Life of Scum

Milestone

2012-02-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

It's important to celebrate whenever you get the chance. Today I reached 20 subscribers on this here blog. It's taken me about 4 years... but still.

THANKYOU to anyone who reads this muck!

Sam

I should be reading...

2012-02-05T13:15:00.000-08:00

But I'm blogging instead. I love procrastination blogging the best! hehe.

I am supposed to be reading Wuthering Heights. Is is just me, or is it unfathomable? Maybe I'm just not smart enough to 'get' it, but it's unintelligable writing. Classic my ass. If the words made sense I'm sure the story would do better. I can tell there is something of interest in the lines, but the style is just so in direct dissent to what I like to read I'm finding it all a bit of a challenge. I think I'm about 40% done with it... and I really need to finish it by tomorrow... hmmm. We will see how that goes!

I went to the cinema this weekend and watched many a film. These will be blogged about over here (well, how else do I big up my other blog?). 3 films at the cinema and one at my friends house. The 3 at the cinema were Carnage, Young Adult and Man on a Ledge. The one on TV was Timer. I will rate all of these for my own enjoyment! You can't stop me. I also find I am giving really good ratings to things. I am just too nice... but I really enjoy films, so what can I say? I'll have to watch a crap one just so I can show some judgement (where's my DVD copy of Gigli?)

I also ordered some things from Ama... wait, can I say the name of shops on here? Do I get freedom of speech or will I be slapped for advertising? Oh God, the rules. The rules. Well.. I shopped online somewhere that rhymes with Bamazon (thank you Creative Writing course, for helping me with my rhymes). It's a Moleskin Passions book where you can log books you read, write about them, rate them. A book diary if you will. So I have started to fill it in with books I'm reading this year to correlate with my 2012 GoodReads challenge.
Here is one of the pages:

You probably can't make out my scrawl, but it's a pretty cool book!

Not much else has been going on so I really should get back to reading this Wuthering business!

Heaaathcliffff, it's Caaathhhyyy!

Sam

It's not THAT bad...

2012-01-31T15:40:00.000-08:00

I swear it isn't... you see, on freeview TV we have these channels... these... adult channels... Look. I'm not a porn watcher, but... I'm addicted to adult tv. there, I said it. On a Saturday night, when TV is rubbish, I put Babestation on and I laugh at the girls who jiggle. I do. It's not for any kind of sessual reason - I promise! (methinks thou doth protest too much) <-- shut up, accusing Shakespearean part of my brain!

My boyfriend and I like to put the channel on and see which girls are 'working' that night. And then we comment on their outfits and kind of do voice overs to match their actions. It's innocent, I swear! Haha. You know, if you're ever bored at night you should totally turn over just to see what it would look like to see a girl on all fours hoola hooping minus the hoop!

In other NONE adult TV related news - I FINISHED MY BOOK!

Yes, I am the official owner of a 71k manuscript. 1st draft, of course. This is going to be... interesting. I'm letting it sit for a month or so before I hit the 'edit' button, but I finally finished, and even found an ending I quite like, as suggested by Kathy, I left it open. I think it's ok, and not pending change at the moment.

That's pretty much all the news I have. I wanted to make this a picture blog, but... well... I think the only person who would have appreciated that would have been Mr. Gee.... hahah!

Peace out!

Sam

Ps. You will shortly be updated on my jewellery making skills, my attempts to make some cute aprons and website work. I know... thrilling stuff!

Madness.

2012-01-29T07:17:00.000-08:00

I'm in kind of one of those moods where I don't know what I'm feeling, but it has something to do with wanting to be creative but not being able to. I can't really describe it very well.

I should be writing, as I set myself the challenge to finish the 1st draft of The Novel by the end of January, so I could start to chip away at it in March. February is going to be a month of forgetting about it and focusing on other things, like photography and trying to make cute aprons. Oh, and reading. Let's not forget that I have LOADS of reading to do.

This week I'm supposed to be reading Wuthering Heights.

Heathcliff, it's Cathy, I've come hoooomme, oooooowoooah!

I was going to start it today but I woke up all BLAH, so I'm forgoing the reading, I also didn't hit the gym this morning, despite my previously half heartedly made plans to do so. Well, what? I spent all day walking around Manchester yesterday, that's kind of like exercise, despite the long times spent stood still or else prancing around Waterstones like an idiot. Which is what I do, by the way. I also dance in HMV... well, they shouldn't play music if they don't want me to dance.

No, I should really get back to writing. Because I only have about 6000 more words to write and then I think I'll be home-free... except I don't know how to end the story. Ok, you guys can help me.

Should I end it on a happy note, on a sad note, on an open note? How would you end the book you don't know the story line of?

This could actually be an amusing topic for discussion...

Sam

Movies? What movies?

2012-01-21T05:26:00.000-08:00

Yo!

I just thought I'd, um... big up my one of my other blogs...

I hate doing it, but it has no followers, see, and I hate writing for nobody! So... if you like films, and want to know what I'm watching you can head over :

HERE

I got to the cinema a lot, and watch a lot of DVD's so I'm going to try to keep up with myself. So far I'm up to date for this year... I'll try to maintain such things. I promise!

Toodles!

Sam

Random updates and tings.

2012-01-17T14:42:00.000-08:00

Because you should pronounce the word 'thing' as 'ting' as often as you can. Honestly, it makes you feel better and snazzes up ANY sentence!

