Lle Llywela

1. Last night I actually made it to one of the free humanities lectures held once a month at the School of Lifelong Learning - I used to attend regularly when I lived nearer, but haven't been for ages now. It isn't so easy to get there now I live further away, but on this occasion I was eager to hear Juliette Wood speak, so made an effort. Juliette is a highly distinguished historian and folklorist based here in Cardiff, I've heard her speak before and never fail to be impressed by the depth and breadth of her knowledge, the detail she has right at her fingertips, and how effortlessly she can hold an audience spellbound, without ever having to refer to notes. I took one of the night classes she runs once and had to miss one of the sessions and have regretted it ever since - which I can honestly say I have never felt before or since about skipping a lecture! This particular talk was titled 'Mermaid Reflections: Classical Sightings and Modern Innovations in Mermaid Lore', a cross-disciplinary exploration of the mermaid in folklore and iconography, and was absolutely fascinating - albeit a topic I had never considered before! Talk about random education...

2. Macavity the Mystery Cat hasn't been seen for almost three weeks now. I'm not sure if I should be worried or not. It might simply mean that he has wandered off for a while, as has always been his wont - although he was practically resident here at one point during the worst of the winter just gone, his normal practice is to only come to me if he needs something, such as shelter when it was very cold, food when he is hungry, or a spot of TLC when he is poorly. Just now the weather is pretty mild, his head wound was healing well last time I saw him, and it is mating season. So he might be back at some point, when his perambulations bring him in this direction again, after living it up with the local females for a while. But on the other hand, one of mum's neighbours mentioned that they'd found a stray tabby cat - almost hit it with their car - and took it to the vet, who sent it to a cat's home. I think that was probably a bit far away for Macavity to have wandered...but then again it is mating season, and toms can travel pretty big distances in search of females in heat. So it might have been him, in which case I'm not likely to see him again. I suppose I'll just have to wait and see if he ever shows up again.

3. Popped into town at lunchtime today and ran slap bang into a Libyan protest rally. Lots of placards and banners being waved and catchy slogans being yelled, visible police presence, TV crew filming for the local news - it was all going on! I stopped and signed their petition.

4. Have just finished watching season one of New Street Law. Is it bad that I keep imagining crossovers with Judge John Deed? The two shows would be the most perfect bedfellows - Jack Roper and John Deed would get along famously!

The evolution of icon making, Part Two:

( Professionals )

( Misc. )

Okay, so. Spent most of the weekend asleep, after running a fever all day Friday. Saturday's kind of a blur, actually. Sunday I was fine until mid afternoon, then faded fast. Looked in a mirror and was all, 'hey, where did the colour go?' Made it into work yesterday, exhausted myself, and decided I needed another day indoors in the warm to try to really knock this thing on the head. Not that staying home got me out of working entirely, though, as I've been on call for the new and inexperienced volunteer who was in today, and had a couple of calls requiring talking her through technical difficulties.

Still. In the midst of all this illness, I got some TV watching in. Mostly, this involved many, many hours of Grey's Anatomy season two, discs so kindly donated by nikkimisplaced. So far? Loving it. Such a soap opera, perfect for curling up in front of while ill. But I've also seen the final episode of Judge John Deed, plus new season two episodes of Supernatural and Rome. Coherent thought has been escaping me for days now, but I shall give it a go!

( Judge John Deed )


( Supernatural )

( Rome )

Wahey. My series one Judge John Deed DVD arrived today. How exciting! :-)

( What I thought of Judge John Deed's 'Lost Youth' )

Oh, and happy birthday to the Judge himself, Martin Shaw

( What I thought of Judge John Deed's 'My Daughter, Right or Wrong' )

Speaking of the Judge, am a bit cross because the DVD I'd recorded the first episode onto wasn't finalised, and won't play on the new machine. Darn.