Day Two

My lovely friend understandingalice has just put a message on my Facebook wall pointing out that I haven't blogged for 8 months.

3 in a day - this'll learn her!

The last blog post was one I wrote about 7 months ago (!), which I just found and made me giggle. I wonder what other people's top 10 films are? Cool and arthousey, or sentimental and gooey (like mine)? I reckon you can tell a lot about a person from their actual favourite films....

Anyway, we're onto Day Two of Movember. Not a lot happened today - we travelled home from the Lake District after a gorgeous, relaxing, rejuvenating week. Bit difficult to take a fun photo of a moustache in a car. I tried. I failed. But here is my sorry offering:

Day 2: "Home James. And don't spare the horses."

http://mosista.co/sarahduboulay

all aboard the twitter train

I have no idea what 'TT" stands for in the world of Twitter. But in my head it's Twitter Train (as in all board. As in let's all jump onto this bandwagon)...

So, I am.

Currently trending (oooo, another 't' word) is - my top 10 films. I'm on a bit of a top ten roll, se here we go...

12) It's a Wonderful Life

It really is. Even though this is No.12 out of a top ten. It doesn't get old.


11) Starter for Ten


I know, i know, 11 isn't in 10. But how could anyone exclude a film that has both Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy in it? It makes me snort with laughter every time I watch it, and I can recognise every single nerdy move in it - I once watched half of it concentrating, then the other half speed reading Shakespeare as I was convinced they had one of their facts wrong (they didn't).




10) Spinal Tap

Because it still makes me cry with laughter. And I know all the songs off by heart.


9) Breakfast at Tiffanys


Because I love Audrey Hepburn so much. This is such a romantic, heart-warming film. Which it really shouldn't be, given the hooker, the mobsters and the injustice that goes on. Plus, Moon Rive is one of my absolute favourite songs ever. Gorgeous.


8) Rebecca


So scary. So well acted. So atmospheric. So Hitchcock.


7) Bridget Jones (Both of them)


I know, they're crap compared to the books, but who better to curl up on the sofa with when you're feeling down? As I creep towards the big 3-0, I watch these more for research and as a factual programme than as entertainment...


6) Lord Of The Rings (Trilogy)


I have been known to shut all the curtains, and curl up on the sofa all day to watch all 3 extended films back to back - IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER. Now that's dedication.


5) Love Actually


It makes me go a bit gooey.


4) The Goonies


Hey you guys! The catchphrase of the eighties. Has a better children's adventure film ever been made? I don't think so.


3) The Glass Slipper

My Grandpa gave me a recording of this hundreds of years ago, and I now have my very own DVD copy. It's just gorgeous, and the melody that repeats over and over is so light and haunting. I do wish somebody like Alfie Boe would record a version of it - it would be to die for (I wonder if he reads this blog?!).



2.5) The Artist.


Words cannot express how much I fell in love with this film. Funny, sexy, smart, sassy. Classic.


2) Mary Poppins


Really, the top 2 could go either way round. This was my absolute favourite as a child. I still know all the songs, most of the lines, and can't resist watching it several times a year. Plus, Julie Andrews is INCREDIBLE (did I miss her off my top 10 women? That was a serious mistake...)


1) Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

I actually know all of the actual lines to this actual film, and don't actually need to watch it in order to actually act the actual thing out in full. I watch it with a stupid grin on my face. Come on - Alan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham? Does it get any better? Does it? No.

Day One...

It's that time of year again. The clocks go back, the nights draw in, and men around the country grow disconcerting facial hair. It's:

MOVEMBER!

I've decided that this year, I want to join in with all the fun. My dad had prostate cancer. As did my Uncle. As did my Grandfather. As do lots of other people's family members and friends. My Dad had a major operation (which thankfully cured him), but he lost a lot of blood, and is still feeling the side effects (nearly 6 years later).

Usually, I like to give blood as often as possible, as my way of saying 'thank you' to the people who donated and saved my Dad's life. However, I haven't been able to do so for a while because of iron anaemia.

Sooooooooo, I've decided this year to buy myself a moustache (malleable no less), and will be fashioning myself various debonair styles to wear over the month. Not 24/7. For example, I can't eat or drink wearing it (now understand why Mr Twit kept bits of his meals in his beard), and I'm not entirely sure it's appropriate attire for our Remembrance Day services, but I figure I can wear it most of the time when outside my own house.

