Balls and boats

Ah, the month of June is upon us already which for me, and I'm sure many a university student, means that the summer has begun. Or it would have if English weather hadn't decided to make it rain! And as I have finally finished my second year of university and no longer have essays to deal with, I thought I would regale you with an update of the fun-filled weekend I started the summer off with.

Friday 1st
Haircut, met boyfriend for lunch, the normal stuff that I'm sure you are not all the interested in. It was a full-on day though. The parents drove me into Bath to my friend Sophie's house where I would be spending the night after the Summer Ball. But more on that later. First, we walked into town, had dinner at Wetherspoons and wandered to Waterstones where Cassandra Clare, of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices, was giving a talk and signing books.

This was my first book event since I went with my family to see Caroline Lawrence, of The Roman Mysteries, many years ago and I fainted. Not dramatically or anything, but from the heat in the museum. Anyway, I was looking forward to seeing Cassie Clare, even though I hadn't quite finished her first book yet. So although the spoilers for her newest book (City of Lost Souls) were lost on me, I had a really good time. She was entertaining and adorable and I got my book signed without making a fool of myself.

Then, Sophie and I had to rush back to her's because we had to get ready for the Ball! And I do mean Ball, even though it turned out to be a marque in a field. We got dressed up and everything! I got blisters from my heels and trod on my dress and got elbowed so many times but it was really fun! We danced and drank and no one threw up, which is always a plus. And finally, my long day was over, collapsing in bed around 2 in the morning.

Saturday 2nd
As you can imagine, my Saturday was mostly spent sleeping off the effects of Friday night. Good times though, good times.

Sunday 3rd
Ah, yes. The Diamond Jubilee. Mum had made plans for us to go up to London to see the floating pageant thing down the Thames. We were all dubious at first, especially after our train got cancelled and we got separated on the next available, very crowded, train. But we finally made it, had lunch at Paddington station before setting off for Chelsea, our logic being we would be able to see all the boats set off. We soon realised that our logic had failed us. Even though the boats were not set to sail for another hour, it was packed. Like, there were at least 5 rows of people between us and the river. So, once the 1000 boats were floating past us, I was torn between looking behind us at the giant TV and sticking my camera in the air, hoping to get a focused picture of the river. It was fun though. We made friendly conversation with most of the people around us, chatting with them for most of the afternoon as we tried to watch the Queen and the royal family and the Mayor and other important people float past.

Didn't find out until this morning that we missed the boat with John Barrowman on. So disappointed.

Anyway, we walked up to The Mall, the giant road leading to Buckingham Palace, because Mum wanted a picture, when it started raining. Like proper chucking it down. For an hour. So not only did my legs feel like there were about to fall off but now I was soaked through my coat. Then of course, we couldn't find a taxi until we reached Piccadilly. Just go get a map of London to see how far we walked. In the rain. With aching feet.

So yeah, that was my weekend. I am still pretty tired so I'm taking it easy, reading and catching up on YouTube videos. Talk to you when something else interesting happens. Don't hold your breath though.

Vampires and Hell

Hey guys.

So this will be a quick one, just to let you know I'm still alive, if anyone was missing me which they probably weren't.

I have an exam tomorrow. My last of two for this year. Thank God I picked modules without too many exams! My first exam last week went pretty good. It was seen, which means we had the question a week beforehand, but we were not allowed to take any notes in so I had to memorise my essay plan, which surprisingly I managed to do! I am only half confident on tomorrow's exam. Seen again and able to take notes in but I think I will only be able to be properly coherent and argumentative on one of the questions, not both. Want to know what I'm writing about? I thought so.

One question is about vampire fiction's criticism - I am looking at Carmilla ( from In A Glass Darkly) and Dracula, discussing erotic language and vampirism. The second question is about remote regions of the UK being just as fearful as the exotic Orient. Here, I will argue that neither are fearful but both draw on exotic description and horrific elements such as Hell. Pretty good, huh?

In other news, it's boiling hot in England right now. Probably not helping that I am not moving from the bed or the laptop, but meh. Too tired. After tomorrow, I will have the whole summer to relax and read all the books I've being putting off til after university's finished.

Apologises for the ramble. Any exams or final essays to submit before you can enjoy the sun? Until next time.

