Today didn't start particularly well when the dogs got me up at 4.30 am and I decided to make a cup of tea before going to recline on the sofa.
So the lesson learnt this morning was... when you discover you have no milk for your tea, but do have a lemon, turn the damn light on before cutting a slice of lemon, because in the dark it is difficult to tell where the lemon ends and your finger begins.... until it is too late that is.... lemon juice on new cut combination just added to the excitement of me stumbling around in the dark and cursing whilst trying not to drip blood on anything. I've only nicked the end of my index finger but but it made for some interesting typing today at work!
The rest of the day went much better....
Friday, 13 April 2012
Thursday, 12 April 2012
"In my opinion"....
Last year I got into a bit of an argument with the tutor on my course regarding my assignment to do with professional ethics... mainly because the question started "In your opinion". I presented her with my opinion, complete with reasoning, case law, statute etc to back it up.... trouble was, she didn't agree... oh, not with the work I'd put in but with the actual opinion..... so I appealed her grading on the grounds that as the entire piece was written on the basis that it was my own personal opinion then technically it couldn't actually be wrong.... I won the appeal and got it re-marked....... though I do have a new tutor this year!
Now, here's the thing.... around and about the net I see the words "In my opinion", or even "In my humble opinion" (though yeah, right as soon as I see that I can visualise the little soap boxes being dusted off) all the time. I have no problem with this, everyone has the right to their own opinion. You don't need to agree with someone's opinion, you could in fact have a completely opposite opinion, but that doesn't mean you have the right to either shout them down as being completely wrong and therefore their opinion is invalid, or that you shouldn't listen to them at all. It's a matter of courtesy... you listen, you disagree (politely!) and you walk away.... as an example, one one of the dog forums I used to visit they are very into the "human is the leader of the pack" method of training..... I don't agree with this, that's fine, I am happy to disagree....
So to tie this in with my hate of labels.... recently I have seen people use the fact that due to their gender, race, sexuality, religion (or any other minority type label they can attach to themselves) that their opinion must be more valid than someone who does not tick as many boxes as they do on the label menu..... no sorry, your opinion is your opinion... sure I will listen to your opinion and may give more weight to it when assessing my own opinion if you've got experience in a certain area... but I still maintain the right to disagree and have my own opinion... which likewise I would never expect anyone to be forced to agree with
Hell I even have opinions on things generally that I would never consider personally... I have opinions that possibly disagree with the opinions people think I should have because of a particular box on the label spectrum that they think that I should tick...
So having dusted off my own soap box and ranted for a bit I shall return to my own little bubble, forming my own opinions and listening to other peoples opinions...... I am sure that anyone passing by to read this will probably have their own opinions too.....
Now, here's the thing.... around and about the net I see the words "In my opinion", or even "In my humble opinion" (though yeah, right as soon as I see that I can visualise the little soap boxes being dusted off) all the time. I have no problem with this, everyone has the right to their own opinion. You don't need to agree with someone's opinion, you could in fact have a completely opposite opinion, but that doesn't mean you have the right to either shout them down as being completely wrong and therefore their opinion is invalid, or that you shouldn't listen to them at all. It's a matter of courtesy... you listen, you disagree (politely!) and you walk away.... as an example, one one of the dog forums I used to visit they are very into the "human is the leader of the pack" method of training..... I don't agree with this, that's fine, I am happy to disagree....
So to tie this in with my hate of labels.... recently I have seen people use the fact that due to their gender, race, sexuality, religion (or any other minority type label they can attach to themselves) that their opinion must be more valid than someone who does not tick as many boxes as they do on the label menu..... no sorry, your opinion is your opinion... sure I will listen to your opinion and may give more weight to it when assessing my own opinion if you've got experience in a certain area... but I still maintain the right to disagree and have my own opinion... which likewise I would never expect anyone to be forced to agree with
Hell I even have opinions on things generally that I would never consider personally... I have opinions that possibly disagree with the opinions people think I should have because of a particular box on the label spectrum that they think that I should tick...