I'm going to do a photo diary (I actually will this time!) of my month, and will be posting here, Facebook, and on my very own MoSpace page:

http://mosista.co/sarahduboulay

(Incidentally, you can donate on this page - useful, huh?!)

So, please tell all you friends, all your family - this Mosista is giving the boys a run for their money!

Day 1: An early morning stroll around Derwentwater. Shortly after this was taken, the heavens opened!

this one's for da laydeez

Happy International Women's Day!

I love the idea of a day to celebrate all the inspirational women that we all know and love. There are some gorgeous websites and articles online, but here is a link to the fabulous Eco Age website (one of my absolute favourites to spend a happy half hour flicking through for ideas and information):

http://www.eco-age.com/home

As I've been reflecting on it, I've realised that I am very blessed to have known and been influenced by so many amazing women (and men, but I'll save that for another day). Here is a very personal list of my top 10 inspirational women...

Very Highly Commended (I wish there were more than 10 numbers in a top 10...):

Jane Austen - No list would be complete without the woman who changed the face of women authors forever. And she created my ideal man...
Emmeline Pankhurst - Feel a bit bad she hasn't come higher up the list. She, and so many other women like her have given us the freedom and equality we take so for granted today.
Judi Dench - I LOVE her. Do you think she would be my surrogate grandmother if I asked her very nicely?
All of my gorgeous, clever, beautiful, kind, inspiration girl friends. I love them all.

10) Mother Teresa
What an inspirational, humble, Godly woman. And she wrote incredible prayers, which just seem to say what is in my heart so much better than I ever could.
9) Laura Bailey
Eco-warrior, advocate for all things equal and good, and a completely bonkers dresser. An ultimate 'Miss England'.
8) Grandma
I miss my Grandma. She was an absolute stalwart when my Grandad was ill, and after he died, she kept it together in her own inimitable way. She was so loving and so generous to me, and I really miss being able to tell her all my news and adventures. I hope she'd be proud.  
7) Audrey Hepburn
Beauty, grace, generosity, impeccable taste, a gorgeous actress. Class.
6) Ella Fitzgerald
If my heart could sing, it would have her voice. She WAS music. Timeless.
5) The Queen
I love the Queen. Such a strong, passionate, loyal, classy, diplomatic lady. And such a strong pioneer of colour blocked outfits.
4) Jane Eyre
Passionate, moralistic, and she got her man in the end. Are there any more romantic words in English literature than, 'Reader, I married him'. It gives me shivers every time I read it.
3) Livia Firth
What an eco-warrior, ethical pioneer, spokeswoman, stylist, business woman, AND she's married to Colin Firth. He's a lucky man. 
2) Mary
The mother of Jesus, Mary, not some random bird. I am in awe of her love, her faith, her trust, her tenacity, her resourcefulness... What an inspiration.
1) My Mum
I know most people think their mothers are the best, but mine actually is. The depth of her love, and her empathy is limitless. She is so incredibly self-sacrificing, and would literally give the shirt off her back to make some else happy. She looks after Dad and I brilliantly, and always puts us before herself. She is wonderful with children (who all adore her), loves crap telly, is worryingly enthusiastic about Michael Ball, has very eloquent nostrils, and gets drunk on a glass of wine. She is an active member of the church, proof reads all my essays, is terribly photogenic, cooks a mean roast chicken, sticks her tongue out when she's concentrating, sings very loudly and slightly off key when she's happy, will be so embarrassed when she reads this, and is currently sitting knitting me a new jumper.  I love my Mum more than I can say. She is everything I want to be when I grow up, and is the reason I have got to where I am now. Mum - I love you!

mum was right...

... it really will all end in tears...

Last week we finished our lectures on play and creativity. So I put into practice what I had learned about play:

Playing with the dog belonging to my boss, Poppy. (The dog that is, not my boss).

Dressing up S in lectures (still can't believe she let me draw on her. Funnily, she wouldn't go for the full 'tache and goatee).

Cuddling up to R on the sofa, watching crap tv.

Making good use of the airbed (In my world this is a... magic carpet, titantic, car, horse, bouncy castle - complete with suitable soundtracks). All went well until it became a surfboard (to the sounds of the Beach Boys, natch).

