A friend of mine noticed Norwich got mentioned in the New York Times this week, which made me feel a little bit special and proud of where I get to spend my time. Isn't it funny how a little bit of international recognition makes you look at where you are in a slightly different way? The article is all about how wonderfully literary Norwich is; this suits my view of the city nicely, as I came to UEA to study literature. I remember my excitement when I realised that my A-Level text, Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day, had been written shortly after Ishiguro had left the building I found myself studying in. So I knew Norwich had many literary leanings, but I am definitely now going to have to look at visiting The Book Hive and see what readings they have in the pipeline. I am also going to have to look into seeing plays at the Cathedral, in my efforts to ensure that I am only culturally entertained within a 1 mile radius of my house and that I fully appreciate all the benefits of city centre living while Gav and I remain here.
What I found perhaps most exciting about the NY Times article was the fact that it finally answered a question I've had for a while - what is that building with all the writing all over it?
I found it one sunny Sunday afternoon while walking along the River Walk and have been trying to find out what the story is behind it. Apparently it's the entire text of Sir Thomas Moore's Utopia on this building - no, I've not heard of it either. But definitely something I'll look out for now, maybe on my trip to the Book Hive!
I guess what this all culminates to - we all know Norwich is indeed a wonderful place and it's nice to look just a little bit beneath the banality of your every day to find these hidden gems. I mean, New Yorkers are being told to come to this Fine City! Which is just great. If I happen to bump into any of the traveling Americans (Carrie picking her way down Elm Hill in her Manolo's??!!!)then I shall be sure to point them towards Tombland with its rickety old buildings and stories of the plague, recommend just popping into the Puppet Theater to see those puppets hanging from the roof tops and demand they take a trip out to UEA on the number 25 to see those strange old Ziggurats. before catching up with you all at the Playhouse while we ponder why exactly we would ever want to venture further afield.
So as today seems to be all about the number 1, or 11, depending on how you look at it, I thought I'd list out a few of my favourite (and.... not quite top ten) things.
Number 1....
Movie - Fight Club
Book - Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Food - Burritos wrapped in tin foil, with lots of extra hot sauce and a corn based salsa
Snack - gotta be donuts
Time of day - about thirty seconds before the fun starts
Person - Gav, just because
Place - This is a toughie. The Rocky Mountains or Norwich...hmmm...the Mountains win out, well done Wolf Creek Pass and your beautiful, beautiful view that makes me so happy, sorry lovely Norfolk folk!!Song - No Rain by Blind Melon (watch the video here, there is a happy ending)
Saying - Good times...
Bit about my job - the fact I think I have made some of my very best friends since I've been there, you lot are blinking lovely.
And number 11...
Thing that makes me happy - the very fact that I've just made myself a list and could go on, and on, and on, and on......but I won't, because I hope you'll check back here again sometime soon!!!
Top 11s, just that little bit more. Nice.
Tuesdsay, despite being the horrible let's-return-to-work day after the Christmas break (and my, doesn't that seem a million years ago!) was perhaps one of my favourite days ever! Not only did my return to work not seem quite as bad as it could have been (I woke up on time, the heating was on in the office) but I got to leave before I normally would (always a bonus) and Gav and I collected our newest McBarnson, the delightful Pepper.
Pepper has already delighted me totally and the pair of us are a little smitten. Gav is quite disgusted by the whole thing and perhaps a little bit put out that despite our love affair he is the one doing the morning walk and the final trip outside before bed.
Her first trip home is probably where it all began. Gav chaufeured us home with her whining and cuddling into me. It was exactly what 10-year-old Anne would have loved, so of course I had to snuggle her all the way home and whispered sweet nothings into her ear to calm her down. Things haven't gotten much better since. Me and my shadow are very happy together, particularly since she discovered today that going up and down the stairs is actually quite good fun and that at the top (or bottom) there are usually a handful of treats waiting to ensure her continued devotion to me.
We've actually been very lucky, Pepper had been in a home before she was put up for adoption, and so far we've had none of the problems we had anticipated with accepting a new dog into our homes. She's a pleasure in the house, walks quite nicely on the lead, and doesn't beg. If all goes well, we will train her to sit on the bed, howl if we sleep past 7am and refuse any food that isn't marinated in meat juices and served with cheese. She doesn't seem to play with any of the toys we wasted money on, but is convinced the huskies on the TV are living in the Sky box just underneath it (isn't she clever!). I am looking forward to growing out her eyebrows and taking her to the groomers to discover how to clear the brown beard that I suspect may be a permanent feature (she will be better groomed than Gav and I ever hope to be!). It's all good.
