No one of consequence

It's not the years, it's the mileage...

migratory — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 00:33:05 GMT

Hmm.

You know you've been away for longer than you thought when you log back in, read your profile and realise that you're still claiming to be in your mid-twenties.

That is not how old I am.

Past Sins

migratory — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:34:05 GMT

In the spirit of masochism, I read through my first ever NanoNovel last night.

Surprisingly, I quite enjoyed it. It certainly wasn't as excruciating as expected. It sort-of reads like it has a plot that was going somewhere. I was even moved by the death of a character. Of course, like all my subsequent NaNos, it stops sharply at just over 50k. And I never did have any idea how it was going to end.

It's weird looking back over five years, though. The storyline I remember tacking on ineffectively looks like it was always part of the plan. And the minor love story I thought was quite a sweet way to start the book clearly needs to be cut completely (it really, really sucks). However, I don't have the urge to go back in time and slap my younger self, so overall I'm pretty pleased.

Now to read my 2007 entry, (which was trying to be steampunk and ended up post-apocalyptic). And to get annoyed that it ends abruptly at the crucial point in the novel where one half of my party are planting a bomb (I think) aboard an antique cruise ship, while the others are preparing for a duel with the king aboard a chain ferry.

Hmm. I really ought to finish that one ;-)

Snuggles

migratory — Sun, 01 May 2011 20:12:46 GMT

I got to dog-sit for the best dog in the world last week. It was great. All he wants from life is cuddles, and if you stop cuddling he bats you with a paw until you start again.

For a couple of days, life was simple :-)

This is why I don't usually try things on

migratory — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:41:36 GMT

I almost got stuck in a dress I was trying on today. There's no panic quite like it.
Turns out it had a well-hidden zip. I discovered this after I'd finally managed to remove it by manoeuvring it over my shoulders.

I didn't buy it.

Star of Stage and Screen

migratory — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:50:54 GMT

Tonight I was on a TV programme called Three in a Bed.

That is all.

In Comes the Bride

migratory — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:11:02 GMT

Sooo.... my little sister is getting married soon. It's awesome.

But after a rather difficult day yesterday... if one more person makes the joke that hers will be the only wedding in our family, I may have to resort to violence. This includes jokes about this being the only time my Dad gets to give someone away, or indeed the consoling comparison that Cliff Richard didn't marry so I can be like him (WTF?)

I take some schadenfreude in the fact that most of the people making these jokes failed in their own first marriages and therefore may not be the oracles they think they are.

Also I have enough problems managing my work-husband. I think a real one would be a lot of extra work.

Sad News

migratory — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:09:21 GMT

Diana Wynn Jones died yesterday.

Big loss. Books like Fire and Hemlock and The Lives of Christopher Chant really are magical, and for me they're part of my university memories. Neil Gaiman's tribute to her is a touching one, they were friends and it's written with obvious affection.
Sad news indeed.

migratory — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:57:49 GMT

How is it October?

As an upate, I have a clean bill of health, my workfriend has handed over two copies of SFX magazine and it's my birthday in one month and two days.

Oops

migratory — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:32:58 GMT

Sorry if anyone's receive a dodgy email purportedly from me today. I've now reset my password.

Squeaker squeak squeak squeaken?

migratory — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:30:52 GMT

I've postponed the flat inspection. If I do a room a day over the next week I should be fine.

Then I can ask permission to keep a hamster. Truth be told, I get a bit lonely here sometimes, so a little company would be nice. And in the long run a hamster would be less trouble than a random boyfriend, though I do also have my eye on a nice young man at work.

If I get a boy hamster I think I'll call him Kronk. That would be an awesome name for a hamster.

Oh No!

migratory — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:41:55 GMT

I found out how to get out of going back to work for a few more days.

Food poisoning, yay!

Oh. Wait. No, it's very much worse than work. And all my own fault as well.

If you've done six impossible things before breakfast, why not swing by Migratory's workplace?

migratory — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:59:57 GMT

On top of my regularly scheduled duties (quite a lot at this time of year), I have to write our guidebook by mid-January.

