me back in. Their rivalry, combined with the excellent BBC tennis coverage, has turned me into an addict.

Like I said earlier, tennis isn't the only sport that I learnt to love. Considering that I thought tennis took too long, you can imagine why I didn't like cricket! Again, the Ashes would steal my father from me, and it irritated me that he would rather sit and watch some weird moustached man (Graham Gooch) instead of playing Scrabble with me. Double hmph.

Fast forward to January 1996. I was in hospital after my surgery, and utterly bored in my room. As luck would have it, the TV in the room would only show one channel. The same channel that was showing Sri Lanka's infamous tour of Australia. I had two choices: try and follow the cricket, or die of boredom. And so I followed. I listened to the commentary, and tried to figure out what the hell was going on. I filled in the gaps by quizzing my father during visiting hours. And then I was discharged, just in time for the World Cup. The rest, as they say, is history.

So yeah, what started out as a way to have some quality time with my father, or to relieve my boredom, resulted in a lifelong love affair. And now I couldn't care less about the Premiership. Funny how things work out, no?

It's all about the bird shit

2010-07-03T11:57:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Self Machine' by I Blame Coco [The Constant]

So I was in London last weekend, and Shorty suggested that we try for Wimbledon tickets. For what I believe was the first time, Wimbledon was releasing a small number of show court tickets online every night, so we thought we'd give it a shot. Unsurprisingly, we missed out. We weren't willing to queue up at 4am, so we decided to drop by in the afternoon and have a snoop around, in case there were any return tickets. If there was nothing available, at least we could wander over to Wimbledon Common and lounge around in the sunshine.

We got to Wimbledon station just after 3pm, and decided to walk to the grounds. Along the way, we saw 2 Ferraris and at least 4 Bentleys! And OMG the houses! They were enormous! We were on proper 'rich people' road. No litter, no chavs, no nothing. Oh except for some incontinent birds, that is. We were happily walking down the road when suddenly one of my friends said "ha ha PR you just got shat on" and then almost collapsed in a heap of laughter :-|. Thankfully Shorty was far more sympathetic, and one wet wipe later, she had removed all traces of the poop from my head. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is what best friends are for - to wipe shit off your head.

So anyway, we carried on towards the All-England Club, chatting about how birds shitting on one's head was supposed to be lucky or something. Well, turns out...it was! After walking for what felt like an eternity (actually only about an hour), we got to the starting point for the queue to get ground passes. The extremely helpful stewards told us that the wait would be about an hour, so we figured we might as well try our luck. We got our queue cards (I was the 12,745th person to join the queue that day) and hung about until the gates opened. When they did, we moved pretty swiftly - past the surprisingly clean 'toilet trailer' (the flush worked and everything!), through the airport-like security and on to the turnstiles. I think Shorty and I each gave a little squeal when we got our tickets...Wimbledon, baby! w00t! Dare I say I love having bird shit on my head? Hmm.

Since ground passes only provide access to courts 5-19, we missed Rafa, Andy Murray, Soderling and Sharapova. And the Williams sisters' doubles match. We did, however, manage to get up close and personal with a lot of other doubles matches. In fact we had pretty awesome seats for the first set of Sania Mirza/Caroline Wozniacki v Daniela Hantuchová/Cara Black. Mrs Malik and C-Woz played pretty well, but it was obvious that they were no match for Cara Black. The woman was amazing. Hantuchová just had to stand there and look pretty! Which she does anyway, to be fair.


[L-R] Caroline Wozniacki and Daniela Hantuchová: check out the different serving stances! (click on image for corresponding fluidr page)

But back to 'my' experience of Wimbledon. We had a wander around the grounds - near the show courts (where we saw Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara), up onto Henman Hill/Murray Mound, and of course the now legendary Court 18. It's been a pretty special Wimbledon this year, hasn't it? Federer pushed for 5 sets by a random Colombian, Rafa pushed to 5 sets by a random Dutchman, John Isner and Nicolas Mahut mistaking tennis for test cricket...and that was just Week 1! Week 2 has brought its own surprises - Henin and Roddick out in the 4th round, Clijsters, Venus and Federer out in the QFs - and in almost all cases, the upsets have been caused by total nobodies. Unlike previous years where unseeded players would tremble at the sight of a big name, this year there seems to be this confidence, this belief that winning is an option. It's fascinating to see.

That said, some have crumbled. Like Tsvetana Pironkova against Vera Zvonareva, and Petra Kvitová against the mighty Serena Williams. And it's not just the inexperienced that freeze when playing 'the greats'. I think that's what happened yesterday with Andy Murray. He had definitely brought his A game, but so had Rafa...and anything less than a gutsy A+ is not enough to beat Señor Nadal on a good day. But what struck me as peculiar was Rafa's post-match interview. When being asked about Murray, Rafa praised his opponent and said he deserves to win a Grand Slam...the interviewer pounced on this and asked "so you think he can win a Grand Slam?". It's like he was seeking reassurance from the world #1. Why? We don't need reassurance from anyone that Andy can win a Grand Slam. We know he can...if only he believes it himself! It's an affliction of British sport - this lack of self belief. The influx of South Africans seems to have brought about that confidence in the cricket team, and they're doing well. But in almost every other sport - be it tennis, football or rugby, it's a big problem. All the talent in the world is insufficient if we're not convinced that we're good enough.

So yes, Andy Murray has to wait another year to aim for that coveted Wimbledon Final spot. And even if he does manage to work on that self belief, he'll need a lot of luck with the draw. Maybe some bird shit would do?

Take a picture (or 365?)

2010-07-01T22:27:00.007+01:00

Listening to: 'Bang Bang Bang' by Mark Ronson & The Business Intl [Record Collection]

It is the 1st of July, and I am jumping on the 'Project 365' bandwagon. The coming twelve months are likely to be the most unpredictable I've had in a while, so why not, eh? Also, I feel like I've been neglecting my photography since of late. Not good.

Now I thought rather than just having a bog standard Project 365, I'd spice it up a bit - else I'd end up with 365 images of Cambridge colleges, no doubt. So I decided on some categories - one for each day of the week. And because I'm procrastinating, I've named them all using song titles. Behold!

Your Body is a Wonderland
Well no, not yours...mine. Basically, a fancy way of saying 'self-portrait'. But not quite. The only condition is that some part of my body should be in the photo. It doesn't even need to be in focus - it just needs to be there. As someone with a very negative body image, it's gonna be an interesting challenge to depict my body artistically. But I guess if I can use this sack of bones to create art, it can't be that bad eh? :-)
A, B, C
I got this one from here. Once a week, I have to find a letter of the alphabet in the world around me...but it shouldn't be a letter (that'd be way too easy). So shadows, clouds, trees, traffic jam formations...you get the picture. The idea is that after 26 weeks, I'll have an entire alphabet in photos. And then I can start again! lol
True Colours
This one's easy; there just has to be a colour scheme - either one of the VIBGYOR colours, or B&W. And I'll repeat the colour schemes every eight weeks.
It's My Life
Another easy one. This is possibly more along the lines of the 365 that most people do - documenting their 'day' for a year. This category might include my lab, my flat, stuff I'm cooking, my clothes...that sorta thing.
Earth Song
Yeah they're getting a lot easier and more predictable, I know. Anything natural (and non-human) qualifies.
Mad World
Why did I say 'non-human' in the previous item? Well, 'cos it comes in here. This one's anything to do with civilisation - people, buildings, machines etc.
Freedom
And on the seventh day, I'll be slave to my mood and take whatever I want to take...or whatever YOU want me to take. Yup, if you've got any ideas, you can leave a comment either on this post or on the dedicated page, and I'll see what I can do.

So yeah, there we have it! I'll try and update my flickr every day, and the photo should appear on this blog too.

I dunno if this will be a really cool project or if I'll get bored, but either way, it's ok. The last time I had the same attitude to a 'project' was when I started blogging...and that was almost 4 1/2 years ago. So we'll see how things go.

