...you see it your way, i see it mine, but we both see it slipping away...

I think I may be giving up on LJ...

2017-05-15T13:15:53Z

I've decided to set myself up with a Wordpress blog, with a proper domain and everything. So if you're interested, you'll find me at Librarian on Parade. There's not much there at the moment, but the intention is to use it as a base for my book reviews and anything else that takes my fancy. It's a bit rough around the edges at the moment, as I'm still getting used to Wordpress! Any feedback would be great!

I'd love to see some of you over there, but if you're sticking around LJ (or Dreamwidth), I understand. I'll probably still be lurking around and commenting, just not updating here anymore.

I side with...

2017-04-21T07:21:58Z

Filling in a 2017 Election poll, and apparently I'm most in tune with the Scottish Nationals. Just a shame I'm not Scottish and therefore cannot vote for them. But my next match was with the Lib Dems, which is a relief considering I'm a card-carrying member!

"Your political beliefs would be considered strongly Left-Wing on an ideological scale, meaning you tend to support policies that promote social and economic equality." Quelle surprise!

You side slightly towards “Globalization”, meaning you more often believe globalization is necessary in order to increase the economic strength, prosperity, and standard of living of the nation.

You side extremely towards “Collectivism”, meaning you very strongly believe policy should protect and support the best interests of all citizens.

You side moderately towards “Regulation”, meaning you believe the government should regulate business activity to ensure no one is taking advantage of the system.

You side strongly towards “Progressive”, meaning you strongly believe we should be a nation that values personal freedom, expression, and diversity.

You side strongly towards “Secular”, meaning you strongly support policies that reflect a separation of church and state.

You side strongly towards “Multilateralism”, meaning you strongly believe policy decisions should be made collectively with support of everyone who may be affected by the outcome of the decision.

You side extremely towards “Tender”, meaning you very strongly believe in showing compassion, empathy, and rehabilitation for small-time criminals or those struggling with addiction.

Yep, all sounds like me. Just a shame voting Lib Dem won't make the damndest bit of difference to the Tory's Evil March to Brexit.

LJ 18th anniversary

2017-04-15T15:26:23Z

#mylivejournal #lj18 #happybirthday

I'm gonna have a fun birthday...

2017-04-08T11:00:20Z

It's my birthday on Wednesday, and I am going to be spending it in Swansea at a librarians' information literacy conference. Which, yes, is about as exciting as it sounds.

There better be cake, is all I'm saying. I can just about handle being at a conference on my birthday, since it's not really that much different to being at work. But there had damn well better be cake.

"One more thing, one more miracle, Sherlock, for me..."

2017-04-03T17:38:18Z

I've reached 'The Reichenbach Fall' in my Sherlock rewatch, and no matter how many times I've seen it, I still cry like a baby. Every damn time.

And I knew Sherlock wasn't dead even the first time around, everyone knew that! It's Martin Freeman and his stupid face and his broken voice, it kills me every time.

Still hung up over that Black Sails finale...

2017-04-03T07:24:12Z

As soon as I finish rewatching Sherlock, I'm going to go back and rewatch Black Sails from the start.

I really did not predict how much this pirate show would affect me, way back when it first aired. Who knew this murderous gay ginger pirate tearing the world apart in rage would steal my heart? I'm just all the heartseyes over Captain Flint. Toby Stephens, I swear, he needs to stop doing this to me.

Remember there was also that utterly dreadful John Malkovich pirate show at the same time? Wow. Worlds apart.

I am not okay...

2017-04-02T07:25:19Z

I am not okay. I am not okay.

Which translates as 'I just watched the Black Sails finale, and I am not okay...'

Black Sails unburies their gays!

Thomas is alive, Thomas is alive, Thomas is alive! Oh, my heart. Thomas is alive, and Flint has his Thomas back, and all is right with the world. I don't think I have ever been so happy for a fictional murderous pirate in my life.

That reunion, oh my God, I'm going to watch it on a loop until my dying day.

If you have never watched Black Sails, do yourself a favour. Do not click on any of my posts about it. Do not spoil yourself. Go in cold, and watch this show, and you will not be disappointed.

The game's afoot...

2017-04-01T13:21:24Z

All the TV I could be catching up on (current season of Agents of SHIELD, two years' worth of Hawaii Five-0, the last season of Ripper Street) and I've decided to embark on a re-watch of Sherlock.

Damn, Benedict Cumberbatch looks so young. And his hair, so fluffy!

Queen of the Conqueror: The Life of Matilda, Wife of William I - Tracy Borman

2017-03-31T13:21:54Z

Queen of the Conqueror: The Life of Matilda, Wife of William I - Tracy Borman
Non-Fiction
Pages: 320

1066 is very much the BC:AD moment of English history; anything before to most people is a confusing muddle of Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Romans. It is only with the bestriding figure of William the Conqueror that England as we know it comes into any kind of recognisable focus. And yet despite his invasion and conquest being the defining event of English history to this very day, William himself is a fairly shadowy figure in history.

So with that in mind, just imagine how much more of a shadowy figure is Matilda, William's wife and queen. And yet in her day Matilda was certainly more of an established personality on the international stage than William - her bloodline and connections were more important, and she herself was far more of an exalted figure than the illegitimate son of a duke of Normandy with a shaky grasp on his own inheritance. Matilda even turned down William's first proposal of marriage, deeming him beneath her dignity. The reasons why she changed her mind have been left to legend, but change her mind she did, forging a strong partnership with William that contributed in no small measure to his subsequent invasion and conquest of England. Without a regent whom he trusted unconditionally to hold his continental domain, it is unlikely William would have risked a length military expedition across the sea, and he certainly would not have been able to be absent from Normandy for the length of time it took to fully pacify England.

In many respects, reading this biography, Matilda reminded me of a later, much better known medieval queen - Eleanor of Aquitaine. Both were comfortable wielding the power of a queen; both substituted for their husbands in the absence in the position of regent; both were revered and respected figures; both rebelled against their husbands in favour of their sons. I think Matilda and Eleanor would have recognised much in one another.

As you can imagine, Matilda's was a tumultuous, dramatic life, and she couldn't ask for a better biographer than Tracy Borman. She has teased out the details of Matilda's life from the shroud of centuries and brought her back to life again, a woman every bit the equal of her husband and who contributed no less to the Conquest of England. Borman presents both the myths of Matilda's life and the facts, and whilst it is frustrating that there are so many aspects to her life that we can just never know for certain, Borman never pretends to knowledge that isn't there. It does mean in many respects this is as much a book about William the Conqueror and the 11th century than it is Matilda, but that is inevitable with so much lost to history, and it doesn't make any worse of a book.

All the foods...

2017-03-31T09:00:29Z

I'm having one of those days where I just want to eat everything in sight. And I'm not even close to being due on my period, so I can't even blame Aunt Flo.

