Saturday, 14 August 2010

Liebe ist fur alle da (or the story of our first wedding anniversary!)



One year on - "To the world you are one person, but to one person you are the world."


So yesterday, the 13th of August 2010, was my hubstand Woody and I's first wedding anniversary. A lot of people have told me the first year is the hardest, but to be perfectly honest we didn't get that atall. Perhaps because we've already lived and acted as though we were married since day dot of our relationship. We've always lived together, dealt with money jointly, all the things that a lot of couples don't start doing until that commitment is made. We don't see it as our first year of marriage but as the 3rd year of our relationship, which is 3 of the happiest years of my life.

As a married friend mentioned in her blog(where she describes marriage beautifully), we know what is it what makes our marriage work. We have fun, laughter, trust, compromise and respect. We take the light things in life lightly, and the serious seriously, and we do it all together with the others help and support. He's my rock, my best friend, my conscience and my voice of reason. We don't live in each others pockets and we do our own things, but we're happiest when spending time with each other because as I said, he's my best friend and there's no one else I'd rather spend time with! We work hard to make and keep each other happy and to make our marriage solid and content. Sure we have our falling outs and hard times, but these are blips on the radar of our happiness, and as such we don't dwell on past arguments or cast things up but move on, because we know what we have is too important to let something silly get in the way.


I love you Woody, oh best beloved xo


NOW! On to our night!

As most of you may know, Woody and I were married in Las Vegas by Elvis last year! Because it was just the two of us and we didn't have any family there we didn't have a wedding cake. I've been dropping hints for pretty much the entire year and I think his mum must have gotten fed up because I got to her house yesterday and was presented with this:


















She got us a cake! She even wrote "Woody" on it which I was very touched by (obviously his mum calls him his proper name!). His daughter made the little bunches of roses at the corners too. I love it! We all had a slice each and it's now sitting in my mums kitchen getting slowly decimated by my neices and sisters!

Because we're both foodies we couldn't think of a better way to spend the evening than going for a nice meal so we decided to go our for dinner. At first we couldn't think where because we were torn between wanting to go somewhere familiar which didn't feel very special, and going somewhere new which was a bit worrying incase the food wasn't very good and let the night down. So after browsing 5pm for ages (holla at Mich who works for them!) we decided to go to The Blind Pig on Byres Road in Glasgow. We heard they did a head-to-toe of pork and seeing as we're both big fans of nose-to-tail eating, it sounded perfect.

Oh, and it was.

First the decor is spectacular. As Woody mentioned it all looks like Fee of Niche Handmade decorated it! It looks just like her blog and shop!























Look at the cornices and chandeliers and and and...everything!

Even the menu itself was gorgeous! I actually quite liked the way it was presented, just as one large sheet as opposed to a book. I don't like too much choice on menus so this was quite reassuring!

























 We decided to have a big meal seeing as it was a very special ocassion so we had 3 courses and a lovely bottle of Pinot Grigio wine. To start I had the prawn and brown shrimp cocktail (but they had no shrimp which was a shame) which was incredible, and Woody had the smoked mackerel, lemon and herb pate on sourdough bread which was also amazing!




































Then we both had the "Head-To-Toe" of pork which included belly, loin, cheek and trotter. It was my first time trying trotter or cheek so I was a little nervous I needn't have been, it was immense!
























Stunning presentation!


We both had the whiskey pannacotta and coffee for desert than hopped back on the train home. We considered picking up a bottle of wine for in the house but were both too shattered to think about drinking more so we just headed back to mine. 

A wonderful night was had by all! Here's to many more!

Sunday, 1 August 2010

We(eds)

It happens to all of us sooner or later. Even I myself have been guilty of it. It was covered at length in Bridget Jones.

Do you know what I'm talking about? No?

What I'm talking about is couples, previously two separate entities, becoming "we"s. It starts off innocuously enough. When people get together at first, it's obvious they're going to want to do things together, and go places together, that kind of thing. But then things change. Slowly it creeps in and takes over. "I" and "s/he" vanish, replaced by "we". Suddenly you never see your friend alone again, every social outing must include the significant other, or they only ever want you to come over and hang out with "us", never "me". Before you know it your friendship with this person is gone like your pretty Geraniums, replaced by something else entirely. A grotesque singularity that cannot be separated. The We(ed).

This is what's happened with my "best" friend. I use quotation marks because I don't really know I can call her that anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still care for her a great deal and her boyfriend is a sweetheart I have a lot of time for, but that doesn't mean I want to spend all my time with THEM. I want to see HER once in a while. I want HER to come into Glasgow for drinks or lunch, and perhaps to go round to her flat to spend time with HER. But no, it's always "us us us" and it's tiring.

