Panoptifier: Making all things visible...

Lent Half-Term 2018: In Bed

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 18:54:00 +0000

You know that thing when you get your period whilst fighting a cold that is making you hot and sweaty at the same time as being shivery chilled.

Then you're stuck in bed for the week and forgo showering in case you faint in there.

Then you get stomach/back ache and a weird vaginal pain that reminds you of a UTI, so you worry you've given yourself an infection by being too poorly to wash properly.

That.

But then you find some maximum strength flu capsules with caffeine: suddenly you are superwoman ready to tackle all the chores (housework and homework that needs to be marked) and horny. But it only lasts a few hours and you're back to coughing and not being the right temperature.

Yeah, that.

Lent Half-Term Holiday 2018: when I really, really needed to get loads done, but couldn't/didn't.

So, I'm a teacher now...but who exactly am I supposed to be teaching and why should I bother?

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 09:37:00 +0000

Having completed a PhD, started by own learning and business advisory company, and worked as a consultant, I am now a teacher - I needed a steady pay check because I bought my first house.

I am deeply passionate about education - I think the joy from discovering something new is the best feeling. My vision of heaven is that I spend the eternity in a library containing all the books that were ever written.

But I am facing a conflict: I have always been very clear that I don't like teaching and that I don't like children. Though it has dawned on me recently that, actually, my real feelings are thus:

1. I don't want to deliver material by standing at the front of a classroom telling the students what to write down from the whiteboard/PowerPoint. I really want to coach, guide, train, support people (not just children) on learning journeys whereby they and, consequently, the world are better for it.

2. I don't like apathy - if you don't have a fire in your belly to learn absolutely everything you possibly can before your own flame dims and dies, then we are not philosophically aligned. You might argue that their belly-fire has been dampened by learning difficulties, boring teachers, a home-life that doesn't encourage development, etc. and I am trying to accommodate that within my assessment of students within my classrooms.

So, I don't like most teaching and I don't like most children.

What should I do? Find another job in education...or find a different way to teach and/or different students.

I discovered blended learning, flipped classrooms, VLEs, etc. at Christmas: Canvas by Instructure is my current love affair - free, easy, comprehensive, supportive - their Community of experts and users is very approachable and full of top insights to make the most of the platform.

I embraced all these non-didactic ways of teaching - and the students weren't interested. They wanted chalk-and-talk, for me to tell them what to memorise for the final examination.

It also turned out that they had no study skills (didn't know how to annotate a document, how to take notes and listen at the same time, etc.) and their IT skills were almost non-existent (couldn't refresh a webpage, didn't understand search query formats like OR and quotation marks).

Admittedly, they are only 16 years old, but they are not from underprivileged backgrounds - there is no poverty of access or opportunity - they are at an elite fee-paying school. I suspect they simply lack any real motivation - either that or they are so cowed by the stress of achievement that they can only go through the motions in class without any real enthusiasm. Perhaps they feel certain that a good university degree and job await them, perhaps they are certain they won't - I teach Economics, so they know all about the increasingly competitive globalised labour market.

But a moral dilemma remains...

I believe every child should be encouraged to be the best version of themselves, to reach for the highest attainment. But with increasing number of college/university graduates unemployed I have to ask - are we making them stretch for something unattainable?

Should we accept that some students need expect careers where they stack shelves and sweep the streets? We aren't likely to get the robots yet, which will make these occupations obsolete - but that will happen soon. What do we say to students who don't want to be a call centre operative, a waitress, or social worker...who don't want to work in the burgeoning service sector at all? Is manufacturing definitely dying? Will there by any blue collar jobs left in a decade's time?

Or is it that university degrees aren't fit for purpose? Do they simply not provided the skills and personal characteristics that employees seek, which is why so many graduates work in jobs that don't require degrees, and then, to make themselves more employable, do a Masters or other graduate training?

Or is it that we need to create growth so that more jobs are created? Should we get the government to invest in supply-side policies that allows the economy to growth?

Or is it that we need to reduce immigration (and NHS funding for certain treatments - cardiac arrests in middle management, alcohol/drug overdoses in teenagers, car accidents/suicide attempts in the recently graduated) so that fewer people are competing for the jobs...?

Is education just setting up people for disappointment?

Charter schools in the USA have awesome, tear-inducing Youtube videos about eager students yearning to attend college (university). They see it as the gateway to success.

I'm not sure that is the case in the UK - either graduates aren't looking hard enough for work (maybe the Bank of Mum and Dad safety net is too high) or they really cannot find suitable jobs. But they better grab what they can - they only have to look at youth unemployment in Spain to realise that things could be significantly worse.

Charter schools in the UK could be a worthwhile endeavour - helping those with the very lowest aspirations to make their contribution to the world. This would at least align with my libertarian economic philosophy of helping people help themselves.

So, I'm a teacher for now, but maybe there is something else I could be doing in education...LGBTQ support, instructional designer, multi-sensory impairment specialist...

I guess the world is my oyster: I wonder how many students say that nowadays and really believe it.

You dancing? You asking? Yeah, I'm asking. Then I'm dancing...

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 16:00:00 +0000

Northerners rejoice! Easy dance steps are now within reach of your fingers - and toes!

http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/downloads/pdfs_1_indulge_yourself_one.pdf

https://0.s3.envato.com/files/12641317/cha%20cha%20steps.jpg

http://dance.lovetoknow.com/Rumba_Dance_Step_Diagram

http://www.dancetv.com/

http://www.justsalsa.com/salsa/dance/steps/rmt_on2sm.jpg

http://www.justsalsa.com/salsa/dance/steps/cuba_on3sm.jpg

https://dancecurator.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/salsa-basic-step/

Who doesn't like a bargain?

