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Below are the most recent 25 friends' journal entries.
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| Friday, July 10th, 2009 |
alasdair
|
7:04p |
Links For Friday 10th July 2009
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Some really interesting picks here. I think I'm going to have to make efforts to acquire a few of the works mentioned in here that I've never read.
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Advice about dealing with Photographers given to officers by the Met. Sensible, clear, know your rights stuff. If an officer talking to you does *not* know your rights, then you might try giving them this, because after all, it's their boss telling them what they're allowed to do.
This entry was originally published at my workblog. |
reddragdiva
|
6:32p |
You can't special order awesome.
Has it been a week? My oath it has. Mostly Freda being an UTTER PICKLE. And too much CBeebies. I have informed ![[info - personal]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png) arkady that she needs to supply Freda's television needs or I am going to go mad with an axe.
Phone interview yesterday. Rapport and technical clue seemed pretty good. They drilled down the technical questions and I have research to do! I was one of three, should hear on Monday whether I rate a face-to-face.
Tonight we are off to ewt's Celebratory Recital for having finished her music degree. Arkady has baked two cakes for it.
Tomorrow Arkady and I are off to a read-through of Midsummer Night's Dream (she's reading Philostrate) and then I'm off to aster13's party. This is rated "essential to continued mental health." I will be with ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) deathboy's stag party in spirit.
Sunday is redcountess's and my sixth anniversary. *champagne* |
alasdair
|
2:24p |
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preachermuaddib
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2:15p |
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djpsyche
|
12:29p |
It's too nice to go to work...
Rats. Nothing ruins a day off like having to go to work. However, today is Friday and not only that but Departure, everyone's favourite free electronic music night in Mornington Crescent, is on tonight so I expect everyone to come out and party down! See you there x |
alasdair
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10:39a |
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robot_mel
|
10:55a |
Ko Lien Hua Ying = Flowers Shadows behind the Curtain : sequal to Jin Ping Mei
I found this book in the second hand section at the big Waterstones on Gower Street. I'd never heard of a sequel to Jin Ping Mei (though suspected that like Hong Lou Meng there were quite a few). This one was translated into German, then translated from German into English and then abridged, so I didn't have very high hopes. The first translator Franz Kuhn had found 20th century editions of the text that and was able to trace the text back to the original author of jin ping mei, however to me the tone and style of the two stories is so different I don't think they could have been written by the same person. Jin Ping Mei is basically a 17th century porn novel. Rumour has it it was written as a murder weapon, a drop of poison was put on each corner of the page and then it was made as racy as possible so that the person reading it would quickly turn the pages and die. It is also the story of one man's rise to power, his lust and increase in wealth and women and degradation till finally things catch up with him and it all goes horribly wrong. This book was the continuing story of those that survived the first book (one of Hsi Men's wives and her son) and the next reincarnation of his other wives where they were punished for their previous lusts. The biggest problem with the book was that it was written by a total misogynist (much more so than the original). Instead of punishing His Men, the main character/villain of the story who murdered and seduced everyone, he was hailed as a hero and it was the women who were treated to dreadful degradation and punishment for their (mostly unwilling) participation in the previous book. Instead of a long rise and then a fall, here the characters were already fallen, as a poor widow Moon Lady was repeatedly robed and had to flee, other characters had brief periods of happiness but it went down hill quickly, and so there was no real arc to the plot no building of suspense or interest. One good example of the author's views about women can be summed up in the first paragraph of the twenty-third chapter Experience has invariably proved that it is unwise to allow young women to indulge in worldly pleasures and to show their faces in public. Such liberty encourages them to behave in a manner which not only gives rise to malicious gossip but leads to unpleasant consequences even disaster. It is far better to deny them any liberty and keep them contained to the women's apartments (295). While this attitude is common within the moralistic writings of the period, it is unusual to see it written out so blatantly in a novel. Novel's, particularly at the