girlofprey

So the airplanes are a danger again. Leading to the usual non-stop news channels and 'do you think torture is right?' conversations with my dad (in his defence, we later mocked the news with how everyone was plotting, in the Plotting Room of their little plot-filled houses. 'Masquerading' was another term we enjoyed). As usual I'm torn between general sadness at the state of the world, some fear, and a random suspicion that it's all a big conspiracy and we're just being played. Not that that would make things any easier at the airports, of course. If the situation becomes permanent, I mostly think it will be:

• Bad for airline companies.



• But good for the environment, perhaps.



• Bad for airline passengers - have fun playing with your keys and spare change after check-in, folks.



• SUPER bad for airport shops. Like woah.

But I suppose if it keeps people from getting blown up it's, y'know, a Plus. Mostly I'm glad I didn't book a trip to Cuba any time soon. Sympathy to those who are travelling soon ::sympathises::

* * *

We now return you to our regularly scheduled nonsense. I bought a Little Black Book of Chocolate today. Do most people's ovens go up to 400* C? It's slightly shaming that I'm most excited about the chocolate brownie recipes - but if you want Rich Devil's Food Cake, I'm apparently also your girl ::peruses::

And I'm not a huge fan of Will Ferrell, but Total Film has managed to get me really quite interested in Talladega Nights. Mostly because he stars as a redneck NASCAR champion who comes up against sudden competition from a suave, French, intellectual racer played by Sacha Baron Cohen. A suave, French, intellectual racer who's apparently canonically gay. Sometimes I think the films, they tease me.

Still no Logan/Aaron fic. Woe.

Hurray for Jaws! I don't think I've ever watched it all the way through before - still missed the initial kill by lingering on The Ultimate Film too long :( But I saw many things that were good. I'd never seen the fingernails-on-the-blackboard scene before. And the all the book-learning about sharks done by everyone. Can they really live up to 2000 years? Oh, and the wonderful 'boys adventure' type music when they're out on the boat hunting the shark and about to be eaten. And Richard Dreyfuss. Hooper. Omg. With his beard and equipment and richness, and 'this was no boating accident!', and 'haha, they're all going to die'. He makes my heart glad. And it feels so wrong to slash it, but still it feels so right! It is a very good film. And yet I feel almost no compulsion to buy the DVD.

Am starting to get organised for going back to uni. I don't think we'll be going on holiday after Centre Parks, so probably I'll be going back the week after. I'm so looking forward to it. I like being at home - well, some of the time - but I miss Nottingham. And Kathy and Jos. And the radio. And even cooking for myself and crap. I am saving, properly, although Centre Parks may kill that beautiful dream (damn you, activities that last an hour and cost £25!!). Apparently I owe Kathy £80 for bills from last year anyway. But I have money, and I got my damage deposit cheque back from the old landlord, which will pay for Connotations, so all is good. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy DVD taunts me with its Sam-Rockwellness and Deleted Scenes. But I resist. Yes.

I haven't said much about Hurricane Katrina. I have noticed it. But I'm not sure what to say really. It's clearly a terrible tragedy for the people involved, and the people who've lost homes, and the city, but from this distance my main thoughts are that I really wanted to go see New Orleans one day, and now I can't, not in the same way. Other thoughts run along the lines of 'wow Bush, you retard!'. What gets to me most is thinking about my flatmate from last year, Paige, who was from Louisiana, and her boyfriend Kenny (the same), and the fact that even though they're both probably okay and might not even have been touched by the thing, I'm never ever going to know for certain. Which is sad for a number of reasons. My heart's with the people affected by the disaster, but other than that and general disgust at how it's all been handled, I'll leave THEM to describe their situation, and do the criticising.

So bombs. Okay. Surreal. I've texted a friend of mine who's down in London, and thankfully she's fine. Probably won't be taking a bus anytime soon though.

Am trying not to think hysterical terrorist! type thoughts. Because we've always managed to get by alright on our own for terrorism before Al Q'aeda(?) came along. Guy Fawkes, anyone?

It's certainly a tragedy for anyone who's hurt or has died. However, there are certain things I've objected to in a couple of news reports:

• A political statement by someone that involved the words 'evil' and 'this great, great capital city of ours'. Can you not wait until the damn thing's over to start turning it into patriotic propaganda, please?


• Comparisons to 9/11. Because yes, people dead, and yes, we don't know if there's more to come, but - wtf?


• Saying it is 'unclear whether it is linked to terrorism'. Surely, as my mother has pointed out, it is the bombs that make it terrorism, not whether Al Q'aeda dun it omg!?

Just things I wanted to rant about. In an effort to keep myself sane. Clearly a terrible, terrible thing, but I don't think I'll be outside 10 Downing Street campaigning for suspected terrorists to be locked up without trial, that's all I'm saying.