Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Austen and Auctions

I recently received my news letter from the Jane Austen Society which noted the recently held Sotheby's auction.  Sotheby's had come into possession of an unfinished manuscript by Miss Austen - called The Watsons.  As it was believed by experts to be about a quarter of the actual novel, the expected price was 200,000 pounds.  To real lovers of Austen's work and the lack of direct link to Austen herself or her works as time has destroyed much, it would come as no surprise that the purchase of this unfinished manuscript far surpassed the expected amount.  Here is the article which supposes Austen's possible reasons for not completing the novel as well as the price it fetched...
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Jane-Austen-s-unfinished-Bath-novel-sold-993k/story-12949457-detail/story.html

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Bad Movies, Good Movies

Last night I went and saw the final in Harry Potter series.  I enjoyed it.  They actually finished it off well and gave the books justice (as much as film medium can).  There were a couple of things I would have liked in there - Lupin at Shell Cottage asking Harry to be Godfather to Teddy, and young Lily having brown eyes.  But on a whole, it was good.  On the other end of the scope - Bad Teacher - really should have been named "Bad" full stop!  It is crap...and as much as I like Cameron Diaz I think she seriously should have rethought her decision to even make this movie.

So, how many good/bad movies have you seen - what's your favourite movie/s or worst movie/s?

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Blowin' in the Wind

My morning began with quite an event...but I really need to go back so you can understand where I'm coming from.  Just over 2 weeks ago I moved out of my bedroom so that my grandfather could move in - permanently.  This meant for all intents and purposes that whilst we have a large house I had no where to call my own...and I still don't.  I'm staying at my grandfather's place whilst it is on the market.  It's a pain because although I have my own space, it's not really mine.  I can't have all my books, my cat or most of my clothes there - simply because we are trying to sell it and thus don't want a lot of clutter.  In regards to my cat, well my grandfather has an old cat that already lives there therefore making it impossible to introduce my cat to the environment, and I don't think it's fair to him to uproot him from home just to bring him back in a few months.


Anyway, it's been difficult all around - particularly because my grandfather brought his dog that has a horrible temperament and none of us can stand this animal...I hate saying that because I am such an animal lover but this dog has to be muzzled for walks, baths and to go to the vet...yep, not a nice animal.


So, this morning at about 5am I was woken up by the howling wind.  Since I couldn't get back to sleep I read a bit, then had a shower and got dressed for work.  All set I then went to feed the cat.  The cat usually follows me outside but not today.  Just as I went to step down into the patio outside she ran in front of me - I tripped, the food and milk went everywhere and I landed on my butt with my leg behind me and the ankle in an agonising position.  After the shock I got up - VERY delicately, finding I couldn't quite put pressure on my foot.  I cleaned up the cat's food & drink, managed to get her some more then came home to get a bandage.  By the time I put a bandage on the foot it was almost twice the size.


So, no work today - but after tests there is no break but strained ligaments and bruising...and whilst this is all going on the wind is blowing a gale...reminding me of Bob Dylan's song...


Change happens.  Things happen.  Sometimes you just have to go with it and smile your way through it.