So having dusted off my own soap box and ranted for a bit I shall return to my own little bubble, forming my own opinions and listening to other peoples opinions...... I am sure that anyone passing by to read this will probably have their own opinions too.....
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Midweek music... okay, with a but of mumbling too...
Yep, I should never have let mums read my LiAW story.... her cleaner came today, who is gay, and she happened to tell him about it... then read bits of it to him... it's not like it's explicit.. okay, I'm told one scene is a bit... but arghhh, how embarrassing! Now I know eventually it will be read by various people who will all have opinions...... but I don't have to face them at social events!!
Aside from that - the story was submitted last night.. I actually felt sick and nearly chickened out before hitting send... thank goodness my beta readers did some serious, well hand holding isn't the right word, standing behind me with a cattle prod might be better. Anyway, it's done, it's gone, it will appear sometime between May and July.... and no I definitely won't know in advance when that will be because if I did I'd have to go into complete internet and technology blackout and pray to what ever passing deity that was listening to put me out my misery!!
I was going to rant a bit about my hate of labels, how I am sick of feeling that the more boxes you can tick to confirm you are disenfranchised from the societal norm then your opinion is more valid than anyone else's (particularly those who can't tick as many boxes) ... but it got far to long and irate so I will save that for another day!!
So in the meantime, have a nice calm relaxing tune... I've liked this band for ages and think she's got an amazing voice....
Aside from that - the story was submitted last night.. I actually felt sick and nearly chickened out before hitting send... thank goodness my beta readers did some serious, well hand holding isn't the right word, standing behind me with a cattle prod might be better. Anyway, it's done, it's gone, it will appear sometime between May and July.... and no I definitely won't know in advance when that will be because if I did I'd have to go into complete internet and technology blackout and pray to what ever passing deity that was listening to put me out my misery!!
I was going to rant a bit about my hate of labels, how I am sick of feeling that the more boxes you can tick to confirm you are disenfranchised from the societal norm then your opinion is more valid than anyone else's (particularly those who can't tick as many boxes) ... but it got far to long and irate so I will save that for another day!!
So in the meantime, have a nice calm relaxing tune... I've liked this band for ages and think she's got an amazing voice....
Monday, 9 April 2012
A conversation to remember!
There are some conversations that start quite innocently and then veer off into the territory of "no, stop, now, really, no".... today involved one such conversation, which was also quite amusing.
Imagine the scene, I have gone round to my mother's house this morning for coffee (and to use her washing machine because, hey you know, I'm her daughter... what do you mean perhaps I should get my own machine fixed... it's only been, erm, a couple of years...)
Anyway, so there we are and the conversation goes something like this...
Mum: "Did you finish your story you were writing,"
Me: "Yes, all done and gone to my readers for proofing before I edit,"
Mum: "So where's my copy, have you e-mailed it to me?"
Me: "Er, no, well, I don't think you'd like it."
Mum: "Don't be silly, of course I'll like it, it's historical after all, you borrowed those books from me."
Me: "Well, yes, it's historical, but well it's an alternative piece."
Mum: "Alternative?"
Me: "Yes, it's got two heroes rather than the conventional hero and heroine couple"
Mum: "Yes, and why should that make a difference?"
Me: "Well it doesn't really, but it's not just a historical piece, it's, kind of a romance."
Mum: "So why won't you read it?"
Me: "It's not a young adult romance, it's an adult one."
Mum: "I'm 73, I think that counts as adult."
Me: (giving up in exasperation) "Fine, read it............but don't ask questions about how I can write about men giving other men blow jobs, and for goodness sake don't start asking random gay friends if it's accurate."
Things went silent for a bit after that
Then she asked
"but you're a Lesbian, how do you know about anything about giving men blow jobs never mind men giving other men blow jobs.........."
And luckily the washing machine finished and I am a coward so I ran away.......
Imagine the scene, I have gone round to my mother's house this morning for coffee (and to use her washing machine because, hey you know, I'm her daughter... what do you mean perhaps I should get my own machine fixed... it's only been, erm, a couple of years...)
Anyway, so there we are and the conversation goes something like this...