It turns out airbeds aren't meant to have 2 adults bouncing on them pretending to surf, and it may have slightly, well, burst.

We bought J a new bed, and a big box of chocolates, but the moral of the story> Have fun, but not too much fun!

In tribute to the 'unfortunate incident', I will now be forgoing all fun for the foreseeable future, and writing 3 essays, conducting 5 interviews, doing usual work, exercising and dieting...

It's going to be a loooooooooooong fortnight!

Film - The Best Most Exotic Marigold Hotel

I'm so excited about going to India!

LOVED this film. It's just a nice, beautifully acted and shot, feel-good, assault on all your senses - you can practically smell India, and I got so involved in each of the character's stories. Beautiful.

Also, do you think Judi Dench and Maggie Smith would be my adoptive grandmothers? I seem to have lost mine, and I think they'd be an admirable 2nd string...

Film - Chronicle

It's ummmmm, well. It's ummmmmm.

It's ok.

I think it could have been amazing, but the first thing I said on leaving the cinema was 'why?'. It just didn't really go anywhere. There was no real point to this film. Which was a shame because it could have been a study of what can go wrong when people get power they can't control, or how society can mess people up, or anything really.

It was a bit like Big Brother. Nice idea, but sold out...

forget your troubles come on get happy

Ok, so I took these on Sunday, but they show something of the glorious weather we've been having recently...

Spent the last 2 days working, dieting and doing exercise (lovely walk with Mum yesterday, Zumba earlier tonight). Typically I managed to tweak my back when we were warming down, but I'm sure all will be fine.

Maybe getting life/ work balance more sorted and doing more exercise is part of the reason I'm feeling pretty darn chipper at the moment? Also, have been chatting loads on Horsey Hotties - is v funny website, and once you get over the fear and embarrassment, is quite fun. Also planning on joining My Single Friend when I get paid. I have to try something. After all, nearly 30, and don't want to be an old maid forever. Think am already turning into Bridget Jones, what with constant need to diet, obsession after obsession and panic that will die alone and be eaten by Alsatians. It could happen. V real possibility.

I'll keep you posted...

once there was a thing called spring

Oh Ella. Ella Ella Ella.

If my heart could sing songs, its voice would be yours.

Note to self: Must trawl iTunes for beautiful old songs a la Ms Fitzgerald.

Anyhoo. my weekly update is shaped by the horrid cold I have been suffering. Not suffering in silence I might add. Oh no, I've been very pathetic, and haven't cared who knew it!

On the plus side, I got to ride:

I got to play with the puppies, and N's gorgeous niece and nephew, I've been to the cinema twice, have made a good start on my dissertation research, planned the hen weekend, found a bridesmaids dress, drunk a £60 bottle champagne (by accident - honest!), lost another 2lbs in weight (1 1/2 stone now - painfully slow but going in the right direction), window-shopped loads of nice clothes to buy when I'm thin (and rich?), it's been a beautiful sunny (if sharply cold) day today, and overall, life is feeling pretty good.

I know it's technically not spring yet, but a bit of sun makes all the difference, no?

Still, it's been easy to forget that other people still have bad stuff happening, and life is not always easy. So I got to wondering, what is there I (we) can do to help out/ make a difference/ live with righteous anger (guess the subject of the service tonight?!)?

As Lent starts on Wednesday, I'm not giving anything up. I will be committing to praying (praying hard) for 40 different people, one a day until Easter. I'm making my list, and I will be sticking to it (if I managed to give up chocolate last year, I can do anything!).

Can't wait!

Film - The Muppets

I. Love. The. Muppets.

End of.

I really enjoyed the film - LOVED the new songs written by Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords). Really fun - took me back to childhood!

Am I am man or a muppet?

Film - The Woman In Black

Loved it! Went to see it with S, who promised he was brave. What. A. Fibber. Film was v jumpy - can't believe it is only a 12, and every time something happened, we both shot out of our seats - and I've never heard S swear so much before!

Not as scary as the play, but enough to make me drive home looking over my shoulder to check the back seat was clear!