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:58:00 +0000

Hate to waste money? Then try these links!

http://www.gumtree.com/freebies/birmingham

http://www.freecycle.org/group/UK/West%20Midlands

http://www.police-auctions.org.uk/property.htm

http://www.police-auctions.org.uk/police.htm

http://www.police-auctions.org.uk/government.htm

Zero bids on eBay

http://www.searchtempest.com/

Movie recommendations from the uninformed

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 15:47:00 +0000

I have no doubt these movies are enjoyed by some people somewhere, so I feel safe in advising that, if you want to, go ahead and check them out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Men_Don't_Wear_Plaid

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1885300/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2179116/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1862079/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2334873/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Family_(2013_film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good_Things_(film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_White_Is_Sick_%26_Twisted

The Big Picture (1989) - IMDb

Or, if you are feeling adventurous try this random title finder:

http://www.imdb.com/random/title

Alternative healthcare: what is 'safe' when it comes to gynaecology?

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 15:35:00 +0000

There are more options than we are generally told and we ought to have every piece of data available before making decisions about our bodies and any impact this may have on embryos, foetuses and babies conceived during their use or after.

None of the links below are being promoted by this blog. They are simply being provided to encourage discussion and the dissemination of information; I cannot guarantee the research and science, you must judge what is best for you,

I am an advocate for personal responsibility towards our bodies as much as towards our actions. I do not believe other people (mainly white, middle-aged men) know what is best for me and I do not presume to be without ulterior motives nor error in judgement. We can only do our best and it should be our best. Do not accept information without questioning the alternatives. Work hard to ensure you are making the smartest decisions you can for your immediate well-being and your future well-being.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/contraception-guide/Pages/contraceptive-cap.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/contraception-guide/Pages/contraceptive-diaphragm.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/contraception-guide/Pages/vasectomy-male-sterilisation.aspx

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/cancer-questions/the-contraceptive-pill-and-cancer-risk

http://sisterzeus.com/HContra.htm

http://www.sisterzeus.com/herbalcontraception.html

http://aartiana.wordpress.com/2010/05/26/my-6-step-herbal-contraceptivebirth-control-program/

http://www.naturalnews.com/038231_herbal_contraception_neem_oil_the_pill.html#

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/natural-birth-control-using-herbs/

http://womenagainststirrups.proboards.com/

http://womenagainststirrups.proboards.com/thread/3/self-pap

http://womenagainststirrups.proboards.com/thread/147/urine-based-screening-hpv

http://womenagainststirrups.proboards.com/thread/47/genipap-home-pap-smear

http://womenagainststirrups.proboards.com/board/2/birth-control

http://womenagainststirrups.proboards.com/thread/141/natural-birth-control-women-men

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s832834.htm

http://womenagainststirrups.proboards.com/board/5/gyn-myths

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3031047/How-monthly-cycle-plays-havoc-skin-causing-wrinkles-oiliness-spots-beat-s-how.html

Living history vs. living herstory...

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 14:55:00 +0000

I love my new hobby: historical re-enactment is fun and educational for participant and audience alike. However, for the sake of authenticity the women are expected to stay in the shade, both literally and figuratively, whilst the men undertake battles of foote and other more glory-getting activities. I am reminded that then, as now, women were healers and hearth-warmers in the main, rather than providers or explorers, or any of the gamut of options open to men, but denied to women.

I have spent some time in the last two years acting as a housewife due to difficulty in acquiring full-time employment. It wasn't easy in parts: feeling beholden for shelter; focusing on laundry and cooking when my best skills lie in other domains. But, it wasn't unpleasant either. I enjoyed my spouse-to-be coming home to find dinner ready to plate, a drink waiting and me in some hastily donned 'outdoor' clothes, perfume and lipstick, rather than the pj's I had been wearing minutes before.

As much as returning to ancient roles and fulfilling expected stereotypes can be an act of removal, taking oneself outside the normal routine, for many, many women globally their contemporary roles remain much the same as they would have been for centuries past.

I enjoy the dressing up in unfamiliar garb, often created with my own hands - and, for the sake of accuracy, with minimal modern intervention: hand-stitched out of natural fabrics available in the chosen time period. However, as much as I take pleasure in assuming a temporary alternative identity, I still feel somewhat ashamed, worried for my neo-feminist/equalist credentials, to admit that I enjoy the sitting and sewing, the quiet and the calm. I like that there is someone who cares for me and is ready to protect me. I don't want to be wearing hot and heavy armour, but I feel as if I ought to want to.

I am lucky to be able to 'pretend' to like these so-called feminine activities under the guise of being true to character, when, in reality, I really do prefer to craft and create, be cared for, be the quintessential lady.

For those of you interested in living history interpretation as careerist or hobbyist, I can recommend the links below for information and resources.

Authenticity vs. practicality
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_history

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Historical_reenactment_groups

http://www.rgamerica.org/data.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authenticity_(reenactment)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_reenactment

http://www.teamsmedieval.org/ofc/SP09/F2010Victorian.html

Steampunkery
For those wanting a bit more science and a bit more whimsy in their historical costume play...

https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=steampunk&rs=ac&len=5

http://www.instructables.com/tag/type-id/category-technology/channel-steampunk/

Clothing design
This blog provides a wealth of practical project suggestions and tips on completing work in efficient and authentic ways: http://rosaliegilbert.com/fabricsandsewing.html

Those interested in a specific era, such as 15th century medieval European_fashion can find plenty of detail on this well-researched wikipedia entry that forms part of a wider database of historical fashions that start here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_clothing_and_textiles - at the bottom of which there is a useful table of the linked pages:

Fabric samples
Free swatches can be exceptionally useful when experimenting with costumes - don't purchase expensive cloth that turns out to be too hard to pull thread through or too stiff to allow easy movement.

http://www.whitelodgefabric.com/engine/shop/page/Samples

https://www.the-millshop-online.co.uk/samples/

http://www.headboards.ltd.uk/swatch/

http://www.modulus-seating.com/samples.php

http://www.sofasandstuff.com/about-us/fabric-pack/

http://www.loomefabrics.co.uk/free-samples.html

Make your house a home with #selfbuild principals

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 07:05:00 +0000

You may wish that you lived in a floating palace, a quaint country cottage, a freewheeling caravan, but what you really want is to be in charge of your own destiny, to not feel at the mercy of forces you cannot control.