I've been doing Slimming World since January with varying degrees of success. I've lost half a stone, which on the one hand is great and I'm not going to take any loss for granted, but on the other that's a slow return for three months of dieting. I genuinely think my body has a natural weight, because I cannot seem to get below 12st, which is still overweight, to be sure. But no matter how much I seem to diet or exercise, I seem to plateau at 12 stone!

Of course, wanting to eat everything in sight right now won't help me break that plateau either...

54: who's the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face?

2017-03-30T14:05:28Z

Not a meme, or if it is, it's a Tumblr one, not Livejournal. I came across this list of 100 questions on Tumblr and thought it would be a fun way of making myself post more often. Or more than just book reviews and the occasionally fandom squee. So I'm going to try and do at least one a day, maybe more some days, maybe not at all on others, as Real Life intervenes.

1: when you have cereal, do you have more milk than cereal or more cereal than milk?
2: do you like the feeling of cold air on your cheeks on a wintery day?
3: what random objects do you use to bookmark your books?
4: how do you take your coffee/tea?
5: are you self-conscious of your smile?
6: do you keep plants?
7: do you name your plants?
8: what artistic medium do you use to express your feelings?
9: do you like singing/humming to yourself?
10: do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach?
11: what's an inner joke you have with your friends?
12: what's your favorite planet?
13: what's something that made you smile today?
14: if you were to live with your best friend in an old flat in a big city, what would it look like?
15: go google a weird space fact and tell us what it is!
16: what's your favorite pasta dish?
17: what color do you really want to dye your hair?
18: tell us about something dumb/funny you did that has since gone down in history between you and your friends and is always brought up.
19: do you keep a journal? what do you write/draw/ in it?
20: what's your favorite eye color?
21: talk about your favorite bag, the one that's been to hell and back with you and that you love to pieces.
22: are you a morning person?
23: what's your favorite thing to do on lazy days where you have 0 obligations?
24: is there someone out there you would trust with every single one of your secrets?
25: what's the weirdest place you've ever broken into?
26: what are the shoes you've had for forever and wear with every single outfit?
27: what's your favorite bubblegum flavor?
28: sunrise or sunset?
29: what's something really cute that one of your friends does and is totally endearing?
30: think of it: have you ever been truly scared?
31: what is your opinion of socks? do you like wearing weird socks? do you sleep with socks? do you confine yourself to white sock hell? really, just talk about socks.
32: tell us a story of something that happened to you after 3AM when you were with friends.
33: what's your fave pastry?
34: tell us about the stuffed animal you kept as a kid. what is it called? what does it look like? do you still keep it?
35: do you like stationary and pretty pens and so on? do you use them often?
36: which band's sound would fit your mood right now?
37: do you like keeping your room messy or clean?
38: tell us about your pet peeves!
39: what color do you wear the most?
40: think of a piece of jewelry you own: what's it's story? does it have any meaning to you?
41: what's the last book you remember really, really loving?
42: do you have a favorite coffee shop? describe it!
43: who was the last person you gazed at the stars with?
44: when was the last time you remember feeling completely serene and at peace with everything?
45: do you trust your instincts a lot?
46: tell us the worst pun you can think of.
47: what food do you think should be banned from the universe?
48: what was your biggest fear as a kid? is it the same today?
49: do you like buying CDs and records? what was the last one you bought?
50: what's an odd thing you collect?
51: think of a person. what song do you associate with them?
52: what are your favorite memes of the year so far?
53: have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? heathers? beetlejuice? pulp fiction? what do you think of them?
54: who's the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face?
55: what's the most dramatic thing you've ever done to prove a point?
56: what are some things you find endearing in people?
57: go listen to bohemian rhapsody. how did it make you feel? did you dramatically reenact the lyrics?
58: who's the wine mom and who's the vodka aunt in your group of friends? why?
59: what's your favorite myth?
60: do you like poetry? what are some of your faves?
61: what's the stupidest gift you've ever given? the stupidest one you've ever received?
62: do you drink juice in the morning? which kind?
63: are you fussy about your books and music? do you keep them meticulously organized or kinda leave them be?
64: what color is the sky where you are right now?
65: is there anyone you haven't seen in a long time who you'd love to hang out with?
66: what would your ideal flower crown look like?
67: how do gloomy days where the sky is dark and the world is misty make you feel?
68: what's winter like where you live?
69: what are your favorite board games?
70: have you ever used a ouija board?
71: what's your favorite kind of tea?
72: are you a person who needs to note everything down or else you'll forget it?
73: what are some of your worst habits?
74: describe a good friend of yours without using their name or gendered pronouns.
75: tell us about your pets!
76: is there anything you should be doing right now but aren't?
77: pink or yellow lemonade?
78: are you in the minion hateclub or fanclub?
79: what's one of the cutest things someone has ever done for you?
80: what color are your bedroom walls? did you choose that color? if so, why?
81: describe one of your friend's eyes using the most abstract imagery you can think of.
82: are/were you good in school?
83: what's some of your favorite album art?
84: are you planning on getting tattoos? which ones?
85: do you read comics? what are your faves?
86: do you like concept albums? which ones?
87: what are some movies you think everyone should watch at least once in their lives?
88: are there any artistic movements you particularly enjoy?
89: are you close to your parents?
90: talk about your one of you favorite cities.
91: where do you plan on traveling this year?
92: are you a person who drowns their pasta in cheese or a person who barely sprinkles a pinch?
93: what's the hairstyle you wear the most?
94: who was the last person you know to have a birthday?
95: what are your plans for this weekend?
96: do you install your computer updates really quickly or do you procrastinate on them a lot?
97: myer briggs type, zodiac sign, and hogwarts house?
98: when's the last time you went hiking? did you enjoy it?
99: list some songs that resonate to your soul whenever you hear them.
100: if you were presented with two buttons, one that allows you to go 5 years into the past, the other 5 years into the future, which one would you press? why?

54: who's the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face?

I don't know. Honestly. I mean, 'true sadness' - who am I to judge? How can I tell what's truly sadness to someone else? Is there a difference expression-wise between 'true sadness' and 'having a bad day'? Does 'crying over a TV show' count? It's such an odd question, because you'd have to know why they were sad to know that it was true sadness...

I'm over-thinking this, I know. Quick answer - I don't know.

I feel sad this morning...

2017-03-29T07:22:09Z

Not depressed or frustrated or anything, just...sad. I don't know if it's the weather (miserable, wet and grey) or the dream I had last night (I was lost and trying to find something or someone, I can't remember). It could be because it's Article 50 day today, or the fact that I'm reading a biography of Clover Adams and just reached the part detailing her suicide, or the fact that it's my birthday in two weeks, or...

I don't know. I just feel sad this morning, and that's not like me.

heartseyes

2017-03-28T11:21:51Z

Oh, help me, I'm in love.