So - a thing happened. It isn't a very exciting thing, but it's a thing that's now meaning my whole year is going to be slightly better.

I'm going to America next year. For a month or two.

Now, if you've been here a while, you might know I went for 3 months a few years ago. I plan on doing the same kind of thing but this time with my fella rather than friend, so it will be less drinking and more actually seeing fun things and having amazing fun times with my best friend. We were going to go to comic-con this year, but the money he is expecting through from a house sale probably won't be coming through until the summer maybe, but in any case we won't have enough time to plan a trip, so we've decided 2013 we are doing it. This means we can plan all year. It will be amazing. I know all the places I love in the US - Seattle, San Fran, San Diego, Vegas, Chicago, Boston, to name but a few, but this trip is for him. I want him to chose the places so that should be fun.

I won't be going back to work after this trip, so the plan is to get my ass into gear and write this book, edit and submit to publishing houses ASAP. I'm not really sure how this process works per say, but I'll figure it out. If there's one thing I'm good at it's figuring stuff out... hmm... maybe I don't. Damn. Any advice welcome!

On another slightly related note, but hopefully not related in any way, I've been watching that TV show - American Horror Story.

If you like dark, supernatural, quirky, horror- drama's you should give it a whirl. I'm not far into it, I'm only on ep 5, I think, but I'm already hooked. SO good, such good story telling. So I'm trying to slot that in with my Fringe/True Blood/ Vampire diaries watching schedule. Which sounds easy, but when you watch those things with someone you don't see often enough and you're on mostly different schdules it IS hard... still, I'm trying.

So - have you been to America? Know any cool places? I'm making a list of places to go/ see so american viewers let me know, and UK viewers, you can still let me know. K, thanks, bye!

Sam :P

I'm saying this so I'll do it.

2012-01-11T08:12:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I'm working on my website, which I purposely ignores in December. The reason why? Well... I didn't have time to get it going after all, and also I was peeved that a well known tv actress started up a website JUST like what I was trying to do, and about a month after I set up mine. And seeing as she has the money/resources to do a better job, I was rather put off and annoyed, HOWEVER, I will be back working on mine anyway tomorrow. Sorting out the layout etc still because I can't decide what I want it to look like, then posting new content and trying to furiously find other people to contribute.

SO - if you fancy writing ANYTHING for it, do so and let me know. It really is just anything. Anything FUN - any fun videos you like to watch, favourite sites you like to go on, favourite books, music, cartoons - it's supposed to be a place filled with fun stuff to distract you from the miserable world out there!

Email me at theswirlingvortex@gmail.com

and as ever - the site can be found here

Toodles!

Sam

No more, cakes, no more.

2012-01-08T13:22:00.000-08:00

Nah, I'm not stopping baking, but I am stopping the eating of the cakes.

I am, as of tomorrow, back on my slimming world food eating. Back to healthy eating and what not. I slowly introduced healthy food back into my diet, after a 2 week hiatus, last week. I ate mostly healthy things and was then eating bad snacks in the middle. I don't usually snack on bad things so I should be able to snap out of the habit pretty quickly. But yes, next week I am going to put a stop to this post-holiday madness.

I haven't really put on that much weight since the joyous days in December, probably about 5lbs - so if I work on it I could lose that in a week, 2 tops. Then I'm back in business. I started my new work out regime yesterday too and good god, my legs. MY LEGS! I'm kind of looking forward to the 2nd day burn that usually follows a bitch of a workout. I'm already hobbling so we'll see what happens. Eeks.

I'm also restarting my writing project tomorrow. Over 1000 words a day will be achieved just so I can put a lid on the novel, shelf it for a month (which will be Feb) and start to edit in March, most probably. This should give me enough time to look into how you go about sending into to publishers etc. Because that's the part my brain is foggy on. The correct protocol. Though I'm kind of lucky my course will explain all of this, so all I have to do is skip ahead several chapters and find what I'm looking for. This is the year of Sam, and the year Sam (who's me... keep up!) will finally realise her dream of writing.

And to keep you all posted, I'm on book 3 of 2012, so the challenge is going well. Just need to whack my reviews onto the other blog. I'll get that sorted this week, I swear!

Sam

11 Tag - Warning, Warning, Meme alert.

2012-01-05T15:17:00.000-08:00

Now, you have to forgive me, because I don't normally partake in these kinds of things, but mostly because no one ever tags me into them so screw it! I'm going to do it! Thanks to Kathy for tagging me :)

Rules:

1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
5. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.
6. No tag backs.
7. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

Again, I'm sorry, but heeeere we go (and I promise none of these answers are going to be even a little bit enteraining. It's half 10 and I've worked a billion hours today and have a migraine! :( )

11 Things About Me

1. I class myself as a middle child, though I'm 1 of 4... but seriously, listen, I am the middle of 3 girls and the youngest of us is a boy so he gets spoilt as the only boy... making him in another league so technically I am the middle child... no? It makes sense to me.

2. I have set myself a goal of reading 50 books this year. That's, like, one almost every week.

3. I share a room with my sister. At the ripe old age of 26 I still share a room.

4. I'm ok with the above. I like having someone to talk to at all hours of the night and it means stealing makeup is easy!

5. I'm a qualified make up artist, and though I have done weddings I'd love to train in special effects makeup. But I probably won't ever officially do it, but I will teach myself.

6. I'm writing my first novel, which was something I've been mentally preparing for since I was about 15, but always thought I was too stupid to do. I'm not, and I'm doing it.

