http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Liri&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Liri en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:52:38 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/15918086/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/15918086/ Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:41:33 PST
I'm currently undertaking my long study for university - the practical side of it is called "The art of a woman"

It's essentially about all the things women are, the people they can be, the struggles they face. The way they're used to sell things, expectations people have of us, the way religion see us...

It will be split into:
Sexuality
Religion
Age
Role

The first part (sexuality) - some of it's been uploaded already so please let me know what you think, I really need critique!

Thanks xxx

]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/7159539/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/7159539/ Sun, 27 Nov 2005 15:20:14 PST

Mood: Arty
Listening to: Harry Potter 4 - Audiobook
Reading: The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera

As I haven't been on here for around a year, I thought I'd come back and give a bit of an update on my life. It's changed quite a bit!

I'm now studying Digital Art and Design at Hull University - I'm based at the Scarborough campus. For those of you that don't know where it is, it's on the North East coast of England, not far from York. It's a really pretty place, a bit quiet and FREEZING in winter, but it's by the sea, has two lovely sandy beaches, lots of parks and it's backed by the Yorkshire Moors.

The course is fab - the perfect mix of technical and artistic endeavours. I've been here a term and have learnt loads - from hand coding W3C web standards compliant websites (quite tedious but interesting!) to studying the finer points of the surrealist movement. At the moment I'm making a game for children - it's pretty basic but quite fun - about Monty the Mushroom and his evil nemesis Bob the Bad Mushroom.... I've also done 3 pieces using photoshop - and in doing these have missed deviantart quite a bit!

I'm living in a house with 7 other students. We all get on really well - which is nice. Alex - my boyfriend of almost 2 years now - and me have the ground floor. The house is split into flats. (Most of Scarborough is!) It's an old victorian building with high ceilings and pretty light fittings. Huge rooms! Only problem is it's so very very cold, and our cooker looks like something from the stone age!

I spent last year (my gap year) working for Notts County Council on their website and being the Nottinghamshire Youth MP. I also travelled quite a bit (Eastern Europe) and made new friends. I learnt a lot about myself and my expectations about life - enough to change my career direction from Politics to Art. Politics is still a big interest, it's just not something that's right for me at the moment - I'm only 20!

Anyway. That's enough about me....


Please - if anyone's reading this who I used to have contact with, please note me and I'll give you my MSN. I'd love to get in touch again. I miss my American buddies.

]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/2672399/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/2672399/ Wed, 16 Jun 2004 06:53:30 PDT Does B always follow A?

Why?

Oh, and I'm back, for the next couple of weeks anyway. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1734932/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1734932/ Sat, 24 Jan 2004 16:40:09 PST Descartes walks into a café and sits down ready to order. A waiter comes up to him and asks, "Do you need a menu?"
Descartes replies, "I think not," and he disappears!

I just lost a game of Checkers with Tim. I am a BAD loser. But I won the debate. And that's what matters. Right?

The Question for Today:

Should people with genetically transferable disabilities and disorders be sterilised to prevent their children suffering?

Why? Why not?

Please try to refrain from using words such as Nazi in here. It's about Ethics, not History!

]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1719015/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1719015/ Wed, 21 Jan 2004 16:49:13 PST Tonight, my invisible pink triangular square that jumps into your hand when you whistle and looks somewhat like an invisible parrot, met Tims un-seeable blue 5-sided, battery-operated rectangle

It was


Some people won't get these.... but they had me laughing for so long tonight!

Descartes walks into a café and sits down ready to order. A waiter comes up to him and asks, "Do you need a menu?"
Descartes replies, "I think not," and he disappears!

A philosopher went into a closet for ten years to contemplate the question, What is life?
When he came out, he went into the street and met an old colleague, who asked him where in heaven's name he had been all those years.
"In a closet," he replied. "I wanted to know what life really is."
His colleague asked, "And have you found an answer?"
"Yes," he replied. "I think it can best be expressed by saying that life is like a bridge."
"That's all well and good," replied the colleague, "but can you be a little more explicit? Can you tell me how life is like a bridge?"
"Oh," replied the philosopher after some thought, "maybe you're right; perhaps life is not like a bridge."



Tech Support Nietzsche Style

When a user is calling in need of help, don't forget that he is a weakling. Only a loser would need to come groveling to you, begging for crumbs of help that may fall from your godlike lips. And he knows that he is a loser in the race of the weak and the strong, that his kind is doomed to extinction. Therefore, show him no mercy. Treat him with the utter contempt that he deserves. It is the law of nature that you should do so.

Key Phrases:

"You aren't very smart, are you?"
"I can't believe you call yourself a programmer!"
"Our product is obviously too complex and advanced for you. Please desist from using it -- you are soiling it."

Nevertheless, there may come a time when you actually must help the user, even though he is sucking away your magnificent intellectual vitality with his grotesque shambling confusion. He is a lower form of life and you must make him feel it, lest he take on ambitions of evolving to your level.

