In the quiet of the night..

I think this place has died.
CPR just aint gonna cut it.

I've not ever come to such a blogging low before, since I started about eight years ago.
It's happened slowly, but inexorably.

I think this might be goodbye.

Incremental Babies

Is it a bad thing that I found myself quite happily listening to Radio 2 yesterday?
I'm not sure.

*ponders on the inevitability of mortality and the coinciding BBC Radio increments*

Lions and Tigers and Bears..

I have news!
Apparently the government, or I dunno someone somewhere, has increased funding for us art students at the college, however it only applies to first years. Typical. But our tutor has said she's combining stuff where she can in order for us to benefit too, which is where this next bit of news stems from.
There is a high chance that our final exhibition in a few months will be held here:

The Whitworth Art Gallery,
or here:

The Cornerhouse.
Oh
My.

My aura you know.

What Is Your True Aura Colour?

Greens are some of the most powerful and intelligent people in the aura spectrum. Greens are extremely bright. They process information and ideas quickly; jumping from steps one to ten. They do not like dealing with all the steps and details in between.
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Paternal Palace

Ahh thank goodness.
Afflecks Palace is not closing down.
This may well be old news to many, but I'm really relieved. For a place that represents the spirit of Manchester so well, it's an essential that it stays put.

Amusingly to me, on my Dad's first visit ever Oop Norf to see me late last year, I was giving him a quick whistle stop tour of Manchester with the first stop being Afflecks. I figured him being a child of the 60s and a musician, he would dig that vibe. I'm not sure if his 60s child has withered away to be replaced by his opinionated stuffy crotchetty insulin-dependant smoking old geeza, but he later bemoaned at his first experience of Manchester as being a shopping spree with crazies. That might have been something to do with my conservative (despite being Dutch) Stepmum's influence.
Dad's Mancunian Experience was cut short by the fact that he'd forgotton to bring said insulin with him, so to my annoyance we beat a hasty retreat.
Ah Good Times.

Musical Scenery

Thanks to my lovely fella.. I am going to see Sia!

So exciting.
Bet she kicks arse live.

Yay yay yay!


Also - on another more positive artistic note - the Manchester Evening News did an interview at the exhibition on Friday. Not sure when it might come out. I was unable to attend though, as my littlest kid was ill. Which is a shame, however I don't mind being one of those artists whom everyone knows their name, but not their face. ;)
The exhibition has been extended and is running through March now too, which seems nice. This is mostly because the piece in the Salford Star comes out in its March issue. The comments in the book are still amusing, more recently someone has written that we must all be on drugs ha!

Fly my pretties - fly.

So the exhibition has been up and running for 10 days now. The venue leaves so much to be desired on so many levels. The turn out on the open day was dire with a somewhat telling 3 out of 8 students themselves turning up. Yes that is the level of commitment they have to this course and art in general. When I asked why one didn't show she said and I quote: 'Oh I couldn't be bothered'. And she is the quiet one of the group.

Anyway, that aside, it's still all a farce.
Even the library it's housed in have the most moronic staff you can possibly imagine. They put the poster for the event sideways on their noticeboard. When I challenged this, they said that they did it on purpose so that the patrons might be able to read the library's opening times better. Despite of course all the artwork depicted now not being the right way up.
Just a small insight on their mentality.
I can only assume that Swinton is not exactly the mecca of Manchesters arts culture. Whodathunk.

(I hope you can see my eyes rolling here extensively)


I went back again last saturday to show my beloved, and as we loitered picking up 'What's On' leaflets from the rack in the foyer, a couple of people wandered round the exhibition room. One was a small girl and her granddad. The gentleman was standing in front of my wall hanging as we walked past the doors on the way out, and I heard him say something like: "So this is what they call art these days is it?"
Tee hee.
I'm already a misunderstood artist! Now all I need to do is cut off my ear and die.

Email Amusement in my Inbox..

A man breaks into a house to look for money and guns. Inside, he finds a Young couple in bed. He orders the guy out of bed and ties him to a chair. While tying the homeowner's wife to the bed the convict gets on top of her, kisses her neck, then gets up and goes into the bathroom.

While he's in there, the husband whispers over to his wife: "Listen, This guy is an escaped convict. Look at his clothes! He's probably spent a lot of time in jail and hasn't seen a woman in years. I saw how he kissed your neck. If he wants sex, don't resist, don't complain..do whatever he tells you. Satisfy him no matter how much he nauseates you. This guy is obviously very dangerous. If he gets angry, he'll kill us both. Be strong, honey. I love you!"

His wife responds: "He wasn't kissing my neck. He was whispering in my ear. He told me that he's gay, thinks you're cute, and asked if we had any Vaseline. I told him it was in the bathroom. Be strong honey. I love you, too."

Dreaming..

To see a baby in your dream, signifies innocence, warmth and new beginnings. Babies may symbolize something in your own inner nature which is pure, vulnerable, and/or uncorrupted.

