Aurora

Goodbye, Strangers. For a While at Least.

2006-11-05T20:16:05Z

And what better way to walk out on you than with a little Jack Vettriano? Hmm? There's something I love about all of his artwork and yet, I'm not even sure if I consider any of it to be 'good'. But, I love it all the same. There's something so elegant and beautiful; so full of a time of romance that may or may not exist/have existed. It's a world I wish to live in. I leave you to go in search for it.

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

2006-11-05T10:47:09Z

And so one extremist has been given a hanging sentence on the date another extremist was found out, tortured, and burned 400 years earlier. The world doesn't change. Happy Guy Fawkes Day.

Just a Bat Out of Hell

2006-10-31T22:17:01Z

Elsbeth, Kristin, Tom, Chris, Me, and a random 'Joe', but a nice kid at that

Me and Kristin - Bats and Devils always make good friends. That's why I'm a Bat Out of Hell!

'Joe', Tom, Chris, Me, Kristin, Elsbeth, Jeff - I'm a squashed bat!

Me, Kristin (who wins 'bestest photoshoot face of the year' award), and Elsbeth - clearly, I'm just a dirty, drunk dudette.

Happy Halloween, kids!

Who Gets Kicked Out of Oceana?!?!?!...

2006-10-31T11:59:41Z

...I do! Actually, I'm the third American I know of to be kicked out of a British club, so perhaps it's the American way. My night consisted of working at VP, changing in the back store room, getting whistled at walking to Kirk's, watching Brits fail at beer pong, playing drinking games orgnaised by Nick (and losing), drinking one and a half Fosters (one outside of the Tun in Kingston with Kirk - we're just regular pikeys), saying goodbye to Mikey and Nick after they gave us a lift to Oceana, getting into the club and remeeting up with her flatmates and meeting, for the first time, her friend Elsbeth, drinking double rum and cokes, going to the cheese room, dropping my phone and having one of the guys fix it...that's about the last I remember. The rest of the story, as filled in by Kirk and the guys goes as follows...I all but collapsed on Jeff, I was kicked out of Oceana, I might have unintentionally flashed JD and Jeff, I sprawled out on the pavement in the middle of Kingston, I was taken to Kingston hospital, I was put in a cab, I slept in Kristin's bed, etc....don't I just know how to live life up!?!!? Jesus.

I'm Just a Bucket of Yawns

2006-10-29T23:15:28Z

So, I've decided that Kirk was right when she said that other Americans make her feel 'not special'. It's true, but it's not just Americans, it's everyone. Everyone has the same issues, the same problems, the same drama, the same interests. And whilst it's cool to feel connected with people because of the things you share, it also makes you wonder where are the different, uncomplicated, interesting-because-they're-new-and-different people?

randomness

2006-10-25T09:54:57Z

in an attempt to dry my laundry, i have put a baking sheet of my pants in the oven. i always like to try new things when baking.

this morning i realised that i have two shift keys. well, i always knew this, but i never bothered with the one on the right. as it turns out, i should have done because that one is working and yet i can't train myself to use it.

i still feel rather tired and just run down in general. perhaps i'm getting a cold. great.

next week is reading week and i'm not going anywhere. that makes me a little sad.

it just occured to me that if i take this job, on fridays i'll be putting in 11 work hours and 4 uni hours. if i manage to pull this off, i am indeed the awesome.

i've no motivation to do uni work, but do it i will today. maybe.

my pants didn't come with a recipe. i'm not sure how much time they need to bake.

hey, diddle, diddle.

after a 2 hour nap...

2006-10-24T19:35:53Z

...i'm still exhausted, the shift key still doesn't work and a message from norton symantec keeps popping up on my computer every few seconds or so so that when i awoke there were 174 of them and my computer had frozen. anyone knowing how to solve either problem should share their knowledge with me and i will reward you in some way.

also, i'm a tad disappointed that the 'water flavoured crisps' i saw advertised on yahoo was actually an ad for vodaphone and that they don't really exist.

yeah, this norton symantec thing is beginning to piss me off. grrrrrrr.

