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Feb. 5th, 2012 05:30 pmI don't blog very much at the moment, but when I do it's over on Blogger. Here's a link to my latest post http://choccopinion.blogspot.com/2012/
Kittens!!!
Jan. 23rd, 2011 08:25 pmSo, we've found some kittens - 2 siamese x persian little girls. We weren't looking for any particular breed, in fact we were planning on going for moggies, but when I saw the photos I just got a good feeling. Went to see them on Friday and got on incredibly well with the family selling them. So, am in love, but we have to wait another 12 days before they come home, which will be very hard. Have spent a ridiculous amount on cat stuff already.
( Photos under the cut )
( Photos under the cut )
101 Update
Sep. 13th, 2010 05:33 pmCompleted:
31. Make a photobook - I've used Snapfish to make a photobook of some of my best photos, I'm sure I'll bore you all to death with it once it arrives.
55. Rhino Mania! - Managed to photograph all but 8 and most of those are the ones that aren't in Chester. Set is here for the interested.
Things I need help with :
23. Go to a folk festival - Anyone up for this? I've picked out Shrewsbury Folk Festival as it's not that far away. It's on 26th - 29th August next year and this year's cost around £110 for the full weekend including camping (although I haven't decided if I'm going for the whole weekend yet). More the merrier so yell up if you're in any way interested and we can make more detailed plans nearer the time.
34. Ask 20 friends to suggest a book and read them all - still in need of a further 17.
44. Teach at least one friend to solve the QJ Megaminx (Rubics D12) - Still need a volunteer. Anyone also doing 101 fancy this to add to their list?
31. Make a photobook - I've used Snapfish to make a photobook of some of my best photos, I'm sure I'll bore you all to death with it once it arrives.
55. Rhino Mania! - Managed to photograph all but 8 and most of those are the ones that aren't in Chester. Set is here for the interested.
Things I need help with :
23. Go to a folk festival - Anyone up for this? I've picked out Shrewsbury Folk Festival as it's not that far away. It's on 26th - 29th August next year and this year's cost around £110 for the full weekend including camping (although I haven't decided if I'm going for the whole weekend yet). More the merrier so yell up if you're in any way interested and we can make more detailed plans nearer the time.
34. Ask 20 friends to suggest a book and read them all - still in need of a further 17.
44. Teach at least one friend to solve the QJ Megaminx (Rubics D12) - Still need a volunteer. Anyone also doing 101 fancy this to add to their list?
Ganked from "The God Delusion"
Sep. 2nd, 2010 11:03 pm"The philosopher Bertram Russell had an analogy: Imagine there is a china teapot in orbit around the sun. You cannot disprove the existence of the teapot because it would be too small to be spotted by our telescopes. Nobody but a lunatic would say 'Well I'm prepared to believe in the teapot because I can't disprove it'. Maybe we have to be technically and strictly agnostic, but in practice we are all 'teapot atheists'. But now suppose that everybody in society - the teachers, the tribal elders - all had faith in the teapot. Stories of the teapot have been handed down for generations, it's part of the tradition of the society, there are holy books about the teapot. Then, somebody who did not believe in the teapot might be regarded as eccentric or even mad.
There's an infinte number of things like celestial teapots that we can't disprove; there are fairies; there are unicorns; hobgoblins - we can't disprove any of those, but we don't believe in them any more than nowadays we believe in Thor, Amun-Ra or Aphrodite. We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further." Richard Dawkins.
There's an infinte number of things like celestial teapots that we can't disprove; there are fairies; there are unicorns; hobgoblins - we can't disprove any of those, but we don't believe in them any more than nowadays we believe in Thor, Amun-Ra or Aphrodite. We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further." Richard Dawkins.
Post on behalf of a friend
May. 20th, 2010 05:54 pmA photography friend of mine (who some of you may already know) is doing a new project and he needs volunteers. I'm posting a link to the details here in case anyone is interested.
http://maleghast.livejournal.com/
http://maleghast.livejournal.com/
Electoral Reform
Apr. 26th, 2010 05:54 pmVarious of the peeps on my lj list and I were discussing this at the weekend and there was a certain amount of confusion about which of the various different proposed systems is which and the exact details thereof. Hence I've dug around for some info - hope you find it informative and interesting, if not please feel free to ignore.
( First Past The Post )
( The Supplementary Vote )
( The Alternative Vote )
( Single Transferable Vote )
( Party List Systems )
( Additional Member System )
( Alternative Vote Plus )
Source : The Electoral Reform Society http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/
( First Past The Post )
( The Supplementary Vote )
( The Alternative Vote )
( Single Transferable Vote )
( Party List Systems )
( Additional Member System )
( Alternative Vote Plus )
Source : The Electoral Reform Society http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/
Election Meme
Apr. 16th, 2010 06:12 pmTake the Who Should You Vote For? UK General Election quiz
| Liberal Democrat |  | 41 | ||
| Green | | 37 | ||
| Labour | | 34 | ||
| UK Independence | -11 |  | ||
| Conservative | -42 | |
You expected: LIB
Your recommendation: Liberal Democrat
Click here for more details about these results
Pretty much what I expected...