Also, is it me, or is Daniel Radcliffe all grown up, good at acting, and really quite fit now..?

i have confidence in sunshine

Oh, I must stop these doubts, all these worries
If I don't I just know I'll turn back
I must dream of the things I am seeking
I am seeking the courage I lack

I have confidence in sunshine
I have confidence in rain
I have confidence that spring will come again
Besides which you see I have confidence in me

I do love The Sound of Music! And so, you see, this week is all about confidence. After a very major wobble earlier in the week (sort by the bf who plied me with wine, a kind ear, and a good kick up the backside) I am now back on track. Hurrah!

This morning I went riding, and realised that I have all my old confidence back, which feels soooooooooooooo good. I can thank two horses for this:

This is Roogie. He is very kind, totally bombproof, but not boring - basically an overgrown pony! We have a lot of fun together, and I don't take him very seriously.

And this is Splodge. He was a big posh show horse (placed at Horse of the Year Show dontchaknow) until injury ended his showing career. He is to be taken more seriously, but is still one of the kindest animals you'll meet.

So, taking time with these two boys has really got me 'back in the saddle' and enjoying my riding again, and that has given me the confidence to ride other horses:

This is Rhino. Officially the ugliest horse in the world. Ever. He is 3 (still a baby) but he is now getting stronger and turning into a stroppy teenager. 6 months ago I'd have been terrified of him, but now I just laugh when he throws himself around, hold on and get on with it. Situation normal. And I can't tell you how good it feels. And that confidence translates. We'll see how long it lasts, but until then...

I have confidence in confidence alone
Besides which you see I have confidence in me!

just desserts

Oh dear... this diary keeping isn't going too well, is it?!

My week can mostly be summed up by the pictures of, and eating of, puddings! (diet also not going that well...).

Firstly, I had the discovery of microwave cake in a cup:

So quick and so easy - to be eaten when needed as a quick fix-me-up, taught to young people to fill time in youth groups... A thing of beauty!

We also had our first pudding club (!), each offering was judged individually on artistic interpretation, technical merit,  nutritional value, and taste. In order of final placings, may I present:

1st Place: N's Profiteroles. Looked shop-bought. Tasted INCREDIBLE!

2nd Place: MY LEMON MERINGUE PIE!!!!! V excited by this! They are scrummy, if I do say so myself. Good old Margueritte Pattern. Think I might have won if I hadn't admitted to shop bought pastry. Doh.

 3rd place: S's Jammy/ coconuty crunch thing. Liked the twist on jam tart, extra points for use of 2 fruits (good nutritional value), but I did feel like my teeth were going to fall out after eating - soooooooooooooooooooooooooo sweet!

4th Place: S's Rum n Raison Bread and Butter Pudding. I hate bread and butter pudding, but this was gorgeous... He lost marks on technical merit...

5th Place: D's banoffee pie. One of my favourites, but artistic interpretation let hm down, sadly.

So, this is basically my week. Have piled on the weight, but had fun doing it! After feeling v ill having eaten 5 puddings each, we have decided next pudding club is 'Carrot Night'. 5 exciting things to do with a carrot!

I'll keep you posted...

Film - Mission Impossible 4

V fun. Saw it with N. Didn't understand it. N explained it. Saw it again last night during 'babysitting' with yoof. Understood it. All good.

Great set pieces. Tom Cruise still cray-cray-crazy (wanted to find a pic of crazy eyes or ferret face from the film, but surprisingly, none to be found!). Love a bit of action. Plus, new MI guy v fit.

Also, I want her hair:

That is all.

Film - J Edgar

I do love a bit of Leo... I always seem to forget that he's actually a very talented actor, then see him in a film and remember!

The bits of this film I saw, I loved. (I may have slightly fallen asleep and missed... most of it). N assures me the rest of it was as good as the bits I managed to see.

So there you go - a comprehensive review, based on careful analysis of about 15 minutes of film!

I actually do want to see it again. And it inspired our marathon name-learning exercise on Sunday. Everyone's a winner!

long time, no speak

Blimey. Not even the end of January, and I've already failed miserably at my New Year's Resolution: It's been a whole week since I last blogged.

Shoddy.

Anyway, here is some of what I have been up to:

Wednesday and Thursday - Play and Creativity at CCYM

My friends with their beautiful daughter - they're such proud parents and I'm so pleased for them. They've just moved to Cambridge so that A can train for priesthood. It's exciting times ahead.

Friday was riding Splodge (more Muybridge photos), then youth groups. Lunchtimes are now watching and discussing The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe:

In the afternoon, N brought Pip and Pop along, and M came to give a veterinary talk to the young people:

The dogs were very interested in what she had to say!

