The Life of Amie

Mum!

2006-02-23T02:18:00.000Z

Have a Lovely Day - I Shall See You Later :)

I know we don't see eye to eye but I do love you lots - hope the next 50 are filled with sunshine and more smiles :D

xx

Be Lucky, Be Happy!

Hysteria

2006-02-14T14:36:00.000Z

it's bugging me, grating meand twisting me aroundyeah i'm endlessly caving inand turning inside out'cause i want it nowi want it nowgive me your heart and your souland i'm breaking outi'm breaking outlast chance to lose controlits holding me, morphing meand forcing me to striveto be endlessly cold withinand dreaming i'm alive'cause i want it nowi want it nowgive me your heart and your souli'm not breaking downi'm breaking outlast chance to lose controland i want you nowi want you nowi'll feel my heart implodei'm breaking outescaping now feeling my faith erode

wow another beautiful piece of work

2006-02-09T14:31:00.000Z

It's beautiful :D

banksy inspired creation

2006-02-07T23:14:00.000Z

my friend neil g made this banksy inspired creation for me - i'm well chuffed!

I'l be back soon

2006-02-05T09:00:00.001Z

I'l be back soon

2006-02-05T09:00:00.000Z

Democracy? Pah!

2006-01-13T08:17:00.000Z

The Independent did not publish this letter, so I will publish it here.

Dear Editor,I do not agree with the Animal Rights Movement, and if I did, I would not campaign for it by planting bombs that endanger human animals. Therefore I write to say that we must not place the blame for those bombs solely on those who set them off. The government made itself partly responsible, by suppressing the non-violent forms of protest previously used. All people, including those we disagree with, have a right to protest in ways that make their views heard.Picketing in the street can be annoying. An old man shouting "nonsense" can be annoying. And when the powerful believe they need not suffer such annoyance, when they create laws to suppress it, they become tyrants. Thus we need not search painstakingly for evidence that Blair has lied to the public or to Parliament. Every time a minister uses the term "anti-terrorist powers", he is lying. These are anti-dissent powers--the powers of tyranny.Sincerely, Richard Stallmancopyright

© 2005 Richard StallmanVerbatim copying and redistribution of this entire page are permitted provided this notice is preserved.

Eid Mubarak to all those that celebrate it

2006-01-10T16:28:00.000Z

even those I'm not talking to....

For the attention of Mathew.. A plea from the very heart of my bottom...

2006-01-07T18:33:00.000Z

Mathew, please please please please pretty please with cherries on top and fresh cream and everything, can I get an ickle wickle kitty cat, purleeeeeeaaaaaaaase, pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase.. please....
I'll do the dishes every day forever, I'll take the early shift in the bathroom every day, I'll make you hundreds of cups of tea and I won't set fire to your room if you let me get a kitty cat, so pleaaaaaase...

can I get a kitten?

there are so many cats out there that need a good home, and I've got a lot of cuddles to give, you know it makes sense!

:D

friends, feel free to add your pursuasions here....

miaow

no pressure or anything, Mathew! :p

2005 - 2006

2006-01-04T14:06:00.000Z

I've been told off again for not blogging. My apologies, friends...

There are a fair few reasons for this, some good, some bad..

I am so glad to see the back of 2005. Although I learnt alot about myself and have made some wonderful friends, in the words of Her Maj, it's been an annus horribilis..

I was betrayed by my then best friend, one of my older friends died, the first friend of mine to die. I got attacked by a randy minicab driver which left me scarred, and I got hit by a car in July, injuring my shoulder permanently and stopping me from kickboxing and competitive netball :( My baby sister is leaving the country for good as she's getting married, and I'll miss her so much, she's the only person in my immediate family here in the UK that I get along with).

It's a real shame, they were given the choice between admitting responsibility for their failures to protect or look after my interests as a child or losing me for good. Shame on them, it's obvious what their choice was. Their rejection has obviously left me heartbroken and feeling like an orphan. Although it was only just a final confirmation of what I've known inside for years, it was a bit of a sad shock to think that their pride was more important than their own flesh & blood, and that they just won't love me because I won't be the person that they want. Sad but true

Still, their loss, I'm a strong person who has done well in spite of their shortcomings and so I feel doubly proud of all my achievements... Of course, I'm sad, but to be honest, they gave me to some man old enough to be my father when I was only 17 under lies & false pretenses, I'm used to living independendently without familial support, it's been my life for over ten years now, I learnt the hard way, but I'm stronger for it...

So, sad as that may all seem, I'm glad it's behind me now, I have a good feeling about this year. I already know that I'll be losing my little sister for good (although I lost her properly ten years ago, really) and that is bittersweet, but I hope that the rest of it will be positive and good :D

I have met some wonderful people this year, who have restored my faith in humanity. They have made me realise things and they have made me want to be a better person. I hope this is the year I grow and can make a big difference.

I live with a wonderful housemate who makes my home a lovely place to be in. I have a decent job with great bosses. I have my lovely bike, which I absolutely adore. I don't have a cat, but I'm working on that!

For as long as there are cute kittens around, there's hope!
Peace, Love & Light to my friends and loved ones.. May 2006 bring us good things

My journey to work this morning

2006-01-03T06:20:00.000Z

Rather sadly there was a huge crash on the other side of my block. Luckily it happened outside a hospital, so the injured were seen to immediately, and by some miracle there were no deaths...

Hmm.... I ride my bike past that spot twice a day... This is a reminder why I wear my helmet.. and also a reminder that when your time's up, it's up..

If I'd have been a pedestrian on the pavement rather than a cyclist, I wouldn't have fancied my chances this morning...

Studying & Motivation; Lack of

2005-12-07T21:46:00.000Z

I'm finding it increasingly more difficult to study. 96 was the last time I studied & getting 'back into it' is alot harder than I thought it would be.

