Easter and More

They say it's always bad weather for Easter and this year certainly didn't disappoint.

After some precious weeks of radiant sunshine that almost fooled me into believing spring and even summer was near, the temperatures plummeted and impregnable clouds drifted across the luminous sun.

Why? When the world celebrates Easter and a few days off the humbug of work do the weather gods conspire against us?

Tis very sad.

I have the week off. It is of course enjoyable to sleep till 10, have a lazy morning and hide from the world if I so wish it. But had it been a glorious sunny week, I would've been filled with energy to go out and explore, camera in hand. Not that I'm complaining.

It's still better than the drudgeries of the work week. Now I'm off for a brief walk into town.  I will conjure up some sunshine somehow.

Though it will probably solely exist in my mind. Being a writer has advantages. We have an abundance of imagination.

A little bit of Cute

First Glimpses of Spring

Winter is coming, a book I'm reading warns. But it seems winter did not come at all. When I leave work at 4.30pm, the sky is painted in tints of blue, damask and violet - only the faintest of hints of the coming night. A few rays of sunshine peek between the clouds. I should have bought sunglasses.

A familiar scene contrary to what we were told to expect. ''It will be another harsh winter filled with stormy weather and snow,'' the forecast read.

I look outside. The trees sway in the breeze, their leaves dancing like the skirt of a Hawaian dancer in greens and dirty browns. There is a lacking of white and frost and cold as characterized by last year's Big Freeze.

The fields are grassy green and drowsy flowers stand tip-toe purple in the mossy seas. Flowers with a predeliction to hibernate this early in the year yawn and shake their petals, still cloaked in rain drops.

We decide on a walk on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Spring rain drizzles from the sky as a gentle reminder that winter is no season to venture outside. We arm ourselves with umbrellas and determination. We struggle through the muddy roads and soldier on. A few stray hairs stick against our brow. 

Snowdrops wave as we pass them by. There is no need for gloves or scarves. The wind is fresh but not too cold and as we arrive back at our door, our cheeks are rosy from our excursion but agreeably so.

Spring is creeping closer. The robin told me so.

Book review: Arabella by Georgette Heyer

I just finished reading my first book of 2012 as per my New Year's Resolutions to up my daily dose of prose.

Last month, I finally read my first novel by Georgette Heyer (Sylvester) and although it took me a while to get into it, it ended up being a rather enjoyable read.

It inspired me to pick up my copy of Arabella and give it a go. I found it charming from the beginning as we were introduced to Arabella Tallant, who would go to London for her first season.

The heroine is described as very beautiful, which usually bores me as I prefer other virtues, but she is a well-rounded character as flawed as most of us. Mr. Beaumaris makes for a thrilling hero as the toast of Society, who wore a dandelion in his button hole for three days just to start a hype for laughs. I liked that the hero questioned the heroine's regard for him as they both suspected the other to be merely ''amusing themselves''.

Although I've never been much of a dog person I have to admit that Ullyses stole the show for me. Heyer created in him a pet with as much personality as our protagonists and I found his adoration for Mr. Beaumaris utterly delightful. On the other hand, I skipped the scenes with Jemmy, a climbing boy Arabella rescued from the evil clutches of a chimney sweeper.

The novel is filled with fun, multi-layered characters and have ensured that I will be reading my other Heyer books and purchasing more in the near future.

4/5 stars

New Year's Literary Resolutions 2012

Here we go again. Last year's resolutions weren't quite as successful as I would've liked.

Though I did finish my first book, entered a writing competition and got a bit more serious about my writing, I hardly wrote a word the last few months of the year.

Bad form, as Captain Hook would say.

So, now that I've moved house and got a bit more room (and an actual chair to sit on when scribbling typing away) I'm hoping to get back into my writing.

I will also do a bit more reading. I read maybe two or three books last year. Ouch. Now that I've been reunited with my to-read books (thanks to my aunt and uncle who brought them to England last month), I will compose a reading list for 2012.

Reading List 2012:

Jane Austen - Emma, Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility.
Georgette Heyer - Arabella, The Black Moth
Edith Wharton - The Age of Innocence
Gail Carriger - Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, Timeless
Emily Brontë - Wuthering Heights
George RR Martin - A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons

If I manage to read all of the above books or even exceed my expectations, I will be a very happy camper.

I will also continue work on my own Jane Austen-style regency romance, my steampunk novel and write some poetry.

2011 Overview

With the year 2011 almost at an end it should be safe to make an overview. I will also start thinking about my New Year's Resolutions for 2012!

LOVED ITS in 2011


So, what entertainment did we have this year? Oh, lots and lots! We had some great new shows.

