Please Shut Up!!

I feel the need to share a pet gripe with you today - People Who Talk In The Cinema. If you want to talk then go to a pub, a restaurant or stay at home.

Even worse are the people who have to give a running commentary to their friends explaining what has just happened. If you do not have the intellectual capacity to understand the film, either shut up and enjoy the pretty pictures or leave (obviously I exempt parents of small children from this gripe as they usually have the decency to whisper very quietly).

And the most dire of all are the people who give away the next plot device. "See 'im, he dies inna minute" ... Thanks!

That is similar to saying "that bloke in the black 'at, he's Luke's dad, innit". Grrrrrrr!

It drives me insane. And often, when you ask them to be quiet, you just get glared at and they start talking about what a bore you are. During which time they have missed the important bit of the current scene so have to ask their mates what just happened!! ARGH!!!!!

P.S. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ... very cool, darker than the previous ones, a bit more grown up in places, some good humour, great special effects. I would recommend it ... although preferrably hire out the entire cinema so you don't have to put up with,

"Who's that bloke?"
"Dunno, think he must be ... oh you know, that one what's after 'arry."

Higher State of Consciousness

I love this time of year when you get those perfect days where the sky is a beautiful shade of icy blue with no clouds and the air is crisp but the edge is taken off by the autumn sun.

I learnt a technique of distancing during a hypnotherapy session. The idea is to put your awareness outside of your body so you can imagine looking down upon yourself. You start by imagining your clothes and surroundings in as much detail as possible. You gradually move up and up so the image of you gets smaller and smaller as you see your house, your street, your town, etc. The theory behind it is that, as you distance your awareness from your physical body, you distance yourself from your concerns or anxieties. In that relaxed state you can practice positive self-talk or similar techniques to address your issues.

Anyway, I'm rambling (as usual). I was walking home from town the other day and it was one of those glorious days and I stopped to look up at the sky (I do get odd looks from passers-by!). The sky seems larger when it is so crystal clear - like looking into a beautiful lagoon. As I stared into it's vastness, I imagined my awareness filling that space. Up and up, above the birds. Further still where the atmosphere is thinner. Beyond the aircraft trails. Higher still where the curvature of the earth is visable at the edge of space and the crystal blue fades to diamond studded blackness. Wow!

It's really cool - you might want to try it sometime :o)

P.S. NaNoWriMo update - not sure of word count at present as I've been writing long hand. I need to get my notes typed up and I'll let you all know. It's been slower than the fist few days. I find myself being more concerned about what I'm writng than how much I'm writing which is the point of NaNoWriMo. But I'm perservering as the underlying idea is to get into the habit of writing so I will continue to write after November is over.

Happy Journeys

I just have one thing to say ...

... turn onto BBC One and watch Children in Need. It's the one night of the year when I can say without shame that I'm watching Terry Wogan (I think he's great ... there, I've finally admitted it!) :o)

And after you've enjoyed all the comedy, musical performances and exclusives ... dig deep and give to Pudsey.

Happy Donating!

How much of a Geek am I?

Well the answer is ... I am a low level nerd (64 points). :o)

Want to find out for yourself - Geek Test. Most Amusing!

NaNoWriMo Update. The writing is progressing slowly, will check word count tonight.

Happy Journeys.

Remembrance?

Sitting at my desk today I received an "all staff" e-mail reminding us about the two minutes' silence. Now I know that this was only a reminder and an invitation to take part should we wish to but there is always an implication of participation in such e-mails. I was very tempted to reply to the e-mail saying that it is not silence that is needed but for people to speak out against war. I was persuaded not to. A round-robin e-mail that could offend or be misconstrued is perhaps not the right way to re-educate people but I felt angry for some time afterwards.

I have been wearing my white poppy to work over the last week and have explained my views and why I wear it to anyone who has asked but unfortunately only a few people showed an interest.

Nearly everyone observed the two minutes' silence then immediately afterwards the sales floor began laughing and joking again. I cyncially wonder whether they actually gave a damn or whether for many it was just an act of conformance.