For some reason I can't bring myself to do it.When I do, it's hardly effective & efficient & it's difficult trying to find the right way to put my ideas across. I have a scientific background where there were always solid & logical answers. In the social sciences, everything is so vague.. My brain's taking it's sweet time to acclimatise.

My attention span is quite short anyway, it's not helping matters, I find the subject so interesting, but just can't sit down and concentrate for more than a quarter of an hour, my brain just switches off :(

I need motivational tips on keeping me on my student toes.. help!

Yay for Me!

2005-11-21T17:13:00.000Z

I just got back my first University Assessment!

I was so convinced that I had failed and I was also convinced that I was going to jack in the whole course. I've been really stressed for the past couple of weeks and have been unable to concentrate properly

I can't believe I got 80% on my first one! Yay! confidence restored!

Hypocrisy the likes of which the World has never seen before

2005-11-08T17:22:00.000Z

Powerful new evidence emerged yesterday that the United States dropped massive quantities of white phosphorus on the Iraqi city of Fallujah during the attack on the city in November 2004, killing insurgents and civilians with the appalling burns that are the signature of this weapon. Ever since the assault, which went unreported by any Western journalists, rumours have swirled that the Americans used chemical weapons on the city. On 10 November last year, the Islam Online website wrote: "US troops are reportedly using chemical weapons and poisonous gas in its large-scale offensive on the Iraqi resistance bastion of Fallujah, a grim reminder of Saddam Hussein's alleged gassing of the Kurds in 1988." The website quoted insurgent sources as saying: "The US occupation troops are gassing resistance fighters and confronting them with internationally banned chemical weapons." In December the US government formally denied the reports, describing them as "widespread myths". "Some news accounts have claimed that US forces have used 'outlawed' phosphorus shells in Fallujah," the USinfo website said. "Phosphorus shells are not outlawed. US forces have used them very sparingly in Fallujah, for illumination purposes. "They were fired into the air to illuminate enemy positions at night, not at enemy fighters." But now new information has surfaced, including hideous photographs and videos and interviews with American soldiers who took part in the Fallujah attack, which provides graphic proof that phosphorus shells were widely deployed in the city as a weapon. In a documentary to be broadcast by RAI, the Italian state broadcaster, this morning, a former American soldier who fought at Fallujah says: "I heard the order to pay attention because they were going to use white phosphorus on Fallujah. In military jargon it's known as Willy Pete." "Phosphorus burns bodies, in fact it melts the flesh all the way down to the bone ... I saw the burned bodies of women and children. Phosphorus explodes and forms a cloud. Anyone within a radius of 150 metres is done for." Photographs on the website of RaiTG24, the broadcaster's 24-hours news channel, www.rainews24.it, show exactly what the former soldier means. Provided by the Studies Centre of Human Rights in Fallujah, dozens of high-quality, colour close-ups show bodies of Fallujah residents, some still in their beds, whose clothes remain largely intact but whose skin has been dissolved or caramelised or turned the consistency of leather by the shells. A biologist in Fallujah, Mohamad Tareq, interviewed for the film, says: "A rain of fire fell on the city, the people struck by this multi-coloured substance started to burn, we found people dead with strange wounds, the bodies burned but the clothes intact." The documentary, entitled "Fallujah: the Hidden Massacre," also provides what it claims is clinching evidence that incendiary bombs known as Mark 77, a new, improved form of napalm, was used in the attack on Fallujah, in breach of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons of 1980, which only allows its use against military targets. Meanwhile, five US soldiers from the elite 75th Ranger Regiment have been charged with kicking and punching detainees in Iraq. The news came as a suicide car bomber killed four American soldiers at a checkpoint south of Baghdad yesterday.

That was taken from Peter Popham of The Independent UK

Ermm.... Isn't this exactly what we are trying Saddam Hussein for? For dropping chemical weapons on innocent civilians? Why is acceptable for the war coalition to do this to Iraqi Civilians? It makes my blood boil to know that these attrocities, this criminal, unacceptable and deviant behaviour is being carried out by my country. I don't know what to say anymore, it's depressing beyond words.

Liberators????

2005-10-20T11:05:00.000Z

This is the most disgusting story that I have read in such a long time. Words just escape me and just seem so futile anyway. I am full of horror and rage because of this.

The US military says it will investigate claims that US soldiers publicly burnt the bodies of two Taleban fighters in Afghanistan.
It comes after an Australian TV station broadcast footage of what appear to be US soldiers burning the bodies.
The footage shows other troops apparently taunting residents of a nearby village, which they believed to be harbouring the Taleban.
The act of burning corpses is a violation of Islamic tradition.
The US military has condemned the alleged acts, saying they will be "aggressively investigated".
"This alleged action is repugnant to our common values, is contrary to our commands-approved tactical operating procedures, and is not sanctioned by this command," spokesman Maj Gen Jason Kamiya said.
'Cowardly dogs'
The footage was shot in the village of Gonbaz outside Kandahar by Australian cameraman Stephen DuPont, who was embedded with a US unit, for SBS's Dateline programme.
You are too scared to retrieve their bodies - this just proves you are the lady boys we always believed you to be
Troops' alleged message
It shows a group of five soldiers standing on a rocky ledge, watching two burning corpses with arms and legs outstretched.
Islamic tradition states that bodies should be washed, prayed over, wrapped in white cloth and buried within 24 hours.
The soldiers initially said they were burning the bodies for hygiene reasons.
The TV report also suggests that the incident could be in violation of the Geneva Convention on the treatment of enemy remains, which states that the dead should be honourably interred.
Later footage showed two soldiers reading from a notebook messages which they said had already been broadcast to villagers.
"Attention Taleban you are cowardly dogs," the message reads. "You allowed your fighters to be laid down facing West and burnt.
"You are too scared to retrieve their bodies. This just proves you are the ladyboys we always believed you to be."
There was no immediate reaction from the Afghan government, or human rights or UN officials in the capital, Kabul.

