Tuesday, July 26, 2005

?

I start work tomorrow. I don't want to go. There's this 'girl' there, the type that just makes me feel crap about myself. I don't think she likes me much and I don't like her either even though we've never spoken. Girls are wierd.

I've set about making up my logo which I've turned into loads of cool stickers.


I've also done my personalised commison form, invoice, and letterhead ready for copying as and when required. I'm getting quite pyched about setting myself up as an Illustrator, though I know the real test will come when I've spent a shed load (one of those expensive sheds mind, with windows and everything) on self promotion and had no offers... but we'll see. There's still a mountain to do: creating an address database, portfolio surgery appointment, possble funding to look into, sorting out my portfolio, making up a cd version, putting together a mass mail out package, designing a website and all the crappy boring legal/money stuff.

My current main concerns are getting my website and CD portfolio sorted. The guy who was going to sort my website has gone and buggered off to South East Asia the bugger, all my dreamweaver software is on MY pooter which is still stored in the garage, oh and then there's the fact that I have NO idea what I'm doing. And don't get me started on the flippin CDROM portfolio... I've found a willing printer/replicator/duplicator who gave me a discount because I kissed ass about how good their website was... but before that I need an auto-running Cd Rom presentation that can work on Macs and Pc's... also known as "CERTAIN DEATH unless you have a million pounds worth of software and hardware". I just don't have the money for it.

It'll get sorted. It's just a pain in the ass knowing that I won't get anywhere without plugging every penny I have into this. And you really can't get very far with 2p these days.

We're off on holiday on Saturday, so I'll be pretty much schtum for two weeks... hoping to spend the time relaxing and taking lots of pictures though.

xx

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Dollies

Yep... you've waited a long time... but finally... Niall's candybar doll has been created. I know, I know... it was worth the wait.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Slink. BA

That's my name now... Officially: Slink BA (Bachelor of Arts). Tuesday was my graduation ceremony, and about two days ago I probably had all this stuff I wanted to say about it but now I can't seem to think of anything. It was relativly pleasant, I felt quite proud and my new shoes hurt the crap out of me... so pretty much what I expected. I didn't think my Dad was going to make it at first as he's managed to do his back in and could hardly walk... but he struggled through the ceremony. I'm dreading getting the official photo's back, I was grinning like a loon, bloody photographers.


The only exciting thing to happen since then is a trip to the Sealife centre yesterday. Man, I am such a big kid when it comes to zoo's and aquarium's... I just love them... I took my digi-SLR along too, see what it could do and got a few decent images, but not many.


Oh yeah... I managed to read Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince in two days. Godamit I was in shock for about a day afterwards... how? why would you..? There's still some people I know who refuse down-right to read these books... which if you ask me, is just lame. Their excuses being one of the following:

a). "They're KIDS books!" .... er yeah but they're probably more mature than that shitty american teen-flick you're watching.

b). "I just don't get what the fuss is about" ... read them then.

c). "It's Black Magic and all that read it will go to hell" .... bye.

I really couldn't tell anyone what it is about them; I've often wondered but I can't put my finger on it. They're just good. I feel sorry for any kids trying to understand them and work them out because to my little brain they're actually pretty complicated (someone back me up here... please!).

There's some decent films coming out VERY soon, so it's all good for the moment. There's Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, Wallace and Grommit and The Curse of The Weir Rabbit.... godamit it'll be ace... then later in the year is the climax- The Corpse Bride. Can't. Wait.

Saturday, July 16, 2005

*yaaawwwwn*

Well we're back. And relatively without hangovers which is good. It was a manic two days but it was well worth it I think.

Thursday, we managed to get to Niall's graduation ceremony in plenty of time, though the wally forgot his best shoes so had to rush into town and buy a new pair. He looked really funny in his gown and hat, but I was really proud to see him up on that platform recieving his well-earned degree. I also got to see Dave who was awarded in the same ceremony so that was nice too. The only downside to the day was the sweltering heat and the fact I got pretty bad sunburn, as you'll see a bit later on...

Hee hee... love that picture... it was taken on the procession out of the main hall. He looks proud bless him.

