Crafty GingerNic

Hello.... Er... I'm here... honest!

2010-08-04T17:26:00.004Z

So....I've not vanished of the face of the interwebs... at least on here! *cough*

I thought I'd show my face as it seems some of you blog viewers have been clicking on my ads recently (adsense). Thank you very much folk!

In craft news I've been crocheting like a fiend. It's hard to keep up on the stock at the Gallery at the mo as it is swamped with holiday makers here in ole Pembrokeshire. Although I am enjoying I'd prefer to do a few of my own projects soon!

Academic news: I finally have my MA! Huzzah! Now it's just a case of finding a way to use it to get a job... CV hell I believe its called...

Speak soon
Ttfn

Nic

Alive, Alert, Awake, A-crocheting?

2010-02-12T20:58:00.002Z

Helllooo folks!

I've swept the cobwebs off the blog to do a few updates, one from the ole life, one from the ole crafty sphere and finally some techie news for this ole blog.

So first life: Academia is over and done with (well... I say over, I've applied for another MA... shhhhh don't tell folks, its pending funding and placement!) so I'm dedicating the next few months to a few of my 'I wish I had enough time to do it' projects. Aside from playing with art and crafts for a bit with these random whimsies, I'm also hoping (wishful thinking?) to make a bit of profit from them... hopefully.

So what are these fantasmagical arts and crafts that I'm dabbling with? Well currently my outlet is within my newfound skill crochet (I say skill loosely as my 'L' plates are not quite off the bonnet yet!). I learned to knit a few years back but I've struggled to teach myself crochet.
Fortunately just before christmas my aunt was bitten by the crochet bug, she managed to find a friend who could crochet to teach her. As luck would have it she was to visit later in the month and she finally laid rest my pattern reading angst... The door was finally opened and crochet ode to joy swept through the dark recesses of my crochet angst.
So what did I do with this new skill? MADE SHINY THINGS!

Crochet around a pot

Queen Anne Lace Scarf

Micro crochet!

Valentine heart bunting

Rose pins

Welsh/Easter Daffodil

Mary Jane Booties

And a big project work in progress:

So having fun playing with yarn at the moment! Although I've not limited myself to crochet, I'm also working on my webcomic which I'm finally making some progress with (unlike my previous skirting around the idea with vague sketches). Finally my kiln is being installed next week which means only one thing... CERAMICS!!

Finally on the blog front: I'm still not 100% but I think I'm going to be moving the blog to a new space. Probably via wordpress.. so watch this space, I'll keep you updated.

I'll sign off for now...
ttfn!

Nic x

So I maybe a bit afk (Away From Keyboard for the non-geeks)

2009-05-25T12:07:00.002Z

Just a note to let you know I'm gonna be a bit absent from the blogsphere for awhile as I try to attempt to curb my procrastination tendencies and get going with REAL LIFE work that seems to be building up in my to do pile.

I'm off around the country too at the moment, Cardiff, London and South East England. My trusty Acer Aspire One will be coming with me, who on earth can go without the internet?! Purely social network addiction methinks but I guess work emails are important too...

I should still be on the ole twitter feeds as twitter is a bit more mobile than traditional blogs so if you need my spam you can find me there.

"This, Jen, is the Internet"

2009-01-27T13:45:00.002Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAUyaELfwBo

Nuff said....

Back?

2009-01-08T15:53:00.007Z

I seem to have become completely addicted to Twitter.
I'm obviously getting lax with my writing if I prefer to spew forth hundreds of 140 character posts rather than actually do my proper blog(s)... shame on me! The new generation of lazy net people... exhibit A = Moi.

Whats new? Well after Ffresh and Insight Out, I now have a company! Shocking but true. Its not fully up and running but I do have a scary amount of followers now, proof that I need to move my butt and launch my beta site! Go forth and sign up, the more numbers the more guilt I can accumulate to limit my procrastination tendencies... www.twitter.com/skillbucket

Dad's art is going well, not only is he having a HUGE exhibition soon (Can't tell any details as of yet. but its BIG) but he's publishing a BOOK! A BOOK! It's completely unfair as I've always planned to publish a book and he beat me to it.
Joking aside I'm very proud, I even bought some new arty cards for him to hand out to gallery visitors. (Big thanks to Moo.com for their really snazzy mini cards).
We're talking about doing some ceramic collaboration, I'll teach him how to use my kiln and ceramic materials and he'll wave his magic art skills and we'll create a series of pieces that complement his current work. Obviously I'm just piggybacking on his current artistic wave but if it encourages him to give me some studio space then why not?
Also lets me play for a bit before trying to find my own niche. (Having said that I've got that many projects going at the moment it's probably for the best that I avoid using ceramics as a means for procrastinating!)

My main focus is my dissertation, although I'm reluctant to admit it and I've been procrastinating heavily, it really is quite important! Least its started.... The website is moving forward though so hopefully all will be well.

Well I'm off, I'm a bit boring at the moment, I have a brand spanking new digital camera from christmas that I've been playing with, check out my flikr account in the side bar.

My ongoing mission for this year: To complete my patchwork quilt... although I'm not sure if thats before or after my diss :P

So until next time
ttfn!

Nic x

Ffresh, Nesta, Insight Out.... Oh my!

2008-11-14T11:48:00.002Z

After ffresh, I was encouraged to apply to the NESTA Insight Out course. After a fairly scary board interview I was amazingly given a place on the course. It was really useful in developing my company ideas and format, and how/if the idea was even viable.

I managed to drum up a bit of media coverage too. Nothing major, the local paper and my university website but as they say, every little helps!

University news post:

Creative Business Wales supports Lampeter Media Production postgraduate’s modern day Skillbucket: where funky crafts meet the Internet

Everyone has heard of Facebook. Now Lampeter Media Production postgraduate student Nicola Light hopes that her Skillbucket business venture will be similarly successful. Having entered the idea into the Pitch to Win contest at Ffresh: the student moving image festival of Wales and won through to the final in February 2008, Nicola is now taking her vision forward with the guidance and support of Creative Business Wales, as she develops her innovation into a successful new creative business. During September and October Nicola will receive individual guidance, mentoring and support as well as help and advice on her business plan, having won a place on the on the Welsh Assembly Government’s Insight Out programme for new Creative Businesses in Wales.

The central theme of Skillbucket is that it connects the creative DIY and crafts movement and modern interactive media, using the Internet to create a community of users that will support and educate its users in the fun and exciting world of contemporary crafts.

Nicola describes her vision of Skillbucket as “a unique project that is dedicated to all things craft, providing information and resources primarily for users in the Wales and the UK that are itching to display their creative talents without breaking the bank.”

“The connection between ‘New Wave Craft’ and the Internet will allow the audience and the craft producers to interact in ways unimaginable 15 years ago”, explained Nicola.

So what were the results of the Insight Out programme?
Well I won a grant of £1000 to develop the business, made a dozen of useful contacts and was given a "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" certificate which fuzzled my ego nicely...

ttfn!

Band of the Week #8

2008-10-23T10:13:00.003Z

I've been sitting on this for months.... but I can't delay it any longer... The
band of the week are 1980's AWESOME...
They are Men Without Hats... They eschew headgear....

Men Without Hats - Safety Dance

Ttfn

Band of the Week # 7

2008-10-10T12:20:00.005Z

Bit addicted to this artist atm... A Fine Frenzy, nothing specifically new in terms of genre but for some reason she's really sparked an interest in me...

Another fav of mine:

She's a redhead too! Woot Woot!

Funny things people say #6

2008-09-15T23:23:00.001Z

A recent short phone conversation with a friend:

Friend: Didn't I know the girl who gave you a lift?

Me: I don't know, I think so... she was short with really long black hair... Damn I wish I could remember her name....

Friend: .... What was her name?

Me: ....*snigger*....

Short but sweet :D

Band of the week #6

2008-09-09T23:19:00.002Z

Phew I'm here! Honest!

New BAND OF THE WEEK... The Gaslight Anthem with their single The '59 Sound...

The Gaslight anthem are an American punk rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey.
While some of their other tracks are not totally to my tastes upon a few repeats they've started to grow on me...

Some of you might remember that they 'broke into the UK sphere" by making British music history for becoming the first band to ever grace the cover of Kerrang! magazine last month... It's been quoted that they will be "The best new band you'll hear in 2008", I'm not totally sure about that one, doesn't seem to have the punch required for that title but definitely worth popping a track on the favs list....

Ok I admit I blog fail...

2008-08-12T23:24:00.005Z

I know, I know, I promised pictures AGES ago....
After only nearly FOUR MONTHS I'm going to FINALLY post some London Marathon pics! (Shocking to believe but I really am going to post a 'proper' blog post!)

I look slightly odd in this picture... my mother wanted a picture of me at the starting point and I felt a bit uncomfortable as compared with some of the others I DID NOT look like a runner :P

The Big Queue to the start line (I am in that picture)...
About two minutes before this was taken I needed to use a toilet, portaloos are NOT you friends (anyone who knows my bathroom obsession knows I do like a clean nice toilet!). Given the time crisis, I've never spent a penny so fast in all my life... almost record worthy....

Then I was told that there was ONE truck left to put my kit bag onto, so with about 15 seconds to spare I managed to get my jacket, trackie bottoms(I ripped the bottom of one leg but time was limited to care!) and other miscellaneous bits off me into my bag which was unceremoniously thrown onto the truck and made it into the line with about 5 seconds to spare... Phew! Stressed before I even started! Typical! (Unfortunately, and rather idiotic of me I left ALL my plasters in my kit bag... I did tape up my feet but I did want to carry some back up supplies with me just in case... oops!)

Strangely, there was loads of people throwing clothes off and into the road just before and just after the start line, I presume they forgot to put them in their kit bag? I wonder if the organisers donated them to charity or if they ended up in the bin....

The last stretch... by this point I could no longer feel my knees let alone my feet!

I'm smiling because I saw my mum in the crowd... luckily she was wearing a bright yellow mac... thinking back on it I think she did that on purpose... :P

Three steps away from the finish!

The woman I crossed the line with really helped me...
I wouldn't have been able to do the last 6 miles without her, she helped me find the last bit of energy to go for it... and yet I can't even remember her name... but whoever you are thank you, you are a star.

Collecting my medal... by this point I was rather emotional... my eyes were definitely watering! I think I was in a bit of shock, not only that I had finished but that I didn't have to run anymore!

My shiny!

The back of my shiny! Funnily I didn't realise that 2008 was the centenary for the London Marathon (In its current form). Made it all the more special in a way...

A marathon isn't complete without injuries!
I really can't figure out how on earth this blood blister didn't burst during the race. I was also surprised that given how pathetic my feet usually are to all forms of shoes that I managed to get away with only a few blisters (Although I did lose a nail on one of my toes, a rather gross event that I'd rather not repeat).