I wouldn't normally do this, but please read...

2005-10-18T20:54:00.000Z

This is little baby SB. He's a friend of mine's ickle cousin. He's 8 months old. He was born with DiGorge syndrome which affects about 1 in every 4000 babies. It Di'George's syndrome affects roughly 1 in 4,000 newborns, who can suffer from heart, thyroid, and other birth defects.

As of this date he has had open heart surgery twice to correct a heart defect, has suffered collapsed tubes in his lungs and has now has a tracheotomy. Despite all that he's pulling through and the doctors have told my aunty and uncle that he is ready to come home.There's just one small problem, To come home he needs two portable ventilators (one as backup) they cost £3000 each, not to mention the extra carrying equipment, batteries etc that he will need on top of that.

SB's family are doing everything that they can to help. So are their friends, fundrasing through sponsoring events, selling things on ebay and just donations..

If you know of anyway to help little SB go home from the hospital to his family where he belongs, please let me know, just put a comment up. If you can help by donating directly to them, please let leave your details and I will email them to you. If you can donate by paypal, the account to donate to is UseTheCheese@mail2comedian.com

Please send your prayers thoughts and your cash to little SB's family.

Thieves!

2005-10-17T19:10:00.000Z

I was looking for an example from one of the books that my Dad has published today. I googled the bit that I wanted and came across an Islamic Site that has basically published the entire book online

I am really really irked I want to find the thieving lowlifes that have taken it upon themselves to steal my Dad's book.

I called my Dad and ranted a bit, he said he found out about it a little while ago (he knew which book it was as soon as I started to rant). He said that he has written to them but they haven't responded. He can't really afford to start any legal action because he's spent so much money on the whole *E****** S******* debacle. To be honest, I don't really want to stress him out at all, poor thing. He's been through way too much already.

But, I'm not willing to let this rest, I'm going to find out what I can do and do something about it. My Dad's put so much hard work into those books. He has located all of the texts in Arabic, had the idea for some of the books, asked authors to write them, translate some things himself, gotten translators, advisors, copyrights, organised the printing, travelled all around the world to do this. He's put his heart his body and his soul into it. No way am I going to let some shyster steal so much from my Dad.

I'm not sure what to do at the moment, I just needed to rant about it a bit. I am going to go and see the CAB as soon as possible, I think.

Welcome into the world...

2005-10-15T13:40:00.000Z

Little Lulwah

Born this morning to my beautiful little big sister, Eman.

May your life be beautiful happy and long

xx

My poor housemate, Mathew

2005-10-15T08:42:00.000Z

Poor Mathew,

Usually I'm tidy, well I try to be, anyway. But I seem to be going through a bad dishwashing phase. It seems to be a self-reproducing pile of dishes. I do them but then they reappear, only there's more of them. Right, I'm off to do the dishes. Sorry, Mathew :)

I am a good cook, though, that kind of makes up for it :)

I hope!

Tilt your head to the left... and behold

2005-10-14T17:54:00.000Z

Be Lucky, Be Happy!

Death in Gaza...

2005-10-13T01:30:00.000Z

I watched a documentary just now that moved me more than I would have thought television had the power to.

It was about the people inadvertently caught up in the crossfire between Palestinians and Israelis, although to be perfectly honest, from what I saw, the fire was mostly head in one direction - at the Palestinians

It was horrific, almost unbearable to watch. I saw Palestinian children throwing stones at tanks and bulldozers (which were dozing down their homes and towns). The retaliation? They blew them up with a tank.

It was horrible to think that the children shown had grown up surrounded by this and not knowing anything other than cruelty, lack of dignity and violence, death and pain. Their human rights had just been trampled on. Shat upon.

The Israelis then went on to shoot the British Director of the documentary. Unbelievable.

I couldn't believe how they shot him. The crew were walking slowly towards the tank because they wanted to let them know that they wanted to leave, they had just stopped filming as the bulldozers had finished work. They were walking, shouting that they were journalists, they had a BIG white flag that they were waving clearly for a long time. They were wearing vests and helmets that had TV on them. The soldiers just shot them.

They shot the director, James Muller in the neck. He died instantly.

The liars claimed that he was caught up in crossfire between Palestinian militants and the army. What utter bollocks. It's clear to see in the footage what happened.

It's made my blood boil. I cannot imagine, no matter how hard I try what it's like to grow up seeing that, to experience the losses and to have seen the things that they see every day.

I don't know what more to say, it's making me feel despondent and FURIOUS

I've been feeling quiet for awhile.

2005-10-12T17:06:00.000Z

I suppose it was a mild case of writer's block.

I've been incredibly busy though, I started studying for my degree yesterday, and I had my first tutorial.

I had a bad case of the fear when I found the building and my heart was pounding like a jackhammer, I haven't felt like that in a long long time :D

I really enjoyed it, it was fantastic. Apart from the best forum in the world which I am totally addicted to, I very rarely get to have a healthy debate about things I really care about with intelligent people that I really care about.

This is probably one of the best things that I have ever done :D Oh, and that's my fantastic new pencil case - looks like me at the moment :D

My tummy feels funny

2005-10-02T17:20:00.000Z

oooohh...

yummy

Makes you think, doesn't it?

2005-09-23T14:00:00.001Z

The Life of AmieFirst they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

2005-09-23T14:00:00.000Z

Labelled Liberal

2005-09-23T13:57:00.000Z

Dom Helder Camera (Latin American Catholic priest) said, 'When you give food to the hungry, they call you a saint. But when you ask why the hungry have no food, they call you a communist.' "

Just a little quote there that I liked....

