A Book is a Megans' Best Friend

"Books can be dangerous.  The best ones should be labeled "This could change your life.""  ~Helen Exley

The other night I went to a friends house and came back with a pile of books that I am absolutely dying to read. I honestly feel rich right now because I've not had a collection of books to read for a while and now I do and it's the best feeling in the world because there are a whole load of stories that I can be part of soon; worlds that I've yet to explore and people I've yet to meet. In short, I am one of those people that love books. 

Sweeney Todd The String of Pearls - James Malcolm Rymer

Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell

Selected Poems - Sylvia Plath

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

A Room with a View - E. M. Foster

Dracula - Bram Stoker

To me, there really is nothing like a good book. I was brought up surrounded by shelves and shelves and shelves of them and have an extensive collection myself. When you find someone that has similar tastes to you, it's an amazing thing because it not only means that you have something in common, but you can really find out something about them; your taste in books really does say a lot about you. What someone recommends can tell you not only about them, but can be a hint as to what kind of person they perceive you as and that's something I find really interesting.

Which leads me on to those people that don't read. Now, I don't have a problem with those people that genuinely don't like reading because they don't have time, don't like books, weren't brought up that way. Whatever. Whatever the reason said person doesn't like reading is down to them and their choice. I'm not going to bash them for that. Personally, I don't understand how they don't like books, but I'm sure that they don't understand how I do. I don't go on about it and neither do they. What really irks me, however, is when people make a point of not liking books and then go on to either boast to me that they "haven't read a book since I was 5" or "think they're all crap". No. You know what, if you're going to talk to me and expect me to be impressed that you have not read something since you were *blank* years old, then I really don't have much time for you. And I'm supposed to, what, admire you for that? Act as if you're the only person I've met that is ridiculously pleased with themselves for not reading? I don't sit here and think that I'm superior to you because I've never seen you pick up a book and I certainly don't think that reading is something to be super proud of. It's something I like doing and is pretty damn normal, as is not reading. You're not alone in not reading, you're not the first and you won't be the last. It's something that I just cannot get my head around. Okay, sure. You don't like reading? Fine. Cool. I don't like tomatoes. You think it's something that is unique and admirable to have not read a book in 10/20 years? Wowzer. Gold star to you and here's a medal to top it off.  You people aggravate me. 

Then there are those that slam other people for reading books. Being branded a "geek" or "loser" or "weirdo" for liking books is just... I don't even have words for it. Because really, what is your problem? I don't impose my "weird" ways on you. I don't force you to hear about the latest book that I'm reading or make you read it or even mention it. So when you see a book in my bag or see me reading, then why try and put me down because of it? What's your logic behind that? 

I know that it may seem I am slamming people that don't read and am therefore being quite hypocritical because I have then gone on to get annoyed at those who don't like the fact that I do read, but I'd like to point out that I really don't have a problem with people that don't read. It's their choice. My problem lies with those that a) think it's something to boast about to me and b) keep on and on at me that I'm a "geek" because I do read. Do excuse me for being who I am. 

Also, I'd like to make the brief point that if you're doing an English Literature course, it may help you to have actually read a book recently and to have a basic knowledge of authors and poets that are, you know, pretty famous. Oscar Wilde, for example. But don't get me wrong, I love my English class. I really do. 

So yes. I like book. Books are our friends. 

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man that can't read them" - Mark Twain

And in other news, I recently got a little bored, spied a pair of scissors and cut my own fringe. It's really annoying having to trim it every couple of days, but I quite like it. 

Before...

....After 

And then I discovered that I'm pretty bloody good at shadow puppets. This was a Llama. Ohhh yeah. 

M x 

Exam Madness

I know that this is going to be different for a lot of people that read this and completely irrelevant to others, but today marks the end day of my January exams! I'm not going to claim to know how the American (or any other nationality for that matter) exam system works, but here in England you do A levels which are made up of (usually) 2 AS exams that you sit in year 12 when you're 16/17 that count for half a qualification and 2 A2 exams that you sit in year 13 when 17/18 which complete the qualification. Now, as I've mentioned before, I am currently 19 and redoing one year of my A levels. I'm not going to go into it but I'm doing two AS levels and one A2. THIS IS NOT IMPORTANT. I am moving on! 