Drip< drip< drip

2006-10-24T15:39:03Z

So today has been kind of a sad day> Mainly because I"m completely broke and thus had to cancel plans with everyone> This meant no lunch with Kristin< Mikey< and Nick< no pool with Raj< and no drinks with X_Pression people> Instead< I decided to be productive and do my laundry in the sink with some hand wash detergent stuff> Well< hand washing clothes is a bitch> Trying to get them to dry is even worse> Especially if they"re sheets and duvets> Basically< I have my launudry hanging everywhere and it sounds like it"s raining in here as everything drips water onto the carpet> And< in case you couldn"t tell< some water dripped onto my laptop and now it"s being all f*ed up> Well done< me> Sigh> In brighter news< I"ve an interview thing on Thursday> At the moment< I"m too exhausted to care>

Over the Sea and Far Away, She's Waiting Like an Iceberg, Waiting to Change

2006-10-23T20:48:51Z

Today was good. People were strangely friendly all day.

Walking home from work I did a stupid thing. I glanced into an ambulance in which an elderly gentleman was being resuscitated. I don't think I've ever seen a semi-dead person. My heart jumped and then I continued and thought happy thoughts. This is how I get by day to day; distractions.

My room smells of mulled wine, but I haven't mulled any wine. I'm just cool like that. Or it could be that I have a room scent gel thing.

aurora13085 @ 2006-10-22T21:25:00

2006-10-22T20:44:32Z

So, my grandfather had to have a pacemaker put in. I must say, I wasn't at all surprised by the news. My grandfather is a very healthy person - he exercises, eats well, takes vitamins, etc., but he is getting on in years (he'll be 80 this November). Also, I'm not sure if it was a conscious thought or whilst sleeping, but earlier this week I felt like something was going to happen to him, and it turns out I was right. He's okay now though, which is what matters.

Asian food is awesome. If only I had more money to spend on it.

'Mittens'...

I Would Like to Take This Opportunity...

2006-10-22T09:57:58Z

...to apologise to my feet. They took a real beating this past week and they aren't likely to get any rest this coming week as shoes must be worn in public and basically every pair of shoes/trainers I own are rubbing against the cuts/blisters that were created by my white, flat, shiny Dolci's. They made my feet look cute though. But anyway, feet, I love you and I am sorry for the pain you are suffering.

Yesterday my boss turned to me and said with some enthusiasm, 'Laura! Tomorrow we can eat normally again!' This would have confused me if had I not known that they'd been fasting for the past month and that they were currently celebrating Diwali. I also found out that Suliman likes to spread rumours about me; like telling the new driver that I have a son.

I'm tempted to take a job that would, most likely, leave me shattered all week (as it's at bizzare hours) and possibly be perilless to my life (as it's in a slightly shady neighbourhood of Central London). I'll see if the wages are worth the loss of functionality and life.

I need to chop off my hair. But alas, I've no money. It's come to the point where I'm going to have to buy loo roll from the 99p Store. I haven't bought food in two weeks now. Luckily I have a small supply of pasta and rice (and I work for the food industry, which has its perks). However, I have still managed to have a bit of fun on limited resources - cinema, a few drinks, breakfast at 'Spoons, Starbucks dates, jumping for joy at finding and buying Libby's Canned Pumpkin in Waitrose (which doesn't really count as buying groceries, but which is still essential for my upcoming Thanksgiving Party), and going to dinner at Wagamama tonight. However, I still must come up with 100+ pounds for the remaining part of my rent not covered by my father and phone bills by next weekend. Egads. So, I suppose I won't be buying or doing ANYTHING this week. Or next. With the exception of the said loo roll and meal tonight (I have coupons, they must be used). This is why I need a second job.

I wish I were in Italy.

A Bit Fed Up, Really

2006-10-20T14:33:42Z

So, I think my rose coloured glasses need to be cleaned because I'm beginning to find displeasure in everything I'm seeing, hearing, and experiencing. The number of alcoholics on the streets seem to be increasing and, at the same time, so do the number of homeless people. And I'm pretty sure Britain will soon be rivaling America in its obesity problem. So much for the happiness, wealth, and health of the nation then. Also, I was always under the allusion that the English receive a better education than Americans, but after listening in on people's conversations, observing some truly stupid people in lectures, and even living with some, I've come to the conclusion that perhaps their education is no better or worse than America's, just different. The only thing that made me think it was so was because I have some amazingly smart friends here. Furthermore, it is a fact that British people are cold. Not only cold, but rude, selfish, and arrogant to boot. They really are. Americans have the ability to be fakely pleasant, but then, sometimes that is necessary - especially in customer service, but that doesn't seem to exist here at all.