Somebody in my office called me a tree-hugging, do-gooder liberal today. Firstly I don't see why being called a do-gooder could be seen as an insult (I take it as a compliment) and I don't see why so many people are opposed to what are seen as liberal views.

Just because somebody has an opinion that is different to yours, doesn't mean that the opinion is any less valid than your own..

At last!

2005-09-15T17:13:00.000Z

I'm off for a few days! Yay!

I'm heading off to Knockengorrock very very early tomorrow morning, at around 5am! It's about an 8 hour drive or so, so should be there for lunchtime and three days of fun & adventure!

There's a fancy dress night on Saturday. I have no idea what I am wearing... somebody has made me a surprise outfit! Wooo.. I love surprises..

On the Sunday there is an inflatable Grand Prix. Everybody is bringing an inflatable item and we are going to race down the river on our inflatables! What fun! (I just hope it's not too cold)

Just what I need, a little fun & adventure and the chance to escape citylife for awhile. See you all when I get back!

:D

Bad News

2005-09-13T14:05:00.000Z

I just got told by the physiotherapist that I may never play netball again. I am gutted

Physiotherapy

2005-09-13T09:13:00.000Z

I have my first consultation with my physiotherapist today.

I got knocked off my bike at the beginning of July, and for the past two and half months have had severe shoulder and neck pain. My back keeps going too, which is awful considering I play competitive netball and cycle an awful lot :(

Online Retail Therapy

2005-09-13T08:43:00.000Z

I think like many people, I resort to retail therapy in times of need. I only just got my monthly invoice from ebay, and I've bought something like 15 tops in the past month and lots of other stuff that I probably don't need.

It does give you a little bit of a buzz

The Rain

2005-09-10T18:27:00.000Z

I love the rain. It's very cleansing. Today I stood on my balcony & watched a huge electrical storm pass over us.

The smell of the rain is refreshing, and standing in it cleansed and cleared my mind a little.

Thunder still scares me a little and lightening excites me for some reason. The hairs on my neck stand up during storms.

I thought I'd be sad at the end of summer & sorry to see the end of sunshine & long nights. I think this is the first year I'm welcoming autumn and winter so warmly. I'm quite glad to see the end of this summer.

Knockengorroch

2005-09-07T11:33:00.000Z

Is a Scottish festival near Ayr.

I've decided to be brave and go on my own! Yikes, it's scary and exciting.

The only time that I have camped was at Glastonbury this year & that was on a massive scale, about 150 000 people camped together.

This festival will have only about a thousand people and I will be there, flying solo!

I only have a tent and sleeping bags, I'm sure it will be a fantastic adventure.... Woo Hoo!

Although it's going to be in Scotland in Autumn, so I'm expecting rain!

A question for you..

2005-09-06T18:03:00.000Z

Is it better to have many friends who you are not close to or a few very very close friends?

2005-09-05T18:57:00.000Z

Contemplating Life

My Problem

2005-09-05T18:55:00.000Z

I've finally put my finger on what my problem is.

I've had this internal dialogue going on in my head for weeks now accompanied by a feeling of despondency with a helping of apathy as well.

I think I'm having an existential crisis. So many things just don't make sense...

Plane Crashes

2005-09-05T15:19:00.000Z

What the hell's going on?

For the past few weeks there have been so many plane crashes. I think that there were three in a week awhile ago.

It's quite worrying as someone who flies often.

Is it boeing? Is it because of all the cheap flights available now?

Is it a clever marketing ploy from the makers of Lost (:P)

What's going on?

My picture changed - how bizarre

2005-09-05T14:00:00.000Z

My profile pic has changed, and it wasn't me that changed it!

It's another girl blowing a bubble to the one I had, how confusing!

Not sure what to think, really...

I stumble and fall...

2005-09-05T11:24:00.001Z

I heard that it was a really big deal
And then I found out it was just nothing at all
You always say: "it's such a big deal"
But we both know that that's nothing at all
And I get over the breaks
And I stumble and fall
And I get over the breaks
And sometimes I stumble and fall

You just won't admit that it's all in your hands
So I have to try so hard to make you understand
But all you can say is: "it's just part of the deal"
And I never asked you to understand
How I keep myself to myself in the crush of the crowd
But all you can say is: "Who cares? It's just part of the deal"

Oh, yeah
And I, yes I get over the breaks
And I stumble and fall
And I get over the breaks
And sometimes I stumble and fall
Yes, I...

Well I, I get over the breaks
And I stumble and fall
And I get over the breaks
And I stumble and fall
Yes, I fall
Yes, I fall
I stumble and fall

I stumble and fall...

2005-09-05T11:24:00.000Z

Hurricane Katrina

2005-08-31T10:12:00.000Z

I think they should have called it Kyoto and not Katrina...

2005-08-30T10:01:00.000Z

Out with the old, in with the new.

Evening Standard - The Paper that Peddles Hate

2005-08-26T19:12:00.000Z

The Evening Standard: The Paper That Hates London

August 26 2005

On Thursday July 28th, the Evening Standard published an article entitled 'Terror and hatred for sale in the heart of capital'. In the article, Standard writer Robert Mendick told of how an Islamic bookshop called Dar Al Taqwa sold books and DVDs 'advocating terrorism' and 'urging Muslims to wage a holy war by arming themselves with bombs and guns'. They printed a picture of the shop, the address of the shop and even the shop's phone number. You can probably guess what happened next. The bookshop employees were immediately subject to a rigorous campaign of abusive phone calls and personal threats. Quite right, you might think. Send 'em back. They come over here, convert our women and threaten our freedom... Well, quite. Trouble is, it was all a dirty great lie.

