ArchAngel's Blog

We have moved

2006-08-17T00:20:00.000+02:00

After having a brief discussion with Moonflake I decided to go and inspect what WordPress had to offer. And I must admit that I like what I see so far. The deal breaker was most definitely the ability to customise the template and especially the header.

So I am pleased to welcome you to my blog (if you are here for the first time) and to redirect new visitors and the few die hard readers to: Voice Of Reason - the new home of my ramblings.

I will attempt to set up a new trivia game once I have settled in.

So please follow me on our journey and I look forward to seeing you there.

ArchAngel

We live in violent times

2006-05-09T19:09:00.000+02:00

In the wake of the frenzy over the Zuma trial and verdict I thought I'd steer clear of any comment on that issue and rather offer up a more interesting piece of general knowledge.

I recently finished reading Catch Me a Killer by Micki Pistorius. She worked as a profiler for the South African Police service from 1994-2000. The book is well written and very interesting. Apparently South Africa has the second highest number of serial killers in the world after America. Now that's something worth thinking about. She also offers a slightly simplified (but not dumbed down) description at the end of the book on the development of a serial killer from a psychoanalytical point of view (Freudian school of thinking). It may be because I'm studying personality theory at the moment, but I also thought that that was well worth a read for any interested party.

Talking about Freud. I am just finishing off reading through his work on personality and about to start the study guide work. He does seem to base a hell of a lot on repressed sexual urges. My textbook is well written though and they do give a background to each therapist and theory. In Freud's case they ask you to bear in mind that he lived and worked during the Victorian era when a woman was covered from head to toe and sex was not spoken about in polite company. Woman were not expected to have any sexual satisfaction or enjoyment and knew very little or nothing about sex when they got married. So in that respect his view points do make more sense. The writers of the textbook also go on to point out that most other personality theories developed from Freud's work, so even though some of his ideas are not as applicable now as they once were, it is important to understand his work. It's really interesting, but don't let me bore you any more.

Last post's trivia answer
Galjoen

Well done to zenstar for getting it in first (even though you had to Google for it).

Trivia question
American Pie by Don McLean was inspired by the deaths of who in 1959 ?

Blogito ergo sum

2006-05-08T19:25:00.000+02:00

Yes, I blog therefore I am. You can all thank my little (big) brother for expanding my latin vocabulary.

Since I'm on the subject of my brother he appears to have started Google Wars between the two of us and is unfortunately ownzoring me. He was even so kind as to e-mail me the proof.

He may have won this round, but I'm sure I can come up with something nefarious as payback. But he is awfully cute.

As you can see the first round of trivia has been concluded and the scores computed. Moonflake was the only person to submit the correct answer and without a Google search so I decided to give her a bonus 5 points. Obviously she's actually listened when I've gone off on a rant about one of my favourite topics (development and embryology). kleinbaas was awarded 1 point for his Google-fu comment.

Last post's trivia answer:
Sonic the Hedgehog

I am aware that people will Google for the answers, but unfortunately there is nothing I can do about that. Bonus points for non-Googled answers will be given.

Trivia question:

What is South Africa's national fish ? (yes, we have one)

And now for that holiday update that I promised all of you. The photos haven't been transferred to the PC yet, but they will be added later.

Holiday report

Our first stop was at the Battlefields Caravan Park in Dundee. The area is within easy driving distance of the major battlefields of both the Anglo-Boer and Anglo-Zulu wars. We spent Easter weekend there with my Aunt (dad's sister), Uncle and cousin. The park is in the yard of a farm house. The owners are keen caravaners and very friendly people. During the course of our stay we were adopted by one of their dogs - a fox terrier who was a puppy when I was there with my parents in June last year. He has personality enough for 10 dogs and we affectionately named him "Hius toe" which, for those of you who don't speak afrikaans, means "go home". But he never listened.

