Our sweet Barley puss was hit by a car tonight and killed. He wasn't even a year old.

Night night Barleymo. We love you.

Argh. I am annoyed. It's silly and petty, but I'm still annoyed.

Pub quiz tonight, we always go and play... it's free but we get beer if we come in 1st - 3rd place. We came 4th :P Which is fine, I play to win and I give Alun the beer. What narked me the most is at the end they play raffle-drawn Play Your Cards Right. Ten cards across the bar, you have to guess that the next card is higher or lower than the next one for a cash prize. Tonight, £80. I got to the 9th card, a 9. I already had two 9s, went lower on one, and higher on the other. I go lower. A Queen. I am pissed. Same exact thing happened the last time a large prize was up... probably £120 or so. Last card, 9. I go lower. I should learn.

In other news I have a bloody sore shoulder. I think it's RSI... being the internet hypochondriac that I am, I've narrowed it down to just that. It's not a torn rotator cuff or a frozen shoulder, mostly cos I still have a full range of movement in it. It's just buggeringly sore. Ibuprofen doesn't work (contradictory to advice), tiger balm eases it off but paracetamol <3 I'm happily pain free at the moment. Just tomorrow at work to go through, got a half day, then a full weekend of rest. Going home to my folks, plus Alun has a science communication course/competition to attend in Edinburgh on Saturday. *click* Should be good for him, he really likes that kinda stuff and has a talent for it.

I need a holiday. 8 weeks to go. Italy <3

And now a meme. Animated films:

- X what you saw
- O what you haven't finished/saw sizable portions
- Bold what you loved
- Italics for what you disliked/hated
- Leave unchanged if neutral

( Not as many as I'd like, but so many I've never heard of... )

Way too much giant blue penis.

Bubastis was fucking awesome. I want her. Unvaporised.

I am a nutcase. For some reason I've been dragged into doing the Aberdeen leg of this year's Cancer Research Race For Life with my girls from roller derby.

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/katzenjammer

If you can spare a minute and a few pennies, would you be able to donate to the cause? Ta!

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL memory of you and me. It can be anything you want -- good or bad -- BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE. When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people DON'T ACTUALLY remember about you.

*epic flop*

Three and a half hours overtime. Jeebus.

FANGS are a fantabulous but unsigned band from Scotty McScotland. They joined the Channel 4 Orange sponsored show Unsigned Act 2008 and were unfortunately voted out a few weeks back.

But!

You can help vote to get them back in. Please just make one phonecall to 09011 21 31 05. It only costs 25p from a landline, and you will be doing these wonderful people (and me as a massive fan) a huge favour.

http://orangeunsignedact.co.uk/blog/voteback for more details.

Lines close on Sunday 11th. You have three days to please get those calls in. Just one call. 25p. Please. FANGS will buy you a pint.

MAH ICONS.

default	oldest	newest
saddest	happiest	angriest
cutest	sexiest	funniest
fave ship	fave fandom	fave animated
best quote	best textless	best stolen idea
use the most	favourite	use the least

HOW MANY ICONS DO YOU HAVE: 97
OUT OF HOW MANY AVAILABLE ICONS SPACES: 195
IF YOU COULD BUY SPACE FOR MORE, WOULD YOU: I can't get any more
DO YOUR ICONS MAKE A STATEMENT: Not really. I like my icons to have expressions to go with my posts/comments
WHAT FANDOM DO YOU HAVE THE MOST ICONS OF: My character... so I guess furry?
AND THE SECOND MOST: Random crap with cats in
WHAT SHIP DO YOU HAVE THE MOST ICONS OF: I don't understand the ship question
ARE YOUR ICONS MADE MOSTLY BY OTHER PEOPLE: Half and half...
DO YOU MAKE ICONS: Mostly crops of bigger pictures
ARE THEY ANY GOOD: Sometimes. Need better editing software
ANIMATED ICONS ARE: Kewl

DO THE MEME.
Coding can be found here

Alun and I went down to see my folks this weekend. Was nice to get away. On Saturday, Alun and my dad went to the pub to watch rugby and get drunk while me and my mum went kitten shopping, grandma visiting and garden centre browsing.

There's a little animal rescue centre not far from the parents' house, and mum was looking to replace the cat they lost recently... poor Truffle has been missing for about 8 weeks and Gizmo seems to be a bit spaced and not sure what to do with himself. He's never really been a lone cat. Anyway, we picked out this gorgeous 5 month old tabby/white girl called Honey (for the time being), and she is adorable.

( Click here to see our oops... )

Lyrics Quiz

So... you all did quite well. Since the replies/guesses have petered out a bit, I think you've all given up. Answers time!

