Summer sun

I was driving home there and thought I should write a blog and now that I've come on I can't remember what I was going to say. So no doubt this'll be another random collection of the innards of my brain.

- We played Rounders last night with YF. So much fun. It's been a while since I did that, but some things never change, arguments and cheating a plenty, all in Christian love mind you. Our team came back from 21-6 down to win it 28-26. Quite a turnaround!

- I went into town last week for the first time in forever! And finally made it to Victoria Square. I agree with everyone else, it is freezing and you don't feel like you are in Belfast.

- I am getting into 'I'd Do Anything'. This is really my first look at one of these shows. I think my mum sent me a DVD of early Maria one, but I didn't see any of the Joseph one. I think I want Jodie to win. Or maybe Rachel. Jessie is alright, but I think Samantha is totally forgettable. They all love her though so what do I know. But I think the real question is how is Andrew Lloyd Webber not gay? Seriously.

- May 08's playlist has been made. Here's this month's well read selection:

1. Tenderness on the Block - Shawn Colvin (This is the song at the end of Sliding Doors but tragically not on the soundtrack. This is Shawn's effort which isn't as good as the one on the film but I can't find it anywhere.)

2. Heartbeat - Scouting for Girls (Love, love, love Scouting for Girls. Couldn't pick them out of an identity parade.)

3. Violet Hill - Coldplay (Probably only on here cos it was free, but I do quite like it.)

4. Feeling a Moment - Feeder (This is used all the time in TV shows. It was played at the end of the FA Cup on Saturday in the stadium and you could hear all through the interviews so it put it in my head.)

5. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan (Christmas songs are best at other time of the year, everyone knows that. This is one I heard in America a lot. Totally worth You Tubing it. Apparently they were just messing around, which goes some way to explain why Sarah, dear love her, keeps singing at the end. Genius though.)

- I have a new skill, although I doubt it's one that I can really put on my CV. I can recite all 50 US states in alphabetical order. What can I say, exam invigilation leaves you with a lot of time and not a lot of thoughts. I'd like to prove it to you but you'd just think I pasted them in, so you perhaps can test me next time you see me, see if I've still got it.

- Despite this, a similar attempt at Irish counties (in any order) failed well short of 32.

- Maybe this explains, in part, why I get at least one student a week asking me if I am American.

- The sunny weather has brought out my summer wardrobe, which is now pretty extensive. But last week I found a Day Tripper ticket for Sydney in a pocket. It made me want to cry. I miss being in exciting places.

- That said, I was sitting at City Hall eating my sushi (I know! Check me out, salads and sushi now!) I decided Belfast isn't half bad.

See.

Press Office

My dad and I often laugh at spokespersons on TV, especially Northern Ireland ones. They are hilarious, unintentionally of course. Pay particular attention to the PSNI ones. I can just imagine the training they get; 'be as dull as you can and never raise your voice over the flat monotone you start out on. Oh and bonus points for getting 'community' in'. 

Caitriona Ruane is another kettle of fish. She must use key phrases several times an interview, presumably approved by the Sinn Fein Press Office:

1. 'I am the Minister of Education...' 

This reminds everyone just who you are and the power you have, yes, nevermind you can't act unilaterally, make people think you can.

2. 'Failing our children' 

Is there anything more damning than something that fails children. No, wait make it personal, fails our children.

3. 'Anti-change' 

We're positive, they're negative, we're new, they're old.

4. 'Children of the North' 

A clever double swipe, the poor little kiddie-winkles going through big bad exams, but don't just leave it there, go on and remind everyone we don't say 'Northern Ireland'.

5. 'Moving forward' 

Implies every other viewpoint is backward, ergo academic selection is bad.

6. 'Educationalists' 

This makes you sound smart, that you know what you are talking about and given this more thought than it would appear.

Most of the time I see her I try to imagine her as a tennis player. It distracts me enough from shouting at the TV.

How could I forget this?!

I know! Another post! Craz-i-ness!

Much like Nicky completely forgot to invite me to a meeting, (apparently he didn't think it odd that I hadn't replied to the email he turned out not to include me on, or that I hadn't mentioned it, or that I didn't actually show at it! Bitter? Me? No, no. I'm just gutted at missing out on the Bishops dinner.) I forgot to mention the most exciting news of the past two weeks. I'm going to be an auntie*! That's right, Cool Aunt Tina! 

This picture makes me laugh so much. It's like he's a proud seven year old, holding up his artwork in a 'look what I've done' kind of way.

Apparently Nicky and Heidi were surprised that I hadn't worked it out. But in my defense I am not some sort of Monk detective able to put all the tiny pieces together and complete the 5000 piece puzzle. These were the clues that I apparently missed:

-Heidi had a turnaround on CHW. But we had talked before about how she didn't think she was going to go so I didn't give it much thought (except obvious sadness that she wouldn't be there!)

-She went to bed early one night I was over. Fair enough I thought, so do I sometimes (save your comments, no I'm not).

Anyway congratulations Mr. and Mrs. B! I'm already thinking of presents and fun day trips I can take little Horatio/Gretchen on!

*I should point out I am not actually related to the happy parents to be, the title is honorary. I think it comes as a reward for the good work I have done with my other 'niece' Lucy. Well, every dog needs Doggles!

All quiet on the Princess front

It's been a while hasn't it? The past weeks have been particularly busy for me, getting courses finished, and revision classes set up. And you know, dossing and what not.

But I must be more careful in agreeing to Revision classes in future; they're much easier to do if:

1. You taught it first time round.

2. You learnt the stuff yourself in the, oh say, last five years or so.

But I made it through. May Day was a bit of a wash out though, which is a shame because it looks like that might constitute a large part of the 'NI summer'.

Speaking of which I have rediscovered the glory of Fabs, the ice lolly. Every layer is a treat.

What else? 

I hit the cat today with a bit coal. Right square in the face too. Before you report me to the RSPCA let me just explain. Firstly he was eating grass, cats eating grass never turns out well in my experience. Secondly, shouting at him wouldn't stop him. Thirdly, I'm a crap shot. It was meant to land just beside him. I honestly, truly didn't mean to hit him with it. Fourthly, I swear he moved in to the missile so as to generate more love and hugs from my mum. All the same I did feel terrible. I think he is slowly forgiving me and now doesn't seem quite so keen to run away from Scary Coal Lady, which understandably, in the aftermath he did.

I've been listening to Radio 1 a lot recently, as always. My classes in school were surprised, I think were expecting Radio 4. I put this down to my political and analytical mind. Ha! I love Chris Moyles and Dom more and more every day. Quite often I'll look round in the traffic queue to see if anyone else is laughing as much me. Last week I thought I was going to have to pull over when Chris was going on about kids with pierced ears. Funny stuff.

Coming home I hear altogether too much of Edith Bowmen. Back in the day of Colin and Edith, I used to think Edith was the one I liked. Now I realise I did my fellow country...person(is that a term?) a disservice. He was the good one. I count the links (get me and my radio terminology) she does mentioning films. Shut up already and play a song! Even if there's a guest in not remotely related to the movie industry she asks them about films. Honestly, if she's not angling to get the Film 2000andwhatever spot from Jonathan Ross I'll eat my hat.

So that's the round up from me. Hopefully it won't be so long next time round.

Oh one more thing. Chris B. showed us these fake trailers which completely change the genre of the film the other day. Look what they have done to Mary Poppins.

But they'll have to try harder than that to ruin the magic in it for me!