It’s not every essay you get to write the line “Carter is using the language of sex, domination and cruelty”. Or talk about how the pure virgin snow is just begging to be sullied and trampled upon.

*takes brain out the back and subjects it to a mercy killing*

I should be able to think of snow without having to wash my brain out afterward!

Have I mentioned lately how I loathe violently feminist literature and that I hate how I am forced to write such lines?

Unfortunately, when you’re discussing Angela Carter and have an essay question like “In what ways does Carter use language to present male and female in ‘The Snow Child’?” you kind of have to talk about violation, virile members, and all other icky stuff that I really don’t want to have to discuss in class thank you very much.

I’m clearly a post-feminist in that I actually like men. Oh, for the question “Carter’s feminist stance is as applicable in 2006 as it was in the 1970’s when she wrote – discuss”.

*grumble, grumble*

Back to my essay. 661 words at the last count and that’s not even proper sentences. Bloody 500-word-limit. *grumble part 2*

*EDIT* Clearly also post-feminist in that I can’t spell.

Just to let you know I’m off for the weekend – I expect to be back late afternoon/early evening on Sunday, so whether there will be a Roast or not is 50/50.

If you need to get hold of me and are one of the lucky few who have my mobile number, use that. If not send me an email and I *will* respond when I get home 🙂

Have fun with your own weekends. Toodles.

Some things I’ve learnt in the past few weeks:

• There are 7 million adults in the UK who have a criminal conviction and are in work.
• 83% of these are male.
• 25 is the age when most of them stop offending.
• The most commonly reported crime is vandalism.
• In 2004/2005, the police detected only 26% of reported crime.
• In April 2006, 679,000 job vacancies were reported to the DWP.
• 40% of these were classed as “hard to fill”.
• The main reason HR professionals give for not employing an offender is that they feel they are risking their career.
• The main reason HR professionals give for considering an offender for a job is that they have the right skills for that job.
• 70% of offenders have a literacy rate below that of a nine year old.
• Getting offenders into education and employment reduces re-offending by up half to two-thirds

*EDIT* Got figures wrong for reducing re-offending rate. They were even better than I remembered.

Apparently I’m a feisty wench.

I was assured this was a compliment but I’m having my doubts…

In class this evening we first looked at a section of dialogue from Sense and Sensibility (the bit where Lucy Steele tells Eleanor Dashwood that she’s secretly engaged to Edward Ferras) and because the rest of my class are chickens I ended up with the part of Lucy. The teacher noted she didn’t mind picking on me because I have no problem reading aloud.

Anyway, my little turn as Lucy earned me a few thumbs up (I do my best) and then we turned to Much Ado.

The teacher introduced the various characters in the first few pages: Leonarto; the Messenger; Hero; and Beatrice. I’ve always had a soft spot for Beatrice as she has some gumption. As the teacher described her, she’s witty, intelligent, fast and brave. She sparkles on the page, giving as good as she gets.

Kinda like myself 😉

Then came the time to assign parts. As already mentioned, most of the people in my class are cowards, refusing to speak up or read sections. I wouldn’t have minded taking the part of Beatrice because she’s fun, but I’d already done my bit that class. Whilst I am a brazen hussy who’s overly fond of her own voice and isn’t afraid to speak up, I don’t want to take over.

After much silence, the tutor assigns the roles of Leonarto and the Messenger, then comes to Beatrice. Silence.

The P chimes in with “Oh, you do it Cas – you’re a feisty wench”.

Clearly, I’ve made more of an impression in that quarter than I’d figured (yay! 😉 ) but really – feisty wench?! He rapidly followed it with a “in a good way! It’s a good thing!” when most of the class just stared at him. I just dissolved into giggles.

Honestly, what kind of impression are people getting of me?! I’ve been called a few things online a time or three – mainly comments about my gutter-like brain and sheer inability not to flirt – but no one’s pegged me quite so succinctly in an offline setting before. Well, at least they’ve never said it to my face.

Feisty wench indeed.

Nothing quite like spending the day in a room with a group of people hating you to really make you feel 🙁

I love my job, I really do, but there are days when you feel you’re bashing your head against a brick wall.

Happy November every one 🙂

I really couldn’t be arsed to type this post, hence the audio format. Enjoy.

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And everyone can take the shades off their eyes now.

October is over and Bright Meadow is no longer that hideous, garish, burning shade of pink *

I don’t regret a minute of turning Pink for October and I will be doing it again next year, though hopefully with a slightly more tasteful (and liveable with) approach to pink.

The time has come to return to normal. I will be rolling out a new look in the near(ish) future – I have a server shift coming up and it makes sense to do it all at the same time. I also have no time right now! – but for now bask in the cooling beauty of blue. There are a few accents of pink lurking around the place. I quite like them: just as accents however!

It’s safe to come out from behind the RSS reader now…

* Yes, I switched a few hours early. I’m not going to get a chance to do it at all tomorrow, and I just couldn’t stand it a moment longer.