Rah Goddess' Guide to Life

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Celebrating 75 years of The Wizard of Oz.

L. Frank Baum’s book inspired a film that has been cherished by many, including myself, over the past 75 years. It was ground-breaking in its day, with its Technicolor contrasting sharply against the sepia browns and greys. The songs and the costumes have always made this film exciting for me too. Judy Garland plays Dorothy beautifully, and with a voice like hers it’s no wonder “Over The Rainbow"not only won the Oscar for best original song but that it’s still remains a favourite with people today.

Thank you Victor Fleming for a fantastic film

And just to show my love a little more, here is a pic of me as Dorothy and my friend Abi as Marilyn

Marilyn, btw, if you haven’t seen the film, is not a character in the WoO.

And because I love quotes

Auntie Em: Help us out today and find yourself a place where you won’t get into any trouble!
Dorothy: A place where there isn’t any trouble. Do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It’s not a place you can get to by a boat or a train. It’s far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain…
[begins to sing “Over the Rainbow"]

Dorothy: [has just arrived in Oz, looking around and awed at the beauty and splendor] Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more.
Dorothy: [after a pause] We must be over the rainbow!
[a bubble appears in the sky and gets closer and closer. It finally lands, then turns into Glinda the Good Witch wearing a spectacular white dress and crown, holding a wand]
Dorothy: [to Toto] Now I… I know we’re not in Kansas!

xxx

Yeah, I am back

This is dedicated to the awesome musical show that I saw with my sister recently in London - Wicked!

I wanted specifically to use videos from that show but there are posted by people seeing the show so quality isn’t awesome and I am aware that the American show is considered to be better by a few

Lee Mead and Rachel Tucker - As Long As You’re Mine

Then because I do love the songs and their American performers -

Popular - Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel

Wicked: what is this feeling (loathing) - Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel

Trust me, it is so much fun, you must go see it!

xxx

Bright lights, strange costumes, total acceptance no matter your geekery or freakery Yeah guys we went gaga for Lady Gaga. She is an amazing performer and to be honest she was worth the wait (the show was postponed in March).

But wait this cool dude called Spencer has uploaded his videos of the night to youtube so you don’t have to take my word for it!

One of my faves

Sheffield won’t be the same again!

G’night little monsters

Simply for the quotes…

“What shampoo are you gonna use?”
“…Dirt?”
“That’s my dirty dog!”

Video promo for the Movie Awards.

Still chuckling now! x

Already missing Dan, who is on his way back to Paris, boo! Alas, pained smile, I am able to blog a little. Trying to pick up, catch up and start freeing time to write again. My book is currently floating around in me head instead of firmly printed on the page, working on that. Anyhoo, time for some music.

My top three at the moment -

Lady Gaga - Alejandro, in honour of seeing the Lady herself perform on Friday in Sheffield, am extremely excited!

Sage Francis - The Best of Times - mainly for the lyrics, the delivery is okay, the words are well put. So much so, you get both!