Artificer - The Novel
Mar. 10th, 2010 12:06 pmWell, it's over now, and I always said I'd do this. It will be from the POV of my character, not because I think she's more important than anyone else, but because that's the only way I can convincingly write it. I will need lots of input from everyone else though, so I'll be posting quite a bit of it up for people to review / add to / comment on, plus contacting people with specific questions if I need to do anything with their character. I may do it here under a filter to spare the disinterested, or I may start something elsewhere.
Let me know now if you want in on helping me - it will probably take a long time and go in fits and starts, but I would love the input of anyone who wishes to give it - plus I'll also need at least one person who doesn't know the game to be a "makes sense to outsiders" checker.
Wibble - I hope I do it justice, but I feel like it's a story that needs to be told.
Let me know now if you want in on helping me - it will probably take a long time and go in fits and starts, but I would love the input of anyone who wishes to give it - plus I'll also need at least one person who doesn't know the game to be a "makes sense to outsiders" checker.
Wibble - I hope I do it justice, but I feel like it's a story that needs to be told.
Musicality
Mar. 3rd, 2010 08:04 amWell, it's official - I'll be singing at Artificer. Now this is morbidly terrifying, as the last time I performed an accompanied solo in public, I was approximately 15, which is approaching half of my life ago. However, after last night's practice with Ant, I feel much more confident, as apparently my pitch is good, I just need to project more and not speed up from the getting nervous. This confidence will probably last until about 10 minutes before we are due to perform, then I will most likely crap myself.
This is something I really want to do, both in and out of character, and I'm really not going to chicken out this time like I always do. Once I'd got over the initial nerves last night, I really started enjoying myself, so I'm just going to do that and hope it all goes well.
So for those who are going to be there, please don't expect the most musically astounding experience of your life and we'll be okay. I think Ant is pretty much as nervous as I am, and he's only had a week to learn the score! So both of us would much appreciate lots of fluffing and encouragement :) The pressure we can apply quite adeptly ourselves.
This is something I really want to do, both in and out of character, and I'm really not going to chicken out this time like I always do. Once I'd got over the initial nerves last night, I really started enjoying myself, so I'm just going to do that and hope it all goes well.
So for those who are going to be there, please don't expect the most musically astounding experience of your life and we'll be okay. I think Ant is pretty much as nervous as I am, and he's only had a week to learn the score! So both of us would much appreciate lots of fluffing and encouragement :) The pressure we can apply quite adeptly ourselves.
Ashes Glory
Aug. 24th, 2009 09:05 pmThis post pretty much does what it says on the tin, but I felt it appropriate to mark the occasion. For those who aren't already aware of this, I don't like cricket - I love it!! (apologies to the Sky Sports coverage song). Anyone who doesn't understand cricket can stop reading now, before I bore you any further :D
As cricket should be, it was a true team effort with each of the lads contributing vital runs/wickets/catches/run-outs as appropriate at crucial moments, but top performances of the series have to go to Jonathan Trott for a stunning knock of 41 & 119 on his Test debut, and to my new hero Broady who is shaping up to be a true all-rounder scoring 234 runs & 18 wickets, with a best of 5-37. There was a real sense of handing over the baton to our youngest player, as Freddie bows out of test cricket on a high - his stunning run out of the Australian captain was one of the highlights of the match and the series.
Now we have 2 Twenty20s and 7 One dayers to look forward to - I just hope my new number 8 shirt arrives in time!!
As cricket should be, it was a true team effort with each of the lads contributing vital runs/wickets/catches/run-outs as appropriate at crucial moments, but top performances of the series have to go to Jonathan Trott for a stunning knock of 41 & 119 on his Test debut, and to my new hero Broady who is shaping up to be a true all-rounder scoring 234 runs & 18 wickets, with a best of 5-37. There was a real sense of handing over the baton to our youngest player, as Freddie bows out of test cricket on a high - his stunning run out of the Australian captain was one of the highlights of the match and the series.
Now we have 2 Twenty20s and 7 One dayers to look forward to - I just hope my new number 8 shirt arrives in time!!
In lieu of an actual post...