Bar the odd bit I've written here and there, that's a whole (small) book in a fortnight. My years of nanoing are finally paying off.

Oxfordia!!

migratory — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:47:00 GMT

That's right, ladies and gents, for one day only Migratory herself will be appearing in Oxford! Starting with a cup of tea with some writers in Borders, she will then venture into the local retail emporiums in search of festive frippery before gracing an eatery with her presence (and that of a friend) in the early evening! Don't miss your chance to pass her in the street and say to yourself "Wasn't that the girl who posted about gibbon testicles?"

Which is to say, I'm going back to Oxford on Saturday. I'm quite looking forwards to it actually - it'll be nice to get away from here for a bit, and to see some familiar faces. :-)

Before that though, I have to get the flat ready for its first inspection. Which is why I'm procrastinating online.

Dave Da Vinci

migratory — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:52:51 GMT

It turns out then when you don't top up your mobile internet, it doesn't give you internet access. Also it turns out that when you're swamped at work and painfully tired, NaNoWriMo seems like a bit of a chore till your idea hits.

But it's hit and I'm rolling. I scrapped the first idea I was struggling with and went with the idea I was originally planning to write, and rejected because it was so stupid. I've decided I don't care about the stupid. Even when I try for something serious things like time travel and the undead creep in, so why fight it?

And so this year I'm writing about clones. My novel is called Dave Va Vinci, and narrated by Eddie Byron. I started it tonight and for the first time this year I'm enjoying NaNo.

So far, some variation on the word 'fuck' appears every 124 words.

migratory — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:04:00 GMT

I've been able to catch some of the current BBC adaptation of Emma, and I have to say it's excellent. Really well done, and Romola Garai makes a wonderful Emma. It's not my favourite Austen, but it's a great adaptation.

But what I really want to say is Johnny Lee Miller Knightly!

*fans self*

That's a potent bit of casting.

Last Chance to Overuse Superlatives

migratory — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:41:46 GMT

Last Chance to See is getting better and better. Entertaining, educational and yet not worthy or preachy. I don't know how they do it, but I think the wonderful Mark Carwardine is something to do with it. The Madagascar episode was sublime last week, but I think this week's Indonesia one managed to equal it. Turtle babies :-D

Twenty years ago, in Douglas Adams's book from the first trip, Carwardine wrote that there was one outstanding reason to devote a lifetime to conserving these animals. "It is simply this: the world would be a poorer, darker, lonelier place without them." I love that quote.

And next week's episode? KAKAPOS, BABY!

Somewhat recursive

migratory — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:11:50 GMT

I've been working ~6 days a week for the zoo for the summer. Which is all well and groovy and somewhat part of the territory with this sort of position. But it gets kind of weird when on my day off, after doing all the normal errands and wandering, I settle down in the evening to play Zoo Tycoon.

I wonder if it's some sort of validation thing... when the game congratulates me for my zoo administration skills I assume this also applies to real life. Or possibly it's some weird zoo attachment that needs closer examination. I haven't yet recreated the zoo I work for in pixels, but I guess there's still time.

I wonder if soldiers play Call of Duty or lawyers play Phoenix Wright?

Anyway, I've now been offered a permanent position. 50% admin, 50% marketing, 100% pretty darn cool. I will at least be able to afford this flat I so rashly rushed into.

What of dignity, honour, self-respect?

migratory — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:21:48 GMT

I find myself rather attracted to a man I know with a gold tooth.
I think that ratcheting sound was my standards lowering. Must be the approach of my 25th birthday.

Anyhow, in other news...

I have a flat! My first ever just-me flat. No family, no waste-of-space boyfriend, no charmingly erratic flatmates. It's all mine :-)

Now, of course, I have to find a way to afford those little essentials like a washing machine...

Work Perks

migratory — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:54:07 GMT

I have a new friend...

