Sometimes I get a bit worried about the fact that my phone and Internet sites collect all this information about me so that it can tell me what I want etc. It feels a bit like having a peeping Tom looking in your window on a daily basis. Everything is so "smart" these days and able to tell everyone everything about your life.
But then I look at the recommend bar on Facebook or recommended downloads on my apps and realise they really don't know me at all, and once more all is right with the world :-)
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Friday, 3 February 2012
Writers that make us who we are.
I read a blog post today by Neil Gaiman . In the post he talks about the writers who made him who he is as a writer. He talks about the fact that there is many writers out there who he has read but that some sticks to you and affects (in his case) the way you write and that you keep reading their books over and over again, making them a part of your life.
Now reading this I wanted to say to Gaiman, - well that's what you are to me!
I have read a ridiculous amount of books in my lifetime and probably still will before I die. If you ask me I can ramble out a list of my favourite books but 9 times out of 10 I don't remember who wrote them, except it seems for when it comes to Gaiman. Truth is that he is one of the few writers that I adore, with him it is not so much about loving one or two of his books but the fact that so far I have enjoyed every book of his that I have read and I have the feeling this will never change.
For example I read a couple of Terry Pratchett's books after reading Good Omens (my favourite book of all) as it was written by Gaiman and Pratchett. Before that I had only read the graphic novel version of Mort and watched some cartoon episodes of Discworld. I found that Pratchett is indeed good but that I don't read it with the same flow as Gaiman, I can start a book of his then put it down for weeks before I return. Also I find some more readable then others.
On the other hand when I start reading a Gaiman book I have problems putting it down and generally finish reading it within days. One I even completed in a couple of hours (The Graveyard book) which was annoying as I had brought it to Sweden as a holiday book and finishing it on the first morning I was there meaning I no longer had a book to read for quiet evenings or afternoons.
Another one of my favourites is Veronika decides to die by Paulo Cohelo and after I read that I tried reading some more of his books, problem was I didn't like them. Paulo is very spiritual and it appears a lot of his books are based around this. In Veronika decides to die it's fine as it isn't shoved down your throat but the book in itself just makes you feel all happy to be alive, sadly some of the other books appear to be more about how you should live to be all spiritual which just bores me to death.
So I guess that what I am trying to say is - Neil Gaiman, you to me are amazing! Your books are full of life and wonder and even though they are sometimes sad they make me feel better (except for Nicholas Was which just made me sad, but is brilliant). There is something about the way you write which makes the stories come to life for me and make me want to read them over and over and always keep them close. I love to write (though I am not very good) and if I ever wrote anything half as good as your books it would make me incredibly happy.
Now reading this I wanted to say to Gaiman, - well that's what you are to me!
I have read a ridiculous amount of books in my lifetime and probably still will before I die. If you ask me I can ramble out a list of my favourite books but 9 times out of 10 I don't remember who wrote them, except it seems for when it comes to Gaiman. Truth is that he is one of the few writers that I adore, with him it is not so much about loving one or two of his books but the fact that so far I have enjoyed every book of his that I have read and I have the feeling this will never change.
For example I read a couple of Terry Pratchett's books after reading Good Omens (my favourite book of all) as it was written by Gaiman and Pratchett. Before that I had only read the graphic novel version of Mort and watched some cartoon episodes of Discworld. I found that Pratchett is indeed good but that I don't read it with the same flow as Gaiman, I can start a book of his then put it down for weeks before I return. Also I find some more readable then others.
On the other hand when I start reading a Gaiman book I have problems putting it down and generally finish reading it within days. One I even completed in a couple of hours (The Graveyard book) which was annoying as I had brought it to Sweden as a holiday book and finishing it on the first morning I was there meaning I no longer had a book to read for quiet evenings or afternoons.
Another one of my favourites is Veronika decides to die by Paulo Cohelo and after I read that I tried reading some more of his books, problem was I didn't like them. Paulo is very spiritual and it appears a lot of his books are based around this. In Veronika decides to die it's fine as it isn't shoved down your throat but the book in itself just makes you feel all happy to be alive, sadly some of the other books appear to be more about how you should live to be all spiritual which just bores me to death.
So I guess that what I am trying to say is - Neil Gaiman, you to me are amazing! Your books are full of life and wonder and even though they are sometimes sad they make me feel better (except for Nicholas Was which just made me sad, but is brilliant). There is something about the way you write which makes the stories come to life for me and make me want to read them over and over and always keep them close. I love to write (though I am not very good) and if I ever wrote anything half as good as your books it would make me incredibly happy.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Medical trial
Session two of my medical trial is tomorrow and I am not looking forward to it, this is due to a couple of reasons.
