h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"The captain was a good chess player, and the games were always interesting. Yossarian had stopped playing chess with him because the games were so interesting they were foolish."
-Catch 22

Currently listening to: the sound that occurs with slapping myself with the palm of my hand. I've bought your birthday present, forgotten you live in Norway, calmly waited until a few days before your Birthday, then today figured out it'll take slightly longer than anticipated for it to get to you. Right now, I can't think of a strong enough expletive. *wince*
You'll be pleased to hear that your birthday present is accompanied with a new copy of Private Eye, hot off the press, so that might make up for the tremendous error on my part So, I'm going to apologise in advance for the lateness. God, I haven't been on time for anything in months, I'm really sorry, can I be forgiven?

I like the sound of the red hair, just be careful not to jump in front of any bulls... Not that you would, or that many bull's live in your local area for that matter...
Tonight, or in 10 minutes, I shall be attempting to sort out my black hair with blonde roots. My Mother said I am not allowed to colour it black anymore, but to let it just grow out will look stupid. So, I am attempting to lighten the black to brown, and hope for the best. Wish me luck

Well, at the moment I'm contemplating attending the school prom. At the moment I'm definately not going, but then there's that little voice at the back of my head that's saying "Go on, you'll enjoy it, you can wear a nice dress and shoes..." Once the little voice has said the last part, I tend to ignore it, but recently, I've been seriously considering going. I don't know why, but I really feel that I should. Please Tilly, shoot me before this gets out of control!

Ah dear, what is it with Spring and everyone falling in love? Well, I'll give you my word of advice, and that it's better to regret something you've done, than to regret something you wish you'd done. I think you should tell him, there's nothing worse than the feeling of "what if". Don't worry, things shall right themselves in the end.

Well, I'd better go. My Dad's yelling at me to go watch some German film that's on TV (probably Das Boot, it's always das boot)
Ta,

Natalie

*Happy Birthday to youuu, Happy Birthday to youuu, Happy Birthday dear Tilly.... Happy Birthday to youuu..."



Sorry, I wasn't here yesterday, but a very Happy Birthday for the 11th!

Ciao,

Natalie
x

Currently listening to: Myself humming 'He ain't heavy (He's my brother)'. You must understand that this song is HOLY and have never failed to give me goosebumps - and now they've gone ahead and used it in a DIAPER commercial. Diapers! When I oneday possibly get some anklebiters myself, I vow I will never, ever buy Up&Go's. And I guess my hopefully future husband will think I'm crazy.

Don't worry if your present won't arrive before a few days, you're really kind to think of it And thank you for your congratulations! Anyway, my birthday won't really be celebrated before this weekend, so I have hardly gotten any presents yet. Got some very nice expensive drawing equipment, as I've suddenly become very interested in drawing again (I think the reason is my crashed PC, and I had to find hobbies). You notised how absolutely everyone is interested in what you're doing if you're scribbling some sketches in a book? People tend to be a bit shocked, though, as (almost) all romantic drawings I've done, are between men. I found some friends are sadly a bit homophobic

Ooh, it seems we're all experimenting with hair these days, you have to tell me how it went Sadly, my hair grows uncontrollably fast, so now I already got my darker roots showing.

Oh well, there's (hopefully) no shame in attending the prom. Well, sometimes the sinful act of dressing up might seem appealing to even me, damnit! Why, only the other day I went out and bought a normal dress! Shocking, I know. I guess you should ask yourself, "Is there any chance I will enjoy it?" I didn't go to the Christmas prom, but things have changed, and I'm actually considering going to the next one. I'm sorry darling, you're on your own

"Don't worry, things shall right themselves in the end."
I remember my grandmother's favourite saying was "In a hundred years, all this won't matter" I know I should tell him, but I'm putting off a while, since I seem to be making progress with him and talking to him every day. I think I made him notise me, when I got him to grant me my birthday wish: To ruffle his hair (he got these gorgeous long dark curls but he won't believe me) So now he either thinks I'm fun or a total lunatic!

It's constant terror at school these days. The Russ are loose again, and this time I'm in the group of victims Russ are third-year students, and they're meant to terrorize first-year students, which I'm now. Thankfully they seldom do anything but attack you with water-guns and buckets o'water - I've been soaked twice so far, which is the class record (I've hardly been attacked at all compared to the class airheads) There are rumours of a jelly-bathing day tomorrow, so I'm considering bringing a change of clothes.

As I said, my PC has crashed (I'm not even able to start it) so now I can only surf on my school computer - so it might be some periods when I can't get online.

Well, I should go now - I have to finish my sound project - I finally found some Chopin music I can use.

Toodles!

P.S: Looking forward to Private Eye

"Laws are partly formed for the sake of good men, in order to instruct them how they may live on friendly terms with one another, and partly for the sake of those who refuse to be instructed, whose spirit cannot be subdued, or softened, or hindered from plunging into evil."
-Plato

Currently listening to: myself slowly starting to fall off the chair... s'cuse me whilst I just hit the floor... *a loud bang and then a whimper*... Oof, sorry about that. Stupid chair isn't the slightest bit comfortable or stable.

Gosh, I've never seen anyone get so worked up about a diaper commercial (although we call them nappies, which sounds strange but does the job). Admittedly I do sometimes get frustrated when they show a mother kissing her babies bottom on the adverts, which is slightly sickening, although, now I think about it, I'm not entirely sure if I'm thinking of another advert which isn't for diapers Afterall, it would be rather strange to advertise something which is bascially there to catch, ahem, mess and then have the Mum kiss the kids backside. Strange eh?

Well, hopefully you will have got your present by now. If you didn't like the CD no worries, it's an aquired taste, feel free to give it to a Brother or anyone else who likes that sort of thing, I thought it would be a good idea for me to send you some new Brit music, so you know how terrible it is I'd also like to say sorry for the dead duck, wasn't good taste, but I did find it quite funny, damn my morbidness. I hope you were actually able to read the card, my handwriting was terrible (due to an accident with a pair of scissors and some sticky tape)
Well, Happy Birthday (again)

The Private Eye I sent you was a good one but I'll have to send you the next one! Something truely wonderful has happened! The nasty editor of the Daily Mirror has been sacked, I'm sure you've heard about the fake pictures of Iraqi prisoners being abused, well the nasty editor Piers Morgan has been fired! Huzzah! Private Eye's editor, Ian Hislop, really hates him, (Ian Hislop also presents Have I Got News For You), and I can't wait to hear what sort of snide comments the people at Private Eye come up with...
Here's a picture of Piers (so you can put a face to the story):
http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/prideofbritain/oct2002/3/9/000CC1AA-E0D9-1DAA-AAA780C328EC071A.jpg

and here's one of Ian:
http://www.jlamanagement.co.uk/IanHislop/images/CentreSlice.jpg

Now it's time for a rant...
Please hold.