Shaping our homes and the indoor, secret lives we lead allows us to be our true selves. It is an act of parrhesia, confessing who we really are when given the opportunity to be the fullest version of 'me'.

We may speak, act, dress in ways that give those with an external view an impression of us, but that is all it remains, a guess, a rough estimate, perhaps even a deliberately crafted, non-authentic version. People present themselves in camouflage for a variety of reasons, but where they should feel safest and freest is in their home.

Just as we may advocate building one's character and personhood in an honest way to prevent stifling of our truth, so we can argue that creating a space to be our truth is equally important.

Buying or renting a pre-lived-in home may be the best some families can manage. Their task will be to order the elements that can be altered into the most effective dynamic. Changing room layout, re-arranging garden sections, aligning furniture to best achieve flow from door to window to hearth.

Those of us lucky enough to be able to own a piece of the Earth can enjoy a deeper connection to the history that created our stories as individuals and as a society. We are about to purchase our first house. Having hoped to be able to buy land and build, we are 'settling' for a ready-made 1970s one. It has been modernised and extended and we are very lucky.

We still want to fulfil our dream eventually and this post is our announcement of intention. We will build our own home one day. Until then, we want to share the links below to help others wanting to do the same.

The UK government endorsed website, Self Build Portal, (@SelfBuildPortal) has a surfeit of resources.

A good solution may be a pre-fabricated home, arriving in sections and constructed on your chosen site. Companies such as NorScot offer kit homes of environmentally-friendly design and Cottage Kit Homes provide a similar service. Roy Homes and Welsh Oak Frame sell beautiful houses.

For those wanting to create a earth-centred home, sourcing materials and making other smart choices will be essential.

You may wish to convert an existing property to save more foundations being dug, more concrete and cement being manufactured and used. The Church of England sells properties it no longer needs here. A helpful guide to converting a church (or other complex buildings) can be found here.

Rather than visiting the DIY store or local construction merchant, why not consider other ways of getting the materials you need for your home? Freegle, Freecycle, TrashNothing and similar websites can be excellent for small quantities of materials (and plenty of things to fill your home once built!). However, there are sites dedicated to environmentally conscious use of materials such as Surplus Swap, Pre-loved and ReciPro being some of the best I've found. You could also be saving money by self-building by recouping VAT from the government - check out this link for more information.

Will you have good public transport links to reduce car reliance? Find out by using the National Rail maps available here.

Heat your home with photo-voltaics, solar panels, underground heat reclamation systems, wood pellet burners, or other methods that do not rely on non-renewable resources. We don't want to live on a wiffle ball, so let's stop digging cavities in our planet!

Hands up! Who wants to learn #signlanguage?

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 07:04:00 +0000

I have been learning sign language for over twenty years now. I started aged nine when it was announced in assembly one morning that a little boy was joining the reception class who was deaf. They were looking for other pupils to volunteer to learn sign language so that he would have friends in the playground and generally help him not feel so isolated.

I remember feeling happy that I could be helping the little boy and also very excited that I would be learning something new. The lessons started with 'Mary had a Little Lamb' and I survived on that limited vocabulary until I undertook volunteer work with Sense (@Sensetweets http://www.sense.org.uk/) during my university years. I was took a British Sign Language course (BSL Level 1) and continued practicing whenever I could.

Now there are links available for learning online, so I feel compelled to share them. You can develop a new language skill that connects you with the Deaf community, that supports pre-verbal children, and that allows you to have conversations when it is very noisy or when you are meant to be silent! I never used to enjoy visiting a bar or concert as I couldn't express myself to those around me without yelling saliva into their ears, and vice versa. Now I can and you can, too.

Here are the top links I've discovered:

http://www.spreadthesign.com/us/

http://www.schoolofsignlanguage.com/learn-online/learn-online-free-only

http://www.deafdirect.org.uk/courses/practising-your-bsl/

http://www.ndcs.org.uk/family_support/support_in_your_area/local_groups/find_a_local_group/index.html

http://www.signstation.org/index.php/learn-bsl-the-company

http://www.signstation.org/index.php/bsl-dictionary/desktop-dictionary

http://brett-zamir.me/gestuno/?chapter=People_and_Relationships

http://www.sematos.eu/isl.html

http://www.tinytalk.co.uk/

Enjoy!

Feminist coincidence on @itvLewis?

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Sat, 24 May 2014 18:35:00 +0000

All-female college at Oxford has a reunion and the first death is that of Poppy Toynton. Have the writers been punny, naming a character, with strong feminist credentials, rather like Polly Toynbee, Guardian columnist? They even include another feminist newspaper columnist who jokes about her status being above the average journalist, differentiated by the appearance of her photograph above the inches - - and £40k.

King Richard III: Catholic burial in Westminster Abbey, please

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 13:57:00 +0000

I won't wax lyrical about this as it seems so simple. He was a King of England, his wife (Anne Neville) is buried in Westminster Cathedral and so it is obvious that he should be buried with her. Now, she hasn't got a grave marker, as (according to the Westminster Abbey site) was killed the same year at Bosworth. So somewhere near the alter seems fitting, but disrupting floors and foundations to get his bones sort of nearby seems excessive, but he was KING OF ENGLAND. If any recent monarchs' corpses were ignominiously tombed, wouldn't we want future citizens to take up the cause, pay respects appropriately and bury them with as much pomp and circumstance as their position deserves?