These coats. These dresses! Oh dear Lord.

I have a birthday next month. I am seriously considering buying myself this coat as a birthday treat. It'll be the single most expensive item of clothing I own, but oh....

Thomas Becket: Warrior, Priest, Rebel, Victim: A 900-Year-Old Story Retold - John Guy

2017-03-26T10:21:25Z

Thomas Becket: Warrior, Priest, Rebel, Victim: A 900-Year-Old Story Retold - John Guy
Non-Fiction
Pages: 464

The story of Thomas Becket, St Thomas of Canterbury fame, is one of the formative myths of the English nation - and I use the term 'myth' deliberately, because whilst most people (hopefully) know something of the story of Thomas Becket and his martyrdom, I suspect the history behind the story is much less well-known. And yet it is hard to overstate the importance of Thomas Becket in English history - not just in his struggles against the over-mighty Henry II but in the place his cult and shrine at Canterbury came to occupy in the minds of his countrymen in the centuries after his murder. In many ways St Thomas became the personal saint of the English royal family, displacing the position St Edward the Confessor had held in the years previously.

One of the most interesting aspects of this book are the parallels between Henry II and Henry VIII, the latter obviously so much better known - both dominant, bullying figures, intent on establishing entire control of their domain, resenting the influence of the papacy and the church in what they deemed purely secular affairs; both looking to create a regional church, ring-fenced by the coast, with the king as ultimate arbiter of all within the realm; both resisted by senior clergymen who ultimately paid for their resistance with their lives. Of course, one of the key differences between Becket and John Fisher or Thomas More is the latter really did die for their principles and beliefs, whereas it is hard to escape the conclusion that Becket's resistance to Henry II was more personal and worldly than spiritual.

This biography by John Guy brings the myth and the man to life, in all too real and vivid colour. It is marketed as a revisionist biography, rather than regular 'history', and the verve with which it is told is testament to that. There's a fair amount of artistic licence here, and a bit too much imaginative reconstruction for my tastes. This is far more akin to a modern biography than one would expect for a figure who died more than 800 years ago - and for someone like me used to medieval history, the lack of footnotes and references was jarring and concerning. There's little evidence of historical impartiality here, and that coupled with the aforementioned lack of references, anachronistic turns of phrase and historical supposition, leads me to view this book with more of a cautious eye than I would expect from an historian as respectable as John Guy. One thing is certainly for sure, reading this biography - John Guy is no fan of Henry II!

So on the one hand this is an excellent, readable and thoroughly enjoyable introduction to the life of Thomas Becket, but solid academic history it is not. If Guy and his publishers wished to bring Becket to life for a modern audience, then they have done a fine job - but I can't help but regret what Guy's authorial skill and academic credentials could have resulted in with just a bit more rigour and impartiality.

The Struggle for Mastery: Britain, 1066-1284 - David Carpenter

2017-03-26T09:54:55Z

The Struggle for Mastery: Britain, 1066-1284 - David Carpenter
Non-Fiction
Pages: 640

It's hard to think of a better introductory text to medieval Britain. Covering the years from the Conquest in 1066 to Edward I's mastery of Wales, this is an excellent overview of possibly the most momentous and formative years of these isles. The patterns of alliance, hostility, submission and defiance that we are still so familiar with today were established in these years - the Norman conquest of England; the expansion, contraction and final settling of the boundaries of Scotland; the annexing of the Isle of Man; the takeover of the Scottish islands from Norway; the Norman invasion of Ireland; the dynastic struggles in Wales; the establishment of the overlordship of the English crown; the slow progression of nationhood from Norman to English; Magna Carta.

Carpenter covers these complex and weighty issues not just in chronological format but with room for chapters on the economic, religious, cultural and linguistic developments. Along the way he analyses how the sophisticated system of government of Anglo-Saxon England made it vulnerable to the Norman invasion, why Wales' disunity protected it for a time before proving its ultimate downfall, and how the Scottish kings unified disparate peoples under one crown. It makes for fascinating reading, and highlights the dangers of assuming that English mastery of Britain was a foregone conclusion. Indeed, as Carpenter points out, it was only after the break-up of the Angevin Empire and loss of their Continental distractions that successive English kings turned their attentions to the domination of Wales and Scotland, and to a lesser extent Ireland.

That said, this is very much high-level history, more a textbook than a narrative history. Those looking for an insight into 'how people lived', the everyday life of medieval barons and peasants, are best looking elsewhere!

Scary stuff happening in London at the moment...

2017-03-22T15:56:12Z

Very sketchy news at the moment, but it sounds like a police offer has been stabbed, his assailant has been shot, and a car has rammed a number of pedestrians on Westminster Bridge. Don't know at the moment if it was the same man or two separate incidents.

I just dread the reaction of the right to this. I'm sure Trump will start 'I told you so'ing and use this as an excuse for even more abhorrent treatment of Muslims, even before we know who perpetrated this attack. Could have been a disgruntled Brexiteer for all we know, or just someone experiencing a psychotic break!

I just hope the casualties are minimal. So far the only confirmed dead, I think, is the guy with the knife/machete who stabbed the police officer.

53: have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? heathers? beetlejuice? pulp fiction?

2017-03-22T10:03:47Z

Not a meme, or if it is, it's a Tumblr one, not Livejournal. I came across this list of 100 questions on Tumblr and thought it would be a fun way of making myself post more often. Or more than just book reviews and the occasionally fandom squee. So I'm going to try and do at least one a day, maybe more some days, maybe not at all on others, as Real Life intervenes.