Key Phrases:

"Now I will read aloud the section of the manual that you failed to comprehend."
"You have ignominiously blundered on line 35, committing an error that a Mongoloid programming an abacus would be ashamed of."
"What you've done in your function foo is the coding equivalent of failing to empty your colostomy bag."

Alas, upon occasion there comes a time when it is obvious that the compiler is at fault. This is no reason to let the user feel superior to anyone, however. The design of a compiler is still far beyond his limited mental capacities. His duty is to worship, not criticize.

Key Phrases:

"The inner workings of the compiler are far beyond your antlike comprehension."
"That behavior is described in ANSI specification 21.11.45.7.3.8. You are familiar with that section, I assume..."
"Our software can behave in that manner only if it has been corrupted by long exposure to users of your caliber."

And finally, a user may eventually want you to code something for him, or send him an example. The user has asked something that is against the laws of nature. Such creatures as himself exist to serve you and not you him. Therefore such a request is impossible and against nature, and does not exist, and therefore never happened. Response is not possible.

Yes. I am feeling silly! ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1716603/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1716603/ Wed, 21 Jan 2004 06:40:39 PST I know this is a long journal... the conversation helps explain this question.

What defines something/someone as 'alive'?
When does life begin?
Without an ending, can we say whether something really began?
We're Human, and define things by Time.
Is that Time of our own creation, or is it separate to us?

An MSN conversation with a guy I met at Cambidge.

Me: Liriloops
Tim:Marooned in space... Chilly


Marooned in space... Chilly says:
read the sections on marriage and drugs

Liriloops says:
ok

Marooned in space... Chilly says:
[link] that's the full transcript, in case you missed it

Liriloops says:
ok...
read the dugs bit
how is that wrong?

Marooned in space... Chilly says:
And they are instilled in us by fundamental institutions, such as families, and schools, and religious congregations. These institutions, the unseen pillars of civilisation, must remain strong in America, and we will defend them.

Liriloops says:
yeah it's true though

Marooned in space... Chilly says:
for him maybe
not everyone believes the same way he does

Liriloops says:
no it's factual, church-going teens are far less likely to contract an STD or take drugs.
and families and schools ARE pillars of any society, whether you agree with them or not

Marooned in space... Chilly says:
not of any society, of the society Bush wants maybe

Liriloops says:
Of America then
which is who he's addressing

Marooned in space... Chilly says:
of the America Bush envisons

Liriloops says:
no, of the America that exists.
family breakdown, decline in religious attendance and higher truancy are directly proportional to the increase of drug use and std's. that's fact!

Marooned in space... Chilly says:
facts you can back up with independant results?
i.e. not ones obtained by religious groups, or Bush's administration?

Liriloops says:
facts that are taught in my sociology classes
we've studied education, religion and the family

Marooned in space... Chilly says:
you've studied particular theories on the above, i'm sure you could find any number of experts who think the polar opposite

Liriloops says:
you can't. look at it logically, take the family breakdown thing, right?
Families breakdown, kids choose which parent to live with (mainly, I know sometimes there's legal reasons why a court has to decide). A lot of parents feel guilty for this and give their kids money for not being around as much. This can be (and isn't always) used to fund drug habits, which are perpetuated by the fact that a child/teen now feels insecure. Parents aren't around as much, therefore attention is limited, drug use certainly grabs attention.
they're just psychological explanations for a statistical fact- kids from single parent familes proportionally use far more drugs that those from 'stable' homes. im not saying thats the case in every home, but it is the case in many, especially in inner city areas where divorce rates are higher.

Marooned in space... Chilly says:
but what is a family, and who decides what a good or bad family should be?

Liriloops says:
"A social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation and reproduction, including adults of both sexes, at least one of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults."

Marooned in space... Chilly says:
how clinical
and that's a good family?

Liriloops says:
thats a family

Marooned in space... Chilly says:
what is the definition of a good family?

Liriloops says:
'good' is entirely subjective
from my point of view, it'd be one which, whatever the gender of the 'parents', provides a stable environment for... ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1705280/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1705280/ Mon, 19 Jan 2004 07:39:36 PST Mood: Intrigued
Listening to: MercyMe - I can only imagine
Reading: Human, all too human. - Nietzsche

Cowardice

Is it part of a human condition which can neither be chosen, nor controlled?

Discuss! ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1704955/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1704955/ Mon, 19 Jan 2004 05:55:57 PST
I don't want to lose my temper but I have a knot in my stomach. If this doesn't get sorted out soon, he will pay. Hurt my family, you hurt me.

