What's In My Bag?

A while ago on Flickr, I had joined a group called What's In My Bag? I had joined the group but never had the chance to actually take a picture of my bag with it's contents. Today, after realising I have nothing productive to do, I started exploring around Flickr and then stumbled across the group again. I immediately took out my bag, all the contents of it, and took a picture of it.

What I am going to be doing is creating an occasional "What's In My Bag?" feature, because I think the contents of a bag can often be very interesting. I'll talk a bit about what's in my bag, and see if I can remember any interesting stories from them. Credit has to go to groc for the inspiration.

As you can see, I don't really have much in my bag at the moment because I had recently cleaned it out and re-packed the thing.

1. You see that little red book on the left? It's a play. No, I am not a drama student, it's for my English literature classes. We're currently studying "She Stoops To Conquer" by Oliver Goldsmith. I was made to research Oliver Goldsmith for background, and frankly... I dislike him. His work is enjoyable thus far, but his attitude and history is just ridiculous; but he definitely is a character.

2. TESS of the D'URBERVILLES: Two words... READ. IT.

3. Wreck This Journal was something that I received from a friend on Christmas. I'm yet to complete, but I've done most of it. I carry it with me in case I need to imprint grass stains into it or find a public place to hang it and have people furiously scribble in it. I was terrified to crack the spine but eventually I did it. And several times also. I poured a little spiced wine on it too, and when you fan the pages, it smells of Burberry perfume. The journal is a character in itself.

4. My beautiful floral purse, another Christmas present! Vaseline, USB, glasses case.. they're all basic needs.

Unfortunately, that's all there is in a bag, but the contents always change so you should see some more updates a little later.

You will find that this will be a regular feature on my blog now, as a page will be dedicated to it right HERE!

Have a great day everyone, and keep your bags safe and interesting!

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Song of the Day: "You're The One That I Want (cover)" by Angus & Julia Stone

I know, I know, once again I haven't been able to update in quite some time. I've been so caught up with work and trying to get myself organised that I have neglected this poor blog.

With some of my time off, I have been listening to a lot of music again, and I stumbled across Angus & Julia Stone's cover of "You're The One That I Want" from Grease. Yes, you must be wondering... how? If you're familiar with Angus & Julia Stone's music, you can only wonder how a song such as this one could be pulled off in this style?

It's for you to find out.... Julia's voice is precious.

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Song of the Day: "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra

In remembrance of the 9/11 attacks, I have decided to post a song by none other than the great Frank Sinatra. I greatly admire their resilience 10 years ago today, and perhaps someday I will be lucky enough to visit such a  vibrant and strong city.

I want to send all my good thoughts to the families of the people who lost their lives and all the services of New York that participated in the safety of such a great city. Continue to stay strong.

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Song of the Day: "I Need Some Sleep" by Eels

This song could easily sum up how I feel today, I really do need some sleep. See if you can guess where you may have heard this song before?

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Too late, Too Dark, Too Stuffy

I feel that my brain always functions best after 2AM, but of course it must involve me skulking around in the night in my house like an absolute creeper. I can have so much to think about and mull over in my head, because it takes me literally forever, (if not more) to fall asleep.

If the world was at it's safest, I'd feel comfortable to walk around in the night and take everything in. I can't stand still and think. Well, I can, but I feel useless standing still whilst I think of "great" things. If I am to think about philosophical topics, I must of course do something whilst I think of it. Just in honour of the thought.

So, what I've been thinking at this hour, instead of sleeping because it is unnecessarily hot even with the fan on, is about my increase in reading. Don't get me wrong, I've been reading for as long as I remember, I've always been encouraged to read. But as I deepen into literature that strays away from my childhood; Harry Potter, A Series of Unfortunate Events and Roald Dahl, I'm venturing into more complex novels.

But as I read more of these novels, I can't help but to feel pretentious. The more I read, the more I feel like a pretentious character. It would possibly not seem apparent on the outside, I don't really think I strike off as pretentious apart from the fact that people are aware I read quite a bit and I don't indulge in only mainstream activities but in a way, I feel like I am. This is probably because I think a lot, and I tend to over-think a lot. Often I tend to feel selfish, because I keep everything in my thoughts, but I never say them out loud.

Then I feel alarmingly pretentious when people tell me things that I always think about and I just nod my head and say "Yes" and "I know", always in agreement. I wonder if the person I am talking to wonders "wow, she claims to know everything." Or perhaps they may think something along the lines of like "She's pretending to know everything, I've never heard her utter anything of the sort before." Due to my lack of voicing opinion. This is terrible for a person who wants to do the things she wants to do in the future.

No secrets, just thoughts.

Just thoughts all in my head, kept under lock and key.

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Plath

Today started abruptly, as I jolted awake and was immediately aware that I was to meet my friend in a short couple of hours and I was, indeed, a mess. I don't think I could congratulate coffee enough for being such a lifesaver. I can't imagine the places I'd be without it.

Anyway, yes, I made yet another trip with my friend Sophie to the library today. On the rota, the task was "Get Work Done For Personal Statement". I was confident I'd get a fair bit down, but instead my time was spent reading Time magazine, inspecting pieces of Russian art and reading Sylvia Plath's biography. I decided to take it home. "Take" as in borrow it of course.

Well, here she is! I really enjoy her pieces of work, especially Ariel and I thought The Bell Jar was truly captivating. There are times whilst reading the novel, I feel like I can relate to how the protagonist feels, and it makes me worry, considering people reckoned The Bell Jar was a semi-autobiographical novel, and if you were not aware, Sylvia Plath was mentally ill and had committed suicide at the age of 30.

But then again, not everything is the same for everyone. Situations are dealt with differently by each person. In all honesty, "we are all unique" pretty much sums it up. So far I have reached the point of reading about Plath's maternal side of the family. As I read the story of her maternal grandparents, I feel as if I am reading a novel and then I realise that this is actually somebody's life. This is why I find biographies difficult to take seriously; I mistake reality for fiction and forget that these words depict the accounts of real events in history. Not quite sure why I am so fascinated by this.....

Sylvia Plath led a very colourful life. A life which could be considered almost "normal" to society's judging eyes, almost fulfilled. A life that could be mistaken for any person with a healthy mind, so I am looking forward to reading about the shadowed events in her life which could explain the reason for her angry and ambitious poetry.

    

I'm going to leave you here in the midst of Plath and dive into some work if my wireless keyboard decides to live.

Goodbye!

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I haven't seen one of these in a while

My sister rushed upstairs today to tell me that there was a rainbow. I had suddenly turned into a magical pony as  I pranced all over my room panicking and looking for a camera. I needed to take a picture ASAP before it would fade away.

I got the picture though!

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