So we can sit exams in January and Summer and today, I sat an economics exam which was the last exam that I will have to do until around Mayish time. I must say, whatta relief! 

This January, I only had to sit two exams - one biology and one economics - but I have been revising for them for ages! I'm not going to pretend that I revised as much as I should have, but I did a fair amount and would be happy if I never saw a diagram of photosynthesis ever again. 

Which is what the point of this post begins to play its part. 

For weeks, we sit and we revise for exams that we are forced to sit which will give us a grade from a set of questions that were set for every single person in the room. Now, I don't think that is very fair. I don't know what an alternative to exams could be, but to test everyone in exactly the same just seems so unfair! Well when I say it like that, it sounds pretty stupid, but if you consider that everyone thinks and works and operates in a different way, then to say that we should then treat them all in the same way and test them on the same paper seems ludicrous. Ignoring for a moment the fact that how well you do really does depend on how you're feeling that day, I find it strange that we still have an education system that seems ridiculous. The amount of exam boards, for a start, is insane. In England there are about a million different companies that can be the makers of the exam board you sit and the school decides which board that school will test with. Surely, if you're going to test everybody in the same way, there should be one exam board, one exam? For example, my biology exam was with Edexcel. Well that's all very well and good but what if I had studied the AQA biology course? That may have been more suitable for me and I may have come out with a better grade in exactly the same qualification. Their paper may have been 'easier' than ours and so all the hours I put into revising may get me a really bad mark on the paper I did sit, whereas I may have got a really good mark if were to have sat another paper? I just don't think it's fair. If you're going to make every student sit the paper, then make them sit the SAME paper. That way, when I am competing for a university place or a job or whatever and the person next to me says "Yeah buddy, I got an A in biology" and I'm there saying "Awh man, that sucks because I failed epically" I'm not then saying "So what exam board did you do? Ohhh it was really easy? That sucks because my exam was really hard". 

And I know that there is always the "you get what grade you earn" argument, but all I'm saying that I think there should be one unanimous exam board that the entire country sit with. So there.

And then there is resits. Now, I am all for resits. I know that a lot of adults are moaning that exams are getting easier and it's not like it was in their day and bla bla blaaa. Whatever. You know what? I work bloody hard for the exam results that I get and no, they're not as good as I would have hoped them to be so you sitting there saying that exams are bloody easy these days is not valid. You sit and put in hours and hours of revision and then come out with a crappy grade and listen to someone say how "easy" the exam must have  been. See how much it cheers up your day. I digress slightly, but my point is that everyone can have a bad day. You can work for weeks for an exam and then completely flunk it but resit it and pass with flying colours because maybe you were in a better mood, less nervous, had more sleep, didn't have an argument with your parents that morning, hadn't lost something and spent ages looking for it. Whatever the reason, external factors can put you off and you could bomb an exam you should have, by all rights, passed. In England they're stopping resits next year and I think that it's completely unfair, even though it won't make a difference to me - I will still be able to resit the exams I did this week in Summer if I fail them. 

I just don't think it's very fair to give someone one single shot at something that, if failed, could actually really change their lives. If I hadn't been able to resit this year, I wouldn't have a place at university and I genuinely don't know what I would have done. Give us a break, people! 

In other news : 

I got some more birthday presents from my incredible friends and just want to share to of them with you . 

My incredible TARDIS mug from my incredible best friend in all the world, Miss Kathleen Rose. The girl knows me so well. 

And an equally as amazing and much loved book of Gene Hunt wit and wisdoms from another darling friend of mine, Miss Evie Rose, who I love with all my heart. 

And in other news, I have started another blog that is dedicated to music because I didn't want this blog to get overcrowded with Music posts because music is such a big part of my life. Each day, I will post about my song of the day - it's a pretty self-explanatory concept really. The link can be found in my "connect to me" (or whatever it's called!) section that can be found in my pages down the right hand side of my page. Or, if you're lazy and fancy a link, it can be found right here! 