Well, on Wednesday it was my last ever day of school. Sob! Well, okay, I am going back next year to do my A-levels there, but I won't be with my friends, it won't be the same.
After we had a presentation ceremony most of our year went to the park and got completely drunk I went so I could talk to my friends, but they were all acting like idiots, so myself, a girl called Jamila and my best friend Lucy left to go and play on the swings (yes, sad, I know) and by the time we got back to where everyone else was, they were all completely, utterly, drunk. Two girls passed out.
Now, I don't want to sound like a hypocrite here, but there was this one girl who is rather, well, large (I'm not as big as her, but it's still not good of me to gloat). This girl isn't a nice person, she called me spoilt when I wouldn't snap my ruler in half for her, she says to people "I mean, I know I'm rich, but I don't go around telling people".
Anyway, when we returned to the party she was really drunk, her skirt was really short and had rolled up showing everyone her knickers, her top was torn and she was dribbling everywhere. She was so intoxicated she couldn't actually sit up and then passed out Then these two boys came and threw flour at her, but she couldn't get up. Eventually, because it was so hot they tried to move her to the shade of a tree, but shortly afterwards she started having fits Everyone was scared stiff.
There were some girls there who are really nasty and violent, let's cll them townies for now, and they were saying "Don't get anyone because then the party will be over, if anyone does anything I'll kill them" (they virtually said that, what they really said was swearing in between every other word)
One of my other friends was attacked with a bottle by one of these girls on the same day, fortunately the most respected townie of them all is quite nice and stopped it.
Where was I? Oh yes. Eventually I couldn't take any more and called an ambulance. I had to run all the way to the road and then back with paramedics. It was really very unpleasant I was so ashamed of the way people were behaving that I found myself apologising to these two old ladies who were working in the Abbey (the Abbey is right next to the park) because everyone was staggering around drunk and semi naked in the church! I was so angry. I couldn't believe that these people, some of which are my friends, were being so stupid!
Another person I know has brought her boyfriend along with her, he's really nice and intelligent, and he was also really alarmed by the way everyone was behaving, Jamila left because it was so bad, and after the Paramedics came I couldn't handle any more so I left.
I got a text from Sarah saying "That was the most memorable day of school, shame they are all bad memories"
I thought it was a shame that this was the last day I was ever going to see most of them again, and this was how I was going to remember them, a bunch of sad immature tarts who can't handle their drink. It made me pretty depressed.

Anyway. Always look on the bright side of life etc.

Ooooh, good luck with your dream boy I'm sure things will work out between the two of you *nudge nudge* Hee hee... *hums the wedding march*

Well, I'll speak to you soon, my first exam is on Monday so I won't be around after that... at all really. Good luck and take care.

Natalie
x

Currently listening to: 'Belleville rendez-vous'. I never cared enough to go see the movie this was written for, but nontheless I love this song. I think it was a waste that the Oscar for best song went to 'Into the west' from Lord of the Rings (really can't stand that song). Listen to me, still annoyed over the Oscars from last February...

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply, but as I said the home computer has been dead (but works now) and at school I've been working hard with my last assignments.

Thank you so much for the presents I read the Private Eye from cover to cover while giggling (I wasn't completely ajour with all the topics, but most were familiar to me) - I'm still annoyed we haven't got any magazines like that here in Norway. Nothing even comes close! It was fun to hear what all the talk about Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster was for (not to mention the coolest bandname of our generation ) - and though it's not the kind of music I regularly listen to, I honestly think it's quite good comparing to 'similiar' bands my brother try to convert me to. I'll lend it to him and see what he thinks. I think 'Psychosis safari' was my favourite track, at least currently - I'm copying it over to MiniDisc so I have something to keep me awake early mornings on my way to school. Thank you

My birthday went quite nicely - I went out to Oslo with my friends and we saw the premier of Troy. I was groaning through much of it, though I was the only one who was laughing sadistically when Orlando Bloom was seen beaten up in battle and crawling away on his knees He he heee... Sorry, I have this utter dislike of Orlando Bloom, and my friends think it's a bit disoncerting Later there was the usual grown-up party where I was given my very own high-quality trumpet! You see, I've actually been borrowing the battered, rusty trumpet I've had for ten years from the school band (I intend to quit the band shortly, meaning I had to turn in the trumpet). The funny thing was that Tine had gone absolutely mental with the wrapping of this trumpet, so when she gave it to me (sans case) it was wrapped like you see in cartoons, with ever pipe and detail carefully wrapped around so you could really SEE it was a trumpet. She told me she had spent four hours or something carefully, carefully putting the paper round each pipe. And then I just had to tear it off It's really something I will remember.

Well, congratulations with the last day at your school (wow, already? We don't get off until another two weeks), though that sounded like an absolutely horrible party! What a complete nightmare! Really, I can't even fathom how unpleasant it would have felt to be there. I see that's a memory you don't won't to have of your fellow classmates...

In other news, I think my mother has been replaced by aliens. At least that's the only thing I can account for her change of heart - a couple of months ago she mentioned how she would never let me go on an Interrail or anything similiar because she didn't want me to be abroad without adult company. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned I was doing research for a novel I'm attempthing to write, taking place in the Netherlands of all places, and the recently we had this conversation:

Mum: "Listen, do you want to go to Den Haag in the Netherlands this summer?"
Me: "Sure. Are you thinking about a family vacation?"
Mum: "No, I meant you could travel alone."
Me:
Mum: "You see, I was talking to Niki (a work-partner from the Netherlands) and he said his family would be honoured to have you stay over."
Me: "You're kidding. Me? Alone?"
Mum: "They said you could stay with them in their house as long as you wanted this summer."
Me: "Seriously? Me, alone?"
Mum: "And I said, 'Sure'. So tell me, then. Do you want to stay in Den Haag a couple of weeks?"
Me: "Uh, yeah..."

So now we're planning to "ship me over" in August. I don't know why my mother wanted me to do this, but I suspect it had something to do with how it would be cheaper for me to stay with a friend's family. And in any case, I'm thrilled. I'm currently negotiating so Tine can come with me (just send me over on my own to a non-English or non-Scandinavian country for a couple of weeks. I want to be independent, but not *that* independent yet). So now we'll see how that turns out.

Well, I better be going - I promised my mother I should go out and buy her some milk, and the shops close soon. Hope to hear from you soon,
Toodles!

"Biography lends to death a new terror."
-Oscar Wilde

Currently listening to: The annoying music from Tyrannian Mini Golf, I haven't been online properly for what seems like an age so I am making the most of it, I'm getting reaquainted with online gaming and posting

Apologies for the lateness of my reply (It seems to have become our new way of beginning a posting recently..) Well I don't know about you, but I've been up to the eyeballs in exams and preparation, but tommorow I have a free day and only two more exams to go (ones which don't require a great deal of revision, DT and Drama) so I am spending a little quality time with my computer *hugs*

"I think 'Psychosis safari' was my favourite track, at least currently"
*pats Tilly on the head* Well done my child, I have taught you well. I'm glad you didn't completely hate your Birthday Present, it's always nice when people don't despise you because of what you bought them, as seems to be the case with most of my friends.