My knee played up after about 18 miles into the marathon (If you look at my times I did a kick arse first quarter) so I spent quite a bit of my journey fiddling about with my knee support, although to give it credit I know I would have never managed it without the annoying thing!
St. Johns ambulance told me twice to stop running, once with my knee and the second time was due to both my knee and the fact that my hands swelled up to twice their size (I was told I had had too much water).

An amazing feeling of hunger overcame me once I received my finishing bag (Which contained fruit... within about 5 seconds I had demolished an apple, before I'd even met up with my mum I might add)
I've never experienced anything quite like it, it wasn't hunger in the general "I'm hungry" it was a genuine NEED. After consuming a granola bar (I don't like currents and raisins but I didn't care) we made it back to the car and headed back to Wales...
I had planned on going back to uni but I returned home for a day as the St. John people had advised that I be watched to make sure I was alright due to swollen hands...

Next morning checked my iPod (equipped with Nike+ naturally) and saw that I had burned 3897 calories during the race... oO
No wonder I was hungry...

I felt genuinely sorry for those that had to drop out. I saw a fair few during my travels around the course. One in particular will forever remain, a woman skidded on the wet road and unfortunately clipped her jaw against the tarmac, her mouth erupted in blood as she struggled to stand. A very nice LARGE Londoner man scooped her up and carried her into the pub that was a few feet away. A few paces later and St. Johns personnel was running past to her aid. A nasty way to end her race. Especially as we were only 15-16 miles in...

I have applied to the 2009 marathon, but if I do get a place from the ballot, its on the condition that I sort out whatever is wrong with my knee, I refuse to do it again in that pain again!!
Fingers crossed though, the pain is worth going across that finish line. The whole experience was breathtaking. An experience I recommend everyone to try at least once... trust me.

Phew... belated description but thats in typical me style! I get there eventually!...

Until next time
ttfn

Nic

Band Of The Week #5

2008-08-12T23:14:00.003Z

I've tried to resist....
but I can't help myself...
I've HAD to make The Verve's Love Is Noise a Band Of The Week entry...

Also I'm still here!! ! I've not abandoned this here blog...
What would my stalkers do with themselves?!
I'm not that cruel... ;)

No music festivals for me this year.... and a mini update

2008-06-27T20:20:00.005Z

Yup... Not a single hint of festival music joy for me... unless you count tv coverage!

Nevermind, always next year!

I've become totally addicted to The Verve's new single Love Is Noise. At first I wasn't too keen but after a few replays I've completely fallen for it. It's available for FREE DOWNLOAD! on monday.

If you want to check out the song try their myspacemyspace

and then on monday visit The Verve website to download the track: The Verve

So... update...

Not much to report... end of term uni wise... didn't get the job I was aiming for to help fund next year (Not a problem but would have made a change from my current position)... have booked my driving test (FINALLY)

Have some more crafty bits to show off but I've left my camera somewhere daft so it'll have to wait until next time...

So until next time
ttfn!!

Check out The Verve single or else!!

Band Of The Week #4

2008-06-03T17:54:00.001Z

This band of the week stuff kinda fell apart didn't it?... Lets try again shall we?

Here's a nice oldie:

Chicane - No Ordinary Morning

:D
Until next time!
Ttfn!

Doctor Who - David Tennant and Squee...

2008-06-02T18:35:00.000Z

For those that know me... you already know my obsession with Doctor Who... and currently The Tenth Doctor Who.. Mr David Tennant himself...

What to do with unhealthy fangirl axis of Squee?? Why write into the object of obsession's official website of course!

And lo! Amazingly my artwork was featured in the fanzine!

Now what could top that? It's a tough one... but I do believe an AUTOGRAPHED DOCTOR WHO POSTCARD may just do it! After writing to Tennants agent (and expecting nothing) I was amazed to find a letter through my letterbox, within which contained this:

SQUEE!!! ^_^

*ahem*....

UPDATE

2008-05-01T12:39:00.003Z

The London Marathon was ace!!
I was rubbish though... my dodgy knee failed me. Got to go for a scan in a couple of weeks.
Still I finished it!
I have some random photos to show so I'll upload them after work.

I've also bought a brand new car! Amazing museum exhibit, a 80's throwback! Haha! (It's a Peugeot 205) It's actually quite speedy but I keep stalling it cause I'm finding the clutch a bit of a pain to get used to, also no Power Steering! (Oh no!)

Thought I'd share my new fav music obsession Lykke Li:

Ttfn!

Photoshop editing test

2008-03-30T11:47:00.004Z

I thought it was about time I learned how to use photoshop for photo editing....
After a quick read up I gave it a whirl.

Rather pleased at my first attempt :)

Until next time
ttfn

Quilting bug?....

2008-03-19T04:21:00.006Z

I've been bitten by the quilting bug!
After the Japanese Quilting course I've been researching all I can about a variety of different quilting processes. So what has become of all this research?
Well I've decided to take the plunge and try my hand at quilting!

I had been playing with the idea of attempting quilting before, looking at Heather Bailey's Freshcut quilt sparked off the idea originally and I finally thought I'd give it a whirl....

I've officially made my first quilt patch!

Not sure how big I'm going to attempt, probably something fairly small to start with to get a feeling of it... but fun? Oh yes :D

So until next time
ttfn

Japanese Quilting

2008-03-18T03:37:00.007Z

I signed up for a two day japanese quilting course at the uni. With very little knowledge of the subject I trundled along to the session....

The course cost £25 and that included all the materials and use of supplies. We were taught how to do Sashiko hand stitching, and Shibori indigo dyeing... After just two days I think I've found yet ANOTHER craft that I've fallen in love with!

At first I thought £25 was a bit expensive, however it was definitely worth the money! We were given a bound booklet, with all the details about Sashiko, it's history etc and then a step by step instruction section explaining the task set for the course, a bibliography and some patterns.

The task was to create a large Sashiko cushion (21"x21") from scratch, so not just the Sashiko needlework but the cushion itself as a whole...
All the fabric and other materials that were provided were of brilliant quality, and you also had the option to buy fancy threads and fabric as an extra if you wished. We were even able to keep the Sashiko sewing needle we used for the two days!!

The red fabric (was a fat quarter) was an extra (£2.50/$5USD) as the free fabric offered was an ugly white tartan (don't get me wrong I love tartan, but this particular pattern was rather ugly!). Unfortunately most of the best ones had already been 'reserved' when I arrived, it was a mad dash to the fabric box! :(
There were a few fab japanese fabrics too, shame...

There were three patterns to choose from, natrually I chose the most time consuming one with a detailed background pattern, doh! Didn't even think about how much work it would be compared to the others when I decided, kind of regretted it during the making process, but glad in the end as it looks effective and gave me more than enough practice of Sashiko!

Breaking from the planned cushion, I decided to do something extra to make my cushion a bit unique from the others... so I used my newly found Sashiko skills to sew two small koi fish on the back. Unfortunately there wasn't a pattern for them so I had to quickly do a rough sketch of a fish! I also made it a side opening instead of a top (so the opening was vertical instead of horizontal).

I made a few errors sewing the back too... the ties are not quite right (they're not all the same length..oops!) and I also made a measurement error for the smaller right section, not a big issue but I know its wrong so it's annoying!! Still, I suppose if I do it again I know where I went wrong!

The teacher gave me the other patterns too, I think I may give them a whirl too at some point as it was easy peasy to do and lots of fun!

Brilliant fun weekend!

Until next time
ttfn!

A poem for all of us who were 'average' in school

2008-03-12T23:05:00.002Z

The Average Child
by Mike Buscemi

I don’t cause teachers trouble;
My grades have been okay.
I listen in my classes.
I’m in school every day.

My teachers think I’m average;
My parents think so too.
I wish I didn’t know that, though;
There’s lots I’d like to do.

I’d like to build a rocket;
I read a book on how.
Or start a stamp collection…
But no use trying now.

’Cause, since I found I’m average,
I’m smart enough you see
To know there’s nothing special
I should expect of me.

I’m part of that majority,
That hump part of the bell,
Who spends his life unnoticed
In an average kind of hell.

Fabric stash and sewing machine

2008-03-09T16:00:00.003Z

I've been spending some time recently building up my fabric stash, particularly some funky patterned fabrics, some are 'proper' sized fabrics (FQs or half meter/yard) others have been pulled together from scrap packs... but I'm sure you'll agree they're all gorgeous!

Yum!

Also, I've finally managed to get my very own sewing machine! No longer am I dependent on an HOUR drive to pinch my mothers for a few months!

So very very pleased!
So you maybe asking what I've been doing with my new sewing machine? How about some mini scotties? (Although admittedly some of these I did sew by hand)

I love em!

So until next time

ttfn!

Funny things people say #5

2008-03-06T22:57:00.004Z

This time a MSN conversation where I show a rather dim moment...
On talking about Newport Castle in Pembrokeshire:

Nic says: (22:51:43)
http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/blowup1/13202
^ ariel photo, it's the top middle building

Nic says: (22:52:14)
Although I don't really need to say that... lol

Nic says: (22:52:33)
"It's the castle in this photo" works just as well :P

Bec says: (22:53:12)
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha that really did make me laugh out loud

Nic says: (22:53:31)
;)

Bec says: (22:53:40)
"lol" is so lost these days, you have to type that you laughed out loud when you do cos lol means nothing anymore

Nic says: (22:54:16)
Well I realised that as soon as I typed the first sentence that it really wasn't needed unless you didn't have a clue what a castle was...

Bec says: (22:55:06)
ha ha ha ha ha ha

Nic says: (22:55:48)
'A dim moment - by Nicola'....

Scared? You will be!

2008-03-03T23:23:00.002Z

So....

At the time of this entry I have 1 month 9 days 9 hours and 34 minutes until the Flora London Marathon or rather just over 5 weeks.... ARGH!!

I now have my iPod marathon tracks all chosen and my Nike + sensor is ready to go!
I'm still struggling on what my "Power Track" should be (While in the Nike + workout session, by pressing a button on your iPod you stop the current playlist and play your motivation boosting song for when you are flagging).
I was originally thinking of Chariots of Fire, but not only is that a bit too cheesy, I think it may freak people out if I fall into pace of the beat and start some slow mo action.
Still a work in progress methinks.

As for training, I admit it's been a bit patchy, but I've stuck with it. I just hope what I've done is enough! I WILL get to the finish line, even if it takes me 9 years!

Still not worked out what would be best to wear, but thank god my running shoes are fully broken in now, knowing my pathetic skin, this marathon is gonna hurt....lots.
I also need to work out what hat I'm going to use. Since my skin has the ability to suffer from moon burn (A slight exaggeration but it is pathetic, once I managed to get sun stroke from a RAINY CLOUDY DAY and had to be sent home from school the next day). I WILL need a hat of some sort if I'm to prevent myself from turning pillar box red....