Perhaps my vision, thoughts, and feelings are just clouded by six hours of sleep divided between the last two days because as I sit here, in the afternoon sun, breathing in the smoke from my neighbours' chimneys, I'm starting to feel slightly contented once more. There is still no place I'd rather live, but the desire to leave is still there everyday. One day I'm just going to hop on a plane and leave without telling anyone. I really am.

'...but then men are always rude and insulting to women who are superior, or hotter, than they are...men like to be superior to their women...' -Dr. Annesley

Today

2006-10-19T22:12:58Z

I had a really nice day. However, it was slightly spoiled by being stood up again this evening, then having an invitation rescinded, freezing in my 18 degree flat, and discovering that I can't even take a shower to get warm because the light went out in the bathroom and since I fall and almost kill myself with it on, best not take chances with it off. I can't sleep.

Highlights

2006-10-17T21:23:53Z

-finding cheap boots
-somewhat enjoying my lectures
-working with some great people
-confusing 'do you like Indian films?' with 'do you like English boys?'
-having Roj tell me he's going to teach me to play snooker one of these days
-having Starbucks with Kirk and hearing her latest stories
-randomly bumping into Nick
-volunteering with some great people
-working for a few minutes, dropping off fairy cakes, and collecting my wages
-witnessing a row between two of the downstairs flats
-regaining internet
-peace and quiet

All is Well Once More

2006-10-15T22:53:04Z

I'm a fool, but a fool with plum wine. A fool in love (with a cabbage that is coming in December!!!!)

A Little Third Person for You...

2006-10-14T22:37:24Z

...Laura is sick of this 'equal rights for women' crap if it means that she always has to be the one to plan things. Boys have it too easy. Seriously. What happened to the old-fashioned stuff? The guy asking the girl to dance, to a meal, to the cinema, out on the town, etc.? Laura is done. Laura has been putting up with this making the first move stuff since High School. Laura is done with being the charmer. Laura wants to be charmed, damnit. Laura fears such people, in reality, do not exist. Such is life. Or such is her's, at least.

Laura is also a little concerned about the mindset of boys who drive past her and yell 'fucking bitch' out of their car window. What gives, she would like to know?

Furthermore, Laura feels she is too awesome to have to deal with being let down on a continual basis by everyone she knows. In the future, those who are unwilling to meet her halfway and show that they actually care about her existance, will, consequently, be cut out of her life. So, those who care should ring her, show up on her doorstep, send her a text, an email, a postcard, an IM, a MSN, a comment, just something every now and again (and she will do the same for you, because she loves you, really, but she's sick of this whole one sided love business). Those who don't meet her halfway will find themselves deleted. Yes, deleted.

Love,
-LAURA-

I am Home. This, This is Home.

2006-10-14T00:50:19Z

It occured to me that I haven't been into London (central) in a while. That ain't cool, yo.

Today was lectures that I actually enjoyed attending (*shock*), napping, calls from Mike that accomplished nothing, Matthew texting, busy night at work, and dinner with Kirk where we discussed everything yet again. From shoes to Halloween to boys to post-Uni life to families, etc., etc. We're going to do Halloween this year. Her flatmates have put in their vote for me to do a Trinity from 'The Matrix' type deal, but I'm thinking I won't be spending more than a fiver on whatever I end up 'being'.

Love is a silly thing, really.

Short Release of Air

2006-10-12T21:39:57Z

So, when did my life get complicated? I went from having a quiet dinner in an Indian restaurant with Kirk last night, discussing how happy we were to have semi-drama free lives, to realising that this was an entire delusion, on my part anyhow, just hours later. I'm uber confused, but kind of enjoying it at the same time.

Today I didn't spend 56 quid. Tomorrow I will. Today also consisted of reading, sleeping, shopping with Kirk, and having dinner with Kirk and Lindsay. Good times.

My two favourite British boys, Matthew and James, have disappeared. This makes me sad. However, if I find them alive, I will kill them.

P.S. Bobby Darin's 'Mack the Knife' still rocks my world.