I see you went to see one of the remaining Beatles... Ooooh. Lucky you I must say, I've always held Ringo in higher regard myself. But my reasons for disliking Paul (I feel if he knew me we'd be on first name terms) seem to be many and often, a lot of them due to his offspring and petty attitude. *shrug* Feel free to hit me, most Beatles fans do.

Well, I have finally come up with my subjects for next year.
I shall be taking:
1. English Literature
2. Classical Studies
3. Government + Politics
4. Psychology (or Media Studies, depending on which one I get the grades for)
Hurrah! Now I can finish the exams then kick back and relax for two months (I think it's 11 weeks actually, so much time, what on earth am I going to do with it all?)

Gawd, on holiday? Alone? You lucky thing! I wish I could be that responsible!
Looks like the closest I'll get to that is going on a cycling trip by myself... I might go camping somewhere with friends in the holiday's... we were going to Glastonbury but we had to cancel that plan. So, looks like I might be organising a holiday away for some of us. It's a pain, because all my friends are going away to exotic places. New York, Australia, Switzerland... etc. And where am I going? Urh. Nowhere by the looks of things. Ah well, no matter. I think I'll just spend my time working on the project my Dad's given me (to take photographs and do something with them), travelling around the countryside by myself. I could borrow a dog from someone. Sort of like 'Travels With Boogie' except as I don't know anyone who has a dog, it'll be 'Travels With Boogie' without the Boogie...

Well, I'd better go. My friend is harping on at me to make a scrap book to put in all these cartoons we used to do in Science (when we should have been learning)... I might scan some in, show you the inner workings of Natalie Wood and Emma Digby.

ta ta,
Natalie


Ps. you may no longer love Micheal Ball but I watched Hannibal again the other day and am back in amore with Tony Hopkins

Currently listening to: 'God' by John Lennon. Ol' McCartney is never enough for me, and I have to return to the other selfish ego-sentric guy

I don't believe in Beatles
I just believe in me, Yoko and me
And that's reality
The dream is over!
What can I say? The dream is over

Ooh, Neopets, eh? I haven't visited that joint in months - strange how sometimes things I do each day just drop out of my schedule. And then I find myself spending my time on nonsensical and bizarre games like http://99rooms.com and reading Sinfest comic strips at http://sinfest.net (which simply rules). Ah well, I have to while away my summer vacation in some way...

You have my sympathies! Exams are murder! I simply can't handle them - it freaks me out how my supposed "future" can be dictated by how I anwser questions one day of the year. Happily, I escaped from most of this years exams due to the random selection - all I had to do was one oral and one written Media exam. I got top score on each, but oral exams always stress me - and this was the first time my designs had to be presented in my portifolio. Nervewrecking, I understand how you feel. So all in all, how did your exams go?

I'm soo relieved next year will be completely absent of Maths and Science classes! Yay! Wooo! Imagine, a whole year without Math and Science! So happy-happy-happy *Dances*

Oh yeah, the McCartney concert was great, although I see all the major National newspapers disagree. But if you've read my journal, you know I went mostly because of what he WAS, obviously (Although I've been dictated by my mum he was the world's sexiest beast in the eighties ) I kept closing my eyes and reminding myself what he did as a Beatle. Plus, I have a tendency to happily freak out on concerts (if I like the artist or not), which might explain why I repeatedly cried out "I love you" to a 62-year old man...

Speaking of concerts and completely random, I've just read David Bowie suffered a lollypop in the eye while playing at Norwegian Wood (duh! Of course we have a venue called that ) The newspapers seemed to make it sound very dramatic ("Suddenly Bowie jersk to the right, clutching his left eye. He squats down as the song 'Battle' is interrupted, unable to go on. He stumbles off-stage while shouting "You fu*king w*nker!" over and over again.") Anyway, tell me if these news should reach over to you I'm imagining all rock-stars will be too scared to tour Norway, frightened by our candy "Good," I though when I read about it "Not only decapitated sheep heads, but also a blinded Bowie."

Aaaanyway. I'll be torturing myself throughout the summer as I've decided to write most of my novel now I got the spare time. God, it's hard work. But a writer should write, isn't that right? I have fun with the researching, though. My friends jump a bit when I ask any of them if they know anybody with a missing earlobe

I better be returning to the writing now. I'm completely unable to write the beginnning, so I'm starting on chapter 7. It seemed as good as any

Toodles!

Currently listening to: Nine Inch Nails "Physical (You're so)" turned up really loudly to drown out all the background noise.

My friend's Mother is in the other room talking to my parents about the usual tedious school/exam/college rubbish, I've escaped in here to listen to something loud and thumping. Bliss.

Well, I've finished exams. Huzzah. I've been on holiday for... *counts* Oh, three/four weeks now. I've been sleeping mainly, occasionally staying awake long enough to do some jobs, this weekend I’ll be doing some waitressing for someone's party. *sigh* I'll be seeing people I used to call friends when I was younger. The party is being held by friends of the family, and the parents of one of my old friends. I used to like her, but she snubbed me last time I saw her and now I can't be bothered to talk to her.

All in all, my exams went... badly. I can't talk about it. I won't say a word about how well I think I did and how easy questions were until I get my results back!

"Wooo! Imagine, a whole year without Math and Science! So happy-happy-happy *Dances*"
I know the feeling, I can't believe it! *joins in with the dancing* It's so exciting, I'll be starting completely new subjects, apart from English, it'll be like when I first started school, completely new! Huzzah!

I think I should calm down. I don't want to exert myself too much, loss of blood you see. I got my ear pierced again today, the top upper cartilage bit. It didn’t really hurt, just like getting an injection. Stings a little now, but I’ll live. I’m used to self inflicted pain and stinging after all…Probably the scariest bit was going in there… I don’t know if you’re familiar with ‘Claire’s Accessories’? Not sure if Norway has been subjected to it yet, if not, you’re lucky. It’s a store where children who want to look older than they actually are go to buy lurid pink jewellery or where baby ‘rocker’ kids go to buy spiked wristbands and that sort of thing. I’m often found in there. Anyway, one of Claire’s curious traits is that they always set up their ear piercing table right next to the window. So you’ll be sitting there waiting for them to start and a small crowd will gather to watch. It’s quite unnerving.

Anyway, the people were nice, if a little odd. The woman, girl rather, said to me “Would you like to get them done at once or at different times?” I presumed she meant ‘would I like to do one, wait until it’s healed and then you come back in 12 weeks and I’ll do the other, or should I do them both today?’ so I said casually, oh do them together. So she screamed, “RICHARD” and this man with bleached hair (I noticed him when I first went in and thought ‘hm, he’s quite nice’) and a strange resemblance to Matt Bellamy from Muse came over and started swabbing my ear. They showed me where it would go through and said ‘does this look okay’, I said it looked slightly further in the ear on one side, so the chap, Richard, grabbed my head and started peering round my shoulder in really quick sidewards motions, it looked so bizarre, my Mother was trying to stop herself from laughing, and she wasn’t doing a good job, and all I could do is sit there and try not to cry. They then loaded the guns and each put one up to my ears, this would explain what she meant when she asked if I wanted it done at the same time, then they started counting down in unison, I practically wet myself. Bang. But alls well that ends well. I’m still here. Alive and well. A bit bored, but apart from that, I’m pretty good.