( Hidden if you still wanna play... )

I meant to do this ages ago, but I didn't have any music on my computer then... Now I do :D

Step 1: Put your iPod WinAMP on random
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 32 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song
Step 3: Let everyone guess what song and artist the lines come from
Step 4: Bold the songs when someone guesses correctly
Step 5: Looking them up on Google or any other search engine is CHEATING!

1. Two thousand fattened years like maniacs have despoiled our common grave hobgoth
2. All my life I've been searching for something foolishfirebug
3. Open up it's revealed! Savour this
4. Like a warrior that fights and wins the battle, I know the taste of victory
5. Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses scruff
6. Fear me you lord and lady preachers I descend upon your earth from the skies arricc
7. Wer zu Lebzeit gut auf Erden hobgoth
8. And it feels right this time, on this crash course we're in the big time aethergard
9. I take a look around, the blood of our men has painted the ground
10. Wait another minute, can't you see what this pain has fucking done to me
11. I'm not alone cos the TV's on, yeah hobgoth
12. Momma please stop cryin', I can't stand the sound hypnotistoflady
13. Oh dear it's your nightmare coz it's started and we're laughing you ain't taking nothing nowhere
14. Oh the wind whistles down the cold dark street tonight
15. As we go marching, marching in the beauty of the day
16. I wake up in the morning and I raise my weary head scruff
17. Well I been watchin' while you been coughin', I've been drinking life while you've been nauseous aethergard
18. Twenty-five whores in the room next door scruff
19. I've got it all but I feel so deprived. I go up, I come down and I'm emptier inside
20. My baby moves at midnight, goes right on till the dawn
21. When I was a young boy my father took me to the city to see a marching band scruff
22. They called me the Leather Apron, They called me Smiling Jack hobgoth
23. Am I more than you bargained for yet, I've been dying to tell you anything you wanna hear take_walker
24. Hey man! Look at me rockin' out, I'm in the radio davidn
25. I know you like what you see, hold me, I'll give you all that you need
26. I got to have a shot of what you got is oh so sweet. You got to make it hot, like a boomerang I need a repeat
27. We started living in an old house, my ma gave birth and we were checking it out budlite
28. Something has to change. Un-deniable dilemma. Boredom's not a burden anyone should bear gnarwhal
29. Generals gathered in their masses just like witches at black masses klepsydra
30. Well, I ain't evil, I'm just good lookin, start a little fire, and baby start cookin' scruff
31. Notice me, take my hand. Why are we strangers when our love is strong
32. He's got a brand new car, looks like a Jaguar gnarwhal

Go get em! :D

I've taken up roller derby again now that the team seems to be forming properly and worthwhile training is being done, rather than a couple of people pitching up to do laps of a car park. I had my first training session tonight, and had a really good time. Am looking forward to continuing. Our team is called the Granite City Roller Girls, with team colours of red and black... suits me down to the ground.

However, I need a derby girl name. I am totally hopeless with inspiration, and forming decent ideas that I am happy with. Ergo... I need your help. Roller derby is dark, violent and bitchy; I need a name to match. Ideally I'd like something relatively feline... with one or two words. It also can't be the same as any other roller girl in the world. I can provide a list :D

Thank you :D

Walking home takes 50 minutes :) Shame it's all uphill.

*flop*

I have a house guest in the form of Nathan's kitten, Sophie. She is made entirely of mental, and has been beating up Kozik. I'm amazed at how tolerant he is. But I'm tired of having to keep them separate all the time and Sophie whinges when she's locked in another room.

Time to split them up so I can go to bed.

Alun's just come home from the supermarket with a tin of bacon grill. It's not the most appetising (looking) food in the world (it comes in a rectangular tin. like spam. with a key.) It has inspired me to ask: what utterly strange (to normal people) food did you used to eat as a child that you continue to buy?

I have to say, if I hadn't been exposed to the tastiness of bacon grill, I would never have bought it myself. So yeah, the kind of food no normal person browsing the supermarket aisles would pick up and go "ooh, that sounds nice..."

I'm not sure if mine counts. A concoction that I used to eat all the time was always barbecue beef super noodles with chunks of peperami thrown in. I've been cooking it the same way for years, and despite microwave power ratings going up (and therefore cooking times going down), it's always been 7 minutes in the mike, chuck in the peperami, 3 more minutes. These days it cremates the meat chunks and makes the noodles congeal into some kind of cake. I particularly like the crunchy bits round the edge of the jug. Always a perspex jug these days, I used to use a plastic jug at home and my mum got annoyed that it never got cleaned properly, cos the fat in the meat bubbles round the top of the 'cake' and I guess has melted away the jug somewhat.