Saturday, Sunday and Monday were mostly spent with N and S. We rode, ate (bye bye diet), chatted, read:

This is Ollie and N reading Horse and Hound.

We also learned all British Prime Ministers from 1901 onwards (Balfour, Campbell-Banaman, Asquith, Law, Lloyd-George, Baldwin, McDonald, Baldwin, McDonald, Baldwin, Baldwin, Baldwin, Chamberlain, Churchill, Atley, Churchill, Eden, MacMillan, Douglas-Hume, Wilson, Heath, Wilson, Callahan, Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron). All US Presidents from Herbert Hoover onwards (Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, JFK, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama).

We also learned all the Kings and Queens of Great Britain. Ever:

William, William, Henry, Stephen, Henry, Richard, John, Henry, Edward, Edward, Edward, Richard, Henry, Henry, Henry, Edward, Edward, Richard, Henry, Henry, Edward, Mary, Elizabeth, James, Charles, Charles, James, William and Mary, Anne, George, George, George, George, William, Victoria, Edward, George, Edward, George, Elizabeth.

Just for funsies!

Then, last night, Mum and Dad and I went to the Regent to see Alfie Boe in concert. I love him. literally. I want to put him in my pocket and make him sing to me all them time. Sadly, no pictures of the lovely man himself, but this is his tour bus:

No stalking (honest), we just happened to follow it from the venue.

So, all in all, a very busy week. Onwards and upwards!

(Or KBO as Churchill apparently said - Keep Buggering On!)

best friends forever

This is me and my best friend at Zumba tonight:

(She will actually kill me dead if she finds out I've posted this, but I'm pretty certain she'll never read it).

I love her.

She's the best kind of friend. One who is always there for you. One who makes you laugh (especially at inappropriate moments). One who makes you cry and calls you out on any crap. One who would literally give you the coat off her back. One who cooks really well. One who listens. One who talks. One who is not afraid to argue. One who loves. One who makes you her bridesmaid (6th September - yay!). One who knows you better than you know yourself.

I'm very lucky to have a number of close friends, who are all of the above, and I hope they know who they are, and just how much they mean to me.

So, today, I'm feeling thankful.

Also, I'm feeling knackered because Zumba was really hard work.

w.w.k.d?

What Would Kate Do?

Today:

- I bet that Kate did not get to school at 8.30 this morning to mentor a really keen teenager.

- I bet that Kate did not then go to an awesome prayer meeting with her two bosses to pray and chat about God. As work.

- I bet Kate did not then get into a car and go to hang out with two of her closest friends, spending all day playing with their animals.

- I bet Kate did not go for a fun hack on the most beautiful, sunny, crisp day and take lots of pictures (see photo).

- I bet Kate did not scoff: 1 apple, 1 banana, 1/2 roll (I stopped eating it when I found the mold), most of a packet of Walkers Sensations crisps, a jacket potato with cheese, beans and bacon, 1/3 banana bread cake, a large portion of lasagne, hot chocolate. (Diet's going really well today!)

- I bet Kate has not just had a lovely, hot bath with extra bubbles and a good book.

- I bet Kate is not just curling up to watch Sherlock from last night.

On second thoughts, I'm not that worried about not being a princess.

My life is pretty fun.

it's a dog's life

Today has been a good day. But it so easily could have been rubbish.

I slept really badly last night (horrid headache that kept making me wake up and had me sobbing in the small hours because I couldn't relieve it).

I could have been tired and cranky (or worse, still had the headache today). But I'm fine.
I could have been really cross and refused to do the youth group this morning because nobody had bothered to tell me that they were coming, so I didn't prepare, only to have them show up. But we were cheerful about it, 3 new young people came, and we're looking forward to next week.
I could have sulked in a corner over a catch up lunch with old friends,  because I was really anxious about going, and found it very hard work.  But I got on with it and had fun.
I could have panicked when the service I led tonight went horribly wrong and my boss broke my computer. But I didn't, fixed the computer, and we all had a lovely time, with several people telling me after how much they got out of it.

My photo today is of the dogs belonging to my good friends. Pip and Poppy are gorgeous, friendly, gentle, fun dogs... But the best thing about them is how much joy they have in life. Everything is an adventure. The glass is always half full. They are up for any challenge and all experiences. They are so exuberant, and their joy affects everyone around them.

