Dawn; When Men* Of Reason Go To Bed.

(*I am assuming this is the kind of men that is inclusive of everybody, i.e. women as well. As we are allowed out on our own now.)

It is 3am and I cannot sleep. I have spent the last 2 hours listening to the audio book of One Day by David Nicholls (the same guy that wrote Starter For Ten and introduced me to James McAvoy – for which I am eternally grateful). I feel lazy for not reading, and I am almost entirely certain this is my first audio book. I was ferociously independent as a child,and I thoroughly enjoyed reading, so I’m not sure how an audio book would have gone down. Either way, I am already looking to see what else I might be able to attain because audio books are a wonderful idea – all the pleasure of reading, but with free hands to do other things. Namely painting my nails, but should I be inclined to do so, I would be able to do a whole host of other things. As an English student, I don’t know why I didn’t consider this sooner and I already feel like my third year will be much more focused and organised because of this new found knowledge.

Back to the matter at hand; David Nicholls creates characters that are so categorically predictable I am almost angry. Angry at myself for falling in love with them. Emma and Dexter are at two opposite ends of the scale, Emma has a working class Northern accent, and Dexter is well spoken and from the home counties. She is sarcastic, self deprecating and hard faced, whilst he is spoilt, self centred and arrogant. They should be stiff, carved from wood and cast in stone. I am almost disappointed to say that they are not. Nicholls is that good, that they are now real people, and I am rooting for them. Nicholls has also made me feel slightly nostalgic about the eighties, which given that I was only around for approximately a month of them speaks volumes for the quality of this book. I have laughed and I have cried, but most of all, I have been shocked. Which is always important I think when you’re reading a book. Go forth, and read.

Just to prove to you that I don’t just love everything bar politicians and ridiculous news stories, I will tell you about a film I watched the other evening; Gnomeo and Juliet. Now, I am not above admitting I enjoy the occasional children’s film. Those of you that truly know me will be aware I am all about the children’s films. I also love Romeo and Juliet. For these reasons, I was expecting Gnomeo and Juliet to be my new favourite film. I was actually fairly disappointed. Such good casting, and a few good references to the bard, but I feel that a lot of the film just sort of fell together. Almost as though it didn’t start out as a parody, but after realising the similarities maybe they just went back through and changed some bits to make it fit more? Or, they decided this was a really amazing idea from the beginning, started to go off on tangents but then realised and stopped themselves, turning the plot into a ridiculous Shakespearean tick list of names and basic narrative devices. In my own personal opinion, if I am being totally honest with myself it is probably just the link to Romeo and Juliet that makes me a bit angry. As a film, it was okay. Amazing cast, good soundtrack, a few laughs. What is there to complain about? Oh yes, wait, you have tarnished one of my favourite things ever.  I’m not even one of those people that thinks nothing is as good as the original. Baz Luhrmann is a genius, and his version of the classic tale is amazing. Its not even an original story, Shakespeare himself ripped it off of Anthony and Cleopatra. Either way, not hugely impressed and I would not suggest any of you rush out to buy/borrow/watch it. Wait until Christmas, and have it on in the background as people drift in and out of food comas.

Also, I am aware I haven’t written a Glastonbury post. I’m almost beginning to feel that the time has now passed. I’m not sure. I might do it once I’ve figured out how to get my pictures off of the prehistoric digital camera I took with me. If anybody feels a pressing need to hear about my Glastonbury experience, send me a request in the comments. If nothing happens I’ll just put the pictures up (probably in about 6 months) and let you draw your own conclusions.