I can see that a State Funeral might be a bit of a damp squib (go on, how many of The IT Crowd fans wanted me to write damp squid?) given that throngs of adoring/morning subjects who felt the impact of his reign aren't available.

But he really deserves much more than he is getting. We're grateful that he's been found (shame that the female archaeologist busted open the cranium accidentally, though) but now we must muster more effort to recognise his contributions.

I also agree with this blog that correctly asserts that a Catholic funeral would be necessary given the faith he held upon his death (presumably).

Plucky little pony

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 13:34:00 +0000

Not sure I can really justify why this tickles me so, it just does. One of life's mysteries.

Google Reader: a retrospective

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 13:15:00 +0000

When I first heard, I admit I was furious. I don't normally set much store by interweb facilities. Sure, I enjoy Facebook for the photos, LinkedIn for the networking, Gmail/Rocketmail/Hotmail for the communications, but apart from some very light blogging and tweeting (as evidence by this neglected blog) I really could say I'm cyber-lite. I don't have such capabilities on my mobile telephone. I access the internet by a slightly more advanced version of dial-up or visit the local internet-enabled cafe (and use gallons of bandwith/electricity for a very reasonable 40p bottle of spring water). I never even text, let alone send photo messages - do you know how expensive they are?

So, when I learned that the one crucial site that I used LOADS was disappearing for no good reason, I was fuming.

I joined this petition. I grumbled to people lengthily. I was very sad. I had used my Google Reader account for as long as it had been available. I had stored there all my subscriptions to comics, blogs, job searches, news updates, etc. I thought it would last forever. I actually thought what a fun insight it would provide should I ever leave this mortal coil unexpectedly early, my nearest and dearest taking comfort in all the funny cartoons I enjoyed and serious political debate on which I kept tabs.

I knew that good ol' Google wouldn't be persuaded. Someone had mentioned the costs of keeping it alive and compared it to the revenue possible, but we GReader scamps weren't cross-posting or tweeting or blogging or promoting enough. We could have been punished another way. Make it slower. Fill it with ads. Do a YouTube and make us watch a commercial before we could get to the good stuff.

Instead there was just a steady reminder to back-up, download, collect and otherwise archive the information lovingly contained therein before the big power switch in the sky was turned off.

Resignedly I searched for alternatives. I tried Old Reader, but it didn't float my boat. I'm now using Feedly, but I'm still not convinced. I wanted more functionality for free, but maybe I'm just greedy.

I'm no longer angry. Strangely, it subsided pretty quickly. Feedly is now my go-to site after Facebook and my various email providers.

However, I'm beginning to think Google's Do No Harm promise is ringing hollow...

X Men: First Class - belated retcon conversation

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0000

I don't know if it is the historian-archivist in me, but my revulsion of revisionist works really prevents my enjoyment of film series which offer poor continuity. I could start with the Hulk nonsense (how unnecessary it was to remake a movie so soon afterwards, how confusing it is to have different actors in the role within my living memory, etc.), or I could mention my surprise at the reboot of Spiderman: though this could be more to do with my concern that the reboot might have been timely but I am simply old enough to remember the first franchise properly and thus newer versions seem like heresy.

I understand that film studios are in the business of making money not life-changing, world-view-shifting art. It is commercial. It is also very wasteful, but I'll write about the lack of renewable elements of film sets and concomitant excessive rubbish it creates.

Maybe it is the wastefulness of remakes to which I object. If the first films were fine, why mess around and waste money making another? Other than the obvious answer of 'make more money for the studio'.

However, my main chagrin has to be the lack of continuity and the sense that the makers don't really like the subject of the films or respect its fans enough to keep facts straight.

I know how hard it is to plough through material and make sure the argument is cohesive, avoiding repetition or omission that might change fundamental parts of the cannon. Perhaps I'm naive in assuming all official output has to be cannon, but for me it does. If the original creator or whoever owns the rights now says, "Yes, make this new comic/book/film/doodle using the content/ideas/characters that have previously been used." Then I really do expect there to be a shared sense of responsibility to make the new material sync with the previous; not just thematically fit, or 'you could see how someone would think that would be sort-of appropriate' - I want it belong cogently and cohesively in the same universe. I don't want a mind-fog moment of 'erm, I might be wrong but didn't she used to wear red shoes when she was in fighting mode' and then have to endure either of two equally insupportable situations:

1. Watch the movie assuming they are right, that your brain has somehow melted rendering all previous stored information muddled and worry about your ability to remember the order of door, lock, lid, pants, sit, wee when the occasion arises...

OR

2. Watch the movie assuming they are wrong, that they couldn't be bothered or had insufficient resources to properly research the previous output and worry about what other jarring inconsistencies may arise before the film concludes, releasing you into the sweet freedom of wiki checks proving that yes, you did remember that inconsequential detail correctly.
N.B. This is similar to my worry about live performances where a small dance misstep or incorrect chord or forgotten line can ruin the experience for me and leaves me on the edge of my seat with nervousness before the performance has even begun. I cannot even bear the anticipation of errors, I am involuntarily but irretrievably mortified on their behalf, guilty of aiding and abetting their mortification by choosing to view this performance and thus forcing them to present themselves for judgement by an audience (only one of which is me). It is irrational but unavoidable.

For those wanting a tiny taste of the furore that can be created when cannon is disrespected, please check out this X Men link which hints at the consternation bubbling away on the interwebs.

Hymnal Homecoming

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 12:19:00 +0000

After a significant absence, this blog is being reinvigorated. Thus to give it the best start possible, I'm getting the Good Guy on my side.