Dar Al Taqwa, which incidentally translates as House of Awe and Wonder, has been selling Islam-related publications for 21 years. None of the publications it sells in any way support or encourage violence. In a letter written by the shop's Managing Director Samir El-Attar, he says, 'We have always promoted literature which encourages people to be law-abiding citizens from whose hands and whose tongues everyone is safe.' Furthermore, having visited Dar Al Taqwa in the course of inventing his article, Mendick is sure to have been aware of this. None of the so-called hate-peddling publications Mendick claimed could be purchased at Dar Al Taqwa can in fact be purchased at Dar Al Taqwa. He lied.
Furthermore, one of these publications, a DVD of a lecture given by Dr Zakir Naik in March 2000, is not supportive of terrorism. Rather, Naik has always spoken out against terrorism. But his lecture, and the accompanying video, is entitled 'Terrorism in the Name of Islam', so for a hate-peddling journalist such as Robert Mendick, it was simply too easy.

Sadly, it doesn't stop there. The day after the article was published, El-Attar wrote to the Evening Standard, detailing the extent of Mendick's defamatory and highly inflammatory article. The Standard refused to print the letter. However, to give them their due, they did agree to publish an article of equal length refuting the false allegations, together with an apology for having lied and incited religious hatred. So the article was written and a suggested apology drafted. Then, sadly, the Evening Standard changed their minds and refused to print either.

As El-Attar points out in his unpublished letter to the Standard, the only hatred and terror for sale in this case was the hatred and terror being incited by Robert Mendick and sold by the Evening Standard. They even removed the 'Not In Our name' posters in the bookshop window on the photograph they printed. The article then, was deliberately manipulated in order to give a false impression of an innocent bookseller. Surely we have laws against this? Well, yes. Thankfully we do.

This morning we spoke to Samir El-Attar. The situation sadly, has not improved. 'Every day we receive threatening calls,' he told us. 'Even my daughter was threatened. People are still frightened to come to the shop, our customers are stopped and searched in the street outside the shop and our income has been slashed by half.' Robert Mendick must be so proud of himself. As for the question of the Evening Standard being allowed to get away with it, El-Attar and his lawyers are still 'giving them the chance' to properly apologise and set the record straight, but if they don't, which seems likely, he says 'we are of course going to take them to court'. In the meantime, the paper that hates London will carry on as normal.

Might we suggest in conclusion that Charles Clarke extend his new, improved hate laws to British citizens, and for the crimes of fomenting serious criminal activity and fostering hatred which might lead to inter-community violence, the entire staff of the Evening Standard is sent as far away from London as is humanly possible.

Please spread the word in any way that you can about this article. I cannot stress how much pain, anguish and injustice that this hateful and fabricated article has caused. I know this on a very personal level. If you can do anything, please do.

Mars Attacks! Tomorrow!

2005-08-26T15:02:00.000Z

Subject: First Time in Human History
Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 08:45:49 +0300

Kindly wait for our neighbor, the red planet, MARS, coming to our
atmosphere for a casual visit. She will be nearest to earth during
august 27, with a magnitude of 2.9 and 25.11 arc seconds wide;
practically the second brightest celestial object in the night sky but
moon. This sight will not be available for another 60,000 years and no
one within 5000 years have ever recorded seeing such a sight. So
magnificent..... please do not avoid this sight........

Mars is going to be a second moon of earth for a day.

NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN.

The Red Planet (MARS) is about to be spectacular! This month and next,
Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in
the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history.

The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Due to the way
Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can
only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the last
5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens
again.

The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within
34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest
object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of - 2.9 and will
appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. By August 27, Mars will look as large as
the full moon to the naked eye. Mars will be easy to spot.

At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10p.m. and reach
its azimuth at about 3 a.m. by the end of August when the two planets
are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in
the sky at 12:30a.m. That's pretty convenient to see something that no
human being has seen in recorded history. So, mark your calendar at the
beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter
throughout the month.

What I really really want

2005-08-26T11:28:00.000Z

Is a CAT!

My first birthday present this year

2005-08-26T08:01:00.000Z

Yay I guess! :D

I got into work to find a big Lavender Teddy Bear on my desk from my boss, Bernadette. She's very lovely!

I think that maybe she got it for me so that I can sleep better at night, and it might get me into work on time!

My Sister

2005-08-25T20:47:00.000Z

My sister lives far far away with her little kiddies (two and a half kiddies) and her lovely husband.

I don't talk to my sister that often, and she only comes home to London once every year or so, so I don't see her that much either.

In fact, I've only seen my two nieces twice, but it doesn't change how much I love them.

I really love my sister even though we don't talk that much. There's alot of distance between us because we've been living in various different countries for nine years now, from when she was 13, so we've grown up apart too.

But I love her lots, I just don't know how to tell her so that she believes me.

What the reiki person said....

2005-08-25T14:37:00.000Z

The Reiki thing is as it is no?, no real reason for it, i can't tell you why just the energy flowing through...I hope you begin to regain a little faith in the energy of the universe, its there always whether we choose to see it or not....thinking of your hip though, what does the hip represent on the physical plain??what could it represent to you, I have a fairly good idea what it is but I'd rather you find it for yourself without thinking..

Hmmmmm......... Now, what would my hip represent? It's actually just below my hip, top of my thigh, but I don't think it represents anything other than the bit of my body that attaches my right leg to the rest of me..

Hmm....

Travelling Alone - Can I do it?

2005-08-25T09:12:00.000Z

When I told my housemate that I was thinking about doing a fortnight's holiday on my own, he said that I couldn't do it on my own, as I am too used to having my friends around. That sounds like a challenge to me!