1: when you have cereal, do you have more milk than cereal or more cereal than milk?
2: do you like the feeling of cold air on your cheeks on a wintery day?
3: what random objects do you use to bookmark your books?
4: how do you take your coffee/tea?
5: are you self-conscious of your smile?
6: do you keep plants?
7: do you name your plants?
8: what artistic medium do you use to express your feelings?
9: do you like singing/humming to yourself?
10: do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach?
11: what's an inner joke you have with your friends?
12: what's your favorite planet?
13: what's something that made you smile today?
14: if you were to live with your best friend in an old flat in a big city, what would it look like?
15: go google a weird space fact and tell us what it is!
16: what's your favorite pasta dish?
17: what color do you really want to dye your hair?
18: tell us about something dumb/funny you did that has since gone down in history between you and your friends and is always brought up.
19: do you keep a journal? what do you write/draw/ in it?
20: what's your favorite eye color?
21: talk about your favorite bag, the one that's been to hell and back with you and that you love to pieces.
22: are you a morning person?
23: what's your favorite thing to do on lazy days where you have 0 obligations?
24: is there someone out there you would trust with every single one of your secrets?
25: what's the weirdest place you've ever broken into?
26: what are the shoes you've had for forever and wear with every single outfit?
27: what's your favorite bubblegum flavor?
28: sunrise or sunset?
29: what's something really cute that one of your friends does and is totally endearing?
30: think of it: have you ever been truly scared?
31: what is your opinion of socks? do you like wearing weird socks? do you sleep with socks? do you confine yourself to white sock hell? really, just talk about socks.
32: tell us a story of something that happened to you after 3AM when you were with friends.
33: what's your fave pastry?
34: tell us about the stuffed animal you kept as a kid. what is it called? what does it look like? do you still keep it?
35: do you like stationary and pretty pens and so on? do you use them often?
36: which band's sound would fit your mood right now?
37: do you like keeping your room messy or clean?
38: tell us about your pet peeves!
39: what color do you wear the most?
40: think of a piece of jewelry you own: what's it's story? does it have any meaning to you?
41: what's the last book you remember really, really loving?
42: do you have a favorite coffee shop? describe it!
43: who was the last person you gazed at the stars with?
44: when was the last time you remember feeling completely serene and at peace with everything?
45: do you trust your instincts a lot?
46: tell us the worst pun you can think of.
47: what food do you think should be banned from the universe?
48: what was your biggest fear as a kid? is it the same today?
49: do you like buying CDs and records? what was the last one you bought?
50: what's an odd thing you collect?
51: think of a person. what song do you associate with them?
52: what are your favorite memes of the year so far?
53: have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? heathers? beetlejuice? pulp fiction? what do you think of them?
54: who's the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face?
55: what's the most dramatic thing you've ever done to prove a point?
56: what are some things you find endearing in people?
57: go listen to bohemian rhapsody. how did it make you feel? did you dramatically reenact the lyrics?
58: who's the wine mom and who's the vodka aunt in your group of friends? why?
59: what's your favorite myth?
60: do you like poetry? what are some of your faves?
61: what's the stupidest gift you've ever given? the stupidest one you've ever received?
62: do you drink juice in the morning? which kind?
63: are you fussy about your books and music? do you keep them meticulously organized or kinda leave them be?
64: what color is the sky where you are right now?
65: is there anyone you haven't seen in a long time who you'd love to hang out with?
66: what would your ideal flower crown look like?
67: how do gloomy days where the sky is dark and the world is misty make you feel?
68: what's winter like where you live?
69: what are your favorite board games?
70: have you ever used a ouija board?
71: what's your favorite kind of tea?
72: are you a person who needs to note everything down or else you'll forget it?
73: what are some of your worst habits?
74: describe a good friend of yours without using their name or gendered pronouns.
75: tell us about your pets!
76: is there anything you should be doing right now but aren't?
77: pink or yellow lemonade?
78: are you in the minion hateclub or fanclub?
79: what's one of the cutest things someone has ever done for you?
80: what color are your bedroom walls? did you choose that color? if so, why?
81: describe one of your friend's eyes using the most abstract imagery you can think of.
82: are/were you good in school?
83: what's some of your favorite album art?
84: are you planning on getting tattoos? which ones?
85: do you read comics? what are your faves?
86: do you like concept albums? which ones?
87: what are some movies you think everyone should watch at least once in their lives?
88: are there any artistic movements you particularly enjoy?
89: are you close to your parents?
90: talk about your one of you favorite cities.
91: where do you plan on traveling this year?
92: are you a person who drowns their pasta in cheese or a person who barely sprinkles a pinch?
93: what's the hairstyle you wear the most?
94: who was the last person you know to have a birthday?
95: what are your plans for this weekend?
96: do you install your computer updates really quickly or do you procrastinate on them a lot?
97: myer briggs type, zodiac sign, and hogwarts house?
98: when's the last time you went hiking? did you enjoy it?
99: list some songs that resonate to your soul whenever you hear them.
100: if you were presented with two buttons, one that allows you to go 5 years into the past, the other 5 years into the future, which one would you press? why?

53: have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? heathers? beetlejuice? pulp fiction? what do you think of them?

Yes; yes; yes; and yes. Love it; only seen it once; not a fan; don't like it.

Bit of a wet weekend in Wales...

2017-03-21T12:01:21Z

Got back yesterday afternoon after an amazing four-day weekend in Wales. The weather was dreadful, as you might expect for a March weekend in North Wales - but I had a great time.

My aunt and uncle had bought tickets for Zipworld for my brother and I for Christmas, and when we were staying with them for Christmas we'd all discussed combining doing Zipworld with a weekend in Wales for my uncle's 60th birthday - hence this weekend. We'd hired a huge house in Treaddur Bay on Anglesey for the weekend, so there was my brother and I, my parents, my aunt and uncle, my three cousins, Tom, Will and Matty, Tom's girlfriend Sadie, two friends of my uncle's and their son and his girlfriend. So quite a crowd! The number of empty wine, beer and spirit bottles were a bit alarming! There was also an amazingly creepy house on the headland just opposite the house - if ever a house looked haunted, this one does...

Zipworld was fab - it's the longest zipwire in Europe and the fastest in the world, takes you from the top of the quarry mountain, down and across the lake at over 100mph. That said, doing it in the rain hurts like hell when you're zipping into rain at that speed! But it was so exhilarating, closest thing to flying I'll ever experience! We also went to Bounce Below, which is a huge bounce-network inside a cavern, loads of bounce nets and slides on four levels inside this massive cavern. Amazing fun but bloody knackering!

And we did visit Conwy Castle too, for a bit of culture. I'd just finished reading David Carpenter's The Struggle for Mastery, which is about the British Isles during the 11th and 12th centuries, so it was fascinating to see somewhere I'd been reading about like Conwy, built by Edward I during the Conquest of Wales. I'd wanted to visit Caernarfon too, but we didn't have time. Just an excuse for another visit!

So exhausted now though. Late nights, lots of exertion and laughter, too much food and alcohol - and now I'm at work from 8am to 7.30pm. Yikes. I'll be dead by the weekend.

52: what are your favorite memes of the year so far?

2017-03-15T11:53:02Z

Not a meme, or if it is, it's a Tumblr one, not Livejournal. I came across this list of 100 questions on Tumblr and thought it would be a fun way of making myself post more often. Or more than just book reviews and the occasionally fandom squee. So I'm going to try and do at least one a day, maybe more some days, maybe not at all on others, as Real Life intervenes.