Oh My God

2006-10-11T23:51:58Z

So, Kristin and I had like the longest dinner date ever at East India Restaurant, made nice Tony wait around for 45 minutes at the Odeon, got there too late, missed out film, went to the river instead after a stop at McDonald's for Kristin's McFlurry, ended up meeting Chris at The Bishop, Mikey joined us eventually, the bartenders wouldn't make me a snakebite so I had cider and blacks instead, got tipsy with Kirk, discussed random things, and somehow the night enddedd with me bitch slapping Mikey! I feel terrible! Oh deatr. I'm such a 12 year old.

I've a Sore Throat

2006-10-11T09:37:56Z

Either someone in the building is cooking a fry up or the outside air just smells of bacon.

This Anti-Social Behaviour Must Stop...

2006-10-10T21:44:30Z

...and it shall tomorrow when I meet up with some peeps for dinner and a film. Do people really say that here? 'let's go for dinner and a film' instead of 'let's go for dinner and a movie'? It's not something I've ever noticed or thought of before.

I'm really utterly and completely bored. And I'm such a crap friend. I've now turned Chris down on three occassions. I just don't feel up to going out right now, I guess.

This article amused me. It justifies why I dress semi-provocatively - well, justifies it for a portion of the month anyway. However, I must remember to tone down my outfits when I go to X-Pression. I always think of them as kids because most of them act like 10-12 year olds, but on average they're roughly 18. This hit me today when two different boys came over, squeezed me in a bear hug, looked down my shirt, looked back up at my face, told me I was 'looking pretty', and then looked back down my shirt. These are not children.

This is mean, but ever just look at someone and the only thought that springs to mind is 'ew'? Yeah, I'm a bitch.

I must buy more candles and, consequently, more wine bottles. I'm conserving electricity. That's right, I'm not just a bitch, I'm a cheap bitch.

Oh, Sugar! Oh, Honey, Honey! You are My Candy, Girl, and You've Got Me Wanting You

2006-10-09T22:26:00Z

Today I realised that, in some respects, I'm very much like a junior high girl with a crush on a teacher. I saw Andrew Teverson (a lecturer I had last year, and will again this year) on the street today and instantly felt myself blushing and stopped, in the middle of the pavement, to rifle through my pocketbook for my phone so I'd have some excuse to not make eye contact and keep him from seeing me in my nervous fit. I'm sure he saw me all the same.

Super young lecturer dude for my drama module speaks way too quickly. And quietly. Which sucks because everyone is missing half of what he is saying and it's the only lecture I like this semester. One girl has taken to putting a tape recorder practically under his mouth during lectures. I can't afford to do the same.

Being poor and sporting a sore throat have made me anti-social the last few days. I skipped out on K Kirk and Co. yesterday and cancelled on Chris today and declined his invitation for a day out in London tomorrow as well. I'd really love to spend a day away from everything, but bills must be paid and my throat must heal. Ah well.

I've come to the conclusion that my laundry smells of Village Pizza boys and it's not just in my head. I think the time has come for my sink and laundry to be friends. I will not smell like a Village Pizza boy, I will not.

The world is going to end soon. I loved you, reader of my journal. With everything.

Matthew and I are hard, but I'm determined to beat him down yet. He's British; it'll be easy.

Having so much sugar over the last few days was a bad idea - I've had a headache all day since I stopped drinking it in, cold turkey style, this morning. Headaches and sleep just won't do and so I've a cup of coffee and some sugar next to me at the moment. I'm thinking sugar and sleep won't do either though...

I Think I'll go to Boston

2006-10-08T14:18:56Z

I think I like this song. I haven't decided yet. One of the many reasons I love music is that it proves that I'm not alone in my thoughts. Very emo of me, I know.

Spoke to my mother today for the first time in a couple of weeks. She has this ability to make everything I tell her sound ridiculous. As if she's just humouring me and feigning interest until she can start talking about her life. Maybe this is me reading too much into the tone in her voice, maybe it's true, I don't know.

<3 Emelly Rose Tawake, I miss you. You will, most likely, never see this, but all the same. <3

My room is dusty and I have a sore throat.

Tomorrow is a sad day. The day Columbus killed Native Americans.

I want to paint, but I don't know what to paint. I also don't think I know how to draw, let alone paint, anymore.

I need a pet.