To dream about a starving baby, represents your dependence on others. You are experiencing some deficiency in your life that needs immediate attention and gratification.

To dream of holidays, represent a need for a break or time for rest. You are expressing a wish to escape from your responsibilities. Depending on the activities related to the holiday, the dream may also indicate family issues, personal attitudes or some difficulty.

I dreamt I had a baby, and it was only a couple of days old and I went on holiday with my old best friend (who'd also had a baby) to a really hot climate like Tunisia. Only when I got to the hotel room, I realised that I had forgotton to pack some milk, and in fact that although my baby hadn't been fed in days, perhaps not at all, she was quiet, smiling occasionally, and perfect. I was angst ridden and running about trying to find an open shop that would sell me powdered SMA milk in this foreign land.

WOMAN GETS SENTENCED!

My man circles sentences in the books he reads.
He gave me one such book awhile back, and told me to read it because I'd love it etc etc. So i begin to read until puzzled, and in the bath, I noticed the first penned circle around a sentence.
"What the hell?" thought I, as you well might.
So, intregued, I read on.
Of course I believed him to be writing me a secret special note in the book! Perhaps this complex man of mine with his subtle foibles that often at times fly straight over my head has decided to communicate his 'intentions' by these means?!?!
Perhaps I'm soon to become an honest woman? (Well I know it was a stretch of the imagination but I'm a girl and that's our job.)
So, with steadily chilling bathwater keeping me company, I ploughed on through to find the next sentence.
Of course the next one made no sense at all. I read further in, confused. None that I found made any sort of message, or if they did it was actually more sinister than anything else!
When I tackled my boyfriend about the whole thing he just said that he liked to circle random sentences that he liked.
Oh.
Didn't take the shine from the book though, as the thing itself wasnt my thang anyway. I had however read far more of said book than I might have otherwise bothered, looking for the elusive note.

Interlude

Why do I still have this blog?
Why am I having an artistic block?
Why does 1 + 1 = 2?

Right time for an 'amusing' interlude.
(My life is on Interlude)

Hmmm

First clay sculpture
Originally uploaded by Delboy's Daughter.

Thursday is going to be an unusual day I think.
We have a local rag reporter coming into the college to do an interview with us on our up and coming art exhibition in Feb.
I'm simultaniously a little excited but also worried about what will get written. He could very possibly slate us.
Having said that, it's for something called the S@lford St@r which I've never heard of, so that helps.

A new star is born

I think I have found a new way for the internet to amuse me!
Now although this isn't exactly new, it's not something I've felt like participating in until now.
So here's my first YouTube broadcast starring my peeved pooch:

Its all fun and games until someone loses an eye

I was disappointed with The Golden Compass. Now that might be heresy to some, but the book was so much better. I don't like it when films change things dramatically, like endings!
Ah well.
I'm still sensing a dramatic shift in my focus. Blogging seems to be taking less of a back seat and more of a completely different car these days.
I wave at it occasionally through the rear window of life.
This would be one of those waves.
I often forget it's there at all though. Faithfully behind me like an old memory, or a bit of a shabby pair of pants that I put on when I've not been up to date on the washing.
Blogging is pants then!

Ho

The sketch before the paint..
Originally uploaded by La Beave.

Another Christmas ends..
Number two spent with the delectable Guy, long may they continue!
Somewhere along these last few months:
I seem to have become a really lax blogger.
I seem to have less stress.
I seem to be happy.

Doh!
Things are quite relaxed at Chez Delboy's Daughter.
I'm doing a spot of art. Chilling out with the boyfriend. Playing a little online games.
Etc.
Hope everyone else had as good a Christmas.

Are you Mary Clause?

Genius.
Well done Travelodge.
They are offering any married couples with both a Mary and a Joseph as their names a free nights stay at their hotels from Christmas day through to the 12th day of Christmas.
Ho Ho Ho

Call off the hunt!

I'm not dead.
I am, like most people in blog world, just stupidly preoccupied with Christmas 'stuff'.
It's got to the point where I've buying presents for the kids, but am not exactly sure which one is for whom and how many any of them have got! There is just a very large pile in my celler. Luckily two of the little sproglettes are slightly interchangable as far as gifts are concerned. The eldest is just hard to buy for these days. Well hard on a budget anyway.
I was looking in Argos this morning for presents and also little one has a birthday party to attend this afternoon. Twin girly party. So i'm looking through the catalogue, trying to find something suitable for their birthday gifts, and I notice that there is hardly ANYTHING under a tenner these days.
What's that all about then?
I don't mean to be stingy or anything, but I confess I had wanted to spend close to a fiver on each of them, what with my own Christmas stuff to afford this month, but I struggled let me tell you.
I finally went with a special offer on Br@tz dolls, 2 for £15.
Nightmare.
Got neck ache from peering down and the 'laminated book of dreams' as well.
I remember when Argos had 'pocket money presents' which I used to get for the kids ha! Now they have 'need HP for this present that's 2 inches tall' options.