Jul. 21st, 2009 05:38 pmToday's Dislikes:
- Work
- Idiots
- Work Idiots
- Know Alls
- Work Know Alls
- Microsoft Outlook
- Laziness (mostly mine)
- The Length of my To Do List
- The Apparent Linearity of Time
- Irresponsible Media Reporting
- Someone at Churchill Insurance Customer Services
Today's Likes:
- Cricket
- Milk
- Blue Skies
- My camera
- Lovely Friends
- Maelstrom Event Pack
- A different someone at Churchill Customer Services
- Work
- Idiots
- Work Idiots
- Know Alls
- Work Know Alls
- Microsoft Outlook
- Laziness (mostly mine)
- The Length of my To Do List
- The Apparent Linearity of Time
- Irresponsible Media Reporting
- Someone at Churchill Insurance Customer Services
Today's Likes:
- Cricket
- Milk
- Blue Skies
- My camera
- Lovely Friends
- Maelstrom Event Pack
- A different someone at Churchill Customer Services
Awesome, awesome and more awesome
Apr. 14th, 2009 07:17 pmMaelstrom rocked. Slotted 16 times, every muscle in body hurts, loved getting my war on.
Also great to catch up with people, loads of hugs, more new friends, roll on June event.
In addition to this, a guy who is writing a book about the Islands of Britain (provisional title Island Fever, should be out some time in 2010), has asked to use some of my photographs. Nearly fainted with pride, will be properly published, woot, yeay and more details to follow.
And to top it all off it's my birthday tomorrow!
Now I have to finish Artificer dt and start preparing for Crusades which I've just realised is 3 weeks on Friday, zOMG!!
Also great to catch up with people, loads of hugs, more new friends, roll on June event.
In addition to this, a guy who is writing a book about the Islands of Britain (provisional title Island Fever, should be out some time in 2010), has asked to use some of my photographs. Nearly fainted with pride, will be properly published, woot, yeay and more details to follow.
And to top it all off it's my birthday tomorrow!
Now I have to finish Artificer dt and start preparing for Crusades which I've just realised is 3 weeks on Friday, zOMG!!
Shamelessly stolen from a Facebook note...
Apr. 9th, 2009 09:52 pmTop Ten Reasons to Make Gay Marriage Illegal
1. Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.
2. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
3. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
4. Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all like many of the principles on which this great country was founded; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
5. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of marriages like Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
6. Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.
7. Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
8. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.
9. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.
1. Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.
2. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
3. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
4. Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all like many of the principles on which this great country was founded; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.
5. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of marriages like Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.
6. Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.
7. Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
8. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.
9. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.
10. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.
LRP Overload?
Apr. 9th, 2009 12:35 pmI'm starting to think, whilst about to go on my 3rd LRP event of 2009, with potentially another 9 lined up before the year's out, I really ought to stop now. The equivalent of one event a month is enough for anyone, surely? Especially when one of those events takes up a good three months of my year, adding together the build-up and come-down (Yes I do need psychiatric help for Artificer addiction).
Still, not as bad as![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
shazrasha for whom this weekend's voyage beyond the Maelstrom will be her 6th! and it's barely even April!!
I am still majorly in Artificer mode, and the writing I've done since the event (adding together "fanfic", IC letters and poetry) is verging on the 20,000 word mark... A lot of this is just self-indulgent crap, it must be said, but I'm writing fiction again, and this makes me happy. Despite this I still have so much to do for my downtime it isn't even funny...
Love to you all, and thanks for the major support I've received over the past couple of weeks. You guys are all awesome
Still, not as bad as
shazrasha for whom this weekend's voyage beyond the Maelstrom will be her 6th! and it's barely even April!! I am still majorly in Artificer mode, and the writing I've done since the event (adding together "fanfic", IC letters and poetry) is verging on the 20,000 word mark... A lot of this is just self-indulgent crap, it must be said, but I'm writing fiction again, and this makes me happy. Despite this I still have so much to do for my downtime it isn't even funny...
Love to you all, and thanks for the major support I've received over the past couple of weeks. You guys are all awesome
(no subject)
Mar. 30th, 2009 08:39 pmI need to stop taking things so damn personally.
For those of you that don't already know this, despite appearances I'm actually incredibly sensitive. A throw away remark to someone else, to me can be so deeply hurtful that I'll stress about it for days. Then once I've gotten over it I'll start feeling bad for overreacting.
I think I need therapy...
For those of you that don't already know this, despite appearances I'm actually incredibly sensitive. A throw away remark to someone else, to me can be so deeply hurtful that I'll stress about it for days. Then once I've gotten over it I'll start feeling bad for overreacting.
I think I need therapy...
Better News
Mar. 28th, 2009 09:04 amWell, fortunately yesterday improved, thanks to all you marvelous people. My faith in humanity has been restored.
Not least of all due to the lovely Chiara who kicked my ass into entering International Wildlife Photographer of the Year. That woman seriously does not take "No I couldn't possibly I'm not good enough" for an answer.
So below the cut are my 3 entries - all in the Animal Behavoiur : Birds category.
( Entries )
Not least of all due to the lovely Chiara who kicked my ass into entering International Wildlife Photographer of the Year. That woman seriously does not take "No I couldn't possibly I'm not good enough" for an answer.
So below the cut are my 3 entries - all in the Animal Behavoiur : Birds category.
( Entries )
