Glove

A red glove on a path


Wet from a rainfall

Does somebody miss it?

It has no place now



Useless without its

Other half its fate

Now left to the tarmac

The people walking by



Left to be kicked away

Be hidden by leaves

So it won’t be seen

And will be forgotten

My childhood hero, Robin Hood has returned upon his white steed!

Having spent the first 11 years of my life in Nottinghamshire, the myth of Robin Hood became one of my favourite folktales. Every school trip that I can remember involved the Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood’s Bay, visits to where Nottingham Castle once stood and going underground into the caves. I remember the attraction, The Tales of Robin Hood on Maid Marion Way (unfortunately this has closed down now) and it makes me smile when I see city roads named after the characters from the story.

I have watched many film adaptations about my favourite legend so when the latest hit our big screens at the weekend I was in a hurry to see it. I have to say, this particular film put a little fire in my belly. My childhood hero is back and made more real than ever before. I loved the light heartedness of the previous 1991 version but it was cheesy. Russell Crowe’s own interpretation of Robin is a remarkable one in my opinion and the white horse he rides adds to the heroic theme.

The legend is over 700 years old, going as far back as the 13th Century. Robin Hood did not really exist but for those who needed a hero, someone like Robin would have been a symbol to look to in times of crisis. Iterations of Robin Hood reappeared during periods of political tumult and one can’t help but smile at the timing of this new film’s release! Robin Hood gave the poor a spirit of hope.

For those who don’t know much about the legend, this new film is about how the legend came about, should Robin have existed and I strongly recommend you go and see this film for yourself:

http://www.robinhoodthemovie.co.uk/share.html

My Personal Library

I have a small collection of books that I haven't read. Now and then I've picked them up, bought them with the intention of reading them but it never happened. Why? Because I'm the slowest reader in the world and the books for my course were more important. I'm finally at that point of life that I was looking forward to. Finishing uni and being able to read what I like! This includes blogs too. I need to read more blogs and follow more blogs because I have been on here for 12 months and have 6 followers! My own fault. Anyway, back to the books. I have a lovely collection which my mum borrowed so they weren't gathering dust. So this is my reading list for the next few months (it will be months because I'm so slow):

Ash - Malinda Lo. A lovely 'crossover' novel which I picked up last week. Why? Because it sounds like a Cindrella story (my favourite story as a little girl) and the cover is adorable. Yes, I judge books by their covers. I'm a marketing department's dream come true!

a swift pure cry - Siobhan Down. Another 'crossover' which I thought I'd read but I don't think I finished it because I had to get through the Lancs book award short list instead. I can't remember so I'll have to read it again.

The Divide - Nicolas Evans. I loved reading his books before I came to uni. My favourite was the Horse Whisperer (don't let the film put you off reading this-it was completely different from the book), then The Loop and then The Smoke Jumpers. This one is a different kind of story to the others so it will be an interesting read.

Enduring Love - Ian McEwan. I've only read Atonement which I thought was beautifully written. I know this story is more contemporary. Unfortunately I've seen the film and I can't help but think adaptations can tarnish your reading of the book. We'll see what happens.

The Island - Victoria Hislop. This was mentioned on the TV Book Club last week. It is being made into a Greek television series. Apparently it's the biggest series the Greeks have made for television.

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher - Kate Summerscale. I'm looking forward to this one, a contemporary novel set in the Victorian era.

The Other Hand - Chris Cleaver. No idea what this one is about, mum bought this one. She said I'll probably enjoy it because it's about love and friendship or something along those lines. I think!

Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro. This was recommended to me by one of the biggest book worms I know. Apparently it is simply amazing so we'll see if it was worth spending money on!

The Outcast - Sadie Jones. A love story set in the 50s but again written in the 21st Century. Mum didn't rave about this one but she said it was alright. What we have to remember is that my mum is a fan of the mystery genre so I have to make up my own mind really.

