Another Pair Of Eyes

Speeding

I had hoped that it would never come to this, voluntary or not, but I suppose it always was a futile hope. There are worse things to worry about on the road than speeding, drink driving being a particular concern (watrched a program the other day on it, I had no idea how common it actually was).

Also, what about overtaking? Tractors, especially. Ruddy tractors.

Blink

You know that moment when you make a decision? And then those moments after which stretch on and on and on where you do research to justify that snap decision?

I’m a great believer in doing the research, I really am, of thinking everything through an analysing things from every angle, of weighing pros and cons, of checking every last glimmer of information against the choice in hand. I researched which camera (DSLR, comapct, whichever) extensively for days and days, but in the end my DSLR was chosen by it’s feel and the compact was chosen by a flatmate. Deep inside, I’d decided on both within seconds of assessing the options quite possibly (i.e. almost certainly) before I’d admitted it to myself.

So I’ve spent the last three weeks going over the pros and cons, the words and thoughts and actions, the ever-increasing volume of information that requires examination as I expanded the sphere of relevant facts from personal experience out towards hearsay. I’ve weighed up words, sifted through stories, pondered pronouncements, grasped at gestures and alliterated for no purpose whatsoever, but in the end all that matters is that I made this decision a month ago on the spur of the moment, and that no matter how much thinking I do, it will not be undone.

I’m very happy with my cameras, my choice of housemates, my laptop and my phone, all these things which snap decisions ‘backed up’ by research have caused me to acquire. Here’s hoping this latest gut feeling doesn’t let me down.

Cloverfield

Last night, as you may well have sumrised from the title of this post, I watched Cloverfield. I was a bit dubious before I watched it as I was told it was a horror film (of which I am not a fan), but that was soon laid to rest. It also took it’s time to get started, but once it did I really enjoyed it.

It is all recorded on handheld camcorders – I’ve been told that people got seasick in the cinemas – and even though it patently isn’t all filmed on handheld camcorders it does a pretty good job. The premise is that New York is attacked by something, and the camcorder tells the story of a few friends who start the night at a party. through until the next morning, interspersed with ‘flashbacks’ of a recording over which the ‘new’ film is recorded.

I always find it’s difficult to convey a film to people, especially without giving anything about the plot away. Cloverfield is as real as it could have been considering the subject matter, and a bit gritty, a bit tragic. It plays emotions very well and the actors do an excellent job of reconciling how people would be feeling with how they appear on-screen. It’s dark, but you’d only hide behind the sofa were you of an incredibly nervous disposition.

I’d go watch it, if you haven’t already. If you have seen it, what did you think?

(also, who saw the new Wallace and Gromit, and what did you think of that?)

Christmas

It might be seen as stereotypical or an obligatory blog post, but I still just want to wish you all merry christmas, and have a grand new year. It might not be a clean slate, but it’s as good a place to start as any.

Best wishes all.

The Dreaded Christmas Shop

Today, I have to go and do the Christmas food shopping with my esteemed parents, and I am actually dreading it. Every year you’ve got to wade through the shoppers fighting over the stuffing/crackers/brandy butter while keeping an eye out for obscure food you’d never usually buy and can never find. To top it off, you’ve then got to queue for about 40 minutes just to pay for it all.

Ugh.Now that the lights are LEDs and don’t blow, causing you to go through checking every bulb, this has got to be the worst part about christmas.

Back

Drove home today from an empty house to another, different empty house. I went on the internet, played the piano, ate some sandwiches. Doesn’t really matter which house I did that in (or even that I did it at all). In three weeks I go back again, and so on and so forth.

Back back back.

I am so bored.

Flowers

Choosing flowers is mighty tricky. I need some flowers that say:

• Get well soon, hope it all goes alright
• I do genuinely care (because I do)
• I have thought about these flowers (because I am/will have/have done)

I don’t want to go over the top, but I do want to bring a smile to her face. Preferably a big, radiant one which cuts through hospital mug and sticks around awhile. I won’t be there to deliver them but I’d still like the reaction =)

There are so many flowers! ARRGH! Haven’t even got to thinking messages yet…