7. I actually am quite optimistic about being published.

8. I have a phobia of sand, and grain, and gravel and crumbs... anything thats gritty... ergh. It goes right through me.

9. I honestly worry I'm not a very intelligent person.

10. I don't like public speaking as I'm pale and afflicted by that horrible 'face goes bright red when I talk out loud in front of people' thing. Fun times.

11. I'm bad ass at karaoke and I don't have to drink to do it. In fact, I don't drink at all. Suck it, losers!

(Ok, I had more facts than I thought I would!)

11 QUESTIONS FROM KATHY:

If you could have one superpower what would it be? The power of stealing other peoples powers... mwahahaha.
What are your inspirations? Books, movies. Anything that's crafted. I'm inspired by people who have been inspired.
What are your obsessions? Straight to DVD movies, coffee, books, American TV shows of supernatural theme, puppies.
What's your biggest guilty pleasure? I don't know if I have a guilty pleasure... trying to play guitar? Because I'm not very good at it but it doesn't stop me. Either that or singing along to awful songs in my room like a 15 year old girl at a sleepover party.
Where would you want someone to take you for a perfect date? That's a toughie. I honestly believe my first date with my fella was perfect - we sat in Starbucks and talked for hours with giant cups of coffee.
What is your favorite memory? I'm rubbish at remembering things... I like to think my favourite memory is my memory for dreams. I can honestly remember dreams like it was real life... I know that's not what the question meant, but that's how I'm going to intemperate it.
What is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you? I'll always remember the backhanded comment I got from a 'friend' once... 'you know, Sam, you're quite pretty really...' Well, it wasn't the nicest thing anyones said, but I remember thinking there and then that I was 100 times prettier than she ever would be because I don't have 'bitch' plastered on my face. (Or herpes for that matter...)
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? To not sweat the small stuff. Not that I did, but it's a cool bit of advise.
What character (books, tv, movies, etc.) do you think is most like you and why? Oooh, goood question Kathy! I think I see a little bit of myself in most female protagonists sadly, I tend to step into the lives of fictional characters easily, which worries me sometimes...
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy? A FUCKING PUPPY! No one had bought me a puppy yet despite my constant pleading for one. Well, I'm not going to buy myself one... that defeats the point of a puppy present!
What is one compliment you would give yourself? Just one? Well... I'm witty as hell. I like my sense of humour, what can I say? If you can make yourself laugh that's all you need in life.

11 Questions from me

Ok, these are the questions I want others to answer:

1. What would your autobiography be called if you wrote one?

2. Who would play you in the movie of your life?

3. What is your biggest regret in life? And don't you know you shouldn't live with regret, life's too short!

4. If you could make ANYTHING by hand, as easily as you could write your own name, and sell it, what would it be?

5. Where do you buy your food, by which I mean, which shop?

6. What shoes do you wear all the time?

7. What item in your house could you not live without?

8. If you could go back to any day in your life, what day would you choose?

9. Where would you live in the world if you could live ANYWHERE?

10. Is there anyone in your life you'd like to confront and what would you say?

11. What colour is your underwear?

OK... so now I have to tag 11 people... I don't even know 11 people. so I'll just tag some random folks who's blogs I read and let them know the good news! haha!

1. Lena

2. Amber (Hey, you didn't say I had to actually Know them...

3. The Gee Man
4. Miss MD
5. Kait (welcome back! hehe)
6. Suzanne
7. TV and Book Addict (I don't even know your name, but I love your blog)
8. Jenny
9. Shawna
10. Miranda
11. Abbie

Wow, that took forever!

Peace and love, folks, peace and gloves... I mean love... love... all you need is.. oh never mind!

Sam

2012... Oh God, the world... THE WORLD!

2012-01-02T07:24:00.000-08:00

Look, don't panic! Don't panic I say!

Everyone knows the world isn't really going to end this year, don't they? I'm not so sure. Because, you know people don't really believe in the Mayan counting system (well, not average people), or practise the ancient Mayan way of life, yet some 'Mayan Experts' have said that 2012 is the last year for us all. Any I think a lot of people, despite previous comments, might actually believe this in the back of their minds.

Let's take a look at it, in a realistic point of view. Yes, realistic. That happens here every now and then. You see, the Mayans were good at keeping time. They were the shit. The best. They had a counting system which meant they could be pretty accurate with their dates and times. Never late to a tea party, and always right about when you were supposed to be getting to the airport. (But not really). Basically, they kept a calendar about events that the world would go through (based on their Mayan beliefs) and we are coming up the last part of the calendar so naturally people think this means they didn't foresee us living past December 2012.

But that's a poor man's version of the truth. Because A. That's based on ancient religions we don't even believe any more and to do so would be ridiculous. Mayan religion is as outdated as Christianity will be in another 100 years or something. (Not religion bashing, but religions have a shelf life and that's just fact.). And 2. Well, if you were employed to write a calendar for the rest of time... wouldn't YOU fob it off so you could go and play a game with your best friend, or have a smooch with your beau under the waterfall. So what would you do? Keep writing a calendar for the rest of your life, doing the same repetitive counting and being 'the time guy' to everyone in world, or would you say 'Hey! Look, the world is going to end in 2012... who's up for garden Jenga?' and get your ass outta there?

Well, I know what I'd do. But that's just me. And if it makes you feel any better :

"Contemporary scientists have disputed the apocalyptic versions."

And that's from Wikipedia, so we know it's going to be OK!