Plaid Shirts and Skinny Jeans R Us

2010-06-30T22:57:00.002+01:00

Listening to: 'Always Like This' by Bombay Bicycle Club [I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose]

You know the look. Yes, that one. Plaid shirt, skinny jeans and canvas sneakers. Coupled with bed hair and geeky specs. Soft spoken, bordering on socially inept. With a guitar (or manbag) slung over one shoulder. Oversized headphones. Playing something depressing by The Smiths...well, pretty much anything by The Smiths. The quintessential 'quirky indie boy' look.

OK I just thought way too much into that. Aaaanyway, the point I was trying to get to was that the boys that fit this mould seem to have created a musical sub-genre to match their outfits. I call it 'quirky indie boy rock'.

So, what qualifies as 'quirky indie boy rock'? I hear you ask. Well here are a few that have caught my eye (or ear, rather) -

Vampire Weekend - Giving Up the Gun

Vampire Weekend are probably the most established out of the bands featured here. Their first album had gems like A-Punk, Oxford Comma and Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (the music videos for the last two were directed by Richard Ayoade - Moss from The I.T. Crowd - and there's your random fact for the day). Their new album has produced equally catchy tracks such as Cousins, Holiday, and this one. I think Cousins is probably my favourite single off the new album so far, but I decided to put 'Giving Up the Gun' here because...well watch it, and you'll see why ;-) (I wasn't a fan before, but after seeing him in this video...*sigh*).

The Drums - Let's Go Surfing

Like Vampire Weekend, these guys are also from New York. Are they breeding quirky indie boys over there or what? Hmm. Anyway, I haven't heard much from these guys, but I do love this song. I'm guessing the use of the playground chant has a lot to do with it, but I'm not complaining.

Stornoway - Zorbing

Wahey, something from the UK this time! These guys are from Oxford (I'll try not to hold that against them :P ). I had a tough time deciding which of their tracks to include in this post - they're all so cute! Anyway I think I'm gonna stick with Zorbing, simply because of the trumpet. But please check out I Saw You Blink as well.

Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This

I'm gonna end with another British band - these guys are from London. They're probably my favourite out of the bands listed here. I'm not sure if it's 'cos of the music, or 'cos their drummer's name is the suspiciously Sri Lankan-sounding 'Suren de Saram', or 'cos said drummer is actually kinda fit. Must be the music, yes *innocent look*.

I've liked all the singles they've put out so far - Evening/Morning, Dust On the Ground, Magnet and the newest release, Ivy & Gold - but my favourite is still this one. The hook is unbelievably catchy. Here, see for yourself.

So yeah. I think that should be enough quirky indie boy rock to keep you going for a while. I'm not sure what genre I'm gonna cover next. We'll see.

The magic of Pachelbel...and children

2010-06-19T00:08:00.002+01:00

Listening to: 'Chica Bomb' by Dan Balan [-]

Pachelbel's Canon in D. I can't remember the first time I heard it - possibly as part of O/L Western Music listening, I dunno. It's not the greatest orchestral piece ever, but it is a lovely little ditty. For the benefit of those who aren't familiar with it, the London Symphony Orchestra version is here.

Sound familiar but you're not sure why? Well have a listen to this:

Coolio - C U When U Get There

Or how about this:

Vitamin C - Graduation (Friends Forever)

Blast from the past, eh? And yes Coolio appears to have transposed it up to an E♭, and Vitamin C down to a C, but the melody's still intact. I'm sure there are many more songs that lean heavily on the canon's chord progression, but the ones I've come across (without actively looking for them) are the ones listed above...and this one. Yes, Britain's favourite txt-bullying, mephedrone-popping chavs have made yet another tune that I can't get out of my head. This one's on the soundtrack to StreetDance, which I'd probably go and see at the cinema (in 3D) if not for the fact that the guy in it is nowhere nearly as fabulously perfect a specimen of the male body as Channing Tatum was in Step Up. I'm pretty sure the grammar in that last sentence is wrong, but meh.

Aaaanyway, here's the video:

N-Dubz ft. Bodyrox - We Dance On

I love that video. The only way they could've made the video better is if they left out the non-dancing clips from the movie. I mean seriously, those kids are so cute! And talented. What do you need those boring adults for?

So I've covered the Pachelbel bit I mentioned in the title, and I've kinda touched on the 'children' bit. To finish off, I wanna share another video I found online, while looking for a song that hadn't been released at the time. It's a quirky song by Darwin Deez called 'Radar Detector', and no it doesn't sample Pachelbel. In fact the official video doesn't even have any kids in it! But this video, done with some 4th graders in the States, is absolutely adorable.

Don't you just wanna give them all a big hug? No? Just me then.

On that rather awkward note, I'm gonna try and get to bed and get this stupid 'Chica Bomb' song out of my head. Bloody Eastern Europeans and their insanely catchy club tracks (with rather NSFW videos, I might add). Grrr.

I really need to buy myself a vuvuzela

2010-06-18T11:05:00.001+01:00

Listening to: 'Tenderoni' by Kele Okereke [The Boxer]

I've only been paying cursory attention to the World Cup. In fact yesterday's France v Mexico was the first match I watched...and even then, I left at half time 'cos I was hungry. In hindsight, it would've been good to see the goals...but truth be told, there wasn't much to see after Carlos Vela went off to nurse his hamstring. Apart from Patrice Evra, I guess...but his skin-tight top was a bit too distracting (and not in a good way).

But er, yes...back to the football...or not. I first heard this song when Chappers (formerly off of the Scott Mills show) played it on his 5live footy show (and then tweeted about it). It's now being played a fair bit on Radio 1, and quite rightly so...it is genius. And for those of you who have already seen me going on about it on twitter and fb; yes, I am obsessed.

So yeah. Maybe I should get me a vuvuzela. It might get me kicked out of the pub this evening though. Oh well. COME ON ENGLAND!!!

To all the haters...

2010-06-09T12:48:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'My Life Would Suck Without You' by Glee Cast [Glee: The Music, Volume 2]

...who think that blogging is a waste of time
...that twitter is for losers
...that you can't forge meaningful friendships online

You couldn't be more wrong.

P.S.- And to all the lovers...my life would suck without you too :-)

The Return of the King

2010-06-06T17:59:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

7 Grand Slam wins
40 career wins
2nd player to win 5 or more French Open titles (after Björn Borg)
5 wins at Roland Garros in 6 years
Not a single set dropped in the 2010 French Open
Only 2 sets dropped in the entire 2010 clay court season

And there are probably a few more I don't know about. OK so maybe it wasn't the most riveting match ever. Soderling tried, but he was totally ineffective in the face of such excellence. Ladies and gentlemen, the King of Clay is back.

Oh yeah and he'll be #1 tomorrow :-).

Well, um, I wouldn't say no...

2010-05-29T02:09:00.005+01:00

Listening to: 'No One' by Alicia Keys [As I Am]

OK yes I know you're expecting an Alicia Keys/birthday post, and it'll come soon, I promise. But in the meantime, let the floozy in me entertain you.

So you know how you have celebrity crushes, yeah? Most of them are considered 'normal' for someone in your position...you know, Brad Pitt/Johnny Depp/Scarlett Johansson/Jessica Alba kinda normal. And then there are some, that make you think "err, really?". But you can't help it. There's something about them that makes you go weak in spite of yourself. And so, ladies and gentleboys, in the spirit of baring my soul (and ridiculing myself) in cyberspace, I present to you my weird and so-wrong-but-oh-so-right celebrity crushes! Drum roll please...

No, I will not call you "Daddy"!

I used to fancy him when he was younger, so this is kinda OK, right? OK maybe not really. But...aney, look at him. Just Look. At. Him. Isn't he adorable? I ♥'d you then at 30, Gary Lineker...and I ♥ you now at (almost) 50. Sigh.

The grey hair ain't so bad!

But I'm straight (I think)!