We learned about the above mentioned wars in primary school and they were never my favourite section of history, but I have to admit that actually going to the battlefields makes it a lot more real and at this age I can actually appreciate the stories and the sacrifices. Our first battlefield stop was Blood River. Of the ones we visited it was the one that least impressed me. The museum is well organised though and the original carved wagon is beautiful. However I did find that the information was seriously skewed towards the Boer perspective. I was hoping for more balance I guess. The second battlefield to come to out attention was Isandlwana. At the end of this great battle - one of the worst defeats in British colonial history and a spectacular victory for the Zulus - 1357 black and white colonial troops lay dead and 3000 Zulu warriors lay dead or dying. The British were horribly outnumbered by an estimated 20 000 strong Zulu army. The battlefield itself has a small museum but the true experience only comes when you're standing at the base of the small mountain where the British camp was looking out over the hills. The day was chilly and overcast when we visited and this added a sombre backdrop to the haunting scenery. The area is covered with white cairns marking where British soldiers fell. No book can tell the story as well as those simple stones. As I looked down the small valley heading towards Rorke's Drift where the few survivors fled to the cairns continued to tell there silent tale. A tale of fear in the face of an overwhelming force, of confusion, of death. It was a very poignant moment. At Rorke's Drift (the story that is told in the movie Zulu with Michael Caine, but filmed at Royal National in the Drakensberg) some of the original buildings still stand and there is a beautiful sculpture in memory of the Zulu warrors who fell at that battle.

After five days at Dundee we packed up and moved off to Hlalanathi ("stay with us" in Zulu) - a park in the Northern Drakensberg. We spent a very relaxing six nights there. We went on a tour of Eskom's Drakensville hydroelectric power station. It was awesome - you go 62 floors down into the mountain. The pump water between two dams to generate electricity for the national grid during peak usage periods. Apart from that we sampled various hotels' scones for tea and I even managed to get a bit of a tan reading in the sun. It was a bit chilly at night though I will say so we were all in bed by 9 o'clock. The only problem with caravaning being the walking to the bathroom. Not pleasant when it's cold and dark. Just take my word for it.

The camp is also home to a family group of rock dassies who we discovered have voracious appetites. Their bottom jaw and tongue seem to act as a mini-conveyer belt and food disappears very rapidly. They are espeially partial to bread. The antics of my little family kept us amused for many hours. For example - to avoid their food being stolen they would keep their bums to each other and go round and round in circles if needs be. Although they are definitely wild animals and were skittish around humans they have a very childlike curiousity and would come and take food out of my hand. The problem came when all 7 of them wanted food and one little blighter decided I wasn't handing it out fast enough, so grabbed it out of my hand. In so doing sinking one of his very long and sharp top incisors into the bed of my thumb nail. That was a tad sore !!! Needless to say I was less than pleased and pain and shock had me crying like a little girl. My parents and brother thought it was hysterical. And after talking to Dave M and Mels the other day and having them kill themselves laughing as well I must admit that it may be funny. As Dave M said - of all of the wild animals in Africa I had to get bitten by a dassie. Yes, a small furry vegetarian. And after they asked - no, it was not a full moon, so I don't forsee me turning into a small furry vegetarian that people want to cuddle any time soon.

Last stop was Nottingham Road in the KZN Midlands. Now that was cold !!!!! In fact it was friggin freezing Mr Bigglesworth. We didn't do much newsworthy there, but I had a great time relaxing and looking at the various arts and crafts around the area. I bought a beautiful glass bead bracelet for myself. And most importantly - my dad had a very relaxing holiday and managed to de-stress.

An that is the end of my holiday tale. I trust you can still read through your tears of laughter and muttered dassie comments.

Six degrees of Kevin Bacon

2006-05-07T20:09:00.000+02:00

I have been fascinated for a relatively long time now by the very popular game: Six degrees of Kevin Bacon. After a very brief web search I discovered that the game was originally developed by three college students and is based on the premise that Kevin Bacon is the centre of the entertainment universe. With this basic assumption in mind they went on to propose that any actor or actress can be linked to Kevin Bacon, typically by a maximum of six degrees. The number of links to Mr Bacon are called an individual's Bacon number.