It's my comfort food these days. I've become a bit healthier in my old age, so it's an occasional lunchtime weekend treat. But, oh god yum.

If the answer is yes, then you're in luck! Go here:



Please shove this link at all your friends!

-Screened-

Go nuts you bored people.

1) Are you currently in a serious relationship?

2) What was your dream growing up?

3) What talent do you wish you had?

4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?

5) Favorite vegetable?

6) What was the last book you read?

7) What zodiac sign are you?

8) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.

9) Worst Habit?

10) If you saw me walking down the street, would you offer me a ride?

11) What is your favorite sport?

12) Do you have a pessimistic or optimistic attitude?

13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?

14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?

15) Tell me one weird fact about you.

16) Do you have any pets?

17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?

18) What was your first impression of me?

19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?

20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?

21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?

22) What color eyes do you have?

23) Ever been arrested?

24) White or red wine?

25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?

27) What's your favorite place to hang at?

28) Do you believe in ghosts?

29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?

30) Do you swear a lot?

31) Biggest pet peeve?

32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?

33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?

35) Do you believe in God?

36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?

Went to the dentist on Tuesday... The lovely Gavin recommended at my last check-up in November that my two root-canalled molars should probably get crowned as soon as possible to give them the best chance of survival. So, Tuesday was prep and he shaved them down into pretty shapes to hold my crowns, took loads of moulds and made a set of temps that I'm to wear for the next fortnight until my shinies are ready. Decided to go for gold crowns with porcelain on top :)

He set them with temporary cement... so that in a fortnight he can whip them out with ease. I got home, realised when I bit down it went *sqoosh* as if there was liquid/water/saliva under it, and it wasn't quite fixed properly. Thought it would be fine, just needed to make sure I didn't play with it or eat on that side. Forgot... bit down into the softest piece of chocolate ever (kinder) and it snapped. Was left with half a tooth in one bit, and a tooth and a half in the other. Teh intarwebs told me to glue it back down with toothpaste. *shrug*

Managed to make an appointment today, and Gav stuck it back in with stronger cement... just means he may have to drill off the temps. Oh wells. They haven't moved since then, so I think we're on to a winner. They seem to be sitting against my gums better - I can't run my tongue around the edge.

Had a minor bit of paranoia when I went in on Tuesday, cos he said I didn't need anaesthetic cos my nerved were killed with the root treatment. True enough, when he started drilling, no problems :)

We get home from the gym, and we notice the cat is sitting on the windowsill of the downstairs flat waiting for us. A moment later and we realise he's on the wrong side of the window, with his mate Olli. A quick chat to our neighbour and she chases him out. She's a sweet one, her downstairs.

And now he's trying to curl up inside my gym bag.

Happy new year everyone :)

I'm not usually one for NYRs, but I do have things I wish to accomplish this year.

- Stop being lazy
. get out of bed early enough to have a proper breakfast
. walk to work on all days when the weather is clement (not raining ;) )
- Go to the gym at least 3 times a week
- Get down to target weight (140lbs) as soon as possible, without doing anything stupid (the above will help)
- Cook more meals from scratch. It's fun and rewarding, and I have enough cookbooks now that it shouldn't be a problem
- Post more in Livejournal: this used to be a place to record stuff I have done, but I've been a bit lax this past year. I've been to and done lots of things this year that I have been too lazy to do, like Cambridge and the ATPs. I like writing...
- Try and save money

I may well add to this over the course of the year, or when I can think of stuff I can't remember now. Good luck me :)

My laptop is fricking ancient. I don't know how old, probably Nathan would know, it is bulky and clunky and crap but it does the job. The faded sticker says it's a Pentium 3.

I lost my main desktop computer over a year ago, with thanks going to Sony for insisting I update my mp3 player software, and in the process completely fucking up the registry so it doesn't boot any more. This laptop became my main source of internettage.

Yesterday I was plodging along online, la de da... when it goes into "I'm gonna crash in 45 seconds (I've timed how long it takes from when you turn off the power to when it crashes) if you don't give me some juice" and inevitably it does. I have no idea, usually I check the plug is in the wall, the cable is in the power supply and the plug is in the power socket on the side. All were fine. Hmm. Panic.

A lot of my important crap is on this machine, so I was expecting to be gutted when I was told it wasn't working any more. But Alun had a waggle with the cable attached to the power box and turns out it's loose inside the plastic. Waggle it right, and we have power! I have ordered a new one and hopefully it will arrive soon.

I am so fucking glad it's not my lovely piece of crap that is broken *hug* I am planning to get a new laptop at some point, but £10 is affordable enough at the moment to keep me in my internets.