If any woman can turn me, Sienna Miller can. I dunno, she's just so...cool (for lack of a better word). I love her style, her hair, her eyes, her accent, and she's gorgeous, and charming, and sexy, and...OK I'll stop.

I want your dimples! (and your boyfriend)

Please sing, but don't talk.

Listening to Plan B's interviews makes me feel like I'm on a council estate. But I love his music (as I've said before), and there's something about him that oozes 'sexy'.

You're a chav, but I don't mind.

One must accept that Prince Charming is a figment of one's imagination...

...but Prince Harry isn't! Yes yes I know he's ginger, and I know everyone seems to fancy William, but Will's so boring! Not to mention he's going bald. Harry's got a full head of hair, and he's got the 'preppy bad boy' rep down to a fine art. Such a turn on. And who can say no to an army man? *swoon*

Can I get you a towel, your Highness?

If only you were human!

Eww no it's not what you think, pervert. Well, not technically, anyway. This is a really old crush...possibly my first. I remember being jealous of Miss Piggy, especially when watching the movie of them in Manhattan (can't remember anything about the movie except that I was jealous). And why wouldn't I be, eh? Kermit is perfect (if just a little bit too green).

If I kiss you, will you turn into a prince?

I'm not a paedo, ok?

Now I was worried about this one, but I checked Wikipedia and he's 16 (only just, but still...legal is legal, right?) so I'm safe. Still, I'm not gonna include a pic here 'cos they would've all been taken when he was underage and I'm starting to feel quite dirty while typing this bit so I'll stop now. But, um, yeah. Tom Daley *cough*. Read this if you don't know who he is.
I should add some kind of pic for this bit though, so I'll just add one of the other toy boy I had in mind...Zac Efron.

Need some help with that t-shirt?

*Sigh*, I'm so going to hell.

UPDATE: When I first typed this up, I thought of making it one of those tag thingamajigs (we haven't had one in a while) but I didn't think anyone would relish the opportunity to embarrass themselves in this manner, so I left it. But looking at the 2nd comment below, I was wrong. And since I'm physically incapable of refusing Sabby, I hereby christen this post a tag thingamajig. Tag, Sabby, you're it! Of course it's also open to anyone else who wishes to partake.

PseudoRandom is a gigwhore

2010-05-21T09:41:00.001+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

Confirmed...

October - Plan B at the Cambridge Corn Exchange
September - Gorillaz at the O₂ Arena

Tentative...

August - BBC Proms at the Royal College of Music

And in case you'd forgotten, I'm going to see Alicia Keys at the O₂ Arena on Tuesday. Oh yeah baby.

P.S.- I should probably hurry up and finish this PhD and get a job...how else am I gonna pay for this shit?

Remembrance

2010-05-19T08:53:00.000+01:00

Listening to: nothing

It's been one year since this post. I'm not gonna use this post to analyse the events that led to, or followed the end of the war. I'm not gonna use this post to blow victory trumpets or give my two cents about what should happen now. Instead, I'm just gonna use this post to remember all the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives so that we could enjoy ours. They might have been on different sides, with different ideologies, but they had one thing in common: the belief that what they were doing would make life better for their people. May we never forget their selflessness.

Surreal Cambridge

2010-05-15T13:45:00.036+01:00

Listening to: 'Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)' by Alicia Keys [The Element of Freedom]

Last evening was, in a word, bizarre. First, I went for a lecture on the role of science in policy-making. The actual lecture was ok (the bits I was awake for anyway), but for me the most interesting part came afterwards. It had been mentioned earlier how civil servants have to consider natural science, social science and economics when forming policies. What came out during the post-lecture Q&A session was that when implementing these policies, politicians also have to take moral implications into account. This made a lot of sense to me, especially with regards to controversial policies such as the (re-)classification of cannabis.

I blogged about the Nutt fiasco last year, and in that post, I questioned the role of science in politics. Armed with the knowledge I acquired yesterday, I think public perception and societal morality play a much bigger role than facts and figures. For instance, I could not be a proponent of capital punishment, even if all the facts and figures in the world told me I should be. It just doesn't sit well with my conscience.

Which brings about an interesting situation. We trust doctors with our lives, because they will prescribe treatment for our ailments based on diagnostic evidence. We trust engineers and social scientists with our infrastructure, because they will design these things based on established principles. On the flip side, we trust politicians with the laws of our land, because they will define these based on what they think we consider to be just?!?! Hmm. I guess it does reinforce one thing I've touched on before though: progress in society is affected not so much by legislature, but by the mindset of the people.

So now I bet you're wondering how this constitutes a 'bizarre' evening, right? Well after that lecture, I met up with some friends for dinner, and then we went to Cindies. For the uninitiated amongst you, Cindies is one of the few clubs here...

Ze shoe. Didn't hurt as much as I expected!

known for its cheap drinks, sticky floors and cheesy music (you know it's a good night when they play the Baywatch theme). It's a lot less cheesy on Fridays than it is on Tuesdays (the student night), but also infinitely more chavvy. Some of the guys were fairly easy on the eye, but seriously...Homer Simpson has more brain cells. The girls weren't much better. I did my best to compete, with my new pair of 3.5" heels, but I think I would've had to get shit-faced and start yelling in a slurred Fenland accent to really fit in. Thanks, but I think I'll pass.

So anyway, while we were dancing we noticed a crowd was forming near the DJ booth. I initially thought it might be a fight, or the guys dressed as Captain America and Batman showing off their moves...but I was wrong. Turns out we were about to witness a live set by a certain Mr Hudson. Now I know who Mr Hudson is. Supposedly he's so tight with Kanye West that the dude named a pair of shoes after him. And we've all heard the duet with Jay-Z. To see such a high-profile up and coming artist singing in a dingy club surrounded by chavs was a little weird, to put it mildly. I always thought people who did the club appearance thing were has-beens from marginally successful 90s boy bands? I guess not.

So yeah. Bit of a random post, I'll admit. But I found it quite surreal that in the space of about 5 hours, I went from listening to the nuances of public policy making, to watching a somewhat famous popstar standing on the DJ's workstation and singing to a bunch of chavs at Cindies. At least I got to try out my fancy shoes.

Pilot episode of the Dave & Nick Show

2010-05-12T21:46:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'El Mañana' by Gorillaz [Demon Days]

It has long been my belief that no single political ideology is well-suited to deal with the problems we face. The extremes put either the infrastructure or the people first, but none give them the equal importance I think they deserve. As I see it, a hybrid of these extremes provides an opportunity to achieve some form of 'balance'. I acknowledge that there's a great risk that nothing might be achieved at all...but I think that's a risk under any regime.

And this is where Britain stands today. You can say that the Tories have given in. You can say that the Lib Dems have sold out. You can even call Britain a ConDem-nation. But in reality, this coalition is a wonderful opportunity for policy makers to put petty party politics aside, and put Britain and her people first.

I'm looking forward to reading the final Coalition Agreement when it is published. In the meantime, I'll leave you with a snippet from this afternoon's press conference.

Lame jokes FTW! lol

If liking these videos makes me a geek, then so be it.

2010-05-10T23:56:00.001+01:00

Listening to: nothing

I should be preparing a presentation I have to deliver tomorrow morning as part of a public speaking workshop I've signed up for. But what have I spent the past hour doing? Watching these.

3.5* 'til Infinity (based on 93 'til Infinity by Souls of Mischief)

Evolution, anyone?

Oxidate It Or Love It / Electron to the Next One (based on Hate It or Love It by The Game, 50 Cent and On to the Next One by Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz)

Metabolise this!

Put Some ACh Into It (based on You Can Do It by Ice Cube)

Physiology (yeah I couldn't think of anything catchy for this one)

There are more, some brilliant, some not so much (but still good!). I think in addition to the ones I've mentioned, Regulatin' Genes and Get Taq are excellent. Hopefully this will remind some of you of the excellent Large Hadron Rap.

Obviously this isn't my subject area so I can't vouch for the accuracy of the lyrics, but the concept itself is great. If only I had a smidgen of the talent these guys have, I could rap about the design of chemical reactors tomorrow morning! OK maybe not rap...

