British Spunk

Sir Winston Churchill.

Even if many of us aren't old enough to remember this speech, we at least feel like we were, because we've heard it so often.

I'll set the scene: June 1940.  Nazi Germany seemed to be doing pretty well.  France was about to become part of Nazi Germany's spoils.  Dunkirk had happened, many soldiers had died or been captured (who are too-often forgotten) and others had returned home.  Morale was low.

Yet, this was just the beginning.  As this speech shows, Churchill was just getting started.  Somehow, with his way of words and many other factors, in five years the Allies' fortunes changed and the war was won.  The extent Britain, America, Russia etc were the reasons behind this are neither here or there for this small rant.  The point is we were down and we came up.  This speech has never been forgotten - for many it's the epitome of British 'spunk'.

So, all these decades later.  Well... where's it gone? Sure we're in a 'double-dip' recession and it's terrible.  Unemployment's high, many people are losing their homes.  I'm not denying it's a very bad situation.  But isn't June 1940 evidence that a little bit of British optimism is sometimes a good thing?  No one seems to be standing up and saying 'we're going to get through this'.  It's all doom and gloom.  For a Coalition Government, for a Labour Government.  For any Government.

I know people will laugh at my optimism.  Or my want of it.  But think back to those days.  I mean, sure, the recession isn't going to take a gun and shoot his mistress and then shoot himself in a bunker somewhere.  Sure the Russians aren't going to come from another Front and help (although that would be nice).  At least, I don't think that's the plan.  The recession's not going to bomb Pearl Harbour and prompt the USA to do something.  At least I hope not.  Bombs are bad.  The USA has too much to worry about.

But that's not the point.  In 1940 no one knew those things were going to happen.  The point is that someone should stand up and tell us we're going to fight this.  Sure, it's going to be a long struggle.  But without hope, how are we going to know it's going to get better?

Tah-dah!

In a moment of respite from my studies I changed the design of my blog in an attempt to make it more personal.  Surprise!

I took the photo on my twenty-first birthday.  My parents were visiting me in Asturias (Northern Spain) for a week and we decided that to celebrate my birthday we'd go for a drive around the East of the region, stopping in many coastal towns.  I believe the town we were in at this point was called  Tapia de Casariego, and I think at the time I wanted to live there.  This would probably be more feasible if the trainline wasn't just a single track.  Nevertheless, I'm not going to ever say never on that one - it's so beautiful.  The whole region was: it was difficult to choose a photo!

The completion of exams and essays is starting to become one month-long release.  Sure, I'm still getting nervous for examtime, but it's really just getting closer and closer to a time when this sort of pressure will be just a distant memory.  Unless I do a Masters...

In the meantime I've applied for a couple of jobs here and there.  I feel so grown up!  I mean, I've applied to jobs before, but those were just for saving money for Uni and travelling.  Now it will have to go towards things like mortgages and cars and other grown-up stuff I didn't have to worry about before.

Other than blogging and writing flash fiction (I'll come to that in another post) I've found a wonderful release in playing the keyboard.  I've had the pleasure of being able to play music since I was 7 years old, and it just fills me with joy every time.  I got a Disney book through whilst I was away for Easter, which has been fun to play through, as well as some older books such as Keane, Les Miserables and Wicked.

Alas, back to the grindstone I go...

WebCT

Our introduction in 2008 was disappointing to say the least.  Things have been rocky for four years since then.

But now I can conclude.

I hate you.  When I leave, I will not miss you.  Enjoy your life.

Sampling Scandinavia

Today was the first of the final exams of my degree.  (Please, if you’re reading this, take a couple of moments to touch (or knock on) wood for me: it’ll make me feel better about what I just said!)  I’m not sure about how I feel about the fact that I’m slowly bowing out of the world of education: something that’s been a part of my life for so long.  There are lots of things ending right now, and I’m not sure what they’re going to be replaced with.

Yet.

And that’s what makes it exciting.

Last night, I ended up watching this Swedish/Danish TV programme called The Bridge.  It’s in subtitles, but if you’re OK with that (or understand Danish/Swedish) then it’s worth it.  It’s about a murder in which the victim is cut in half, with one half left in Sweden and the other in Denmark.  And with euthanasia and bombs and stuff, it’s a pretty exciting.  Although since Dancer in the Dark it’s also possibly given me a warped view of Danish people.  Or at least filmwriters. 

Then today I discovered a Danish webcomic (in English) called Scandinavia and the World (satwcomic.com).  It’s a personification of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and sometimes Finland and Iceland, with the odd appearance from the UK, the USA and other countries.  It's a light-hearted view of everyone, with some history and gentle teasing thrown in.  It’s just some fun, and gave me a way to relax.

So, today this blog is dedicated to Scandinavia, for being the major source of my entertainment for the last 24 hours, and bringing me nostalgia for my trip there last year.

A New Blog!

I know.  I've started numerous diaries and blogs before.  But the thing was, I didn't feel good enough about myself - did feel unique enough.  That I had anything to say.

But then the last two years happened.  I've been to numerous countries - Canada, France, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, The United States.  And I've regretted not telling the world.

Now I'm about to leave Uni and embark on an experience that will be unique to me.  And I want whoever reads this to follow me on my journey.

I hope it won't be just a blog like the others.  It'll be observations, rants, questions, philosophies.  A place to put my stories.  Something to intrigue people and encourage them to think.

So, here goes nothing!