So lots to sort but I'm getting there.... just trying to keep the lid on the nerves!

ttfn
x

Ouch!

2008-02-20T06:03:00.004Z

Today during my lovely billions of bubbles bubble bath, I shaved my legs and unfortunately my razor took half my leg with it.

Blood EVERYWHERE.....
I seem to have a vendetta against my legs and feet, its where most of my self inflicted injuries seem to occur...

Squashed broken toe? - My fault (Concrete paving slab falling onto my toe causing a "crushing injury" to my big toe.... nearly lost it had to have nearly 3 hours of surgery... thought I was creating more work for builders by knocking a pile of them over... *note to self: Make sure feet are out of the way first*)

Dodgy Knee? - My fault (Apparently my dodgy knee is caused by an old injury that I don't remember having)

Barbed wire scarring? - My fault (Albeit due to being slightly tipsy at the time and deciding clambering around in bushes in the dark was a Good Idea)

Broken little toe? - My fault (Kicking fish tanks is fun!)

Removing skin from my leg? - My fault... (Trying to rush while shaving? Doesn't save time in the long run....)

I'm sensing a theme.... :P
*sigh*

Guilty as charged... an update.... finally...

2008-02-20T04:30:00.010Z

Happy Christmas! Happy New Year! Happy Pancake Day! Happy Valentines Day!

Errk!
Soooo I've not been guiltily avoiding this here blog due to distinct lack of blogging going on.... nope not me! :P

Major changes:(I'll post a pic and whatnot later)
Mum and dad moved house
My brother got his first job (and annoyingly gets paid more than I do...grrr)
I'm one of the organisers (well all I really do is put a film on on sunday) of Film Club

Stuff:
Well I am still alive!
Still training for the marathon
Still at university
Still working
Still with The Boyfriend
Still having driving lessons
Still crafting
Still trying to work out what I want to do with my life

So a lot still the same then!
One interesting thing recently was Ffresh. For those that don't know, Ffresh is the student moving image festival for Wales.
I was originally just going to visit the festival as I thought it would be a good experience for me (considering I'm doing media production MA and all), but on a whim I applied for the Pitch To Win competition and amazingly I was shortlisted!!

The first day of Ffresh was fine, some interesting presentations and I tried to swallow my semi-shy nature and get stuck in. There was, however, a slight issue with accommodation. The accommodation was a hostel 5 miles outside of Aber, ok fine, but apparently not so good when you're on your own.
I had decided to go back to the accommodation earlier than the others as they were not due back until past midnight and I wanted an early night to prepare myself (ie panic) for the Pitch to Win the next day. I managed to get a lift to the location and entered the hostel. Unfortunately the house (or rather manor house) was COMPLETELY EMPTY, all rooms devoid of life (and lights).

Added to that was the fact that the hostel itself WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE and you start to get the picture of general creepyness. I needed to find the woman who ran the whole thing, which is easier said than done when there were no external lights. In the middle of the countryside there are no streetlights, due to its very nature there is no light pollution and so using the moon to guide you to the next cottage in a place you have no knowledge of proved to be quite an adventurous task in itself! The first cottage proved to be a red herring, but the bloke was kind enough to point me vaguely in the direction of my required destination.

Finally after shuffling carefully in the dark, skidding around in the mud, I managed to locate Mrs Twig (fantastic name, and to me provides a good general indicator to you readers that she was completely bonkers). She managed to show me to my room which was unlocked in the first place. She then bade me good night and left me to my own devices.

So I'm in a very old manor house which is used as a hostel. There are numerous bizarre floors to the house and upon investigation about 20 odd beds (bunkbeds and normal). I know there are others that are staying in the hostel because one of the rooms has things in it but every room is completely empty and all lights are off.
I pick a bunk, get ready for bed and try to sleep as quickly as possible (Which was actually surprisingly quick).

It's a good thing I'm not afraid of the dark....

The second day of Ffresh was rather nerve-wracking as the Pitch To Win events were spread throughout the day. Naturally I awoke at 5am in order to organise my panic into distinct levels of terror to pace myself for the day ahead.

The first session of the Pitch to Win wasn't really that bad, all the shortlisted students (there were 10 this year) were given the chance to talk to each of the judges individually about their idea. After talking to all three it became evident that one of the judges didn't really seem too keen about mine, he didn't really like the idea of crafts in the modern sphere.

The second session proved to be more intense. After waiting hours we were to go a theatre hall and sit with the audience (comprised of students and industry people), the judges were seated just off centre stage and a podium with a microphone was placed in the centre. The host declared that out of the ten shortlisted only three would be chosen to pitch their idea in ten minutes live on stage (Oh did I forget to mention that all this would be recorded?! Silly me...).

The first name was called.... I watched the pitch, it was ok, the idea was sound but he seemed to lose the thread of his debate half way through. He answered the questions and everyone politely clapped. Then the host came back on and said the dreaded phrase: "And the next student finalist is...." and then called out MY NAME

.... "Bugger".....

Managed to get onto the stage without making a spectacle of myself, and started my pitch. It went rather smoothly, I kept to the point, I stated my intentions, but then I hitched... I stumbled at my next point, I forgot my place, my palms immediately became sweaty as the stage light unforgivingly shone in my face. I knew I would be unable to pick up where I left off without stumbling around foolishly so I did the only thing I could and moved straight to the questions, I know I've always been strongest at that.

As luck would have it, they didn't ask me some of the harder questions I had constructed in my mind that they could have asked me, so that was a plus. However the judge who, earlier didn't seem to take to my idea, questioned whether crafts was an old past time, something that grandparents do and thus would not be of interest to the 16-24 demographic (I'm guessing he's never been on Craftster.org!) Initially my brain struggled to find an argument but then without permission my mouth took control:

"Actually You Are Wrong! And in fact I think it's those sort of ideas that is old fashioned!"

Now arguing your corner is all well and good but I think I need to point out two distinct facts. One: I'm a lowly student and Two: The judge happened to be a commissioner for the BBC.....
So you can imagine my brief horror when I realised that my mouth had seemingly betrayed the cause! I managed to finish the pitch and return to my seat, while the third and final student clamboured to the stage the days waves of fear and anxiety slowly ebbed away.

Luckily it worked in my favour in the end. Afterwards I received lots of business cards from some of the audience industry people, and many praised my defense of my idea. It was a real boost to have people come up to me and praise my idea, to actually specifically say I had done well. So maybe my mouth knew what it was doing afterall...

The final award ceremony a few hours later reminded me of the traditional award ceremonies you see on TV, the host reads out the category, the guest speaker reads out the names of the finalists and a short clip is shown of their work. Then the speaker makes some little quip about how exciting it all is and the name is called out, the winner flounces onto the stage and 'says a few words'... all in all a standard format.

Yet being an actual nominee, thinking that you might have a chance of winning one of those awards? Its a whole new world. Naturally the Pitch to Win results had to be the last to be announced, so naturally my mind twisted the event. What if I won? Would I have to give a speech? Were people expecting something witty and off the cuff clever? If I did win, what on earth was I expected to say? Do I even have enough wit to pull off a clever little acceptance speech?! This of course grew to also include:
Would I have to then make my idea a reality (even though it was an idea that just shot through my brain a day before the pitch submission deadline)?

"And the Winner is...." "NOT YOU."

It was a rather odd feeling... I had not won the grand prize. Yet I was not upset, slightly dissappointed in what could have been but definately not upset. Yet I was also relieved, relief that I didn't have to go on stage, relief that I didn't have to commit myself to my grand idea and then return to the next Ffresh and present how my business was doing since last year..... I was a finalist, not the overall winner and I was very proud and happy of that, but most of all....phew....

Although a trophy would have been nice....

Funny things people say #4... ish

2007-11-24T03:58:00.001Z

Parents and technology don't always bond very well.... my mum is a prime example of this... Some techie things she is actually really keen on (she's more upto date with mobile phones than I am!), others she has difficulties with.... she is no technophobe, but she can sometimes struggle with bits...

The internet is one of the things that she struggles with. Terminology is another such problem area...

Today was a discussion about her upcoming upgrade to BT Internet... (After about 8-10 years with AOhelL)

She was telling me how she's ordered BT broadband to be installed tomorrow....
She read out the list of what the package contains.... during this list reading, she read out something that had me briefly confused before I realised what she meant... I had to tell her to repeat the previous item...

Apparently this BT broadband package of hers has integrated WeeFee...

'nuff said really....

A mini update

2007-11-12T14:56:00.000Z

So... I've not vanished off the blogsphere .... yet... hehe

A mini update of what has been going on recently:

Have officially reached 28% of my fundraising total, thank you everyone who has kindly donated, you are all stars!

Broke my toe, a big set back to training as I've had to do nothing for at LEAST two weeks... I went back on my exercise bike last night for the first time, so I don't feel too bad now!
Worst thing about it is that I did it accidentally kicking a fishtank! Typical! I'll post more details later.

It is now officially exactly 5 months and 17 hours (at time of posting) until the London Marathon.... Scary stuff!

My first MA assignment was handed in last friday, a few niggling problems but overall a fairly smooth assignment of which I am very relieved about as I was panicking a little due to the 'newness' of the course. The semi finished product can be seen below:

Visited a conference in Gregynog, was really interesting. Met Mark Dowd who used to work for Panorama and has since made numerous documentaries for channel 4, most well known is Hallowed Be Thy Game which was also showcased at the conference. He was a really animated man, very intelligent, it was a great opportunity to meet him. Gave me a lot to think about in terms of filming, editing and scripting non-fiction.

I'm writing a 5min radio piece for Vision-thing the best of the groups get showcased on BBC Radio Wales which should be fun! More details when I know more...

I'm de-clutterfying my life, so stay tuned for some lovely ebay auctions that you can bid on which I can then convert into rent money!... Fun fun!

So back to the training next week... I'm on week 7 on the training plan, although I may take a step back after such a long pause.
I'll post again soon with my training schedule....

So until next time
ttfn!

I know... I know!

2007-10-11T21:35:00.000Z

Yes, I'm alive! It's shocking I seemingly vanished from this lil blog of mine...

Fear not! I am working on a small essay worth of updates! (Ok not that long but a fairly chunky meaty post!)

In the meantime, listen to this music track... it's been my recent musical obsession...
Tis Placebo's Running Up That Hill (love the original... Kate Bush for those who don't know their 80's fabs).

Another recent obsession of mine in the film format is CSI... Just managed to watch the second episode of season 8... GSR fluffy... very awww how cute... followed by a grusome murder... best of both worlds!

Like I said, I'll post properly soon... promise!!

So until next time
Ttfn!
Nic
X

Confirmation.... I'm running the marathon!