I can’t say I heard about this Bowie incident. Strange that, eh? Maybe the Norwegian government is trying to cover the whole thing up, as if to say “Hey, we’re still friendly, don’t be afraid, nobody’s going to throw a sweet at you!” Tsk, I think you need to talk to whoever is minister for tourism over there. It’s odd because that’s the sort of thing that frequently turns up on the news.
“David Bowie is said to be fine, but we’ve interpreted that to mean, critical condition. On a lighter note the new Iraqi leader has owned up to killing 5,000 innocents ‘just because’… Oh wait, there’s news coming in, David Bowie has been spotted recently at Heathrow Airport, could this mean serious implications for UK/Norway relations, we spoke to someone who isn’t an expert but once visited Amsterdam, which is sort of close to Norway…”
You think I’m joking but that’s the sort of drivel we tend to get on the 6 O’clock news. Well, when I’m Director General of the BBC, I’ll see to it that Norway gets more coverage and not just went someone throws a lolly pop in a celebrity’s eye.

Well, I hope you have a great Holiday if I don’t speak to you soon (I may be off to Rome for a while, and I’ll be in Belgium, and then parties and concerts until we start again in September) but I promise that I’ll stop into g2 to say hello and let you know how badly I failed my exams

Hugs ‘n’ stuff.

Ta ta,

Natalie
x

Currently listening to: 'Goodnight tonight' by Wings. If you tell anyone I'm listening to Wings, I'll kill you Unfortunately due to my upbringing I have a very poor bad-music filter (I listened to Band on the run as a seven-year-old. 'Nuff said) Today I was dying to get some different music in my CD player, I saw the freaky hologram-cover of the Wingspan collection at the library, and thought "What the hell." Plus, I'm attracted to bright colours

Well, congratulations with your finished exams - the summer is now free to be enjoyed, or slept through as I'm doing. I can now relax completely as I've just recieved my acceptance letter from my school, so at least I can go there another year.

Ooh, cool with another pierced earhole Sorry, but your story of how the piercing went gave me a big fit of the giggles I totally understand what you where thinking, though, it makes complete sense. Even though we don't have 'Claire's Accessories' here in Norway, I definately remember it from my previous England-trip - I actually stood by like the sadist I am, and watched some 16-year old bimbo get her first piercing. Displaying it like that really evokes some bad instincts within us all - I'm just waiting to see when tatoos become frequent in shop windows.

Speaking of tatoos, I still haven't worked my nerve up yet - and I can't find the particular motif I had in mind anywhere, though I'm sure I first saw it in some tatoo den. I don't know why my psycotic mind have decided on a gecko, but nothing else will do...

Well, what have I been up to? Too much time has been spent on the internet, of course - I've submitted to the trend and made my own Live Journal here:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/tilly_stratford

In other news, remember the guy from class I had a crush on? Well, I don't know if it was due to the heat that day or what, but I told him Trust me, I've never put my neck out like that, but this time I thought "What's the worst that can happen?". Well, he was immensely flattered, but he was already in a relationship (GEE, that would have been great to know at an earlier stage! His best buds doesn't even know) So even though my first try at breaking out of the usual pining-away-in-silence pattern was a flop, I'm still proud I did it, you know. I should be doing that more often. And he was nice enough to say he appreciated knowing it, and we're still good friends

I'm also trying to put my boredom to use and learn to meditate - it all feels rather silly and modern to leand a handful of books from the library and start experimenting, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. I think I'm getting into it, and I hope it's something that will keep my interest for a while, at least.

Well, you have fun on your holiday - I'm leaving for Amsterdam 8 August, and I'll be home just in time for school again

Toodles!

Currently listening to: Rammstein's latest single 'Amerika'... sigh. Another band jumping on the political protest band wagon. Well, at least their song's pretty good *shrug*

Well, I've been so busy I've only stopped by on h2g2 to post a quick reminder journal entry and attempt to post a reply. I've been sidetracked, cut off, made to leave the computer and millions of other exscuses every single time I've sat down to post a reply to you. Well, I'm here now. Quite a bit to catch up on.

Ahh dear Don't let that one bad experience stop you from asking people out again, don't let it ruin something good that could come up later. You never know. I know how you feel, but I worked up the courage to do what you did and it paid off. I put my neck on the line and it was worth it. But let's not go into details about that
It's a shame that your good self and that chap you had a crush on never got together, but you never know, people change, his relationship might end and he may change his mind, you never know. Ah well, hell with him. Plenty more fish in the sea, and if I can have an affair with someone I'm you sure can!

I got my GCSE results back. Well, I didn't fail everything... *nervous grin* But I excelled where I was determined to excell. Ie. English. So. Results are as follows:
English Literature: A* (or A+, whatever you call it)
English Language: A
Art: A
DT-Graphic Design: B
Drama: B
Double Science: Both C's
French: C
Maths: C
ICT: D

Ah well, not too bad eh? My friend managed to get the impressive marks: CCCCCCDEF I'm not quite sure if he's joking... I don't want to run the risk of going "Hahahah, no really, what did you actually get?" to find out he was being serious.
My parents were rather pleased in the end, after a few shouting matches and many tears they were really nice about it. Because I did well for me, I was given a necklace, large silver cross, it's lovely.

You're getting a tattoo? Crikey. Good on you. Are you still having trouble working up the nerve? If so, just think of it like this: The pain will eventually subside. It'll be over quickly... or at least, that's the idea. Gecko motif sounds great, bon idee.
*long romantic sigh* Aaah, what I'd do for a tattoo, I even know what motif I'd have... definately the Einstürzende Neubauten symbol, realistically a small one on the back of my neck but in my fantasy land I'd have a whacking great big one on my arm. *grin* I'm not the right person to get a tattoo, half way through having it done on my arm I'd look at it and go "Hmm, maybe the flaming skull would have been better after all..."

http://www.crunchtime.de/band_images/03_neubauten-02.jpg

Well, I'll be speaking to you soon no doubt. BAck to school on Thursday... Gee, scary, I'm going to be going to start completely new subjects and be going part time to a new school... no more Maths, no more Science! Heaven on earth!
*swoon*

Take care,

Ciao,
Nat.E.Lee
x

Currently listening to: Nothing, really A blowdryer in the bathroom...