In the Presence of Horses - Barbara Dimmick & The Hearts of Horses - Molly Gloss: Mum said one of these focused too much on all things equestrian. I'm excited to read it because I'm a horsey person anyway, that and apart from the Horse Whisperer I haven't come across equestrian themed books (oh, and Jilly Cooper's Riders).

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold. Okay I admit it, I saw the film. I couldn't wait until I'd read the book. I have a feeling there is more to her murder than the film suggested. A tear jerker me thinks! Still, the film provided me a nice image of what the inbetween world looks like. I'm not sure how I could imagine a place like that in my mind.

Angels in my Hair - Lorna Byrne. This one is a 'true story' about an Irish woman who discovered she had psychic powers or something. My mum wants this back when I've finished with it so I'm assuming it was quite good (?).

The Woman In White - Wilkie Collins. This book was compared to with so many of the books I had read on my course that I'm extremely curious about it. I should have read it during my time at uni but you have no idea how time just seemed to escape from me and like I said before, I'm the slowest reader I know. I wish I could speed up but I think so much as I read!

So there we have it. Plenty to keep me busy. My boyfriend will be disappointed a horror isn't included. I'm sure it won't be long before he pushes one into my hand.

I'm 6 chapters into Ash and really enjoying it. So far it has been quite sad so I have to keep reading to make sure Ash finds herself in a happier place.

Creativity never stops...

Well today I handed in the last of my assignments. It's all over now. Well that is what you think. There are a couple of exciting guest lectures and workshops coming up at UCLan so I can't put my notebook away just yet. In fact I never will, I am so determined to become a good writer that I'll always have a notebook with me. I've just bought a lovely bag on ebay, small enough to carry around everywhere, enough colours in it to go with most outfits and big enough for a book, note pad and pen! Finishing university is sad but so exciting at the same time! I'm so glad I work there too because I'm not ready to leave those protective academic walls just yet!

Book Award Fun

Well unfortunately I cannot disclose anything in respect of the Lancashire Children's Book Award! Not until it has taken place anyway. It was a great day though, got to meet new people and have wonderful discussions and share my opinions on some wonderful texts. The children will be voting on their favourite book so it will be interesting to see which one wins. It has been great to have had the opportunity to take part in something so exciting.

Almost Over

This morning I sat my exam for the Victorian Literature module. I think the majority of the group were feeling sick with nerves, concerned the questions would not match up with what they had revised (that was my fear anyway). I had concentrated on the poetry of Gerald Manley Hopkins, The Turn of the Screw and The Importance of Being Earnest. 3 very different forms of text. I researched the writers' backgrounds, any theory concepts that linked to their work etc etc etc. Although I tried to thin out my revision notes with what some call 'mind mapping' charts (I call them spider webs) I still found myself scanning masses of paper. Yet I wasn't convinced it would be enough.
We seated ourselves at desks, and the allocated reading time was ten minutes. I had to answer a question from Section A and another from Section B. I made a quick note of key words etc but I was confident. The questions were perfect and I started writing furiously. One of my tutors gave a sly smile as I had to stop and give my hand a good shake, writer's cramp was setting in but there was still a good fourty five minutes left. The two hours flied by. It wasn't enough time! I had so much more to write but had to stop. I had given the spelling a quick check but grammar was the last thing on my mind. I just hoped the right information was there, that I had fulfilled the criteria.
Since the exam I have had a dull headache and that deflated feeling. I feel like I've been drained of blood but instead I've just had to release all my new found knowledge. When I first came to uni I never gave a thought to what studying can do to you physically!
Well it's all over now. I have some pieces of work to hand in on Thursday but they're almost finished. My degree is in sight and I'm putting plans into action for graduation parties and celebrations. Right now thought, I'm going to have a lovely, long, well deserved sleep. xxx...zzzzzzzz

Please Read....

my edited post from September 2009. I've replaced my ramblings with a poem I wrote recently. I hope you enjoy it and if you have any thoughts on amending it, please let me know. A poet's work is never finished!