It was bound to happen...

Ring Ring... Ring Ring... Ring Ring... Hmmm... How odd that neither of them are available on their cell phones... And then Dad does pick up and I, concerned daughter that I am, notice he sounds tired. Oh dear, I hope he's not ill! But wait... I just called my parents at 4 AM. Clever girl that I am, I've forgotten the seven hour time difference. And for stupid FAFSA questions that I really don't give a monkey about anyway. Serious apologies to both of my wonderful parents on behalf of their obviously - hopefully loveably - scatterbrained daughter.

So yes, that's embarressing. But this is funny: (Located on a lecture door in the Peter Chalke Center) "CANCELLED! THE2/3091 'Life and Death' has been cancelled due to ill health." You would have thought it would take more then ill health to keep Life OR Death down.

Watched cartoons in my film class again, although Steve promises it's the last time. He says this apologetically, like the class fomenting* a rebellion we're so sick of cartoons. This is not true, at least in my case. I can think of far worse ways to spend my Wednesday mornings then watching Tex Avery's surrealist scribbles. But this may be a lazy American minority opinion, since my presentation partner- in his third year and as such preparing his dissertation, like every other non-exchange student in the class- took the class because he knew it would be light, and is a little bit shocked over just HOW light it is.

So yes, things are pretty relaxed right now. Essays aren't due for another month and I'm trying to keep busy doing free things to save up for my trip. Got a confirmation from the guesthouse where I'm staying in Dublin the other day and it gave me a silly little thrill. Was ill all Sunday and thus missed the comic convention, which I would have LOVED to see. A British Comic Convention. Can you just imagine? I picture cleaner and more discretely neurotic fanboys, but this is just conjecture.

That's pretty much all the brilliance I can stand for any one post, so I'll just be signing off now... Also loud, diesel-y smelling equipment is making a ruckus out my window and I can't concentrate on nufin' anymore. TTYL, TTFN.

* Sharp eyes Bumma! Thanks!

To my adoring public...

It's Valentine's Day, and I tell you what, I've been feeling the love. Danke to my parents for the deeeelishious chocolates. Viva Thorton's! I've also been getting some questions on just when I shall return. Well... Classes proper end May 23rd, with another month for the examination period. I may ask my lecturers to move up my exams, or allow me to write essays instead since I could use that month when I still have a place to crash and leave my luggage to travel a little more extensively. The lease on my flat comes up July 1st, so I will definitely be out by then. It definitely WON'T be before June 10th, because I've bought tickets to an event- gonna have a lovely long weekend in Bristol.

So I'm going to miss the Roast for sure, and graduation for a few of you TRAITORS who decided to finish school in a "conventional" four years. You must tape it and keep me apprised since I CAN NOT miss He Beehler preforming one of Mrs. Federline's top singles. As for when I'm actually coming back to Bozeman, it's not really a sure thing. It's likely that I'll be back in Bozeman in mid-July to squat in an apartment and make sure we get the BEST one. Hopefully when I get back to the States at least a FEW of will still be around, puttering until you officially begin your real lives and going off to change the world.

Went to an exceedingly crowded house party last Friday- in the words of Bernard Black "The drinks were few and the people were many... It was everything I expected, and less!" But Saturday was a real treat, we went to The Cavern and had a really nice evening- more drinks than I had intended and all the hilarlity that warrants. So pleased to go to a club where they didn't play a single track from Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor" and DID play The Cure. Nothing against Lady Richie, of course.

So yes, that's really all for now- enjoying my classes and the night life, and planning my free spring weekends (Strolling in Brighton, rockpooling in Sidmouth!). Also, Mum, I can't remember if you said to give Aberdeen or Inverness a miss... Miguel says Aberdeen is a must see. I'd hate to miss out on a vital bit of Scotland! Get back to me on that... TTYL, TTFN.

P.s. Rough day for that heart in the picture, eh? It's been broken, needs to be pasted back together, and is clearly on fire. And the little putti with their smug smiles... I appreciate they're trying to help, but still...

Oh Mr. Yuck, where are you!?!?!

Alright, here are some things on Exeter's lips this week:

1. The Arctic Monkeys are totally going to blow up this year. Author's Note: They're not really my taste, but they have managed to become the new media machine based on indie appeal- They got a number one off of tracks traded off their website before they ever had a record deal. No small feat to become A&R darlings by subverting the entire recording contract paradigm.

2. Preston and Chantelle are the most adorable, pre-fabricated, nausea-inducing celebrity couple to ever come out of Celebrity Big Brother. Or not. Are they actually together? And she is SUCH an Essex girl. And Exeter's been added as a date for the NME Ordinary Boys Tour. OMG PRESTON I LUV U 4EVR!