Later that evening I nearly broke both my ankles testing out the shoes I'd bought for the Ball, as we met Niall's parents for a posh meal in a local restaurant. I had Duck liver pate on melba toast with this wierd sauce that had a funny name but was really just like marmalade; then for my main course I had pan seared chicken with sweet potato chips and a spinach and pine kernal sauce. Man, it was yummy. And free... as Niall's parents paid. Woohoo!

So the next day was spent wandering around town in a panic, looking for another pair of shoes so I wouldn't cripple myself, and fortunatly managed to find a pair that fitted. I hate shoes. No scratch that ... I hate ridiculous girly shoes that a) crush your toes to a pulpy mess, b) break bones, c) make you walk like an idiot all night d) create blisters of a size you never thought possible or e) all of the above. And hell, if we HAVE to wear these sorts of shoes, then the establishment making that sort of silly demand should pay for them! Anyways, I digress... yeah, we met up with Dave, John, Rob and Sarah for dinner, then went home to start getting ready. I had a hairdressers appointment at half six which Linz managed to turn into half seven. I was totally blown away at what my hairdresser Jackie did though. It looked fucken ACE even if I do say so myself.

I was soo chuffed. That picture's a little blurry but you get the idea. :-) I even managed to get into my dress after having it all done. Yeah, I was proud.

I think we arrived at about half nine. The Union was all done up to it's Las Vegas theme without being too tacky. They had this laser fountain outside with big candles lining the paths, big gazebo tent things, fire artists, a fair ground, a wrestling ting inside with a casino and karioke bar upstairs. I don't know where to start... there was a big fireworks display and various acts/bands playing though I didn't actually see any one on stage. Most of the night was spent in the company of friends, watching people get drunk, being happily merry without being too drunk, and catching up with people I hadn't seen in a while. Oh yeah... we also got married in an outside fake Las Vegas chapel... we got certificates and photo's to prove it and were given jelly-sweet rings too. It was a good laugh. I had a really good night, I think everyone did. I didn't cry or anything since I'm going to be seeing most of my mates at my graduation ceremony on Tuesday... but it was a bit sad to be in the Union one last time with the people I've spent the last three years of my life with. I must say... it was special. I didn't want to take my camera, but I'm hoping to nab copies of photo's from as many people as possible so I'll have a big collection soon enough. I dread to think what some of them will come out like; for some reason my eyes just glow red ANY time I have a photo taken with flash. Damn eyes.

We left at about half two, retreating back to our hotel room in town. It took about fifteen minutes to take all the hair grippy things out of my hair before spending another ten minutes brushing out all the sprays and 'stuff' that was in my hair. But we were both knackered and slept like ... erm... like tired people. I was relieved of actually getting to sleep since the night before we'd been unable to sleep due to traffic noise in the street below. We may as well have slept outside... it would have been cooler for sure.

But anyway, we're back. I'm pretty tired still. I have my grad ceremony on Tuesday and then start my summer job on Wednesday. URGHghhffflppph. Not much more to say... stay tuned for more photo's.

laters.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Melting...

This week I have been mostly wearing ... ... teeny tiny shorts. But only behind the safety of closed doors or away from the public in general. It's just way too hot outside.

Well, we found a flat. It's absolutely fab, small, but fab. It's furnished and the rent is just about within our budget, though the council tax in that area is higher than we expected, looks like we'll be paying about £1200 a year council tax. The deposit has been paid along with the extortionate admin costs so it's ours in August. Stupidly, we have to pay a whole months rent purely because they don't want anyone to move in before August 10th. We are in fact saving them a hell of alot of money in terms of advertising costs etc, but we have to pay them rent incase.... erm.... oh yeah just because they're greedy mofos. Anyway, we're both pleased with it. Niall will probably move in straight away, and hopefully I will follow shortly afterwards.