Well, that's all for today - hope the new year is going well for you all. I'm currently doing what I do best and what I continue to do for the rest of time. Put off writing my assignments because it makes me feel bad about myself, and if there's anything I'm good at, it's making myself feel bad so I'm gonna keep at it!

On a side note the book review blog will be back up and running soon. I'm tying it in with my GoodReads challenge of reading 50 books this year so... Toodles!

Sam

New Year... Meh.

2011-12-31T07:35:00.001-08:00

Obligatory New Year post! :D

In such a stinking mood today though that I can only assume my day/night is going to be hell. So many nightmares it was insane. I need to stop dreaming about people and zombies trying to kill me... it's just no good for my disposition.

Hope you all have a great night!

Sam
x

It's not big, or clever!

2011-12-29T11:37:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd hit you up with a quick blog, this fine Wednesday? No, Thursday night. I can't keep track of the days. I seriously haven't known what day it's been all week. But that's Christmas for you. You don't have to think about it, so it's ok to be flaky and distant.

Yes, yes, I'm aware of my distance with the blog as of late. But things tend to build up. Not that they did, I'm just aware that it happens to other people. Funny, how life happens to some people. It doesn't happen to me, but I like to pretend it does.

Once again we have reached the end of another year. I got a bloody good haul for Christmas presents this year. A Nintendo 3DS, LOADS of books (Huzzah), and some new converse trainers. Which, to me, is like shoe porn. So I was well chuffed when 'Santa' sent them to me. Am I the only one who still makes her parents sign gifts from 'Santa'? Well, it's fun to keep the magic alive if you ask me.

I guess the reason I haven't blogged is mostly because I have been putting off most types of writing since November came and went. After finishing the writing month I gave myself some time off writing. December was going to be the month or finishing my novel, but, well, I've been stuck in a rut. Mostly because I don't know how my story is going to end so I have been stuck in my head, trying to figure it out, rather than writing to get it out. Still, later today I will crack on with a few paragraphs. I promise... I do!

I have to get back to watching some vampire diaries (re-watching season 1!) before I start writing. I call it 'inspiration' because I hate calling it what it truly is, which is 'distraction'. And no, my book ISN'T about vampires, I just like the pretty boys...

Enough of that, you smut-seekers.

I'll most likely do the usual end of year blog later this week, so I hope you all look forward to it. It will be better than this attempt. Pictures, and actual content, rather than brain numbing jibber jabber.

Toodles!

Sam

Novembeh? Where's this month gone?

2011-11-26T04:09:00.001-08:00

No, really! Where has this month gone? Almost December? Damn it.
I haven't blogged for about 3 weeks I don't think - it's not you, it's me. Honest! Well, it is, even if you don't believe me.

What have I been doing all this time? I know that's what you were thinking, whilst weeping into a box of tissues. Well, don't fret, I'm back and should be back properly now November is almost done with - you see, I have been writing a book. Yes, it's true. A whole book. Well, almost. You see I'm 43k words in. I need to get to 50k by the end of November, which will be a piece of cake, but I have a feeling I'm going to be writing more than that. I never was good at pacing myself. I have a large chunk of the story left to tell so I'll be trying to hammer it all down in the next week. I suppose the good thing is I know I'll succeed, but I want to finish this thing so I can put it away in December, not look at it and then in the new year start to edit the hell out of it. Well, not edit the hell out of it, because I won't be changing the story in any way. I'm happy with how it's turned out. I just need to make sure my writing makes sense.

I have this problem where I write things but they don't make sense.... I don't know if you've noticed? haha.

Other things I've been doing this month is lots of Uni work. Didn't get the best grade on my first English Lit essay, but I wasn't expecting to because I fucked up and didn't have a lot of time to edit. I didn't spell check either because I forgot. What can I say? It was a panicked day when I was trying to get it sorted! Not to worry. Start with low expectations, that's my plan. I'll wow them with my next essay... or probably not. I've forgotten how to write them, which is probably quite bad... hmmm.

Today I'm looking forward to baking. I'm making cupcakes because I just bought an icecream scoop to help me with portion control of cake mix... if you bake you'll understand that this is quite a milestone for me! I am also going to practise icing, because I usually don't bother, but I have this rather adorable piping bag and I need to put it to good use. I am also booking a massage. I got a voucher for a massage on my birthday in June and have promptly forgotten to book one ever since, but apparently the voucher runs out after 6 months. Well, if it's too late I'm getting that money back. You can't keep money and not provide a service! gosh!

I have a migraine right now, and have had a mild but continuous one for a while. It's annoying, but I think it's because we have 'artificial sunlight' lights at work and I'm sure they flicker slightly. Anyway, they set my eyes off like nothing else on this planet and I'm suffering. God I hate that place.

In another news I saw Hanson at the Academy in Manchester on Thursday - they were AMAZING. If you turn your nose up at them because all you know is MmmBop, then you're only ruining it for yourself. I have never heard anyone sing so perfectly in tune in my life. Their harmonies are insane. The crowd was good, a lot of supportive fans and it was nice to see it was only them on stage, no bass player, no additional band to fill the gaps. They really are musically amazing. They all play each others instruments too, which is something you don't often see.

I have just found I am in love with Etsy. And have spent a bit of money on their last night. Some spending was on other people for Christmas, but I did buy myself something which I'll post a picture of once it arrives. I am also going to start making cute aprons and selling them on their I think. But that's a December project.