1: Whilst the doctor is nice he is pants with needles and I am a big wimp. This means there will be pain and discomfort.
2: I have to walk around nude in a medial gown (except for nickers) and then have stuff put on my chest, so embarrassing and generally unpleasant.
3: The medical trial will in no way help me medically.
So why do I do it?
Well because it might help someone else and I guess that makes it worth it in the end. After all if no one had done medical trials for the stuff I take I never would have gotten the medication and wouldn't be getting better, so I can't really turn down the chance to help other people and still face myself in the mirror no matter how uncomfortable, painful and embarrassing it might be.
1: Whilst the doctor is nice he is pants with needles and I am a big wimp. This means there will be pain and discomfort.
2: I have to walk around nude in a medial gown (except for nickers) and then have stuff put on my chest, so embarrassing and generally unpleasant.
3: The medical trial will in no way help me medically.
So why do I do it?
Well because it might help someone else and I guess that makes it worth it in the end. After all if no one had done medical trials for the stuff I take I never would have gotten the medication and wouldn't be getting better, so I can't really turn down the chance to help other people and still face myself in the mirror no matter how uncomfortable, painful and embarrassing it might be.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Sherlock Holmes
A new series of Sherlock Holmes has started on the BBC. If you were unlucky enough to miss the first season but do have access to the BBC I suggest you watch it. I found the first 4 episodes very entertaining and the 1st episode of this season did not disappoint either.
For the ones of you who hasn't watched it, it is set in the current day England and runs along the original idea of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson solving crimes. I don't generally do reviews and I don't know who to explain what is so good about it except that it's funny and smart.
Another good thing is the fact that the episodes are long, just over 1 & 1/2 hours. I believe it did quite well and the first season was also later shown in Sweden so I am sure my friends there will also be waiting for the next season eagerly.
The last season was only 4 episodes long and I hope that was just to see how well it went the first time around and that this season will be longer, but I would assume that due to the length of each episode this might not be the case.
When the series first was shown there was some mentioning about whether or not Sherlock is gay and I found that a bit absurd, not because it matters if he is or isn't (though clearly it did to the people mentioning it) but because I think the writers was trying to make it clear that it didn't matter and that as with everything to do with Sherlock Holmes it is a mystery. No one knows what goes on in his head and that is the point.
I wish I could meet someone as interesting in real life, no scratch that I wish I was that interesting in real life.
For the ones of you who hasn't watched it, it is set in the current day England and runs along the original idea of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson solving crimes. I don't generally do reviews and I don't know who to explain what is so good about it except that it's funny and smart.
Another good thing is the fact that the episodes are long, just over 1 & 1/2 hours. I believe it did quite well and the first season was also later shown in Sweden so I am sure my friends there will also be waiting for the next season eagerly.
The last season was only 4 episodes long and I hope that was just to see how well it went the first time around and that this season will be longer, but I would assume that due to the length of each episode this might not be the case.
When the series first was shown there was some mentioning about whether or not Sherlock is gay and I found that a bit absurd, not because it matters if he is or isn't (though clearly it did to the people mentioning it) but because I think the writers was trying to make it clear that it didn't matter and that as with everything to do with Sherlock Holmes it is a mystery. No one knows what goes on in his head and that is the point.
I wish I could meet someone as interesting in real life, no scratch that I wish I was that interesting in real life.
Monday, 2 January 2012
Writing
I don't think I have enough patience when I write. I will get this idea in my head of a scene and then I build the storyline around the scene rather then building scenes around the storyline, and I always want to get to the point straight away so it's hard for me to keep a story going.
For the first time in a long time I have this idea of a story line in my head which I actual quite like and now I just have to figure out how to put it down on paper without jumping straight to the punchline. Also I have no scenes planned, so I am in a position which feels strange to me.
I've also written a short children's story and gotten a friend to agree to paint the pictures which I am looking forward to. But since I wrote it I have decided I am not happy with it so now I am writing and rewriting it over and over. I wonder if it will be the same story once I am done or in fact if I will ever be done.
I think it would really help if I could find a local writing course to attend but as the one I applied for got cancelled I am not sure I will have much luck with that.
For the first time in a long time I have this idea of a story line in my head which I actual quite like and now I just have to figure out how to put it down on paper without jumping straight to the punchline. Also I have no scenes planned, so I am in a position which feels strange to me.
I've also written a short children's story and gotten a friend to agree to paint the pictures which I am looking forward to. But since I wrote it I have decided I am not happy with it so now I am writing and rewriting it over and over. I wonder if it will be the same story once I am done or in fact if I will ever be done.