Oh well, better get back to that powerpoint. *sigh*

Folking it up

2010-05-08T14:16:00.008+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

Music post time, yay! In my last music post, I said I might explore folk music next...and then I forgot :S. I remembered again while watching Later...with Jools Holland a couple of days back. I wanted to watch it 'cos of the Gorillaz performance (which was amazing), but another performance on there just blew me away. More on that later. But can I just say, Damon Albarn is looking rather delicious. When did he morph from the wannabe-chavvy Blur frontman into a Jude Law look-alike? Sneaky bugger. The years sure have been good to him.

But..erm...yes, back to the music. When you think 'folk music', you probably think 'hippy', and all the negative connotations that come with it. And what with me being all pro-mainstream and all, you won't find me camping out in a muddy field waiting to see some avant-garde band that plays their guitars like violins and vice versa (I dunno if such a band actually exists, but I wouldn't be surprised if it does). I suppose fans would be unimpressed with my attitude, considering Cambridge is home to a rather popular folk festival, but hey ho.

That said, certain folk artists (using the term loosely, perhaps) have managed to break the mainstream scene. I'm not sure what it is - it could be good management, good contacts with BBC DJs, or plain and simple luck - but it's worked. So here's my pick. I've mentioned a few indie folk rock groups before (Noah and the Whale and Fleet Foxes), so I won't include them here.

Frank Turner - The Road

I haven't listened to much Frank Turner (his solo stuff or his stuff with the Million Dead) but I ♥ this song. As he says at the beginning of the video, he did 24 shows in 24 hours, and the video chronicles the various gigs.

I really like the bit from about 2:36 to 3:15, where it appears he's returning to his punk roots.

Mumford & Sons - The Cave

This is a new-ish band from London. Their album Sigh No More has done very well here, and they get a lot of airplay. I like all their singles so far, but my favourite has to be this one.

There's something about the chorus that just makes me want to sing along at the top of my lungs.

Laura Marling - Goodbye England (Covered in Snow)

Ah, my favourite. I first heard Laura Marling's 'New Romantic' and I was hooked. There's something very...I dunno, it's like she's baring her soul for everyone to see. That vulnerability, with that voice and those melodies...wow. I love what I've heard from the new album so far - 'Devil's Spoke' makes me want to turn up the volume and start stomping around the room, and 'Rambling Man' makes me want to sit very, very still. But the single that trumps them all is this one. It is, in a word...sublime. As far as I'm aware, there's no official video for it...but as I alluded to earlier, the live version she did on Jools Holland blew me away, so I shall post it here for you. Sit down, calm down, and enjoy.

So yeah. There we have it. I think I might look at quirky indie boy groups next...I know, what a genre! lol

Hangin' Tough

2010-05-07T14:35:00.001+01:00

Listening to: Nothing.

Firstly, please excuse the tragic pun! Although to be fair, you'll probably only get it if you're familiar with late 80s pop culture, and I'll be surprised if anyone actually owns up to that cardinal sin. But yeah, the reason for the pun: the breaking but-really-we-knew-it-all-along-so-it-wasn't-really-a-surprise news of the day is that the British people have voted for a hung parliament. In the 'first past the post' system prevelant here, no single party can win all 326 out of 650 seats required, so we have a stalemate. As it stands, even if Gordon Brown convinces the LibDems to form a coalition, it won't be enough to get a majority; indeed, the only way a Tory Britain can be avoided (assuming that is desired) is if the leading coalition is a patchwork of Labour, LibDem and a number of smaller parties with possibly opposing ideals and policies. That, to me, spells 'too many cooks...', but it's not for me to decide.

And therein lies a problem, as I see it. Let's assume I didn't vote Tory (that's not to say I did...). My vote is now effectively null and void, and the party I supported has the difficult task of deciding whom to form a coalition with...a task that I have absolutely no say in. I've heard a lot of people saying "I don't want to vote LibDem in case they form a coalition with the Tories". Well shouldn't those people be able to make that opinion known to the LibDems? The party has a responsiblity to its supporters; how can it gauge whether those supporters would rather be in the government with someone they dislike, or in the opposition? There have been lots of calls for porportional representation, but I don't think that alone can solve the problem.

But getting back to the overall result. I mentioned earlier that I didn't wholly agree nor disagree with any of the three main parties. What this hung parliament tells me is that I'm not the only one. The British people are as undecided about the next steps for the country as are the politicians representing them.

We live in exciting times, people. Uncertain, yes...but exciting, nonetheless.

Enfranchised!

2010-05-06T20:21:00.002+01:00

Listening to: 'Gorillaz Special' on Zane Lowe [Radio 1]

My poll card

So I voted. For the first time. Ever. And can I just say, what an exhilarating feeling! There's something empowering about knowing that you just played a part in the future of the country.

It's also kinda scary. I mean, what if I've made the wrong choice? What if the party I voted for does a Hitler? What if they do nothing? What if they're crap? In that respect, I'm glad that I'm just one of many that cast their vote today.

I watched the three leaders' debates, weighed up the pros and cons of each party, and made my choice. It was difficult to find a party I wholly agreed with, or a party I wholly disagreed with. So I adopted what I learned from elections in Uni - single transferable voting. I think I chose the party that best represents my views, and is most likely to carry out my mandate. We shall see.

Going back to the issue of being one voter of millions. If the party I voted for gets elected, great! If they don't get elected, also great! It won't be a time to throw my toys out of the pram, or to cry 'foul', or to blame the system. It will, however, be a time to celebrate the fact that the people have spoken. We have to live with other people's decisions every day - government is no different. At least here we have a say. And if my preferred party ends up in the opposition, at least they can work to ensure that the ruling party doesn't mess up too bad!

I am thankful that government in this country works. It's not perfect, but it's not broken either. And the people care. I might disagree with some of them, but that's ok. We all want what's best for the country. And that is something worth celebrating. Something to be proud of. And I am.

What do you do?

2010-04-30T18:27:00.000+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

What do you do when you feel the all too familiar sword of rejection piercing through your core? You gather your girl friends around, curse every boy ever to walk the planet, and pig out on chocolate ice cream while watching crappy romcoms. Camaraderie and sisterly love (and a lot of hugs) get you through, and get you back on your feet and ready to face the world again.

What do you do when you don't have any girl friends nearby? You hold back the tears, swallow the disappointment, put on a smiley face, sneak in a blog post when nobody's looking, and dive into work. All the while hoping that when you finally break down ('cos it will happen), you'll be alone in your room, unable to make a fool of yourself.

...

I suppose it is a plus point that I didn't humiliate myself this time...makes a change. It's good to know I'm learning from past mistakes. Now if only I could learn from the mistake of falling in the first place!

P.S.- If you're about to tell me that my time will come, please don't. I don't need to be patronised right now.

One existential crisis, coming right up!

2010-04-26T20:13:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Hello, I Love You' by Glee Cast [Glee]

I'm turning 27 in exactly one month *gasp*. Shorty and I were trying to decide whether this means I'm entering my 'late-twenties', or if I can stretch the 'mid-twenties' for another year...I sure hope it's the latter! He-whom-I-really-should've-given-up-on-by-now said I don't look 27. I didn't dare ask him how old I do look...I mean no self-respecting adult female wants to be told by the guy they like that they look about 12, right? So I just joked about how I'd still get ID'd when going to 'spoons (it's trashier than it looks), and that was that.

And then I watched Episode 14 of Glee (which was amazing, btw) and realised that in certain aspects, I'm actually a nowhere-near-as-pretty hybrid of Rachel and Emma...minus the amazing voice and the OCD. *Sigh*...how pathetic.

OK I'm gonna go back to my thesis in an attempt to hide from the impending doom. What a way to bring up the 300th post eh?