3. You never realize how much you appreciate running water until it's gone... Seems we've had a leaky fuel valve somewhere in the area introducing diesl into our water supply. We can not drink the water, wash with the water, cook with the water, or use the water in anyway. This is in effect for the entire campus. Boiling the water is not helpful, of course, so- No tea, no cooking, no showereing, and no me doing my laundry. Bugger. We've been promised bottled water, and I hope it does make it here. Apparently this leak was discovered last night, but we couldn't be contacted until today. I got a little queasy earlier, but I have a feeling it was psychosomatic. Still... I'd like this fixed if its not too much trouble...

So there you go. The topics occupying us over here in SW Devon on this particular week in February. I'm really only interested in the water...

The Marx Brothers roxors!

I know, I promised an update yesterday, and I'm only getting around to it today. Here's the story... I'm lazy. I didn't so it yesterday, because I didn't feel like it. So there! You can't control me! You're not the boss of me. YOU'LL NEVER BE MY REAL MOTHER!!!!

Anyway, yes. This week has been pretty uneventful, although I have started my new classes, and they look like they're gonna be a lot of fun. For my film class yesterday we watched a telly program on visual comedy presented by Rowan Atkinson of Blackadder and Mr. Bean fame. I can definitely get behind more classes in this form!

Also, this last Sunday was my 22nd birthday, and I'd like to thank everybody for their wicked cool gifts!

Mom and Dad: Thank you for the pictures and frame- I switched it to that great shot of Glastonbury Abbey! Also, thanks for the scarf, gloves, and hat- they're soft and pretty! And of course, thank you for the money which mostly went almost directly into the bank except for some that somehow wound up in my wallet and the till at the Virgin Megastore. And most of all, thank you for the cricket bat you bought me as an early birthday present while you were here! Never again shall I fear zombies or reticent concert promoters!*

Aunt Jo: Thanks so much for the gift of funding! It's in the bank and round my ears right now- I bought new headphones since the crummy in-ear ones I had blew out... I hate in-ear headphones. UPDATE: My aunt also sent me the soundtrack from Hedwig and the Angry Inch and "Squee's Wonderful Big Book of Unspeakable Horrors" from that master of disaster Jhonen Vasquez. These are super neat-o to the extremax. Nothing else can be said. Danka Aunt Jo!

Bumma and Bumpa: Thank you for the pictures and funds! It was great to see my old graduation pictures, and reminisce about my short, flamingly red hair. Good times. Your funds likewise went into the bank, but it may take a few weeks before it clears because of exchange rates, inter-bank communication, etc. Just in case it hasn't appeared as cashed on your next statement.

A big thanks also goes out to Beth, the silly bear, who sent me a package. And although it has not yet arrived, I have absolutely no doubts that it will be what we in the industry refer to as "the coolest".

UPDATE: Big thanks to Cait and Jess for the deeeeelicious cookies and nifty pick of us in Pisa!

So big thanks to everybody for your wonderful gifts! I really appreciate them. I didn't mention that my birthday was coming up in my last blog for two reasons: 1) I was doing an experiment of sorts and 2) I wasn't really looking forward to this birthday. I managed to go my entire birthday (thanks time change!) without anyone telling me happy birthday, though of course my parents and sister both called me or IMed me with renditions of Happy Birthday. Hope they paid their licensing fees...

The reason I wasn't really looking forward to this birthday are as follows: By English standards, I'm very old. Much too old to be in university. Three year programs and an average starting age of 17 or 18 means they're already out with real lives by 22. Obviously the only explanation for my continued study is that I'm slow, LOL. Also, after 21, there is really no point in getting older, unless you have a car or want to use hire cars. I had decided to stay 21 forever, but Time- that cruel, cruel master- decided I was going to anyway. That being said, 22 feels an awful lot like 21, so maybe it wont be too bad. I had my first age related panic attack on my 20th birthday. No doubt I'll be a complete basketcase by my thirtieth.

So that about wraps up this post! Next week we're watching Night at the Opera and It's a Wonderful Life in my film class. I would not class IaWL as a comedy in anything but the classic tradition- not everyone dies so I guess its not tragedy. Hey... That could be a good paper... Comparing IaWL and The Divine Comedy... Interesting. Anyway, they're both good movies... And I've seen It's A Wonderful Life so many times (Thanks Mom) that I could probably skip out that day altogether. Which is tempting... I'll ponder it. TTFN. Don't ask me why I said it, 'cuz I already forgot!

*If you don't know what I'm talking about here, you need to see Shaun of the Dead and This Is Spinal Tap immediately. And then get yourself a cricket bat. Because if the zombies and concert promoters join forces, I don't know that I'll be able to protect you. You've been warned.