Blarg

2006-10-07T21:31:06Z

So, I really think that once a month I should be allowed to change my sex. I also think I'd be really good at being a boy. I don't actually want to be a boy, but I see only positives to being able to be one once a month. Or maybe I should just start popping children out every 9 months. My luck I'd be one of those freaky cases of women who continue to have their periods during the course of their pregnancy. Becomming a boy it is then.

Today I read half of a children's novel as part of my Uni coursework. I also worked, turned down an invitation to meet one of my customers at his flat after work, acknowledged the customer who yelled at me and my boy on Monday after he stood in the doorway to the shop and waved for a full minute, turned down an invite from Chris as my plans for the evening include my bed and nothing and no one else, consumed more sugar in the form of chocolate and tablespoons of it in its pure form, dumped into coffee, than any one human being should have in a day (or week), spent a half hour attacking a wine bottle, agreed to possibly pub it tomorrow with some people, found and spent some time petting the white cat that Matthew, James, and I befriended that only likes to be our friends at night (the cat is too cool to be seen with any of us during daylight hours), etc.

And now, water, coffee with just three teaspoons of sugar, and banoffee pie.

Laura's Social Life is Doing Well, But Her Studies Have Been Neglected...

2006-10-06T09:02:06Z

So, yesterday was all about lounging in bed, but not actually sleeping because, at times, my body decides I'm just not cool enough to be allowed that. After going to bed at 4:30, I awoke at 8:30 and then stayed in bed with my Uni books until it was time to get ready for K Kirk's flatwarming party. I somehow managed to not only wear four inch heels, but to also walk down the wet pavement in them whilst holding my pocketbook and a bag with a card, brownies, and wine in it and send a couple of text messages. I'm beginning to get the hang of this, I think.

Her flat is really nice. It's her and two guys - they each have their own double room, two with fireplaces, one large bathroom, and one large kitchen. There isn't a common room, but they seemed to float between eachother's rooms in a comfortable fashion so it doesn't seem necessary. It's located right above a restaurant, and a nice one at that, which is rather handy. And they know the guys living on the two floors above them and so their flatwarming party turned into more of buildingwarming party with a dozen guys or so, me, Kristin, Lindsay, and two other chicks. Everyone was really nice and I had further proof of what a small world it really is - the other night I met a girl who went to Commack High School before going to New Paltz and thus knew people from Babylon and Jamie! Then, last night, I was showing Kristin how to buzz people in so she doesn't have to keep running down the stairs to the door when I realised the person I had just buzzed in was John from Mandy's course! This is why you can never talk about people behind their backs. Not that I've ever said a negative word about either Jamie or John, but still, everyone knows everyone in this world.

When the guys started playing Century, using Snakebites, I decided it was time to peace. I was tired from my lack of sleep and not really into the idea of having to witness 12 guys fighting over the bathroom toilet when they started to become ill. And so, I headed off to James'. I don't think he ever actually gets why I'm angry, but whatever. Fighting people is too exhausting and not talking to them just wastes time. I had wanted to just chat about the last couple of days and such, and he was chatting away, but I was unable to either talk coherently or listen attentively and I believe I fell asleep within thirty minutes of arriving. Ah well. At around 3am I had a message from Kristin thanking me for coming and informing me that the guys at her party decided that I'm 'fit'. I enjoy British slang to the utmost. Apparently other people agree with this as, whilst walking home, I nearly had a heart attack and died under the bridge when a passing car beeped, the sound of which echoed against the walls, and two guys leaned out the window to get a better look. Ohhh, baby, that's the way to win my heart and get in my pants. Well done, jackasses.

Now, I am thirsty from the alcohol of last night (only 2 glasses of wine - I was totally well-behaved) and the other night, tired from the lack of sleep over the same period, feeling the need to reward my feet for being so understanding about wearing heels two nights in a row, and regreting the fact that I've missed my 9 am lecture. Ah well. Now I can just make sure I'm doubly prepared for next week and they put the notes on Blackboard anyway.

In other news, I have a feeling I'm supposed to be in charge of some sort of event at X-Pression on Tuesday...hmmm. I also have a load of brownies to work through that were given to the volunteers last Tuesday. They are making up for the stash of Green and Black's chocolate that Matthew gave me that no longer exists.

My palm is bruised. How?

I need money so that I can finally contact my electricity company and pay them. I haven't been living here for one and a half months or anything...

Over and out.