The curse of the has-been over-achiever

2010-04-24T23:27:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Nothin' On You' by B.o.B. ft. Bruno Mars [B.o.B Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray]

I got an email a couple of days back from one of my mother's friends asking me how I'm doing, and she said -

"...knowing you, you'll pass with flying colours. I know your parents are so proud of you."

Today, I decided to start updating my CV. I was looking at the example CVs in the guide book, and my list of achievements looked...well...minuscule, in comparison. I felt like a failure. A phony. Like I had let everyone I know down.

Why does everyone I've known since childhood assume that I'll just breeze through everything? My mother jokes that it's my own fault for being an over achiever. Perhaps...I'll accept, I used to be an over achiever. But not any more. Now I'm struggling to keep afloat. It's difficult enough as it is to not drown, without everyone else expecting me to just sail through. It's taken a lot of soul searching for me to accept the fact that things are difficult now, and that it doesn't mean I'm a failure. I'm learning how to ask for help, and I'm learning to love myself, warts and all...but the moment someone expects me to return to my over-achieving ways, it all comes crashing down. The chest tightens, the tension headache appears, and I burst into tears...only to be told off by my father for getting hysterical.

I wish I could explain to these people that it's difficult. And that it doesn't just happen. Yes I did my school exams well...but don't for a minute think that I didn't work incredibly hard. I am not a genius. I know a few geniuses, and I know that I'm not one of them. This assumption that my life is obstacle-free infuriates me. They expect more from me than they do from their own children...how is that fair?! It's peer pressure on a whole different level, and it's unbearable.

And it's not just regarding my studies.

"Someone like you must be having boys lining up at your door!"

I'm sorry, what?! WTF does 'someone like me' mean? Last time I checked, insecure, highly strung female engineers with no physical assets whatsoever weren't really high up on the 'desirability' scale. I wish people would quit the whole 'talking just for the sake of conversation' thing.

I don't really know where I'm going with this post. The positivity of a few days ago disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Looking at CVs was demoralising. I only managed to do half of what I was supposed to do today. And I'm as lonely as hell. Yes I know I keep going on about it. But seriously, you know it's bad when you think "oh shit I forgot to wish Dave for his birthday"...and by 'Dave', you mean 'Comedy Dave' Vitty off of The Chris Moyles Show on Radio 1 (wished him now on twitter though, so it's OK). I think I'm actually going crazy.

If I ever have children, a part of me hopes that they're not high achievers...no one deserves this pressure.

Pipedreams are made of these

2010-04-22T23:40:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Jem Theme' by Jem and the Holograms [Jem]

I want to be a singer in a band. It'd be a five-piece - drums, keyboards, lead guitar, bass guitar, and...um...tambourine (I figure I could manage that). The drummer would be a girl...I've always thought female drummers were cool, ever since I saw Raya on TV (please don't judge me). We wouldn't be famous or anything...just playing the pub circuit and generally having fun. I'm not sure what I'd do during the day...probably work at the post office or something. The lead guitarist would get all the groupies (yes, even crappy bands get groupies in my dreams). And the keyboardist would secretly fancy the drummer (well he'd think it's a secret, but everyone would know, obviously). Oh and I'd have a steamy love affair with the bass guitarist that we'd have to hide from the other band members. And...um...haven't thought of the rest yet.

What's that I hear you say? PhD? Imaginary band members? Wishful thinking? Delusional? Gah, trust you to spoil my pipedream! Oh well, I guess I'll just go back to singing along (out loud) to my iPod as I walk down the street, hoping for a Shola Ama moment.

Bring it on

2010-04-20T21:11:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Scherzo in C Minor for Violin and Piano' by Vanessa-Mae/Johannes Brahms [The Classical Album 1]

I am bursting with excitement. My brain is a melting pot of ideas. What experiments to do, what experiments not to do, how to explain that phenomenon, how to introduce this feature, which stuff to show my supervisor now, which stuff to hang on to until I've got a better idea of what's going on...it's all kicking off in my head. I've gone from 'meh' to 'HELL YEAH!!!' in just 2 hours. It feels good.

I've had this feeling before...when I was working my way back onto the PhD after they told me to pack up and go home. I succeeded then, and I will succeed now. Impossible is nothing.

So yeah, world...bring. it. on.

Let me not google that for you!

2010-04-16T09:22:00.001+01:00

Listening to: Radio 1

A conversation that happens all too often -

Retard: Hey PR, so I have this question that I need answering...can you answer it for me?
Me: *mutter under breath* Erm...*finds answer on google*...there you go

How I want the conversation to go:

Retard: Hey PR, so I have this question that I need answering...can you answer it for me?
Me: You're connected to the internet, yeah?
Retard: Yeah...
Me: You can type, yeah?
Retard: Yeah...
Me: So WHY DON'T YOU F***ING GOOGLE IT YOURSELF, MORON?!?!?!

The last time I checked, I wasn't an encyclopaedia. There is no website called www.askpseudorandom.com. So why don't you pull your finger out and do something for yourself for a change? Even my parents knows how to find stuff on the internet without asking me, and they're over 60!

Yes I know there's lmgtfy, but the type of people who ask me dumb stuff are usually the type of 'sensitive' people who'd get offended if I were to answer with that link, and I can't be bothered dealing with the aftermath.

OK rant over.

Marry me Strickland!

2010-04-13T09:22:00.001+01:00

Listening to: 'Love Goes Down' by Plan B [The Defamation of Strickland Banks]

After the emoness of the last post, I think a music review is in order! For this I have chosen an album I bought yesterday - The Defamation of Strickland Banks by Plan B. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned him before. I was really looking forward to this album, and I wasn't disappointed.

The first question that comes to mind is, what is this? Is it a normal album, a concept album inspired by a movie (like Jay-Z's American Gangster), a movie soundtrack, or a musical? Well the answer is, all of the above (he has called it 'a film for the blind'). The songs serve as different chapters in the life of Strickland Banks, as the soul singer meets a groupie on a night out and is then put in jail for a crime he didn't commit. The music videos for the singles released so far ('Stay Too Long' and 'She Said') are all 'scenes' from the short film The Defamation of Strickland Banks, which is currently in production (if Wikipedia's anything to go by).

As a normal album, it's one of the best I've heard in recent times. If you like your blue-eyed soul - Amy Winehouse's incredible Back to Black being the most recent success - you're gonna love this. It's a complete turn around from Plan B's first album, Who Needs Actions When You Got Words, which was heavy on the hard-hitting rap lyrics (some of the tracks...no, all of the tracks are amazingly twisted). Defamation... on the other hand, is heavy on the dulcet tones of Plan B's singing voice. Love Goes Down has to be the sexiest song I've heard in a while...ooooooooh baby! And the falsetto on She Said is amazing. The hard-hitting lyrics are still there, notably on 'Darkest Place'. And all the tracks have a very authentic 60's feel to them, which is commendable considering there's a fair bit of rapping going on. There are plenty of trumpets, doo-wah backing vocals, soaring strings (I'd buy an instrumental version of 'The Recluse', just to hear the violins!), and even a gospel-type choir! Speaking of which, I love the fact that the gospel choir appears on a track titled 'Welcome to Hell'! Get it? 'gospel'...'hell'...oh never mind. Anyway, to me, the album is 'all thriller, no filler'.

As a concept album/'film for the blind', I think it's amazing. The songs tell you the story, but at the same time, they don't give everything away. The final track 'What You Gonna Do' tells us that Strickland is back in court to find out if he's gonna be set free or sent back to jail...we never find out the outcome, and ironically the last line of the album is "just don't leave me on a cliffhanger"...genius! I can almost picture Plan B watching me from afar and laughing maniacally when he sees my frustration at not knowing the ending. I guess I'll have to wait for the movie, eh?

So yeah, I love the album. I hope it charts well this weekend, 'cos the legend that is Plan B really deserves it. Soooo....GO BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

To finish off, I'm gonna give you two very different videos. The first is track #2 off the new album. I can't get the tune out of my head, and for some reason it reminds me of Charles & Eddie's Would I Lie to You. The second is from Plan B's first album (it took a while to choose between this one and Sick 2 Def). Someone this versatile has to be a genius. Enjoy!