Mood: Angry
Listening to: MercyMe - I can only imagine
Reading: A level Politics textbook

~~The Last:~~

-Thing I said: Goodbye, dear, sweet Sam
-Song I sang to: Delirious: Obsession
-Thing I ate: Ben & Jerry's.
-Thing I drank: Orange juice
-Thing I put on: Sexy new shoes
-Thing I borrowed: My brothers mobile
-Thing I bought: The cutest jumper ever
-Person I thought of: Mr. James Hippey esq. (AKA: J)
-Thing I smiled at: Sam and his random happy antics
-Thing I laughed at: Properly? The concept of kidnapping a guitar and replacing it with a note saying 'Gone to Bermuda, back soon'. As revenge for an attack of the shaving foam.
-Thing I cried at: Saturday night- when explaining to Anja about certain things I can't forget about my past
-Time I was truly happy?:Now
-Time I went to the doctors?:Don't actually remember!
-Time I went out of the house?:Last night, to meet James for hot chocolate
-Time I went swimming?:Aaaaages ago. To an 'Aquafit' class
-Time I saw a football game?:Years ago. I went to watch Notts. Forest with some guy pals. Never went again....
-Time I phoned someone?:Last night, Sam
-Time someone phoned me:About 20 seconds ago. Didn't wanna speak to him!
-Time I emailed someone: Yesterday
-Time someone emailed me:Just now.
-Time I wrote a letter?:Yesterday
-Time I hit someone/something:Last night. I'd just found out that my brother had been accused of something he wouldn't dream of doing. Anything that affects my family affects me. I hit my wall. Hard.
-Time I was really angry: Last night
-Person I hugged?:Dom
-Person I kissed:James
-Time I called someone by another name: Speaking to Sam on the phone- called him Dom. Oops!
-Time I put something on the wall: Photo of J
-Album I bought:Nightwish - Century Child
-Song I really, really like: Michael W. Smith - Above all. It made me cry
-Time I threw up:I haven't in years.... probably when I was extremely drunk, in Greece about 2 years ago.
-Time I was ill:Last week. All flu-ey.
-Time I drove a car:Never! Apart from dodgems. But they don't count... Driving lesson booked for 9th Feb though.
-Time I walked in the snow:Just before Christmas. Was beautifully refreshing.
-Time I threw something away:Last night.
-Book I read:The Worlds Stupidest Laws
-Film I saw:Stuck on you
-Time I danced:New years morning. The Tango with Sam.

~~BORING STUFF:~~

FULL NAME: Sarah Ruth Francis
NICKNAME: Saz, Snazzles, Splaz, Sazzipoo, Sarahkins, Liri, Little Pop
GENDER: Female
AGE:18
SCHOOL: The Brunts School
YEAR LEVEL: 13/6th Form
FAMILY MEMBERS: Dad, Mum, Matt (16) and Amos (10)HOBBIES: Talking philosophy with friends, debating with anyone who'll argue back, creating theories, creating havoc, music, singing, writing poetry, writing letters, dreaming, county assembly, youthwork, kids clubs, talking on the phone, church, reading....

There are more. And the above are in no order!

HEIGHT: 5ft exactly
EYE COLOUR:Blue/green. Depends on mood and weather, they change.
HAIR COLOURark brown with red lowlights.
ARE YOU RELIGIOUS:I'm a Christian

~~LOVE LIFE:~~

DO YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND, GIRLFRIEND OR SOMEONE YOU LIKE: Yes
ARE THEY YOUR AGE: No
WHATS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT A POTENTIAL DATE: Beauty, or eyes and smile.
WHATS A BIG TURN OFF: Baby talk! And others, but I'm not putting them up here.
DO YOU PREFER A FLING, OR A FULL ON RELATIONSHIP: Relationship.
WHEN AND WHERE WAS YOUR FIRST KISS: Guy called Gareth, my best friend and partner in crime when I lived in Wales... fantastic guy who I miss very very much.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE:Y... ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1666527/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1666527/ Tue, 13 Jan 2004 03:05:07 PST
Mood: Thoughtful
Listening to: T'pau - China in your hand
Reading: Santayana- A sense of Beauty

.

I listened to Adagio for Strings last night. In my candlelit room, under a cloud of coconut incense. Have you ever experienced looking into a mirror and gazing back at someone who you don't know? Have you ever wondered what life would be like on the other side of the mirror? If things had been different?

It's a strange, scary feeling. Tears sting and glisten and shimmer on soft cheeks- yet have a eerie glow in firelight. Emotions and towers and dreams fall, so too do people.

Stupid thing of the day, Courtesy of Toby:
On an exam paper:

-Answer all the questions in the space provided- no shit?!
-'This page is blank' written at the bottom of a page -Not anymore, sunshine!
-Leave margin blank (written in no-longer-blank margin)
-You will need a pen... No shit?!


He makes me giggle.
-

.

...The painted skies of heaven sounded out her death last night. And scorpions sang, the stings in their tails dancing across sand-covered mountain tops. No-one was there to read her eulogy, she died as she lived. Alone. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1636293/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1636293/ Tue, 06 Jan 2004 01:05:47 PST Yeah I'm bored... waiting for Sam so we can get on with talking....I can't believe I'm in school this early when I don't have to be!