Speaking of projects - still working on THE VORTEX - it's a slow process, but it's still fun. Drop by.

Sam
x

Google... you both confuse and excite me...

2011-11-11T17:28:00.001-08:00

So, I know I'm probably the last one to have switched to the new blogger that Google has offered us, but, well, I had a look at it a while ago, decided I didn't like change and switched back to the old viewing window.
Recently I decided that no, Sam, you will change. You won't get left behind, you'll move on with the rest of them and rejoice in the new world of Google. And that's just what I did... still not sure about it. It's nice, and neat and sure, I can see a lot of hard work has gone into making it the best it can be... but it's SO different. Still, I'm here now and there's no going back.

Talking of no going back. When I did upload the new blogger, I was prompted that my IE didn't properly support the new script, so I was prompted (very conveniently) to use Google Chrome as a browser instead. I ummed and ahhed, because I'd been contemplating changing browsers for a long time, but nothing felt right. Well, I switched and now everything feels right. Google Chrome is me. It's smart, fast, smooth looking... just like me! haha. I jest. But once I started updating I couldn't stop. I updated my Google Mail accounts and even signed up for Google Analytics for my website... there's no stopping me this week. Literally.

And talking of not stopping - I'm still fully invested in NaNoWriMo, despite my initial fears I wouldn't be able to do it. I'm currently at a word count of about 19201, and will be hitting and exceeding the 20k mark of my novel tomorrow, right on schedule. I'm loving the writing, and I think it will help me with my creative writing. It's helping me get out of myself, and learn to just write, and explore different techniques, voices, POV's and what not. I actually got my first assignment mark back for creative writing and got a 61, which to me is great! Over 50 for the 1st assignment is good in my eyes, because I will only be aiming higher and higher from now on. Got some really good constructive criticism and I'm taking it all in and rolling with it!

Speaking of rolling with it - my sister passed me the Vampire Diaries books to read the other day. This is the first time she has given ME a book to read, usually it's the other way around, but since she exhausted my book collection this year she's had to pass me something she's stolen from a friend. I always avoided VD because I watched the TV show before I read the book, and I don't like doing that, so if it happens I try not to get into the books because it usually ruins the TV show, with the book being better, but I can honestly say I prefer it this way around. VD the book is good, but I don't like the way it's written, and the verbal exchanged between the characters unbelievable. The TV show took all the good things about the show, added their own spin on it and made it 80 times better. So there you have it, the TV show CAN be better than the book!

And speaking of Tv shows - I've recently written an article on MY WEBSITE about cancelled Tv shows. Check it out - I'm looking for viewers and feedback - also contributors. So if you're interested in doing an article, or have any links you want to share to fun sites just email them to;
theswirlingvortex@gmail.com

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call progressional flow. I'm good at it - I even have a t-shirt with I <3 Progressional Flow on it. Yes, I'm that cool!

Bye now!

Sam
x

The Popularity Forum

2011-11-07T05:57:00.000-08:00

It makes me giggle to see which of my posts are 'popular' at the moment.

For the past week or so it's been the one entitled 'Let's go back to the 80's, man!'

And I can only assume people click on it by mistake due to the images I have attached. But still, it's had a butt load of views recently (still, viewer count hasn't gone up so I'm not winning subscribers! Come on people, help my ego out!).

The reason I think people have been heading on over this way is because, like many of the things I like, 80's fashion and makeup is going to make a comeback. What? It's not? People are just googling for 80's makeup because it was Halloween? Damn. And I just bought a sequin jacket with shoulder pads and some denim looking bicycle shorts. Wow... that was a strange mixture of clothing. Sorry!

What was I saying? Oh yes - I'm going to be uploading some special effects make up pictures soon. I have the actual silicone pieces, I'm just waiting on my adhesive to arrive. I had to order it this week - thought I had some in the shed. I don't. Bah!
On a plus note - my new makeup brush set arrived at the best time, so now I can try out my new brushes simulating blood and gore. Yesssss!

Right, I'd best get back. I have an assignment to start and a novel to crack on with. Oh... and I need lunch. Spaghetti hoops, here I come!

Toodles!
Sam
x

NaNoWriMo - week 1

2011-11-05T08:24:00.000-07:00

Apologies to everyone, but this month will pretty much just consist of me either blogging about the wondrous NaNoWriMo or blogging about working on my new website - The Vortex.

So - lets start! :P

NaNoWriMo started this week and so far.. so good. I think... I have hit the word target each day and I think it's going ok. Today I have to get to 8000 and something words, but I'm going to starbucks with my laptop so I'll get a cheeky eggnogg latte and type away, sans internet access which should hopefully help keep the distractacons away! If you click the link up there you go to my user page, which tells you what I'm writing about and how well I'm doing, word wise.
I'm enjoying writing so far. I've never actually attempted to write a full book before, I've always started writing, to note down story ideas or scenes etc. but never actually thought to myself to expand on the story and, perhaps, try to write it. Partly from fear. So here I am. Over 6000 words in, and really enjoying it. I started up a little playlist to get me in the mood over on YouTube - if anyone is interested in listening to said playlist you can click the link :P

I'll keep you posted on how I get on with the rest of the writing though. To be fair, having the 1st 2 weeks of November off work is helpful so I dread the last 2 weeks when I have to go back to work and I'll have to try to fit writing into my every day trials. Hmmm.... we'll see what happens.

