Just by way of keeping things updated, the law faculty was liberated at 11.50 am this morning. As university students the protestors had implied license to occupy the building- as of 7.30 pm last night that license was revoked and they become trespassers. When they were still here this morning, they were issued with a court injunction and threatened with a civil action as illegal trespassers.
Like I said, the law faculty was a really bizarre choice of venue....
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Hippies stole my skittles
As I am sure many of you student types are aware, there is currently a national student campaign again the goings on in Gaza (something along the lines of free palestine...) and whilst one of course cannot argue with this in principle, yes the middle east is a pretty messed up part of the world, I have spent the best part of four days seriously questioning the methods of the protesters.
Yes people, at a guess around 40 or so hippy protestors have moved into the law faculty, yes...moved in. This has struck the vast majority of the law stundets as being just well...an incredibly strange thing to do.
First point of madness - They moved in on a friday night. The faculty isn't open over the weekend, until Monday morning the vast majority of people didn't know they were there.
Second point of madness - the main communal area of the law faculty is the lower ground floor with no windows...as a result the vast majority of people still don't know they're there.
Third point of madness - They are demanding that cambridge university issue a statement officially condeming the actions of Israel, which seems to indicate a delusion that if this were to happen the relevant authorities are all of a sudden going to go 'OH SHIT' and stop....
Very strange...
They claim that they do not wish to interrupt the daily goings on of the law faculty, however this seems to have very little truth to it, for one thing they're taken over one of the main lecture theatres to sleep in (god knows why, I can't sleep in there...I try often enough). Furthermore the bad design of the building means that the library isnt fantastically soundproof and believe it or not sound tends to carry when there are 40 student activists having a meeting downstairs.
Most shocking of all, it has recently come to my attention that the Hippies have in fact stolen my skittles. (I did of course never have any skittles and use the phrase merely for metaphorical effect) BUT my poor acquaintance Kostia, after a hard evenings work in the library, went downstairs to grab a snack only to find our once magnificent vending machine devoid of all but those few snackfoods which refuse to be vegitarian. Yes hippies stole Kotstias skittles, they stole my skittles, they have stolen the skittles of us all...WHEN WILL THE MADNESS END?!?!
Basically the vending machines in the faculty have been bled dry because the faculty has told the protestors they cant keep bringing in huge vats of stew for 'health and safety reasons' - this is legalese for 'we're trying to starve you out'.
I will pause at this point to point out that I know I sound like my brain is malfunctioning, I've been in the library for maaaaaaaany hours :p
We are all just so bloody confused by the whole thing. Its so horrificaly organised, if you read their list of demands its like they just sat down whilt drunk I scribbled down a list of things that popped into their heads. They want everything from the statement of condemnation and the University to withdraw investment in the arms trade (which is understandable but regrettably completely unfeasible) to completely unrelated specific things like 12 scolarships for palestinian students every year. Yes that would benice wouldn't it....what the hell has it got to do with the fact the Israeli's are bombing civilians?!? MADNESS i tells ye.
Anyway as I'm sure you, my avid readers, will be relieved to hear, the counter offensive has begun. Underneath the large banner saying FREE PALESTINE there now hangs a much more understated Free The Law Fac poster. Several more of these have appeared around the faculty building, including one placed in the self declaring 'campaign media centre' updating the world on the fact that the protest is achieving nothing. There are also rapidly growing facebook groups 'Get out of the law faculty' and in fact 'hippies stole my skittles' gathering support from the Cambridge legal community. Finally, as I type I am sat in the squire library with my dear friend hannah, each of us wearing drunkenly painted grey t-shirts brandishing the slogan 'free the lawfac' across them. (Isn't freedom of speech wonderful?)
A final note: on the one hand its probably a good thing that some people are challenging the apathy of our generation. On the other hand by sitting around in wooly hats and gypsy skirts with dredlocked hair they sure as hell aren't challenging any stereotypes either. Whilst it seems apathy may not reign supreme this is not exactly a return to the days of burning student activism. They're sat downstairs, in our nicely heated faculty, complete with indoor plumbing, a water fountain, a cafe that is open 9-2, lots of sitting space, and guess what, taking full advantage of our wi-fi on their laptops. Its not the sort of image that fills you with hope for mankind is it...?