Not normally a sentimental blog, but this beautiful hymn deserves a post of its own.

And can it be?

A queer thing happened on the way to the market...

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 15:39:00 +0000

Char Carter, Chairperson of Herefordshire Pride, is the instigator. What started as a Facebook group last summer has blossomed. Originally to test the waters for a larger organisation, the group quickly got fifty people together and showed that such an organisation was needed. Although Rainbow Forum already exists, a collaborative event didn't work out so Herefordshire Pride is a separate entity now, established in December last year/January this year. The plan was to have a fundraiser this year and a Pride event next year, but it 'kind of snowballed' and now there is a Facebook page, Twitter feed, WordPress Blog and a website.

As a regular, Char thought the obvious place to hold this event was in a familiar location such as The Spread Eagle Inn. Other venues were investigated, specifically those that were free or cheaply available, but the most significant factor was the friendliness of the staff. A big concern was the welcome that such an event might have for the regulars and those working there. If held at The Vault there would be a cover charge and the patrons and staff would just have to get on with it, but The Spread is a very welcoming atmosphere. Other events have been held such as a social drink per month, cover evenings, quizzes and even a zumba class, which admittedly wasn't very successful: 'it is a learning curve.'

With no designated LGBT centre, Hereford needs queer-friendly venues for the benefit of the LGBT community and for the education of the non-LGBT locals. Play, a local nightclub which used to be Bushwackers has been a sort-of centre of LGBT social scene. Whilst The Spread Eagle is friendly is has taken months to make this place recognised as the place to go. There have been so many attempts at fostering a strong queer focus to the town that has variously centred on The Saracen's Head, The Black Lion and The Orange Tree - any quiet pub really.

Ready to don her 'I tried being straight, it sent me around the bend' rainbow-icon t-shirt, Char presents herself as an enthusiastic leader of this fledgling group. Herefordshire Pride is aiming to be a charity. Currently a non-profit organisation, it is not a charity yet as it has not earned enough: charities must have £5000 turn-over per year to register. No-one in the group's organisation gets paid and tonight is a free event with only two paid acts the DJ, Lady Diana, and Will Killeen who is performing at a discount. They will be accepting donations and providing merchandise for sale, such as badges, t-shirts, etc. This slowly evolving organisation has a committee entirely Herefordshire-based. The committee meetings are everywhere: other venues used to host the public meetings designed to attract people, but generally they now happen in Jules' front room now. Joining the committee is relatively easy: 'just contact us' or speak to Char about it, come to social drinks. There is no need to be voted on, only three positions, Chair, Financial Secretary and Secretary, require that. You don't even have to associate yourself with one of the LGBT (LGBTQQ or FABGLITTER letters), although Jules is Secretary, Aaron is Finance Secretary and straight.

There may be other pride events this summer. They intend to organise another event with a small charge to fund raise, as public funding has not been sought yet. The committee didn't feel comfortable for the first year, having seen other groups rush into things, wasting the money granted just because they have the cash. Regular nights somewhere seem to be the main goal, rather than a community centre. Another focus is the education of the masses into the spectrum of queer culture, that every LGBT thing isn't just 'drag queens and screaming gays.' Today there are acoustic sets in the afternoon, stand-up comedians; the only gay-specific act are the Pet Shop Bears.

Advertising has been based on Facebook, Twitter, the website, posters, flyers and word of mouth; a big turn-out is hoped for, though the worry is that it will end up being 'nobody or packed solid'. With a 300 capacity venue, are there enough queers in Hereford to fill it? Char anticipates people from Gloucester and Shropshire coming, along with a fair representation of Hereford's various communities, a mixed crowd not solely LGBT. The greatest hope is that the community realise that Herefordshire Pride are here doing this. As Char said, 'if you want more to be done for your community, show support, just make us think it is worthwhile.' After La Rue's nightclub closed down two years ago there has been a gap in the market, perhaps Char and her committee are able to fill the niche.

As far as Char is concerned, Hereford has always been a welcoming and friendly place. Herefordian born and bred, she has only experienced three or four negative experiences in the last two and half years, three of which were from kids. She supposes that with Lady Gaga and other queer-friendly musicians and popular culture icons, it helps make LGBT status and issues such as gay rights more mainstream both in the media and general awareness for Joe Bloggs. Rather than any negativity the main feeling now is that 'no-one gives a damn,' that there is no longer a limited experience on the social scene.

With luck, Herefordshire Pride has begun the latest wave of development in the local queer community, spreading a message of tolerance in diversity. Given the reactions of those enjoying the music so far, it seems that a warm welcome is guaranteed.

Herefordshire Pride Aug 4th 2012: Join us today!

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 13:54:00 +0000

Today The Spread Eagle Inn welcomes the Shire's LGBT community to an exciting event, the county's annual Pride. With a gloriously diverse set-list including music and comedy it is sure to be entertaining.

Come along and join us!

Location:
The Spread Eagle Inn,

2 King Street

Hereford

HR4 9BW

Free entry live music stand up and DJ. Local ciders on tap and a very welcoming atmosphere!

Set list

3:30pm Opening of pride

3:32pm Bethany Black

4:00pm Will Killeen

5:00pm Sally Haines

5:30pm Phil Whitehead

6:00pm Martin Throne

6:50pm Sarah Savage

7:10pm Pet Shop Bears

8:00pm Club Midnight

12:00am Close of Pride

Please note the timings are rough and may run later or earlier.

Diamond Jubilee: Never-before-seen footage shows Charles and Anne buried up to their necks on the beach | Mail Online

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 10:38:00 +0000

Diamond Jubilee: Never-before-seen footage shows Charles and Anne buried up to their necks on the beach | Mail Online

I love these pictures apart from the ones with the Princess Anne's naked torso; it isn't appropriate for her body to be displayed like this. However modern we feel, society and culture combined dictate that female torsos are (eventually) sexualised. To reveal this part of her body is to reveal the later sexualised region; it is immodest. I am surprised that she and her family permitted release of these images.