Oh, never mind about the delay, I've had plenty enough to do myself, I've hardly been active on h2g2 at all. When all my day is spent on a computer (and this year we actually have stuff to do at school - what a change!), I hardly feel like surfing when I come home. Mostly I flop over the couch, put on an action movie and fall asleep. Really, that's what I do almost everyday

Now, thankfully it's weekend, and I can do a bit of what I like again! Today I'm going to the Deichman library in Oslo (the biggest in Norway) and just... be ecstatic. Oh, and the national TV channel NRK (Norwegian National Broadcasting) is having a fleemarket on old costumes, so I might pop in there and find something weird for my wardrobe. Yay! This is going to be a fun day

"Plenty more fish in the sea, and if I can have an affair with someone I'm you sure can!"
True, true. We're really good friends, and I think I hardly have any of those feelings left for him and - WAIT A MINUTE! 'Ang on, what did you just say? What kind of juicy gossip have I missed out on? Oh, do tell...

Oh come on, I think those grades are quite presentable Or at least you got good grades in everything *I* think is important, if that helps... I'd kill for a B in Graphic Design, which I really sucketh in. And I envy your A in English language, particularly if you have good teacher. You see, I can really tell that my English is worse than it has been for years, and I can't really tell why. I get good enough grades in class, but I really don't respect the teacher. I think my short stories are awful (that's why I haven't put any of them up on my website for a long time), and she refuses to tell me what to do to make'em better Aw, I miss Prof Petter (who, by the way, I've just heard has gotten married - I have to pop over and congratulate him some time )

Well, the tattoo has been hold off for a some time - I saw another one I really thought was cool (a really badass black dragon) and now I can't decide. I just know which one I choose, I'm going to wish for the other one, and I don't want too. Ah, decisions, descisions...

Well, let's catch up, shall we? Well, Amsterdam was great! We really had a ball, and we did it without breaking any rules (yeah, you could say we're boring). We got there in the middle of Gay Pride, so everybody thought me and Tine was a couple, but we didn't mind - we felt very accepted 'n all I even found a museum with authentic drawings by John Lennon - I think I spent a whole day staring at them...

And after that, well, I've hadn't had much of a life. Been to school, working my ass off now we have actually things to do this year, and can't kill the time with playing games. We have some very creative tasks ahead of us, though:
1) Take a clip from Matrix, remove the sound, and put on your own (anything will do) - I'm doing this with only Cockney slang, whereas all the agents run around quoting Shakespeare. I think I'm rendering Matrix entertaining, for a change.
2) Write and record your own radio-play - I'm currently recording this silly little thing about a busdriver who suddenly decides he want to take his bus to Polen, and everybody thinks it's an act of terror (really, it's not done in bad taste - it's just about overreacting)
3) Choose a style-period, make a presentation about this period's music, movies, cars, architecture, etc. and dress after the fashion of this period for a day - well, I'm not quite happy with which perion I got, because of the teacher's ignorance... It went like this:

Teacher: So, anyone wants to decide upon their own period, or should I just hand them out?
Me (Waving frantically in the air): Psychedelia psychedelia psychedelia psychedelia!
Teacher: Anyone?
Me: Erm, excuse me! Psychedelia?
Teacher: Alright then. Bendik, you take psychedelia.
Bendik: Cool, hippies smoked dope!
Me: (Looking at the teacher with murder in my eyes)
In the end, I got the teenager rebellion in the fifties, which is not bad, I suppose. I have to learn to do a quiff, and make young Elvis look cool. It'll be fun

Well, I have to go now - the library awaits. I hope you do good, and this new school your going to part time treats you as the genius you are

Toodles!

Currently listening to: The boohbah website playing possibly the most annoying song ever, I needed the link for something and now I'm playing the games, some of them are pretty hard... Ahem. Boohbah's are a childrens TV show over here, I've taken to them because of the sheer awfulness of it. It's like you're sitting through a 20 minute advert for Boohbah merchandise. Amazing. Another thing that amuses me, is the family is very weird. Grandma is white, caucasian, Grandpa is white, caucasian, Dad is Black, African American, Mum is black, Indian, Brother is white, Italian American, Sister is white, Chinese, Aunty is white, Japanese. It's very very strange. Take a look:

http://www.boohbah.com/zone.html

Well I've been given a pile of work to do and that was from the half day we went in. *groan* At least your work sounds interesting, I'm stuck with dull work.
1. Write a 2 minute presentation on a book you have read recently- I spent the most of yesterday writing several drafts in a desperate attempt to perfect it, make a good impression on the teacher and all that. It's starting to ruin 'The Outsider' for me.
2. Write an essay on two leading figures in the world of psychology- I've chosen Ivan Pavlov and Jean Piaget, woo.
3. Write an essay on 5 things you know about the British Political system. "Urh, well there is da prime min-eyster and he is called Rev. Tony Blargh." etc.
Putting music into the Matrix! Wow, think of all the fun you could have with that, Neo running around kicking Agents left right and center while all the time to the Benny Hill theme tune. I might just do that for the hell of it, should keep me amused for a while...

Aaah Gay Pride, my friend went to New York with her Mother at Gay Pride, her Mum spent an entire roll of film on their camera just taking photos of the proud gay people. It's quite amusing to look at their holiday snaps... "Here's me visting a traditional taffy shop, here's me in a crowd of homosexuals, oh and here's me outside the quilting museum..." *grin*

Aaah the affair thing isn't really interesting. In summary. Went to a party. Drank more than I should have. I met a boy. He liked me an absurd amount. He wasn't a troll, in fact, was quite good looking. Then we kissed. Several times *cringe* and that's about it. Uhm. Didn't see him after that. Didn't really want to. Just a one off. *shrug*

Speaking of trolls. I'm sure you've heard of that lovely Norwegian Troll Musician Mortiis? He's touring over here and it looks like myself and a friend will be going to one of his concerts. That is if my Dad will let us... the concert's being held in a bad neighborhood and he's not sure if two teenage girls dressed up in their most Gothic finery will be safe.

I'd better go, I have to finish my English presentation, my Psychology research and my Government and Politics essay... *sobs*
Good luck with the work, bon chance!

Nat.E.Lee

Currenty listening to: 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' by Weezer. I just found out somebody's been anonymously using the school net to store hundreds of music files (and it's not allowed) - I'm just listening through it and saving the best ones to my own computer before a teacher finds out and pulls them down.

I'm really, really sorry I haven't been here lately. School's been hell, I haven't had any free time and h2g2 doesn't always work through the school computers. I should really be doing my Solo Photography Project now, but I haven't anything to do anyway. Blah.

I know what you mean, it's pure torture to *have to* review a book for your teacher. In English we have to read 'Of mice and men', a book I had planned to read anyway, but now I have absolutely no desire to do so. Just as we have to read a Norwegian book and analyze it - we can choose any book we please, if only the teacher has read it. And I don't think we have exactly the same taste in books, you see.

YES, the Matrix is finally finished! And the soundtrack, heh. I managed to create the first fighting scene set to music by the Monkees, as well as sneaking in some 1920s jazz and exactly four seconds of Paul McCartney. And I put in references to both Monty Python and the Goon show - though nobody in class has *heard* of either.