Innovitive

3D Baby
Originally uploaded by La Beave.

Gotta love the odd personality test here and there. As long as they aren't too threatening ;)
So I have an innovitive personality type:

Summary of Innovators
-Energetic and creative taking inspiration from everyone they meet
-Enjoy flexible work environments with few rules and many opportunities for fun
-Think of themselves as imaginative, sociable and sympathetic
-May not think logically about their ideas

More about Innovators
Innovators are fun-loving, creative, sensitive people who enjoy developing their ideas by discussing them with others. This group supports the people around them and expects the same in return. Others are drawn to Innovators because of their love of life, caring nature and openness.
Innovators are most likely to say they do their best work when they start at the last minute, according to a UK survey.
Innovators are good at spotting opportunities and recognizing potential in people. Innovators put all their energy into new projects and their enthusiasm motivates others to support their plans.
In situations where they can’t use their talents or are unappreciated, Innovators may become rebellious and unfocused. Under extreme stress, Innovators may become preoccupied with meaningless details.
Innovators may over-extend themselves or put a night out with friends ahead of more pressing commitments.
Innovators are drawn to careers that require teaching or counselling, where they can work with and help encourage the development of others.

Out of 16 types... what are you?

Things that make you go 'hmmmm?'

I found out some really REALLY unbelievably juicy gossip about my ex yesterday.
Not the kid's dad, the one after.
It's proper sharp intake of breath stuff.
And I Sooooooooooo want to tell all.
I mean it really is dire. Truly.
Not for myself or anything. Just.
Wow.

It's SO juicy that its almost tangable. I'm literally opening and closing my fists with utter gooey yumminess of it all.
However there seems to be a sad element to the tale as far as other parties are concerned. So I really ought not to. Not that I would ever name names or anything anyway.

So.
Damn.
Juicy.

Ok... think of the most 'oooooo' piece of news you could hear about an ex, and perhaps you'll guess it.

Fifth Life Drawing Class

Fifth Life Drawing Class
Originally uploaded by La Beave.

Ok so I'm taking rather too much on at the moment.
But instead of getting wound up because I've not got the time to write like I want to, I'll just accept that I'm doing it at my own pace really and stop struggling.
After all, 20,000 words is a lot of effort to just spoil by getting upset and ditching the entire project.
At the end of the day, even without having all my art work to do, taking on Nanowrimo as a lone parent with three kids and a daytime job/study is a pretty mammoth task. And I only started it at least 4 days into the month with a vague plan.
I'll just potter along with it.
Having a long distance relationship is hard where things like this are concerned. It does make some things impossible to do. You cherish the special time you spend with your partner and you certainly can't say 'excuse me a moment while I write for two hours each night'. You can't. And you don't want to. So weekends where I see my Boyfriend are really non writing ones. Even if we aren't going out. We spend the time ensconced in each other. Yes even after 20 months!
In the evenings, I spend till ten o'clock each night busy with kids in some form, my eldest loving one on one attention when the other's are in bed. So most evenings I get alone time after ten o'clock.
Then I'll just be settling down and getting into the story, when I realise (because my eyes are heavy and I'm shattered) that it's late and I want to talk to the boyfriend on msn for a bit too.
Often this past month I've managed to miss him completely it's been so late. And then I feel bad and selfish.
If we lived near each other, or together, this would not be an issue. We'd have the chance to miss each other for awhile as I throw myself into the next endevour. Only because we'd see each other all the time anyway.
Am I making sense?

Not only that but I've got a life too.
I've been to see the following and not really blogged about it:
Darren Hayes at The Lowry - FANTASTIC
Stardust - Epic
Russell Howard at The Lowry - Excedingly funny
Beowulf in 3D at the IMAX in town - A bit of a let down.
A visit round the Christmas Market in town - always LOVELY
Manchester Museum visit TWICE - once with my mum for research purposes and once with the kids because I HAD to take them after I'd seen it.

I'm pretty sure I've missed bits out there like of course the Life Drawing classes, and the fact that last nights model had a very unusual and dubious arrangement of bright red bruises around his bottom area.

Also I've got mega news on the Exhibition front. It's running for a whole month, not a week like I thought. A MONTH!
Beyond exciting.
I'm whittling away at evaluations, personal statements for uni, open days for unies, UCAS forms to worry about, and which root I'm going to take. ETC ETC.
I've got an Open day to attend on Saturday and Thursday, parent/teacher afternoons with the kids, and my boyfriend's dad's birthday meal on Sunday.
There's the models I have to make of the sculpture I'm producing for the new project which only has another 4 weeks left to run. Metamorphosis. Which I've not really spoken about either. That's not to mention all the work I'm still doing to the previous Self Image project to get it up to a distinction grade.

How in Hera do I think I can fit another 30,000 words into that plan before 30th November?