Its been a long and lonely trip but I’m glad I took it cause it was well worth it. Got to read a couple books and do some research before I reached my verdict. Never thought that I was perfect.
Always thought that I had a purpose. And I use to wonder if I’d live to see my first kiss. The most difficult thing that I did was recite my own words at a service. Realizing the person I was addressing probably wasn’t looking down from heaven or cooking up something in hell’s kitchen, trying to listen in or ease drop from some other dimension. It was self serving just like this is.
Conveniently religious on Easter Sunday and on Christmas.
The television went from being a babysitter to a mistress.
Technology made it easy for us to stay in touch while keeping a distance, till we just stay distant and never touch. Now all we do is text too much.
I don’t remember much from my youth. Maybe my memories repressed or I just spend too much time wondering if I’ll ever live to have sex.
Fell in love for the first time in 4th grade but I didn’t have the courage to talk to her.
In 8th grade, I wrote the note and slipped it in somebody else’s locker. Considered killing myself cause of that, it was a big deal, it was a blown cover, it was over for me, my goose was cooked, stick a fork in me, the jig is up, what were my chances? The rest is history. Our future is torn to sunder. It became abundantly clear; I was only brought here to suffer.
at least I didn’t include my name. Thankfully I wrote the whole note in code and it had 10 layers of scotch tape. Safety seal, making it impossible to open
Plus, it was set to self destruct. Whoever read it probably died laughing. I wonder if they lived long enough to realize what happened.
a year later, I came to understand that wasn’t love that I was feeling for her. I had someone else to obsess over. I was older. I was very mature. I forged my time signature while practicing my parents autograph because I was failing math. Disconnected the phone when I thought the teacher would call my home.
Check the mail box twice a day. The end of a long dirt road steamed open a couple envelopes like I was in private detective mode.
If you snoop around long enough for something in particular, you’re guaranteed to find it for better or worse. That’s how I learned it’s best to keep some things private

3X It was the best of times it was the end of times

The best of times. The end of times.
I was always on deck. I was next in line. An only child with a pen and pad, writing a list of things I could never have. Walls in my house were paper thin. The squabbles seemed to get defying. My memories serve me correctly, I made it a point to avoid and forget some things. Probably to keep from being embarrassed. Never meant to upset or give grief to my parents. Kept my secrets hide. My talents in my head. Never run to the mattress. There again couldn’t break me. Never learn a word that could ensure safety. So, I spoke softly then I tip toed off into the door to my room, was like a big old coffin the way that it creaked when I closed it shut. Anxieties peaked when it opened up. As if everything that I was thinking would be exposed. I still sleep fully clothed.

It was the best of times.
It was beautiful
It was brutal
It was cruel
It was business as usual
Heaven
It was hell
Use to wonder if I’d live to see 12.
When I did, I figured that I was immortal. Loved to dance but couldn’t make it to the formal. Couldn’t bare watching my imaginary girlfriend bust a move with any other dudes. Till love was talking about some wild thing but I was still caught up with some child things. Scared of a god who couldn’t spare the rod. It was clearly a brimstone and fire thing. Pyromaniac, kleptomaniac, couldn’t explain my desire to steal that fire. Now I add it to my rider like please don’t, please don’t throw me in that patch of fire.

It was the best of times it was the end of times.

The school councillor was the coolest cause I never skipped classes. Perfect attendance, imperfect accent. Speech impediment that could never really fix and I faked that so I could wear glasses. Considered doing something that would cripple me.
Wanted a wheelchair
Wanted the sympathy
Wanted straight teeth
Then came braces, four years of head gear helped me change faces.

It was the best of times it was the end of times

Now I wonder if I’ll live to see marriage. Wonder if I’ll live long enough to have kids. Wonder if I’ll live to see my kids have kids if I do I’m gonna tell em how it is. But don’t listen when they tell you that these are your best years. Don’t let anyone protect your ears. It’s best to hear what they don’t want you to hear. Better to have pressure from peer then to not have peers. Beer won’t give you chest hair. Spicy food won’t make it curl. When you think you got it all figured out, then everything collapses. Trust me kids. it’s not the end of the world.

Finally, Beyonce (I love her!) and Why Don’t You Love Me? Love it, awesome video and am digging teh song

End of broadcast x

What is your current obsession?

Surveys I keep joining online reader panels for things, it’s bad I tell you I’m also working through my bejewelled 2 at night addiction. It’s going well, for now!

What is your weirdest obsession?

I buy lots of books, ermm I am not sure I have any really weird obsessions… please correct me if I’m wrong of course!

What are you wearing

My pjs, they are blue and have penguins on them (I like penguins). What! It’s not afternoon yet!

What’s for dinner?

Not sure, I’ve only just had breakfast. MIght go out and get something healthy and yummy later.

What would you eat for your last meal?