I can't wait for you all to meet her. I may be biased, but isn't she just beautiful?
Today began with the realisation that it was the last chance to have a lie in for a while. Of course I was up nice and early to celebrate this news, and I'm quite pleased I did.
After a morning taking down the tree (boo) and generally tidying the house up, I had the option of doing some studying or finding something fun to do. I managed to spend my afternoon catching up on True Blood episodes that I had stored on the sky box (and we're now at 28% free...this is apparently great news, but not as good as it'll be when the movies we have on there are deleted) and being a bit crafty in the new year. I had a scrap of fabric and found this tutorial, dug out my sewing machine and I was away!! I did away with the zipper, as it did seem complicated for a novice like myself (and Anglian Fashion Fabrics was shut for the bank holiday, and I didn't really fancy venturing any further afield), but I am quite pleased with how it all came out. None of our doors are particularly susceptible to being blown about, but I figure it'll be a good stop to keep a door open for our new arrival, or maybe keep her out...although I will be surprised if a kilo of rice keeps her at bay.
Anyway, I just wante
d to share my creativity with you before heading to bed and the Buzzcocks, as I want to be fresh for a long and exciting day tomorrow - back to work, followed by collecting Pepper!!! All very exciting.
New years always mean new beginnings and thinking a bit about the past.
They also mean writing Thank You notes.
When I was young, my parents religiously sat me down with the list of who had sent me what for my birthday or Christmas, and the slightly formulaic (but always appreciated) process of writing what I was thankful for, what I would use it for, and how much I was looking forward to seeing that person soon was completed. Now I am at a much more responsible age I must sit myself down and write to the givers, and it made me wonder. Is it a totally out dated process, writing thank you notes? I know that I always love receiving a letter in the post and I also know that people will generally only write to you, if you write to them as well. Which in turn led to the thought about who actually initiates the correspondence? And who is responsible for continuing it? We're all generally very spoiled these days, sending out a text rather than picking up the phone when you want to see a friend, inviting people via facebook for parties ('ah, don't ask me, it's all on facebook...'). I also know I am not alone in having slightly teased people for always being the last to text, unwilling to end a conversation that is really going nowhere. Isn't it funny though, that you never want to really have the last word in a texted correspondence but if you don't reply to a letter, it'll be the last you get?
Maybe a return to the slightly older, slower days is a better way to be. Even emailing is a little too quick and there's no sense of anticipation as you wonder whose handwriting it is, or admire the pretty stamp from a faraway destination.
Not that I am going to resolve to write to each and every one of you. The Royal Mail has put up the price of stamps again and I'm fairly poor at emailing, texting and keeping in touch via facebook as it is. However, I am going to sit down and write my thank you notes today and maybe, just maybe, I'll get something in the post in return some time soon.
So, another year has begun and I can't help but think things really are going my way. I am starting out without a heavy head, despite having had a ridiculous amount of fun watching fireworks, wishing on lanterns, photographing party poppers and being out danced by a degree level (doncha know) dancing queen and am pleased to report that on the great checklist I never like to admit is there, I am well on my way of achieving the role of Official Adult, as set out by 7 year old me.
Firstly, I have my lovely fiance (I love that word! So grown up!) and we will be planning our wedding for 2012. I know, it's a long time coming. But that just means I have plenty of time to enjoy the preparation, spend time with my friends and organise the best day we possibly can.
Secondly, we are going to be adopting a schnauzer from the dog's home on Tuesday. This means that I will finally have the dog I have always wanted - I didn't know she would be schnauzer shaped but I did leave some details out at the start - with the man I didn't always know was the right one for me. Things are pretty good.
If you want to visit Pepper online, you can give her a hug. I know you want to. From next week you'll be able to come and hug her in person. Until then, we need to make sure she knows how much she'll be loved....
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/milliepepper1067100.aspx
All that remains now on that list is the lottery win and the big house in the mountains... baby steps, but we're working on it.