100 Things about me:
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Copy this whole list into your journal.
2. Bold the things that are true about you.
3. Whatever you don't bold are false


01. When I was younger I made some bad decisions
02. I don't watch much TV these days
03. I love psychadelic mushrooms
04. I love sleeping
05. I have loads of books
06. I once slept in a toilet
07. I love playing video games
08. I like marijuana
09. I watch porn movies least I did a few months ago...
10. I watch them with my father
11. I like sharks
12. I love spiders, I think they're adorable, especially the ones with bright colours on their backs
13. I was born without hair and I still have no hair
14. I like G. Bush
15. People are cool.
16. I have changed a lot mentally over the last year
17. I have a lot to learn
19. I carry my knife everywhere with myself
20. I'm really really smart or so people keep telling me...
21. I've never broken someone's bones
22. I have a secret
23. I hate snow
24. I drink only milk
25. I drink too much water
26. I hate microsoft with a passion...
27. I love Chinese food
28. I would hate to be famous in some respects very much so...
29. I am not a morning person
30. I wear glasses
31. I don't need glasses, except sunglasses
32. I have potential
33. I'm pure Japanese
34. My legs are two different sizes
35. I have a twin
36. I'm wearing a padded bra
37. I can ramble on about absolutely nothing
38. I'm left-handed (does ambidextrous count?)
39. I hate llamas, but I'm one of them
40. I don't like horror movies
41. I suck at climbing, but I love it anyway
42. People hate me usually ...I guess it comes with the job.
43. I love pop music
44. I hardly ever go to bed before midnight
45. I hate parking fines
46. I know national anthem of my country by heart
47. I know more than two languages
48. I spend too much time on the computer
49. I often want to throw out the computer in a window ...and I have before.
50. I live on a ground floor my office is downstairs, I rarely leave it.
51. I don't like chocolate
52. I'd like to be more original
53. I've lied
54. Cocks are my favorite birds
55. I want to conquer the world
56. I wonder what happens when you die
57. I've read all books about Harry Potter
58. Eat your dog!
59. I love to exercise.
60. I hate chemistry with a passion
61. I love to write
62. I like changes
63. I hate going to class
64. I am afraid to die
65. I hate dish washing
66. My hair is long, brown, and incredibly curly
67. My nails are nine inch long
68. My favorite color is black (it's not a colour )
69. I like to sleep on the floor sometimes...
70. I am hopeless at cooking
71. I sucked my thumb when I was little.
72. I should be doing somehting else rather than writing this
73. I am online a lot, but not in MSN
74. I hate government
75. I don't have a girlfriend/boyfriend
76. I'm too nice for my own good.
77. I love to read, I read as much as I can.
78. I don't trust newspapers
79. I like debating
80. I live in a vagon
81. I clean my room once a month
82. I'm scared of american fast food
83. I have a third eye
84. I love Mozambique
85. I don't trust any religion.
86. I used to play with barbies because all the other girls were doing it
87. I wanted to be a super hero when I was little.
88. I like listening to wind chimes sometimes ...and then others I want to set them on fire and shoot the owner
89. I'm very disorganized
90. My hair is long and straight
91. I earn a lot
92. I don't like spicy food
93. I keep a diary
94. I can't do cartwheels
95. I am very lazy
96. I'm sarcastic
97. I think my hair is annoying
98. I'm very sensitive about some things...
99. I love being "ab-normal"
100. My left eye is violet and my right eye is a light blue. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1564075/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1564075/ Sun, 21 Dec 2003 12:02:13 PST ever felt things like this before- and I don't know what to do.

Yes. I met James.

And he's wonderful, special, yummy... in every way possible. He laughed with me, (and at me!) , loved the smell of my hair, wiped away my tears, hugged me, tried to get me to eat with chopsticks, talked with me, connected with me, held my hands, took me down cobbled streets, didn't care that I looked daft first thing in the morning, watched the sunrise with me, shared my love for Aladdin, let me spike his hair up into randomness, kept me warm when I was cold, sang with me, snuggled up to me on the sofa, respected me, stuck to his guns, and loved me.



Just.... wow. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1521562/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1521562/ Thu, 11 Dec 2003 15:46:46 PST WOW

Ok, apologies to anyone (i.e. James) who's already heard this from me. Though it might make more sense than the incoherant happy nonsense you got over the phone!

+Interviews+

I had two, and a test. The test was interesting. Seven questions on logic and an essay on happiness, essentially. The question?

There are two women, A and B. Both have a son. Each womans heart's desire is that her son prosper and do well in life. Woman A's son is on the other side of the world, being tortured. She believes him to be safe and well. Woman B's son is on the other side of the world, safe, happy, and propsering. She believes he is being tortured.

Which woman is better off?

That was fun. I got into a discussion about what happiness really is, what makes someone better off. It wasn't overly well-structured, but I'd been forewarned that structure wasn't what they were looking for.