As for the website, its a slow start. Got a few articles, links and videos up so show what kind of direction we want to be heading in. I've been trying to get friends involved in looking at it and stuff, but my friends don't generally have the same internet aspirations as me, so they really couldn't give a tiny rats ass. It's fine with me, I just want to try to get it going though - so anyone who ventures past the site, please let me know what you think - what you like and don't like! I want honesty!

In the meantime - when I've not been working on such things, I've been watching New Girl, the Tv show with Zooey Deschanel. And I love it. I like her anyway, but I was worried it would be a bit too 'quirky' and play too much on the fact that she is cute etc. But it's actually so well done, and so well written it doesn't come across as OTT. In my opinion anywho!

Right I have to get going to 'bucks so I can start writing!

Sam

The much awaited halloween post!

2011-10-31T19:25:00.000-07:00

Hello folks!
I hope this blog finds you in good spirits. I have many a thing to mention tonight (on this lovely halloween eve... currently 2:08am, and I'm just sat watching Scrubs... spooky!), which I'll probably forget as I go on, so bare with me!

Firstly, well done to fellow blogger Gee - see his blog here - he won best writer of blogs in the Welsh Blogging awards, or something equally as amazing (It's late and opening a new window to find the exact title seems like hard work), and I must say it's well deserved. His blog is pretty darn cool, maaan!

In other news I've already forgotten what I was going to say. Silly me.. let's see... I started a new website with my fella - it's a mixed media kind of thing, where we're just posting funny little articles, pictures we find on the web, and video's from youtube etc. It's a work in progress, but have a look, and suggest things you think would be cool!

It can be found here.

As most of you know I have signed up for NaNoWriMo this year (user name Samsiren), which starts... oh, crap. Today! So from here on out I'm on a mission to write a 50,000 word novel. Woohoo. On the plus side it kind of ties in nicely with my creative writing course, as I'm working on building believable characters, so good timing!

I also joined Good Reads (user name Sam C), and am building my library and sorting out a reading list. I like having books recommended to me and this site seems to be the best place for it! yeay! More books! haha.

Finally - it's Halloween. I love Halloween, it's no secret, but this year I opted to not have a party, as it usually costs about £200 and I figured it would be nice to save my money. So instead I've been watching french horror films - I've watched Martyrs, switchblade romance, Inside and a couple of non french ones - being trick r treat and gingersnaps.

I can honestly say the worst out of the bunch was Inside. It was horrible. I couldn't watch most of it - and I love horror and gore. It was just awful, but brilliant!
As for martyrs - it was great. My boyfriend thought it was horrowing, but I just thought it was a great story, and such a rollercoaster. The story chopped and changed about 3 times and you never knew how it was going to end. In the end it was awful but great!

Switchblade was a film of suspense and had a huge twist at the end that I just didn't see coming, did anyone else, if you've seen it?

Trick r Treat was a fun horror movie - it was a classic and really cool. It wasn't scary really but it was entertaining, and creepy. And gingersnaps is just an amazing werewolf movie - the actresses who played the lead characters were great too and it was a canadian film, which you just don't tend to see that much.

So, hope everyone's halloweens were great! Let me know what you got up to!

Sam

Plate full!

2011-10-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

No, not of food - everyone knows I gave up eating in January (and my size 14 skinny jeans are getting more loose fit as the days go by!).

Plate full with work. Not 'real life' work - no, I try not to think about that - after someones attempts to bully me at work (he failed, and is now on my hit list) and a lot of mathematical calculations (and I can't do maths!), I've switched off from work at the moment, which means my 2 week holiday from it after this week was well planned!

'work' being that stuff I'm trying to do to get on with my life. It's all experimental and fun and I'm excited about all of it. I've had to write a 'to-do' list just now, so that I can stop stressing about what I have to do this week and just get on with it.

The first on the list is - running. I need to start it up again properly. I did 3 miles the other day and it took me 50 minutes. Well... I lie, I ran for a mile and a half which took me about 20 minutes and I pretty much just walked really slowly to songs such as Coldplay and Aqualung (so slow motion!) for the rest. But I want to really get into running for prolonged periods of time. Anyone have any tips on how to break through that barrier of tiredness/ boredom?

The 2nd thing on my list to do is NaNoWriMo - which I've talked about before, and decided I'm going to participate in... probably not a realistic goal, but oh well! It's National Novel Writing Month in November - where the challenge is to write a 50000 word novel in 30 days. You can write whatever you want, it doesn't matter if its not brilliant, it doesn't matter if the plot is thin and not mind blowingly well thought out, the only thing that matters is you write... and you write those god damned 50,000 words before the month is up! And me, being stupid, decided this is the year I'm going to do it (see my profile here and you can watch my progress), so I have my novel in mind (something I thought about a while ago but never did anything with. It's not brilliant, but it's something!) and my pen in my hand. This week I have to write the plot out in my note book, write some profiles for the characters and try to draft up some chapters... scary.

Of course this all comes at the time of the website launch, which will be on the 31st October. Yes, Halloween. I still can't say what the site is all about, but it should be a fun site to share with people, friends, and if people like it that's all that matters. So this week I have to fully OK the layout, and make sure the design is OK and set up the content so it's all done and dusted, and of course, make sure all the links work and the email address is working OK, and the facebook page and twitter page is all set up (even though it's in the early stages, I wanted to get things ticked off the list). So that should be... a lot of work.