Lasagne mmmm I love pasta Ooh and Champagne - I love the bubbles!

What’s the last thing you bought?

Books and tapes on The Secret Garden. I’m just about to start the topic with my class.

What are you listening to right now?

A noisy house at peace, it is bank holiday sleeping in silence, yummy.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?

Ooh that’s hard, maybe Hong Kong, Japan, India or Australia - or then again probably Italy

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

Paris to persuade Dan to take a lunch break

Which language do you want to learn?

Japanese - I know little bits of French, Russian and Spanish - oooh or maybe Chinese.

What’s your favourite quote (for now)?

My favourite quote for now comes an article on Richworks

What is your favourite colour?

Today, it’s turquoise

What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?

My wedding dress - see here -

Picture courtesy of Jenny Packham and it is called Papillion which is quite funny as I absolutely hate butterflies.

What is your dream job?

Film director, fashion designer, writer, actress, oooh singer - although I can’t sing

Describe your personal style?

A work in progress, what I wear at the moment isn’t extremely me. I am overweight and working on it, my wardrobe is home to many beautiful dresses, I want to be that girl from my wardrobe.

What’s your favourite tree?

Oak

What are you going to do after this?

Get showered, dressed, work for a couple of hours, then go out with my sister, home again and more work before bed.

What’s your favourite fruit?

Strawberries - and white nectarines.

What inspires you?

People, sharing thoughts and ideas, talking, travel, pictures, creative outputs - lots of things.

What is your favourite photo that you’ve taken?

What are you currently reading?

One Day by David Nicholls - “You can live your whole life not realising that what you’re looking for is right in front of you.” It’s good fun

Go to your bookshelf, take down the first book with a red spine you see, turn to page 26 and type out the first line:

“However, she could find nothing but a bottle of ink, and when she got back with it she found he had recovered, and he and the Queen were talking together in a frightened whisper - so low, that Alice could hardly hear what they said.” Alice Through The Looking Glass - Lewis Carroll.

What delighted you the most today?

The welcome I got from my dog this morning, all meaty kisses and following around.

By what criteria do you judge a person?

Manners, I dislike rude people. Next friendliness and humour.

What item could you not live without?

Laptop/PC/iPhone I need to be able to get online. NEED to.

Enough for now, back to work I go!

xxxx

Part of the iPhone’s draw is the app stores and the boatloads of games available, timekillers to play when you have a spare five minutes. One such game Bejeweled 2 that you can play online on Facebook and on the iPhone has had me and a fair few friends hooked for a while now. You can’t explain it other than it’s lots of fun, you have to line up similarly coloured gems to make them disappear - the more gems you line up in a connection, the higher the score or magic gem you are awarded with. I mainly play the Blitz version of the game, which requires you to get the highest score you can in 1 minute. I know how addictive it can be, just one more game… In fact we were discussing it in the staffroom just theother day, as three of us are into the game. So it was funny to be browsing the internet and come across this article on Yahoo - Man beats Bejeweled.

Basically, Mike, a guy in California has just achieved the absolute highest score possible, his record took over 2000 hours to achieve, during which time he amassed 4.8 million gems and reached level 439 in the game. Mike’s game was 2,205 hours and 51 minutes long (about three months), played it over the course of three years. Three years to do this! That’s serious commitment, I wonder if he is single because that is one mightily peed off boyfriend or girlfriend. Imagine it, set the mood, candles lights out etc and the familiar glow of… the PC screen and the clunk clunk of the gems.

He scored 2,147,482,575, a score that Popcap founders debated would ever be reached. They said, “We deemed it impossible…and thus kept the cap at 2,147,482,575 knowing we were safe.”

Not banking on the power of competition and indeed addiction. I recently have been using the game on on my iPhone to relax before bed and when I can’t sleep and so have been teased by the Man and my family for it. This story makes me even more determined to do without at that time of night and to break my cycle of addition before I become some sorta gem geek too! So, here’s goes nothing 7 nights and counting!

