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.