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The · Intense · Humming · Of · Evil
The honeymoon is over
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So I'm back in Ireland. Eighth week was fun, panicked, but fun. Had my final tutorial cancelled on the Friday, but still had one on Tuesday and one on Thursday. So, I figured I'd get all my work done by Tuesday and have Wednesday free for the garden party. Planning is great fun, of course, but things never work out that way. So Wednesday involved three hundred pounds of strawberries and more sandwiches than anyone could ever eat. Many kudos to both the JCR committee and its groupies for helping out with the preparations. Garden party in the afternoon, where I drank a few glasses of champagne, ran to JCR Prescom and tried to make valid points about rents and hardship without slurring too much. Back for the last hour, drank far too much champagne, had a very awkward conversation with someone who drunkenly confessed to having a crush on me since first year. It's hard to handle that diplomatically while simultaneously propping oneself up and trying not to make a tit of oneself while the Principal is around. Off to post-Prescom drinks, which were extremely unnecessary, given the amount I had already had to drink. May have been rather undiplomatic in what I said to people, but I can't be sure. Thankfully, that little sober part of me that kicks in after a few drinks took me home and put me to bed with minimal hassle. Thursday morning, woken by two alarm clocks, feeling like I'd gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson. Crawled out of bed, wrote a presentation, went to a tute. Will finish later, post-Doctor Who. |
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I don't write in this as much as I used to. There's some negative correlation between the amount of things I actually do and the amount I write in LJ. Yesterday was my first full day off of the term, and it was fantastic. I had twelve hours' sleep, dozed in bed for a bit with Antic Hay, went to brunch. Saturated on my way down to the SSL to drop off books, but it could have been worse. Down to the river, where we went searching for Merton boathouse for aaages because we heard they had free Pimms, although I wasn't terribly keen on the idea and felt we probably should have been supporting BNCBC. Managed to miss the Childe of Hale rowers due to the mammoth queue for the loo, but afterwards had lots of drunken conversations with the Principal, boaties, non-boaties, Claire's friend Kate from home, etc. I thorougly approve of being drunk in the middle of the afternoon. It's been a while. Cafe Opium (if you ever want to take me out, anyone, you know where to go) then out to the PT which was ridiculously crowded and full of inebriated boaties with their shirts off. Cider and black. Bed by one again. Today so far has featured the SSL, Mass and free icecream at the Union. Could definitely be worse. Am skrewed for work, but it's nothing new, I'll pull through. And Kim Gordon's interviewed in the Sunday Times Style today.
Current Music: |
Sonic Youth - 100% | |
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Although I went to Blackwells today with every intention of locating a secondhand copy of The Economics of the Labour Market, I appear to have ended up with:
Graham Greene's The Ministry of Fear
Orwell's The Lion and The Unicorn, in a nice old-skool edition, which I think might be a Pelican, but I'm amassing quite a collection of that particular publisher's Orwell stock
Huxley's Antic Hay, which is a lovely old Penguin which says 1/-6 on the front. It'd make me nostalgic for pre-decimal currency, only of course I wasn't born then.
All for eight British pounds and fifty pence. Makes everything else worthwhile. |
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Last night was odd. I don't go out much anymore, so when I do it just gets silly. It was ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) he_hetaira's birthday (well, fake birthday, she's a whole day older), so we went to Holywells for fancy cocktails. All terribly sophisticated, although apparently I looked like I was in a business meeting. Lots of people were there, had a few good chats, ignored rmugford's gaze when she was insinuating hard. I would demand an apology, but I'm unlikely to get one :-) Went to the Zodiac with Heather, met lots of lovely IMSoc people on the way back from the Decemberists gig, who didn't come back with us. The youth of today. Massive massive queue, but we got in around midnight, drank expensive Stella and spent most of the night tramping up and down the stairs trying to avoid songs we'd already heard. We got I Predict A Riot twice, with Every Day I Love You Less and Less. We heard both I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor and Scummy twice, although to be fair, we did get Cannonball by the Breeders twice too. The DJ in Transformation at one point made the inspired (read: mental) decision to play Killing In The Name Of and then segue it into Love Me Do. I'm not sure what I think of non-student nights, everyone there was either fifteen and trying desperately to stay in, or thirty-five and reliving their student days by thrashing wildly around the dancefloor. Some guy at the bar told me I should get contact lenses, and that he so happened to be a contact-lens salesman. I like my geek chic, thank you very much. The onion rings at the Chicken Shack are amazing, although very much in the I'll-regret-eating-these-in-the-morning sense. Right, work. I've got two meetings tonight (not including the IMSoc meeting), four tomorrow, one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. I should probably finish my NHS essay.