Go get your game on… which games are you addicted to?

xxxx

To fall back into blogging I thought I’d tackle a few memes I have been given over the past few months, I shall not do the traditional tagging but feel free to tackle them to on your blogs…

Firstly, a blog theme tune, at the moment I am loving Kelis’ new tune “Acapella", I love the attitude, the video, Kelis. I adore with the way it plays with light and colour. It makes me want to dance, and sing, which is want from a theme tune. Plus the words do it for me too, awesome stuff, here it is for your perusal. Words n all!

The song…
I was walking, was living
My melody was acapella
There’s a beat I was missing
No tune, or a scale, I could play
-
The sound in the distance
No orchestra playing together
Like a boat out to sea,
The silence was too deafening!
-
So come and revive me
I can’t feel my heartbeat
Just me surviving alone
-
(Chorus)
Before you,
My whole life was acapella!
Now a symphony’s
The only song to sing
Before you,
My whole life was acapella!
Now a symphony’s
The only song to sing
-
Everything was the same
One color was just like the others
An assembly routine
My memories were all black and white
Till I stopped over-thinking
Decided to draw back the curtains
And I cleared all the cobwebs
And began to let in the light
-
So come and revive me
I can’t feel my heartbeat
Just me surviving alone
-
(Chorus)
Before you,
My whole life was acapella!
Now a symphony’s
The only song to sing
Before you,
My whole life was acapella!
Now a symphony’s
The only song to sing
-
(Bridge – 3X)
You are the drum in my heart beat
Bass and guitar lead
Stuck on the notes you play
My heart that you play on
Grab like a crayon
I can’t walk away
-
Before you,
My whole life was acapella!
Now a symphony’s
The only song to sing
Before you,
My whole life was acapella!
Now a symphony’s
The only song to sing
—

The video

Lush gorgeous stuff

Right for a hugeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 100 question meme Learn something about me, or just tune in next time!

1) Are you really ready for 100 questions?

Bring it, I’m on it like a car bonnet as my sister says!

2) Was your last real relationship a mistake?

Nope, it taught me a lot about what I wanted in a partner, about love and about myself. I learned much about what I was willing to give up and my own identity wasn’t one of those things. It prepared me for this proper relationship. For real honest love, and it allowed me to see I could be loved, and could love, I guess

3) Do you believe in God?

Yes, in the essence of spirituality but not necessarily an old dude in the clouds.

4) Who last said “I love you” to you?

My husband

5) Do you think they regret it?

I hope not because I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this before and after almost seven years together I think that is blissful.

6) Have you ever been depressed?

Yes, I went through a very blue period, after university I was lost as what to do, filmmaking didn’t float my boat after my Dawson-Spielberg illusions were dampened by the creative cattle market that was my uni course and the volunteer stuff after. Temporary work didn’t help me much, I think I was where I needed to be but fell foul of my own invisible obstacles. I am finally seeing colour properly again. Thanks to the people who stuck by me and I am sorry for not seeing how unconfident and displaced I was.

7) Have a best friend?

I have a close circle of friends that I trust with my all my being. I am lucky as I can call my husband, my sister and my close girl friends, my best friends.

8) Are you a boy or a girl?

Girl, and a girlie one at that!

9) Relationship status?

Married

10) How do you want to die?

I’d rather not, not yet.

11) What did you last eat?

Pizza.

12) Play any sports?

Not really, I like to occasionally do different activities and walk a lot, and soon to be a fitness dvd fanatic

13) Do you bite your nails ?

No it is an absolutely filthy habit.

14) When was your last physical fight?

Years ago, fighting isn’t my strong point.

15) Do you have an attitude?

I am sarcastic but generally happy and optimistic.

16) Do you like someone?

LOL, what are we? 13? I like a lot of people but not necessarily in a fancying liking way…

17) What is your real name?