1: when you have cereal, do you have more milk than cereal or more cereal than milk?
2: do you like the feeling of cold air on your cheeks on a wintery day?
3: what random objects do you use to bookmark your books?
4: how do you take your coffee/tea?
5: are you self-conscious of your smile?
6: do you keep plants?
7: do you name your plants?
8: what artistic medium do you use to express your feelings?
9: do you like singing/humming to yourself?
10: do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach?
11: what's an inner joke you have with your friends?
12: what's your favorite planet?
13: what's something that made you smile today?
14: if you were to live with your best friend in an old flat in a big city, what would it look like?
15: go google a weird space fact and tell us what it is!
16: what's your favorite pasta dish?
17: what color do you really want to dye your hair?
18: tell us about something dumb/funny you did that has since gone down in history between you and your friends and is always brought up.
19: do you keep a journal? what do you write/draw/ in it?
20: what's your favorite eye color?
21: talk about your favorite bag, the one that's been to hell and back with you and that you love to pieces.
22: are you a morning person?
23: what's your favorite thing to do on lazy days where you have 0 obligations?
24: is there someone out there you would trust with every single one of your secrets?
25: what's the weirdest place you've ever broken into?
26: what are the shoes you've had for forever and wear with every single outfit?
27: what's your favorite bubblegum flavor?
28: sunrise or sunset?
29: what's something really cute that one of your friends does and is totally endearing?
30: think of it: have you ever been truly scared?
31: what is your opinion of socks? do you like wearing weird socks? do you sleep with socks? do you confine yourself to white sock hell? really, just talk about socks.
32: tell us a story of something that happened to you after 3AM when you were with friends.
33: what's your fave pastry?
34: tell us about the stuffed animal you kept as a kid. what is it called? what does it look like? do you still keep it?
35: do you like stationary and pretty pens and so on? do you use them often?
36: which band's sound would fit your mood right now?
37: do you like keeping your room messy or clean?
38: tell us about your pet peeves!
39: what color do you wear the most?
40: think of a piece of jewelry you own: what's it's story? does it have any meaning to you?
41: what's the last book you remember really, really loving?
42: do you have a favorite coffee shop? describe it!
43: who was the last person you gazed at the stars with?
44: when was the last time you remember feeling completely serene and at peace with everything?
45: do you trust your instincts a lot?
46: tell us the worst pun you can think of.
47: what food do you think should be banned from the universe?
48: what was your biggest fear as a kid? is it the same today?
49: do you like buying CDs and records? what was the last one you bought?
50: what's an odd thing you collect?
51: think of a person. what song do you associate with them?
52: what are your favorite memes of the year so far?
53: have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? heathers? beetlejuice? pulp fiction? what do you think of them?
54: who's the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face?
55: what's the most dramatic thing you've ever done to prove a point?
56: what are some things you find endearing in people?
57: go listen to bohemian rhapsody. how did it make you feel? did you dramatically reenact the lyrics?
58: who's the wine mom and who's the vodka aunt in your group of friends? why?
59: what's your favorite myth?
60: do you like poetry? what are some of your faves?
61: what's the stupidest gift you've ever given? the stupidest one you've ever received?
62: do you drink juice in the morning? which kind?
63: are you fussy about your books and music? do you keep them meticulously organized or kinda leave them be?
64: what color is the sky where you are right now?
65: is there anyone you haven't seen in a long time who you'd love to hang out with?
66: what would your ideal flower crown look like?
67: how do gloomy days where the sky is dark and the world is misty make you feel?
68: what's winter like where you live?
69: what are your favorite board games?
70: have you ever used a ouija board?
71: what's your favorite kind of tea?
72: are you a person who needs to note everything down or else you'll forget it?
73: what are some of your worst habits?
74: describe a good friend of yours without using their name or gendered pronouns.
75: tell us about your pets!
76: is there anything you should be doing right now but aren't?
77: pink or yellow lemonade?
78: are you in the minion hateclub or fanclub?
79: what's one of the cutest things someone has ever done for you?
80: what color are your bedroom walls? did you choose that color? if so, why?
81: describe one of your friend's eyes using the most abstract imagery you can think of.
82: are/were you good in school?
83: what's some of your favorite album art?
84: are you planning on getting tattoos? which ones?
85: do you read comics? what are your faves?
86: do you like concept albums? which ones?
87: what are some movies you think everyone should watch at least once in their lives?
88: are there any artistic movements you particularly enjoy?
89: are you close to your parents?
90: talk about your one of you favorite cities.
91: where do you plan on traveling this year?
92: are you a person who drowns their pasta in cheese or a person who barely sprinkles a pinch?
93: what's the hairstyle you wear the most?
94: who was the last person you know to have a birthday?
95: what are your plans for this weekend?
96: do you install your computer updates really quickly or do you procrastinate on them a lot?
97: myer briggs type, zodiac sign, and hogwarts house?
98: when's the last time you went hiking? did you enjoy it?
99: list some songs that resonate to your soul whenever you hear them.
100: if you were presented with two buttons, one that allows you to go 5 years into the past, the other 5 years into the future, which one would you press? why?

52: what are your favorite memes of the year so far?

Got to be Trump's executive order.

51: think of a person. what song do you associate with them?

2017-03-14T17:19:24Z

Not a meme, or if it is, it's a Tumblr one, not Livejournal. I came across this list of 100 questions on Tumblr and thought it would be a fun way of making myself post more often. Or more than just book reviews and the occasionally fandom squee. So I'm going to try and do at least one a day, maybe more some days, maybe not at all on others, as Real Life intervenes.