Current Mood: |
 cheerful | |
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It worries me that I'm too busy to update LiveJournal. That can't be good. Rob said at brunch that I looked 'tired'. If my Doctor Who trivia serves me rightly, that sort of comment brings down Prime Ministers... You could read about my London jolly in the Cherwell, if you cared. Apparently I look 'five stone overweight'. Thank you Amy, it makes getting up at half five, drinking copious amounts of coffee and running up seventeen million escalators at Westminster Tube station completely worthwhile. Still, the rent petition got around two thousand signatures, gives me hope that the student body as a whole are behind our campaign to battle rent rises. Speaking of this, I'm convinced that the College are trying to distract me from pursuing this too hard. This may be acute paranoia, or it could be that the welfare meeting and two meetings I have to go to with the Principal are intended to distract me from my meeting with the Bursar. Still, with a JCR meeting on Sunday and a committee meeting on Monday, they don't have that hard a job. Apologies for missing the AGM on Wednesday. I really intended to stay, but I was full of coffee and lacking sleep. Had a deep and meaningful with Mark, after which I realised that I probably should watch what I say on LJ. He knew rather more than I wanted him to about the last few weeks, and had heard things that weren't true also, which wasn't ideal. Still, I'm glad we talked, he's probably the person who knows me best in Oxford, and I'm finally comfortable around him again. I'm not at the stage of finding him a girlfriend yet, but I'm sure it'll come. He's a good catch! Yesterday evening was pretty odd. Went straight from a tutorial to Prescom and dinner at St. Benet's to a Sleater-Kinney gig. There is no way one can dress appropriately for all of this. S-K were excellent, although I still maintain that their gig in the Temple Bar Music Centre in Dublin last year was the best gig I've ever been to. The highlight for me was their cover of 'I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight' by Richard and Linda Thompson. I'm a not-so-closet folkie and a massive Richard Thompson fan, and thought it was an inspired version of the song. Trying to write an essay on different funding mechanisms for health care, and it's gotten me thinking about the NHS. It's pretty fashionable to condemn it as outdated, running at capacity and inefficient, but it's actually a fantastic primary care service. The ideas of a small set prescription charge, free contraception and free doctor's appointments are not to be sniffed at. Britain still spends a substantially smaller percentage of GDP on the NHS than other OECD countries, although that's due to rise by 2007/08. The Irish system has teh same problem of waiting times, with people spending days on trolleys in hospitals rather than in wards, but we can expect to pay nearly E50 for an appointment and up to E42 a month for medicines prescribed. We're pretty lucky to have the NHS, really.
Current Mood: |
 awake | |
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Found out this afternoon that I'm going to the House of Commons tomorrow with the OUSU rent petition. Am terribly excited, but rather worried about work. Tomorrow looks like: 6:30 - on Oxford Tube
all morning - meetings
early afternoon - home
workworkworkworkworkworkwork
5:45 - leave for University Challenge auditions which are in Hugh's i.e halfway to Glasgow
back
IMSoc AGM
SLEEPSLEEPSLEEP I also need to do things like eat and finally get my computer fixed, but they seem somewhat unimportant. Dave just came into the computer room. I'm sitting at the same computer as I was at half six in the morning; he enquired as to whether I had moved. I can, however, attest that I have. Apologies for previous psycho-LJ posts. Normal service is being resumed. Also, does anyone know if I can charge up my iPod on any computer, or does it have to be one with iTunes installed?