It really is a dog's life: and it's ours for the taking. 

(Maybe Kate has rivals for the position of My Role Model. Bet she's worried) 

Film - War Horse

Meh.

the science of sabbathing

One of the first things we were taught at uni, was the true meaning of sabbathing (spending quality time with God). We discussed silence, solitude, rest... How easy it is to forget all these things within our busy lives (I nearly called this blog 'stop the world, i want to get off').

Apologies for my absence yesterday. It was a wee bit busy. I rode Splodge in the morning, ran a youth club at lunchtime, had my supervision over lunch, ran another youth club in the afternoon, then went to supper at my line manager's house with a group of friends in the evening. It was a manic, fun, stressful, joyous, busy, rewarding kind of a day. And for the first time in ages, I was aware of God beside me the whole time. I think what I was given on Thursday was hope, and connection. I feel like I've bounced off the edge of the circle and I'm finally hurtling back to the centre.

Today, I sabbathed. And I slept. All day. Again, have failed miserably at taking photos, so this one is another cheat.

I think bed might be my favourite thing ever. It gives us both physical and mental rest. It's a constant in all our lives. Today, I rested, regrouped and I'm feeling ready to face the world again.

And I haven't felt like this in a very long time.

the circle of life

No, not THAT circle. Not about birth and life and death. I'm not going all Disney and going to start singing The Lion King.

I'm talking about the important circle.

The circle in which we sit in God's presence. The circle in which we know Him, and feel His love, and Grace and Mercy. The circle in which we are protected. The circle in which we love and worship and develop our relationship with Him. The circle which we sometimes feel we might fall out of. The circle which we'd have to push pretty hard for God to allow us to fall out of. The circle which God wants us to be in, no matter how detached from Him we may feel. The circle which forms the basis for our lives, our purpose and our struggle. The circle which is at the core of our faith.

That circle.

Our second day on Social Policy laid bare the theology of CYM (Neo-Liberalism), and tied up many ends and unanswered questions on our course.

The bit that struck me most was when R spoke of how we all struggle, but that God's promise is actually within that struggle. His promise that He will show us His face. It is not our job to be perfect. I am not perfect. I should make my peace with that, and stay within the circle as an imperfect human.  God is in my struggle with me. His promise is in my struggle with me. He will protect me. He created me as I am. I am not, nor ever will be, perfect.

When he said that, I felt as though he (R) had punched me, so strong was my physical and psychological reaction. Finally, somebody has said something which is a handle for me to hold on to. We had a great talk later, to try to unpack that a bit (I can't believe I've just used the term 'unpack'. Sorry),  and R said he thinks I am a person of great integrity. He said that before I had told him what my struggle was with. Of course, I brushed it off, but still. Our greatest strengths are also our greatest weaknesses. Put another way, our weaknesses are our strengths gone too far. It's certainly a thinker. He's going to come up with some books I can read which may help. I love R.

My photo today is not one I took. I tried, but I'm just not artistic enough.

 Satsumas. I love 'em. I ate about 9 today (how many is too many?). Full of vitamin C, low in calories, good for me and my skin.

And they're circular in shape.

the big society. or is it?

We're in Cambridge today and tomorrow, having lectures on Social Policy. I'll be honest, I've really struggled today and am worried about tomorrow. At the start, we were asked what we thought of the big society. I said I thought it was a good theory, but in practice, a cop-out on the side of the government.

I love the ideology, and think that as a Christian, it's a project I can really get behind. However, the paradoxes created in actuality seem to make it all unworkable. We ended up having a 'spirited debate' about how it might play out - tax incentives to rich people to put more money into charity and the society (like America), making sure there is proper, accessible support for those in need, and stamping down on freeloaders.

It brought me back to a conversation I had a few days ago about Stuart: A Life Backwards. And how the system doesn't always work, and how we actually fail many people in need.

 I know it's a hard read. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. But every time I read the book, or watch the tv adaptation, it reminds me how important it is that we face the hard realities in our society. I'm so glad that I got to give the book away last year with World Book Night. Because if we don't acknowledge the difficult stuff, we're screwed. We might already be screwed (is this the end of the supremacy of Western Civilisation, like the Roman Empire before us?), but for now, we still have a fighting chance. Let's face up to it, buy into the ideology, and use it as an opportunity to get the Church back to where it should be - the centre of our community.