Yet more people have taken this theory further and stated that any person can be linked to someone else in the world by six or seven degrees. Now I may not be too sure about that one, but I'm really with people on this whole Kevin Bacon thing. I believe that it is possible for mere mortals such as myself to have a Bacon number of 6 or less even living out here in good old South Africa. Follow my logic for a moment and be amazed.

I know my brother, Eric Parry.
Eric Parry has met Adrian Bellengere (boss's brother).
Adrian Bellengere was a stunt double for Joseph Fiennes in Man to Man (2005).
Joseph Fiennes was in Shakespeare in Love (1998) with Colin Firth.
Colin Firth was in Where the Truth Lies (2005) with Kevin Bacon.

Bacon number = 5

Not too bad for a South African girl from Port Shepstone who has never been out of the country. A fun website to check out in this regard is: The Oracle of Bacon.

Right - I was going to update you all with exciting news and happenings from my two week caravaning holiday with the parental units (hence the slightly longer than usual silence), but I sort of got carried away getting my page to look the way I wanted it to. So time sacrificed for aesthetics as opposed to news today I'm afraid. The holiday update will hopefully follow soon.

I put a new counter in - the software looks interesting. It allows you to track what countries people are from that are looking at your page and other cool stats. Unfortunately it means we have to start at 0 again. Oh well - you win some you loose some.

I have so far passed the assignments that UNISA has seen fit to actually mark and put the results on the web (2 of 5). Not bad for home studying, but I'm not ecstatically pleased with the 60% I got for the one. At least it's a pass i guess. I was battling to focus on them blabbering away on the theory behind theory and thought that that may have an effect. But in the greater scheme of things it won't be that big a section. Oh my god - I'm slowly morphing into that most hated of all - a social science student. My therapist was very amused when I mentioned that I had to wing a couple of sections for my assignments (i.e. read only the relevant bits as opposed to everything) and he burst out laughing and welcomed me to the social sciences.

I'd like to welcome people's opinions and suggestions about my page. Feel free to get in touch through the comments page.

I have also decided to introduce something new and fun to my page. A trivia quiz. Every post I will ask a trivia question and people need to post comments with their answers. Date stamps will verify who got there first. There will be 10pt for 1st place, 5pt for 2nd and 2pt for 3rd. I hope people will find it fun and entertaining for a bit of a change. The questions will vary in difficulty and style as I come up with them. I have set up a leader board on the site to track people's progress.

Trivia question
A crucial developmental gene/protein is named after a popular computer game character first seen in 1990. Name this character.

The world of me

2006-03-23T19:33:00.000+02:00

So rumour has it that I may actually have Bipolar II, but the jury is still out on that so watch this space. At least I'll be in good company - Churchill amongst others were thought to have it and still managed to function in normal society. So there may be hope for me yet.

I've been having a frustrating few weeks. I know that one of my biggest problems is that I think too much, but that's one habit that they haven't developed a patch or gum for yet. So I was thinking the other day and feeling guilty about being 25 and still living at home with my parents while most of the people I know are working (those who aren't are studying). I have 2 degrees, 7 years at 'varsity and a well above average IQ (fact, not boasting) yet there seems to be nothing for me to do to earn money part time while I continue my studies in psychology at UNISA and try to find an even keel. Do you have any idea how shit that makes you feel ?

In an attempt to describe what it feels like to have depression I ask you to bear with me for a moment or two. Imagine that you're driving to work and you suddenly realise that the car in front of you has stopped. While you may be able to slow down there is no way that you can avoid hitting it. You know that feeling that sits in your chest ? That's what it feels like to have depression, but you carry that feeling around 24/7 and it varies in intensity with often no logical or apparent reason. Medically I know that what I have will take a long time to recover from, but I often beat myself up that I'm wallowing and using it as an excuse. Then I test the boundaries and I get slapped back into reality - I didn't wake up one morning and say "You know what would be fun ?" I do also try every day - some days trying involves actually being around people. I wish there was a reset button.

Do you know what my greatest fear is ? That people will get tired and abandon me.

But enough melancholia. I just finished reading The Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Canavan and I haven't read such a good and real feeling fantasy series in a long time. It will make an awesome roleplaying campaign setting (possibly with some modification). With regards to movies Tim Burton's The Corpse Bride is well worth the watch - excellent puppets and the voice talents of a star studded cast.

