'Life, what is it but a dream?'

This morning, I finished reading Alice In Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass. What amazing worlds Carroll has created! I love the magic and mystery and childishness of it all. I love the lands of nonsense that are so random yet make so much sense all at the same time; it's like logic to the point of being illogical (or so illogical its logical...). I love both stories the entire way through...until the end. When Alice wakes up, it all having been some elaborate, juvenile dream; a fantasy. Now, don't get me wrong, dreams are lovely things, especially the childish kind, and these books show just how magical the mind of a child can be. BUT WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE A DREAM?! This is a work of fiction, a cute little story created for a child to enjoy. Isn't that what stories are about? For both the young and the old, stories provide an escape, a chance for us all to go wandering around some other world, having crazy adventures and forgetting our own dull lives for just a short while. Contrary to the title quote of this blog, life is not a dream (or maybe it is, but that's a philosophical discussion that I don't wish to get lost in right now...), that's why we need fairytales. Reaching the end of an otherwise highly satisfying book to find it was all a wild concoction of the protagonist's mind...well, talk about anti-climax.

I guess I'll overlook this, though, as the stories are actually a work of genius. That, and the fact that I do not wish to offend one particular friend of mine, who loves these tales more than life itself... almost. :)

Sneezes, Secrets and a Rather Nice Dress

I'm freezing cold and all sneezy today. Summer is definitely leaving us...the perfect excuse for a lazy day in, I think. :) Until tonight, of course - we're going out for my brother's birthday. He turned 15 today...I feel old, despite only being 19.

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Moving on, there aren't many good postsecrets this week, I don't think. I totally forgot to post my favourites from last week, which makes me sad, but ohwell. I did like this one today... it reminds me of what's important. There's nothing beautiful about being made out of plastic - it's all FAKE.



Well, that and the fact it makes me feel better 'cos I have terrible skin right now.

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This dress is absolutely stunning. I love it.



Courtesy of Offbeat Bride via the wonderful blog of LankyJane. :)


That is all. x

Much needed update.

So, I fail at life...having not updated my dear blog in what seems like an AGE. I did start to write a Sonisphere review but then got waylaid and now it seems vaguely irrelevant. I'll just cover that one with the guarantee that it really was one the best weekends of my life. One of the smelliest and most sleep-deprived, yes...but all that pain was well worth it.

In the time I have been away from my blog, I have also been abroad - to the Dominican Republic no less. When I've finally got my butt into gear and uploaded the holiday snaps, I might blog about my wonderful Carribean holiday in more detail. Yes, I do need photos for that. ;)

So now I suppose we're back in the present. I spent this past weekend in Nottingham, staying in the house that will soon be my home for the coming year. It was tons of fun and makes me so excited to move in properly in a couple of weeks. Somehow, without my even realising it, I feel like I've started to grow up. Soon I'll actually be required to look after myself...cooking, cleaning etc etc. But, that thought doesn't fill me with the amount of dread that I expected. Lord help me, I'm becoming something close to a mature adult. Whatever next?!

Please note the 'something close'. Yesterday I did something equally out of character, but not quite so sensible and mature, blowing quite a bit of money doing some internet shopping. Along with some My Passion and Dead By April tickets, I purchased the following:





I know, I'm far too cool.

Adios! x

Soni!

So, this is where I'm heading off to in less than an hour...



YES, MATE.

Amy, Sweet Amy.

I'm yet to do a name post on my blog, which seems odd as they are such a (rather bizarre) passion of mine. Still, there's a first time for everything, and I think I can say that this is the first time for a name to take centre stage on here. Non-name lovers, please bear with me.

From behindthename.com :
AMY

Gender: Feminine

Usage: English

Pronounced: AY-mee
English form of the Old French name Amée meaning "beloved" (modern French aimée), a vernacular form of the Latin Amata. As an English name, it was in use in the Middle Ages (though not common) and was revived in the 19th century.


Sweet sound, lovely meaning, fair usage, no obvious teasing potential...this seems like the perfect name choice. It is not so popular these days, but it IS heard of, which makes it an excellent option for any parent to be (unless, you know, they have some terrible personal association with the name). Yes, lovely. Hence it's position on my main list of favourite names. But why only my main list, I hear you ask? Well, it's me isn't it? I like things interesting, just that little bit more unusual, and whilst Amy is utterly charming, it lacks that spark; I can't see it wowing people so much, I doubt anyone would think twice about meeting someone named Amy.

It would seem then, that fair Amy needs a little spicing up. Parents could always go for the more elaborate French version (Aimée) but I find that just a little too fussy. I mean, don't get me wrong, it is beautiful. BUT, if a little bit more spark and interest is what you're looking for, this barely fits the bill. It's pretty much the same name, just with some more letters and an accent thrown in. Charming, but not altogether different when spoken. From my experience, I think there are two ways in which Amy can become just that little bit more interesting: NICKNAME and MIDDLE NAME.

Nickname
I have heard a couple of Amy's say that they see nothing wrong with their name, as such, but have always wished it were longer, or a nickname for something longer. So, what names could Amy be a nickname for? This is what I've come up with (of course, some are more usable than others):

Amalia
Amabel
Amadea
Amelia
Amélie
Amethyst
Amia
Amira
Amity
Araminta


Middle Name
I think Amy is so unexpected as a middle name choice that it instantly becomes fresh and new again. It can sweeten a more heavy first name, or tone down a more elaborate first name. Here's some combos I've come up with:

Beatrix Amy
Constance Amy
Delphine Amy
Genevieve Amy
Rosamund Amy
Temperance Amy
Vivienne Amy
Winifred Amy


So there we have it, my first "Name In The Spotlight" if you will. Probably a bit more detailed than any further name mentions will be, but the name Amy was just being discussed on the forum I visit, and it led to some interesting thoughts on my part. :)

Honeymoon At Hogwarts

There were many good postsecrets this week, but this is the one I'm focussing on because I think it's cute and fun, but also holds some truth about humanity. Yes, you read that correctly, I'm going to get something really deep and meaningful out of one person's love of Harry Potter, a fictional boy wizard.
I think that's the point, to be honest, that it's fictional. Every once in a while, we all need an escape from our real lives, and what better way to escape than delve into a fantasy realm and read about someone else's life in a far off world for a while? I think that's why I love reading so much...open a book and you're suddenly transported into another time or place entirely, following the lives of some made up person/animal/being for a while. I think that it's important to have that escape, that chance to relax and rewind, to live your dreams in your head for a bit, or worry about your favourite characters problems for a change, instead of your own. Experience one 12 year old's battle against pure evil and you suddenly realise that your own problems aren't all that bad.

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In other news, how freaking awesome is this T-shirt?



It's only made better by the fact that proceeds go to Matthew's medical bill fund. I know what I'm buying as soon as I have money! CLICK HERE to grab one for yourself. :)

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Finally, I am currently listening to Avenged's new album, Nightmare. In all honesty, I'm not overly impressed with it so far, but it could grow on me. You can definitely hear the raw emotion and pain that each of the remaining band members must be feeling at this time, I'll give them that.

Dead By Passion

I just found out that Dead By April are playing with My Passion on their October tour.

HAVE TO GO.

That is all. x