Ok, the interviews. The first one was horrible, really nasty. I don't think I did all that badly, but after I came out I was kicking myself because there was so much more I could have said. She asked me about Human Rights- and whether a universal bill would work, or would be justified. She also asked who I thought had the right to determine a life sentence- and why. The other interviewer asked me more specific questions- about how Philosophy links with my A Level subjects; how I balance my time; my involvement with politics; and some of my viewpoints on the work of Plato and the social context of what he said. I was also asked who I would choose to meet to help me with a philosophical problem and why (I chose Socrates, the Gadfly of Athens) and Kant- because I don't understand him.

The second one... I spent 40 minutes arguing various points. The first 10 minutes was spent discussing university prospectuses (Bizarre I know!) and then we got onto ethics. I decided that I'd divert a train to kill one person in order to avoid killing 5. Because 'The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one'. He immediately recognised this as Mr.Spocks philosophy, which made me feel completely at ease. A fellow trekker! He then asked me about whether I'd make a man donate all his organs in a hospital in order to save the lives of 5 others. I reluctantly concluded, yes. He said he wouldn't want to be in my hospital! We had a heated debate about Bach/Handel vs Pop music. And somehow got into a discussion of 'Spirit in the Sky'- and which was better- the cover or the original. And is that just opinion, or can we justify it? He called me a fascist, because I agree with some of Plato's ideas. Which was amusing. As I'm quite right-wing. I think it went well. They certainly saw me as me, nothing was hidden or put on for the interview.


+People+

Well... we have:

Tim the Philosophy student who used to go to church in St.Johns Ealing (where I was a few weeks ago, singing). He was wonderful, my clock for the two days (I don't own a watch!) and my fellow arguer. He's also a Startrek buff which was nice. And musical. Fun fun! Oh. After 2 hous with me and my views he could see me as the next Margaret Thatcher. He's an anarchist. I didn't let him live it down.

Henry- the Archaeology and Anthropology person who is incredibly right wing, which was lovely. He likes Daniel Jackson from stargate sg1- who I happen to love to pieces and loves red wine. Instant pals. It's amazing how intense the conversations got while we were in the pub. We had a heated debate on abortion, which is always fun. Or emotional, if you're anything like me.

Rich - A rather cool guy who likes reel big fish, rock city, madness, and, get this! He's heard of Nightwish. NO-ONE (or hardly anyone) knows what on earth I'm talking about with them! If we both get in (He's philosophy too) we're going to set up a band. He's a lovely drummer who appreciates red wine.

Niksy- She LOVES the Narnia books. And owns all the films. (Bitch!) Lively, outgoing, mad, fun, arch + anth person who wants to JCB the world. She was great, and we had a brilliant time together. We learnt a new word together aswell (sad, I know!) - Floccinaucinihilipilification. It's when you estimate something as worthless. We also learnt that a Happi... ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1510142/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1510142/ Tue, 09 Dec 2003 04:58:29 PST I have 5 months left at school. I'm just gonna have to make the best of it. I feel like I'm losing my mind- my emotions are driving me insane, I don't understand what's happening in my head and I've pushed away the people who do.

That seems to be the story of my life.

And I have an interview at Cambridge tomorrow. I don't need to feel like this now.... oh God! Where are you?

He doesn't listen to me anymore. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1495071/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1495071/ Fri, 05 Dec 2003 16:43:18 PST If something is a Truth... i.e, there is no evidence or argument which contradicts it, then you have the right to try to convince people of this. e.g.- the Earth is round, there are 180 degrees in a triangle, etc.

If something is BELIEVED to be truth, yet cannot be called fact because there is an opposing, valid argument, then you have the right to proclaim this belief, because you have the right to freedom of speech. However, you do not have the right to try to persuade others that you are right, and they are wrong. Because each side has and equal 'chance' of being right

Agree? Disagree? Why?


I'm arguing an Atheist perspective with a fellow Christian... and it's certainly interesting. What do you think?

Does God exist?
How do we know?
Can we know?
How do we know that we know, if you think we can at all?

]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1488502/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1488502/ Thu, 04 Dec 2003 07:15:53 PST
I have an interview for Cambridge University next weds-thursday, and I'm starting to get pretty excited... I go shopping soon for clothes that will make them remember me for all the right reasons, and my wonderful English teacher is organising some debates for me.

Wish me luck.... I need it!



---

And wow.... I just an amazing free period... We've been discussing philosophical argumants and problems. And since a really good friend of mine, Andy, is a Physicist, it got quite in depth. He was teaching me basic quantum mechanics, and general relativity. I was fascinated- learning about how because we can't explain things when we get down to sub-atomic level, we have different theories to the ones we have on a macro level. And as yet there's nothing to connect the two.

Quantum physics suggests that we never know the state of something... we can only use probability. This means I could theoretically put my hand through a table... and a cat can be both dead and alive at the same time. A direct contradiction of relativity...