I've been having friendsickness - I miss my friends so much. I do have some good friends here - but no one under the age of about 31 and I haven't been out dancing for almost a year. Blast.

Write to me dammit.

And today in the news

2006-02-09T19:36:00.000+02:00

Ok, so maybe a bit more time has passed than I originally thoughtsince my last post.

Those who care will be pleased to know that I am in fact not dead, which makes typing this post a lot easier than it might otherwise be. My birthday was on Friday 13th January and I had a great day. I was spoiled by being taken out for breakfast and spent the rest of the day just relaxing. In response to the obvious question about loot - I got some really cool presents, but nothing worth detailing here after so much time has passed.

Life in Port Shepstone carries on. Our family has been beset by a string of bad news over the last week or two - with people dying, getting divorced and having tumours removed. Hopefully the new year has been kinder to everyone else.

I had a really bad time a few weeks ago and resorted to my old habit of razor blade meets skin (first time in ages though) and ended up feeling even worse after I had done it. *sigh* I am running out of time to register for UNISA, so I need to pull myself towards myself and sort that out. My brain is bored. This results in me playing PC games and thinking far too much about my shit. Plus I'm looking forward to doing something that has always fascinated me.

I watched Serenity last week (I love my local video shop) and it was great. It scores a 8 and 1/2 on the Shelagh scale for the general public. As a fangirl it gets a 9 for me. I recently finished playing The Bard's Tale: A Quest for Coin and Cleavage. It was a very enjoyable game and I rate it as an 8. Featuring the voice talent of Carey Elwes the comments are worth every cent. I am now busying myself working through American McGee's Alice - a good classic. I didn't have a PC that would run it when it was first released in 2001.

Well the writing bug seems to have moved on to greater and more glorious things, so I will take my leave here.

Only 6 more sleeps....

2006-01-08T00:14:00.000+02:00

Yes, the countdown for my birthday has begun. I'm almost a whole quarter of a century old. Somehow I don't think that the queen will be sending me a letter for this one.

I trust that everyone had an enjoyable new year - I demand e-mails filled with embarrassing and blackmailable information. Or just some good stories would be good. I personally spent a very quiet and debauche free (sadly) evening at home with a movie and a book. Hopefully one day I'll manage to get some more dancing into my life again. I miss a good old fashioned party. I am waiting for the hordes of vaalies to subside before I even consider going to the local clubs. It's bad enough dealing with local 14 year olds without importing them.

I must again apologise for being lax in my writing of e-mails, phoning and general keeping in touch with people. I assure you that I do think of you all (whether you're in CT, Joburg or anywhere else) often and miss you stacks. I will endeavour to rectify the communication problem this year - and this is step one. Although to be fair it sometimes takes a bit of time to build up anything truley interesting to write about. When that fails you get a post very much like this one, where I expose you to random imaginings and thoughts occupying my twisted psyche.

I have lived in KZN for 24 years (almost 25 now) and each year I forget how hot it gets in summer. I am typing this while sitting resplendant in a pair of my brother's old shorts (unfortunately not studded battle shorts, but we work with what we have). The last week has been hideous as far as temperature goes. You know it's going to be bad when they forcast about 32 and then add at least 10 degrees on for humidity. I refer you to my previous post on conditions in which sweat becomes less of a cooling agent and more of a general irritant so that you may catch a glimpse of how I currently feel. I have resorted to covering my pillows with a towel in the hopes that they will not be soaking wen I wake up. A charming mental image to be sure, but very effective I feel.

I watched The Brothers Grimm yesterday and really enjoyed the movie. It gains a 7 and 1/2 on the Shelagh movie rating scale. It loses the 1/2 due to the story being somewhat sluggish at first. Matt Damon is surprisingly good in his role and Heath Ledger complements him well. A reminder that it is a movie by Terry Gilliam so will not necessarily appeal to everyone. Also look to se how many quite clever links to the real brothers' fairy tales you can spot. Current count sits at 6.