Dark Shadows

Yes, it is time for another movie review - this time, the new Tim Burton film which has received very mixed reviews. Well, now it's time to add mine to the mix!

I had read some bad reviews before going to see this last night, which was probably a bad idea. I was really looking forward to this film and some critics almost ruined it for me. So, I knew what I was letting myself in for: a man cursed to be a vampire by a scorned lover, wakes up two centuries later to find his descendants living in his run-down house. Sounds great, right? A typical Georgian man, polite and proper, waking up in the 1970's, played by Johnny Depp.

I loved the basic story, the love between Barnabas (Depp) and Josette - although it take me a while to figure out for her name was because no one was saying it properly - going through what I am assuming was her descendant Vicky. And although she was a major psychotic bitch, I really loved the character Angelique, the witch that cursed him, his family, made Josette jump off a cliff, etc. She really made me laugh but seriously, she was insane! It takes some real devotion to hate someone for centuries!

I think the one thing that did annoy me with this film was that there was a lot going on - the seven people living in the house and all their motivations and history got a little confusing, especially with a random revelation with the daughter tacked on the end. Also, the Georgian gentleman in the free-love seventies was funny at the beginning but there is only so many times he can compliment a woman's birthing hips before it gets old.

Oh, Helena Bonham Carter was brilliant. Not the leading lady but still fantastic at the drunk psychiatrist that was stealing Barnabas' blood. I could see the twist ending coming but still good. 

I can't really think of anything else to mention right now. The characters were engaging and funny and interesting to keep the film going good but with so much stuff, bits were skipped over and/or ignored. I would honestly recommend seeing this film, it was good but I think it could have been better. Plus, you do have to understand Tim Burton at least a little.

To tweet or not to tweet?

Hey guys, it's been a while and my internet is buffering '2 Broke Girls' so I thought I'd do an update. By the way, anyone else been watching that? It is hilarious!

Apart from all the drama of trying to finish 2 essays this week - done one, by the way, nearly finished the second - I've been thinking about The Future! Imagine that in the booming voice that normally comes with things like Star Wars and you're good. My well-meaning but occasionally annoying mother wants me to start looking for work, volunteer or otherwise. I know I finish at the end of the month, but right now, I'm just trying to survive these essays and the impending exams!

The other thing I've been thinking about - and my friend Sophie has been nagging me about - is getting Twitter. I honestly don't see the appeal but according to Sophie it's a great way to get the attention of authors and publishers and reviewers, which would be perfect with my less-than-popular book review blog and my aspiration to get into publishing.

So. I looked it up earlier, even starting signing up. But the username I wanted to use (AwfulLofOfReading) is too long apparently. So now I don't know what to call myself. I don't want to officially go by my real name, I want to be known by my blog. So, any suggestions?

What else is new? I finished all lectures last week, which is apparently surprising to most people. Yeah, it is only May and I will have a long summer - that's the great thing about university! I have one more essay to finish, hand in one tomorrow and then next Tuesday. Actually, I have a few things to do up on campus next Tuesday - hand in my last essay, tutorial and pick up my exam. Ahh, the joys of seen exams!

Ok, I think that's about it. A lot shorter than I thought but seriously - twitter name! Until next time.

Fellow book-nerds, please don't hate me!

So, please don't judge me, hear me out, but I've been thinking about saving up for an e-reader or Kindle.

*runs and hides in corner* Please don't hate me! I have a serious reason for this - although, actually, it's just because I'm lazy.

Here's what happened. I had a long day at university yesterday. A two hour class at 9, a two hour class at 4, and a 5 hour gap in between. As I was packing my bag, along with my laptop so I could get some work done (which, by the way, I totally did!) I was considering taking the fictional, non-university book I'm reading at the moment, Good Omens. In the end, I didn't because this one small book apparently made my bag so much heavier! But that got me thinking that it would be easier to have an e-reader, so I could take multiple books with me to campus without weighing down my bag.

So, those of you faithful to the paperbacks will be, right now, not-so-secretly hating me for considering going to the dark side. Trust me, I kind of feel disappointed with myself for thinking it. And yet, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea.

When the e-readers and Kindles first came out, I was simultaneously excited and hurt. Oh, it will make carrying  multiple books so much easier! But how dare they try and get rid of my precious books! It looks so much easier to hold and carry. But I bet I would get a headache from reading off a screen.

