Xaviere

Now I have to go to fiction class. I have a sudden desire to gag myself. Ah well.

Actually, Star Wars later...the rant is too long and too painful.

moar humorous pics

moar humorous pics

moar humorous pics

moar humorous pics

But wes will fixes it.

Plus, the cat is bouncing off the walls.

I’m sad to say I was not miraculously cured by either of our spa visits, but they certainly felt good. Our first visit to the originally lower-class spa was a medium pool under an open roof. We played tons of silly games and really convinced the lifeguard of American sillyness, but wished the water was slightly warmer. Still, I loved relaxing on a noddle…especially when I made David pull me around. The second spa is state of the art and brand new, to replace the original upper-class Kings and Queen’s bath. The spa has multiple levels with a warm bath, scented steam rooms, foot baths (not as cool as they sound), and a roof top pool, where I didn’t stay long because the night air was so cold.

We finished out our big trips with a half-day visit to Stonehenge and Lacock. I wish we could have stayed longer, especially since Stonehenge was relatively warm and not terribly windy, but we still only stayed an hour. Since my camera was dying, I decided to conserve pictures, especially since I’ve always been taught not to take pictures of structures because in the end, postcards will be cheaper and better. I gave up that philosophy and took a beautiful, postcard worthy photo. The sky is covered in swirls of gray, with light bursting through cloud, over the whole structure in silloutte. I can’t wait to show it off.

Although Lacock doesn’t sound familiar, it’s a national trust village used in many films since the majority of the architecture dates to the 14th-early 19th centuries, it’s small, and the electric wires are underground. We took silly photos in the cemetery where Voldemort rises, a bit of Hogsmeade, and in front of Harry’s Godric’s Hollow home. Lacock also acted as Merryton for the BBC1’s “racy” production of Pride and Prejudice. Yes, that’s a quote. Funny how everyone went on and on about the BBCs small changes (OMG, a wet shirt!!) but Kiera’s was so bad that they just ignored it. Despite all the kissing and inaccuracy, no one would dare call it “racy.”

On the other hand, the new Sense and Sensibility is incredible, and subtely hot. FYI: Starting tonight with brand new Persuasion, lots of Austen on Masterpiece Theater on PBS. They’re showing the brand new S and S, plus a new Northanger Abby, which I’m excited about because it desperately needs remaking, and Mansfield Park. The schedule for each PBS station is available online. Judging by one hour of S and S, and production pictures, they’re not to be missed.

The second part of our trip has largely been more relaxing than the first. Unfortunately, I know seem to have the voice losing and hacking cough plague, so the relaxed pace is a real blessing.

Today we took our last tour and ended up on a genuine hike. So now I’m resting my hips and trying to breath again. But oh, the park was so beautiful. Several wild deer ran across our path, and the park cat followed us around. We picnicked under a covered stone bridge. I love the January green here.

No Nicholas Cage, or Depp, though some of the people who went to London missed him by a nose at the Sweeny Todd premiere. They had gone to see Lord of the Rings: the musical. No kidding. I couldn’t spend the money to go London for one day, and needed the restful day in Bath, but now I definitely want to go back to the west end for that. Granted, I don’t want to leave in the first place, but I’ll be home Tuesday, barring too terrible weather.

The guest house is wonderful, with great food and fun managers. (I’m eating the best scrambled eggs of my life, every morning!) They felt nervous with a school group at first, but quickly learned all our names and have given us high praise. We keep having tea parties in our rooms. And all in all, the cuppa count is way up, even for those of us who already drank lots of tea. I do feel a little sorry for the people staying in the two rooms we don’t have, but they seem mostly allright about it. Then again, an extremely adorable/handsome and well dressed young man came by today and might be staying. I hope he does, because Rebecca and Kathryn are getting their Austen on and “husband hunting.”

Yesterday’s highlight was the costume museum, where we looked at all kinds of clothes and got to try on corsets. Unfortuantely, the one I tried on was a little too big, so my figure didn't get as disturbing as it could have. The pictures are nevertheless amusing. Rebecca and I fought for smallest waist, but she had the smaller corset, and actually the smaller waist, so she won.

The costume museum is in the basement of the assembly rooms, where Regency society met for tea, gambling, and balls at night. My favourite room was the octagon room, bright yellow, in the obvious shape, with four doors and four fireplaces alternating around the walls. We tried to rennact a scene from Persuasion and had a grand time.

The other highlight was watching our professor stalk Nicholas Cage; he and Johnny Depp have recently purchased houses here. There was a photographer with a large camera aimed at his house, but his house is in the historic Circus, so he might have just been photographing that. Regardless, Prof Golden got very excited. We're also on a lookout for a silver Ferrari, since we think Cage is in residence even though everyone would rather see Captain Jack. Unfortunately, none of us know much about cars, so we get excited by every silver vehicle, which is sad, because we all expressed neutrality about Mr. Cage in the first place.

Also saw the second part of the brand new BBC Sense and Sensibility. So good and subtely sexy. Just amazing. I love the new colonel Brandon even if he isn’t Allen Rickman, and the girls play 17 and 19 extremely well. I cannot wait to finally read that book while I’m off from school. Then I can read Mansfield Park and finish Austen’s published oeuvre.

Today we’ve already visited the Bath Abbey, a beautiful cathedral and monastery built on the remains of two previous churches. The organ is enormous. Several of the chapels were absolutely beautiful, and very peaceful despite the tour of school children around us. I lit a candle there and hope to go back for mass on Sunday.

We also did some shopping. So many stores have amazing sales on British designer jewlery and clothes, but the dollar is in such bad shape that nothing is really a bargin for us. We have to multiply each price by two for a relative figure, so even food is pricey. Nevertheless, I bought a pretty hat pin, some souvenirs, and am scouting the city for that one special thing I’m going to splurge on. I found a few lovely, and reasonable, broaches that might win in the end. Not sure yet. I can’t believe we have another week here.

Next, we’re about to set off for the Pump room, the day hang out for Regency elite. We’re going to have tea and taste the nasty mineral water. It’s supposed to be theruputic simply because of the sheer amount of minerals. The theory is that something must help you whatever your state of health. We can’t help thinking that something might hurt you too, and the taste is supposed to be awful, so that’s probably why no one drinks the water much anymore. Then tonight, we get to go to our first of two spa experiences. Some of the girls, who keep complaining anyway, expressed concern about sitting in what is essentially a giant, rooftop, mineral water hot tub for an hour and a half. I have no such concerns.

Right, paper and finding a Xmas gift for the beau. I got hearts in the snow, which is just what I wanted, and he's really excited about whatever he got me....which I think is the pretty yellow sweater I was ooing and ahhing over at HandM. I dunno. Somehow, the whole together for a month thing makes this so much harder. I mean, I can't go all out, but I want it to be good. But how good? I'm trying to avoid the sweater solution. Any ideas? (no Chris, not you)

Of course, I'm having more trouble with Xmas presents than ever before--I'm just so determined to avoid kitch and junk, especially for my mother. I'm also trying to avoid clothes, because she's buying obscene amounts of them herself despite changing sizes like crazy and lots of jewelry too despite whining about our finances and paying for my new insurance premiums. I can't believe I'm going home to live with her, but that's another rant for a not online time.

I'm also so sad to say goodbye to Soren. *cries* He did tell me to solve my college problems by finishing school in Europe....

Homies, see you on the 20th!

I found this other acronym amusing.

Apparently Sesame Street Old School is for adults only???? According to the current sesame Street executives? Because it teaches us to eat cookies and eat pipes. WTF. At least the Times gets it.