Click here! Right here. There you go.

See. I did the hard work for you. 

I hope that all those that had/have exams did well or do very well indeed! 

Until next time, 

M x 

Three Songs That I Simply Adore

Music is something that really gets me through the day. I know I'm not alone in this and I know so many people that feel the same way about it; we listen when we're down, happy, worried, nervous etc etc etc and we connect memories with songs to the point where a song can change your mood completely simply because of the memory associated with it. So I wanted to give you readers (hello... are you out there? Echo echooo.. echoooo.... echoooooo....) a little list of my five three favourite songs at the moment (this was going to be five but it took so long!! I'll maybe continue this at another time). As I've already discussed in another post, Starman by David Bowie is way up there and would be one of my five if I hadn't blogged about it already so I'm cheating a little but hey who; my blog my rules. 

Side Note: I am so excited that Bowie has a new album out soon! Having an artist that hasn't released anything for 10 years and suddenly releases a song with absolutely no publicity and said song rocket straight to number one really is a testimony to him and I don't think there are many artists that would be able to do that. It just goes to show that the old rockers really do still have 'it' and when you're standard is so high, not even Time can make you fade. Emily, if you're reading this, #yourewrong. 

So, on with the show.

Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty

Released : 1978

I used to think that this song was really quite positive when my Mum used to play it when I was little, but having listened to the lyrics, it's actually not. It's about dreams not turning out how you think they will and it's absolutely beautiful. If nothing else, the saxophone playing is incredible (where have all the good saxophone instrumentals gone?!) and it's just a song that I can - and do - listen to on repeat. Rafferty has a voice that is so soothing and you'll probably recognise him from Stealers Wheel - Stuck in the Middle with You. Clooowns to the left of my, Jooookers to the right, Here I am, Stuck in the middle with youuuu. Ring a bell? It should. Also, fun fact : Gerry Rafferty died on my birthday in 2011 (4th of January). RIP, buddy. 

Memory : This song will forever remind me of my Mum because she used to play it quite a lot when we were cleaning etc and I recently found a mixed CD she made me when I was younger that had it on which ignited my love for it. 

Favourite Lyrics :

You used to think that it was so easy, 

You used to say that it was so easy, 

But you're trying, 

You're trying now. 

Another year and then you'll be happy, 

Just one more year and then you'll be happy, 

But you're crying, 

You're crying now. 

Enola Gay - Orchestral Menouvers in the Dark

Released : 1980

The hook of this song is just amazing and probably my favourite part of it. The entire track oozes 80s with it's synth style and although I love the song, I find it even better when you realise that the it is based completely on history. Quick history lesson : Enola Gay was the name of the plane that dropped the atomic bomb (code name "Little Boy") on Japan in WW2, named after the Mother of the pilot, Paul Tibbets. The song also refers to the fact that it was detonated at 8.15am and I love that everything is brought into a song that is still so catchy even if you don't know the meaning behind it, if not a little weird. So well played OMD. Well played.

Memory : It actually reminds me of the TV series, Ashes to Ashes because that's were I really took note of it. (Alex switches on the radio in Genes office to cover the sound of their conversation about Mac. I mean... whut?)

Favourite Lyrics : 

Enola Gay, 

Is Mother proud of Little Boy today? 

This kiss you give, 

It's never ever gonna fade away.

Somewhere With You - Kenny Chesney  

Released : 2011 

A modern song?! Gasp! Have you ever heard of it? I'm thinking that the chances are slim to nothing. Why? Because it's country music...BARE WITH! 

I know that usually when people hear the words "country music" they instantly go "Errrrr. I'll take a raincheck. No thanks. Sorry, wrong number" but I actually really like country! Especially the modern country that is mixed with more electric guitar than steel guitar. This one is more "mainstream" than a lot of other country music and although Kenny Chesney has a voice that makes it so clear he is wearing a cowboy hat, I still find his voice really beautiful. The song is simply about a past relationship that has broken down and he can't move on because he's still hung up on the girl. It's an age-old tale of someone that hasn't moved on but the whole song has such a catchy tune and I have literally played this on repeat for weeks. 