Of course, Clarissa would have been so much easier to read on an Kindle! My fellow English students will know what I'm talking about!

So, yeah, e-readers. I'm probably not going to get one because I can't afford it but if I was offered one...? What about you, dear readers? Got one, or want one, even loath them with a passion?

Until next time!

And the Sorting Hat says...

Ah yes, the expected and very repeated Pottermore update. I know Pottermore opened last week but I hadn't had a chance to write until now - well, actually, I kept forgetting but you forgive me, right?

So, yeah, Pottermore. I really did not know what to expect, but I dived right in, although it did take me a few chapters to realise I could double click and zoom in to pick up more stuff.

I flew through the early chapters, loving J.K's notes (because I love her and extra background knowledge) but eager to get my wand and to get sorted. Diagon Alley was amazing - I adore the drawings for each chapter and the shops are brilliant! I picked up my books, wishing I could actually go to Florish and Blotts, bought a black cat, a cauldron and then finally, to Ollivanders. Childishly, I was actually jumping up and down a little on the bed, I was so excited. Average height, blue eyes, even birthday, right to the castle and whatever other questions there were and then... 10 3/4 Laurel with unicorn hair, surprisingly swishy. Cool! I looked up wand cores and woods, because I'm a nerd, and it says that laurel is suited for quests for glory and cannot tolerate laziness and unicorn hair is the most consistent and faithful. While my wand might get fed up with my laziness, I like it!

Then it was off to platform 9 and 3/4, where my increasingly sticky fingers picked up a Prefect's badge and then onto the train to Hogwarts! This is the point where I literally could not stop bouncing with excitement. I was going to get sorted!

Of course, it was a week ago so I can't remember all the questions I answered but I do remember picking wisdom out of power, glory or love and my biggest fear of heights. Then the moment of truth. Would I get put into Slytherin, the one I associate myself with? Or Gryffindor, the one I should be in? But, suddenly - Ravenclaw! YES! I get to be a major book-worm and know-it-all and don't have to put up with bitches and selfless heroes! Whoo-hoo!

I finished the first book in that one day, because even though I had work to do, this was obviously much more important! Most of my friends are on there too - I had to help one through Diagon Alley (she is not the most computer literate) and now she is stuck in Potions!

If you guys want to add me, my username is SwordScarlet26375. But comment me your username, otherwise I won't know who you are!

Until the Chamber of Secrets!

DFTBA Nerds!

As The Boyfriend was buying me my Easter present in the form of Looking For Alaska, the young woman behind the counter said it was a good choice, asked if we had read any of his other works, suggested Will Grayson, Will Grayson - it was her favourite. This, by itself, was awesome mostly because outside my friendship group, I haven't met anyone who knows who John Green is, let alone likes his books. But no. She did us one better. She showed us the bracelet she was wearing that says DFTBA.

This may not seem like much. I mean, apart from making me instantly want one, the bracelet did nothing. Nothing but show that there is still hope for the world, the awesome increased and my faith in humanity was restored! Yeah, pretend to read that last sentence like a Winston Churchill speech and you'll want to smack me on the head like I just did.

Anyway, my point was that it made me really, randomly happy to meet another nerdfighter behind the counter of Waterstones - although now that I think about it, where else are you going to find nerds other than book shops? You know, apart from gamer nerds in Game or in the corner of HMV.

In other news, my book review blog is going ok - I don't know what I expected but I've been stuck on 5 followers for the last few months. I've been devouring books lately, as it's the Easter holidays and I have work to do that I'd rather not so I read instead. I read Divergent in two days! If you are interested, or do me a huge favour and pass the word on, here is a link to it.

In other, reality related news, I have a lot of work to do over the next few weeks. I have a 2000 word essay, 2500 word essay, 3000 word essay and 3 more 600 journal entries to write. That is a lot of words! Oh and my CV and PDP (personal development plan) whose only purpose, as far as I can tell, is to depress us with our horrible prospects of the future after university. Yeah, we have to hand in our CV's to be marked. Weird, right?

I think I will leave you with some book-nerd news in the form of the new Jeaniene Frost book coming out in June:

Isn't it pretty? I want it to be June so much! Also because the next Morganville Vampire book will be out, Black Dawn. Already pre-ordered! Whoo, book nerds!