Writing's On the Wall

No More Eatin'

Settling

2010-04-09T22:17:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Defying Gravity' by Glee Cast [Glee: The Music, Volume 1]

My insides ache when I hear the Glee version of this song (I haven't seen Wicked yet so I've nothing to compare it with). There's a spot deep within my body, somewhere beneath my diaphragm...and it's like there's someone there, clawing at my skin from the inside, screaming, trying to get out. My chest feels tight, as if my lungs are trying to jump out of my ribcage. And my shoulders feel like they're about to explode.

My insides ache when I see babies. And oddly enough, it's exactly the same kind of ache I just described. It's like there's another pair of arms inside my own, trying to reach out.

The aching is also the same...when I'm spending time with him. It's like I have to restrain myself. It's a deep sense of longing, coupled with restraint. But I don't think it's him (even though he is lovely). And it isn't the babies (even though they are adorable). In fact, it isn't even the song (even though it is an amazing rendition of an amazing song). On the contrary, I think all this aching is just a manifestation of loneliness. A lot of loneliness.

It's the longing for something familiar, something comforting, something safe. Something that makes me truly happy. The majority of my real friends are somewhere between 50 and 11,000 miles away from me...and when a proper hug is what you need, even one mile is too many miles away. All I can hope for are weekends like the last one, or stolen moments with Shorty.

A part of me feels that this loneliness was the main reason for this crush (because essentially that's all it is) to develop. It wasn't because I wanted to be with him, but more because I wanted to be with someone. I've been thinking, and while I always knew he wasn't gonna be Mr. Right, I've decided that he isn't even Mr. Right Now. That's not to say he isn't an absolute sweetheart ('cos he is), but my gut is telling me that he's never gonna be my sweetheart...and if I've learnt one lesson from my many romantic misadventures, it's that I should always listen to my gut.

So here's the part where I let go. Where I rid my mind of all misplaced hope, and accept the reality of my predicament. I am sad, and I want to cry...but something's stopping me (there's that restraint again). Boys have brought me nothing but tears for the past 13 years, and it's always the same: "He doesn't like me! Waaah!". Something's gotta give.

You know, maybe I'm just not cut out for this 'relationship' malarkey. I mean I've always been a loner. Team activities were never my thing. Choir was probably the closest thing to teamwork that I engaged in, and even then I remember getting told off 'cos my voice could be heard "like a gunshot" over everyone else's (RIP Uncle Lylie). Maybe I just work better on my own.

A lot of people, including Shorty and my mother, seem to think that I'll find someone when I leave Cambridge. However, considering I currently have no plans for my post-Cambridge life, I think their words are probably meant as much to reassure them as they are to comfort me. And so I'm settling. For whatever comes my way. Apparently the horoscopes are coming in without any effort from my parents (go figure!), so I'll just wait for one to match. I can't hope for love, but at least I can hope for companionship, right?

To the polls!

2010-04-06T22:08:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Ego' by Beyoncé [I Am...Sasha Fierce]

It's happening, people. Gordon Brown has called a general election for the 6th of May, and there are now less than 30 days for the residents of this country to choose their next leader. Why did I say 'residents' instead of 'citizens'? Well I've known for a while that non-citizen residents could vote in council elections, but up until now, I was under the impression that you had to be a British citizen in order to be eligible to vote in a general election. Today I found out that that isn't the case. It turns out that UK residents from 'qualifying Commonwealth countries' (and therefore Sri Lanka) are eligible to vote in all UK elections, including general elections. Which means, folks, yours truly will be voting for the first time next month!!!

I've been on the SL electoral register since I was old enough to vote, but I've been in the UK whenever there's been an election. I've been on the UK electoral register since I started uni, but since I was under the shelter of college life, I'd never thought to vote...until now. With each passing moment I feel just that little bit more 'British', and voting in this election feels as much a 'duty' as it does a 'right'. I feel honoured that I have a say in the future of the country where I have spent half of my life. I guess the Commonwealth is good for something apart from my scholarship, eh? ;-)

Those who follow me on twitter will probably know that I've been quite excited about this all day. The cynics among you will probably scoff at my enthusiasm in what you see as a fruitless farce, but I for one disagree. I can't wait to go put a cross on that ballot paper. I don't know where I'm gonna put that cross yet, but I have less than a month to decide. Looks like I have a lot of research to do!

trustno1

2010-04-01T21:34:00.000+01:00

Listening to: 'Pass Out' by Plan B [Radio 1 Live Lounge]

I used to love X-Files. It was the only thing I could be bothered staying up late enough to watch on TV. I've forgotten a lot of what I saw, apart from the Smoking Man, the stretchy dude who came out of the escalator, and of course Mulder's password. But I digress. Sort of.

When you choose to trust a female friend with a secret, say the fact that you fancy their friend...you generally expect them to do one of two things: honour that trust, support you and keep quiet about the whole thing, or betray that trust and blab all over town. What you probably don't expect, is for them to act like you never told them anything and then use every opportunity they get to give you a "ha ha he likes me more than you, sucker!" sign. But that, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly what has happened to me.

Now I've come up with a few possibilities. Either it's all innocent and she doesn't realise how painful it is to have my nose rubbed in the glory of their friendship, or it's anything but innocent and I've inadvertently signed up for a catfight. The other explanation is that I've unwittingly made myself a third wheel in a budding clandestine romance, in which case...oooh shit. My gut is inclined to go with Option 2 (I have my reasons).

So what can I do? I'm shocked, disappointed, confused and upset. But none of that is gonna make me want to 'fight'. It's just not me. And it's not like me to be confrontational either, so we can cross out the "talk to her" option. All I can do is stomach it. Just sit through all the "ooh let me share this titbit of information about him to highlight the fact that I know him better than you" and the "ooh let me casually mention how he's so sweet to me and not you" moments. I mean seriously...I'm not the jealous type but she is really pushing me!

But yeah. Grin and bear. To be fair, it is my fault. My fault for bringing my emotions into the workplace, for forgetting that I should trust no one, and for allowing myself to get distracted and affected by all of this. I just need to get the walls back up and then all will be fine.

Sigh...when am I gonna stop allowing myself to get hurt?

The voices in my head...

2010-03-23T21:56:00.002Z

Listening to: um...the voices in my head, duh!

...let's call them X and Y (because I'm not feeling particularly creative right now). Their conversation with me goes something like this...

X:- look at it this way, you're sacrificing your desires in order to maintain the harmony of your environment
Y:- Ha! What bollocks. Pathetic excuse. Just admit it, you're not doing anything about it 'cos you know you wouldn't be able to get him even if you kidnapped him and slipped him a roofie.
X:- Don't listen to that evil midget! You're a lovely person and I'm sure he'd consider the idea if he knew...but you can't let that happen 'cos it'd just make everything so weird for the others.
Y:- HAHAHA whatever minger. Calling me a midget. Heh. But seriously loser, just accept it. It'll make your life much easier.
X:- You're so mean! Aww poor baby. Take no notice. Anyway you know this isn't Mr Right...this is just a lovely guy you wish you could get closer to. The perfect guy for you will come along...
Y:- PERFECT GUY? Oh puhlees, excuse me while I puke. Remember what Chris Moyles said to Tina this morning? "YOUR PERFECT GUY IS GAY". Hahahahahahaha hilarious! Yeah so some lucky girls find these elusive 'perfect guy' toys. You are not one of those girls. Don't look at me like that, I'm just trying to be honest with you! It's for your own good.
X:- For her own good? How would YOU know what's for her own good? You don't even know what she's like! You just...
Y:- Oh and you DO? Just take off those rose-tinted glasses for a second would...
Me:- JUST SHUT THE F*** UP, BOTH OF YOUUUUUUUUU!!!