All I can say

2005-08-24T12:32:00.000Z

Blind Melon - No Rain

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain
I like watchin' the puddles gather rain
And all I can do is just pour some tea for two
and speak my point of view
But it's not sane, It's not sane

I just want some one to say to me
I'll always be there when you wake
Ya know I'd like to keep my cheeks dry today
So stay with me and I'll have it made

And I don't understand why I sleep all day
And I start to complain that there's no rain
And all I can do is read a book to stay awake
And it rips my life away, but it's a great escape
escape...escape...escape...
All I can say is that my life is pretty plain
ya don't like my point of view
ya think I'm insane
Its not sane...it's not sane.

The Miracles of Mac concealer

2005-08-24T10:59:00.000Z

It's magical what it can do. The power of make up means that you can look wide awake happy and healthy when in fact, you're actually falling apart and nobody notices

Reiki a couple of days later..

2005-08-23T20:20:00.000Z

Now my left hip's got a pain in it. I'm suspicious!

ScoobyDoobyDiving

2005-08-23T19:03:00.000Z

I really miss diving, I haven't been for nearly a whole year.

I love being underwater, and I have my PADI license. I dreamt that I was diving yesterday

2005-08-23T18:20:00.001Z

'we are family

2005-08-23T18:20:00.000Z

why oh why?

2005-08-23T18:19:00.001Z

prom night in da hood

2005-08-23T18:19:00.000Z

woah mama!

Travelling on my own

2005-08-23T15:18:00.000Z

Would like ideas on where it's safe, fun and interesting with lots of stuff to do.

With lots of nice people, as I'll be on my tod.

Was thinking that I would like to go to the Far East, maybe China, Tibet or Mongolia, maybe Thailand.

Or maybe South America.

Suggestions, please :)

Friends

2005-08-23T11:04:00.000Z

You win some you lose some

Reiki and my right hip

2005-08-22T17:27:00.000Z

I had some reiki healing done yesterday and today by three different people.

Usually I just feel a tingling over my head and my hands but all three times, as soon as they passed their hands over my right hip I got a weird pain.

I don't have any problems with my hips at all, it was quite odd, I felt it, and all three of them felt my hip 'pulling' on their hands which means it kind of pulls the energy in to heal itself.

Hmm.. I feel better and a little bit more balanced now though.

Exploding Toads ... bizarre

2005-08-19T12:46:00.000Z

Visitors to Hamburg parks are being warned to watch out for exploding toads.

Several thousand toads in the city's parks have so far mysteriously spontaneously exploded, sending entrails and toad body parts over a wide area.

Vets and animal welfare workers said the mystery has decimated the city's toad population as well as the unpleasant problem of leaving toad parts scattered around parks and open spaces.

Eyewitnesses say the toads swell up to three and a half times their normal size before suddenly exploding - sending entrails flying metres into the air.

Nature protection worker Werner Smolnik from Hamburg said over the last four days at least a thousand toads had died in this manner in scenes reminiscent of a science fiction film.

He said: "It is a complete mystery, we have a lot of ideas which we are following up, but at the moment we haven't the faintest idea if any of them are correct.

"It could be an unknown virus, or a fungus that has infected the water or a defence mechanism against aggressive crows which have appeared in the area recently.

"You see the toads crawling along the ground, swelling and getting bigger as they go until they are like little tennis balls, and then they suddenly explode."

Vet Otto Horst added: "I have never seen a thing like it."

"It's a real puzzle," agreed Janne Kloepper from the Hamburg Institute for Hygiene and the Environment, adding: "If this keeps up, there will be no toads left in Hamburg."

I don't like notes .. No no I don't

2005-08-19T12:42:00.000Z

The Life of Amieunless they are nice..

I got home from work to find a post it note on my door saying THIS IS NOT A RUBBISH BIN in big black-marker angry letters.

There was a small bag of rubbish that was left outside the door until the morning (as I'm not going outside to put my rubbish out in the middle of the night)

I really hate notes like that. My old housemate would leave notes (always with the word disgusting in it), I used to call her Disgusted of Wandsworth...

What's wrong with a nice polite note? Do people not have the social skills to simply write a polite note? What's wrong with knocking on the door and having a quick polite word? I'm perfectly approachable and polite.

Humpff

Making an effort (joke)

2005-08-19T12:40:00.000Z

I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. but early on Monday morning, I received a call from his office to tell me that my appointment had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 AM.

I had just packed everyone off to work and school,and it was already around 8:45 AM. Since the trip to his office would take about 35 minutes, I didn't have any time to spare.

As most women do, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, but this time I wasn't going to be able to make the full effort. So, I rushed upstairs, threw off my pajamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in "that area" to make sure I was at least presentable.

I then threw the washcloth in the hamper, donned some clothes, hopped in the car and raced to my appointment. I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in.

Knowing the procedure, as I'm sure you do, I hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room and pretended that I was in Paris or some other place a million miles away. I was a little surprised when the doctor said, "My, we've made an extra effort this morning, haven't we?" I didn't respond.

After the exam, I heaved a sigh of relief and went home. The rest of the day was normal... some shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc.

After school when my six year old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, "Mommy, where's my washcloth?" I told her to get another one from the cupboard. She replied, "No, I need the one that was here by the sink, it had all my glitter and sparkles saved inside it."

Office Politics

2005-08-19T12:23:00.000Z

Hate them. But you can't get a bunch of people working in the same place without it happening.

Sometimes, though, it can provide a little smug entertainment! Muhahahaha.

---

I used to work with a girl, lets call her Karen

She was the receptionist, and her desk was right in front of mine.

She used msn messenger alot.

Mostly to bitch about me to people in sales. I always chose to rise above it, as I knew she was moving to another department and I am mostly non-confrontational kind of person.

Now she has gone to IT

and a new girl, K2 has started. She reports to me and we are the only two admin people in this particular office.