Mum: "Did you finish your story you were writing,"
Me: "Yes, all done and gone to my readers for proofing before I edit,"
Mum: "So where's my copy, have you e-mailed it to me?"
Me: "Er, no, well, I don't think you'd like it."
Mum: "Don't be silly, of course I'll like it, it's historical after all, you borrowed those books from me."
Me: "Well, yes, it's historical, but well it's an alternative piece."
Mum: "Alternative?"
Me: "Yes, it's got two heroes rather than the conventional hero and heroine couple"
Mum: "Yes, and why should that make a difference?"
Me: "Well it doesn't really, but it's not just a historical piece, it's, kind of a romance."
Mum: "So why won't you read it?"
Me: "It's not a young adult romance, it's an adult one."
Mum: "I'm 73, I think that counts as adult."
Me: (giving up in exasperation) "Fine, read it............but don't ask questions about how I can write about men giving other men blow jobs, and for goodness sake don't start asking random gay friends if it's accurate."
Things went silent for a bit after that
Then she asked
"but you're a Lesbian, how do you know about anything about giving men blow jobs never mind men giving other men blow jobs.........."
And luckily the washing machine finished and I am a coward so I ran away.......
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Things done whilst on my holiday....
Tomorrow is the last day of my holiday *sob* ....... I seriously don't want to go back to work on Tuesday!
So in the last 10 days I have....
- completely spring cleaned the house
- entertained visitors for 4 days which was much fun..... looking forward to the end of May when there will be a repeat performance, including visitations from my co-consipriator in chaos and the half daughter.
- slept on the sofa whilst said visitors were here - not through lack of bed space but rather to prevent rent a mob waking them when they decide at some godforsaken hour I need to get out of bed and attend to them
- fallen off the sofa at 4 am when I forgot where I was sleeping and cracked my head on the coffee table (there had to be one muppet moment)
- become another year older.... but we will try not to dwell on this one
- been attacked by my own cat who managed to put a two centimetre hole in the bottom of my shin
- failed entirely to catch up with what are now two overdue assignments
- completed my story for LiAW and sent it to the kind people who have volunteered to beta read/edit for me - am waiting to hear back which is turning out to be quite nerve racking
- spent a serious amount of time chilling out and reading - the books read in April list needed a head start due to the comments above regarding assignments and editing (this is my excuse and I'm sticking to it)
- eaten too much chocolate...... not because it is Easter or anything, but just because, you know sometimes you have to!
I hope anyone passing by reading has had a nice Easter break too!
So in the last 10 days I have....
- completely spring cleaned the house
- entertained visitors for 4 days which was much fun..... looking forward to the end of May when there will be a repeat performance, including visitations from my co-consipriator in chaos and the half daughter.
- slept on the sofa whilst said visitors were here - not through lack of bed space but rather to prevent rent a mob waking them when they decide at some godforsaken hour I need to get out of bed and attend to them
- fallen off the sofa at 4 am when I forgot where I was sleeping and cracked my head on the coffee table (there had to be one muppet moment)
- become another year older.... but we will try not to dwell on this one
- been attacked by my own cat who managed to put a two centimetre hole in the bottom of my shin
- failed entirely to catch up with what are now two overdue assignments
- completed my story for LiAW and sent it to the kind people who have volunteered to beta read/edit for me - am waiting to hear back which is turning out to be quite nerve racking
- spent a serious amount of time chilling out and reading - the books read in April list needed a head start due to the comments above regarding assignments and editing (this is my excuse and I'm sticking to it)
- eaten too much chocolate...... not because it is Easter or anything, but just because, you know sometimes you have to!
I hope anyone passing by reading has had a nice Easter break too!
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Midweek music....
It's that time of the week again!
Day 3 of my holiday has been quiet and relaxed... but did start with good couple of inches of snow .. though thankfully it all cleared by this evening... or at least in town it did, most of the roads round the Peak District are all blocked but that's not unusual.