And of course - Uni work. I'm working through it all OK, and really enjoyed last weeks book, Othello. This week its The Duchess of Malfi, and we're learning about themes and love and death in Renaissance literature. Cool stuff. But I have my first assignment due in the first week of November.

So yes - a good time to take 2 weeks off work, because I'm going to be damned busy for the next 3 weeks I think!

What am I doing?!

Sam

Wordy words

2011-10-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

Another wordy blog. I haven't blogged for a time. Probably only a week but it feels like longer! Ho hum!

I've been diddling on with my Open Uni work and really enjoying it. The creative writing side is fun, learning little tricks and exercises to help keep me writing. I didn't realise it, but blogging is probably a really good exercise for my writing - I just write what I'm thinking, but it's good practise just to keep the mind and the hands moving, right? :)
English Lit course is so far so good - we've only just started this week, and I've been reading Othello, and learning about the play and the meaning of the text etc. It's very interesting and I'm actually enjoying it more than I thought I would be. I mean, I don't understand what's going on really, but when I read I can kind of get the general gist of it, which is better than nothing!

Other than that I haven't been up to much. I haven't been working this week so it's been nice to have yet another week to just relax and ponder my new life as a writer/ literature understander-er.
I've also bought some new clothes. Now, to you, that might not mean much, but to me it does! I'm the worst person for buying clothes. I pick things up and by the time I get to the till I change my mind and put it all back because I just don't like it anymore. If I don't buy what I want in the space of 10 seconds I have second thoughts and put it back. But when I DO buy stuff, it's stuff I really like. I've always been like that, not just about clothes, but anything I buy. I don't mince around when I want something, and when I have it I keep it forever. I keep telling my boyfriend he should count himself lucky I didn't put him back on the shelf after a week! I jest, of course!

Anywho, the clothes I bought are a UK 14, which is nice. I always thought I'd be happy in a comfortable size 14, and I am. But... like most women who have something, we always want the next model up. So I'm kind of almost aiming to get down to a 12, but not really going to put a lot of effort into it. I'm at a point now where if it happens, it happens. I'm so zen! ha.

I'm off to a gig tomorrow night - my boyfriends uncle, who was in a band in the 80's and still gigs on his own is having a gig in Manchester. So, of course, we're on the guest list. It should be nice, I've not seen him since Christmas and he's lovely!

I'd best be off, I have many a thing to do this afternoon before I hit the gym for some Zumba!

toodles! :)

Sam

Apple Strusel Sponge Cake

2011-10-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is the last one from my recent baking batch - pictures aren't that great as the cake didn't last very long. It was just TOO good. It was a vanilla sponge base, with apples on top and a lovely crunchy sweet crumble topping - had with cream this was pretty much my favorite thing in the world. Not too sweet like the rest of the cakes, and honestly by this point in the baking we had to make something 'healthy' because we literally could not face any more chocolate!

Plus, one of your 5 a day - how could it be bad?

Again, apologies for pictures - and the jacket potato in the back ground!

Oh dear.. I think I need to make another!

Recipe to follow!

Sam
x

Who knew?

2011-10-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

Who knew there was so much thought that had to go into trying to launch a website? Well, I'll be honest, I kind of had an small idea but this is turning into a project and a half. I guess I don't mind though - I don't have much riding on this, it was just for fun - if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But I do want it to be a regular stop for some people, on their Internet travels. Ah, we'll see what happens. I'll be sure to keep you guys updated on what's going on.

At the moment, I'm just trying to figure out the layout - the theme is set for now, just a basic template as themes are something you can tweak along the way.

We're also trying to nail down the content - the content for the launch and the future content, and for that I need people to help. But until we go live I can't recruit anyone as it's all hush hush. I think I've only told one of my friends what the site is. She was kind of interested, but, well... she isn't an Internet person so she doesn't really care. I can deal with that though.

This is kind of just a bloggy blog for the time being. I just thought I'd let you know what I've been up to, which is basically panic about Uni. But so far, so good. the 1st week has been a fun one. My English Lit course starts on Saturday (Monday for me, as that's my allotted Uni day) where I will have to start reading Othello. Fun times. My writing course has been going well, just learnt some writing exercises which I have to do every day, but it all makes so much sense. You're supposed to write every day - they say that a musician practises every day, and artist sketches every day, so why wouldn't a writer write, just to practise - find your voice. Yes. I am on this page with them, I love writing - I love typing too, so blogging for me is a way to free up my creative self. I feel like a hippie. I don't know why!

Recently my boyfriend has been introducing me to David Lynch films. I loved the TV show he did, Twin Peaks and have always wanted to watch more of his stuff, and as my boyfriend has a collection of thousands of films (not exaggerated - movies are his life, and hopeful career) and a strong love of the Lynch he has them all on his shelf. So we started. So far I've watched Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart and Lost Highway - my favorite so far being Blue Velvet, but I can't get Lost Highway out of my head. I'm still trying to figure out what it meant. People think he's nuts, but I think he's a genius and we just can't see things on the level he sees them.

I've totally forgotten what else I've been up to - just Zumba'ing around at the gym and trying to keep moving every which way I can, be it a quick stint of yoga, a short run or some weights at home. Although nothing makes me ache more than the wii fit. I don't know why....

This weekends plans are - cinema, of course, to see Drive and The Lion Kind 3D. Well, I saw Jurassic Park at the cinema the other day and feeling all nostalgic for my childhood figured I'd better watch it! I'm also going to TGI Friday's which is my kryptonite. I pray I can keep my cool and resist all the bad food... praying they have a healthy salad on the menu!