Happy

migratory — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:17:55 GMT

I graduated today :-)

I wore a silly gown and hat. I let my family try on my hat. I spread the wings of the gown in order to look like Batman. We ate Italian food. Champagne was consumed in moderation. One of my tutors knew who I was and congratulated me without me needing to tell her what I got. I carefully threw my hat in the air for staged photos of spontaneous joy. My father ended up in the middle of a proper Oxford graduation in his car by mistake but made it to mine in time.

Surprisingly, despite the cat-herding drama of getting everyone organised, the day itself went extremely smoothly and was very enjoyable. My Mum told quite a lot of people what I got, whether or not they asked. She also took enthusiastic photos of the pizza man at La Cucina throwing the dough in the air, so I think she had a pretty good day too.

One of the professorships conferred was in the History department to a Professor of Blasphemy. I will never be that cool.

Wow.

migratory — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:26:00 GMT

Degree results are in.
I scraped a first.

My family are very happy. I'm currently still bit numb, having spent so long preparing myself for the probability that I'd just missed it. I would have been proud of a 2:1, but I can't help feeling I don't quite deserve a first.

Still, gift horse, mouth, etc.

I'll enjoy updating my CV tomorrow. It's been a difficult ride at times, but I've learnt a hell of a lot. I'd be pleased to have done it regardless of the qualification, but this is the extra nice icing on top.

And I think I'll sleep well tonight :-)

It's the Cirrrrcccllleee of Life

migratory — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:38:45 GMT

So this is Migratory's Theory of Shakespeare Appreciation:

Teenager - Shakespeare's boring.
Adult - Shakespeare's obviously great. I don't actually read any, but everyone knows he's the best.
First year English undergrad - Hey, when you actually read him Shakespeare's pretty darn good.
Final year English undergrad - Although having said that, his contemporaries are somewhat unfairly overshadowed.
Masters student - I'm done with Shakespeare. I'm studying a writer you've never even heard of.
Lecturer - Shakespeare's boring.

This is geeky, but...

migratory — Mon, 25 May 2009 22:40:18 GMT

Following up from the Gown of Humility stat points, I was playing Morrowind last night and using my slightly disturbing new dagger that administers frost damage for quite a long time. Ten seconds, maybe. Long enough to kill some animals by draining their health bit by bit from one dagger strike.

The result of this being that I can stab a wolf once and then withstand its attack with the sense of pathos that comes with my knowing it's already dead. Bite, bite, snarl, bite, whimper, die.

Which in an odd way is rather like Hamlet.
I'm Laertes, my friends.

But it's for my essay....

migratory — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:16:42 GMT

You know when you're looking for something and start repeating the mantra in your mind? 'Hairbrush hairbrush hairbrush' etc. And then if you can't find it you end up murmuring it and eventually saying it aloud in a distracted manner?

Yeah, I got as far as the mind mantra today, saying it to myself silently, one step below saying it creepily under my breath. Which could have been a problem, as I was trying to look up how blood effects were created in the Early Modern Theatre.

It suddenly occurred to me that sinisterly muttering 'blood blood blood' in the library could earn me a chat with the university counsellors.

What rhymes with 'laureate'?

migratory — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:58:31 GMT

There's no official word, but the Times has announced that Carol Ann Duffy will be the next poet laureate.

The One Show listed a few possibilities, bizarrely including Benjamin Zephaniah. He's extremely awesome, but who'd possibly think he'd accept the laureateship? The BBC also gave their five front runners here. If pressed I'd have swung towards Armitage, because I've seen him read and really, really enjoyed it, but no complaints here for the choice of Duffy.

Wendy Cope has a decent argument against the post here. Personally I don't think it should be abolished, but most of my favourites didn't get the laureateship. It has produced some wonderful work - Charge of the Light Brigade being chief - but there's been a greater quantity of awesomeness coming from people writing without official status or the need to be diplomatic. That it makes people notice poetry a little more is justification for the role, but it's not an automatic label of 'best' poet.

I don't think Motion's been a particularly visible laureate. Maybe if you read the right broadsheets you get exposed to him, but he's not been a voice that I've been aware of. A change will be nice.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Update: The Times was right.