I remember reading an article by Charlie Brooker in which he said that, while some days writing is easy and the words just naturally flow forth, other days you have to fish every word, letter by letter, out of a giant tub of glue.
He also said that the best thing for transforming the tub of glue into a magic pez dispenser is a deadline. It's remarkable what you can come up with when you're racing the clock.
He was right on both counts. **nodnod**
I spent much of today hanging around a mini anime-convention in the Marlands shopping centre- and by 'mini', I mean a cosplay contest accompanied by a food-and-merchandise stall. It was kind of awkward, as my friend and I were two of very few who were neither in costume nor accompanying someone who was. Everyone else appeared to be seasoned convention goers, too, whereas as this was the closest either of us had come. Nonetheless, it was quite good fun, my Kuroshitsuji obsessed friend got a picture of a pretty good Grell cosplayer, and I now have 100% more addictive Japanese sweets than I did this morning. Think it's gone to my head a bit, actually- I spent half the bus ride home thinking about how I'd go about cosplaying as Delirium should the chance ever come up (Grubby old Jacket, multiple hair extensions, and a lot of fishnet).
Speaking of DC Vertigo creations, I now have the first editions of Y the Last Man (which I've wanted to read for ages) and Fables (which I haven't known about that long, but it looks like a promising series). Not sure when I'll get round to reading them, though- my queue of books is a mile long.
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Day 24: Name the best websites for Goths:
Gothic Charm School would be the obvious one, but it's obvious for a reason. Most people have Stephen Fry down as the number one candidate for Benevolent Dictator, but I personally put Jillian Venters ahead of him.
The other one that's obvious- to my mind, at least- is Stripy Tights and Dark Delights (formally the Ultimate Goth Guide). Massive variety of articles on everything from in-scene politics to the best way to apply makeup. Check it out, if you haven't already. :)
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Monday, 9 April 2012
The people I come up against whilst trying to be productive.
Inner Drill Sergeant: Grow up you worm! Get your lazy arse onto word and give me 1000 characters! NOW!
Inner Critic: (whispering) I'd stay on the internet if I was you... you know you'll only screw the essay up big time.
Inner Nanny: Aww, those weren't very nice things to say to yourself! You're clearly not very happy... maybe looking at nice things on the internet would be best right now.
Inner Total Bum: I'll work in a minute... just let me finish reading this... ooh, I wonder where that link goes...
Inner Political Crusader: Well, I was about to come off the internet, but then I found somebody being wrong. I am now positively entrenched in anger, and I feel that writing the offending person a billion page essay explaining why they're wrong is the only sensible course of action. Grrr.
Inner Suave Bellend: It's alright Louise, you've still got plenty of time to do that essay, why not stay online for a bit, Hmm? Come on, you know you want to...
Inner Jukebox: **begins singing the chorus of a Godawful song I haven't heard for years, over and over and over again**
Inner 'Maladaptive' Daydreaming: Hi Louise, it's only me... look, I know this is a bad time, but I got triggered unexpectedly by the word 'the', so I'm afraid it's no productivity for you for a least half an hour! Heeere we gooo.... la la la SHINY! :D
Inner Neurotic: But but but Personal Problems! We can't do any work until we've worked them all out!
Inner Idiot: I've got writers' block. Looks like you can't do that essay today. Sor-ee. :(
Inner Toddler: **after writing one word** This is boring, I wanna do something else. **starts to kick the metaphorical seat in front**
Inner Philosopher: Louise, your thinking is unfairly constricted by the techniques required in this essay. Therefore, I vote you don't do it for a while. You have far better uses of your time. Checking every blog you follow several times, for instance.
Inner Alice: Oh, this factual essay is so dreary... I would much rather read this book, all about a strange land quite unlike this miserable place.
Inner Perfectionist: No, don't phrase it that way, it sounds too informal! And that's the third time you've used 'the fact that' in three paragraphs. Not sure that that's proper usage of a semi colon, either. No, you don't need to delete that far! Come on, it's only grammar, what's the matter with you? Oh, and by the way, you aren't comparing thoroughly enough... ugh, I give up.
Inner Koala: Too... sleepy... can't... concentrate... zzzz
And all through it, the one sensible part of my brain, which probably has the patience of a saint by now, is like "Now, please, this essay really is quite important". Sometimes it wins. Usually though, it gives up, and no work gets done until Inner Clockwatcher springs up shouting "Louise, you have ten minutes to write this essay! Hurry up now, or else you'll be doomed!"
And then I write.
Yeah... I'll have this under control one day, I swear. :3
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Day 23: Your favourite artist of photographer?:
Well, I don't really take note of photographers, so I can't answer that one. Anne Stokes and Kirsi Salonen come to mind if I have to name favourite artists, although they aren't the only two whose paintings send me star-eyed. I'm a sucker for fantasy art in general. :3
Inner Critic: (whispering) I'd stay on the internet if I was you... you know you'll only screw the essay up big time.