Current Music: |
Damien Rice - Lonelily | |
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Hmmm... Is Mark seeing someone? He might be. He's Facebook-ing some girl. This bothers me far more than it should. We don't go out anymore. I broke up with HIM, HE didn't break up with ME. The fact that we broke up because I thought he didn't care doesn't really help. Fucccckkkkk, why am I upset? I have no reason to be upset. Deep breath. |
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I just checked my pidge, to find a mix CD in it. My name's written on it, nothing else. Now, I didn't sign up to any mixtape exchange this term, and I haven't heard anything from anyone. I'm in Frewin computer room so I can't listen to it because these don't have sound and my computer's STILL broken, but the track titles suggest lots of jazz. I know who I hope it's from, but I think that's unlikely, as it's been put into my pidge this afternoon. Any clues? Not that it's not exciting... |
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Cabaret last night. I was going to sing "Maybe This Time", but given current circumstances, am rather glad I didn't. Got dressed up in my ridiculously cheap dress, ended up singing "She Moved Through The Fair", a very emotional Irish folk song, which I was terrified I didn't do justice to. It was unaccompanied, Hall was packed, people were very quiet. Two songs with the girls, including "Summertime" where I had the lead bit. I used to always sing soprano because it's generally the tune and I'm too stupid to sing harmony. Anyway, the cabaret and acoustic night were a great way to wind up the Arts Festival. Is it possible to be dumped when you're not really seeing someone? I think the question is probably academic. The Boy came over late last night. He said he didn't want a relationship, that he was "shit-scared". Charming. He asked if that was OK, I said yes, of course, but the sort of "yes" that obviously means "no". I don't have time to waste on something that may or may not go anywhere. If I'm meant to be dating someone, in a getting-to-know-them stylee, I don't want to sit around in my room and pull. I'm a very straightforward girl, I like things to be one or the other. Anyway, I have very little in common with someone who's not prepared to take a risk. So I emailed him today clarifying my position, and the response was a fairly unequivocal "I'm sorry I'm not prepared to get into any sort of relationship but I hardly know you and I certainly don't want to commit to anything yet." Annoyed, more than anything else, if I didn't like the guy, it wouldn't be an issue. Still, it's very soon after Mark, I don't need to worry about impending spinsterhood just yet. They played My Bloody Valentine in the PT tonight. This made me far happier than it should.
Current Mood: |
 blah | |
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Essay due in : - 39 minutes Books read for said essay: 3 (not enough) Time spent with the Bursar : 90 minutes Warning of this, due to being in a tutorial: 31 minutes Minutes of public economic work done so far today due to lectures, meetings etc: 0 Minutes until panto run-through: 109 Minutes until panto: 169 Dates passed up because of said panto: 1 Dinner consumed: 0 Social lives that Christine has: 0 It's not getting better. Panto, all-nighter, breakfast with the Vice-Chancellor, student papers to see what they've printed this week, essay essay essay, OUSU Council, tutorial, library for new books, reading one million pages of information about rent, writing paper on rent, bed.
