A book, some movies and my nails

I have about three books that I have started reading but yet to finish, as well as about eight that are waiting on my shelf at home or my desk at work to begin. This is not like me, I usually only read one before going on to another, but I will start picking up the pace again soon. Despite the abundance of books I need to get through, I did an impulse buy on Amazon, and bought 'Richard' by Ben Myers.

The novel is a fictional take on the life of Richey Edwards of Manic Street Preachers. Richey was very depressed, disappeared and has never been found. The author is a few years older than me, but would have been a teenager like me when Rickey vanished in 1995. Less than a year before, Kurt Cobain had killed himself and I still remember how awful it was for Nirvana and MSP fans to lose such huge idols in such a short period of time. I remember the Samaritans launching a nationwide campaign with REM's 'Everybody hurts' out of concern and I think it was backed by the NME, Melody Maker and the Big Issue. Ben Myers has apparently done tonnes of research for this novel, so it would be interesting to read his take on this whole tragedy, and I suppose what Richey was going through in this mind. I don't know if he got the blessing of Richey's family or the rest of the Manics, but I really hope he did. I am really nervous about reading this novel especially with the timing, but at the same time feel like I need to and should read it. I think I'll do a review once I've read it.


I am a big fan of the Bengali film maker, Satyajit Ray. His most notable works are the Apu Trilogy, which are amazing and I recommend this series to any Independent film fans. A very kind friend got me three more of his movies in a box set. Its the Volume 1 of his collection.

I have already watched Charulata (The Lonely Wife) which is an adaption of a novel by the Bengali novelist, Rabindranth Tagore. But looking forward to revisiting it again along with the other two films. As this was a gift, I am not sure where this came from, but you can get it from Amazon, Play.com, HMV amongst other places.


On a lighter note, I got myself done gel nails with white tips today... and I love them! I took a couple of pictures when I was waiting for my fish and chips.

 

 


I have only ever got gel nails done with the white acrylic tips, and I find that over time, it makes my nails very weak over time. I had a conversation with the lady who did my nails and she said that I need to take them off professionally so not to damage my real nails. As previously, I would dunk them in nail varnish remover and peel them off. The first time I tried them was in Portugal, and every now and them I treat myself to them. Prices range from £25 - £60 for a set depending on where you go. Plus you have to ensure you go back to maintain them so it can prove to be costly for just nails. But I do love the clean, healthy look it gives. Plus, I can paint over them with a different colour and still keep the french manicure look underneath. It looks great, but be aware that they can weaken the nails if not looked after properly.

It was Animale, freakin' Nitrate time last night!!

I just found out that Suede had played a one-off gig at the Royal Albert Hall last night. I AM GUTTED!! I never got to see them first time round and now again I missed out. I would have sung those songs with feeling and swayed my arms about! I cannot believe I didn't know they were playing. What did I do instead last night? Watch the diabolical 'Bounty Hunter'. It was so bad we walked out three quarters in. Have I really sold myself to commercialism? 10 years ago,  this would never have happened to me. I was actually just horrified when I discovered what I was doing the day Suede came back for a one-off gig.

Anyway I am digressing. I need to start using my brain again. I mean, I chose the freakin' bounty hunter over 'The Green Zone'. What the heck is wrong with me??!! (Quick side note: I love Jen A and I just wish she'd make something worth watching).

I'm going to book a bunch of live bands to see. Yes, thats what i'll do - that way I can start to feel part of my soul again.

Samaritans update - The branch I wanted to volunteer in only take a small number of people on three times a year - January, April and September. They finally got back to me with a text message to say I have to go in for the selection process in the middle of April. Unfortunately I won't be in the country then. So I called and left a message asking if I can come another time. They got back to me today to say yes I can, but it will be in September! I don't hold a grudge against the guys at Samaritans for not being flexible, or even taking so long to respond. Because its a hard job they do, and I can do understand that they are very busy, and they should only get the best in anyway. However I was talking to a friend about this and she said that she had to keep ringing to volunteer for a mentoring scheme she had heard of. Its just so resource intensive for the people who run these things. If anyone feels that they aren't getting through a particular charity or oganisation they would like to volunteer in the first time round, don't give up just yet. If you think you can be useful, then just persevere a little more - and think of all the good you'll be doing if you do just that!

Thing is, I think I'll be really good at it. I'll try some other branches but if I have no joy, I'll have a look for something else and try my luck again in September.

Best movie I've seen in ages

Just watched 500 days of Summer. The clothes the two main character wear are just beautiful and I wish EVERYONE dresses like that all the time. Although in London, you could but you'd probably end up freezing to death. For me, the movie explores how people can fall in love with someone who doesn't love them back as equally. The shock of realisation that the feelings you developed innately is not mutually reciprocated and shared. For me it questions, what is it that makes you fall in love? Is it fate or just coincidence? Well I still don't bloody know.

Now with my guy, the guy I thought I was in love with on and off for 10 years, told me last Sunday that he's getting engaged. Plus is probably getting married next year towards the month of my birthday. I loved him as much as I am capable of loving anyone, which isn't much really. But I thought I could work on it and as long as he cares, so will I. But he is more sensible than me. He didn't love me enough. The girl he is marrying, he's not in love with but is willing to make it work. Because his parents approve of her. He tells me he's "over the moon", which hurts but i don't really know how true it is. I do know though he didn't choose to make it work with me because it would have been harder work.

That movie just broke my heart again. I knew how exactly how Tom in the movie was feeling through the entire movie. Because I have felt all those things over and over again.

Watch 500 years of Summer if you have had your heart kicked and stampeded on. Watch it if you think good love only happens to others, and the love you experience always sucks and disappoints.

P.s I always secretly wished to fall in love like Summer. As the years go by, I seriously doubt that will happen!

P.s on different note, Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap which is played twice in the movie is definitely this summer's song for me :)

p.s 05100611
xxx