1: when you have cereal, do you have more milk than cereal or more cereal than milk?
2: do you like the feeling of cold air on your cheeks on a wintery day?
3: what random objects do you use to bookmark your books?
4: how do you take your coffee/tea?
5: are you self-conscious of your smile?
6: do you keep plants?
7: do you name your plants?
8: what artistic medium do you use to express your feelings?
9: do you like singing/humming to yourself?
10: do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach?
11: what's an inner joke you have with your friends?
12: what's your favorite planet?
13: what's something that made you smile today?
14: if you were to live with your best friend in an old flat in a big city, what would it look like?
15: go google a weird space fact and tell us what it is!
16: what's your favorite pasta dish?
17: what color do you really want to dye your hair?
18: tell us about something dumb/funny you did that has since gone down in history between you and your friends and is always brought up.
19: do you keep a journal? what do you write/draw/ in it?
20: what's your favorite eye color?
21: talk about your favorite bag, the one that's been to hell and back with you and that you love to pieces.
22: are you a morning person?
23: what's your favorite thing to do on lazy days where you have 0 obligations?
24: is there someone out there you would trust with every single one of your secrets?
25: what's the weirdest place you've ever broken into?
26: what are the shoes you've had for forever and wear with every single outfit?
27: what's your favorite bubblegum flavor?
28: sunrise or sunset?
29: what's something really cute that one of your friends does and is totally endearing?
30: think of it: have you ever been truly scared?
31: what is your opinion of socks? do you like wearing weird socks? do you sleep with socks? do you confine yourself to white sock hell? really, just talk about socks.
32: tell us a story of something that happened to you after 3AM when you were with friends.
33: what's your fave pastry?
34: tell us about the stuffed animal you kept as a kid. what is it called? what does it look like? do you still keep it?
35: do you like stationary and pretty pens and so on? do you use them often?
36: which band's sound would fit your mood right now?
37: do you like keeping your room messy or clean?
38: tell us about your pet peeves!
39: what color do you wear the most?
40: think of a piece of jewelry you own: what's it's story? does it have any meaning to you?
41: what's the last book you remember really, really loving?
42: do you have a favorite coffee shop? describe it!
43: who was the last person you gazed at the stars with?
44: when was the last time you remember feeling completely serene and at peace with everything?
45: do you trust your instincts a lot?
46: tell us the worst pun you can think of.
47: what food do you think should be banned from the universe?
48: what was your biggest fear as a kid? is it the same today?
49: do you like buying CDs and records? what was the last one you bought?
50: what's an odd thing you collect?
51: think of a person. what song do you associate with them?
52: what are your favorite memes of the year so far?
53: have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? heathers? beetlejuice? pulp fiction? what do you think of them?
54: who's the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face?
55: what's the most dramatic thing you've ever done to prove a point?
56: what are some things you find endearing in people?
57: go listen to bohemian rhapsody. how did it make you feel? did you dramatically reenact the lyrics?
58: who's the wine mom and who's the vodka aunt in your group of friends? why?
59: what's your favorite myth?
60: do you like poetry? what are some of your faves?
61: what's the stupidest gift you've ever given? the stupidest one you've ever received?
62: do you drink juice in the morning? which kind?
63: are you fussy about your books and music? do you keep them meticulously organized or kinda leave them be?
64: what color is the sky where you are right now?
65: is there anyone you haven't seen in a long time who you'd love to hang out with?
66: what would your ideal flower crown look like?
67: how do gloomy days where the sky is dark and the world is misty make you feel?
68: what's winter like where you live?
69: what are your favorite board games?
70: have you ever used a ouija board?
71: what's your favorite kind of tea?
72: are you a person who needs to note everything down or else you'll forget it?
73: what are some of your worst habits?
74: describe a good friend of yours without using their name or gendered pronouns.
75: tell us about your pets!
76: is there anything you should be doing right now but aren't?
77: pink or yellow lemonade?
78: are you in the minion hateclub or fanclub?
79: what's one of the cutest things someone has ever done for you?
80: what color are your bedroom walls? did you choose that color? if so, why?
81: describe one of your friend's eyes using the most abstract imagery you can think of.
82: are/were you good in school?
83: what's some of your favorite album art?
84: are you planning on getting tattoos? which ones?
85: do you read comics? what are your faves?
86: do you like concept albums? which ones?
87: what are some movies you think everyone should watch at least once in their lives?
88: are there any artistic movements you particularly enjoy?
89: are you close to your parents?
90: talk about your one of you favorite cities.
91: where do you plan on traveling this year?
92: are you a person who drowns their pasta in cheese or a person who barely sprinkles a pinch?
93: what's the hairstyle you wear the most?
94: who was the last person you know to have a birthday?
95: what are your plans for this weekend?
96: do you install your computer updates really quickly or do you procrastinate on them a lot?
97: myer briggs type, zodiac sign, and hogwarts house?
98: when's the last time you went hiking? did you enjoy it?
99: list some songs that resonate to your soul whenever you hear them.
100: if you were presented with two buttons, one that allows you to go 5 years into the past, the other 5 years into the future, which one would you press? why?

51: think of a person. what song do you associate with them?

Most of the songs that were spring to mind are more about memorable periods or events in my life in which multiple people are associated. There's rarely just one song, I think, and rarely just one person. I've never had a 'our song' type relationship.

Like, 'Don't Stop Me Now' by Queen or 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' by Whitney Houston are totally songs I associate with Cheese Nights down at the Union when I was at university, with my core group of friends, Esther, Rebecka, Catherine and Faye. Those were songs that when they played them, if we were in the queue at the bar or sat down chatting or even outside, we had to get on the dancefloor, stat.

50: what's an odd thing you collect?

2017-03-13T11:21:00Z

Not a meme, or if it is, it's a Tumblr one, not Livejournal. I came across this list of 100 questions on Tumblr and thought it would be a fun way of making myself post more often. Or more than just book reviews and the occasionally fandom squee. So I'm going to try and do at least one a day, maybe more some days, maybe not at all on others, as Real Life intervenes.

1: when you have cereal, do you have more milk than cereal or more cereal than milk?
2: do you like the feeling of cold air on your cheeks on a wintery day?
3: what random objects do you use to bookmark your books?
4: how do you take your coffee/tea?
5: are you self-conscious of your smile?
6: do you keep plants?
7: do you name your plants?
8: what artistic medium do you use to express your feelings?
9: do you like singing/humming to yourself?
10: do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach?
11: what's an inner joke you have with your friends?
12: what's your favorite planet?
13: what's something that made you smile today?
14: if you were to live with your best friend in an old flat in a big city, what would it look like?
15: go google a weird space fact and tell us what it is!
16: what's your favorite pasta dish?
17: what color do you really want to dye your hair?
18: tell us about something dumb/funny you did that has since gone down in history between you and your friends and is always brought up.
19: do you keep a journal? what do you write/draw/ in it?
20: what's your favorite eye color?
21: talk about your favorite bag, the one that's been to hell and back with you and that you love to pieces.
22: are you a morning person?
23: what's your favorite thing to do on lazy days where you have 0 obligations?
24: is there someone out there you would trust with every single one of your secrets?
25: what's the weirdest place you've ever broken into?
26: what are the shoes you've had for forever and wear with every single outfit?
27: what's your favorite bubblegum flavor?
28: sunrise or sunset?
29: what's something really cute that one of your friends does and is totally endearing?
30: think of it: have you ever been truly scared?
31: what is your opinion of socks? do you like wearing weird socks? do you sleep with socks? do you confine yourself to white sock hell? really, just talk about socks.
32: tell us a story of something that happened to you after 3AM when you were with friends.
33: what's your fave pastry?
34: tell us about the stuffed animal you kept as a kid. what is it called? what does it look like? do you still keep it?
35: do you like stationary and pretty pens and so on? do you use them often?
36: which band's sound would fit your mood right now?
37: do you like keeping your room messy or clean?
38: tell us about your pet peeves!
39: what color do you wear the most?
40: think of a piece of jewelry you own: what's it's story? does it have any meaning to you?
41: what's the last book you remember really, really loving?
42: do you have a favorite coffee shop? describe it!
43: who was the last person you gazed at the stars with?
44: when was the last time you remember feeling completely serene and at peace with everything?
45: do you trust your instincts a lot?
46: tell us the worst pun you can think of.
47: what food do you think should be banned from the universe?
48: what was your biggest fear as a kid? is it the same today?
49: do you like buying CDs and records? what was the last one you bought?
50: what's an odd thing you collect?
51: think of a person. what song do you associate with them?
52: what are your favorite memes of the year so far?
53: have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? heathers? beetlejuice? pulp fiction? what do you think of them?
54: who's the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face?
55: what's the most dramatic thing you've ever done to prove a point?
56: what are some things you find endearing in people?
57: go listen to bohemian rhapsody. how did it make you feel? did you dramatically reenact the lyrics?
58: who's the wine mom and who's the vodka aunt in your group of friends? why?
59: what's your favorite myth?
60: do you like poetry? what are some of your faves?
61: what's the stupidest gift you've ever given? the stupidest one you've ever received?
62: do you drink juice in the morning? which kind?
63: are you fussy about your books and music? do you keep them meticulously organized or kinda leave them be?
64: what color is the sky where you are right now?
65: is there anyone you haven't seen in a long time who you'd love to hang out with?
66: what would your ideal flower crown look like?
67: how do gloomy days where the sky is dark and the world is misty make you feel?
68: what's winter like where you live?
69: what are your favorite board games?
70: have you ever used a ouija board?
71: what's your favorite kind of tea?
72: are you a person who needs to note everything down or else you'll forget it?
73: what are some of your worst habits?
74: describe a good friend of yours without using their name or gendered pronouns.
75: tell us about your pets!
76: is there anything you should be doing right now but aren't?
77: pink or yellow lemonade?
78: are you in the minion hateclub or fanclub?
79: what's one of the cutest things someone has ever done for you?
80: what color are your bedroom walls? did you choose that color? if so, why?
81: describe one of your friend's eyes using the most abstract imagery you can think of.
82: are/were you good in school?
83: what's some of your favorite album art?
84: are you planning on getting tattoos? which ones?
85: do you read comics? what are your faves?
86: do you like concept albums? which ones?
87: what are some movies you think everyone should watch at least once in their lives?
88: are there any artistic movements you particularly enjoy?
89: are you close to your parents?
90: talk about your one of you favorite cities.
91: where do you plan on traveling this year?
92: are you a person who drowns their pasta in cheese or a person who barely sprinkles a pinch?
93: what's the hairstyle you wear the most?
94: who was the last person you know to have a birthday?
95: what are your plans for this weekend?
96: do you install your computer updates really quickly or do you procrastinate on them a lot?
97: myer briggs type, zodiac sign, and hogwarts house?
98: when's the last time you went hiking? did you enjoy it?
99: list some songs that resonate to your soul whenever you hear them.
100: if you were presented with two buttons, one that allows you to go 5 years into the past, the other 5 years into the future, which one would you press? why?