FMA: Shoulder Angel and Devil by zulenha

Sigh. Please excuse the lame-ass post. Regular transmission will resume shortly, I promise. Or at least I hope so, 'cos this state I'm in sucks!

Let's hear it for the (sporty) boy(s)

2010-03-21T20:45:00.002Z

Listening to: 'Do Wah Doo' by Kate Nash [My Best Friend Is You]

I've been looking at sportsmen a lot this week. No it's not as weird as it sounds...it was part of a birthday surprise for my friend who's a rugby fan. And what I noticed was, a lot of them are incredibly fit. No I don't necessarily mean in terms of physique...I mean that bit's obvious, yeah? My point is a lot of them are droolworthy. I mean take a look at these guys, for instance...

Dan Carter (Rugby)

Apparently he plays for the All Blacks. Do we care? I'm sorry but just look at that face. Just look. at. that. face. *sigh*...why would we care? If you want a real treat, check out the rest of him here (but at home, unless googling underwear models is kosher at your workplace) :P

Morgan Parra (Rugby)

I'm not happy about the fact that he was instrumental in England's defeat last night, but apart from that...erm yeah :D

Jenson Button (F1)

I'm not usually a fan of facial hair but in this case, I'm not complaining :D

Kimi Räikkönen (F1/Rally Driving)

How can I talk about hot sportsmen and not talk about Kimi? *sigh*

Stephen Fleming (Cricket)

OK so I know he's retired which means I'm kinda cheating, but hey...my blog, my rules.

Andrew Flintoff (Cricket)

Not an obvious choice, I know...but there's just something about Freddie...maybe that northern charm.

David Beckham (Footy)

Now this is an obvious choice; you have to agree he is a beautiful man.

Michael Owen (Footy)

Aww just look at that smile!

Marat Safin (Tennis)

The day he retired was a sad day for tennis...in every way imaginable. I just wish he'd shave more often!

Rafael Nadal (Tennis)

What list of sporty hotties would be complete without Rafa? And no, that Shakira video is not a mistake. Watch and you will see why (I actually prefer the Spanish version, which you can listen to here).

So yeah, I just realised I've listed 10 hotties from 5 sports. Not intentional, I promise. Admittedly this post is mostly for the girls, but hopefully the video will keep the boys happy. And yes, I enjoyed every bit of this post. Now I shall go back to my thesis. Just a thought though...why can't 'normal' guys be this good looking? Sigh.

I told you she didn't have a dick

2010-03-13T15:01:00.000Z

Listening to: Radio 1

I'm not really a fan of Lady Gaga, but this video is just something else. If this doesn't win at the MTV awards this year, then bloody hell I'll do a Kanye!

Quite probably NSFW, btw

Oh and in case you're wondering about the title for this post, listen to the dialogue at 1:09.

Just don't go there...

2010-03-06T22:23:00.000Z

Listening to: 'Starry Eyed' by Ellie Goulding [Lights]

You know how you think you just might maybe possibly slightly fancy someone, even though he's not your 'type'? And you know you're not his type so it's not like he'd go for you, but even if you were, you two are so not compatible? And even if you were compatible, it would just be weird and wrong?

And you know how you think you just might maybe possibly slightly fancy someone (either that or you want to mother him)? And it's great 'cos he's so your type (well one of your many 'types' anyway). But regardless of what your twisted feelings are, you know there's nothing there?

Sigh...I really don't need this right now. See this is what happens when the only semblance of excitement in my life is a very small portion of undergrad eye candy. FML.

I live a very, very, very wild lifestyle

2010-03-02T00:43:00.000Z

Listening to: 'Pass Out' by Tinie Tempah [The Disc-Overy]

Can I just say...oh boy am I loving this tune! Tinie Tempah is the latest grime artist to reach the mainstream airwaves...and his first offering is impressive, to say the least. I was listening to Nihal's review show last night and Jay Sean said that this could be the track to take grime to the US. I dunno if I'd go that far...I mean, "I've been Southampton but I've never been to Scunthorpe"...?! Most people outside the UK don't even know that Scunthorpe exists! But I agree that the combination of jungle beats, Soulja Boy/Kid Cudi-esque melody and (omg how awesome) drum n bass ending give it a broader appeal than your average grime track.

And there's a funky acoustic version he did for 1Xtra's Live Lounge here!

But erm yeah, back to what I meant to talk about in this post. I did three consecutive hours of teaching today. It was supposed to be two, but due to a certain lack of foresight on everyone's part, I spent three hours running from whiny student to whiny student, trying to mark off their coursework. I know procrastination is part of the undergrad experience, but this is just taking the piss! I mean did each of them seriously think they'd be the only student needing help during the last session? I felt bad that the kids that just needed to get signed off had to hang around for so long...but what could I do? I'm not Superwoman. I think as students, it's easy to forget that teachers/supervisors/demonstrators are human too. In fact I ended up snapping at a few of the kids who were whinging a bit...and they were the good kids! They just happened to grumble in the wrong place at the wrong time. Anyone who knows me well enough to have been on the receiving end of my wrath...you know it's not pretty. I hadn't lost my temper in a very long time, and while this was a whole lot calmer than past episodes, I still felt pretty shitty about it. So I just sent those students an email to apologise. Is it normal for teachers to apologise to students? I dunno. I did what I felt was right at the time. Hopefully they'll appreciate it. Even if they don't, my conscience is clear.

But you know what the weird thing was? After the three hours, I was knackered, dehydrated...and totally fired up. It was the biggest adrenalin rush I've had in a while. Some people get their kicks from falling backwards into the sea, others from embellishing their job interview stories (to hilariously epic proportions, mind you)...and I get mine from teaching? Evidently so. With every incident I'm more and more convinced that this is what I want to do in life...if only I can find a place that'll suit my 'master plan'!

Anyway, after that session, there was lunch with the labmates, writing up coursework for my teaching course, a visit to M&S for some chocolatey snacks for the lab, a cycle home via Sainsburys, and playing the role of agony aunt while I had my dinner. And now this post. I probably should've done some work on the thesis today but my brain has gone to sleep. Tomorrow eh? (Yeah, procrastination isn't just an undergrad affliction.)

So yeah...'very, very, very wild lifestyle'? I think not, Mr Tempah. But that suits me fine.

And so it begins

2010-02-21T23:59:00.000Z

Listening to: 'Cosmic Love' by Florence + The Machine [Lungs]

200 words down. 64,800 to go.

A day in the life of a single girl

2010-02-16T10:35:00.002Z

Listening to: Radio 1

This time last year I had a little rant about how singledom was perceived to be some kind of disease, and I'm sad to say (not really surprised though, I guess) that things haven't changed. In fact I lie, they have...they've actually got worse. My mother did warn me that they would, but I don't think anything or anyone could've prepared me for this.

Rewind to my trip home in December (re-rewind, when the crowd say bo sele...what?! That wasn't the first thing that came to mind when you read that sentence? Oh.)...amongst all the various social obligations was a family wedding. I was there with my parents, aunts and uncles, grandmother and grand aunts and generally having some quality 'family' time. One of my grand aunts took me to a corner and advised me that 'it was high time I found a good Sinhala Buddhist boy' but she's pushing 90 and harmless so I just grinned and took it on the chin. I thought to myself that if this was what my mother had warned me about, it'd be a piece of cake! I was wrong. Oh boy was I wrong.