Memory : I used to be in control of the music in my photography classes and I used to play this one quite a lot because hey, I was in control. Oh, the power!

Favourite lyrics : 

If you see me out on the town, 

And it looks like I'm burning it down,

You won't ask and I won't say, 

But in my heart I'm always somewhere with you. 

Soooo there we go. As I said before, this was going to be a five-song-parter thing but to be honest, it's taken so long! 

I hope you like the songs and are having a good year so far! 

:)

M x 

The Night Belongs to the Poets and the Madmen.

Okay so I am going to have to admit that the link between post and title is small to say the least, but it is a quote that has been spinning around in my head for a couple of days as random sayings and quotes do at times so I've put it there anyway. Just to let you know, it is actually a quote from 'Modern Family', the full quote being : - 

"“Life is just more interesting after 2am. The liquor taste better and the woman more beautiful. There is a saying; the night belongs to the poets and the madmen."

But anyway. So my train of thought and - albeit tenuous - link to my title goes as follows; Night -> Things that go bump in the night -> Werewolves -> People changing -> Changing who we are. 

See! Everything is clear? No? Well on with the post, anyhow. Just bare with.  

So I can pretty much guarantee that you, dear reader, are a member of, at the very least, one social networking site. I'd go as far to say that it is probable that you are a member of two, three or four. Personally, I am active on 3 social networking sites on a daily basis and I would say that I am a different person on each and every one of them. There are very few people that I am friends with on all 3 websites, but I can identify traits and characteristics that they demonstrate on one that they do not on another just as I do and I think that this is actually a really interesting thing. And this is what this here post is going to be about. Changing who we are. Geddit?

I know that this concept isn't new and I am also aware that I'm no psychologist so cannot say why we "play our parts" when we're online. I've already spoken in a previous post about how hiding behind a screen allows people to say and do things that they would never say/do face to face, and I suppose that this is taking on a new personality too. But when we are online and on these different websites, is it us taking on a "new" personality and becoming someone else for a while, or are we just being who we really are?

The three "Megans'" that I'm going to talk about are the Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr Megans'.

Tumblr

I absolutely love Tumblr. This is the site that I can be the me'est me I can be on. I find that the people are a) a lot more understanding b ) a lot more open minded and c ) a lot friendlier. There isn't a day goes by that I don't see someone replying to a post giving advice, information, constructive criticism, help. There are, of course, people that feel the need to start arguments etc, but in general, I would say that Tumblr is a pretty nice place to be. The main thing I like about it is that it is where my inner (not so quiet) fangirl can go to reblog reblog reblog things about people/shows/songs/films/furniture/quotes/books/technology/hair/underwear/art/shoes/etc I like and noone will go WTF?!?! because, HEY! They're doing the same thing. If they don't like it, they unfollow you - a concept that really isn't that obvious to a lot of the people I find are on twitter/fb. 

I can write what I feel think and want on Tumblr knowing that people will either scroll past it not caring or take the time to read it but they won't mind, either way. I can get home and not have to really censor myself and that is surprisingly refreshing. 

I'm not wording this very well, but in short, I find it to be a place where people are people and there's no judgement because we're all as weird as each other in different ways, which is an attitude I feel is severely lacking in the other 2 networks. 