50: what's an odd thing you collect?

Rubber ducks! I don't even quite know how I started, but I do like to collect quirky rubber ducks. So I have a Shakespeare duck, for example, a Duck Fadar duck, a Mr Spuck, Michael Quackson, James Pond, Duckula - and so on...

King John and the Road to Magna Carta - Stephen Church

2017-03-12T16:42:50Z

King John and the Road to Magna Carta - Stephen Church
Non-Fiction
Pages: 328

The reign of King John marks a watershed in English history in more ways than one. Known largely as the 'Bad King John' of Robin Hood fame, whose disastrous kingship gave rise to Magna Carta, John's reign marks the point when the kings of England truly became English, kings only of England. His predecessors spent more time across the Channel in their continental lands than in England, and most did not even speak English - John's son Henry III was the first to speak English fluently, and even then it was not his native tongue. Many of the nobility held lands on both sides of the Channel, and few would have considered themselves English - Anglo-Norman, at best.

Under John's rule the continental empire of the Angevin kings of England that had once stretched from the borders of Scotland to Spain, including more than half of France, was lost - and it was in an effort to regain those lands that John taxed his subjects relentlessly, demanded men and matériel for his army, appropriated Church possessions, and so alienated his barons that they eventually rebelled against him and invited the son of the French king to invade and take the crown. As Stephen Church so ably demonstrates in this book, you cannot separate this period in English history from French history, you cannot look at events in England without reference to the wider context. John's actions in England, so memorably recounted and vilified in Robin Hood stories, were in direct response to events in France, in Wales, in Ireland. His tyranny was prompted by a harried king's desperate need for cash, men and arms to fight for the reconquest of his ancestral lands.

This is a scholarly yet thoroughly readable history, and Church manages to condense a tangled, complex web of conflicting loyalties, politics, betrayal and abuse of power into a clear and comprehensive account. John is one of the most complex and enigmatic of English monarchs, and Church portrays him here with a clear eye and no judgement. As the author himself says, it is important to tell John's life as though we did not already know how it ended. As with Richard III, we tend to let the final outcome colour how we view an entire reign. John was not destined to be a failure, any more than Richard III was destined to be a usurper and lose his kingdom.

John was a product of his place, time and family, and in many respects inherited much of his difficulties from his father and brother. The Angevin empire was never really any such thing, there was never any unity or indeed any real stable overarching authority; it was a collection of independent polities who swore lip-service to the idea of the English king as their overlord, but real authority on the ground remained with the local rulers. Perhaps a more subtle king or a more dominant king may have held them in line, but it is entirely possible that his revered brother, Richard the Lionheart, himself, may have struggled had he lived long enough to reap the consequences, instead of John.

Is it June yet?

2017-03-12T08:52:28Z

How about now?

Now?

Is it June yet now?

I need it to be June already. I have a Take That concert, a holiday to Portugal and Wonder Woman awesomeness to look forward to. June cannot come quick enough.

Kong: Skull Island...

2017-03-11T17:49:50Z

I went to the cinema this morning to see Kong: Skull Island. I guess they're positioning it as the first in a possible franchise - no movie has a colon these days without a franchise lurking somewhere behind it! But I hope not, because...it was not a good movie.

I mean, it wasn't bad, don't get me wrong. Or maybe it was, in the way that big mindless blockbuster movies can be thoroughly entertaining but still bad. And it's very much a movie that's aiming to be a blockbuster rather than a good movie - it's got the set piece action scenes, the 'cool guys don't look at explosions' slo-mo scenes, big guns, big bangs, massive fuck-off gorillas...

The dialogue is terribly wooden, there's no attempt at character depth or exploration anywhere. I can't even remember any of the characters' name, apart from Tom Hiddleston's and that's only because it was Conrad and I appreciated the Heart of Darkness nod. Because this movie is basically a big mindless special effects filled mash up of Apocalypse Now and King Kong, with Samuel L. in the role of Kurtz. But it's visually impressive, the special effects are amazing, some of the shots are just stunning, and Kong is about as real as you could imagine.

But hey, I was only watching for Tom Hiddleston, and the man is fine when he's bulked up and dirty and sweaty. So I'm good.

49: do you like buying CDs and records? what was the last one you bought?

2017-03-10T13:15:42Z

Not a meme, or if it is, it's a Tumblr one, not Livejournal. I came across this list of 100 questions on Tumblr and thought it would be a fun way of making myself post more often. Or more than just book reviews and the occasionally fandom squee. So I'm going to try and do at least one a day, maybe more some days, maybe not at all on others, as Real Life intervenes.