2007-08-16T00:45:00.000Z

Yup its true! I'm running the 2008 Flora London Marathon!
Kids Kidney Research have fully confirmed and offered me a Golden Bond placement... so no excuse now for slacking off! ^_^

Wanna help me reach my goal of £1250? Please visit the link to donate to my fund!
http://www.justgiving.com/NLight

All for little Lois and others like her.

I'm sending off my signature tomorrow, and after that it should be all sealed, signed and done.

Rather scary prospect really....

So until next time!
ttfn

Nic

Marathon Training....

2007-08-14T18:16:00.000Z

So, it starts....

Yup I've started formal training....

Running outside! (Not just peddling on an exercise bike!)

I'm following the Flora London Marathon 24 week plan which supposedly I'm to do twice over in order to feel the full benefits...

I've started to lose weight now, about a stone. I'm feeling much better about the prospect of making it to the end of the race now, I was a bit concerned at first that it would be impossible! (Although I'm still a tad worried about heat and sun, being a ginger does not mix well with direct sun... I get moon burn! ^_^ )

Still waiting for the charity to fully confirm my place, but with the news that Spar is willing to hear me out about sponsorship I think it's coming together... albeit slowly.

So until next time
ttfn!

Nic
x

Funny things people say.... #3

2007-08-08T17:29:00.000Z

In Spar customer comes in and walks up to the counter and faces the staff in front of the cigarettes....

Customer: (VERY BBC English) "I'll have a disposable ash tray please"

Spar Employee: "Er..."

Customer: "No... er.. a... a..."

Spar Employee: "Lighter?"

Customer: (Acting as though he'd meant it all along) "Yes,Yes. One of those."

I think it was purely because the bloke was behaving like a pompous ass that made this VERY funny at the time...

London Marathon entry... Sent!

2007-08-05T10:43:00.001Z

The ballot has just recently opened for the London Marathon and I've just applied!

I've also applied for a "golden bond placement" for the Kids Kidney Research charity in honour of my cousin Lois (Every charity has a number of these bond places to guarantee runners for their charity, but if you get a place form the official ballot you can still run for the charity, it means they can have even more runners).

I've got my training plan from the Flora website, which I've now started, but unfortunately I don't find out until November whether I get the place or not... Which is a bit annoying if I get a "golden bond placement" from the Kids Kidney Research charity as I have to pledge a minimum of £1250!! oO
One good thing about the the golden bond placements are quicker and I should find out in the next month or so...

I've got a plan to document the marathon training all the way to the day in another blog, one specific to the marathon, and also on film which I may youtube if its good enough!

I'm hoping RAG (The society that allows the university to raise money for charity) can help me out a bit if it is the case that I get a golden bond place, as I think I'm going to struggle to raise that huge figure... and if you don't you don't get to run!

I'm up to an hour and half on the exercise bike every day and short runs with some mates around the Lampeter countryside every other day... so I'm on track at the moment, but no major training as such just yet.

Its a bit annoying the wait between application and results of placement as all the training in the interim may be for naught... I suppose fitness is good regardless!

So until next time!
ttfn

Nic x

Band of The Week Sunday #3!

2007-07-29T01:46:00.000Z

Today's band of the week is a band that I fell in love with but then completely ignored for about half a year! (Shocking!)

The Cat Empire! Fantastic Aussie band with a random mix of jazz, ska, rock, soul and a touch of latin influence... what a mix!

So until next time!
ttfn

Nic
x

Oh P.S I've not posted about the final Harry Potter purely because I want to read it again before I go all fangirl scream happy ;)

Funny things people say.... #2

2007-07-18T01:04:00.000Z

A small debate over raisins and other dried fruit ended with the following:

Bob: "I quite like raisins" (While eating a tub of raisins)

Me: "I don't mind them really"

Bob: "I was SO surprised when I found out they were actually grapes!!"

Me: "Haha yeah, my mum told me when I was little, when did you learn?"

Bob: "Just now! It says it on the packet!"

Me: ".....you really didn't know?!....." (then proceeds to giggle)

Bob: "Well I suppose you could guess from the packaging with the whole raisins and grapes all together, but I thought that it was just a graphics thing"

Me: "So what... you thought there was a raisin tree or something?" (Still sniggering)

Bob: "Well yeah, I thought since the raisins are ugly it must be a really ugly plant"

Me: "Surely you would have learned where fruit came from at school"

Bob: "Well obviously, but not ALL the fruit, and I've got better things to do than find out what all the fruit plants look like"

Me: "Like finding out how raisins are made?"

So until next time
ttfn
Nic

Band of The Week Sunday #2

2007-07-16T01:02:00.000Z

YAY!

Today's band of the week is Rogue Wave... particularly their track thats possibly the most prominent due to the exposure from the hit show Heroes.

If you've not heard of it.. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!
It's a fantastic show! Luckily its been bought up by BBC for those in the UK and is coming soon... hurrah! Although the recent advertisements for it that the BBC have produce REALLY do not do the show justice. Its a crime! :P

I've watched the first series a few times now, its brilliantly written with very clever character plot interweaving.

As a side note, everyone should have a pet Hiro! (You'll understand once you see him ;) hehe)

Anyways, back on topic.... below is a youtube video of the bands key song "Eyes" played with some scenes from the show.

Brilliant....

So until next time
ttfn!

Nic

The Doctor with an exercise bike walk into a bar...

2007-07-08T07:09:00.000Z

Had to post this youtube video, firstly purely because I <3 the doctor! (I think Tennant is FANTASTIC as the Doctor, one of the best out of the 10. He's also a bit gorgeous!) and secondly because Book of Days is a fab song....

Squeeeeeal! (Yes I admit, I'm a sad geek! :P )

On a more personal note.... I have FINALLY received my exercise bike! After the delivery being delayed by 20 days (Yup I'm serious twas 20 days) its arrived and after a bit of fiddling its built and ready to go... I've had a couple of goes on it but not a proper session yet so I'm looking forward to that (Surprising as it sounds I really am looking forward to it, me and exercise? Who'd of thought it eh?! :)

I'll post some pics later, so you can stare in awe of the shiny that is my new bike ^_^

So until next time
ttfn!

Nic

Wheeeeeeeee!

2007-07-05T14:33:00.000Z

Yup...

I've become a bit obsessed with this video to be honest.... As for Harry Potter release date, I've already organised booking saturday off so I can read it... how sad is that?!

So until next time
ttfn!
Nic
x

Finally! They've arrived!!

2007-07-04T22:56:00.001Z

After waiting for MONTHS they've finally arrived! 120 Swarovski crystal 4mm beads! Hurrah!

For those who haven't a clue about why I'm 'wheeee!' about these little things... well they are a bit expensive buggers and I managed to get a good deal on ebay, oh the joy!

So you might be wondering what I need these things for? Hummm.... well I tried a prototype tonight to test them out....

Yup... RINGS! Beaded rings, from start to finish... I've been trying out a few different ring sizes, I'm going to sell them so I need to provide different sizes, so it makes sense really ;)

Its a bit loose on me, fits my thumb fine, but its a good trial run, one minor mistake near the end (snipped a wire!! ARGH!) but it was salvageable and the ring is quite sturdy, I've been manhandling it for a good hour and it seems secure.

So...I've started another one!....

Hurrah! Let the ring empire begin! :P
(Oh and sorry for the dreadful pics, my mobile camera hasn't been up to scratch recently, I hope its not on its way out... erk!)

On a more personal note, the boyfriend has just found out he has to have a tooth removed next week after a course of antibiotics, hope you're better soon!!

So until next time
ttfn!

Nic
x

I don't think I'm paid enough....

2007-07-01T01:24:00.000Z

As a part-time job, my current employment is not too bad, I work evenings which is a bit annoying but not taxing. I am a supervisor so I get to lock up and so forth and get 30p more than minimum wage for the privilege....

However there are some evenings where I wonder if I'm paid enough.... Tonight is one such evening. Saturday night, late night convenience store... nice mix.

To be fair it was fairly quiet... then we had this gentleman come in with what seemed like a cut thumb. He asked for some plasters (Band aid for you americans) after he lifted the tissue he was using to stop the blood me and my colleague quickly realised that it was a bit more serious than a plaster worthy cut.... there was quite a bit of blood and once wiped the extent of the damage could be seen. He'd cut his thumb down to the bone! It was a slow filling crater in his thumb in between the two knuckles and the bone itself was a stark white.

Whether it was the removal of the tissue and him moving more animatedly or possibly the increase of temperature from outside to inside (Probably a combination of all three) but whatever had clotted decided not to hold and he started to bleed a bit more freely but was still adamant that it was "Just a scratch, I just need a plaster and I'll be fine once I'm home"

It was obvious that he wasn't and that his hand needed stitches... my offer to call an ambulance was flatly refused and he threatened to leave if I did... So I went to get our first aid kit. Unfortunately it consisted of a foam pad, a plaster and two eye patches.... nothing particularly stood out as useful for this particular situation...

In the end I offered to run to the university porters (Who while I presumed had a first aid kit, would also be able to call an ambulance without raising suspicion) and he allowed me to do that.
Luckily there was a policewoman on her rounds visiting the porters at the time and offered to speak to him. We both went back to the store and she managed to get him out of the store and rest just outside and then finally managed to persuade him to get a paramedic out.

Meanwhile us store staff, had to disinfect all the blood from the counters and front door.... joy.

I'm very glad he's ok, and I'm especially glad he finally got some medical attention, but really, is it worth minimum wage to have to deal with that? I know I would have unquestionably done something regardless of whether I was working or not, but while I'm working, could people please not bleed in the store? :/

So until next time
ttfn

Nic
x

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #13!

2007-06-29T03:41:00.000Z

Yup time for a long overdue WTF FACTOR FRIDAY post ;)

This week has been taken from an old 1990's British children's TV programme...
It is a genuine program... honest... I remember watching it!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=c_1QyOQDx6w

Unfortunately I couldn't embed the video, but please check it out... it's a genuine WTF FACTOR FRIDAY entry!

So until next time
ttfn

Nic
x

Funny things people say....

2007-06-27T21:31:00.001Z

I was in Spar yesterday and overheard something that made me chuckle....

Three people were talking about a recent divorce...

Female one: "Yeah well after two years, he finally signed the bloody papers... he wouldn't sign 'em, you know!"

Female two: "Och! That's terrible! Did you get one of those thingies... annledment? No, thats not it.."

Male one: "Annulee-ment?"

Female two: "Yeah, thats it an annulee-ment?"

Female one: "No, was married for too long for that innit, I couldn't get an annulment, I had to get on a whatcha-me-call-it"

Female two: "Ah! I know what you mean! Approachable differences?"

Male one: "Nah... it's not called that!"

Female two: "Tut, ooh whats it called Amicable differences?"