Yes people, at a guess around 40 or so hippy protestors have moved into the law faculty, yes...moved in. This has struck the vast majority of the law stundets as being just well...an incredibly strange thing to do.
First point of madness - They moved in on a friday night. The faculty isn't open over the weekend, until Monday morning the vast majority of people didn't know they were there.
Second point of madness - the main communal area of the law faculty is the lower ground floor with no windows...as a result the vast majority of people still don't know they're there.
Third point of madness - They are demanding that cambridge university issue a statement officially condeming the actions of Israel, which seems to indicate a delusion that if this were to happen the relevant authorities are all of a sudden going to go 'OH SHIT' and stop....
Very strange...
They claim that they do not wish to interrupt the daily goings on of the law faculty, however this seems to have very little truth to it, for one thing they're taken over one of the main lecture theatres to sleep in (god knows why, I can't sleep in there...I try often enough). Furthermore the bad design of the building means that the library isnt fantastically soundproof and believe it or not sound tends to carry when there are 40 student activists having a meeting downstairs.
Most shocking of all, it has recently come to my attention that the Hippies have in fact stolen my skittles. (I did of course never have any skittles and use the phrase merely for metaphorical effect) BUT my poor acquaintance Kostia, after a hard evenings work in the library, went downstairs to grab a snack only to find our once magnificent vending machine devoid of all but those few snackfoods which refuse to be vegitarian. Yes hippies stole Kotstias skittles, they stole my skittles, they have stolen the skittles of us all...WHEN WILL THE MADNESS END?!?!
Basically the vending machines in the faculty have been bled dry because the faculty has told the protestors they cant keep bringing in huge vats of stew for 'health and safety reasons' - this is legalese for 'we're trying to starve you out'.
I will pause at this point to point out that I know I sound like my brain is malfunctioning, I've been in the library for maaaaaaaany hours :p
We are all just so bloody confused by the whole thing. Its so horrificaly organised, if you read their list of demands its like they just sat down whilt drunk I scribbled down a list of things that popped into their heads. They want everything from the statement of condemnation and the University to withdraw investment in the arms trade (which is understandable but regrettably completely unfeasible) to completely unrelated specific things like 12 scolarships for palestinian students every year. Yes that would benice wouldn't it....what the hell has it got to do with the fact the Israeli's are bombing civilians?!? MADNESS i tells ye.
Anyway as I'm sure you, my avid readers, will be relieved to hear, the counter offensive has begun. Underneath the large banner saying FREE PALESTINE there now hangs a much more understated Free The Law Fac poster. Several more of these have appeared around the faculty building, including one placed in the self declaring 'campaign media centre' updating the world on the fact that the protest is achieving nothing. There are also rapidly growing facebook groups 'Get out of the law faculty' and in fact 'hippies stole my skittles' gathering support from the Cambridge legal community. Finally, as I type I am sat in the squire library with my dear friend hannah, each of us wearing drunkenly painted grey t-shirts brandishing the slogan 'free the lawfac' across them. (Isn't freedom of speech wonderful?)
A final note: on the one hand its probably a good thing that some people are challenging the apathy of our generation. On the other hand by sitting around in wooly hats and gypsy skirts with dredlocked hair they sure as hell aren't challenging any stereotypes either. Whilst it seems apathy may not reign supreme this is not exactly a return to the days of burning student activism. They're sat downstairs, in our nicely heated faculty, complete with indoor plumbing, a water fountain, a cafe that is open 9-2, lots of sitting space, and guess what, taking full advantage of our wi-fi on their laptops. Its not the sort of image that fills you with hope for mankind is it...?
Sunday, 18 January 2009
How easily we forget...
I've just been reminded of a very sad and tragic event that happened three years ago(three years ago today?) and it took the prompting of someone else to remind me of it. I won't go into details but those of you know who will know exactly what and whom I'm talking about.
I never knew him particularly well, he was sweet and friendly and we talked about books a lot. But nothing beyond that, and so I suppose I cannot claim to be upset too much beyond the objective stance of a life unnecessarily ended tragically young. The thing that's upset me most however, is the fact that I needed to be reminded.