Aw. That was your whole affair thingy? Here I was prepared to hear you were taking off to Paris or Cairo with your forbidden love. In a coctail dress all the while, of course. Well, anyway, your lovelife is more interesting than mine, anyway, 'cause I've no news. I think I secretly admire a boy (my own age) who's always sleeping on the schoolbus at Tuesdays. I have this strange attraction to people who sleep in public transport, can't really tell you why.

"I'm sure you've heard of that lovely Norwegian Troll Musician Mortiis?"
*Pause* *Blank stare* *Face glides into a look of pure puzzlement* Eeeh... Sure. Mortiis. Right. Well, he *sounds* cool, yeah...

Speaking of cool, we did our class picture for the year book yesterday. We decided to dress up referring to our interests, so I mostly dressed as a mess of pop-cultural references. I had my favourite summer wear that looks quite hippie-ish (complete with peace buttons), I got my beach towel (ONE person understood the reference, but that's only because I had leant her the books the week before), my ankh neclace, borrowed a bowlerhat and drew on Alex DeLarge makeup. All the bimbos in class freaked kinda out because of the makeup ("What, aren't you going to makeup the other eye too? Like Turbonegro?") but my teachers loved it. I walked a bit along the school corridors to freak the younger students out. Yes, life is good

I think it's cruel to give us a new project days before our Autumn vacation - now I have to worry about the movie we have to make. All the class movies are going to be sent to the Amadeus Festival, which is Norway's annual short movie festival (lots of celebrities) - that's really a bit frightening. It looks like my group is going to make a dark, bloodspattering movie about Destiny. Hoh dear, I'm having way too much fun with the script on this one.

Well, I have to return back to the movie project now, we got to finish a lot of paperwork by tomorrow. And later today is P.E. Whoopiedoo.

Toodles!
P.S.: I swear I'm finishing up that e-mail quiz soon. Hang on

Currently listening to: Myself going "CRAMP CRAMP CRAMP"... my leg is playing up again.

Don't worry about taking a while to post, I know exactly how you feel. Well, I'm sick of A-levels already. Too much work, too much work... I say it so much it's become like a mantra to me. Which is rather worrying ... not to mention sad.

Aaaah, let me help you with Of Mice and Men! I had to read it for GCSE! It's a really good book yet sadly I don't think I can bring myself to ever read it again... I still have nightmares... *sob*
Currently we're studying 'Dracula' (Hurrah!), The Tempest and The Great Gatsby. Not too bad, could have been worse. They might have made us to Romeo & Juliet again *weeps*
Anyway, you know where to come if you need help with anything. I know the book practically inside out.

*sighs wistfully at Tilly's description of her affair*
If only, if only... Well, my love life took a turn, then didn't like the direction in which it was heading and immediately turned right round again. A feeling people who've been to Nottingham know all too well about.
Recently there was someone called Ben, which again was a VERY VERY short term thing. Sadly it seems I'm incapable of maintaining a relationship or finding anyone I would gladly see again Oh well, c'est la vie as they say on TV.

So you haven't heard of Mortiis eh? Hm. How about the Scissor Sisters? I went to see them on Sunday. Okay, admittedly it's not exactly my sort of music, but the tickets were free, and as it happens I enjoyed it very much. I wouldn't have missed it for the world, the drag queen Kiki doing a cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Do Not Want This" really made my day.

It's impressive that you can get away with dressing Alex DeLarge stylee at school (Very role model by the way) If I tried that I'm sure I'd get suspended for inciting rape and violence, which is amusing because only a handful of people would get the reference and they would be intelligent enough to know what Burgess was trying to say when he wrote ACO. Hmm, us Brits aren't terribly fond of freedom of expression... well, we pretend to be, as long as its kept to the satirical magazines and the private school graduates (cough cough, poke poke John, Eric, Graham, Micheal & Terry)... What a pointless little ramble, that made no sense what-so-ever. Ah well.

I'm currently reading 'American Psycho'. I'm not quite sure what to make of it. The explicit sex scenes, the graphic violence. I'm quite stunned. I urge you to read it so you have a vague idea of what it involves. I was actually quite sickened by the whole thing, ME, ME, the girl who fancies Hannibal Lecter, who wants to make holiday plans to stay at the Bates Motel, who thinks that Francis Dolarhyde just needs a hug! I was actually quite shocked by the murders in that book, seriously. It's so graphic you can't help but wonder if the author is entirely, well, all there. If you catch my drift. Anyway, I'm sure there's a message in there somewhere... although I'm having great difficulty in finding the 'satire' the book so proudly boasts. I can see it, but I'm having a great deal of difficulty believing that it is actually there.

Anyway, I'd better get going. I have to go and do some Psychology homework... that reminds me!
I found this whilst looking up Freud and his work on the Id, Ego and Superego. If you ever read Dr Seuss as a child you'll get it.
Take care

Natalie
x
Ps. Don't worry, it's a satire (ref.below)
----------------------------------
Freud on Seuss

Author: Joshua LeBeau
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss, 61 pages. Beginner Books, $3.95

The Cat in the Hat is a hard-hitting novel of prose and poetry in which the author re-examines the dynamic rhyming schemes and bold imagery of some of his earlier works, most notably Green Eggs and Ham, If I Ran the Zoo, and Why Can't I Shower With Mommy? In this novel, Theodore Geisel, writing under the pseudonym Dr. Seuss, pays homage to the great Dr. Sigmund Freud in a nightmarish fantasy of a renegade feline helping two young children understand their own frustrated sexuality.

The story opens with two youngsters, a brother and a sister, abandoned by their mother, staring mournfully through the window of their single-family dwelling. In the foreground, a large tree/phallic symbol dances wildly in the wind, taunting the children and encouraging them to succumb to the sexual yearnings they undoubtedly feel for each other. Even to the most unlearned reader, the blatant references to the incestuous relationship the two share set the tone for Seuss' probing examination of the satisfaction of primitive needs. The Cat proceeds to charm the wary youths into engaging in what he so innocently refers to as "tricks." At this point, the fish, an obvious Christ figure who represents the prevailing Christian morality, attempts to warn the children, and thus, in effect, warns all of humanity of the dangers associated with the unleashing of the primal urges. In response to this, the cat proceeds to balance the aquatic naysayer on the end of his umbrella, essentially saying, "Down with morality; down with God!"

After poohpoohing the righteous rantings of the waterlogged Christ figure, the Cat begins to juggle several icons of Western culture, most notably two books, representing the Old and New Testaments, and a saucer of lactal fluid, an ironic reference to maternal loss the two children experienced when their mother abandoned them "for the afternoon." Our heroic Id adds to this bold gesture a rake and a toy man, and thus completes the Oedipal triangle.