Well that's all folks. Stay tuned for the next installment of this exciting and no doubt riveting blog as soon as our author can be persuaded to come out of hiding.

Whether you've been naughty or nice

2005-12-20T20:26:00.000+02:00

As the silly season descends in full force, bringing the vaalie drivers and their lack of driving capability, I am shocked at how quickly this year has gone. It's been a bitter sweet year and I'm going to be partially glad to see it go. It hasn't penetrated to my brain that it's christmas. We don't even have a tree up at home yet and the crackers are still waiting for me to finish making them.

But in other news I went with my parents to the Natal Playhouse to watch The Sound of Music on Saturday. I have loved the playhouse since I was a little girl. The roof in the main hall and opera house are painted a beautiful evening blue, like rich velvet and the small lights they have installed as stars hold a wonder and a fascination akin to lying underneath a clear evening night somewhere where city lights can't mask the splendour of the universe. The show was fantastic and I was especially pleased to see so many people there. There was talk at one time of closing down the Playhouse and that would have been a bit like erasing a famous pencil sketch as far as I am concerned. An amusing incident happened outside the Royal Hotel prior to the show. We had stopped at their restaurant that serves light meals and being the only smoker (with a full smoking area next door) I stepped outside on to the pavement for a quick nicotene fix. As I'm standing there a guy approached me, resplendent in his father christmas hat complete with twinkling LED plastic stars. He then proceeded to profess his undying love for me within fifteen seconds and went on to explain that he was a chief and that he was in Durban saving money for the future (with me I may add). Why is it that a tall guy with wavy brown hair and a great smile can't approach me ? I always get the strange coloured guys from Obs or the guys from North Africa who think I'm the most enchanting woman they've ever met. And now I can add a Zulu chief to my collection. It really does make a girl (well, at least this girl) wonder whether she is at all attractive to the kind of guy that she would like to meet. Sigh.

Anyhow - I wish you all a very happy and cuisinely blessed Christmas. I think of you guys often and miss you all madly. Sigh.

By the way - I'm considering studying Psych through UNISA next year and tutoring high school maths, science and biology to make a bit of cash at the same time. Any thoughts or comments are welcome.

Officially responsible

2005-12-06T22:25:00.000+02:00

Bonjour one and all.

I returned yesterday from a very brief visit to Cape Town for Mira's naming ceremony. I am now officially a godmother. The day was awesome and I think very special for all involved.

It's a pity that I couldn't stay for longer :( I only got to see a few people, but on the flipside I did get to relax which was cool and groovy. Plus I got to test out my new swimming costume. It is official - I hate shopping for swimming costumes. I hate one piece costumes and despise the way I look in them. I also am not a size 3 with perfect little thighs and stomach, so most of the absurdly low cut bikini bottoms are just scary beyond all reason. Plus - how many people really wear bright citrus orange on a regular basis ? Is it too much to ask for a simple blue bikini ? It would appear so. But I did manage to find something in the above size 3 range that doesn't make me look like a granny - so w00t. But I digress, I really miss you guys in CT. Contacting has decreased because my cell phone bills were getting a bit enthusiastic, even with just SMS's. But that doesn't mean that I don't think of you guys !!

I have to be up at stupid o'clock tomorrow to drive through to Durbs to my psychologist, so my post will have to rest here for now. But never fear, at the rate my brain thinks of random things I'm sure I'll be back.

Puddles

2005-11-25T19:20:00.000+02:00

As I sit and type this little post the rain sings merry tunes on our roof, summoning the flying ants who in turn have made us hostages in our own house. All lights that could attract the enthusiastic breeding machines into the house have been turned off, possible points of entry have been blocked and outside lights have been turned on as a modern day lure (my thanks to Edison). I say breeding machines simply because the second they lose their wings they pair up and begin a strange front to back insect tango. At least our happy frogs patrolling the lures outside are pleased.

The other draw back to the rain is the sweltering heat that comes with it. Now, as a biologist I'm all for sweat - the system works quite well as long as the moisture content of the surrounding air is lower and there's a bit of a breeze. Both of these factors are conspicuously absent in Natal during most summer days, leaving one turning into the above mentioned pool of condensation.