Three years...and I couldn't tell you the last time he crossed my mind. We weren't close, but he was my friend. Are we really that transient? That after three years the impression we leave on those we know has almost vanished? Memories fade a lot quicker than you might think...
Hope you're sleeping well C xxx
I never knew him particularly well, he was sweet and friendly and we talked about books a lot. But nothing beyond that, and so I suppose I cannot claim to be upset too much beyond the objective stance of a life unnecessarily ended tragically young. The thing that's upset me most however, is the fact that I needed to be reminded.
Three years...and I couldn't tell you the last time he crossed my mind. We weren't close, but he was my friend. Are we really that transient? That after three years the impression we leave on those we know has almost vanished? Memories fade a lot quicker than you might think...
Hope you're sleeping well C xxx
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Christmas craftyness :)
Didn't know what to get one particular friend of mine for xmas, as she happens to have everything, however she is a bit of a handbag fiend, so I russled this up for her. (Hope she doesn't secretly read this blog lol!) Hopefully it'll go down well. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out given that I'd never made a bag before and I decided to use satin which is horrific to work with.
It's just a basic envelope style clutch bag (with added wrist strap, cos I personally think clutch bags you literaly have to clutch are the most annoying thing in the world). The exterior is chinese satin and it has a black velvet interior. Thanks to he magic of fusable interfacing the satin isnt going to fray everywhere, woop woop!
Anyway, as always comments appreciated :) Merry Christmas everyone xxx
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Some decent pictures thanks to my gorgeous model :D
My friend emma kindly volunteered to model some of the stuff I've made recently, it's kind of difficult to take pictures of yourself and clothes never look anywhere near as nice when they're not on a person, so here goes :)
Aaaaand the skirt again, I think I've decided I like it best with the long part hanging at the back. Mmm sexy legs ;p
So here is that waistcoat again minus the myspace mirror pic effect. She requested Studio London levels of direction on posing, hence the leaning pic, she didnt ask again after that...strange :p
Aaaaand the skirt again, I think I've decided I like it best with the long part hanging at the back. Mmm sexy legs ;p
This is one I don't think I've posted on here yet. Its a kind of cross between a high belt and a wasit cincher, either way I like it :) Since the material I used (pleather) wasn't elastic the halterneck strap is there to hold it up.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
**WARNING: socio-political rant I warned you might happen** USA Election Day 2008
I am not a hater. I was brought up by loving liberal parents and I like to think I'm pretty accepting of most things. American poitical propaganda however, is an exception, as is the glorifying of religion to achieve a political aim (particularly one which is inconsistent with the values of modern society).
Anyway, I was just directed towards a video on youtube which made me want to throw up just a little bit, and have a good old rant just a little bit more (hence the blogpost:p). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61wj4tJICcc It has been posted as a reminder to catholics across America to vote in line with their faith - okay. It contains slogans such as 'the family must be upheld not redefined', across the image of a homosexual wedding - not okay. Furthermore it used images of firefighters taken on 9/11 to portray the message that society must be protected Sure, one of the functions of politics is the protection of its nationals but equally our politicians should be seeking to create a world which is safer to reside in through better international diplomacy. Imagery which reminds the world of atrocities like 9/11 are only likely to stir up feelings of anger and resentment, indeed it is only going to purpetuate the war 'on terror' and stir up hatred for the islamic world. It might just be me, but I am more concerned about the people dying in Iraq in an oil fueled illegal war (no-one have a go for presenting opinion as fact because the United Nations have recently acquiesced that it was in fact an illegal war in violation of a jus cogens prohibition on the use of force) than I am about the fact that women across America might be able to get an abortion if they choose to.
Stuff like this makes me really angry (can you tell? :p) I really don't want to offend anyone but it strikes me as absurd that in this day and age relgion and the concept of God and higher law should come into politics, it is outright dangerous, particularly when it comes to choosing the leader of the free world. (I'm sure there is some famous quote from Bush relating to the war in Iraq being a mission from god...is this really so far removed from your toddler saying it was their imaginary friend who spilt the milk over?) Faith is a wonderful thing, which I've been assured enriches the lives of many, but it does not belong in the political arena.