I have been nagged lots by my visitor and my LiAW story is now sitting just over 12,000 words (with intro bits, tags, a glossary (yes seriously) and my bio all done as well) Another 2,000 - 3,000 words should see it finished and waved off to my beta readers for, erm, well pulling apart and then refangling...
This being my birthday week (arghhh nooo! I am going to be old!! (well older)) I have treated myself to a couple (well 4) albums I've been hankering after for a while... and here are a couple of tracks from them
Day 3 of my holiday has been quiet and relaxed... but did start with good couple of inches of snow .. though thankfully it all cleared by this evening... or at least in town it did, most of the roads round the Peak District are all blocked but that's not unusual.
I have been nagged lots by my visitor and my LiAW story is now sitting just over 12,000 words (with intro bits, tags, a glossary (yes seriously) and my bio all done as well) Another 2,000 - 3,000 words should see it finished and waved off to my beta readers for, erm, well pulling apart and then refangling...
This being my birthday week (arghhh nooo! I am going to be old!! (well older)) I have treated myself to a couple (well 4) albums I've been hankering after for a while... and here are a couple of tracks from them
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Busy little bee....
Oh my, these days off sure are filled with things to do!
Yesterday I spent the morning cleaning and tidying... proper scary spring cleaning... the sort where you move furniture around and find things that you couldn't remember losing in the first place..... in my case, also mixed with far too much stray dog hairs... hells I could have probably knitted another spitz with the amount that was hoovered up in the end.... and I only did a full clean less than a month ago, with mini cleans in between, but it's that time of year where the girls drop the glamorous full fluffy knickers coats and go short for summer! Thank goodness the cats are bald and I don't have this problem upstairs!
My visitor arrived in the afternoon and since then there has been much fun and frivolity, far too much chocolate, some gossip and general silliness......... but no alcohol as we are both currently taking medication (dammit)
Web time has been limited, but my visitor has spent a great deal of time nagging me to finish my LiAW story... including taking it off me earlier on and proof reading what I'd written so far to make sure it makes some sort of sense (I'll get her reading M/M stories one way or another!) She's threatened to take my Kindle and phone off me tomorrow if I don't get it finished!!
So anyway, I have visitors till Thursday or Friday... depending entirely on how much snow we get dumped on us in the next day or so... yes, it was stupidly warm, almost May weather last week... to the point that the trees are all in blossom and my hayfever is causing merry hell... but temperatures are dropping and we are forecast snow very soon! (and it's not even a special birthday this year... it snowed when I was born, when I turned 18, 21 and 30....)
Ok, off to entertain my visitor... or no, in fact, possibly to go read as she appears to have fallen asleep whilst I've been typing :)
Yesterday I spent the morning cleaning and tidying... proper scary spring cleaning... the sort where you move furniture around and find things that you couldn't remember losing in the first place..... in my case, also mixed with far too much stray dog hairs... hells I could have probably knitted another spitz with the amount that was hoovered up in the end.... and I only did a full clean less than a month ago, with mini cleans in between, but it's that time of year where the girls drop the glamorous full fluffy knickers coats and go short for summer! Thank goodness the cats are bald and I don't have this problem upstairs!
My visitor arrived in the afternoon and since then there has been much fun and frivolity, far too much chocolate, some gossip and general silliness......... but no alcohol as we are both currently taking medication (dammit)
Web time has been limited, but my visitor has spent a great deal of time nagging me to finish my LiAW story... including taking it off me earlier on and proof reading what I'd written so far to make sure it makes some sort of sense (I'll get her reading M/M stories one way or another!) She's threatened to take my Kindle and phone off me tomorrow if I don't get it finished!!
So anyway, I have visitors till Thursday or Friday... depending entirely on how much snow we get dumped on us in the next day or so... yes, it was stupidly warm, almost May weather last week... to the point that the trees are all in blossom and my hayfever is causing merry hell... but temperatures are dropping and we are forecast snow very soon! (and it's not even a special birthday this year... it snowed when I was born, when I turned 18, 21 and 30....)
Ok, off to entertain my visitor... or no, in fact, possibly to go read as she appears to have fallen asleep whilst I've been typing :)
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