Female one: "Its something like that, yeah"

Female two: "... I'm sure it's amicable differences..."

Male one: "...er...."

Female one: "Maybe it is... I dunno, it doesn't sound right... close though..."

Me popping out from behind the isle: "I think you mean irreconcilable differences"

Female two: "THAT'S IT! THAT'S IT! Irr... Irroc... go on say it again..."

Me: "Irreconcilable differences"

Female two: "Ah! Yeh, irreconcilable differences! THANK YOU! See look at her and her long words... you a student?"

Me: "Yes"

Female two: "See all those students! I knew she was a student! Didn't I say she was a student?!"

Male one: *nods* "yeh"

I left the store....

"Amicable differences" Surely thats not even possible?? Made me laugh anyways...

So until next time
ttfn

Nic

X

Band of the Week Sunday!

2007-06-24T23:29:00.000Z

New blog segment on a sunday! Band of the Week!

To kick off this brand new segment.... a band that have become a bit addictive, a bit more rocky than my indie/folky sentimentality but nevertheless a fab band. I introduce to you (Although you probably all know of them anyway heh)The View

Check them out!

MySpace

We'll see if this sticks... worth shot anyways ;)

Oh and a big shout out to all those who were lucky enough to go to 'ole Glastonbury this week end... You lucky fiends! I suppose TV and a comfy dry sofa will have to do I guess... Still not quite the same... heh

So until next time!
ttfn!

Nic
x

Crafty craft!

2007-06-21T04:17:00.000Z

Its been AGES since I've posted anything on a crafty nature... I think its about time I lived up to the blogs name and dished out some crafts!

I've been recently commissioned for two projects recently (paid too, even better!) one to make a fanart bag based on the character Yuki from Fruits Basket anime and the second was to make three keyrings of 3D beaded animals, two cats and one tortoise.

Neither project is fully complete. The first is delayed by the fact that I don't own my own sewing machine and I've had to rely on my mum's who lives about an hour and half drive away :/ Since she's making some new curtains at the moment, I've unfortunately been unable to liberate the sewing machine for the cause. Hopefully I'll have it next week or so...

I'm aiming to get this from an ebay listing:

At the time of posting this, the listing was currently at £41... I'm hoping it will stay roughly at that so I can bid, much more and I'll be out of the running :( I REALLY want it!

But back on topic... The first project the bag has come along, albeit slowly, I did as much as I could on a short visit to parentals home but the bulk will have to wait until I get my paws on a sewing machine.

The main image patch was made using faux suede, its SO soft I think I'm going to have to make a trip back to the fabric shop and buy some more.

The inner lining with a small little pocket.

I'm fairly pleased with it. There were some little errors with the patch, but it has been awhile since I've used a sewing machine so fair play its a bit wiggly around the ears!

The second project was three 3D beaded keyrings, specifically two cats and a tortoise. Fortunately these can be made without specific equipment other than my hands!

I've added a couple of pics of some different views of the beaded tortoise. Made with copper wire 34gauge and glass seed beads.

The cats are under construction, just a bundle of wire and beads! I'll post some pictures later.

So all in all a much needed craft session has descended upon me! Its good really, as its taken my mind off the whole mess that is my course and work and all the mundane blah of being a poor student/ or most people really I guess (rent and bills anyone?!).

Fingers crossed for that sewing machine eh?

So until next time
ttfn!

Nic
x

"Conceptual Bullsh*t"

2007-06-20T06:55:00.000Z

I've been told from an arty forum I frequent that I don't "get modern art" and that I attack certain artists simply because I "don't understand them and their feelings"

And so, after a heated debate on one forum... I open it to you blog readers/stalkers... ;)

I feel that I'm rather open to modern art actually... there are a good few artists that I like, Anthony Gormley for example (Before he went all popular and sold out) Richard Long's series of walks is very clever.... but.... in some cases is 'modern art'... art?

I HATE Damien Hurst... I'm not afraid to admit that, he's not an artist, he's a performer, there's a difference....

Its not just the fact that he doesn't actually lift a finger and do any of the work himself (He has a studio of hired help for that I mean duh! he might strain a finger if he paints a dot....) but the fact that he associates everything that "he" does with some big long winded conceptual bullsh*t about what the art means...
Bearing in mind he's been quoted to say: "I've stopped worrying about what art is. If it's in an art gallery on the wall or the floor, it's probably art." (*cough* d*ckhead *cough*)

To me art = A skillful application of media with some thought behind it.

His preserved shark and diamond encrusted skull MIGHT have an idea behind it (that's a stretch) but to me it just sounds like just another quick way to get attention without working hard at it or showing a skillful application (which in turn opens the door for others to forget about any technical skill and try to get a ride through the art world on ideas alone).

Its like the scrap book of ideas that all artists have, only instead of creating a "final piece" the scrap book pieces are on show instead...

Tracey Emin falls into that catergory too I feel....

This is apparently one of a series of paintings about her abortion in 1990
Now to me that seems to me that it really is a pre-final piece. If that...

Example:

A recent exhibition... four artists... one called Ian Jacob produces this for the theme "Alternative Pembrokeshire"

Called:
N 51° 44 • 954’
W 004° 53 • 996’
Study 1

(All of his paintings have coordinates, not just the exhibition ones... )

Now this artist is a retired marketing exec... what better than an artist who can spin?! He talks about the inner depths to his works. I don't quite see it myself, and I'm quite liberal minded (I would like to think anyway). If it was left as is, I would probably just say its a bit ugly art, but with the whole blah attached to it, its a little bit hard to swallow....

David Light on the other hand says that his art doesn't need explaining beyond the fact that he's trying to display a location. That you can look at the whole area of a location and not be limited to one specific view.

Beyond that? Thats entirely up to the viewer. Its their experiences and understandings that make the painting what it is for them.

David Light's new works can be seen on his blog. Ian Jacobs is available on West wales arts centre

(btw westwalesartscentre I quite like Sonya's works too... they're the mountains portrayed in feminised forms)

I'm all for new expression and new representation of art... but where's the cut off for what is art and what's just sketch book folly?

Another rant... I do seem to have these every so often don't I? hehe

So until next time
ttfn

Nic

x

New layout... again!

2007-06-20T02:35:00.000Z

Yup got bored of the last one, thought it was time for something new... and made all by myself! Took me forever to get the kinks out and I still want to mess with the main body background as the pink is just a bit too pink for me!

The background flowers is not mine... It belongs to Anti-ivy... a website that has helped me to learn more about blogging templates and the nightmare of html code!

But all is well now I think, other than tweaking the main post background and some other little bits (Like getting Last.fm widget to fit properly) I'm hoping my boredom levels will remain abated with this layout...

So until next time
ttfn!
Nic

x

EDIT I've just been informed that the page length doesn't fit for firefox... anyone using Internet Explorer let me know if its the same, I'll have to fiddle about with it later... its fine on Camino.. Gurrrr...

Nic
x
EDIT 21st June
HAHA Scrap all that I said... in the end the template was driving me mad, bad bit of code on my part... so I abandoned it for a pre-made blogger template that I've customised. It still needs some tinkering but it'll do... it'll do... I said it would be the last change! Famous last words eh?!
Still using the same background so its not too much of an edit. Kinda...

A farewell to Monty... and making some sushi

2007-06-19T02:12:00.000Z

So... once again I've neglected this poor blog... A big slap on the wrist for that I do apologise, I can't use uni work as an excuse as I currently have no assignments to do!

So what have I been doing with this valuable time?

Well since the last blog one of my dear pets has died. Monty had unfortunately passed away after the vet found a growth on his liver and it seemed to be too unfair to put him through what would have been a very painful existence purely for the sole selfish reason that we couldn't let go... so the best course was to let him be put to sleep peacefully.

He was perfectly happy and healthy the day before, but apparently knicked the growth while playing which led to internal bleeding, the vet said he wasn't in any pain just slight discomfort... he was 13 afterall, a fairly old age for a Scottie... Monty you will be missed dreadfully but you lived as you wanted, grumpy and doing exactly what you wanted to do!

We had him cremated in the end.... it was a bit expensive but we wanted to bury him in the garden and the cost didn't really matter in the scheme of things. We were going to plant an Azelea but when it came down to it (I took a week of work to go home for a bit and say goodbye) we couldn't do it, so he remains where he was most happy, on the window sill of the living room looking out at the holiday makers. :) Until we're ready I think he's staying there....

On a lighter note... After coercing Bec to try sushi (which she discovered she actually quite likes) we thought it was time to take it to the next level... and try and push our student culinary skills and make some sushi from scratch!

Seaweed and rolling mat to start.....

Me doing some layering.... Sticky rice really lives up to its name!!

Rolling...

Finished? Not quite....

Starting to look more like sushi...

Now THAT looks like sushi!

Wo tanoshinde kudasai!!

It was very nice, although I think we made a bit too much for the both of us, especially since we made miso chicken noodle soup to start and made a bit too much of that too! Oops!

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY has been put on hold... until I find some nice WTF videos and sites and since this blog seems to suffer from sporadic posting other than WTF entries I thought I would leave it be for awhile and see what my actual posting rates is :D Don't worry though its not vanishing, just less frequent!

So until next time
ttfn

Nic
x

Sick...

2007-06-05T00:49:00.001Z

Having said that I was alive last post, I think I may have spoke to soon! I've caught the boyfriends man flu.... granted its just a cold but its ruined my free weekend dammit!

I'll have to kill the boyfriend for spreading his boy germs... urgh! ^_^

Luckily I have a very very nice friend who works at my employer who has swapped shifts with me... phew.

Since I've not really done anything but be ill I've very little to say in this post... so I'll take my sniffles with me and draw this to a close.

So until next time..
ttfn!

Nic

Random Update

2007-06-02T23:33:00.000Z

Yes I am still alive!

Just been a bit MIA from the blogsphere due to REAL LIFE commitments...
After months and months... and MONTHS of trying to sort out my MA course I think I'm finally sorted out... hurrah! So I should be free soon to procrastinate without worrying about my course being screwed up. As soon as I know more I'll go into more detail, for now mum's the word ;)

This absence has also meant that I've missed a couple of WTF FACTOR FRIDAY's.... I will try and make that up but instead of doing extra ones, I'll just carry on as normal, it seems the best way.

I've become slightly addicted to mashups at the moment... For those that don't know, a "mashup" is defined as:

Mashup (music), a musical genre of songs that consist entirely of parts of other songs

So I have this example (Introduced to me by Bec... thanks Bec) to share by Lenlow:

powered by ODEO

People either love it or hate it... I'm from the former section :D Actually Lenlow's stuff is pretty nifty... have a gander here

I've noticed the past couple of posts seem to be very music related and very little crafting seems to be going on! I'll try to cure this immediately, as soon as my course is definately confirmed as being sorted I can relax and procrastinate surrounded by all my craft materials... joy!

