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November 3rd, 2008
10:58 pm
So my vague idea of participating in NaNoBloMo ain't going so well. Three days into November and nada.
It's not like I had much to post about at the weekend. Had a nice quiet one. I'd intended to get a bit of work done for my PgCert (E-communication), but spent more time brushing up on my Baltimore ghetto-speak. I'm definitely not putting in as much effort on the course as I'd like, which is a shame as a lot of the material is quite interesting. It's a completely on-line course, and there hasn't been as much interaction with other students as perhaps I was expecting. The discussion boards are pretty dead really (although thinking about it, everyone else is probably busy studying). I've handed my first assignment in, which was on globalisation so I was back on my old turf a bit really. I don't think I'll be feeling as confident about future assignments. Oh well, we shall see how it goes.
Went to see Le Lac des Mort Vivants at the cinema last night. I would recommend it along with Surf Nazis Must Die for any Aryan-Supremacist Water-Based-Horror-Theme night you were planning. Best bit about the film? The swastika-adorned cupcakes we were handed as we went in. It was part of Bad Film Club - people taking the piss out of godawful films. Kinda like Troma Night, without pizza. Saw a rather fabulous Sylvester Stallone arm-wrestling movie last time.
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September 11th, 2008
December 21st, 2007
06:29 pm
We were supposed to be leaving tonight for Austria. No one wanted to be at home for Christmas.
The travel company has just rung my dad - they've gone into liquidation. We ain't going nowhere.
Happy fucking Christmas
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Edit: Never mind. We're going to Portugal instead. Happy Christmas!!x
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October 11th, 2007
07:27 pm
Hallo. I'm in Sydney. It's nice. Bye!
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September 6th, 2007
04:38 pm
Oops, I had so many plans for today. But instead I woke up at 11, ate toast, got my gym stuff ready, and went back to bed at 12, only to wake up again at 4, and I only got up then because I have to go meet Bethan in town at 5. Erm, which probably means I should get going and not write a post.
Anyway, it was my last day at the NAS yesterday - so sad! I got lots of presents including my favourite entry from the children's art competition I helped to organise, which now has pride of place on the wall of the flat. I really liked working there, I'm going to miss it. Still, proper job, with a pension and everything now. Ooh.
The new PWL video looks ace, even though it includes me, me doing stupid dancing. Anyway, I really should be off now.
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August 17th, 2007
08:31 am
I can't really afford a sick day but I really couldn't face going into work today. It was my brother's inquest yesterday and it really brought everything back. The coroner's court was a funny place, like a concrete bunker with a carpet that looked like astroturf. The Coroner's Officer had a big quiff, mutton chops and a huge metal ELVIS belt, all delightfully topped off by the cape. The pathologist looked like the man from American Gothic.
So it was a bit of a surreal context to listen to the statements his friends gave back in February. I still can't imagine how it must have been for them. One of the statements described how they had been told by the ambulance service to put him into the recovery position, but by the time they got to him his arms and legs wouldn't move. They'd all been friends since they were about 4. They've been through so much. It was harder listening to the statements than it was to the post-mortem report, which was all too clinical to associate with Gareth. In the end they recorded a verdict of natural death, etiology unknown, which my mum was disappointed about, as now myself and my dad have been diagnosed with Long QT I think she wanted it recorded as sudden cardiac death so he would be included in the figures that CRY use.
So yes, I'm having a day off basically because I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself. In better news, I got myself a new job, it's permanent, full-time, to do with children's policy, and best of all, about 5 minutes walk from the flat. Ace. And in other news, I took some photos of Adamsdown.
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July 24th, 2007
08:26 pm
Farmstock's cancelled :(
So sad! It was all just starting to come together, but the weather means the fields won't be ready, so I suppose it's best to cancel it now, rather than having to cancel it the day before, like Truck.
Plus I'm not enjoying my new job. On the plus side I have just been given a £300 tax rebate. Except I've just been told I have to pay a £100 late fee for not having registered as self-employed yet. Oh, and the Assembly apparently paid me too much in February so I owe them £200.
Never mind eh, as I am wearing the best t-shirt I've ever bought from a Christian promotions company that myspace friended me.