But don't get me wrong - living in a community surrounded by farms means that the final break to the drought is a very welcome one and the lush green foliage that has returned to the gardens and roadsides is almost enough to distract you from the fact that it seems like a better and better idea to bathe in Shield deoderant every day.

In other news - I went back to the Occupational Therapist for a feedback session on Monday. She gave me one form to fill in the previous week to circle how I feel so she could assess my level of depression. She looked at me and told me that the test shows that I'm suffering from severe depression, but that my demeanor and presentation contradict that finding. Adding to comments from my doctor and one psychiatrist that I'm a very good actress. If you know me, you can generally tell how I'm feeling though. Unless I'm trying really hard.

Anyhow - life carries on and now I will retreat to the area under a fan to watch Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

Another one bites the dust....

2005-11-14T23:22:00.000+02:00

Yup, yet another of my cousins has gone and tied the knot. It was an awesome wedding - not too extravagant and quite relaxed. And I had a blast on the dance floor. Another of my cousins came up to me after I'd been dancing for a few hours and claimed that Cape Town had obviously been good for me. Don't you just love being the nerd/geek of the cousins ? The evening was accompanied by all of the drama and hilarity that invaiably follows whenever my whole family gets together. We're quite a boisterous lot.

Went up to Durban last week to see an OT for yet more cognitive/neuropsychological testing. They all mean well, but if one more person tells me that I'm so stunningly intelligent that they can't see why I'm nervous about getting a job etc. I'm going to be up for murder. Hey, at least with my medical/mental history I might have a real shot at an insanity plea.

It's a very difficult thing to try to explain - the feeling of complete helplessness in doing even the most basic things. All my life I've had my intelligence and academics to keep me afloat when the going got a bit rough, but now that's not working anymore. People reading this who think that I'm using this as an excuse to boast about my cranial expertise can turn around right now and back away from the page. I just want to take people by the shoulders and shake them until they understand how much this hurts. I sit in the centre of the maelstrom of my thoughts and scream, but no one hears me. The scream comes from a scared, defenceless little person who is so overwhelmed by all of the theories, possibilities, options, lack of options, failures, loneliness etc. that she has no other course of action available to her. When I contemplate suicide, it's not because I want to die (I know that sounds like a contradiction, but bear with me) but rather the fact that I don't want to live the rest of my life like this. We put animals down every day because they are in pain and it is usually the humane thing to do, so why not put me out of my (and everyone else's) misery. Then I have a better day and I'm tricked into thinking that life may actually get better. Don't get me wrong - life is a shit load better than it was about four/five months ago. Yet the recurring image that flashes in my mind is that of a sad, lonely sixty year old spinster still living with her parents simply because she has no other choice. And that is enough to make anyone terrified.

But I have ranted enough now - good to get some of that off my chest.

FYI: I am coming down to Cape Town for Melanie and Dave's daughter's christening from 2-5 Dec. Yup - I'm a godmother. Because my trip is so brief I am apologising in advance for the fact that I woun't be able to see people who won't be at the ceremony as it is happening outside of Cape Town.

Is there a doctor in the house ?

2005-10-31T20:51:00.000+02:00

It's days like today that make me (a) hate humidity and (b) thank the pope for fans and aircon (pity my car has neither). Went up to Durban again today to see my psychiatrist. You know - three years ago I would've killed myself laughing if you'd told me I would have my very own shrink (three actually - ignoring psychologists of course). But now I seem to be living one big farce/cliche - only it's not so amusing on this side. Anyhow - meds seem to be eventually getting sorted out which is at least a bonus.

After bringing a whole bunch of stuff back with me from Cape Town - you know, the essentials: hi-fi, CDs, DVDs and books - I realised that I have had basically the same stuff in my room in the same arrangement since about 1993. That, and the fact that you could barely see my brother's room under all of my crap, inspired me to reorganise. So two days later my room is transformed into something more reflecting me. The change makes a good difference. Baby steps....