This morning K2 was on msn messenger and Karen was yes, bitching about me again. It makes me feel undermined, and this time it was quite harsh on my looks & clothes which made me feel bad (and today is not a good day anyway, still suffering from stress and the blues).

I spoke to K2 and told her that I saw it, and she which made me feel bad, as she is quite young and it isnt' really her, it's Karen.

I wrote Karen a letter

For your information, I saw what your msn messaging said about me this morning to K****. Also for your information, I have previously seen what you wrote to Jody about me before, including you saying that it was me that **********down and I was ' a little liar'.

I chose to rise above it previously, but now that it is happening again, and you are not even working with me anymore, I am not going to. It is totally unacceptable for you to undermine me professionally and to insult me and make jibes about me. It is hurtful and a very low thing to do. I was quite disappointed in you as a person and I expected better frankly.

I do not come into work to be insulted without reason or to have my integrity questioned by you. I am quite saddened as I don't feel like I have done anything to you to deserve this and I expected better behaviour.

It has upset me and made me feel very undermined with Katie who has just started here. It is hardly the right kind of start to have for us as we are both working together and it is not the way that things should be done. It is childlike behaviour when we are all adults here.

You clearly have a problem with me that you have not indicated or mentioned before. I would like to clarify this with you and find out what the problem is so that we can put a stop to this upsetting behaviour.

I think that we should meet up and discuss this before it gets out of hand.

Don't you just love being able to take the higher moral ground? Give them enough rope and they will hang themselves!

I'm feeling quite smug about this, as she is obviously pooing herself and has come over and grovelly apologised about this, saying how stupid she feels!

I've got this to look forward to though :)

2005-08-18T14:01:00.000Z

I'm going on a girlie camping holiday in Wales for four days next month! Woo Hoo!

It was the first time ever camped at Glastonbury and I loved every second of it.

I can't wait. Just us and the wilderness! I imagine campfires and girlie chats and marshmallows and scary stories.

Yay!

I'm really looking forward to being on holiday with Lana, she is such a lovely creature!

Messiness

2005-08-18T10:03:00.000Z

I feel really blue and messy. Just a general feeling of isolation and crapness today. Nothing to report other than that. You can be surrounded by people and yet feel very very alone.

Water, water, everwhere. But not a drop to drink.

(Seamus Heaney, the Ancient Mariner)

See, little things make you so happy

2005-08-17T14:38:00.000Z

My housemate bought me some really cool mascara back from the duty free when he was on holiday.

It's a small gift, but I don't get many of those at all. So when I do, it makes me sssooooo happy!

Awwwwwww........

It's the little things in life that make you happy!

2005-08-16T15:45:00.000Z

This is a tiny thing to be getting excited about, but I am!

I bought some really nice curtains about a month ago, and today I can collect them - woo hoo!

They are so nice, and they will KEEP out the light, at last - I'm going to have a good night's sleep - woo hoo!

Smoking

2005-08-15T17:23:00.000Z

I have quit smoking so many times.

I have tried patches, the Allan Carr method, gum, nicotine replacement plastic fake cigarettes. Nearly every method going.

I hate it, but end up succumbing every time.

If you've quit, how did you do it? Did it take you many times? Any advice? I'm getting depressed about it now...

My boss

2005-08-15T15:57:00.001Z

Just came in and gave me some new urgent work to do, 5 minutes before I am supposed to leave..

Grrrrrrr..........

He could have given it to me three hours ago.

Some times working sucks

My boss

2005-08-15T15:57:00.000Z

Just came in and gave me some new urgent work to do, 5 minutes before I am supposed to leave..

Grrrrrrr..........

He could have given it to me three hours ago.

Some times working sucks

Grief

2005-08-15T15:41:00.000Z

My friend, let's call him K has just called me and told me that his father has died.

I didn't know what to say. All I could do is offer my support and condolences, but it doesn't feel like enough.

Words sometimes just seem so inadequate

Grief

2005-08-15T15:40:00.000Z

A wobbly step, though..

2005-08-11T20:29:00.000Z

Well, it's Open University so I'll be doing most of the studying on my own at home with some tutorials.. and I'll still be working full time as well, it's going to be tough, but I'll do it

Step Taken

2005-08-11T20:18:00.000Z

Woo Hoo! I'm so excited! I've registered now!

Initially it's in Social Sciences. I've started to really want to understand more about people and society and how it's all changing.. Hopefully I'll be able to make a difference somehow and do something really good for me and for everyone else instead of being a corporate slave who makes money for people.

The course is separated into psychology, sociology, social policy, economics, politics and geography, and I have a really deep wish to understand all of these more deeply, especially with all the changes that are happening all around me, I want to do something productive and useful that matters and that will make a difference.

I'm still really trembly!!

(although that might be because I just realised I have to pay for the course in the next 6 weeks - )

A Big Step and A Wonderful Moment

2005-08-11T20:13:00.000Z

After much soul searching and an evergrowing deep frustration, I've decided to enrol for an Open University Degree starting in October.

It's a really really big thing for me because my chance at university was taken away from me, and it's always been my biggest (probably only regret) and it's made me feel really inferior sometimes (I know that it's silly, but it doesn't change the way I feel).

I'm really scared and really excited and lots of other things.. umm.. just thought I'd share that with you..

woohoo!

The Edinburgh Festival

2005-08-11T10:08:00.000Z

At last, I'm going!

I've always wanted to go to the Edinburgh festival, and now I am!

I'm off tomorrow, superexcited... I can't wait!

I've had a tough and miserable few weeks, and it'll be good to go, me merry, listen to lots of comedy and laugh myself to death!

questions... if you've got any... ask here...

2005-08-11T08:52:00.000Z

As you can see, I'm hardly an accomplished blogger, so any advice, hints or ideas you have for my blog are very welcome!!!