I'll be off now - Going to blog again soon though - there's still a cake recipe or 2 to come and a blog about the new TV show Terra Nova, so stay tuned!

Sam

Chocolate and cheesecake brownie tray bake thing!

2011-10-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

Yes, another baking blog. This is the 2nd to last one for now so enjoy!

Again, recipe will have to be brought to you at a later date, I've put my book somewhere... clever... and can't find it.

Blog about what I've been up to recently will be up shortly. I promise. It's kind of fun! (In my eyes)

nothing could prepare you for how good this tased. It was chocolate brownie, with cheesecake mixture on top, with chilled chocolate brownie pieces scattered on top... it was fulfilling in every way! God, I need it now!

Sam
x

Peanut Butter and Chocolate pie

2011-10-03T06:22:00.000-07:00

AKA. The devils pie.

Let me tell you, when we made this we had no idea what we were getting into. The book didn't have a nice display picture so we were baking blind, if you will. I have never baked anything so sweet and bad for you as this pie is... but it was also SO good. The pictures didn't come out the best. I was going to pop a picture of a slice of it on a plate so you could see all the layers etc. but... well.. the slices didn't last long. It was destroyed quickly, what with my lovely siblings only scooping the layers they liked, and not taking full peices! Gotta love em!

The pictures come first so you can see what it is we were dealing with :P
I'll pop the recipe below!

If you're diabetic, look away now!

Quick note - I'll have to post the recipe later... I've misplaced my book! oops!

Sam

Pottermore AGAIN! And other mindless points.

2011-09-28T05:58:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

Yesterday was my first day back at work and it made me realise... how much I hate it there. But, you know, I've pretty much been saying that for the past 5 years. So.... yeah! I'll just have to stick with it for now, and stop thinking I'll ever find a job which will fulfil me... right now. Because, you know. I'm working on getting into my dream career of becoming a writer, so I shouldn't really sweat it, right? Please say yes!

I had a really good 2 weeks off, and have now booked another 2 weeks off in the first 2 weeks of November, because I basically forgot to take any holidays this year and was left with 5 weeks to take before the end of the year! I now have 3 weeks left, so I will be using them for Christmas (got the whole festive period off) and maybe some days in between it all! Woop woop! :P

I finally got my pottermore email - which to those NOT in the know, is the new official Harry Potter website, where you can basically go through all the different scenes in the book on the Internet and find out little tidbits on characters etc. and things that never made it into the story but JK Rowling wrote anyway - for the fans it's a pretty nice perk, and they let 1 million people have early access for Beta testing before the official open date of the 1st of October. In my case, there wasn't any point in doing it because I only just got in and it's October on Saturday (more on that in a second) so, bah! it was fun trying to get in early never the less, so who cares? Only problem is I have hit one of the errors on the site and now I'm stuck in Diagon alley with no money so I can't buy the things I need to move onto the next stages! Humph!

So, yes, it's October the 1st on Saturday. Now, I'm sure you ALL know that I love October. I love it so much it's untrue. It's just MY season. And Halloween! What's not to love? But on Saturday I'm officially starting my 2nd year of Open Uni, and will be studying 'Reading and Studying Literature' and 'Creative Writing'. I'm excited and scared that I may have taken on too much, but not to be outdone by myself I'm pushing myself even further.

My boyfriend and I have set up a website... I can't tell you what it's about at the moment, it's a working progress and just meant to be fun. So we are working on that this month and going 'live' on Halloween... and no, it's not a Halloween themed site, even though that is what I should be doing! I was also going to try to partake in NaNoWriMo this year. Which is National Novel Writing Month, and it takes place over the month of November. I figured it might slot in with my creative writing course... we will see. I have already thought of what I'm going to be writing about so I just need to keep that in my head for the next month and come November I have 1 month to write 50,000 words! Not too much, right?

Whoever said I start too many tasks and never finished them will soon be proven wrong (but more than likely right!).

Anyway, I'll be off, this was just a wordy blog before more pictures of ooey gooey cakes. Which will follow later this week/ weekend!

Take care!

Sam

Shhh, don't tell my hairdresser!

2011-09-18T05:06:00.000-07:00

I had a keratin hair treatment yesterday - can't wash my hair for 36 hours or get it wet at all... so of course it's rain central here.

My hairdresser said to me 'You're not doing anything this weekend are you? Because you can't get your hair wet, AT ALL'.

Of course, being a woman - true to my word and sweet as candy, replied 'Nope, nothing planned'.

BUT I LIED! Haha. I know, there was no reason TO lie, I mean, what does she care? She gets my money, I get my nice smooth hair, and I didn't get it wet! I might have slightly sweated on the dance floor of a club and gotten it a little... damp, shall we say? But I made sure it didn't get wet at all! But I feel so guilty, like I've been a bad girl! Oh well.

I hit up the Karaoke booth in Manchester last night, singing an array of songs, from Dolly Parton's 'Joelene' (Which I sing like a pro!) to Will Smith's 'Wild, Wild West'. Oh, and lets not forget a little bit of 'river deep, mountain high'. That's always a winner! It was fun. There's nothing better than singing karaoke in a booth with only your friends to watch and listen, because I don't think I could do it in front of a crowd of people... eekers!

This was literally just a random blog about randomness... but if you stop by feel free to tell me if you've been keratin-ised, and what you thought, and also, what is your go to karaoke song? :)

Sam