the expansion of my horizons

[tahariel]

On an unrelated note to the bulk of this post, every time I go shopping in High Wycombe I get hit on by the shop assistants. I am not kidding. This is the fourth time in a row - today the guy behind the counter in Currys told me that I looked very beautiful today(!) Obviously this is very flattering, but this is the only place it happens to me, which is rather disconcerting. Clearly me and Wycombe have some kind of weird relationship going on.

Anyway, on to what I wanted to talk about today! Sadly, I have not seen any more films I want to talk about (oh, wait, I watched two Sherlock Holmes movies this week, maybe I'll write about those... not right now though.)

I kind of have all these grand plans for things I want to do now that I'm not going to have homework any more and I'm going to move out on my own and have a job like a grown up person and all. One of my plans, one of the easiest ones, is that I really want to expand my cultural horizons. I've spent the last three years watching shows I was fairly certain I'd like, listening to the same sort of music, reading the same sort of books. And I still enjoy all of those things, but I'd like to find even more different things that I like.

I want to listen to different music and read different books - read non-fiction and poetry! Learn about things I don't have any idea about! I want to expand not only my horizons but myself, make myself a more well-rounded person while I have the time.

To that end, I'd like to ask you all a favour. It's nothing time-consuming or difficult. Could you recommend me your favourite album? Link me to something you find really interesting, some obscure fact or hobby? What's your favourite book? I don't care what it is, I want to try lots of things. But I could do with some pointers, or else there's a lot of stuff out there to wade through!

BTW, I am considering going away for the bank holiday weekend in August, since I'm not going on holiday this year. Only in the UK, maybe to Scotland or Wales, I haven't made my mind up yet. Would anyone be interested in coming with? I'm not looking to do anything expensive, just get away for a couple of days.

Comments

[pobbit.livejournal.com]

OK. I don't have a favourite album and what I listen to goes in phases. At the moment it is a bit of swing and rock n roll. Anything from Elvis to Helen Shapiro. There are some great youtube videos out there too (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGaniQwoEiQ). These guys inspired me to try Ceroc dancing http://www.ceroc.uk.com/.
I also love any kind of Irish music (blame Riverdance).
One book that really stuck with me was 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac. It has some great descriptions of jazz bars and travelling across the USA.
Also, if you like the idea of a female, Victorian-era Indianna Jones Egyptologist, try reading the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. They are great adventure books.

[tahariel.livejournal.com]

Those all sound awesome, thank you :D

[tellezara.livejournal.com]

This is the album I'm currently obsessed with:

Eskimo Joe - Inshalla

And if you want a really interesting non-fiction book, I'd recommend This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel Levitin. There's some heavy neuroanatomy in there but it's a fascinating read!

[tahariel.livejournal.com]

Sounds awesome, thank you!

[tellezara.livejournal.com]

Btw, if you ever need crash space in Scotland I'm here! ^^

[tahariel.livejournal.com]

Okay, thanks :D

[aliiyn.livejournal.com]

Hey lovely,

How is life going? Was wondering about that bank holiday weekend; if you want some company I should be free then so long as I don't have to do resits (last exam today-nightmare, no one is happy!) Where were you thinking of heading?

[tahariel.livejournal.com]

Life's pretty good right now, everything seems to be slotting into place :D You?

I was thinking Edinburgh maybe, if it's not the festival weekend - I would have to check.

On a different note, are you free any time in the next three weeks? I could come visit you, it's been too long :)

[aliiyn.livejournal.com]

Not bad! Just finished exams and now just have the dissertation to lough through. After that, I am pretty much at a loose end.

Apart from the 11th when I have a job interview and the 19th when I have to submit, I am free over the next 3 weeks if you fancied heading down to Oxford. Maybe go for lunch/spend an evening indulging in films and geeky tv?

[tahariel.livejournal.com]

Any time week of the 15th is good for me, and watching geeky tv sounds awesome :D How do you feel about Wednesday 17th? Or would you rather have the time to polish off efore you submit?

[aliiyn.livejournal.com]

As much as I would LOVE to, probably best to wait until I have submitted and moved past the post thesis crazy!

What you doing that weekend? I hand in on Friday so will be free after 10:30!

[tahariel.livejournal.com]

Sorry, going to Stonehenge with ionaonie that weekend. Sometime during the week, maybe? Weekends are pretty booked for me now, and I start my new job on the 6th July.

[magic-at-mungos.livejournal.com]

Ood, It'll be nice to get away for a couple of days then

[tahariel.livejournal.com]

Interested, or just commenting? :)

[magic-at-mungos.livejournal.com]

Interested! As another thought, have you watched Fire, Water and Earth by Deepa Mehta. (A trilogy of films all set in India) They're all beautifully shot.

[tahariel.livejournal.com]

I'll let you know, then, what I decide to do! :D

No, I haven't, but I will see if I can get them :)

[magic-at-mungos.livejournal.com]

Despite Amazonfail, it may be difficult getting on the High street so it may have to be Amazon to get them. Try play.com or HMV online first x

[frodo-esque.livejournal.com]

Hello! We exchanged posts on rm's journal today and was wondering if I might add you? Actually, I went ahead and added you (sorry for doing so first!), and can remove if desired.

Take care!

[tahariel.livejournal.com]

That's absolutely fine, I added you right back :D