Later in the novel, Seuss introduces the proverbial Pandora's box, a large red crate out of which the Id releases Thing One, or Freud's concept of Ego, the division of the psyche that serves as the conscious mediator between the person and reality, and Thing Two, the Superego which functions to reward and punish through a system of moral attitudes, conscience, and guilt. Referring to this box, the Cat says, "Now look at this trick. Take a look!" In this, Dr. Seuss uses the children as a brilliant metaphor for the reader, and asks the reader to re-examine his own inner self.

The children, unable to control the Id, Ego, and Superego allow these creatures to run free and mess up the house, or more symbolically, control their lives. This rampage continues until the fish, or Christ symbol, warns that the mother is returning to reinstate the Oedipal triangle that existed before her abandonment of the children. At this point, Seuss introduces a many-armed cleaning device which represents the psychoanalytic couch, which proceeds to put the two youngsters' lives back in order.

With powerful simplicity, clarity, and drama, Seuss reduces Freud's concepts on the dynamics of the human psyche to an easily understood gesture. Mr. Seuss' poetry and choice of words is equally impressive and serves as a splendid counterpart to his bold symbolism. In all, his writing style is quick and fluid, making The Cat in the Hat impossible to put down. While this novel is 61 pages in length, and one can read it in five minutes or less, it is not until after multiple readings that the genius of this modern day master becomes apparent.


© Copyright 1989, Joshua LeBeau and the Koala Newspaper

Currently listening to: Mum and Trond having a bizarre discussion in the kitchen - it was revealed that Trond was rooting for Bush, and the whole house has been a bit of a hooha recently. They've now used up all the sane views on politics, and are now furiously saying things like "But Kerry is taller!"

Sorry, once again - I've been completely paranoid about using the net recently, as the deadline for the short movie is this Friday, and things are seriously beginning to crop up.

In fact, we've been so busy lately the teacher agreed to let us wait with the novel-reading - instead she ordered us to record radio shows, which means we have to use precious media classes to make them So I was crammed in the studio, reading this narration part that didn't suit me at all - and when I finished the last line, I was so relieved I threw myself back from the mike, making my lousy chair make a sound that sounded, quote a classmate: "A bit like an orgasmic mouse or a fart on helium" And it was embarassingly crisp-sounding on the recording, so they decided to use it as the sound-between-shows. "And here are the news: "

"Well, my love life took a turn, then didn't like the direction in which it was heading and immediately turned right round again. A feeling people who've been to Nottingham know all too well about."
Sorry, this just got me chuckling for minutes Aw, but you still got me green with envy - I'd give an arm for "a VERY VERY short term thing". It seems all the guys I know are either very good pals or complete morons. Well, well - that's guys for ya.

Oh, thankee - I thought you'd like the Alex DeLarge reference. I've just gotten the pictures back - and people are SO freaked out by it. I didn't intend it, but since I took my glasses off for the picture, you can see my left eye isn't looking exactly the same way as the other. It's immensely disturbing, but I gave up on looking pretty on pictures a long time ago. Been there, done that, ate the burger, bought the T-shirt, heard the original cast recording... I'll stop now.

Yes, I've been planning to read 'American psycho' recently - a bit eerie you should mention it now. I've actually owned the book for years - and recently I leant it to my friend Caroline (becuase I'd gotten her turned on the Hannibal books, and it seemed appropriate) and when she returned it, she asked my quietly if I knew what hat book was about. When I said no, she said "Well... Perhaps you should read it then." So now I have to, don't I?

EEH, that remind me: You've heard the news, right? The wonderful, wonderful, news? Thomas Harris is writng a new Hannibal book!! Now join me in my delirious dancing!

Well, sorry - Dr. Seuss is a thing sadly overlooked in Norway. Don't ask me why. Children's books about surrealistic child abuse is okay, but keep that 'Green eggs and ham' away, heathen! I've never seen a Dr. Seuss book in Norway - but still, I'm familiar with his works. Brilliant satire (especially liked the bit about the fish as a Christ figure). It reminded my about how I tend to write book analysis - pure dribble, the teachers love it

The short film I'm making is shaping up, by the way - we've finally managed to shoot it (on five separate days, with dramatically changing weather) and as the task says everybody must cut it together individually, I'm for once quite satisfied with the result. A girl on my group (I'm not particulrarly friendly with for starters) got quite mad when I managed to cut out her whole part (there where only four characters in the movie, and I cut it to three) - and kept my own. It wasn't my fault, the scene just didn't flow or make sense - but still she won't talk to me, which doesn't bother me, really. A few days back, we suddenly learned we had to title our movies in course of the day - and a serious case of writer's block, mine got the awkward title 'Det motsatte av kjærlighet' (="The opposite of love") No one gets it. The movie isn't about hate, it's about ignorance! The opposite of love is ignorance!

The biggest problem is the music. As the movie might be shown on the Amandus festival, you got to be really careful about not using cpyrighted music - but come on! You're making a class project, and on top of that you got to make your own music? Not possible - so my first rule was "Do not use music by well-known artists". And at this point, which artists have I used? Paul Simon, Sarah Brightman, Ray Davies and Tom Waits. Unknown, riiiight.

Okay, I'll stop ranting about my movie now - I'm going to burn it on several DVDs, so I could send you a copy if you'd like to watch my mediocre movie sometime. It won't be confusing, as there are essentially only two lines in the movie; The one being several variations on "Give me the money, bitch!" and the other is "In the end, the best thing is to turn away" (or something like that. Truth be told, we haven't had the time to record the second yet)

Well, I should go - it's All Saint's Day today, and we always tidy up our family graves today.

Toodles, hope I get more spare time soon!

Currently listening to: My Mother rambling about the price of tinned tomatoes and myself sitting, rocking back and forth muttering my little mantra "I will finish this post to Tilly, I will finish this post to Til..." over and over and...

It's official. Like our 'Currently listening to' tradition we have established a 'Sorry for the late post, it's because...' one. Well, who am I to ruin a long running tradition! I'm sorry that my post is so late it's because I've abandoned g2, my conversations have dried up and I've just been drowning in work and copies of ancient Greek texts. Blargh!

"A bit like an orgasmic mouse or a fart on helium"
*grins insanely* I really want to hear that! It's not like I have a fetish for sexually active flatulent mice or anything, it's just that I'm a great fan of odd sounds. I'm the sort of person that needs a tape recorder, so I can capture a bizzare noise when and where it happens. Yeah, okay, I'm weird. Where was I? Oh yes... If you'd send me copies of your media creations I'd be really grateful. Though it might be an idea to ask, are they in Norwegian? Subtitles or a translation might be neccesary...