Canada, I love you, but losing the 1cent coin seems foolish...

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:55:00 +0000

Canada Gets Rid of the Penny (Huzzah!) - GraphJam: Music and Pop Culture in Charts and Graphs. Let us explain them.

I can't be as excited about this as I thought I would be before watching the video. It seems to me that low income families will be disproportionately disadvantaged by this change. Less likely to have a credit card and more lively to make regular small purchases rather than a weekly/monthly 'big shop,' these families will face the rounding up or down more often than everyone else. Little kids getting their daily after-school candy of 13 1cent jelly sweets will spend the rest of the school year paying 15cents for these 13 candies, 10cents a week more, 40 cents a month - that is a lot of extra candies these kids could be enjoying if not for this policy change. 1cent stamps to upgrade old postage to new higher rates will now be...FREE??? No, I expect they will require multi-purchases to round up. No more small enterprise commodity exchange, we're now part of the Bulk-Buy Bonanza.

So, no more chances to purchase 1cent items in small quantities.

These low income families on a budget may in fact buy the SAME BASKET OF GOODS regularly; if each day they are buying $2.33 worth of groceries but paying $2.35, then by the end of the year they've lost 2centsx365 = £7.30, half a week's groceries. Not a lot, granted, but no amount of money lost as a result of government changes is good.

@MadMen_AMC latest episode: I am sixteen going on seventeen...

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 05:53:00 +0000

Finally, someone else realises that Don and Dawn sound the same with an American accent. First, Erin and Aaron on Criminal Minds...and now Mad Men... Not just my ears then!

@CSI_CBS / @CrimMinds_CBS should take better care of their female cast & characters, and why Garcia is our saving grace

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:32:00 +0000

CSI Catherine Willows' replacement seems about a decade younger but pretty much a photo-fit. They even kept her wardrobe to clothe the newbie, who continues the sassy attitude. Aren't Miss Fox and the blonde chick annoyed that another female was brought in for flavour? Weren't they considered enough? Shouldn't they be booted up the roster? At least we are getting more gender equality with more female characters, plus the representation of an older female is handy... But I can't help be perturbed that the show echoes the storyline where the long-serving cast/staff are passed over for fresh meat. Replacing Gil Grissom was necessary, but they should have promoted Catherine, then added a new weirdo (á la Laurence Fishburne and Ted Danson).

Now, Criminal Minds is not doing much better. All their marketing shows Rossi, Hotchner and Morgan centre-stage, the women on the periphery: See their Twitter, their website section describing the show, even the front page of the website without a single picture of the female case. After the furore over reducing Pager Brewster's episode number and completely letting go of, the equally lovely, A.J. Cook, we have Emily and J.J. back from the dead and the Pentagon, respectively. But now Miss Brewster has decided to leave the show entirely of her own accord. Whilst we had a brief hissy fit over the introduction of that Agent-in-Training-daughter-of-serial-killer, Ashley Seaver, as a (presumably cheaper on the pay role) replacement for the older women, this was swiftly corrected at the beginning of this season. Now there is the threat that Paget's final (yes, definitely this time) exit will leave producers tempted to add in fresh talent of the younger, blonder variety. Now, as a young blonde myself, I am not against these women, but I think we need more diversity. Why not get alcoholic Chief Erin Strauss (anyone else continually confused when these American actors say Aaron and Erin in EXACTLY THE SAME WAY?) demoted from her role and required to serve time as an agent in the field, so that the team has to teach an old dog new tricks? [Sorry, neither actress nor character are a bitch or ugly, as far as I know.]

Actually, I'd prefer Garcia (and the resident queer actress portraying her) to have a larger part to play. She is diverse in appearance, size, personality, not wanting to jump at marriage with her guy; yeah, she is pretty a great role model for girls: smart, great job, funny, sensitive to the horrific crimes she helps solve, recognises her weaknesses, not afraid to stand up for her beliefs or the people she loves. What a superstar.

Budget constraints cannot be ignored, but they could easily invite new faces to the show who aren't necessarily new to the industry. Maybe this is already sorted, but if not, here are my suggestions:

Kiersten Warren (though she seems pretty loved up with her gorgeous husband and daughter, so she might not be interested in a part)

Meredith Eaton (who may be contracted to NCIS)

Jennifer Beals (since Chicago Code didn't work out, she might be tempted by a role as a whip smart agent...who could tempt Garcia into a lesbian tryst! Hooray!)

Could the new character please be something different? Reid is the boffin; Morgan has the swagger; Hotchner has the gruffness; Garcia has the zaniness; Rossi has the...saginess(?)...sagacity! The new face should not be another trainee, or some old hand brought in from retirement, but something else... hmm, maybe, an agent on an international agency-swap, someone from Britain! Yes, that's it! Prentiss says since being 'back' she's never quite settled so she's taking the offer of swapping with another agency for 'sharing best practice' purposes and taking Sergio to live in Blighty!

LazyMaisy recipes for the time-poor and bone-idle... THIS WEEK: Academics & authors get fresh air AND a shower!

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:31:00 +0000

Whilst the pleasure of cooking (for some people) would be severely reduced by the suggestions herein, I am certain that doing other things with your life, like having a nice lie down, will greatly outweigh the supposed benefits of chopping a million ingredients and stirring a bubbling broth like a maddened weyward sister.

My tactics are to ensure those of us who prefer to be sat on the sofa rather than stood over the stove can maximise opportunities for sloth, whilst still having something tasty, filling and healthy to eat.