Current Music: lou christie - she sold me magic
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July 16th, 2007
06:58 pm
"Mother's tribute to sudden death boy"
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/southwalesecho/news/tm_headline=cry-from-the-heart-for-son%26method=full%26objectid=19455529%26siteid=50082-name_page.html
It doesn't say it on t'internet, but that's the subheading of the story in the Echo. Is it wrong that it sounds a bit like the name for a really rubbish superhero?
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July 11th, 2007
07:16 pm
I started my new job today. Now I have two jobs. It suits my attention span. Two days a week I will be doing policy assistance for the NAS, and the rest of the time I'll be doing programme assistance for Help the Aged.
Was in Amsterdam at the weekend. Saw a man get run over by a tram. And Bjork. In that order.
Sponsored walk this Sunday, which will be good, but also not good, if you know what I mean. www.justgiving.com/sianthomas
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July 10th, 2007
09:08 pm
FARMSTOCK
Saturday 11th August
Trecastell Farm, Near Llantrisant, S. Wales
Music festival to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (www.c-r-y.org.uk)
Pagan Wanderer Lu - Hans Christian Andersen as sung by Mark E Smith
Gindrinker - "It's ONE (1) FUCKING WORD!!!"
Tabula Rasa
Wild Stallions - synth-tastic melodoom
Neon Dinosaur Brain - prehistoric prog-jazz fusion
Monster Bastard Project - phantasmagoric very mellow-yellow instrumental three piece
Circa Regna Tonat - sporadic yet creative noise merchants
Others TBC
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June 14th, 2007
06:48 pm
Hello!
If anyone is at a loss for anything to do on Saturday Aug 11th, may I suggest you come to Farmstock2007! There'll be hay, and fields, and cookies, and Pagan Wanderer Lu. It's in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young and it's in Llanhari, not far from Cardiff. If anyone wants to play, help out, or just go camping, just let me know!
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May 27th, 2007
06:30 pm
At a social skills training session I was helping out with at work the other day we were discussing how neurotypicals will ask how you are, without really wanting to know, and how generally illogical we aer with our small talk. Last week I got a message on facebook from someone I used to be quite close to, but haven't see for a while. They asked me how I was. So I told them. I'm living, working there, been a rough couple of months because of this, but I'm enjoying this and am looking forward to that, yadda yadda. And I haven't heard back from them. And now I feel guilty for breaking the 'how are you?' rule. I feel really exposed, and as if I've burdened them with something they didn't really ask for (which they did, but not really, if you know what I mean).
Anyway, am just painting my nails ready for Spain, sooo looking forward to getting away for a few days. But first, off to Clwb Ifor Bach for P.W.L. gig number three of the week!
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May 7th, 2007
12:02 pm - sponsor me?
In July, a week after what would have been his 22nd birthday, I will be doing a sponsored walk in London in memory of my brother Gareth. We will be crossing eight bridges to signigy the eight young people who die every week of undiagnosed cardiac conditions.
The money we raise will be going to CRY, a charity that offers support to those affected by sudden cardiac death. They have been such a help to my family. As you may know I am still in the process of being screened myself to see whether I have the same condition that my brother might have done, and their website has been so useful to me in telling me what to expect and what kind of conditions they are looking for. I know my mum in particular has been helped by being able to talk to other mothers who have gone through the same thing.
I think the main thing about this walk is that it will give my family and Gareth's friends a chance to get together, along with other families who have suffered similar losses.
Anyway, if you'd like to sponsor me, you can do at:
http://www.justgiving.com/sianthomas
Diolch!
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April 19th, 2007
08:18 pm
I got my first organic box yesterday from the lovely people at Green Cuisine. Impressed so far. I get stuck in food ruts easily (I do ocassionally feel that a woman my age shouldn't indulge her cravings for spaghetti hoops on toast as often as I do), so I'm finding it good to get given a box of stuff and made to work out what to do with it. I can't say I've ever bothered to buy Swiss Chard before but it worked alright with my usual lunchtime salad. Tonight I made Mushroom soup which even Andy will eat!
I went to the cardiologist on Tuesday for round 2 of tests to see whether I'm likely to keel over any time soon. Everything's fine. In fact the cardiologist said I had the heart of an athlete, which made me laugh. I knew all that walking to the newsagents to get chocolate would pay off. Still, and my mum said the same about herself, it would have been good in a way if there was actually something wrong so we could get some answers. I've got some more tests to come sometime but I don't know what they'll show.