Now, I have lots of friends who are part of a couple. Take the lovely Lisa and her equally lovely husband Dave (Lisa, my apologies for using you and Dave as an example without prior permission! If you wish me to change it to Mr and Mrs X or change my example altogether, just say!). They've been married almost two years (huzzah!) and do almost everything together. Generally when I speak to Lisa about doing something Dave is generally involved as well. But this is not because Lisa in incapable of interacting without Dave, or vice versa. It's because they're the best of friends! Their friends are very much mutual, so it's never a case of one is hanging out with the others friends, they are socialising with THEIR friends. But Dave does things on his own, and Lisa does things on her own. If I was to ask Lisa if she wanted a girlie night out, then Lisa is who I'd have the night out with! The same is true for my hubstand and I. We don't do everything together because one of us feels we HAVE to, but because we WANT to. It's when you can tell a couple do everything together because one or the other cannot do anything alone anymore and has become completely co-dependant that I become frustrated.

I think some of the most important things in a relationship are retaining your sense of self, your independance, and your individuality, because if you don't you'll just become another We(ed).

Are there any relationship issues or quirks that really get YOUR goat?

(I stole the idea for this bit here from pretty Miss P. Her blog is one of my favourites, go check her out!)

Tuesday, 27 July 2010

A Tune a Day: Tuesday 27th July

Never been here, never coming back
Never want to think about the things
That happened today
Want to lay down on the warm ground
I think I'm going to need a little time to myself

Don't fall down now
You will never get up
Don't fall down now

I ask you for a slow ride
Going nowhere
You look like Satan
You ask me if I want to get high
Couple of bags down in old town
You tie your arm and
Ask me if I wanted to drive

Don't fall down now
You will never get up
Don't fall down now

Last thing I recall
I was in the air
I woke up on the street
Crawling with my strawberry burns
Ten long years in a straight line
They fall like water
Yes, I guess I fucked up again

Don't fall down now
You will never get up
Don't fall down now

Sunday, 18 July 2010

Blog Schmog

I have like, 5 draft blogs sitting here. Looking at me. Taunting me. "Finish us!" they cry. "Give us sweet release and finiiiiiiish uuuuuus!" Well TOUGH. I CAN'T finish you. Because every time I start writing just now, I forget where I'm going with my point and it becomes a bunch of absolute twaddle. I'll get them out there eventually, but for now I'm enjoying picturing them looking like that flashback on "Family Guy" where someone is watching "Two and a Half Men" and it's a guy severed at the waist on the floor. My blog drafts are that guy.

Saturday, 10 July 2010

My Love...

My Love,


You are the first safe place that I have known. Seems strange to say considering your reputation. When we first met, I was young, stupid, self-involved. Even then, I could feel you, see you, I was so drawn to you but could not understand why. The closer I looked, the more I got to know you, I could see that in so many ways, I had been blind. They say that familiarity breeds contempt. That may be true for some, but not for you and I. The longer I loved you, the wider your lips, the more spread your arms.
 
You introduced me to strange and sad and brilliant creatures. You showed me things I never could have imagined. I grew up with you. I am who I am, how I am, in large part because of your influence. You stayed up with me when everyone had gone to sleep. You whispered and shouted and chastised and humiliated me. I watched as so many I have cared for have cursed your name and blamed you for their failures. I watched you destroy people close to me. I have never been truly alone for as long as i have known you. Even if it may have felt so.


I adore you Lover. Your dips and crevices, cracks and curves, the harsh bumps and delicate details. Your rhythm, your age and wisdom. Your cruelty. Your sensitivity. Your aloofness. Your flow and cadence. The blood of you. Your soul. The way you smell in the rain. Your harsh laughter. I am yours. Perhaps I always have been, even at first though I did not know it.
You are the first safe place that I have known. Being forcibly separated from you gives me pain like none I have ever felt. This wrenching sob that will not come out.
Some laugh at my devotion. They acknowledge your beauty but cannot feel your pulse. They do not know what it feels like to be cradled by you. The don't "get it". I would feel pity for them but really I can only be grateful that this is mine.


You have taken so many lovers. I will not be the last. You are the ultimate whore with a discerning palate. You are Kali and Kali-mah. So much and now, once again, a supplicant bows at your feet and begs you to be the phoenix. Because I cannot fathom a world without you.
I would tear apart those that have abused you and continue to do so, even now. Rip out the tongues of those that would slander your name. If I could, I would protect you. But I cannot.