Twitter

I used to love Twitter. It used to be completely void of people I know "in real life" because they were all at the stage of no way I like facebook too much, twitter is crap bla la la. And so I'd talk to a lot of people that liked the things I liked, got excited about the things I got excited about and were good for a ranting session or two. But then the bandwagon came rolling on past and the facebookers started jumping on and now I frequently have year 9 students following me. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that because I was an early 'tweeter', I am better than anyone else but I really don't want these people following me! I can no longer post a whole days worth of tweets about David Bowie having a new album out because the people I go to school with will think that's 'really weird and annoying and you're clogging up my timeline omg'. Don't think I'm not MEGA excited about his new album because I am and I have tweeted quite a lot about it. But no where near as much as I would have. I don't tweet about Doctor Who much anymore because no matter what people say, yes it is a little nerdy - fantastic but nerdy - and sixth form is hell enough without people speaking about what a twat I am for liking Doctor Who or whatever it may be. Now, I don't hide that I like Doctor Who - I quite often talk about it in fact - but having it all over my Twitter just doesn't appeal to me anymore. And as more and more people I actually know follow me, the more I have to censor silly things like that. My twitter name used to be 'River Lestrange' referring to both Doctor Who and Harry Potter. And my followers actually used to get that!!! They would comment on it and know what fandoms I am in! I miss those days because I had to change it - I'd had enough of people coming up to me at school and asking what the hell that even meant and why do I have that as my name? Ught. But no, I like twitter. I really do. I just liked it a lot more before. I am a strange mix of "school" and "real" Megan on there and it's all a bit weird.

Twitter and I have a strange relationship. 

Facebook

I'm thinking this is going to be a very short section. I hate Facebook. If it weren't for the family that I am in touch with on there, I would delete my page in a heartbeat. The statuses annoy me. The photos annoy me. The idiotic things that people say and do and post and like and talk about annoy me. Yes I used to like it and yes I spend longer than I should looking through other peoples pages, but if anyone can honestly say that the way they portray themselves on fb is really them, I don't believe you. You're always trying to seem more exciting than you are, prettier than you are, more intelligent than you are, dumber than you are (which pisses me off most of all). Facebook is full of fake people that you really know, and it's a website that I despise. 

So I don't really have a neat little closing comment for this post, and I can't really remember where it was going, but I think it's interesting to think about how we act differently to different people, even when each are a group of people that we don't really know. I know noone on Tumblr in real life, about a third of people on twitter and I actually don't know a lot of people on my fb, yet I come across differently to each group simply because of the website and how everybody else interacts with eachother. 

Huh. Deep. 

Anyway. I hope that you're all having a fabulous new year and this hasn't been completely mind numbing as I suspect it has been. 

M x

New Year, New Me.

One thing that really grinds my gears: people saying "New Year, New Me". 

There are a couple of reasons for this. For a start, how come someone seriously think that because the calender has flicked over to another year, they're going to mysteriously change into a better person, someone that they want to be. You can make as many new years resolutions. You can quit smoking, go to the gym, start a diet, become less sarcastic, stop biting your nails. Do what you want, but there is no way that a person is going to magically change so drastically that they will be a "new me". 

Also, if you know that there are things that you want to change about yourself, why do you need to wait until a new year to do so? It's not something I've ever really understood. Just bloody do it! Try and get over your ex now. Begin to get healthier now. Live for the moment and all that. 

But then again, I do actually quite like new years. Mainly because I love me a good firework display and there is no better display than the London new years one. I love watching it on TV and I would adore to actually be there (but that would involve waiting for bloody hours in the cold/rain/crowds so I think I'll actually stick to the TV). It also means that it's close to my birthday (4th of January. Don't forget :) ) and although it is literally the worst birthday you can ever have because a) everyone is broke b) everyone is hungover and c) everyone forgets, I quite like birthdays. Speaking of, here's a word of advice to all you people. If a friend - or anyone for that matter - has a birthday around christmas, don't get them a joint present. Seriously. The only exception if said joint present is larger than anything that you would expect for a single christmas or birthday, then don't bother. Because it's annoying. If I am going to go to the effort of buying you a birthday and christmas present, don't try to pass off a pair of socks as a 'joint' present. I don't know if it's just me who feels a piece of me die whenever I hear the words "I got you a joint present", but I'm pretty sure that it's not. Just because you're lucky enough to have a birthday not in December/early January, don't try and fob me off. I want presents!!! 

Is that bad? It feels bad. 

Anyhoo. I had a loooovely Christmas. The entire family was down and it was really nice to see everyone again. New Years was slightly less amazing, but still tip top! I hope that you all had a good'en and Santa was very kind! 

M x