A big hello out to my friends - I miss you guys. Come visit me in Natal dammit !!!!!

Tagged

2005-10-26T19:45:00.000+02:00

Ok so I've been tagged by TotalWaste and goldenangel. No getting out of this one it seems.

I hate hospitals - when I spend more than 20 minutes in one I start feeling nauseous and caged in. This stems from spending about 8 weeks of my life in hospitals and institutions for various reasons.
I have broken 6 bones in my body, including my skull and three vertebrae.
I was in all of my school plays from Std. 5 (Grade 7) to matric and played a supporting lead role in three of them, including the baby elephant in The Jungle Book.
I have been committed to an institution for 3 weeks.
I love standing out in the rain.
If I could do any job in the world it would be a combination of writing and counselling.
I love to dance.
I have never been in a relationship and my fear of loneliness stems from there - plus my belief that I am the love child of the blob and frankensten.
I am a confirmed Catholic (although non-practising).
I care more about other people than I do about myself.
I was Dux of my school and embarrassed my mother horribly by turning around and taking a deep bow to the entire audience when receiving my prize.
I have been (and still am) suicidal, but rather than kill myself I cut myself.
I am constantly surprised that anyone likes me.
I HATE it when people try to convert me to their religion.
I used to bite my brother when I was really little and got frustrated with him - until my mom bit me back one day.
I was known as "Me too" when I was young because that is what invariably followed any of my brother's requests.
I can't stand people who make sweeping statements.
It's amazing how many people think they're original and/or funny when your name is Shelagh and they come up with some Australian comment. From me to you - you're not and it isn't.
On many days I'm more afraid of life than of death.
My favourite poem is The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe.

Test results

2005-10-25T20:34:00.000+02:00

People who know me will testify to the fact that I am fascinated by things angelic, divine, magical and mystical. I had some time on my hands and decided to take some random tests which started out in the above interests and soon digressed.

Michael. You're most like the ArchAngel of
Defense. You like to hit things, and you like
naked people, preferably cute naked people. A
real down-to-earth angel who likes frogs and is
easily distracted by bright, shiny things.

Which ArchAngel are you most like?
brought to you by Quizilla

You are a two-winged Guardian Angel!
Wandering the realms of the mortals you often bear
the form of a mere human. It is your task to
guard your charge against the perils of the
shadows. You are good-natured and friendly,
trusted by everyone, helpful and kind. But
when in danger you show a fierce protective
side that often surprises your adversarys.

What kind of supernatural being are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

DRUIDIC - You have to live close to nature to
survive. You dream magick. In the deep woods
you gather, bringing together mysticism and
philosophy, insight and learning. Your spirit
emerges from the the tides of the sea, the
light of the sun, the wind in the Oak, the cry
of the deer.

What is Your Magick Path?
brought to you by Quizilla

You are a true nature girl!

Which Ultimate Beautiful Woman are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

What Common Breed of Dog Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Right - so that's all for now folks. Should give you a bit of an idea about who I am and what I'm like. Comments from those who know me would be appreciated.

Back due to popular demand

2005-10-25T12:00:00.000+02:00

I have just returned from a short trip to Cape Town where I packed up my flat and put everything into storage. Yup - I am no longer a resident of Cape Town and that's pretty sad.

I did however get to see some people while I was there (not everyone and for as long as I would have liked). Amusingly enough shortly after "hello" I was hit from left field with "Blog godammit" or a variation on that theme. Who knew my boring life provided WAP potential for so many.

I am at present building an empire of Sims in Sims 2 - it's fun being omnipotent. Playing out the legacy challenge and am only on generation 2 of 10 starting with one original sim. Have also had fun playing Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic (KOTOR) and KOTOR2 and am now playing them again on the dark side.

I don't want to spoil you all too much, so I'll leave it there for now. Consider this a teaser.

Oh and for those who know me/care - I'm not having a good day, so not in writing mode.

Will nothing cease to amaze me...

2005-09-20T01:26:00.000+02:00

Oh my god - people actually read my blog.

Ok, I've got myself in check and now seriously must consider interesting info for people to read - although today has not been that day.