end of the Ming dynasty, praise romance, and the strength of women, their abilities, rather than their inabilities. A large portion of this book concerns Buddhist nuns and monks, and to me it seemed to have been written by a lay Buddhist who was writing a moralistic text. (I guess the cultural equivalent would be if a very Christian author wrote a sequel to the Marquis de Sade or Dangerous Liaisons). There was very little sex in this book, and what there was was done with little description or inventiveness (this may be the fault of the translation, but as the same people worked on Jin Ping Mei I doubt this explanation). The characters who were interested in sex had little depth and motivation, and they all realised the errors of their ways and turned to Buddhism. The depiction of religion in this book was one of the most fascinating things about it. One of my favourite parts was talking about the unscrupulous nun who had a cult of maidens following her who practiced all kinds of magic, divination and exorcism. It was interesting to see the staunch male Buddhist condemning such active women's unorthodox religious groups. Belittling them for their dishonesty and sexuality, while at the same time talking in enough detail about such groups to understand their strengths and appeal (277). The other very interesting thing about the book was that it was set at the fall of the Ming and so there were repeated invasions by Manchu forces that added a feeling or terror and uncertainty. It's the only novel I've read that has been set during this period and that made it very interesting to see people's reaction and how the turmoil affected every-one's lives from high families to the beggars. This book is a far cry from Jin Ping Mei, it's author is by far the most misogynist Chinese classical author I've read, the plot is disjointed and there are far too many characters. But it was still very interesting to read, not so much from an entertainment point of view but the historian in me found it fascinating. |
| Saturday, July 4th, 2009 |
slimelight
[ fenbane ]
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10:39p |
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| Friday, July 10th, 2009 |
uk_goth_music
[ amon_zero ]
|
9:12a |
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slimelight
[ amon_zero ]
|
9:12a |
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uk_goth_music
[ gogpromotions ]
|
12:58a |
BLACK VEIL @ the Wellington Sat 1st August 2009 Double CD release party & more
 We are happy to announce we will be holding a double UK exclusive CD release party! Firstly (delayed from last month's BV) THE ETERNAL FALL'S stunning new album "Alone" with copies to be won. If that wasn't enough the first 20 people through the door will get a free 7 track "Black Veil Alone Sampler" which includes a track not on the full length album . www.myspace.com/theeternalfallband Secondly for an exceptional Gothic/ Darkwave band from Italy MYDIAN GALLERY and their exceptional debut album " Lack Of Light" www.myspace.com/mydiangallery If that wasn't enough we will be marking 1st August by featuring lots of Gothic greats from Yorkshire. Doors 8pm to 2.00am GBP 2.50 Lots of free on street parking & a well stocked bar Sethee down T'wellington (;-#) x |
| Thursday, July 9th, 2009 |
morbidfrog
|
4:44p |
Off
Off to the land of Gouda and fight some French dude :)...back on tuesday |
preachermuaddib
|
4:01p |
Airsoft
Does anyone here do airsoft? |
djpsyche
|
1:19p |
Accountancy
Hello, all you helpful people! As you may know I have recently finished my AAT exams and am planning to set up in business (part time for now) providing Accountancy Services to the Goths. My weekend will be spent writing my business plan in preparation for a meeting with the bank on Monday, which will take the place of my lunch break. Running a business from work is clearly not a good long-term strategy; I am hoping that once I get started I can cut my days to four a week. But back to the main point, which is: How much should I charge? Accountants seem to be all over the page when it comes to their fees. Of course it would depend on what people need done. Could any of you lot who have used accountants in the past give me some ideas on what kind of work you needed, and how much you were charged for it? It would be a big help! You can e-mail me at nocturnia1@yahoo.com. THANKS! |
morbidfrog
|
12:31p |
New addition to the bedroom...
I finally found time to attach my new wonderful signed art print from Linda Ravenscroft I bought at faery fest in the bedroom. Plan was to have it as bed head but there was too much stuff there and would have require a major reorganization ... instead went for the opposite wall as just some frames and big mirror to move…in some ways it’s great as I can look at it falling asleep…that corner still need a bit of work and decoration added (as still see way to much of those horrible white walls) but made a start with adding a few bits around the make it more at home with the room. I also attempted to take a few photos of the bedroom as I was in there packing and nailing anyway but hard to find an angle for it and get the color and decorative dangling bits justice.