Recipe 1: Reis gyda thomatos a selsig wedi'u pobi (Yeah, I used Welsh to be fancy... GoogleTranslate is your friend)

1. Put rice and water into your superefficient rice cooker; switch on.

2. Grill sausages on medium (150f) whilst rice is steaming.

3. Dust an oven dish with black pepper, mixed Italian herbs, sea salt, chilli flakes and a crushed chicken stock cube.

[12-15mins: You now have time for a wee nap, a few YouTube videos or even a walk about the garden if you're anxious about your fresh air intake: ACADEMICS AND AUTHORS TAKE NOTE, CHOOSE OPTION 3!]

4. Cut up sausages, scatter in oven dish, cover with cooked rice, pour on can of chopped tomatoes, rinse can out with water by pouring the rinsing water over the dish.

5. Put dish in oven, 200f; cook until tomatoes are hot.

[12-15mins: Regular human beings can call family/friends knowing that an audible alarm will sound at just the time you want to end the conversation, giving a great excuse for leaving mid-sentence. Those who work with words for a living now have time for your fortnightly shower: your friends/family will forgive the radio silence; they will be glad of your increased hygiene levels when you finally emerge from your office-cave and visit them.]

6. Scoop out and eat. Blow first, those forkfuls will be scalding.

N.B. Dieticians in the readership will note that sea salt, processed pork sausages and the stock cube are all sodium-rich deliciousness which can be especially important for those that have sobbed over the latest episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' and sweated through their fitful, dream-riddled sleep. The more emotionally stable amongst potential recipe-users are advised to drink lots of water and think about eating this magnificent meal in moderation.

Competitive Celebrity Tweeting: Yes, that's right, I called it - that title is all mine!

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:32:00 +0000

The LEGENDARY @Joe_Dante talks with @FilmClubUK ...AND ANSWERS MY TWEET!

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:21:00 +0000

It isn't possible for me to adequately express how exciting this last hour has been. I serendipitously found out about the Joe Dante interview webcast live from L.A. from his Twitter feed...which I saw because I've had Firefox minimised to a wee box whilst I 'work' on my thesis. This is my 'method' of productivity and no-one is here to judge it as I've not left the house in about 3months as I desperately try to rewrite a shit-ton of research into a manageable, readable entity.

I had my Twitter account for a few years and it had fallen fallow, like this blog, for a good couple of those, but something triggered an interest last week and I started using it again. It had been a place for me to connect with queer media, which was my main interest back when I was using it regularly. Now, I'm into celeb-stalking... Not really stalking...more like collecting baseball cards (for American readers from the 1930s-1980s) or wee stickers, often fuzzy, which were swapped in the playground (for Brits from the 1990s, maybe just in the Midlands, maybe just my town, or even my school...). My motto right now is 'Gotta catch 'em all!' Wikipedia tells me this is the catchphrase from Pokemon, but having never Pokemoned, I can only assume they are right...it sounds right: it certainly sounds familiar.

Basically, my aim is to 'collect' (i.e. follow) those people I've seen on screen - movies or television, I'm not fussy. I don't follow authors, musicians, politicians, activists, bloggers, journalists, or any other genre of Tweeple who populate the Twitterverse. I'm pretty narrow in my tastes. In fact, I've gone back to those I previously followed and unfollowed quite a lot of them - sorry, if that's you!

Now my passion is finding the real, preferably verified, Twitter accounts of those human beings from CelebLand but only those I've previously seen in something. If I have to google or IMDB.com search for you, if I need to dig out a photo of the thing you were in and rack my brains to see if I remember you, then you are not whom I seek.

I admit the thrill of the chase is a big part of it. If I see that there are few followers, but I am certain that this truly is the real person I recognise from cinematic or televisual pleasures, then I am instantly a member of a secret club, the select people who have worked out where to find the cyber representation of this star. THAT IS INCREDIBLE!

Parapazzi get uncomfortably close, the deranged even closer, but only family, friends, management and colleagues get regular access to celebrities. Twitter allows us to know what they want to tell us (sometimes with photographs or weblinks attached). Rubbish celebrities just retweet charitable or political messages and say nothing personally relevant or meaningful. Rubbish celebrities focus entirely on promoting their film, perfume, etc. and you know the Twitter account is just a marketing scheme, probably run by an assistant. But the genuinely great celebrities tell you they are bored in LAX & ask for Draw Something companions. Great celebrities post pics of their dogs lolling in their trailer & gush about their kids.

I don't need the nitty-gritty of these people's lives; I don't want to know their shopping habits or when they visit the gynaecologist. I simply want a fairly regular witticism or update of their (not so) exciting lives. I want to peep behind the curtain to see the Wizard and his levers. The magic of film is immense and too often ignored. Having these people in your room entertaining you (mostly for free) is unbelievable! You get actual humans telling a story, encouraging emotive responses, educating the audience. The nearest you could get in The Olden Days was to hire a whore. How else could you get such corporeality, thrumming with life, giving something of themselves to make you feel better? Only the super-rich could afford acting troupes to visit them. Reading and the radio are great, but if you want to be taken beyond your own imagination into visions, emotions, concepts that you could not create, there is nothing like film.

I am a lazy, misanthrope so going outside to be with other people at the theatre, cinema, etc. is very far from my ideal night. But a twenty minute SitCom or two hours of polished expositions and explosions, well, there is nothing finer.

So, today, after many days of toil, in strictly non-academic pursuit, my thesis was no nearer completion, but my list of those I follow on Twitter was over a thousand-strong. I'd pruned away those who didn't meet my 'strict' entertainment policy (sorry, @EstelleDarlings and @ToniBraxton) and managed to find absolute gems (@KierstenWarren and @MerEaton), but I had made an exception: Mr Joe Dante.