Another message sent out by the video is that the USA was founded by thousands of catholic immigrants. This is true, however it is also true that the United States of America was originally founded as a nation based upon no particular religion or creed where people had the freedon to practice their faith or lifestyle as they chose to. (Well we didn't want the puritains here did we ;p). How this has dissolved into the farce we have today is a mystery, particularly when compared to the political regime in England, which is supposed to be entirely Church Of England, and yet where religion seems to play an incredibly minor role.
Anyway I hope i havnt offended anyone I really didnt mean to. I anxiously await the election results in the morning and my best wishes and support go to Obama.
On a slightly lighter note, go watch this - dedicated to Sarah Palin (watch out for her cameo appearance :P) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUba4aq8imk
Anyway, I was just directed towards a video on youtube which made me want to throw up just a little bit, and have a good old rant just a little bit more (hence the blogpost:p). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61wj4tJICcc It has been posted as a reminder to catholics across America to vote in line with their faith - okay. It contains slogans such as 'the family must be upheld not redefined', across the image of a homosexual wedding - not okay. Furthermore it used images of firefighters taken on 9/11 to portray the message that society must be protected Sure, one of the functions of politics is the protection of its nationals but equally our politicians should be seeking to create a world which is safer to reside in through better international diplomacy. Imagery which reminds the world of atrocities like 9/11 are only likely to stir up feelings of anger and resentment, indeed it is only going to purpetuate the war 'on terror' and stir up hatred for the islamic world. It might just be me, but I am more concerned about the people dying in Iraq in an oil fueled illegal war (no-one have a go for presenting opinion as fact because the United Nations have recently acquiesced that it was in fact an illegal war in violation of a jus cogens prohibition on the use of force) than I am about the fact that women across America might be able to get an abortion if they choose to.
Stuff like this makes me really angry (can you tell? :p) I really don't want to offend anyone but it strikes me as absurd that in this day and age relgion and the concept of God and higher law should come into politics, it is outright dangerous, particularly when it comes to choosing the leader of the free world. (I'm sure there is some famous quote from Bush relating to the war in Iraq being a mission from god...is this really so far removed from your toddler saying it was their imaginary friend who spilt the milk over?) Faith is a wonderful thing, which I've been assured enriches the lives of many, but it does not belong in the political arena.
Another message sent out by the video is that the USA was founded by thousands of catholic immigrants. This is true, however it is also true that the United States of America was originally founded as a nation based upon no particular religion or creed where people had the freedon to practice their faith or lifestyle as they chose to. (Well we didn't want the puritains here did we ;p). How this has dissolved into the farce we have today is a mystery, particularly when compared to the political regime in England, which is supposed to be entirely Church Of England, and yet where religion seems to play an incredibly minor role.
Anyway I hope i havnt offended anyone I really didnt mean to. I anxiously await the election results in the morning and my best wishes and support go to Obama.
On a slightly lighter note, go watch this - dedicated to Sarah Palin (watch out for her cameo appearance :P) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUba4aq8imk
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Updates from uni land
So there isnt too much time for making stuffs in cambridgeland, especially in freshers week, but I have recently managed to knock together these two beauties (lol well I like them anyways). Firstly (above) I made an asymetrical/ pointy/ strange shaped skirt out of a scarf I picked up for £1.50 from H & M...bargain. It was pretty see through so I made a little underskirt from some plain black jersey and attached it underneath. It has an elasticated waist, and can either be worn so its longer at the back or at one side. What do we think? :)
Secondly, although thinking about it I actually finished this before I came down to Cam, we have a blue shiny waistcoat type thing. (Excuse the myspace style mirror pic, I lack willing models :p) I made a pattern for it from an existing waistcoat belonging to my sister and sort of winged it from there, so given the lack of planning I think it came out pretty well :) I'm not too nifty at making buttonholes yet so it fastens with a purple ribbon laced through some large D-rings.
Well that's it really....although 'some large D-rings' doesnt feel like an appropriate ending to a blog post....which is why I've typed this....woot woot :p
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