Yesterday was the cocktail night! Hurrah! Had a couple of cosmopolitans, and a martini or two... while playing the Sex & the City drinking game (Not a huge fan of the show, but I'll watch it). For some rules have a look here

Bec bought a brilliant bar accessories:

YUM! Appletini anyone? :P Fun times!

Oh and since I seem to be so obsessed with music at the moment, I thought I would embed this too... (Might as well :P) Its Ameno by ERA but the Techno remix... I LOVE it but I can't seem to find this particular remix, if anyone knows where I could find it I'll buy you a pint!

I'm still in two minds about which blog player is better... I know there's a fair few out there, I've narrowed my choices but I still can't decide so I open it out to you: imeem or odeo?

So until next time!
Ttfn!

Nic

Something for the music lovers to think about....

2007-05-18T18:37:00.000Z

Just how much of modern day music is influenced by pachelbel?

A brilliant music skit by Rob Paravonian thats been circulating the internets for awhile now, but since I'm feeling rather musical, I thought it warranted a quick blog... hehe

So until next time!

ttfn

Nic
x

Listen to my music!

2007-05-13T21:28:00.000Z

For those that want an insight into my music tastes listen to my new radio widget!... All thanks to the fabulous Last.fm! (They are the ones who allow me to display my weekly music chart in the sidebar, how nice of them!)
I've been a member for awhile now, I love it!

GingaNic's LastFM User page

I've added it to my sidebar instead of directly in this post as it seemed easier than having a mass of widgets floating about on the main page!

So until next time!
ttfn!
Nic

xXx

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY #12!!

2007-05-11T14:54:00.000Z

*Drum roll....* Yes, ladies and gents its time for WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! *Canned applause*

This week its retro remix music... Super Mario techno?

Pretty groovy... pretty WTF... but what do we care, its super mario!

So until next time!

ttfn!

Nic
x

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Trailer 2

2007-05-11T14:50:00.000Z

I know all you Potter fans will know that this has been out for a bit... but today I just had to get another fix and watch it again.... and forever more it shall be in my blog...

Harry Potter *squeeeeeeeeeeeeeal!*

So until next time!

ttfn

Nic
x

Crafty beads.... and plushies!

2007-05-10T20:24:00.000Z

I think there's decidedly not enough craft stuffs on here!

So I'm going to show case some beeeeads!

I managed to get this bundle for £3.20 from ebay... the woman who was selling it had given up the hobby. She lived so close (I didn't realise this at the time) that her husband dropped them off so free p&p!

A crafters squeeeeal ran through me as I opened the box... more and more beads!
Amazing!

So what to make I hear you cry?!
Well I've started small... Beaded animals! (Coincedentally some of which are available to buy on my etsy store *cough* :D --->)

Beaded Goomba

Seahorse earrings

Dog

Cat!

So apart from beeead overload, what else have I been procrastinating with?... Well although mums sewing machine has now been kidnapped back home *sniff* I HAD to give this a whirl BY HAND *faint*:

Although unfortunately I forgot the head gusset so it only has one ear... Oops! The Boyfriend says that its not a scottie dog but is in fact a unicorn... I hit him...

So until next time!
ttfn

Nic
x

New layout!

2007-05-10T01:07:00.000Z

New layout with thanks to:

Magic Paper

A cheat since the template isn't mine.... but lovely anyways :D

So until next time
ttfn

Nic

Serious Rant: Smoking Ban in the UK

2007-05-09T23:35:00.000Z

The reasons that prompted me to blog about the current smoking ban in Wales (For those that don't know I live in Wales...) that was introduced on the 2nd April 2007 was due to a debate that began on the unofficial Lampeter Students forum Lampyland.

While I understand the fact that the ban is a pain for smokers as it prevents them from smoking in public areas; ie pubs, clubs, restaurants and the like. I can't understand the extreme outcry that seems to have been produced by it....

Its been proven that second hand smoke can cause lung problems, the extreme of which is lung cancer, and that the toxic fumes within a building is significantly more concentrated than outdoors (obviously). While I understand nipping out in the rain to feed the need for a nicotine hit is undoubtedly uncomfortable, I don't see how that is really a problem, its a few minutes out of your life and hey presto you've had your hit and you're ready to join the rabble again.

The ban was needed because SOMETHING had to be done. It was and is a public health issue. Which leads to the issue of the non-smoker. On the afore mentioned forum one member stated that:

The only non-smokers to get lung cancer from tobacco smoke are those who work consistently in smoky atmospheres. Barmen, full-time waiters and waitresses and (until they banned it on aircraft) air hostesses. The people are taking a risk, a standard occupation hazard which they are well aware of.

It would make just as much sense to ban slippery floors, hard edges, germs and sharp things.

The human individual should probably be given rather more credit.

I think this is rather narrow minded, for the ban is not only applicable to pubs, but is in fact applicable to all public arenas. A child is just as probable to frequent a restaurants for example. Are they not at risk too?

Cancer Research:

Children are particularly at risk because they breathe faster than adults and have underdeveloped immune systems. A study by the Royal College of Physicians showed that about 17,000 children in the UK are admitted to hospital every year because of illnesses caused by second-hand smoke 41.

A large study of over 300,000 people found that children who were frequently exposed to cigarette smoke at home had a higher risks of lung cancer as adults 42. Another study found that children in households where both parents smoke have a 72% higher risk of respiratory diseases. And the EPIC study found that exposing children to second-hand smoke increases the risk of bladder cancer later on in life by a third.43

So one could argue that they are in fact more susceptible to lung problems as a direct consequence to breathing in tobacco smoke. I think its a bit far reaching that young children do not attend public places like restaurants. I was a frequenter of restaurants from a very young age, my parents made a point of including me into their world instead of foisting me off with some babysitter eating some crappy turkey burger shapes, chips, beans and the such. (Which beyond school dinner food I've NEVER had, my parents made a point of me eating what they ate, albeit Caesar salad to bloody calves liver) What better way to promote good eating etiquette than to be brought up visiting restaurants where bad behaviour is simply not tolerated?... But that's another rant...

The argument that its the non-smokers fault for not leaving a smoking room seems a bit to wet for me. Non-smokers do not actively change their environment, smokers do, and their smoke can remain within an enclosed atmosphere long after they and their smoking habits have gone. Saying that I respect a person who does have a habit, its their choice... but it's not a non-smokers choice to breathe in their waste products.
So again links back to my original puzzlement, what is wrong with popping outside?!

So what am I saying? Are we becoming victims to a nanny state? Or is the ban an attempt to address and curb growing numbers of health problems, all of which are smoking related yet some of which are been developed by non-smokers?

While I think a ban on freedom is not something anyone should condone, in this case, I think its the only way to ensure the health of those around you, of non-smokers, of your

friends

family

children.

After that ramble... I think I'll leave you be...
So until next time
ttfn

Nic

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY #11!!

2007-05-04T22:31:00.000Z

Yup its that time again!!

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! Its already reached its 11th friday! Shocking!

Well lets move on

This week isn't so much WTF, its actually an animated poem, one that struck me as needing to be shared, while retaining a certain element of WTF (As bec discovered while watching the thing with no sound :P).
Enjoy

So until next time!
ttfn!

Nic

One Day Silence

2007-04-30T12:44:00.000Z

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY!! #10

2007-04-27T14:26:00.000Z

WTF FACTOR FRIDAYYYYY! No. 10

This is a bit odd.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAICzC6FVb8

Unfortunately embedding has been disabled by the user but I think this video proves that some people have strange strange minds....

As one friend put it:

It's the kingdom of penises! ... holy ****... wait does this mean when I die, I turn up wherever sans manhood, because he's gone to pervertland?

"Love filled tickle fingers?"

W T F ?!

So until next time
ttfn
Nic

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY #9

2007-04-20T15:51:00.000Z

Just a quickie WTF FACTOR FRIDAY this week

This entry is a Bill Plympton short "Nosehair"

Nosehair... yup...

So until next time
ttfn!

Nic
x

Buy some art!

2007-04-19T10:26:00.000Z

Thats right, you can own ORIGINAL NICOLA LIGHT art!

Not only that, your purchase will go towards: Nic's Rent Fund. A worthy charidee that allows Nic and Tom to have a place to live...

So what will I get? I hear you cry! Well have a look at this here link:
Ebay Auction 1

I'll edit as more is uploaded to ebay... Don't delay, buy today! :P *groan*

So until next time!
ttfn
Nic
x

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #7+#8!!

2007-04-13T10:05:00.000Z

Yup its that time again... Its time for WTF FACTOR FRIDAY!

For No. 7 I present: "Surreal Surgery"

A mirror effect, an old education video and some strange music? Yup its WTF?!

For No. 8 I thought we should step away from YouTube for awhile and instead look at some strange Japanese inventions... Now some kind of make sense... others seem to be totally insane!

Noodle cooler fan... yup...

I think this is actually quite clever... condiments within your utensils to dispense as and when you need it directly to your food... ok its a tad weird but I think its pretty cool...

Fresh air? Feed your plant your own carbon dioxide!
Erm I'm not quite sure how this one works....

Why share one single umbrella when you can use a dual one?! The thing that amused me is the colour differences... why? Then again the whole thing is a bit WTF?, but I grant that it is a clever idea....

Need a snooze while commuting to work? Fear not because with this hat you no longer have to worry about nodding off and drooling on someone elses shoulder! THATS RIGHT, with this baby you can drool on your own! Hurrah!

I think I'll leave it there... lol

So until next time
ttfn!
Nic

Stealing art?

2007-04-09T13:45:00.000Z

What is your view on using other peoples artwork to create your own?

Where is the line between what classed as taking inspiration to downright copying?
You could for example argue that some Roy Lichtensteins work was "stolen' from the comic authors, where he used entire comic panels and created large canvas copies. A move that raised many complaints from artist circles (particularly that of comic book artists).

However he argued that it was not simply a case of him copying someone else's art, he was attempting to bring the "art of today" into a broader scope of the art world. Its a difficult example, but it does highlight my point... was he simply copying lesser known (and smaller, comic book following) artists or was he highlighting an important idea of our perceptions of art and Art? (Bearing in mind that it was the 1960s)

Anyway the focus of this post is that of Todd Goldman aka Todd Goliath of David and Goliath]David and Goliath
(The bloke who produced the "Boys are stupid - throw rocks at them)

He has come under fire from the webcomic world for using a known comic and copying it as a painting, and then displaying it in a high profile LA art gallery (Wentworth gallery)in an exhibition entitled Golddigger.

The original image is well known and some of you will probably know of it. Its original form is from Purple Pussy by Dave Kelly from the September 19, 2001 strip. Its a popular webcomic which has been translated into a number of different languages.