Across the ballroom I spotted one of my old teachers, and being the glutton for punishm...I mean, well brought up child that I am, I decided it was probably best if I went and said hi. She was very pleased to see me, and I felt like I'd done a good deed...I mean who wouldn't appreciate being remembered after so many years, right? Everything was going along swimmingly...you know, the typical "so what did you do after leaving school?", "what's your research on?", "oh how lovely that our students are doing so well!"...and then I noticed her looking at my hand. My left hand. Suddenly alarm bells started ringing in my head. What happened next was a sea of incomprehensible questions, advice and gestures...but this was the general flow:

Ms X: How old are you now?
Me: Erm...26...?
Ms X: So you have a boyfriend?
Me: *OMGWTFBBQ* Err no, it's not a priority at the moment
Ms X: WHAT?! You're not getting any younger blah blah blah you must blah blah blah did you see Mr Y blah blah blah he's really smart blah blah blah I'll introduce you blah blah blah
Me: *keeeeelll meeeee naaaaooooo* Err no Miss it's ok, you don't have to...*feels hand being grabbed, body being hoisted off chair and dragged towards random guy*
Ms X: *to Mr Y* I want you to meet one of my blah blah blah she's very blah blah blah ok bye
Me: Erm hi. OK this is awkward.
Mr Y: *embarrassed look* Hehe

Can somebody say 'most embarrassing moment of PR's life'? Louder please. Thanks. My mother keeps telling me to 'keep an open mind' and I had to remind myself of that every two seconds in order to stop myself from tying my saree fall around my neck. I made small talk for about half a minute and then ran to my mother as soon as I could possibly do so politely. I was mortified, scarred for life...and my mother was rolling around laughing. And then came the next bomb drop. Apparently she had been told to look out for Mr Y's brother, 'cos he's apparently 'a good catch'. I mean WHAT THE...I'm being pimped to brothers?!?!?! Could things get any worse?!

Evidently so. About 2 days after this episode, we got a call from a family friend who lives abroad...asking for my height. Yeah, you guessed why...apparently her somebody's son is really nice and really smart. Ugh. And to top it all off, the food at the wedding was a bit dodgy, and I got the worst indigestion I'd had in ages. Way to kick a girl when she's down eh?

Why? WHY?! I ask you. I didn't ask to be set up with anyone. My parents haven't asked for me to be set up with anyone. Who are these people who feel they have some kind of duty to marry me off...some kind of right to interfere with my private life?! Since when did my love life become a public concern?! Apparently their intentions are good. Well you know what? I don't give a flying f*** about their intentions. They sure as hell don't care about mine. And to make things worse, some of these people have the audacity to tell my mother and father that they're bad parents because they're not searching for a groom. I'm telling you now, you could search the whole universe and not find two human beings who love me, care about me, respect me, who are proud of me, and have my best interests and my happiness at heart more than my parents. Anyone who calls them bad parents wouldn't know good parenting if it slapped them in the face.

And this is one of my 'issues' with back home. Every Dick, Tom and Harry is a self-appointed expert on all and sundry, and the sole purpose of their existence is to impose their opinions and their 'help' on everyone else. The fact that their intentions are good seems to make it all OK. I mean it's unimaginable that the recipient might not actually want or need help, right? What kind of an ungrateful wretch wouldn't want help or advice from these 'experts'? Oh I dunno, maybe the kind that actually knows what she wants in life and doesn't need interference from some supposedly-educated self-important elder? *rolls eyes*

So yeah. I've wanted to blog about this incident ever since it happened, but had a bit of writer's block until now. I know these are good people and I know their intentions are good but they're so self-absorbed that they don't realise that their efforts are in vain and unwelcome. I wish I knew how to tell them to STFU and mind their own goddamn business without actually telling them to STFU and mind their own goddamn business. Sigh.

Chapter closing

2010-02-11T09:30:00.000Z

Listening to: 'If We Ever Meet Again' by Timbaland ft. Katy Perry [Shock Value II]

So the weekend was all kinds of hectic. I had friends visiting, the ball, the performance, stubborn hair...you know, the usual. I mean hectic in a good way though...it was an extremely enjoyable weekend.

Having friends over was great. Being in a studio apartment as opposed to a crappy shoe-box room in a college house is so nice, I actually feel like having guests over! I wish I could've been a proper tour guide instead of palming them off to the others, but it was difficult enough to juggle ironing my sari and painting my nails with the practice!

Ah the practice. You know how the one time you manage to be punctual for something, everything else decides to go tits up? I do. There I was right on time (for once), and the others were about 20mins late. But to be fair, it wouldn't have mattered, 'cos the PA system was buggered so we couldn't do a mic check! I don't like not having a mic check before I perform. It means I have no idea of how much power I need to put in, how close I need to be to the mic, where the mic needs to be in relation to the speakers etc. What a nightmare! Our genius pianist promised to have everything done so that we would have enough time to get dressed (draping a sari takes time you know!), so I left everything in his capable hands and hurried home. Still, I was rather panicky about the whole thing.

In the end, it was OK. I watched the videos of the performance (which took way too long to get uploaded, might I add...they're now on my fb profile for those who know me and are interested), and while I guess I probably should've been a bit closer to the mic, it wasn't the end of the world. For once, I didn't hit any major bum notes and I didn't forget my words! Well I kinda almost did, but remembered just in time *phew*. There were lots of compliments, which was nice...but the one that really stayed with me was when someone said our performance brought her to tears and made her very homesick for Sri Lanka. Now that, girls and boys, is a compliment.

The rest of the ball was fun. The food was pretty good (although perhaps not as good as previous years), the DJ was mostly good (apart from when he played drum n bass...I love dnb, but it's just not 'brown party' music! C'mon dude!) and it was fun to catch up with the ol' gang.

I did realise, however, that for an oldie (let's face it, I am kind of a grandma in this place), I do spend a disproportionate amount of time fraternising with the lil' uns. I'm not sure why...and sometimes it feels a bit weird, especially when those nearer to my age are playing the "I'm too old for this shit" record. Still, I suppose the fact that the kids want me to hang out with them is a pretty good ego boost.

What I also realised was that this was my final public performance for the foreseeable future. I had kinda counted on the ball to give me my annual adrenalin kick, but no more. If all goes well, last weekend's ball was the last I'll attend as a student. I've been heavily involved with the society for the past 7 1/2 years, and this is a weird feeling...I wouldn't go so far as to say it's the end of an era, but it is the closing of a humongous chapter in my life. Thinking back...learning how to resist alcohol-related peer pressure (it's a Sri Lankan thing I tell you), staying up till silly o'clock designing programme souvenirs, organising the ball, practising diplomacy, fund-raising, and of course performing...it's been one hell of an experience. I'm gonna miss it, but I think the time is right to step out of the "oh yeah she's the one who sings all the time, she's been around for ages!" spotlight. It is kinda sad that I might never sing on stage again, but oh well.

So yeah. I'm inching towards the end of my student life. And I have no frikkin' clue what's in store. Fun times, people. Fun times.

Whistling loudly under the stars

2010-01-31T18:10:00.000Z

Listening to: Radio 1

Another music post! This time I'm gonna focus on electronic pop. I'm currently loving Ellie Goulding. She's 23, from London, and she recently topped the BBC's Sound of 2010. Why does that matter? Well have a look at the past nominees - I'd say she's in good company. She's also just won the Critics' Choice award at the Brits. Her first single Under the Sheets was great, but I'm loving Starry Eyed even more...

Next up is Example. According to Wikipedia he's been around for a while, but I've only just discovered him. I've heard one other song of his that I wasn't that impressed by, but this one is a definite 'night out' tune...woo!

And to finish it off, 3OH!3. Their debut single Don't Trust Me was good, but this new one with Katy Perry is ace, for two reasons. First? Well it's a good song. But second, and most important...it's the reason I can now whistle! Yeah I've never been able to whistle. I do everything right and just end up making a fool of myself. But no more! I was happily singing along a few days ago and suddenly realised I was actually getting the whistles properly! Ah so happy.

So yeah, three tracks I'm really liking at the moment. I have a feeling the next genre I cover is gonna be folk. Stay tuned.

P.S.- Sorry about the title :P

Happy birthday bestie!

2010-01-29T19:32:00.001Z

Listening to: 'Why Don't You' by Gramophonedzie [Swingin With The Fishes]

Just a quickie 'cos I'm currently up to my eyeballs in an essay about teaching techniques...but today marks 4 years since I started blogging. So happy birthday, my darling blog. You are one of my bestest friends :-).

To celebrate, here's an absolutely awesome track currently playing on the radio. Swing house FTW!