Chunks of Bits of Things and Stuff

Today, some bite-size chunks of Kirstyness, or things wot have occured to me recently:

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It's the start of summer, and the smell in the air is gorgeous. Every time I step outside I can smell new flowers and green things and... summer. It is glorious, and I would give just about anything to be lying in the back garden, reading a book, hanging out with Boyfriend and the mogs.

Instead, I am in the office, staring out the window. Roll on the weekend, I say.

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Speaking of books I am reading, you will have perhaps noticed that I have banished the "Current Reading Pile" list at the side of the blog. This is because I'm going through a stage of finding it hard to settle on something, and keep picking things up, reading 30 pages, then putting them down again. Currently on the go are: Vanity Fair (still), Proust, Inglorious by Joanna Kavanna, and The Victorians by A.N. Wilson. The latter is a re-read, but it might as well be a first time read, it's been a long time since I read it, and I seem to have forgotten large chunks of it.

Of course, this list may have changed by this time tomorrow.

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On Saturday it's the bi-annual Big Oxfam Book Sale in Oxford, and Scottish Friend and I are chomping at the bit to go along. I have been clearing out a lot of books recently - BookMooch is amazing - but I keep ending up either having another charity shop haul, or getting books from BookMooch. I fear I will not leave the Oxfam sale empty-handed.

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I love baking cakes. I haven't done any baking for a few months. I shall do some baking this weekend.

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Everyone must watch The Daily Show tonight, Thursday if you are in the US, or tomorrow if you are in Blighty. The author of our book Blog Wars (David Perlmutter) is going to be on talking about political blogging. He talks about it on the OUPblog here, and while you're there take a look at the last two posts I have contributed.

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I only have one more week of university to go. Then I'll be finished my first year. How scary is THAT? It's gone so fast. Next week is the final presentation on the Opium Wars. What a note to end on.

I want my Yeats essay back. I imagine it'll be weeks yet.

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It's the bi-annual beer festival at our local next weekend. 19 ales over four days, plus some organic lager and some proper scrumpy. Lovely lovely lovely. The In-Laws Elect are coming down for the weekend specially and everything. These are the things I look forward to in life.

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Anyone know how to stop cats eating plants? I have a new little cherry tomato plant, and three new little sunflowers that I want to put in the garden, but the mogs are showing an unhealthy level of interest in them.

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Thus, the round-up of Kirstyness endeth. Tomorrow: more books. Now, where are my sunglasses...

Comments

[Lindsey]

Do cats not eat plants if they need to be sick? Like a feline de-tox? Or is that grass? Anyway I hope this vom-related answer doesn't undermine the summery loveliness - you're right it's splendiferous out there!

[Kirsty]

My two seem to just really like eating plants. No vom-ing here! They are hardy stomached mogs I have to say.

It may be grass. I don't have any grass though, which limits the grass-eating options somewhat.

[Katy]

Gosh - that cup cake looks AMAZING! I am indeed chomping at the bit to go to the Oxford book fair thing. Should be a cracking way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

[Kirsty]

I'm going to bankrupt myself, but on the upside, I'll have something to read when they throw me in debtors' prison.

They still have that right? Oh God, I've been reading too much Victorian stuff again, haven't I?

[Simon T]

Noooooooo, the Oxfam sale is today, and it's the Saturday I have to work?! So unfair! I love that sale... always come away with something... tsk. Do me proud, Kirsty.

[Kirsty]

Oh I did Simon! I picked up 5 books in little under 10 minutes. Fabulous.