A phrase sticks in my mind, "those who forget history are doomed to repeat it". We may remember the "glorious" dead every year but do we remember with honesty and candour the reason for those deaths. War is never as simple as good-us, evil-them. Until we accept that we are part of a global community that has to work together to find peaceful resolutions, we are doomed to repeat our violent past.

This is taken from a BBC article:
'Stuart Gendall, from the Royal British Legion, said: "The two-minute silence is the single biggest annual demonstration of public support for any cause in the country. This small yet significant individual and collective act is a rare moment when the nation can stand together and reflect upon the price of freedom."'

Yes we should all reflect upon the price of freedom. It is precisely because of the high price that was paid that I refuse to be associated with something that for me glorifies war. Have we moved on? Have we learnt, developed and grown? If so, why do our young men and women - and men, women & children from countries all over the world - continue to pay such a very high price.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

NaNoWriMo Day 10

4,109 words ... a little behind seeing as I should be at about 16,500 words by now! Hehe, but nevermind I'm having fun and that's the important thing.

Apart from a vague structure, I had no real outline of the story nor any characters prepared so it's interesting to see how ideas appear to pop out of nowhere. :o)

Happy Journeys/Writing

NaNoWriMo Day 8 and Dentists

Well, my word count has not changed from 2,945.

As usual, life is never simple. I am currently working to overcome my dental phobia. This was as a result of a rather traumatic extraction some years ago and I haven't been back since.

Finally I realised I was being rather silly and thought I'd better do something about it. As hypnotherapy helped me with my IBS (I can provide recommendations for finding a gut directed hypnotherapist if anyone is interested) I thought I would see if hypnotherapy could help me with this. I've been visiting a lovely lady who has helped me talk through my fears, re-programme my memory of that traumatic event, and learn some relaxation techniques. It's not an overnight cure but I've gone from having an anxiety attack at the thought of even locating a dentist to attending the dentist today for a thorough clean, I don't think that's too bad!
I'll need some work but the dentist I have found is sympathetic to my fears. We're taking the treatment at my pace and she has even referred me to have the more serious treatment at another local clinic that offers sedation.

I wanted to write about this in case anyone else out there is in the same situation and needs the encouragement to seek help. Contact me if you need some links to helpful sites.

Anyway, back to my word count. I originally thought the writing could be a helpful distraction from my nerves but it didn't work out that way. And as this is only a bit of fun, I wasn't about to beat myself up about that! :o)
But it's back to the computer screen tonight (and again I must plug this free software - it's really helpful in structuring my rambling output).

Happy Journeys

Dissention in the ranks?

The BBC has this interesting story - "President George W Bush is facing a rebellion over his softly-softly approach to climate change"

'Nine north-eastern states are poised to sign an agreement setting Kyoto-style legal limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power stations. New York and New Jersey are among these rebel states. And in California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is forging ahead with legislation to cut emissions from cars by 30% within a decade. Meanwhile, 187 mayors from US towns and cities, representing 40 million people, have pledged to adopt Kyoto targets for reducing greenhouse gases.'

So despite George Bush and his government denying that Global Warming is an issue, America is beginning to take some formal action.

To those Governors, Mayors and citizens involved - well done and keep at it.

To George Bush - Global Warming can't be invaded, blown up or otherwise intimidated so for everyone's sake WAKE UP!!


P.S. Nanowrimo Day Three 2948 words

Nanowrimo - Day One

It's day one of NaNoWriMo and my total word count so far is about ten :o)

But as it only started at midnight last night, I think that's a valid excuse. The excuses will become less and less valid/coherent as time goes on.

To retain my sanity, I'm not being too strict about the 1,700 words per day but I'm going to give it a shot. I think I would be more than pleased if I could even make it to the half way mark.

Hubby has volunteered to pop in for an occassional ramble. Being a techie bloke, he tends to be more logical and factual but he has assured me that he will do his best to waffle on. So if you see a tall, dark and handsome chap loitering around the place, please say hello.