A tough few weeks...

...since my last blog.  Some ups, some downs - that's life in a nutshell though really isn't it.  And as always, it could be much worse than it is.  So first some ups:

It's Oscar time soon so I managed to get to the cinema a couple of times and watch 2 amazing films - The Artist and Hugo (both, oddly enough, films about cinema and film). 
The Artist was something I wasn't too sure about going into the cinema but came out having watched one of the most amazing, well acted, clever films in a long time.  Yes, it is a silent film.  Yes, it is in black and white.  And yes, it completely works.  In fact, it works because it is a silent film and because it is in black and white.  Utterly absorbing, utterly brilliant.
Hugo was a film I have wanted to watch since seeing the first trailer, why it has taken so long I will never know.  Suffice to say, I am glad I got to watch it in the cinema and in 3D (best use of 3D since Avatar).  Again - superb acting, a story full of surprises and a visual joy to watch.

Music, music, music.  I got to spend some pennies on lots of cd's over these past few weeks (I am always on Play.com or Amazon searching for cheap cd's) getting some amazing albums. 
New stuff - Lamb Of God 'Resolution' - brutal, proper METAL.  Lana Del Ray 'Born To Die - gorgeous in every way. 
Old back catalogue stuff (selection) - Testament, Van Halen, Alice Cooper, Devildriver, Korn.
I also managed to get some Devin Townsend cd's only available on his website - Ass Sordid Demos 1 and 2 - even his demos are better than most music out there.  Official Bootleg 2000 - cool live album.  Devlab and The Hummer - his 2 ambient albums.

Writing - hmmm, writing.  Still writing when I can as much as my brain can.  I am still planning to self publish my book.  It will happen.  I am just covering all angles regarding the contract and how happy I am with the finished product.  Still entering competitions, sending stuff to websites and writing poetry towards my second book.

Now some downs:

Work has been very hard with an alarming amount of overtime having to be done - but like I said at the beginning - it could be worse...at least I have a secure full time job.

Finally, my girlfriends parents dog had to be put down.  She was a boxer and her name was Dixie.  My girlfriend and I were very close to her taking her out a lot and looking after her when her parents went away on holiday.  She was a amazing and will be so sorely missed.  Below is a photo and a short poem I wrote about her.

 

Today, I lost a friend

Today, I lost a friend,

lost to old age,

today, I lost a friend.

She never left my side,

or got in my way.

She never had to hide,

or darken my day.

She never did complain,

or spoil my mood.

She never minded the rain,

or be too crude.

She never asked for much,

or took for granted.

She never wanted such,

or could be halted.

She had plenty of kisses,

and love to give.

She had that look of ages,

and years to live.

She had the gift of light,

and eyes of youth.

She had a manner of right,

and heart of truth.

She had strength in bounds,

and fields of green.

She had plenty of grounds,

and energy so keen.

And yet,

today, I lost a friend,

lost to old age,

today, I lost a friend,

lost backstage...

...today, I lost a friend.