WeatherGirl’s Station

Oh wow!

Current temperature: here 68F/20C, there 15C/59F

Brilliant. This movie was so spectacularly good that I definitely want to buy a copy. My brain was most definitely engaged: intellect and emotions. Oh wow, so many elements to think about and ideas to process. It is so satisfying to see a movie that clearly demonstrates there is an intelligent film maker at work. I won’t say much about content because I think there is value in being unspoiled when you watch for the first time.

Current temperature: here 53F/12C, there -1C/30F

Phew. My Twitter friend Wellmettled saved the day and has restored WeatherGirlness to WeatherGirl but with a little feminist twist. So if you’re looking for me on Twitter I’m now going by the moniker weathergrrrl.

Goodbye contorted weather_movies, hello Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Current temperature : here 37F/3C, there 12C/54F

Blargh! I detested the beginning of this movie, talk about nails on a blackboard, it made me want to wretch. The twist comes along, which was so highly sign posted that it was not exactly a surprise. Incredulity makes itself at home in my brain so I concentrate on enjoying the popcorn and soda to stop myself falling asleep. This movie was a complete waste of time and talent.

Current temperature: here 55F/13C, there 6C/43F

Do you recognise the needs and gifts of each member of your family and household, not forgetting your own? Try to make your home a place of loving friendship and enjoyment, where all who live or visit may find the peace and refreshment of God’s presence.

Current temperature: here 7C/45F, there 9F/-13C

Try to live simply. A simple lifestyle freely chosen is a source of strength. Do not be persuaded into buying what you do not need or cannot afford. Do you keep yourself informed about the effects your style of living is having on the global economy and environment?

One of the benefits of taking a sabbatical is the opportunity to reassess certain aspects of your life. When we flew over to the UK, the weight and baggage limitations were such that we could only take six suitcases (two per person) each packed to a maximum of 50 kilos. Also, while on sabbatical, the family income has been significantly cut, and additionally affected by the current weakness of the US dollar against Sterling.

Stuff has to go!

We couldn’t carry it. Nor could we buy it. Choices had to be made.

Grocery shopping becomes a very interesting exercise in deciding which products we’re prepared to buy the cheaper versions of. Where does price make a difference to experience? If you can’t stand the taste what’s the point of buying the cheaper product?

When we decided where to live we had to choose between two options that were $100 per month apart. So we could have $100 more a month to live on or a better everyday experience in a larger space with better fixtures and fittings.

Since arriving I’ve been able to visit the cinema at least once a week. This is very important to my mental well being. However, we have been attending the matinee performances because the price difference is significant. This affects how we schedule and organise our lives.

We’re not buying books but we are borrowing from the local library system.

We’re attending professional theatre productions and live music events because what’s the point of being here if we don’t?

We’re paying for a broadband internet connection because if we’re completely cut off from our virtual lives the fallout does not bear thinking about. Eating beans on toast every night for a week is not a bad price to pay if it keeps the jack hot.

Life is about choices and we’re contemplating ours every day we spend on sabbatical.

Current temperature: here 5C/41F, there 36F/2C

We are called to live ‘in the virtue of that life and power that takes away the occasion of all wars’. Do you faithfully maintain our testimony that war and the preparation for war are inconsistent with the spirit of Christ? Search out whatever in your own way of life may contain the seeds of war. Stand firm in our testimony, even when others commit or prepare to commit acts of violence, yet always remember that they too are children of God.

Current temperature: here 8C/46F, there 37F/3C

We haven’t seen Coriolanus yet, that’s tomorrow night, but we attended the second of these talks about the upcoming all female production of Julius Caesar. A couple of the actors, the director and the line reader came to talk to us about the production and let me just say I am so pumped to see this you wouldn’t believe. This time we got a little insight into how they go about analysing the words and putting together a performance. It was quite remarkable. Very quickly, as the two actors performed a scene for us, you forgot they were two women and instead saw them as the male characters.

Only two weeks till we see this, yay! This is one of Shakespeare’s plays where I’ve actually read the text. A long time ago when I was at school, admittedly, but I’m sure a lot will come back when I hear the words. I memorised a lot of this play when I was fourteen.

Current temperature: here 14C/57F, there 29F/-1C

… but sadly I still don’t have a permanent connection so I’m borrowing Nic’s account at Essex to post. I’m relegated to using IE, which sucks rats through a straw! How anyone can stand to use this awful software I just don’t know. We may have found somewhere to live but before we know for sure the landlord has to okay us for a 9 month lease vs a 12 month one. Keep your fingers crossed for us. Once we have accommodation, a real connection WILL happen fairly quickly or a serious mum meltdown will be the order of the day.

Current temperature: here 19C/66F, there 57F/14C

For an indepth review of the results check out this page at the Beeb.

My home seat is a safe labour seat so not much to report on that front. The labour candidate got 50% of the vote which was only a few points down on the last election.

My one prediction proved true, though I must say I didn’t expect Howard to announce his upcoming resignation.

It looks like Labour will have a majority in the mid-sixties. Perhaps this will encourage some of those back bench labour MPs to be a little more aggressive in opposing things like ID cards. (The biggest waste of money on the horizon.)

Current temperature 66F/19C