Current Location: |
in front of a computer |
Current Mood: |
 fucccckkkkkk...... |
Current Music: |
The Rakes - Work Work Work (Pub Club Sleep) | |
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Again, apologies to anyone I've been a bit nasty to today. Haven't been sleeping much. Today wasn't the most amazing day of my life, but I haven't lost both my legs or anything. 8:45 tute postponed from yesterday was postponed again, after I'd gotten up at silly o'clock to work for it. All of the public econ books have mysteriously disappeared from BNC library, and JCR stuff precluded me from going to the SSL until after the panto rehearsal, which was after drinks with the principal. In a momentary omigod-i-have-nothing-to-wear-to-this-i'm-s uch-a-scruff panic, bought two skirts in Topshop in the sale. Unfortunately, as it was a rush job, I didn't get that nice buzzy buzz one gets from poking around the shops, instead feeling a small hole in my current account. I nearly fell asleep in lectures today, even though they were vaguely interesting, and the lecturer for this week's public is John Vickers. The man himself. Sunglasses with no contacts in make Christine rather blind, unfortunately. Not bumping-into-things blind, just not-recognising-people blind. On the other hand, today certainly could have been worse. The new Raconteurs song is ACE. I love the fact that you can definitely separate the two influences on the song if you want, but that it works really well together. My skirts, despite their major fault of costing money, are lovely, and if the weather holds (improves, maybe, I'm not sure if there's a thunderstorm again) one will be getting an outing tomorrow. The Bursar's secretary was fairly helpful when I went in requesting accounts, and after me going and reading the FoI Act. And I'm vaguely seeing someone; someone who calls and is terribly gentlemanly. Awful taste in music, but just maybe that's not everything. Definitely, could have been a lot worse. |
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Apologies to everyone I was rude to/off with at the PT last night. It's the lack of sleep, it's been a difficult few weeks. If I do it again, please just slap me. |
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The computer room in college is freezing. This is unusual, also rather uncomfortable. I know the received wisdom is that cooler temperatures help you to focus on work, but there's a limit. Busy busy busy. Arts week this week, you should all come and see something. Essays never go away, no matter how much you would wish them to. It's all kicking off with the JCR; rents, AUT, and so on and so forth. I'm probably overworked and definitely underpaid. However, this is completely my own fault. I wouldn't have it any other way. Yesterday was extremely educational. I learned:
- Quite a lot about collective bargaining since the 1980s in Britain
- That, despite twelve years of drama and a Grade Eight, I am useless in panto. Dahling.
- That the Frames' live album, Set List, should be listened to more. Have resolved to do something about this.
- That public humiliation in front of the JCR is probably par for the course, and that at least other people find it amusing
- That sometimes, just sometimes, men do call when they say they will. |
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Why did I think that going to Filth was a good idea last night? I've spent the whole day doing no work and cultivating an impressive hangover. Last night was great, but in an unexpected way. Although the idea of twenty drunken JCR Presidents descending on the Studio should strike fear into the hearts of men (what's the collective term? A hack of JCR Presidents, I should think), the results were surprisingly alright. Ignoring the music and the surroundings and all of the other adorable little traits of an Oxford club night, things appear to have panned out very well. I managed to escape most photos, which is always A GOOD THING. Not all, however... Dark Pangos are lethal. Particularly when consumed after Pimms, JD and coke, vodka and coke and two-thirds of a bottle of wine. However, Amy's theory is that I can't be an alcoholic. Alcoholics are permanently inebriated, so don't suffer from hangovers. I'm just a drunk, then. So today was spent gossiping with the girls, eating Amy's granny's amazing cake and playing on Facebook. Even the most diligent of students, and I'm certainly not one of those, needs time off. Right, bed soon. For BNC people only: Come to the JCR meeting tomorrow night, it's going to be interesting and we're discussing some really important issues. And there will, as always, be free beer and pringles.
Current Location: |
Frewin computer room |
Current Mood: |
sleepy |
Current Music: |
in my head: Thea Gilmore - This Girl | |
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This is written on a poster in the ladies' by Brasenose JCR. An advertisement for a play, I think, but an interesting question nonetheless. After last night's drunken shenanigans at Prescom, I am Taking Stock. Things do have a way of turning out for the best, as my grandmother always says. We shall see.
Current Mood: |
 hungover | |
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In my better moments, I'm Brasenose Catholic Chaplaincy Representative. So an envelope arrived in my pidge today from the Chaplaincy, asking me to get signatures on a petition against changes in the law on euthanasia and assisted suicide. I don't take the Catholic Church's position on assisted suicide; I firmly believe that a person should be allowed to die with dignity. I certainly don't believe that God would object to someone choosing to die when they have decided that their life is not worth living due to debilitating and terminal illness, although I'm less convinced about extending that thesis to non-terminal and mental patients. So what do I do? I could collect signatures because I have a job to do, even though I am firmly against the sentiment of it. I could refuse to have anything to do with the petition, not wanting to act on behalf of something I cannot agree with. I could do what I did, which was to give it to Rachel. That way, the job which I was requested to do is being done, but I am taking no further part in it. I am going to email the Chaplaincy and explain my position, but I can't help feeling that I have already taken it too far.