Danielle Steele. Yes really.

19) Dream car?

I want a mini, that is achievable, well more than an Aston Martin Vanquish

20) Do you hate anyone at the moment? .

Hate is an extremely strong word, people annoy me but I don’t hate anyone.

21) Do you miss someone?

My husband, he is off away to work and we’re due a three month odd separation, with visits for good behaviour though!

And many of my friends, but I’m doing my best to get better at keeping in touch more these days.

22) Twirl or cut your spaghetti?

Twirl.

23) Do you tan a lot?

Better since our honeymoon, but my colour usually veers straight towards the pink rather than immediately brown territory.

24) Have any pets?

Yes a dog called Noodle

25) How exactly are you feeling?

Restless and a bit bored but ultimately happy, missing Dan.

26) Ever eaten food in a car while someone other than yourself is driving?

Yes always travelling and eating on the run.

27) Ever been in a long haul flight?

Not really - 4 hours is the longest. Our honeymoon took us to some faraway places but as it was a cruise we never needed to brave the airport.

28) Would you take any of your exes back?

God no. Exes are that for a reason, belonging firmly in the past.

29) Are you scared of spiders?

Yep, fast scuttly things!

30) Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?

Depends if I would have to stay there. But if it was just for one visit I probably would be tempted to go see my Nan one last time.

31) Do you regret anything from your past?

I have things I am disappointed by and ways I wish I would’ve acted but it is rather fruitless to dwell on them as it only makes me feel bad and sad so I am trying hard to use them as lessons and to not repeat the same mistakes again. Tis hard though!

32) What are your plans for this weekend?

Sleep, planning, walking with the dogs, more planning and maybe a bit of tidying.

33) Do you want to have kids?

Eventually, one day.

34) Did you ever kiss someone whose name starts with a C, E or D?

No, no and yes.

35) Do you type fast?

Not really!

36) Do you have piercings?

My ears.

37) Want any more?

No.

38) Can you spell well?

Fairly.

39) Do you miss anyone from your past?

Some people but I feel happy with the friends I have kept in contact with, they make my life brighter.

40) What are you craving right now?

Mint balls with cold milk, sounds well dodgy

41) Ever been to a bonfire party?

Yay, love fireworks

43) Have you ever been on a horse?

No, but I do, as part of my bucket list want to

44) Kissed someone in a car?

Yes

45) Have you ever broken someone’s heart?

I very much doubt it!

46) Have you ever been cheated on?

I think so yes.

47) Have you made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry?

Once again, sadly yes.

49) Would you live with someone without marrying them?

I have lived with many people without marrying them

50) What should you be doing ?

Sleeping most probably.

51) What’s irritating you right now?

Not knowing where I will be job wise next term.

52) Have you ever liked someone?

In my whole life ermm maybe

53) Does somebody love you?

I hope so.

54) What is your favourite colour?

Pink

55) Have you ever changed clothes in a vehicle?

Yes

57) Do you have trust issues?

I don’t think so, it take me a while to trust someone but I do when I know people properly.

59) Have you ever washed in the kitchen sink?

Yep indeed, when I was a baby my mum often washed us in the sink

60) Do you have a good relationship with your parents?

I think so, love them.

62) Do you believe in magic?

Yes on all sorts of levels.

63) Who was the last person you cried in front of?

Dan.

64) Do you give out second chances too easily?

Yes possibly.

65) Is it easier to forgive or forget?

Forgive and remember, it’s never easy to forget.

66) Is this year the best year of your life?

I had a few years that have been amazing but this year has been great so far!

67) What was your childhood nickname?

Yellie or Yell.

69) Do you think you’re a good person?

I really try to be, I know I’m not perfect and I constantly try to improve.

70) Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

I believe that is true but I believe that we are not controlled, we can make changes to our destiny.

71) What was the last thing you did before you went to bed last night?