As director of my ALL TIME FAVOURITE MOVIE The 'Burbs, I decided I needed him in my Twitter life. Thus when I spotted that he was doing a live interview later in the afternoon, it was a fluke, A COMPLETE FLUKE, that I spotted this tiny tweet. PURE CHANCE. My timeline has at least five new tweets each minute, more than I can possibly read, but his caught my eye - it was just luck.

So there I was, wandering over to the recommended site just after 4pm wondering how the webcast was going and I realised that they were taking questions. Well, my fingers flew and crafted a tweet...and I waited. It appeared on the Twitter feed next to the viewing window; it had been retweeted by FilmClubUK HQ, who were hosting the interview from their charity's website. I figured they were retweeting all questions sent to them, but no, I checked the tweets sent to @FilmClubUK - there were plenty of others, mine was chosen! The interview was fun, with questions mostly from school children (the target group of this charity and the webcast) who probably are too young to even remember Small Soldiers, nevermind his 80's classics.

Then someone asked about the project he most enjoyed making and Mr Dante started talking about Inner Space. INNER SPACE! My second favourite movie! WHICH I HAD MENTIONED IN MY TWEET!

Would it happen? Would they segue into my question? I wanted to call someone up to tell them what was happening, but what could I say? 'I've not done any real work in ages because I've cultivated a Twitter presence which may now be getting me a real, live interaction with Mr Joe Dante, smash-zoom genius?' So I waited perched on my office chair, wondering if there was someway I should be celebrating/recording this moment for posterity.

Then it happened. The interviewer said they'd received a tweet from BioGal. Well, I nearly fell off the chair. I heard him read off the essence of my tweet: that Inner Space and The 'Burbs are favourite movies but they are from specific eras and would they be successful if released today? Then Mr Dante, legend, agreed that they were of a specific cinematic era and talked about Inner Space and the technology and how it would fair in today's film market. Or at least I think he did - I was too excited to pay proper attention. I managed to eek out a tweet to say my question was being answered RIGHT NOW and then I had a moment of disabling euphoria, which hasn't really dissipated, even now.

So here I am blogging about my eventful afternoon, thinking about how lucky I was and wondering how I can casually mention this (somewhat obscure) claim to fame to everyone I ever meet...ever.

On a final note about celebrity twitter connections, there is definitely an art to this practice. Collecting them and reading their insights is great, but tweeting them AND GETTING A REPLY is beyond awesome. I completely geek out. It is like I'm reaching into a film, asking everyone to stop for a minute whilst I ask the character on screen if they prefer tea or coffee after a meal in a restaurant. Yes, my inquiries can be that banal.

There is a technique to getting celebrities to tweet back and it is a bit like flirting, but it is actually quite an interesting topic so I am going to write an academic paper about it: SUPERGEEK. Anyway, without revealing too many trade secrets you have to be mindful of number of followers they have, the time of day in their time zone, whether they tend to reply to random people, whether they seem to be real celebs or automated accounts, whether they are tweeting RIGHT NOW, whether their tweets tend to be 'hey, this is what I'm doing, bye!', or whether they seem up for a convo, and finally, like letting someone know you are interested in them, you have to do your research and mention something they care about: if they are tweeting about a news scandal, add your twopenn'orth, or if they seem lonely or sad or proud of their ugly baby or excited about their new ugly shoes, let them know how much you support them! Or if you are starting cold (a brave, riskier but more satisfying method) and want to get them to check their interactions and get back to you (eventually), then a browse of IMDB or Wikipedia of their projects will give you something to discuss.

I am also super-respectful; if they don't tweet back, don't bombard them - rude. Don't assume you know them; call them Mr or Miss - they aren't your pals...yet. Hint: married ladies may want to be known as Mrs Y even though they are Miss X in all publicity/work stuff, this is tricky, you want to acknowledge their marital status (especially if it is new) but also recognise that they are there own independent person who you knew before they became a wife. I always go for Miss X - personal preference and it seems to work. Note of caution: if they call themselves Ms. then you'd better use it e.g. @MsKathyBates - If they've bothered to state it in their Twitter name or handle, then use their choice.

Ooh, and it doesn't hurt to show appreciation, when I've had a good day with several (new) celeb responses, I tweet a big thank you about them giving their time to fans; these are busy people (aren't we all...?) and they needn't invest themselves in these conversations, but they do. I assume they enjoy it too, or they think it will eventually get them the role of their dreams, but at the very least they are taking time away from themselves/their families which must be precious when so much of that is forcefully exposed for public consumption.

This really is a fantastic way of getting to know the film arts better. If you build a rapport and don't freak anyone out, you could get a few stellar tips from Hollywood's greats. I don't want to be in showbusiness, but the workings of it fascinate me. If these connections could possibly one day maybe get me more information on how it all comes together to make the magic, then this will be time well spent. Alternatively, this could be the best international, lolling-in-your-pyjamas, sport-fishing competition ever. Find a rare one, tantalise them with bait and then hook 'em.

Go on, have a try, see if you can get a bite!

Gotta catch 'em all!

Flipping off the audience: @JimCarrey and his penguins

noreply@blogger.com (BioGal) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:35:00 +0000

Every time he used his mobile 'phone he held it in a REALLY WEIRD WAY. It was about five inches from his face and propped there by a tripod of fingers, one of which, the middle finger, was extended to his temple in a clear FUCK YOU. Was his character supposed to be such a dick that he'd give the bird to everyone in the vicinity including the flightless creatures grounded there?

Also...whilst I appreciate the nod to previous movies as amusing hat-tips to the cinephiles in the room, there were a slew of them in 'Mr Popper's Penguins,' so many that I wondered if they were intentional or whether Mr Carrey and his colleagues had forgotten these jokes had been used before...