We went to see my brother's band last night. It was so difficult to watch. I'd seen the band's first gig years ago when they didn't even have a name, but hadn't bothered to go back and see them again. Even when Gareth was at uni in Aber at the same time as me and doing the same course I only saw him about three times always accidentally(except for when we were meeting my mum and dad). I'm not sure I'll ever really forgive myself for that.
We're all doing a sponsored walk in July, the week after Gareth's birthday, down in London for Cardiac Risk in the Young, and his friends and I are starting to organise Farmstock, a charity music thing due to be held in August. Got to keep busy ain't ya?
I probably should keep busy doing useful things though - just remembered I have a job application to fill in. I know I have the job already but rulesisrules. It's another short-term contract, working on their social programmes for people with Asperger's. Should be interesting.
Current Music: timi yuro - hurt
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April 2nd, 2007
09:53 pm
It's quite strange to be messing around on facebook to come across a group set up in memory of your little brother. Anyway, I'm glad it feels like proper Springtime now. I'm hoping the sun will break through this spaciness I keep feeling. I should be making Easter cards for my grandmas, they're obviously not feeling so good at the moment, but I have a complete inability to draw egg shapes. I did manage to make bread yesterday though, which is somewhat productive at least (and was rather yummy).
My job involves phoning people up and asking them how things make them feel. It's grand, and all rather familiar in a backwards kind of way. Tomorrow I have to go get my results from the cardiologist. Fun.
Current Mood: worried
Current Music: lament of the astro cowboy - michelle
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March 14th, 2007
02:57 pm
Today I had to go and commit my brother's ashes in the cemetery. In the list of crappy birthdays I've had I think it's fair to say there's no contest.
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March 8th, 2007
01:55 pm - help!
I'm hoping to get a laptop for me birthday, any suggestions people who know about these things? Before I end up buying one just because it's pink or has Hello Kitty on it or something. I just want something basic, but not rubbish. Help?
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February 3rd, 2007
10:40 pm
Got the keys to the new flat today, yay! Going to start moving in tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to being back properly in Cardiff. Cycling through Sophia Gardens this morning reminded me how lovely it can be in the sun, and I even got to see Ninjah jogging with a tesco bag which made me feel proper Cardiff like.
Apart from finding a flat this week I have been mostly watching Pagan Wanderer Lu in Cardiff, watching Pagan Wanderer Lu in Bristol, crossing the picket line to get to work, hanging out in Cartographics wondering how to become one of them, watching Dirty Dancing and drinking wine and feeling reet girly.
Current Music: dusty springfield - spooky
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January 16th, 2007
08:52 pm - the weekend
+ Had nice long chat with Andy in the pub about what we want from flats (i.e. completely different things!). Sorted some worries out though which was good.
- Non-drink-induced bawling in said pub.
+ Drinking Jameson and sodas in a converted public toilet.
- Falling asleep with my face in a sink.
+ Kidnapping cats.
- Spending Sunday being sick due to bloodycunting period pains.
+ Sorting out my six-week freelance contract with the NAS doing case study and policy work, starting at the end of Feb. I get to go do training with the helpline. There had better be circles and sleeping lions...
+++ Joanna Newsom at the Bridgewater Hall with the Northern Sinfonia. It was really beautiful.
Current Music: modernaire - bloodshed in the woodshed
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January 10th, 2007
09:11 pm
Putting aside the issue of whether it is right or wrong to send her child to a private school, one thing I have found particularly disturbing about the recent Ruth Kelly issue is the attitude of some of the political commentators I've come across in the media. Someday this week, might have been yesterday, over my muesli, I watched a political commentator from one of the broadsheets arguing passionately that if she wanted to put her children first she should never have gone into politics, or if she wanted to go into politics she shouldn't have had children. I find the idea of a self-imposed ban on parents in the House of Commons a rather worrying one - yes, politicians should be dedicated, but I'd rather they had some sort of link with the "real world" (God, I hate people who use unecessary quotation marks, dear me), however tenuous. I also question whether this particular argument would have been aired if it was the child of a male politician (might have been, could have been in the past - enlighten me, like I say, it was 6:30 in the morning when I was watching this).
There is a man in work who has stolen Bryn's voice I swear, and his laugh. And another man has stolen StrokeyAdam's face. There was an old man wearing shorts in work yesterday, it confused me somewhat. I am easily confused.
Current Music: the goodees - double shot (of my baby's love)
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