It's a busy week really... I've been gathering things for the grad ball etc. I think I'm bout set though I haven't packed yet for our two day trip to Uni-town. It'll be so wierd being back there, but great to see everyone one last time. We're booked in at some expensive hotel for two nights as Uni forgot to tell us that we could have stayed in halls for £25 a night. Thanks for that. But at least we'll have a decent breakfast anyway. Here's the drill:

Thursday:
8.30 am Drive to Uni-town
10.00 am Get my hair done
12.00 noon Meet Niall and his parents for a Barbeque (and yes it does take two hours to do my hair)
3.00 pm Niall's graduation ceremony
6.45 pm Going out for a meal with Niall and his Parents

Friday:
7.30 am Get up early to have a bloody good breakfast to get our moneys worth from the expensive hotel
5.30 pm Get ready for the ball- shower etc
6.30 pm Get hair styled
7.30 pm Continue getting ready for the Grad Ball
9.00 pm Leave for the Grad Ball and get sloshed as quick as possible

Sorted. We'll have to leave for home Saturday morning so getting up after only a few hours sleep will be interesting to say the least. I'm sure there will be a few photos.

Catch you in a few days time.

xx

Sunday, July 10, 2005

eek

:-( Glad we didn't go to Eddies last night because of this. I have a feeling there could be a few of these scares in the next few weeks.

I need to go out... god I haven't been out since coming home from Uni. My New Rocks haven't been worn for weeks, poor things are sitting there dreaming of stomping around a dance floor to Nine Inch Nails. I can't afford it though. I need to pay for a decent hair cut before Thursday and I'm stupidly over-drawn.

So today I am launching the "Save The New Rocks Trust Fund- Helping Abandoned New Rocks to Mosh Again (est. a few moments ago) ". Cheques made payable to Slinks. It's for the sake of the boots dammit.

Friday, July 08, 2005

Goose Poo

I do miss my blog. I don't like that I haven't updated in ages but since coming home... nothing too interesting has happened. I've been so up and down lately. I seem to be getting confused easily and just not feeling right. That's the only way I can explain it, it just feels vague. I don't know. Anyways... In the last few days, Niall bought his first car, we've been looking around appartments in Nottingham for September and London got attacked. Very sad and scarey that last one... I was relieved to hear from my friends in London today and I'm happy to say they although shaken they are safe and well. I hate things like this; it really knocks you off balance and makes things seem bigger and scarier than they were before. But as we keep being told, that's exactly what they want. Sure that doesn't help much though. The whole thing is just a bit surreal still, and now it's even nastier because as it all really sinks in we hear more about the aftermath, the cleaning up ... and the remnants. It's just really awful. Not much more to say on it really.

As for the other things... yeah Niall is now the proud owner of a little red peugeot 306. He's particularly chuffed at the bleepy key thing. We drove to Nottingham today to look at a few appartments and man is Notty a bugger to get round! One way systems, out of date maps and the next to NO road signage do not make a very good combination, not to mention the goose poo raid we got caught up in. One minute we're sitting in traffic queue... the next SPLAT. A green one at that. Well sort of this colour. Somehow we got hit about three times in one go, on the windscreen, passenger seat door and roof. I narrowly escaped being hit through my open window, and Nialls attempt at washing the windscreen merely smeared it over a larger area. Yeah it was a nice trip. The appartments were nice... one teeeeeny with gorgeous views, in a lovely area and very nicely decorated etc, the other... larger but unfurnished, less nice area though handier for Niall and a bit grotty. A mix of the two would have been perfect, but nevermind, we're heading back on monday to look round a few others.

We drove past Uni town on the way back. I had a bit of a pang of nostalgia as we drove past the motorway junction for it. Then I saw the goose poo and remembered what Uni town smelled like most of the time... then I was okay.

I now have my shoes and dress sorted for the grad ball, but need to try and do something with my hair before it's too late. yes, must plan.

Before I go, things I need to work on/DO in the next few weeks:

  • Better ways of cheering myself up when I feel crap
  • Photographing some of my origami and posting them on here
  • Setting myself some illustration projects to keep me ticking over and to bulk up my portfolio
  • Getting my hair cut
  • Psyching myself up for the stupidly loong hours I have to work over summer ( whhhhhyyyyy did I ask for loads?!)
  • Avoiding Geese
  • Not spending money

That should tidy me over I think.