Current Mood: |
 thoughtful |
Current Music: |
Mazzy Star - Cry, Cry | |
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There is one other person in the Frewin computer room at the moment. He has been having an extremely loud telephone conversation for approximately twenty minutes now. I am having an essay crisis. Is it morally wrong to slap someone just for being annoying?
Current Mood: |
 pissed off |
Current Music: |
On my lovely iPod: Smashing Pumpkins - Quiet | |
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Last night was mine and Guy's joint birthday party. Well, fake birthday, as I have been twenty years old for three weeks and one day now. Apologies to everyone who got there just as I was leaving, but I have silly amounts of work to do. We sat around the bonfire in the back garden for much of the night and bitched about men, which is a much underestimated pastime. I become a class warrior at parties; I had my standard "I'm working-class, me" rant, the words of which change little with repetition. I got ACE presents from the girls; including: - One of Kate's amazing cards, which are amazing, unsurprisingly - A cookbook full of dessert (NOT pudding, despite the name) recipes, which has the words "simple" and "easy to make" on the cover. I appreciated that. - Some fantastic little pyjama/underwear things, which are thoroughly indecent, but great - Roses. Orange roses. Nobody ever buys me flowers. They're now sitting proudly in a mug on my windowsill. - A little lipstick case and mirror - very handbaggable - A fantastic silver and glass bracelet, which I love very much. So anyway, great night. Thank you to all concerned. Off to the library.
Current Mood: |
 happy |
Current Music: |
Feargal Sharkey - A Good Heart These Days Is Hard To Find | |
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In one of those narcissistic periods of self-evaluation, I made a mental list of what I've got and what I haven't at the moment. First, the have-nots, in the spirit of saving the good news until last:
- No boyfriend. Although, as my mother rightly pointed out over the phone, this is entirely my own fault. It's that odd feeling of missing something very familiar. Like a limb, maybe. I'm fine, I think he's fine, but it's a little odd at the moment.
- No computer. My laptop has died, leaving me with one trip to OUCS yesterday and one on Tuesday, where they will charge me sixty of your English pounds (plus VAT) to reinstall Windows XP. While it's probably salvageable, albeit expensively, it leaves me with...
- No music. Much of the twenty-odd GB of music I had was downloaded or borrowed from friends. And now it's gone. I had every track Whipping Boy ever released, found on a link from a website about a year ago that probably doesn't exist anymore. Am considering investing in a cheapo pair of iPod speakers, so that at least I have something to listen to. Otherwise I might go mad. On the other hand, it means I won't listen to the depressing playlists one creates to deal with these things. Primal Scream's Cry Myself Blind, the Stones' Angie, Thin Lizzy's Still In Love With You, No Distance Left To Run by Blur... you get the idea.
On the other hand, of course, I've realised that I actually lead a very privileged life, and therefore have nothing to complain about. In the course of a lifetime, what does it matter? But more importantly, I do have:
- Really great friends, who brought me for Chinese and have generally been checking up on me, to make sure I don't descend into one of those post-breakup funks or do anything more embarrassing than usual. They know who they are.
- The ability to have a good time when I go out. Cellar on Thursday was great. And I appear to be singing with Martin's band, which is ACE.
- Lots of work. I was debating which list this goes into, but this term I'm working on stuff I'm actually really interested in. It keeps me busy.
Speaking off, off to the SSL, that soul-destroying hole of a place...
Current Mood: |
thoughtful |
Current Music: |
Some people sporadically clapping in Frewin Undercroft | |
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Mark and I aren't going out anymore. Thought I'd better mention it to avoid any awkwardness. It's very amicable.
Current Music: |
Thea Gilmore - Holding Your Hand | |
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accomplished