You haven't been forgotten! I was in Camden recently finishing off my Christmas shopping, and I managed to arrange the... strangest combination of Christmas presents. It isn't the presents themselves that are odd, in fact, I think I was rather restrained in my choices (Sadly no whips or Hannibal masks were obtainable due to the closure of the fancy dress shop) it's just a rather random selection. And of course I intend to enclose a Christmas issue of Private Eye (then again, I may enclose the Boris Johnson edition, I'm not sure if you know about this flop haired fellow, just type his name into the BBC News website search engine and you'll see what he's done. Anyway, Boris has become something of a hero to the people of Britain... maybe hero is too strong a word 'Amusement' is more appropriate, he was until his recent escapades the shadow minister for arts- Tories. Anyway, he's become something of an icon, he's the most interesting thing about the Conservatives. We want him for Prime Minister. *grin* I also rather fancy the poor bloke...)
Anyway. So. Hopefully you'll be getting your presents by Easter. Hope you like them. I might also sneak in a compilation disk of my own devising, so you can sample my musical tastes outside of the last EMBLD CD... If I don't speak to you before then, Merry Christmas This year I'm looking forward to Christmas, I feel seasonal!

I have decided that I am going to go wild with a camera and send a couple of the better photo's to various people, including relatives, old teachers and far away friends. I was wondering, would you like a random photo, if I ever get round to it? I don't know what it will be of, if it will be colour, or if it will be scented but (scented?) I can assure you it will be amusing. I might just send them out as Christmas cards, scribble on the back in biro. Interesting idea that.

Once again, this is a short post. Truth be told, nothing worth noting ever happens to me. If it does, I tend not to remember it. I'll enclose a long hand written letter with your christmas present, I don't think I've ever written you anything in my own hand writing for any great length. (I have appaling hand writing) Anyway, I ramble. Speak to you soon hopefully. If none of the above made no sense, don't blame me blame the pro-plus... Wooowooowooowoo!

Nat.A.Lee
*splat*

This post has been removed.

THERE, mods, all offensive bits taken out.

Currently listening to: 'I hear voices' by the Hassles - sometimes deafened by my throaty coughs and sickly gurgles.

Yes, it had to happen eventually - I'm hopelessly ill. This is the first day in nearly a week I've been able to lift my head without vomiting instantly. Makes me think of old movies and books, where being ill means lying daintily and pale on a bed with a calm expression on your face, not staggering towards the toilet roaring "Getouttamyway!!" Where's the romance?

By gad! Appologizing HAS become a tradition. It's a bit long to write out, so maybe we should get a shortening or something, stalling the writer's cramp a few seconds. But what could it be?SFTLOMP (Sorry For The Lateness Of My Post)? Hah, try saying 'Sftlomp!' out loud!

"Though it might be an idea to ask, are they in Norwegian? Subtitles or a translation might be neccesary..."
No worries, - as I learned from my first movie, 'A tragic accident' (it was tragic in several ways) a few years ago, talking is mostly unneccessary in the kind of movies I make. Let me give you a translated run-down of the dialogue in my latest film:
1) "Give me the money."
2) "Give me the money, ."
3) "No! Ah! Aah! No!" (this is my part, you see )
4) "I said give me the money!"
5) "Argh! No! Don't! Ah!!" (me again)
6) "I said give me the money! ...Thanks."

A bit of a no-brainer, I think. Yes, with an author like me in the production, how can dialogue like this fail? Most of these are from different scenes, believe it or not. But don't worry, I'll send along a better run-through with the DVD.

Hey, that compilation CD sounds very nice! If I get around to it, I can send a likewise to you with weird Scandinavian music. Some of the local bands I like, maybe a couple of Drownin' Ducks old tunes. Yeah.

- But you might get it around Easter as well, cause I've never been this late with presents - here we are, 10th of December, and I haven't bought ONE SINGLE PRESENT. I'm amazed. Though with all my school work and this latest illness, I even had to stall my planned test-driving until spring. I hope Christmas Eve is on the right scheduled date, though.

Well, ah, not too much has happened over here in this camp either. My sister and Daniel has bought an apartment not too far from here, so in the new year I don't have to drive two hours just to meet my sister anymore Yay!

and I've started planning my future, which is a pretty strange thing for me to do. If all comes along nicely (which it most probably won't, but a girl can dream) I should get into the Nansen School within three years. It's one of two schools in Norway that teaches "The fine art of writing" as a course (loads of successful Norwegian authors studied there) - and you have to study classical literature, history and philosophy as well. A dream of an education *dreamy sigh*

Sorry, I have to go lean over the toilet for a while now. Excuse me

Toodles!

[uber uber quick post]

Thankee so much for the present! Twas brilliant, provided hours of amusement, and when I saw the compilation album I thought "Bugger, that's what I forgot! A compilation tape!" So, I've started making one for you, everyone's getting involved in your "Best of British" compilation album. People have been suggesting tracks left right and center.

My Dad was confused by the bad hair book, he sat there pointing to some blokes wildly permed hair and muttering "what's so bad about that..."

Well, better go. I have exams approaching and I'm spending every spare moment with my nose in a book (you wouldn't believe the grief I got for this 5 minute post *rolls eyes* "SHOULDN'T YOU BE REVISING? A 30 SECOND BREAK IS LONG ENOUGH! HURRY UP! ARE YOU DONE YET? WHEN ARE YOUR EXAMS AGAIN? GET OFF THERE NOW!" *weeps*

Ps. In your movie, couldn't help but notice that the poster by the side of the bed was of Trent Reznor, oooh a Norwegian fan of NIN (it's quite impressive that I could identify his knees and the letters 'ils'

Currently listening to: 'Bat out of hell', Meatloaf - tragic, I know, but my mum broke down my Meatloaf defense when I was a child and I've never recovered.

Thankee thousands times for the presents! I've fallen so utterly in love with the bag, I'm using it weekly for school (it's a part of my image now) - and sadly it's not the season for laised shoes, but they looked genius tied around the bag's handles. I'm not kidding, I love it!

I feared you wouldn't dare to talk to me again after that compilation album, but to be perfectly honest I listen to so little Norwegian music I just packed together some national hits I can remember from the latest years, and which you hopefully wouldn't be too familiar with. I've been trying to imagine how it's like listening to the songs without knowing Norwegian - utterly idiotic I believe, but you may have fun with it. Believe it or not, but the most recent hit on it is 'Kveldsong (for deg og meg)' (Song of the evening for you and me) by Odd Nordstoga - yessir, folk is the new big thing. All those tracks by Morten Abel I mostly put on out of pity - he's failed so utterly on the foreign market, you see, so I guess that album is his only chance to get over to England

Ooh, Bendik was so pleased you recognised the NIN poster I'm really impressed beyond words you can identify Trent Reznor by his knees I had completely forgotten we had to put up random posters in a hurry for that scene, to cover up the pictures of puppies and kittens. I wonder if all the big movie production companies got the same problem...

Ugh, I never quite recovered from my illness - today we had our logo presentation for the rest of the class. When it began I ran to the toilets, threw up and came back in just in time for my oral presentation. Wee. The principal has made a big student competition, you see - if the school uses the logo you designed, you win 1000 kr (£85). I've no hope of winning, but I just hope I'll like the new school logo, when that's decided upon.

Sorry, I need to have a lie down and feel sorry for myself