Any questions you may have, please ask... and I'll do my best to answer.. :D

Live Music - I'm lucky!

2005-08-11T08:50:00.000Z

I'm well chuffed!

I got tickets to see the Foo Fighters in December!

Woo Hoo!

I know the concert is not until December, but I am so very excited, I've like the Foo Fighters for a very long time. It's a shame that the Red Hot Chilli Peppers aren't playing this year :(

I've been quite lucky in the past year or so, I've seen some fantastic bands, like

The Beastie Boys
Embrace (3 times)
Kaiser Chiefs
Kasabian (twice)
Razorlight (twice)
Babyshambles (twice)
Lemonjelly (amazing)
Happy Mondays (brilliant)
The Farm (alright)
The Zutons (twice)
The White Stripes
Faithless
Groove Armada (chilled)
Mylo (twice)

too many bands to mention at Glastonbury!

I have tickets to go and see

The Prodigy (very exciting!)
Paul Butler Trio (not sure who they are, my housemate's taking me!)
Foo Fighters
Happy Mondays
The Metro Weekender

oh joy! yay!

The White Stripes

amie??

2005-08-10T21:53:00.000Z

It's pronounced ammie by the way! (just so you know)

2005-08-10T21:50:00.000Z

I just love this photo

2005-08-10T21:43:00.000Z

aha! my first picture! capture the moment!

The Life of Amie

2005-08-10T17:07:00.000Z

The Life of Amie

My fellow bloggers, I need some blogging help!

2005-08-10T16:42:00.000Z

Please tell me how to put pics up! I still haven't figured it out!

Can I also put up links? Gif files? How do I get a counter?

Thank you!

A

OK, I'm going to start this again.

2005-08-10T16:41:00.000Z

Oh Oh... I'm going to have to think of something to say, now!

Well, it's been awhile since I have written. Alot has happened since then. The London bombings for a start, which I thought would affect us Londoners profoundly. I didn't think that things would be the same, everything felt strange, uncertain and different. However, there is a feeling of solidarity that I've become aware of.

The whole 'We are not afraid' thing that started (although it's now turned into a bit of a parody!) was a wonderful example of the resiliance of Londoners and their resistance to adversity.

That adversity doesn't only come from the terrorists/bombers. There is also a lot of resistance to the judicial changes that are being suggested, and the infringement of our human rights which is now being suggested as legislation by the government. Londoners will not bow to the terrorists, even if that seems to be the agenda by some politicians (i.e. taking away our human rights and liberties is just pandering to the terrorists, that's exactly what they want, to change our ways).

I love London, it's my home, and I hope we can remain the same (or get better, just not worse).

Goodbye from me! A message for q8ibloger

2005-03-21T18:00:00.000Z

The Life of Amie

I have decided to start another blog due to the pollution of this blog by a certain q8ibloger who has freaked me out, pretended he is my family, been rude and pretty much ruined this blog for me.

This is a request for you if you are reading, q8ibloger, not to come onto my blogs any more. I do not want narrow-minded, ignorant and judgemental people near me. You are not welcome on my blog.

What a Beautiful Day

2005-03-18T15:49:00.000Z

The Life of Amie

A little bit of sunshine makes a lot of difference, I hope the sun has smiled on you today!

The Life of Amie

2005-03-18T14:10:00.000Z

The Life of Amie

2005-03-18T14:09:00.000Z

The Life of Amie

Sing With Me ......!.....!.... The Littlest Hobo!

There's a voice that keeps on calling me
Down the road is where I'll always be

Every stop I make, I'll make a new friend
Can't stay for long, just turn around and I'm gone again.

Maybe tomorrow, I'll want settle down,
Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on.

Down this road, that never seems to end,
Where new adventure, lies just around the bend.

So if you want to join me for a while
Just grab your hat, come travel light - that's hobo style.

Maybe tomorrow, I'll want settle down,
Until tomorrow, the whole world is my home.

So if you want to join me for a while
Just grab your hat, come travel light
That's hobo style.

Maybe tomorrow, I'll want settle down,
Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on.

Instrumental Bridge

Maybe tomorrow, I'll want settle down,
Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on.

There's a world, that's waiting to unfold,
A brand new tale, no one has ever told,

We've journey'd far but, you know it won't be long,
We're almost there and we've paid our fare, with the hobo song.

Maybe tomorrow, I'll want settle down,
Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on.

So if you want to join me for a while
Just grab your hat, come travel light - that's hobo style.

Maybe tomorrow, I'll find what I call home
Until tomorrow, you know I'm free to roam.

The Life of Amie: testing 1 2 3

2005-03-18T11:12:00.000Z

The Life of Amie: testing 1 2 3: "Yesterday I spent at the police station as I had to go to an identity parade.

I made a positive identification.

Three weeks ago, I ordered a licensed cab, the driver was a complete psycho who got physical with me when I tried to get out.

A real nasty piece of work. Thankfully, some of my brains were working, so I got his license number and details.

The police told me that he is known to them and has done this before. I am just glad that I am ok, and all I escaped with were cuts and bruises (the ones on my hand will probably scar me for life).

The man is being charges with Assault, Actual Bodily Harm, Threats to Kill, and Blackmail.

Never get in a minicab, ever!"

The Life of Amie: testing 1 2 3

2005-03-18T10:27:00.000Z

The Life of Amie: testing 1 2 3Hmmm........ q8ibloger,

you need to listen.

I DO NOT know you, and you do not know me. I lived in LONDON in 2002,I have never 'hung out' with you, I have never met you, I do not pronounce my name 'emel', I am known by a completely different name, and I am not half Kuwaiti, alright?

You clearly have me confused with somebody else.

testing 1 2 3

2005-02-06T16:18:00.000Z

testing