Oh, and there's a nice string theory about other dimensions linking together to form circles of energy which are the building blocks of life....

And there's the idea of space-time too. Theoretically, a black hold can become so dense that the fabric of space folds over itself and time begins again. Meaning that the first day of the universe could be tomorrow. Would I exist?

I really don't understand how anyone can be Atheist.... Life is far too complex and beautifully crafted to be an accident.

---

Christmas is going to be fun this year! I'm in Norwich for a few days with James... and we're gonna watch the chronicles of Narnia, talk lots, go puddle splashing, walk down cobbled streets and hug. I'm going away at new years too... with some fellow youthworkers at the place I volunteer at. We're off to a beautiful location with a heated swimming pool and lots of woodland. It's going to be yummy!


If you want a Christmas card this year then note me with your address. I'll make sure you get it by Christmas if I can! And of course, you'll get a lovely sweet message. Because I'm nice like that....

]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1440007/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1440007/ Sun, 23 Nov 2003 08:37:42 PST Now is the winter of our discontent
We fuck stars to get money
Whisper sweet nothings to the Moon
For instant gratification.
Lacking nothing and everything,
And nothing and everything in between.

Oh, we are so brilliant, so civilised, aren't we? The whole of the human race, full of excellence. Not a damn thing could bring us down because we're invincible.

Shut the fuck up.

I hate that kind of arrogance. We are an incredible creation- I don't doubt that. But we have one fatal flaw, and that is the ability to choose.
Look around.
See the result of choice.

It ain't pretty. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1423714/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1423714/ Sat, 22 Nov 2003 17:43:58 PST The Matrix Revolutions

Smith:

Why, Mr. Anderson ? Why do you do it? Why get up? Why keep fighting? Do you believe you're fighting for something? For more than your survival? Can you tell me what it is? Do you even know? Is it freedom? Or truth? Perhaps peace? Yes? No? Could it be for love? Illusions, Mr. Anderson. Vagaries of perception. The temporary constructs of a feeble human intellect trying to deperately to justify an existence that is without meaning or purpose. And all of them as artificial as the Matrix itself, although only a human mind could invent something as insipid as love. You must be able to see it, Mr. Anderson. You must know it by now. You can't win. It's pointless to keep fighting. Why, Mr. Anderson? Why? Why do you persist?

Neo:

Because I choose to.

The BEST lines in the film, in my opinion. Yes? No?
Why?

-----


London was wonderful... So beautiful, diverse, and Historic, yet with a modern feel... We stayed on Piccadilly, and had a short walk down to Leicester Square in the evening, for cheesecake. The crowd were watching for Russell Crowe in this film premiere, and Prince Charles was also in attendance. And the cheesecake... was divine!

I learnt such a lot, and I know where my passion is- I guess I've always known that it lies with Politics. I love the History, the tradition, the debate, the humour, everything. The House of Commons was wonderful- sitting in the gallery. It was a debate on Transport, of all things, but I still found it fascinating. Both what was said, and the way it was done. The way the Conservatives and Labour jeer at each other is something you have to hear live to appreciate. It was... wow!

I got emotional when walking around Westminster Abbey... especially at Poets Corner. The memorials to Keats, and Byron especially really touched me. Lord Byron lived for such a fleeting moment in time- yet made his mark on eternity. I deeply admire and respect that.

---


An extract from...
Song Currently Playing

Maybe I've been here before
I know this room
I've walked this floor
I used to live alone
Before I knew you
I've seen your flag
On the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and
It's a broken Hallelujah

There was a time
You let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show
It to me, do you?
I remember when
I moved in, you
Your holy dark
Was moving too
And every breath we drew
Was Hallelujah

A beautiful, beautiful song... and the lyrics mean so much to me. The highlighted words... they're so true, and so sad.

I you all....
Especially:

You, you, and you.

You know who you are.

Have a Chewing gum. It's like your mind, you know.
-- ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1360168/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1360168/ Wed, 05 Nov 2003 05:16:22 PST I've been reading a lot recently, hence not being online much. I have an interview at Cambridge University to read Philosophy, and this comes with a reading list, which I'm currently working through.

I started by re-reading Sophies World and it's opened the floodgates for all my questions to return from where I buried them.

Who am I?

Where does the Universe come from?

How do I know there is a God? Faith? Reason? Experience?

How can a Perfect God create evil?

Are there such things as Absolutes?

What defines me as me?

If I am Sarah who dreams she is a butterfly, is it not equally possible that I am a butterfly who dreams she is Sarah?

Do animals have souls?

What is a soul?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

What is language?

Why do we use words?

What is happiness?

What is wisdom?

What is time? Does it exist?

Does space exist?

What is nothing?

Is it irrational and arrogant to fear death?

What is thought?

Is indigo really a colour?

What does a banana really taste like?

Which is more real- sense, experience, neither or both?

Is there more than one reality?