On another side, we wandered into town at lunchtime to check out the sales. On the way, we took this photo in homage to Stuart:

This is me and my PFBF outside King's College. Five of us are now sitting in her lounge eating supper and making our way through a big bottle of vodka. Best medicine for the depressing lecture we had today. And for everybody laughing at me when I walked into the lecture this morning. Apparently I looked like a movie star with sunglasses and a hair flick (I had no idea. I'm such an idiot). Then A tramped in after me, like skanky normality. Loves it!

run, fatboy, run

Yesterday my mother told me that it was the Duchess of Cambridge's 30th birthday. 'See' she said, 'she's even older than you are'.

Yes. But she's a princess. Normal rules don't apply.

Humph.

But actually, it got me thinking. I like the Duchess (not that I know her personally, of course). I like that she's young, active, dresses well. I like her hair. She seems full of energy and promise for the future (hoping this isn't slightly weird here). In fact, she seems to be a pretty good role model. So, from this day forward, I will be drawing on Kate (as I like to call her) for inspiration. In all matters of hair, beauty and dress, she will be my personal role model. I will hold her high as a beacon of youth (even aged 30), deportment, grace, energy and hope. And (just as good) she has shown us all that we can marry our prince.

Disney must be proud.

So.... what does this mean for little old me? Well, I already decided that I don't want to be the only fatty in the wedding party at my best friend's wedding this September, so the diet started before Christmas (1st 1lb lost so far). To help this process, to do it healthily, and to ensure it lasts, I need to also do more exercise. Eat less, and move around more. The basics, surely?

Yesterday, I rode. Today I went for a brisk walk (far too unfit to actually run, but we all have to start somewhere). My photo today is boring, but a very useful tool - www.mapmyrun.com

 
And lastly, but by no means least. My muse. Thank you Ma'am.

Wish me luck...

Films - The Artist

A heart-breaking, charming, delightful, gorgeous gorgeous film. Watch it. Seriously. I defy anybody to not fall totally in love. Gorgeous.

all work and no play

So, I've been instructed to make sure I do fun things and take time to relax each day. Today, I think I did a pretty good job!

The day started with a trip to Linton to see my dissertation tutor. I was expecting a telling off, but it actually went really well. She had some useful tips to improve of my literature review and ethical clearance form, so lots of notes taken, and that's my homework for the next week.

I came home via N's, and we played with the puppies, then went for a hack.  Here is my picture of the day - me riding Roogie:

 Hilariously, he got a bit over-excited doing this (lots of squealing and cantering sideways), and this was the only photo where I looked vaguely in control.

S has been doing lots of artwork. He asked me whether I thought he'd be able to sell any, and without thinking I replied that people by all sorts of weird s**t. Luckily he saw the funny side! In all seriousness, this is his first attempt, and I think it's pretty impressive...

because of the times...

So it turns out Kings of Leon might be wise in unexpected and slightly surreal ways.

For years I've ignore friends who blogged, and justified it by telling people how rubbish I am at keeping a diary.

However, there are an awful lot of good things happening this year (ignoring the big 3-0. And I'm planning to ignore it for as long as possible), so I really don't want to forget anything.

Apparently, blogs are the new diary, so K - this one's for you!

Here are some photos of what I have been up to so far this year...

 2nd January - me in bathroom mirror. Wearing hat. I hate having my photo taken, so figured I ought to practice for this challenge.

 3rd January - the crib set still up at church. It occurred to me that after Christmas is done, we take down the decorations, and look forward to Easter. But in actuality, for Mary and Joseph, the challenge was just beginning. they now had to raise, protect, feed and nourish this tiny baby. Awesome.

 4th January - me at work. I love my job. I really do.

 5th January. And this is one of the reasons why. A legitimate meeting in a coffee shop. Fabulous.

 6th January - my other resolution is to ride more. This was my view from my friend's horse, Splodge. We were both a bit stiff today, and the weather was beautiful, so we went for a peaceful toddle around the fields.

 7th January - most of my day off spent doing my literature review for dissertation. Ugh.

8th January - my good friend's beautiful son. Am slowly getting over my irrational fear of babies. Isn't he gorgeous?