Happy new year everyone! May it be beautiful and fulfilling for you all. I pray that you all are blessed.

I rung in the new year with one set of my in-laws to be, watching the chaotic wonder of Jools Holland's annual Hootnanny. We all snacked gloriously and Anthony's Mum let the old year out the back door and the new year in the front. A nice idea. I may try to do that in the future. Anyway, it was a lovely low-key way to finish off one decade and usher in another.

Anthony and I went into Bath yesterday, took a bracing open-top bus tour and then hit the shops for the sales. Anthony got The Seeds of Death - a Patrick Troughton Doctor Who episode - and Something, Something Dark Side, the Family Guy riff of The Empire Strikes Back. I got St Trinian's, the only one of my 'films I want to buy on DVD 'cause I love and watch them so many times' that I could find. I was close to buying a copy of The Muppets Christmas Carol but I know the DVD hasn't got the 'When Love is Gone' scene in which upsets me. So I'm holding out for when maybe its released with that song intact. Also considered The Dark is Rising as its got Christopher Eccleston in and looks like the sort of film that makes for great fanfic. Must see GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra for the same reason.

A truly lovely evening was watching Star Trek on DVD with my parents. They both loved it, saying it really captured the spirit of the original series. It was my first time seeing the film since I saw it in the cinema and it really was just as good as I remembered. It also spurred me into searching out McCoy/Chapel fics, even though Christine herself doesn't appear in the film.

Yesterday was a cinema day. My parents and Si went to see Nowhere Boy, all about John Lennon's early years, and me and Anthony hit Sherlock Holmes. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
( Spoilery thoughts on Sherlock Holmes )

The days feel weird. I've kinda lost hold of them. Not sure which is which.
It's been a good Christmas day though. There's been stockings, church, many presents, and the awesomeness of vicious family rounds of Articulate. And we watched White Christmas, Dad's favourite film. It's so darn funny and festive. Danny Kaye rules it with his fantastic dancing, as does Vera-Ellen. Sheer fabulousness. Everyone should experience it.

Merry Christmas, Yule and all the other gorgeous festivals :) Much love and spiritual goodness to you all. I hope your day has been as wonderfully weird and fulfilling as mine!

Check out this Lord of the Rings fan film, called Born of Hope. It's the story of Aragorn's parents, adapted from the appendices of the books. And it's stunning.

Yay, it's December! Happy Advent, everyone! I can feel myself crawling closer to Christmas, which makes me very happy. Best time of year ever. Si claims to be coming home purely for Christmas dinner, I think he really missed it last year whilst in Thailand.

It's spookily quiet at work today. It has been for the past week or so. It's nice not to be overrun with students, but it does make things a mite creepy, especially as I go past the mortuary at the end of my shift. It would be worse at Halloween methinks.

St Trinian's was as wonderful as promised. Seriously fun. A great big dollop of Britishness, fighting for a cause with anarchy and awesome teamwork. Gemma Arterton knows how to work a pencil skirt! I'd dress like that at work if I thought I could get away with it. Offered an article on the film to my Damaris editor and he said he'd like something brief. Um....oops? It's not long, just not brief either. Am hoping to get it done and polished for the week of the sequel's release (18th). I am channeling Miss Fritton's fantastically barmy and supportive spirit, only without the whiskey, smoking, and dog.

Am very much intrigued by Guy Richie's take on Sherlock Holmes. The film comes out on 25th December and am hoping to persuade my family see it with me. Richie is a tad hit and miss for me, I very much enjoyed Snatch though. And the trailer was very much inticing. I do like me some Robert Downey Jr. I've still got to see Iron Man. Bad geek girl! Anthony is a big Sherlock Holmes fan so maybe we can go see it in January. He may not appreciate the rough and ready reimagining though.

Happy Turkey Day to all my American friends! I really hope you had an amazing day, spent loads of time with your families, and had a gorgeous meal!

I am hoping to get St Trinian's out on DVD tomorrow. I've got the biggest girlcrush on Gemma Alterton and it needs sating til Prince of Persia: Sands of Time comes out next year - trailer looks amazing for that too. Got a thing for big fun adventure films, though there has to be some substance there too. I draw the line at Michael Bay!!

Hard to believe that Christmas is less than a month away. I still have presents to buy, a railcard to renew, train tickets to pick up.....
Can't wait though. I can't believe I'll get to see Si! It's gonna be chaos but amazing too.

Mum and Dad are off to the O2 Arena in London this weekend to see the tennis. I am hugely jealous that they'll get to see Roger Federer play. But I'm also so glad that they're using the extra money they no longer have to spend on their kids on themselves in wonderful ways. Go parentals!

Anthony's Mum and stepdad have bought a new dog, from the same rescue centre where they got Hannah. Spike is a black spaniel and is adorable. I can't wait to meet him after Christmas :) That house would feel so empty and strange without a dog and they all miss Hannah so much. We're definitely gonna end up getting at least one dog. I've definitely come round to the idea.

Edward Woodward 1930 - 2009
A terrific actor who mastered the art of coiled rage. He will never be forgotten thanks to his lead role in the cult horror film, The Wicker Man, and as the title characters in TV classics Callan and The Equalizer. I will love him forever for his Harry Malone on short-lived show CI5: The New Professionals. He died peacefully in Cornwall surrounded by friends and family.

Tribute to Edward Woodward by Edgar Wright - who directed him in Hot Fuzz. Truly heartfelt and lovely.

My laptop mousepad refuses to respond so I'm forced to use a normal mouse all plugged in. I am scrambling to find someone to fix it. Maybe Jon's housemate who has so much computery knowledge?

Spent the past weekend in Cornwall with the parentals and went to see White Christmas at the theate. It's a wonderful traditional musical, adapted well from the awesome film. And they made it snow indoors! I was delighted. Go and see it people, either in Plymouth or when it moves to Salford soon. A great way to get into the festive spirit.

A happy Halloween to all who celebrated. I stayed in, lit a candle, and watched The Crow. As is my tradition. I try not to watch it too often, I don't want it to lose its power, you know? And the closing narration made me cry, as always:

"When the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever"

Continuing the Halloween theme:
Rama Lama - the infamous Emmy-winning routine from So You Think You Can Dance? season 2. Creepifying and perfect. Seems like the right mood.

I have discovered White Collar, thanks to a positive review from marcicat . It's a delightful show, with great charm and wonderful interesting characters and fun twisty plots. And Matthew Bomer is wonderful, as he was in Chuck. Seriously, check it out.
My favourite White Collar fic so far is: Kate, Short for Kevin by moonythestrals
Barty is getting sicker. He is at the vets, possibly suffering from anemia. He hasn't been eating and looks miserable, sitting in his cage as he heals. I am worried.

RIP John Hughes

There will never be another like you, who understood teenagers on such a wonderful level. Your films are not just pieces of 80s nostalgia, they still stand up and are loved by each new generation that discovers them. For me, it's The Breakfast Club that stands out. I can't thank you enough for it. I see myself in both the Basket Case and the Nerd and it was a wonderful gem to find.

There can be no finer tribute than this - the account of a teenager he became penpals with. It has to be read. Especially after this.

Thank you, John Hughes. For understanding us and putting us out there, for connecting with us, for making us laugh and for making us hopeful. For everything.