I think it would really help if I could find a local writing course to attend but as the one I applied for got cancelled I am not sure I will have much luck with that.
So it's 2012
So it's a new year, 2012 has arrived with economical crises, the Olympics, the Queen's jubilee and probably a whole list of other things I don't find interesting.
On a more personal front the year has started with my health slightly deteriorating again and joblessness.
As for the health there isn't much I can do except keep up with the things I think helps and try new things. At the moment I am considering a dairy free diet though I must admit I would find that hard, a lot harder then the gluten free diet I tried in the beginning of 2011.
As for the job I did resign, not get terminated so I can't really complain about that. Even though I do worry about these things I know it was the right thing to do.
I have a friend at work who has loudly proclaimed that she thinks I was doing the wrong thing, whilst I am all for people having there opinion I wish she would be a bit more on my side in this, as whilst I know it was the right thing to do, it was also the hard thing to do.
So why did I resign? Well I guess the reasons are always personal and whilst I don't mind explaining I am not sure most people understand my reasons.
I am a very hardworking person and to conscientious for my own good, I want to work but work was turning into a chore. I spent almost all my time there every day and I worked so very hard but didn't get anything out of it. No appreciation for the hours and with no future prospect with anywhere to go within the company.
On a more basic level it's got to do with me being sick. I got the job before I got sick and I never intended to stay, it was meant to help me save up so I could do what I wanted to do - travel. But then I did get sick and for the last year and a half I have been too sick to look for work anywhere else. And as much as I hate it I will probably always be too sick to just pack my bags and go. I can't just decide I want to move to another country even temporarily, because I need to think about getting my medicine and the fact that in most counties I wouldn't keep getting them, at least not my injections.
So suddenly I do need to think about making a carer for myself and that sucks big time! All I like to do is write, travel, make jewellery and sing. And whilst I would love to be a journalist working as a war correspondent abroad that isn't going to happen now is it!? And my illness means I have not made jewellery for one whole year. As for the singing I am nether good enough or pretty enough to make it.
But I need to start somewhere and at least try, so I am trying. I am trying to find a job I like and I am thinking very hard about something I would like to study (sadly I am coming up with nothing so far), I am trying to write and I am even going to try to make jewellery again.
I quit work because now I can look for another job, and for the first time in what feels like a very long time, I have options again.
Mostly I am painfully aware of the fact that life is too short and too fickle for you to waste your time being unhappy.
On a more personal front the year has started with my health slightly deteriorating again and joblessness.
As for the health there isn't much I can do except keep up with the things I think helps and try new things. At the moment I am considering a dairy free diet though I must admit I would find that hard, a lot harder then the gluten free diet I tried in the beginning of 2011.
As for the job I did resign, not get terminated so I can't really complain about that. Even though I do worry about these things I know it was the right thing to do.
I have a friend at work who has loudly proclaimed that she thinks I was doing the wrong thing, whilst I am all for people having there opinion I wish she would be a bit more on my side in this, as whilst I know it was the right thing to do, it was also the hard thing to do.
So why did I resign? Well I guess the reasons are always personal and whilst I don't mind explaining I am not sure most people understand my reasons.
I am a very hardworking person and to conscientious for my own good, I want to work but work was turning into a chore. I spent almost all my time there every day and I worked so very hard but didn't get anything out of it. No appreciation for the hours and with no future prospect with anywhere to go within the company.
On a more basic level it's got to do with me being sick. I got the job before I got sick and I never intended to stay, it was meant to help me save up so I could do what I wanted to do - travel. But then I did get sick and for the last year and a half I have been too sick to look for work anywhere else. And as much as I hate it I will probably always be too sick to just pack my bags and go. I can't just decide I want to move to another country even temporarily, because I need to think about getting my medicine and the fact that in most counties I wouldn't keep getting them, at least not my injections.
So suddenly I do need to think about making a carer for myself and that sucks big time! All I like to do is write, travel, make jewellery and sing. And whilst I would love to be a journalist working as a war correspondent abroad that isn't going to happen now is it!? And my illness means I have not made jewellery for one whole year. As for the singing I am nether good enough or pretty enough to make it.
But I need to start somewhere and at least try, so I am trying. I am trying to find a job I like and I am thinking very hard about something I would like to study (sadly I am coming up with nothing so far), I am trying to write and I am even going to try to make jewellery again.
I quit work because now I can look for another job, and for the first time in what feels like a very long time, I have options again.
Mostly I am painfully aware of the fact that life is too short and too fickle for you to waste your time being unhappy.
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