1: when you have cereal, do you have more milk than cereal or more cereal than milk?
2: do you like the feeling of cold air on your cheeks on a wintery day?
3: what random objects do you use to bookmark your books?
4: how do you take your coffee/tea?
5: are you self-conscious of your smile?
6: do you keep plants?
7: do you name your plants?
8: what artistic medium do you use to express your feelings?
9: do you like singing/humming to yourself?
10: do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach?
11: what's an inner joke you have with your friends?
12: what's your favorite planet?
13: what's something that made you smile today?
14: if you were to live with your best friend in an old flat in a big city, what would it look like?
15: go google a weird space fact and tell us what it is!
16: what's your favorite pasta dish?
17: what color do you really want to dye your hair?
18: tell us about something dumb/funny you did that has since gone down in history between you and your friends and is always brought up.
19: do you keep a journal? what do you write/draw/ in it?
20: what's your favorite eye color?
21: talk about your favorite bag, the one that's been to hell and back with you and that you love to pieces.
22: are you a morning person?
23: what's your favorite thing to do on lazy days where you have 0 obligations?
24: is there someone out there you would trust with every single one of your secrets?
25: what's the weirdest place you've ever broken into?
26: what are the shoes you've had for forever and wear with every single outfit?
27: what's your favorite bubblegum flavor?
28: sunrise or sunset?
29: what's something really cute that one of your friends does and is totally endearing?
30: think of it: have you ever been truly scared?
31: what is your opinion of socks? do you like wearing weird socks? do you sleep with socks? do you confine yourself to white sock hell? really, just talk about socks.
32: tell us a story of something that happened to you after 3AM when you were with friends.
33: what's your fave pastry?
34: tell us about the stuffed animal you kept as a kid. what is it called? what does it look like? do you still keep it?
35: do you like stationary and pretty pens and so on? do you use them often?
36: which band's sound would fit your mood right now?
37: do you like keeping your room messy or clean?
38: tell us about your pet peeves!
39: what color do you wear the most?
40: think of a piece of jewelry you own: what's it's story? does it have any meaning to you?
41: what's the last book you remember really, really loving?
42: do you have a favorite coffee shop? describe it!
43: who was the last person you gazed at the stars with?
44: when was the last time you remember feeling completely serene and at peace with everything?
45: do you trust your instincts a lot?
46: tell us the worst pun you can think of.
47: what food do you think should be banned from the universe?
48: what was your biggest fear as a kid? is it the same today?
49: do you like buying CDs and records? what was the last one you bought?
50: what's an odd thing you collect?
51: think of a person. what song do you associate with them?
52: what are your favorite memes of the year so far?
53: have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? heathers? beetlejuice? pulp fiction? what do you think of them?
54: who's the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face?
55: what's the most dramatic thing you've ever done to prove a point?
56: what are some things you find endearing in people?
57: go listen to bohemian rhapsody. how did it make you feel? did you dramatically reenact the lyrics?
58: who's the wine mom and who's the vodka aunt in your group of friends? why?
59: what's your favorite myth?
60: do you like poetry? what are some of your faves?
61: what's the stupidest gift you've ever given? the stupidest one you've ever received?
62: do you drink juice in the morning? which kind?
63: are you fussy about your books and music? do you keep them meticulously organized or kinda leave them be?
64: what color is the sky where you are right now?
65: is there anyone you haven't seen in a long time who you'd love to hang out with?
66: what would your ideal flower crown look like?
67: how do gloomy days where the sky is dark and the world is misty make you feel?
68: what's winter like where you live?
69: what are your favorite board games?
70: have you ever used a ouija board?
71: what's your favorite kind of tea?
72: are you a person who needs to note everything down or else you'll forget it?
73: what are some of your worst habits?
74: describe a good friend of yours without using their name or gendered pronouns.
75: tell us about your pets!
76: is there anything you should be doing right now but aren't?
77: pink or yellow lemonade?
78: are you in the minion hateclub or fanclub?
79: what's one of the cutest things someone has ever done for you?
80: what color are your bedroom walls? did you choose that color? if so, why?
81: describe one of your friend's eyes using the most abstract imagery you can think of.
82: are/were you good in school?
83: what's some of your favorite album art?
84: are you planning on getting tattoos? which ones?
85: do you read comics? what are your faves?
86: do you like concept albums? which ones?
87: what are some movies you think everyone should watch at least once in their lives?
88: are there any artistic movements you particularly enjoy?
89: are you close to your parents?
90: talk about your one of you favorite cities.
91: where do you plan on traveling this year?
92: are you a person who drowns their pasta in cheese or a person who barely sprinkles a pinch?
93: what's the hairstyle you wear the most?
94: who was the last person you know to have a birthday?
95: what are your plans for this weekend?
96: do you install your computer updates really quickly or do you procrastinate on them a lot?
97: myer briggs type, zodiac sign, and hogwarts house?
98: when's the last time you went hiking? did you enjoy it?
99: list some songs that resonate to your soul whenever you hear them.
100: if you were presented with two buttons, one that allows you to go 5 years into the past, the other 5 years into the future, which one would you press? why?

49: do you like buying CDs and records? what was the last one you bought?

I don't think I own a single CD anymore, not one. As far as music goes I'm completely digital. I was never into vinyl, and I got rid of my entire CD collection a few years ago. I love music, I've probably got close to 35,000 tracks in my iTunes - but it's just so much easier to manage digitally than having CDs clogging up the place. I don't have a stereo or CD player anymore either, other than the one in my car. These days I just use my PC, smart TV, wireless speakers or iPhone for my music needs.

...you see it your way, i see it mine, but we both see it slipping away...

I think I may be giving up on LJ...

I side with...

LJ 18th anniversary

I'm gonna have a fun birthday...

"One more thing, one more miracle, Sherlock, for me..."

Still hung up over that Black Sails finale...

I am not okay...

The game's afoot...

Queen of the Conqueror: The Life of Matilda, Wife of William I - Tracy Borman

All the foods...

54: who's the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face?

I feel sad this morning...

*heartseyes*

Thomas Becket: Warrior, Priest, Rebel, Victim: A 900-Year-Old Story Retold - John Guy

The Struggle for Mastery: Britain, 1066-1284 - David Carpenter

Scary stuff happening in London at the moment...

53: have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? heathers? beetlejuice? pulp fiction?

Bit of a wet weekend in Wales...

52: what are your favorite memes of the year so far?

51: think of a person. what song do you associate with them?

50: what's an odd thing you collect?

King John and the Road to Magna Carta - Stephen Church

Is it June yet?

Kong: Skull Island...

49: do you like buying CDs and records? what was the last one you bought?

heartseyes