( Photos )
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morbidfrog
|
12:28p |
Mythical Creatures Stamps Dave McKean
Just received my Mythical Creatures Stamps...they are gorgeous (maybe too gorgeous to use) dragons, unicorns, fairies, pixies...Created by the amazing Dave McKean , and you get a very nice poster on the other side.
First time i actually get a set rather then just the odd interesting one to send to family (various stamp collections)...
Even nicer than the Hammer Horror sets last year….might have to get to post office and get a few more to actually use...
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morbidfrog
|
12:11p |
What's on next few weeks...
I do not do event list anymore, but as I composed a quick one for a friend this morning to help in her plotting...I though might as well post it…not extensive just a few bits I know about of what on next few weeks in London…might be of use to someone else.
( Read more... ) |
uk_goth_music
[ kmrikky ]
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8:16a |
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| Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 |
flavius_m
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9:49p |
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edgar_society
[ ascension_club ]
|
8:20p |
Ascension this Saturday 11th July
Note: New Venue for July since Studio 24 is closed for refurbishment. New Venue: The Ark on waterloo Place 9PM - 1AM £5 Entry Ascension is Edinburgh's leading alternative club night, bringing you the latest and best in Electro, Industrial, E.B.M., Goth and Darkwave every month. Resident DJs: mr. SINister [Jonathan] & DJX [James] |
alasdair
|
7:08p |
Links For Wednesday 8th July 2009
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Look, I know I go on a lot about IE, and most of you are sick of it, but the gods honest truth is that using IE actively stifles innovation on the internet, because we have to spend so much time working out how to support it that we don't have the time or budget to get on with anything really interesting. Until Microsoft either take the web seriously enough to implement some proper fucking standards, then using IE is actively hindering the rest of us getting on with inventing the future. Even if you don't care about viruses, please stop it, or urge the people who are making you use it to stop it – I will happily provide supporting documents to counter *any* or their arguments about "business" or "security" reasons.
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"Still working on the omelet. There have been stumbling blocks. I keep creating omelets one after another, like soldiers marching into the sea, but each one seems empty, hollow, like stone. I want to create an omelet that expresses the meaninglessness of existence, and instead they taste like cheese. I look at them on the plate, but they do not look back. Tried eating them with the lights off. It did not help. Malraux suggested paprika."
This entry was originally published at my workblog. |
flannelcat
|
6:21p |
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flavius_m
|
4:40p |
on matters not flat-related.
My practice plan for this week is mostly Chaconne, for next week mostly Walter's 'Sidereal Pieces', plus bits of technical finger-work. Try to get back into shape a little bit. The weather seems to be conducive to this. Hopefully not Thursday week! Currently reading 'What We Believe But Cannot Prove', a collection of very short essays by scientists, philosophers, writers and the like. Fascinating little book and the different takes on the question itself. God, mercifully, is not very much involved or invoked thus far, even though there are essays by Paul Davies and John Barrow. Current Music: me playing the scales from Bach's Chaconne |
kekhmet
|
2:35p |
Well that was a bit of excitement to vary my day, I suppose... We had a power cut in the neighborhood. Various neighbors, and the folk from the shop next door wandering about asking "You too? So it's the whole neighborhood then?", alarms going off, someone eventually saying he'd heard it was all of North London, then just when I was working out what to do that was productive if I can't jobhunt online at the mo, the power came back up. Ah well, as you can see, power (and thus my router) is restored, so back to job hunting for the moment at least for me |
bootpunk
|
2:36p |
Mile Swim, Tooting Bec Lido, tonight
I've let myself in for doing a mile race tonight in Tooting Bec Lido. But it's OK, as I had 2 days notice (!) and I've been able to get, er, two training sessions under my belt in advance. Do not expect a best time from me tonight. Anyone around in, say, Streatham tonight? I might drop in on my way home - just have to see how late it all finishes (starts at 8pm). Wish me luck. Current Mood: apprehensive |
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drained