Do I simply exist in the mind of God?

Where I am now....

When you wake up in the morning and totally associate yourself with the sun rising within you, and sunsets wash throughout your entire being, the moon is your radiance, the mountains your soul, the oceans your emotions, and you are the universe within, All That Is, is you. There is no separation.

For as long as I can remember I've looked up in awe at the heavens and wondered. I've sat on hilltops in the dead of night, moved to tears at its still beauty. The wild oceans and landscapes of Earth have the same effect. I believe there's an inherent magic to Life, and we should make the most of what we have been given in this miraculous realm.

To me, a miraculous thing is a cat always landing on its feet. The plants and weeds that grow between the cracks of a patio, as well as the anthills, bees collecting pollen, shooting stars, or the wonder of no two snowflakes being alike. The universe is a beautiful thing and needs to be revered and preserved.

When I look up to the night sky filled with stars, a part of me joins with it. I feel the power of God in the thunderstorm and rejoice in its coming. I breathe in the scent of the woodlands and I am refreshed. Chasing fireflies, dancing with dragonflies, dreaming of strange and beautiful flowers, once plucked in a dream world, but now existing in reality. Whispering with the ocean, listening to the haunting melody of birdsong, yearning for night and twilight, for aurora’s and magic mirrors, for darkened castles and lonely moors.

For me, the essence of prayer is "Wow!" and evangelism is "Look!" Because God IS and always WAS everything. We were created through Him, in Him and by Him, sparks from His eternal flame, dancing in the darkness, exploring, learning, growing and giving, yet forever reaching towards that from which we came. We strive towards the perfect radiance He only has, through the wide-eyed wonder and innocence of a child.

Ok. So maybe that's a nice merge of Pantheism, Neoplatonism, and Romanticism, merged with an unshakable Faith in God.

But that's where I am at the moment. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1328253/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1328253/ Mon, 27 Oct 2003 08:57:32 PST I had an amazing time in London. I went for lunch and a wander with Lewi, a guy I met on dA. We got kinda lost at one point, as my sense of direction took us in a rather big square shaped thing... Was fun. We talked loads, laughed more, and ate tunes. It was random and very cool. I think he certainly learnt to appreciate my pet hate for mis-spelled words. And my eskimo coat... ...featured here...

The worship was awesome, especially in the evening. God really moved and touched people in the service. I felt so close to Him, it's was incredibly powerful.

This week I probably won't be around as much. Those of you who love me enough to care probably have my mobile number. I got a new one today! A Nokia 7210. It's all shiney and stuff.
I have lots of plans...
Today: Cell this evening, and before that, a meeting with some councillors from Mansfield's Conservative Party. Yes. I am a member. They want me to lead the Young Conservative's locally. Which is very cool. Especially for someone who wants a career in Politics eventually.

Tomorrow: Seeing Matt tomorrow morning, my best friend. We're making Tuesday our day so that we have time for one another. It should be fun. I've really missed him recently. He's so wonderful! After that, I'm meeting Bec at the gym, then we're having a night at her house, with soppy movies and lots of talking and going through memories. Both of ours... It's gonna be wonderful. Bec, I'm glad I have you back baby!

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Weds I'm hopefully meeting Sophie after I leave Bec's. She rang me the other night and we talked for ages. It was wonderful to catch up. I've missed her since she moved down to Plymouth. Then I'm off to Sheffield again, to spend some time with Steve and Anja. We've got pretty close recently and Anja and I are gonna have a couple of girlie nights, just talking and toasting marshmallows and watching out favourite films. Friday I come home.

Saturday and Sunday: Oh yay! I have work. *Sob* I hate my job. Sunday it's Church. Which I love.

Somewhere this week I have to cram in 2 essays, and time for other friends. I may see James while I'm in Sheffield. Which would be absolutely amazing. On the friends front, me and Sam are getting closer again. Which is very smashing. He's lovely. Go say hi....: Sam. He's an angel with a beautiful voice and some amazing gifts.


Leave me nice messages. I'll be back.
[Said Arnie style. ] ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1302292/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1302292/ Mon, 20 Oct 2003 15:44:23 PDT












But I'm not insane.
I'm not.
I'm really not










And I you. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1287332/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1287332/ Fri, 17 Oct 2003 01:42:50 PDT The question of the day:

Why are round balloons more popular than their elongated counterparts? When quite clearly, they are not nearly so interesting? The shame of it! I find it positively shocking that after all the hard work from the Balloonologists the magnificent inventions still fail to sell. How sad this must be for their creation. What sort of sadistic anti-ballooning person would create a long balloon which is so much more difficult to blow up? Surely this is wrong? Whatever happened to equal opportunities for balloons? Under the 'Equal Rights for Balloons' act of 1984, all balloons, regardless of shape, colour, size or material should be treated with the utmost respect as would be expected of such incredible feats of human engineering! What a ghastly thought, that these poor, stretched balloons should not be given the respect and homage they deserve. Oh, how it makes me weep. Please, please find in your heart the compassion to endear yourselves to these remarkable beings of colour and beauty, and sign the petition, appealing to our beloved government for the upholding of this act.

