stuff i like

i like...

• not having to know why or having to justify to myself the writing of this list


• watching a movie and afterwards going on the internet and reading other people's reviews and opinions about it, to see how my interpretation fits in with others. It's like discussing it with friends but on a much larger and more thought-out scale*.


• seeing beautiful women, in real life. Naturally beautiful, not classically or put-on.


• laughing at something with people and knowing that most others wouldn't. It's like finding a treasure (though I can't say I've ever literally found a pirate's treasure).


• things that someone has spent time creating without regard for the status or level of respect it will bring them, but because they wanted to make it.


• things and created representations of things without complication; simple and honest, be they brutal pains and ugliness or innocent dreams and joys.


• insights beyond the superficial, to the heart of matters, even when that heart is of no practical use for the many.


• having time to do nothing (the opposite of having no time for anything).


• indulging in base pleasures, chocolate, tv, sex.


• losing myself to music / finding the creative spirit in music commonly ignored or unknown.


• cuddling, kissing, petting, playing with a partner.


• big stories in small spaces.


• long, hot showers.


• skiing on snow (though I've only done it once).


• when doing a set task that is mindless, repetative and boring, doing it properly and completely (not to be confused with a liking of or desire to seek out those kinds of tasks).


• completing a computer game. passing a test or exam.


• the feeling of the belief you may well be genuinely helping someone.


• having the belief in having made the right decision.


• being romantic for someone.


• playful absurdity and creatively/expressively adjusted normality.


• bravery in the face of what is expected.


• saving something. savouring something.


• the drifting to and from consciousness and sleep beside one you love.


• the good surprises.

*My desire of this kind following disappointment at The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie is how this list got started.

Political Spaff

I think the 'general opinion' is that Mr Blair is a liar and a bit of the 'bad guy' in the eyes of those who consider themselves terribly cynical of all this politics business. I, myself, have always liked the man. Whenever I actually saw/heard him speak and discuss issues he seemed to make a lot of sense, to cut through a lot of opposition-bashing and have a real appreciation for the different sides of an issue. Coming up against this was my bewilderment at his leading the country to war in Iraq, something I went up to London to shout about a bit (though I'm not wanting to get involved in those silly hippy-marches if I can help it). So, ever since then, I've been supportive of Blair against the haters, but really confused about how to understand the Iraq issue.

Today, makes me a late-comer to the crowd of Blair-booing. Boo!

The Sunday Times has a front-page article about a newly-revealed secret document from Downing Street (their security is a bit lax these days, don't you think?). It's a record of the minutes from a meeting made in July 2002. In it, it's clear the decision to go to war with Iraq is pretty much made, and that the justification and legality of this decision must be found and made later. Again, I don't like to be outrightly cynical of all that is said by politicians, in fact, I believe many are there as MPs because they have a passion for bringing about what they believe is right for our country. So, this came as a shock to me, forcing me to concede the blatant lies and manipulation of public opinion attempted by, it seems primarily, Mr Blair.

The article can be read here, and at the bottom is a link to the document itself.

I feel I support Labour and their work, but at the moment am angry with Blair and don't wish to see him as Prime Minister. It feels wrong to me to vote against a party I support just because I don't like the figurehead. The election shouldn't be a popularity contest for the party leaders. I'm left where I was before, but a little more incensed. It's between Lab and LibD for me, and I don't know which little box to mark on Thursday.