Having said that I did read something very amusing the other day. It would appear that they're turning Dan Brown's (now controversial) book The Da Vinci Code into a movie - in which Tom Hanks is involved (which is generally a good sign). Anyhows - there was much protesting and gnashing of teeth by religious types on location in Paris. I am currently reading the book - I know, I know months behind everyone else. I'm really enjoying it because I find the subject matter infinitely enjoyable and readable. I just couldn't help but chuckle when I read about the protests. Really I think that some people are so insecure in their religion that they automatically attack anything that is perceived to be against it. Now don't get me wrong - sure, if you don't appreciate the ideas in the book that's your perogative, but you don't have to stop other people from reading it and learning. I wonder how many of the protestors have actually read it ? Hmmm....

Well must be off - it's stupid o' clock in the morning again and I need to sleep. So ta ta.

Long time no inane drivel..... my most humble apologies for the inconwenience

2005-09-19T00:29:00.000+02:00

As those of you who know me may have guessed - there is not that much exciting going on in my life at present. Port Shepstone, while being a very cool and relaxing place (plus it's home) is not exactly the hub of excitement and suspense. Strangely enough though, I'm not bored.

Brief update for those who don't know me - I am currently taking a sabbatical of sorts back in my original hometown of Port Shepstone, KZN. I have been to see yet another psychiatrist and the medication continues to be juggled until we eventually figure stuff out. Having a bit of a down time at the moment, but I'm slowly starting to realise that it's not my fault and that I'm allowed to have them. I really miss all my friends in Cape Town, but I'll be coming down in October with my parental units to pack up my flat and put things in storage - REALLY not looking forward to that, although I know it makes sense. But I waffle.

Yes, I am in fact still alive and will perhaps start a quest for exciting happenings to entertain you guys with. Until then -adios.

Damn Schpat and his new flash game !!!

2005-08-29T23:18:00.000+02:00

Salaam and good evening dear reader(s).

My life has been suprisingly eventful over the last few days. Went up to Durban to visit my sibling and help my pater pick out some new electronic gadgets to replace those pilfered from our house earlier this year. The new DVD hard-drive recorder is super shiny and time shift is soooo cool - you can pause TV :)

Also my new computer was picked up (a new and delightful P4 3GHz) but unfortunately I seem to be the statistical variation and it is baffling my brother and now the engineers. So I am again momentarily computer free except for my Dad's lap top. But soon. Mwahahahaha.

Have also been exercising me l33t tutoring sk33lz and helping a friend study for her upcoming anatomy and physiology paper (she's studying to be a medical rep).

This may not be particularly exciting to you my humble followers, but for me it's all good.

OK. That's it.

P.S. Schpat - that new Flash game is cool and addictive !

In the news recently...

2005-08-23T23:12:00.000+02:00

I must confess to being somewhat confused when my eye caught the frontpage headline of our local community newspaper The South Coast Herald. This was what caught my eye: 'Possessed' baby has a brother. After doing a bit of qestioning of the locals (I was still in Cape Town when the first installment of the story ran) I found out that the child in question (a baby of about 8 months) had been taken from her parents by the police after the neighbour reported them. It appears that they believed the child to be possessed and following the recommendations of a 'spiritual' advisor had tied the baby up with their puppy in the back yard - apparently the theory being that any evil spirits inhabiting the kid would possibly move to the puppy. Now mom has given birth to a new baby and wants custody. I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry to be perfectly honest.

In response to d@vid's comment on my last post - the black template suits my nefarious purposes better than any of the others. Plus, why break a trend ;)

Ciao

The beginning of the end

2005-08-14T16:10:00.000+02:00

Greetings, salutations and sundry hellos....

It's not too late to turn back. Ok - don't say I didn't warn you.

But all jokes aside I have finally succumbed to peer pressure and set up a blog. I hope that over time this will develop into an interesting and often amusing read for the general public. Greetings to MoonFlake, ZenStar and Schpat - good friends and also recommended reads for you.

The call of my online crosswords at http://www.bestcrosswords.com call and I must obey.

So for now - adieu.