So it came as some surprise when this was submitted in Goldman's exhibit:

Not only that but he's done a few of them and has slightly modified them... the original artist Dave Kelly overlayed his image over Goldman's to see how he's changed it in later revisions:

Bit too close for comfort....

This has obviously made people look at the other works by David and Goliath... and what do you know... found another similar looking character...
One being that of graphic novel artist Roman Dirge and his character Lenore

and David and Goliath's Evil L

Complete with matching cat sidekicks...
Might be a random coincidence since they do look different but share similarities.... but it does make you wonder...

Random similarity or genuine blatant stealing of other peoples work?

Most art can genuinely be copied if its NOT sold for profit... so if the painting of the praying squirrel is just on display and not for sale it is, in theory allowed... but should it be when the original artist has no clue about its existence?

Hummm....

On another note, its time to FINALLY announce the winner of THE ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY COMPETITION

GingaNic's PARTY COMPETITION

Drumroll please.....

The winner is EEEEMommy!!
I'll be emailing you soon EEEEMommy, your prize awaits!

Oh and I realise I've missed last weeks WTF FACTOR FRIDAY!, I've not been on the net so I failed to venture onto the blogger world... so next friday will be two submissions... hurrah!

So until next time
ttfn
Nic

A diffenrent take on Wall Art

2007-04-04T03:54:00.000Z

I'm really bogged down with work atm so apologies for the flaky entries!

While trying to prevent this blog from stagnating or just becoming a WTF Factor Friday dumping ground I thought I would quickly post a youtube video of a group of artists from Tokyo, Japan, who I think are a great source of inspiration and brilliant to watch.... Rinpa Eshidan... excellent choice of music too...

Just makes your fingers tingle with motivation! Very sugoi!

Mata atode aimashou! (Until next time!)
ttfn!
Nic

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #6

2007-03-30T05:09:00.000Z

Today's WTF FACTOR FRIDAY comes in the form of an early MTV animated short "Dirty Birdy", before MTV forgot about music and all things fun and original...

I remember watching this late at night a good 5-6 years ago (When technically I should have been asleep hours previously... *cough*)

A very funny sketch... (Warning: the animated bird is a dirty birdy!) Love the Cat...

WTF?!

I know its terribly delayed but I'll announce the winner of the Party Competition later today after work...

So until next time
ttfn

Nic

A little reminder...

2007-03-25T21:41:00.000Z

Just a reminder that the Ultimate Blog Party bead giveaway contest is closing on tuesday so get those limericks in!

GingaNic's PARTY COMPETITION

So until next time
ttfn!
Nic
x

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY #5

2007-03-23T22:39:00.000Z

Makes you want to go out and join/renew a membership to a gym!
One of the best music videos yet so simple!

While its not fully WTF FACTOR it does beg the question as to who thought a dance on tredmills was a good idea... I would hate to think of the types of accidents the blooper reel could have produced!

So until next time
ttfn
Nic

Get Well Soon Lois!

2007-03-17T19:00:00.000Z

Just a quick post for my cousin Lois who after three hours repairing a malformed kidney, is already climbing the walls and up to general mischief! She has learned cheekyness well...

Its amazing to see her just a few hours out of surgery and looking like this:

I'm sure if it was any of us at our age we would be zonked! So Get Well Soon Lois! Though by the looks of it, you've started already!

Love ya!

So until next time
ttfn

Nic
x

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #4

2007-03-16T18:35:00.000Z

Hurrah! It's that time again... it's WTF FACTOR FRIDAY!

I've been a bit busy this week so once again its a YouTube quickie (The stuff you can find on YouTube can make you lose DAYS).

This week is about potty training.. Thats right, a clip from a training video to teach children to use a toilet.
I think I can honestly say that its a very strange way to teach children to use a toilet properly... With songs such as: "Wipe Wipe Wipe Yourself, Always Front to Back" who needs spoof videos when there are musical classics such as that?!

From my research this is an 100% ACTUAL training video created by Dr. Barbara Howard that you can still buy today, and the infomercial is available via a quick YouTube search.

WTF?!

You've got to wonder what the child actors made of it all...

So until next time
Ttfn

Nic
x

Geeky Music

2007-03-15T06:05:00.000Z

Just a quick blog entry just to share some geek music with you all :D

I've been procrastinating from my essay by sorting through my old laptop - RIP Laptop, it was a pain in the arse but it helped me get through my undergrad course so it deserves a bit of gratitude, not much mind due to the number of times it BSoDed on me and lost my essays... well anyways I've been sorting out the laptop files files on my mac that I just dumped onto the mac without really sorting through the rubbish on there.

Sifting through three years of random files I stumbled upon something labled SMSP which confused me... Upon opening I realised what it meant: Super Mario Summer Party!

So I've instantly gravitated to here in order to share it with you all

Enjoy!

http://savefile.com/files/554441

So until next time
ttfn

Nic

GingaNic's PARTY COMPETITION

Serious Rant: Thursday's BBC Newsnight

2007-03-11T21:30:00.000Z

I wanted to blog about this earlier but I wanted to try and find a clip of the interview that I want to comment on. But I failed... so I'm blogging it anyway.

This is about the Tory Homeland Security spokesman Patrick Mercer and his comments about the army. For those who don't know about it, have a quick read here. He has basically said that

he had met "a lot" of "idle and useless" ethnic minority soldiers who used racism as a "cover".

and that:

"If someone is slow on the assault course, you'd get people shouting: 'Come on you fat bastard, come on you ginger bastard, come on you black bastard.'"

Subsequently he was forced to resign his post, without getting too entrenched in the topic (since it isn't exactly what I wanted to discuss) while I don't fully condone what he said I don't think it required him to have resigned. I think his comments were not one of personal belief but of personal observation (Whether right or wrong is not what has been debated) and rather than it being an issue of him being a racist I think its more of a case of a bad phrasing of words and his statement being chopped up and taken out of context.

Whether its racist or not is not the point, its the fact that there is obvious discrimination within the army. A more liberal approach is needed I think, all forms of discrimination is wrong, but not because you’re black/gay/female/disabled/ginger but because it is discrimination.

But thats not what has really ticked me off...

On Thursday Newsnight interviewed a Tory representative to discuss the issue. Despite being in reference to Mercer's comments, the debate focused on one section of Mercers comments. The debate became rather heated and as it continued instead of it being a debate about Mercer it became a opinion struggle over the acceptability of certain terms, "Black bastard", "fat bastard", "ginger bastard". I think a comment posted on the BBC website pretty much sums up my feelings on the proceedings of that debate:

On Newsnight the Tory spokesman implied that it was OK for soldiers to be called 'ginger bastards' but not 'black bastards'.
He criticised Mercer for giving equity to the two remarks. All my family have ginger hair and are disgusted that all sorts of groups of people who are considered different in some respect are given special consideration, but 'anti-ginger' comments are treated as a joke and we are expected to just accept them. All of my children have had to put up with totally unprovoked remarks at school and on the street.

We can no more change our natural appearance than any any other group. many are now protected by law or the regime of political correctness at least, Mr Tory Spokesman, give us the same consideration or keep your mouth shut

So instead of taking a stand on ALL forms of discrimination the tory rep decided to attack the use of racial slurs being used on EQUAL terms to that of other derogatory terms, as if just because the other terms were not racist they were therefore more acceptable/a bit of a joke. WELL THEY'RE NOT. Discrimination is discrimination no matter what the form it takes and is just as valid.

It rather annoyed me... as a redhead I have been a recipient of unwarranted hate... Surely I deserve the same support against discrimination as the "proper" forms of discrimination?

Phew...

So until next time

Nic

GingaNic's PARTY COMPETITION

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #3

2007-03-09T05:16:00.000Z

Interruption pic...

GingaNic's PARTY COMPETITION
Ahem...Right back onto WTF FACTOR FRIDAY!

Welcome to the third WTF FACTOR FRIDAY!

I had planned to highlight a rather strange website but then I suddenly changed my mind at the last minute in true GingaNic style...
So today's WTF FACTOR FRIDAY entry is from brothermcleod...

The Brothers McLeod

Greg and Myles have been writing and directing animations for the last seven years and their work has appeared on BBC ONE, Channel 4, E4, BBC CHOICE, Atomfilms, and nokiashorts.com. Their surname is pronounced MacCloud for those not versed in Norse-Scottish history...

For those that like hyperlinks have a go at THIS and vist their website and find out more.

The video chosen for this week is an animated email... a spam email... those annoying emails that make no sense whatsoever using key phrases purely to fool the spam filters... The type of email that makes you want to burn your inbox if it had a physical form...

Hopefully this will help you to think of them a little differently... Almost poetic? In a WTF kind of way.

So until next time
Ttfn

Nic
x

The Ultimate Blog Party!!

2007-03-07T23:53:00.000Z

I admit I was forwarded to the ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY!! a while back but me being me, I've only just got around to signing up... Well its a known fact that all the great bloggers arrive fashionably late :P *ahem*

Thanks to Bec for poking me to get organised!

To celebrate not only the whole partay (Yes that is how its pronounced :P) but also my recent motivation to actually do some essay writing (shocking I know...)
I'm going to steal Bec's idea and have a mini competition...
The prize is one of the following:

Cat, Dog, Mouse!
OR

Seahorse Earrings

OR
If you have a retro pixel character that you like (depending on the seed bead colours I have available atm) I'll make you one :)

In order to win all you need to do is post a comment in the form of a limerick based on an animal(s) the winning limerick will be chosen by The Boyfriend in two weeks time...

Have fun!

So until next time

Ttfn
Nic

Lunar Eclipse - March 2007

2007-03-04T03:37:00.000Z

Well it has to be said the lunar eclipse tonight was fantastic.
The sky was perfect, and the star of the show played its part perfectly but unfortunately my camera wasn't up to the challenge...

I managed to capture a few blurry mobile phone camera pictures but they're not really at all impressive nor capture how amazing it was.

Before hitting the umbra

The vanishing act...

Nearly...

Almost...

Gone!

You can just about make it out from this shoddy image!

All in all a good night. Reminded me of my GCSE Astronomy lessons I had... 5 nearly 6 years ago (Really doesn't seem that long ago!) since the last eclipse was a failure due to heavy cloud cover *sniff*
The brilliance of the event tonight motivated me to talk to a few of my friends who also seem to be interested.

So maybe, just maybe we shall be founding a new society at the university... Astronomy Soc! Now whether this will come to pass depends on how much apathy is floating about before the next AGM meating, but it would be nice if something could be done. Fingers crossed I can dig out my old telescope and teach the little first year undergrads a bit about the stars! Hehe

A redhead who likes astronomy and general art geekery? Gosh! I'm such a geek!