Brush my teeth and hair.

73) What is bothering you?

My to do list.

74) Have you ever been out of England?

Hehe, to many places -
France
Italy
Spain
Wales
Greece
Turkey
Egypt
Oman
Dubai
India
Malaysia
China
Vietnam
Thailand
Taiwan
Australia
Maldives
Reunion
Mauritius
South Africa
Namibia
Canary Islands
Madeira

75) Do you play the Wii?

Yay, I love the wii, especially Wii Sports Active and Wario

76) Are you listening to music right now?

No, even the tv is off, just listening to the dogs snoring.

77) Do you like Chinese food?

Love it, dim sum is my favourite

78) Do you know your father’s birthday?

May 2

79) Are you afraid of the dark?

Not really, I have to have absolute dark to sleep properly at night but get spooked easily especially by noises at night.

81) Are you mean?

I hope not, I try not to be but sometimes I guess I am.

82) Can you keep white shoes clean?

No, I am messy as.

83) Do you believe exes can be friends?

No, not at first. Time has to pass, wound to heal, memories fade a little.

84) Do you believe in true love?

I do, that wholehearted feeling of letting go and trusting another person with your true self.

85) Are you proud of the person you’ve become?

No I’m proud of the person I am working towards being.

88) Do you like the outside?

Yes, I like wide open spaces. Fresh air and feeling the weather.

89) Are you currently bored?

Slightly.

90) Do you wanna get married?

I am married.

91) Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you babe?

Behind my smile there’s my IQ….

92) Are you hungry?

No.

93) Do you have a bank account?

I do.

94) What makes you happy?

Laughing, being with Dan, my friends and family, playing with Noodle, baking, singing, playing the piano, dancing, sewing, writing, glitter, reading, being creative, travelling, receiving and giving cards, adorable fabric, spinning - dizzy dolls, commas, drinking vanilla frappaccinos, the smell of tar and that grassy scent of summer, pools on holiday, swimming, bright dresses and dangly jewels, smiles, high shoes, trampoling, cocktails, a perfect moment caught on camera, ribbon, skating, dim sum, film, inspiring thinkers, inspiring anyone to make, do and be, sweeties, yummy poetry, italian food, spanish, champagne and strawberries, flying, Miyazaki, musicals, funny stories, sharing my life with awesome people.

95) Would you change your name?

No.

96) Ever been to Alaska?

Not yet! Never say never!

98) Do you watch the news?

Sometimes, I mainly read it online.

99) What’ s your sign?

Virgo, a lazy one at that!

100) What word do you use all the time?

Ermm interesting, or cool or awesome. I’m bad at adopting old trend words years after people have stopped using them, I was on a “groovy” run for a bit, tis tragic really

Well, that’s it for me now, maybe dull as but also a start!

Here;s to tomorrow being a new day!

Love you xxx

Vampire beach sweaters by Wildfox clothing that I saw on Ashley Tisdale on StealTheirStyle. You can get them all over the place - here in the UK at asos quite expensive at £110 but still smily and yummy! I love the coral one especially

xxx

Two posts in one day! Yay

So okay, a musical confession, I adore musicals, my sister bought be this 5 cd complilation and it’s take over my ipod, in a good way! I just love the emotion, the dancing and wild abandon of a lot of these songs and one of my favourites is “Anything Goes”, used also in Fallout 3 (who knew?). I give you these two versions, one close to the original show song and an adaptation from Jewel (I love her voice, she is amazingly talented!).

Patti Lupone with the revival cast in Anything Goes on the Tony Awards.

Jewel - Anything Goes - with the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra

Next is a song I heard first on Radio 1 - I’d Rather Be With You - Joshua Radin, he is a guy with a past record of great ballads, that have been used for some great films, very talented!

Finally, a new find for me, I adore her and am searching on itunes as we speak - Joy Williams - Speaking a Dead Language, just brilliant - love her

Enjoy x