TV Series:

Game of Thrones. My favourite by far. Great storytelling, exciting characters and good acting.
Downton Abbey. Very rich history and some unexpected turns.
Once Upon a Time. Fairytales and pretty costumes. A chick favourite.
Suburgatory. Silly, short and humorous.
Supernatural. Still a fantastic show. A perfect blend of fantasy, comedy and a dollop of horror.
Terra Nova: Dinosaurs and sci-fi in one. Every episode feels like an experience. Spielberg was involved.
The Secret Circle: A great show about witches for teens and grown-ups alike.
True Blood: Another favourite of mine. Great season. We saw a new side to our resident evil vamp.

FILMS:

Sherlock Holmes: Games of Shadows. Just saw it and loved it. Very cleverly done.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: Great ending to a franchise. Exciting and satisfying.
The King's Speech: Period drama doesn't have to be dull. Top-notch acting.
Never Let Me Go: I cried. A lot. A film that's complex, multi-layered and very dramatic.
Senna: Not just a documentary. A thrilling look into the dangerous world of Formula 1.
X-Men First Class: Interesting back story and great action scenes.
Black Swan: Frankly, it's very creepy but still well worth a watch. Not sure I can sit through it again though.

MUSIC:

LMFAO: Quirky, fun and catchy pop. Sexy and you know it.
Katy Perry: Many cute, catchy tracks from Miss Perry this year.
Maroon 5: They made everyone want to Move like Jagger.
Cee Lo Green: Most inappropriately titled hit of the last decade? And no, ''forget you'' doesn't flow at all.
Rihanna: Some good songs but don't like her slutty stage outfits.

Christmas Silliness in Shops

I made a similar post about Easter items in Dublin shops. Well, another holiday, another hometown.

This time, I noticed some mental Christmas stuff cluttering our stores in Bournemouth. Do we need any of it? Doubtful.

Will we buy any of it? Probably. The bra looks pretty good but itchy. For this first edition, we're going tot take a look at Primark and Accessorize.

Primark crimes against Christmas

A Santa suit, really? Because that is obviously a flattering look. 

Accessorize tells you what to put in your Christmas tree this year. A squirrel wearing a hat.

Squirrel Nutkin

It's no secret I'm mad about squirrels. I have stuffed animals, pictures, bookmarks and mugs.

Of course, nothing beats the real deal.

I just love it when I'm strolling through the park minding my own business when suddenly grey tail sweeps past. The sight of those black, beady eyes and fluffy ears melts my heart.

Yes, the two male gangsta wannabes ruined the moment when one of them exclaimed: ''I f*cking hate squirrels!''

I had to suppress the inclination to dump a barrel of nuts over his head. How can anyone hate them? They're so innocent and adorable - the way they dive into the leaves to powder their nose with dirt. Awwwr!

So I spent some time following various squirrels around with my camera. I tried to disguise myself as a tree but somehow, they saw right through me and made their escape.

Nevertheless, I managed to get some good shots in the end.

Perusing the Pet Store

Most animals are adorable. Especially the young ones. Which is why they are typically surrounded by child and adult alike who subject them to a waterfall of baby sounds.

Now, I'm not sure why we believe this babying business to be necessary. Like infants, animals cannot comprehend our incessant prattling. They merely register the tone of voice that is employed.

We could just as well inform them about our plans to put them on a stick for our next Sunday barbecue and they'd purr and spin. As long as we sounded friendly.

Not that that's what I told these little ones. ;)

Like a prayer. 

Autumn in England: The Colours of the Wind

Last weekend I spent the most glorious day at the Stourhead Gardens. It was a real autumn day. Sun peeked tentatively through the treetops and the colours shifted from spring green to more playful red and yellow. Water lapped in the breeze and swans floated past us as we walked.

Many professional photographers were there. I employed many Italian gestures that day. Bloody tripods! Bloody people blocking our shot! But there was a real sense of tranquillity in the air.

Pleasant in the last rays of sun. Summer's final cry. And then it was no more.

Weymouth

I spent the day at Weymouth to apply for my National Insurance Number.

While I was there, I took some photographs of the lovely architecture, snacked on chocolates and saw Crazy, Stupid, Love at the cinema.

Had some laughs and ate some dubious Italian that my friend ended up sending back, apologising profusely.

National Poetry Day

Why did no one tell me it was National Poetry Day?

I could've written something truly inspiring. Well, perhaps. I could've given it a go at least.

Still could, but it's getting late and my brain is half-way to Neverland. Not sure it could still produce coherent sentences.

Never mind masterful poetry and to make a half-hearted attempt would be an insult to National Poetry Day, would it not?

It is. Or so I tell myself. Perfect excuse.

As the Spanish would say: "Mañana, mañana!"

Because tomorrow... is another day! Better make it count then.

Autumnal Splendour

Seasons of mist... oh wait, it's been sunny almost all week. :D

I thought it was supposed to be autumn? Either way, I'm awfully glad we've been enjoying this Indian Summer.

It's perfect for a photography trip.