So until next time
Ttfn

Nic
X

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #2

2007-03-02T01:51:00.000Z

Time for the second WTF Factor Friday entry!

Yet another YouTube video, but this time with a more surreal artistic edge.
It is a stop animation short by Jan Svankmajer the well known Czech surrealist artist.

This video has been taken from his animated short film Jídlo... this particular section is entitled "Breakfast"

A brilliant surrealist film from 1992... I recomend you watch it

A New York Times review stated that:

"Svankmajer conceived the film in the 1970's, when it seemed too risky a politcal allegory to be made. . . . it now seems too simple a statement about how people are devoured by mechanistic states and each other"

Without going into too much art analysing mode... While I agree that the ideology is slightly dated, I think it is still a powerful and valid statement portrayed in a unique and visual way.... but it still lets you beg the question: WTF?!

So until next time
Ttfn

Nic

Tired

2007-03-01T02:54:00.000Z

Just a quick post so that I don't forget that this thing exists.
Very busy week this week, but a completely messed up sleep pattern does not bode well with the attempt at a productive successful one... So despite feeling like I could sleep for a year I have so far:

1) Missed field trip
2) Almost overslept for work...twice
3) STILL struggling with essay and thus debating missing tomorrows lectures so I can avoid the "look" from my lecturer.
4) Missed a tutorial meeting due to completely forgetting that I had one until about 8 hours after the event.
5) Letter from Landlord asking for rent... oops! (Although that is now paid)
6) Scary phone bill... *sniff* (paid but it was painful)
Less importantly:
7) My WoW character has still not levelled up due to obsessive herbalising...

Pah roll on next week...

Just so this isn't a sleep deprived piece of fluff, I want to quickly comment a few things...

I'm thinking of getting back into my painting again... my last large project was an Art Deco piece that I did for my A Levels and while I know it was just part of the course I'm feeling the creative itch again.. I do like it if I do say so myself... I use it for my YouTube channel background... how vain is that?!

I attempted a small project to get the ball rolling a few weeks back as part of a Paperlilies competition on YouTube, but it didn't quench the creative urge and so I had to buy a book on enamelling to try and placate myself... hehe

So until next time
Ttfn

Nic

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY!...erm... SATURDAY! (For this time only) #1

2007-02-24T15:52:00.000Z

Before I start I just want to point out that finding a # sign on a mac keyboard is almost impossible. After spending a good five minutes searching for the flipping thing, I realised I could google! (doh!) and found it to be a secondary function button of 3 so pressing 3 on its own results in the number 3... shift & 3 = £ and the mac function button & 3 results in #... hurrah!

Anyways onto this weeks WTF Factor Friday entry...

For the first entry, I thought I would post something thats been floating about YouTube for a good while now.
This weeks entry is a YouTube clip taken from a Japanese childrens program "Pythagoras Switch" and is called "Algorithm March". This particular clip is with Ninjas...

Random dance, Ninjas, Weird catchy song? I think we're onto a WTF Factor Friday winner here...

Yup...

I dare you not to play it again!

So until next time...
Ttfn

Nic

Random Update

2007-02-24T14:34:00.000Z

So I've had this blog for about four days now... still in its early stages, yet I've found that someone in Australia has stumbled upon it! How bizarre, especially considering it currently has a distinct lack of content. ^_^

Best get on with some content now... otherwise all those Australians are just going to wonder why they're here! :P

This week has been quite good. Last Saturday attempted to go to the Chinese New Year celebrations in Lampy with Bec

but failed due to lack of courage (we were late and didn't quite make it past the door) so a last minute reshuffle and in a rather impulsive move we threw together outfits and went to the Union's Fancy Dress night...

Had a blast despite forgetting my keys and finding boyfriend fast asleep and unwakeable (thus locked out) Was very close to having to have an impromptu sleepover at Becs enjoying her floor (I do sleep and sit on the floor regularly I find it rather comfortable, though it might explain my dodgy knee). However I managed to get in contact with a friend who lives in the same flat complex ans me, and he managed to bash the door until boyfriend awoke! So I went home knicking a pair of becs socks in the process...

Tuesday was pancake day... one of my favourite days. For as long as I can remember I've always made pancakes in my house, but this year for some strange unfathomable reason I forgot the damn recipe! o_O
As luck would have it Frackis saved the day and gave me Delia Smiths lovely recipe.
Now I know Delia Smith is a bit of a frumpyesque TV Chef but she really does make good food recipes, especially pancakes!

Our pancake table... Mmmmm
Savouries and sweet... YUM!

Although I'm rather partial to a bit of Jamie Oliver if I do say so myself ;P
The boyfriend is particularly good at some of his recipes... which although in some cases undoubtedly adds to the hip inches its worth it!

Thursday was Frackis' Birthday... Happy belated Birthday!

Although not packed with events (I've omitted my MA related stuff because it would probably bore you to tears) all in all a relatively busy week.

In other news...

I think I'm going to introduce a segment into this blog to shake things up a bit... A blatant stolen segment from YourTubeNEWS but I don't care... its the WTF Factor Friday... I'll update every Friday with a WTF?! YouTube video or website.

Since I have an entry ready, after this post I'll post another under the proper WTF Factor Friday title :D (Even though its saturday, it can be a belated introduction!)

So until next time...
Ttfn!

Nic

Fiddling about with script!...

2007-02-21T13:06:00.000Z

Ok after fiddling about with scripts and code and mindbogglingly (try saying that fast..) confusing tech stuff I think I've finally got this blog sorted out... Although knowing me, I'll probably fiddle about with it even more and cause some sort of ugly mess!

Thanks to Anti-ivy.com for the lovely template code for me to mess about with and alter (for better or worse...) and for linking me to some very pretty font sites.

I think I need to learn some more about this code stuff, its interesting but also very frustrating when it doesn't work they way you want it to! But this has been a learning curve, I know Rav (boyfriend) will laugh due to the fact that he could probably do what took me about 5 hours in about 4 minutes! *sigh*
I refused his help as I wanted to prove to myself I could do it... and finally I have (thank god).
I'm quite proud *snigger*

So onwards with the blogging!

I have a small YouTube channel and I wanted to share one of my videos on here. While it isn't the best video in the world it seemed like a good starter for 10...

This is a film of the random snow storm that was unfortunately unforcast and thus unprepared for...
Very pretty, but caused a few traffic problems as it became worse, even the gritters became stuck!

I may split my craft tutorials onto a seperate blog if I post frequently, it makes sense to keep things organised... We'll see...

So until next time...
Ttfn

Nic

Hello Interwebs!

2007-02-21T11:57:00.000Z

Hello everyone!

Well not everyone, I know in reality only just a handful of people will actually:
a) Read this
b) Be even remotely interested in what is being written down here anyway and
c) Will actually find the thing!

The aims of this blog and website is twofold (a rehash of the front page really, but since it may change over time so I thought I would repeat myself here just in case...).
The first is to record (and try and flog) some crafty wares, by providing some tutorials, and some shameless linking to my Etsy and Ebay store... (I’m a student what do you expect?!) The second aim is to document some memories of the final formal year at uni.

Alas it is the last year within which I am partaking in taught modules, tis the end of an era... (Everyone: Awwww!)
I’m currently doing an MA in an attempt to remain a student however I’ve recently been forced to concede that after three years completing a BA and almost a year doing an MA that I’ve nearly reached the end of the phenomenon that is Being a Student.
After this year I will spend my final MA year perfecting my woesome waffling writing ability in the form of a lovely 20,000 word dissertation, the topic of which is still MIA... (Incidentally if anyone happens to find said topic I would be very grateful if you could tell it off and tell it to come home immediately!...)

Some of the more observant friends may be aware that this is my second blog, my first having been spammed to submission due to an internet troll so this is act 2... the revenge! Mwahahaha

Right lets start the showing off straight away... no point in beating around the bush eh?

Above is some new piece of art... its been ages since I’ve painted anything and I wanted to give it a go again and see just how much I’ve creative skill I’ve lost... as luck would have it I can still hold a paintbrush! Huzzah!
I’m gonna try and flog it on ebay soon I think, a couple of quid wouldn’t go amiss at the moment and its currently cluttering up the living room, in which there is limited space in the first place!

I was considering posting my some of my old lost posts as I thought
they would be applicable to post, but after considering all the pros
and cons I think I’ll leave it be. Instead I’ll post some mini blogs
with a general rehash of certain bits that are worthy... Afterall
this is a new blog, it deserves new content :)

On that note I think I’ll draw this to a close, I’ve bored you long
enough (unless you skim read the entry in which case
- shame on you!).

So until next time!
Ttfn

Nic

Crafty GingerNic

Hello.... Er... I'm here... honest!

Alive, Alert, Awake, A-crocheting?

So I maybe a bit afk (Away From Keyboard for the non-geeks)

"This, Jen, is the Internet"

Back?

Ffresh, Nesta, Insight Out.... Oh my!

Band of the Week #8

Band of the Week # 7

Funny things people say #6

Band of the week #6

Ok I admit I blog fail...

Band Of The Week #5

No music festivals for me this year.... and a mini update

Band Of The Week #4

Doctor Who - David Tennant and Squee...

UPDATE

Photoshop editing test

Quilting bug?....

Japanese Quilting

A poem for all of us who were 'average' in school

Fabric stash and sewing machine

Funny things people say #5

Scared? You will be!

Ouch!

Guilty as charged... an update.... finally...

Funny things people say #4... ish

A mini update

I know... I know!

Confirmation.... I'm running the marathon!

Marathon Training....

Funny things people say.... #3

London Marathon entry... Sent!

Band of The Week Sunday #3!

Funny things people say.... #2

Band of The Week Sunday #2

The Doctor with an exercise bike walk into a bar...

Wheeeeeeeee!

Finally! They've arrived!!

I don't think I'm paid enough....

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #13!

Funny things people say....

Band of the Week Sunday!

Crafty craft!

"Conceptual Bullsh*t"

New layout... *again!*

A farewell to Monty... and making some sushi

Sick...

Random Update

Something for the music lovers to think about....

Listen to my music!

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY #12!!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Trailer 2

Crafty beads.... and plushies!

New layout!

Serious Rant: Smoking Ban in the UK

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY #11!!

One Day Silence

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY!! #10

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY #9

Buy some art!

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #7+#8!!

Stealing art?

A diffenrent take on Wall Art

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #6

A little reminder...

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY #5

Get Well Soon Lois!

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #4

Geeky Music

Serious Rant: Thursday's BBC Newsnight

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #3

The Ultimate Blog Party!!

Lunar Eclipse - March 2007

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY! #2

Tired

WTF FACTOR FRIDAY!...erm... SATURDAY! (For this time only) #1

Random Update

Fiddling about with script!...

Hello Interwebs!

New layout... again!