Lover, while I am away, do take care. I know your story and I realize that you will not be the same when I return. But I will return to you. Of course you know that. I will cover your face with my kisses and fill your gaps with my tears. You are the only safe place that I have ever known...

Black Snake Moan: The Abridged Script

(I posted this on my Myspace blog/LJ a few years back, and Woody mentioned it recently so I thought it's be fun to revisit and post it here!)


FADE IN:
EXT. MEMPHIS TENNESSE

Christina Ricci and Justin Timberlake have sex, then Justin leaves to go to war.

CHRISTINA RICCI
Now that he's gone, I'm going to take a shitload of drugs and let everyone fuck me!
CHRISTINA'S MOM
Wow, you're quite the despicable idiot.
CHRISTINA RICCI
I was abused as a kid.
CHRISTINA'S MOM
Never mind then, you're blameless! Need some condoms?

Christina gets raped by one too many guys and Samuel L Motherfucking Jackson finds her beaten and half-naked outside his house the next morning.

SAMUEL L MOTHERFUCKING JACKSON
Jesus Christ! What the hell happened to you?
 CHRISTINA RICCI
Yeah, I got my ass kicked.
SAMUEL L MOTHERFUCKING JACKSON
No, I mean, when did you turn into a sack of antlers? Didn't you used to be curvy and hot?

Samuel brings Christina inside his home to take care of her.

CHRISTINA RICCI
Shouldn't you take me to hospital? Are you qualified? 
SAMUEL L MOTHERFUCKING JACKSON
Of course I am, now get in this bath full of ice cubes

Samuel chains Christina to his radiator. This is probably supposed to be hot, but is disturbing. And kind of hot.

SAMUEL L MOTHERFUCKING JACKSON
I'll cure you of your nymphomania.
CHRISTINA RICCI
Oh. I guess you'll want to give me an old t-shirt so that I don't have to spend the whole movie half-naked.
 SAMUEL L MOTHERFUCKING JACKSON
Ummmm… No. I'm going to sing some blues and read the bible to you instead. Feel free to writh around in your panties.

Samuel speaks like a stereotypical Southern Black man while Christina is chastised for her sexuality. She eventually learns to speak softly, wear flowery dresses and cook for men.

CHRISTINA RICCI
Wow, it's like the movie is competing with itself to see if it can be more sexist or more racist.

We finally leave the set of Sam's house for a dive bar where Sam can sing some blues.

CHRISTINA RICCI
Is it OK if I dance suggestively with a shitload of guys while you sing, or would that be a regression to my whorey ways?
SAMUEL L MOTHERFUCKING JACKSON
Go right ahead, ain't nothin' sinful about being a tease.

Samuel plays the blues, mending his broken heart.

CHRISTINA RICCI
Isn't this movie made by the guy who did Hustle & Flow? Does he only make movies about how music invented by black men can be emotionally cathartic for black men?
 SAMUEL L MOTHERFUCKING JACKSON
Hey, who understands the plight of the black man better than the white son of a rich corporate developer?

Christina illustrates her newfound purity by singing some Christian hymns while Samuel plays more blues.

SAMUEL L MOTHERFUCKING JACKSON
I can play the blues again! 
CHRISTINA RICCI
And I don't want to fuck everything that moves!
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
And I've overcome my crippling anxiety disorder for a few minutes! 
SAMUEL L MOTHERFUCKING JACKSON
Oh, the amazing healing power of a cursory understanding of Christian theology!

Christina and Justin get married. Everyone lives hazardously-ever-after.

CHRISTINA RICCI
So what exactly is the difference between this movie and a porno?
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
Pornos have better music. I'm bringing sexy back. Go ahead, be gone with it.

END


Tuesday, 6 July 2010

A Tune a Day: Tuesday

When your sparkle evades your soul
I'll be at your side to console
When you're standing on the window ledge
I'll talk you back, back from the edge

I will turn, I will turn your tide
Be your shepherd, I swear, be your guide
When you're lost in the deep and darkest place around
May my words walk you home safe and sound

When you say that I'm no good and you feel like walking
I need to make sure you know that's just the prescription talking
When your feet decide to walk you on the wayward side
Climbing up upon the stairs and down the downward slide

I will turn, I will turn your tide
Do all that I can to heal you inside
I will be the angel on your shoulder
My name is Geraldine, I'm your social worker

I see you need me
I know you do
I see you need me
I know you do, I know you do


I will turn, I will turn your tide

Do all that I can to heal you inside

I will be the angel on your shoulder

My name is Geraldine, I'm your social worker