Inner Nanny: Aww, those weren't very nice things to say to yourself! You're clearly not very happy... maybe looking at nice things on the internet would be best right now.
Inner Total Bum: I'll work in a minute... just let me finish reading this... ooh, I wonder where that link goes...
Inner Political Crusader: Well, I was about to come off the internet, but then I found somebody being wrong. I am now positively entrenched in anger, and I feel that writing the offending person a billion page essay explaining why they're wrong is the only sensible course of action. Grrr.
Inner Suave Bellend: It's alright Louise, you've still got plenty of time to do that essay, why not stay online for a bit, Hmm? Come on, you know you want to...
Inner Jukebox: **begins singing the chorus of a Godawful song I haven't heard for years, over and over and over again**
Inner 'Maladaptive' Daydreaming: Hi Louise, it's only me... look, I know this is a bad time, but I got triggered unexpectedly by the word 'the', so I'm afraid it's no productivity for you for a least half an hour! Heeere we gooo.... la la la SHINY! :D
Inner Neurotic: But but but Personal Problems! We can't do any work until we've worked them all out!
Inner Idiot: I've got writers' block. Looks like you can't do that essay today. Sor-ee. :(
Inner Toddler: **after writing one word** This is boring, I wanna do something else. **starts to kick the metaphorical seat in front**
Inner Philosopher: Louise, your thinking is unfairly constricted by the techniques required in this essay. Therefore, I vote you don't do it for a while. You have far better uses of your time. Checking every blog you follow several times, for instance.
Inner Alice: Oh, this factual essay is so dreary... I would much rather read this book, all about a strange land quite unlike this miserable place.
Inner Perfectionist: No, don't phrase it that way, it sounds too informal! And that's the third time you've used 'the fact that' in three paragraphs. Not sure that that's proper usage of a semi colon, either. No, you don't need to delete that far! Come on, it's only grammar, what's the matter with you? Oh, and by the way, you aren't comparing thoroughly enough... ugh, I give up.
Inner Koala: Too... sleepy... can't... concentrate... zzzz
And all through it, the one sensible part of my brain, which probably has the patience of a saint by now, is like "Now, please, this essay really is quite important". Sometimes it wins. Usually though, it gives up, and no work gets done until Inner Clockwatcher springs up shouting "Louise, you have ten minutes to write this essay! Hurry up now, or else you'll be doomed!"
And then I write.
Yeah... I'll have this under control one day, I swear. :3
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Day 23: Your favourite artist of photographer?:
Well, I don't really take note of photographers, so I can't answer that one. Anne Stokes and Kirsi Salonen come to mind if I have to name favourite artists, although they aren't the only two whose paintings send me star-eyed. I'm a sucker for fantasy art in general. :3
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Oh Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now...
I'm getting tired of the atmosphere of misery surrounding disability. The way every neurodivergence is automatically labelled an 'illness' or 'disorder', even when its effects are, in and of themselves, neutral. The cold, clinical formality and scary statistics that dominate discussion about disability whilst erasing the lives of disabled people. The general lack of optimism, humour and positivity that permeates most websites, articles, television programmes, and organisations.
Unlike most other minority groups, disabled, mentally ill, or neuro-atypical teens aren't routinely told that things will get better, or that their lives and concerns are valid, or that it's OK to accept themselves as they are. When you read about disability, the dominant tone is all too often one of pessimism and shame.
So, let's get a couple of things straight: Difference isn't bad. Impairment doesn't have to be the end of the world. Mental Illness is often a perfectly natural response to trauma. Addressing problems is vital, but letting them take over helps nobody.
Oh, and here's a link to the BBC Ouch archives, because a post like this really needs an example of disability discourse done right.
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Day 22: If you could attend any Goth Event, what would it be?:
While saying 'Whitby' and 'Treffen' is about as unoriginal as it's possible to be... Whitby and Treffen. XD
Unlike most other minority groups, disabled, mentally ill, or neuro-atypical teens aren't routinely told that things will get better, or that their lives and concerns are valid, or that it's OK to accept themselves as they are. When you read about disability, the dominant tone is all too often one of pessimism and shame.
So, let's get a couple of things straight: Difference isn't bad. Impairment doesn't have to be the end of the world. Mental Illness is often a perfectly natural response to trauma. Addressing problems is vital, but letting them take over helps nobody.
Oh, and here's a link to the BBC Ouch archives, because a post like this really needs an example of disability discourse done right.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Day 22: If you could attend any Goth Event, what would it be?:
While saying 'Whitby' and 'Treffen' is about as unoriginal as it's possible to be... Whitby and Treffen. XD
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