Emotional moments

If there is anyone out there (hello? .. hehe), I'm doing a bit of a survey.

Walking home from work (a great time to let my mind wander), I was thinking about all the parts in the Lord of the Rings (books and/or films) that evoke an emotional response.

I'll start you off with two of mine from the movies:

When Faramir understands the implication of what Frodo is going through and decides to let them go. He is reminded of the penalty on his life for doing so and he simply replies, "then it is forfeit". Sniff.

And at Aragorn's coronation, (little sniff of course when he realises that Arwen didn't leave Middle Earth) when he turns round and the four hobbits bow to him, "my friends, you bow to no-one". This is the last of the Numenor line, king of Gondor, acknowledging in those few words the courage and nobility of his friends. Blub ... that finishes me completly.

Second question. As an avid fan of the books since I was ickle, I think Peter Jackson did an awesome job of capturing the genius loci of LOTR. Watching the movies, I felt as if he had peered inside my head (the Golden Hall of Edoras was spot on!). I know a lot of people moaned about him missing this out or moving that around but a book is very different from a movie. I believe he was true to the essence of the story whilst adapting it for the modern audience. Any thoughts?

And if it's got more people reading, then it's gotta be a good thing!

Right, I'm off to put the DVD on and have a good cry. :o)

Happy Journeys.

The future is here

Today a nice courier person delivered my latest toy - a new LG U8120 Video mobile phone. I was happy enough with my old phone but when Hubby changes his phone it usually means a change of network to find a good deal. As calls are usually cheaper or free to the same network, I swap too. This latest swap was to 3G, hence the video phone.

This new phone can not only make voice calls and all the usual stuff but it can also play MP3s, record and transmit videos (and video calls), take high quality photos, contain more telephone numbers than I could shake a phone book at, remind me of my appointments and to top it all, it has 32Mb of memory!

I remember, perhaps a little over a decade ago (makes me feel old doing this), having a PC which had a 40Mb hard drive and I thought that was amazing!

Now this tiny thing in my hand probably has more processing power and functionality than I'd dreamed of at the time. I think the developments in ICT are amazing. I'm sure every generations feels this, but it's such a fascinating time to be alive - watching the great leaps forward in technology.

Although, for every cool gadget and neat trick, there is also the potential for mis-use and ethical dilemmas. However, as far as my phone is concerned, the most dangerous thing I will use it for is ...
Smile Please! :o)

Happy Journeys.

Human Rights ...

A boy has been awarded legal aid to challenge the powers given to police by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act to impost curfews on those under 16 as he feels that this breaches his human rights: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3667714.stm

I may sound incredibly old fashioned but, during the week, why should an unaccompanied under-16 year old be out after 9pm? I understand that the weekend would be a different matter and I would agree if it was used abitrarily but surely the police have enough to do without searching for 15 year olds peacefully walking home after seeing a movie?

I was watching one of those Police documentaries yesterday and saw a group of drunken girls hassling and goading police officers until they had no choice but to arrest them. I think the police need the patience of a saint and I have the utmost respect for them seeing what they have to deal with. Kids know so much about their rights but they don't seem to be as keen to learn about their resposibilities. I know that every generation bemoans the erosion of social values and morals but I honestly worry about the future of our nation if things continue to escalate in this way.

But on a positive note and changing the subject completely, I'm very happy today as I have found a new brand of tea. Yes, I'm excited about tea! I had to give up tea as I found out that it was one of my IBS triggers. De-caf tea is just yeaurgh. Dragonfly teas do a range of teas that are naturally caffeine-free and are even mildly anti-spasmodic. And ... they taste good too. I'm now sipping my second cup and I'm in heaven. :o)

Happy Journeys

With this ring ...

Well, I've just got back from the fourth wedding I've been to this year. Nothing unusual in that you might say ... but this one was a virtual wedding in Star Wars Galaxies.

Love finds a way so the saying goes. It might have been a virtual setting over cables, circuits and silicon chips but as with (hopefully) all weddings it was about two people who cared a lot for each other and wanted to make a statement about that love.

The couple exchanged heart-felt (and rather beautiful in my humble opinion) words of love and commitment to each other witnessed by their friends and then exchanged rings. Cheers, hugs and kisses all round ... and even a few fireworks!

Like "normal" weddings, Star Wars Galaxies provides a mechanism for being able to propose unity with another player with the exchange of rings.
Also like "normal" weddings the couple had friends gathered round them wishing them well. However, unlike usual weddings where the guests are all in the same location, we were spread out over the UK, Canada and America.

In this changing world in which we live where "normal" no longer exists and the line between virtual and real are blurring, people are finding new ways to connect, make friends and ultimately fall in love.

Eh, isn't it grand?! :)

Happy Journeys.

Domestic Goddess

Well, I'm trying to be good but still had a bit of an iffy week. Had to have a bit of time off work (never good when you're still in your probationary period). Could have done with coming home on Friday as well but I had to content myself with grimacing in pain occassionally and hugging my hotwater bottle whilst trying to sound helpful and professional over the phone.

Even worse - we were supposed to be going to a wedding Reception yesterday but had to cancel. As sad as it sounds at my age, the travelling and late night would have buggered me.
Grrrr ... useless body.

But on the positive side, I was able to indulge in a very rarely felt impulse - cooking. I was woke up on Saturday morning in the middle of a dream about cakes which got me into the mood (honestly, I was dreaming about little fruit fairy cakes!). Not exactly Nigella but I managed to make a passable vegetable soup and, my piece de resistance - chocolate rice crispie cakes at the request of Hubby!! :o)

The only other exciting thing that has happened recently is an addition to the family. Nah ... not a baby (don't be daft!) - my new PC.

Speaking of babies though, we have two friends who are expecting so I'm quite happily cross stitching new baby samplers. The worrying part is wondering when we'll start to get well-meaning people poking their nose into our private business and asking when we'll be 1+1=3

However, I digress ... I have a Sony Vaio laptop that has been my faithful companion for several years. Perfect for my needs and well behaved most of the time. However, since I have becom addicted to Star Wars Galaxies Hubby has had to bring his work laptop home every night (my little baby doesn't have enough ooomph). So, over the last few months, Hubby has been slowing gathering the components needed to build me a new machine. Still needs a new monitor and definately some more RAM but other than that I'm ready to kick some rebel butt!

Well, that's all folks. Countdown to monday morning ...

Happy Journeys

Chill out ...

Marriage (or indeed, co-habitation) is about partnership but it is also about two individuals. Individuals that have their own needs separate from the entity of "couple".

Hubby is great at taking time to do stuff that lets him chill out, just switching off and doing what he wants to do. Me, on the other hand? ... I'm terrible at it.
As I've previously mentioned, I have some health issues (nothing major but still not very nice). There are some fairly simple things that I can do to help keep my symptoms at bay. Do I find time to do them? ... Nope.
Instead, I run around like a mad thing or stress because I'm worried about:

• the flat being untidy
• the washing up that hasn't been done
• second cousin Nora's birthday card
• world peace

It came to a head the other night when I was feeling decidedly iffy ... I got told off. My wonderful man reminded me that I had to look after myself (afterall, I'm the one who is ultimately responsible for me) and I needed to think about what is really important and what can wait. Bless him ... does he know what he's let himself in for?!

So tonight, I'm sitting on my bum :o)

Happy Journeys