The perpetuation of the existence of our delightful elongated friends depends on your support!

]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1274743/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1274743/ Tue, 14 Oct 2003 04:29:28 PDT If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see

I see!

What if you slept?
And what if, in your sleep, you dreamed?
And what if, in your dream, you went to heaven and there plucked a strange and beautiful flower?
And what if, when you awoke, you had the flower in your hand?
Ah, what then?

-ST Coleridge.

Questions, questions, questions.... all the time. I can't escape them anymore than I can escape myself. I wake up and think. It hurts my head! I don't know what's going on inside me but it's wonderfully strange, and strangely wonderful. It's like I'm merging my dreams with my reality- but not in the sense that my dreams come true or my reality becomes a dream. It's like there is no longer a distinction between them.
Cogito ergo sum

I am. Because I think. Or do I think because I am?

Shut up Sarah.
Wake up and gaze into the Rabbits eyes.



+My Blog+ ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1257837/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1257837/ Sat, 11 Oct 2003 14:36:39 PDT Responses to questions from ~xtheravenx :

1) Have you ever known you were failing someone, even as it was happening, but do to circumstance, was powerless to do anything about it? How did it turn out?

Yes. In April this year, my best friend became really depressed. He was self-harming. I was the only one who knew about it. I blamed my self, but felt powerless to stop it, I could only do small things, like taking scissors from him. I guess I failed him most because I didn't tell anyone- I couldn't becauseI'm so scared of breaking trust. Eventually I did- and he hated me. I got really angry, and really low. From that me and *dxd got together, which ended in tears. But I now have my best friend back, and we're closer than ever before.

2)When do find trees to be prettier, in the summer or the winter? Why?

Autumn actually. Because they're beautiful then, so many different warm shades, contrasting with the cooler weather.

3)What is your favorite car, and why?

VW Beetle, old shape. It reminds me of a great person I know, Jamie, because he loves the old classic cars. If I had one I'd make it either rainbow coloured, or black and shiny with yellow smileys.

4)Which poem (that you have written) is most reflective of you? Why?

Clarity ...Because it reflects how I think. The way my mind works, and my strong conviction that if you're just existing you may as well be dead. It emphasises how passionate I am. Frequently to my detriment though.

5) Does it really rain all the time in Britain? If not, why would so many Americans believe that it does?

YES! YES! It really does. All the time. We get the odd 'nice' day.... but that usually means there's a slight blue patch in the sky, where the sun can penetrate for a second or two. *Sigh*
We do have a green land though. I wouldn't go as far as pleasant.

Rules:
1 -- Leave a comment, saying you want to be interviewed.
2 -- I will respond; I'll ask you five questions.
3 -- You'll update your journal with my five questions, and your five answers.
4 -- You'll include this explanation.
5 -- You'll ask other people five questions when they want to be interviewed.

++
+Me+
+50 Things I Want To Do Before I Die+

Wow.... That has got to be one of the best, most releasing times I've ever had. I've just spent the past few days in Sheffield with a wonderful friend, James. I needed to get away for a while, clear my head.

And for the first time in years I was able to, completely


He listened to me
Understood me
Cried with me
Helped me see God in everything
Didn't shout when I got angry
Talked with me till 4am despite the fact that he had a lecture first thing in the morning
Let me have his bed while he slept on the floor
Watched me fall asleep so that I wasn't lying awake on my own
Found me a candle so I felt at home
http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1242495/ Wed, 08 Oct 2003 00:26:02 PDT I'm going away to spend a couple of days with one of my best friends in Sheffield, James. He's gonna look after me and take my mind of all the things that are going so wrong at the minute! I had a great Birthday, thankyou to everyone on here aswell as my wonderful eal life friends for making it a special one to remember. I love you!

-----

I was travelling back from touring Poland with my music group, and came up with this on the plane flight. It's kinda stuck with me now, it kept me going when I was incredibly low and felt like ending everything. Nothing is ever hopeless, we always have dreams, even when they seem shattered. Don't ever forget that.

My 50 things

1) See the split between night and day

2) Watch a sunrise at Niagara falls.

3) Visit Saks, Fifth Avenue

4) Have a bouncy castle party

5) Do something that will live on after me

6) Invent something random but useful

7) Play giant monopoly in London with CB radios and videophones.

8 ) Have a friend I’ve known over half my life

9) Get married and live in a pretty house with character

10) Have children

11) Down a pint of beer

12) Learn to ballroom dance

13) Get a gold filling (if I need one!)

14) Ride a motorbike

15) Have a star named after me

16) Ride a donkey at Skegness

17) Go skinny dipping in the moonlight

18 ) Swim with dolphins

19) Go to a cocktail party

20) Go to a ball

21) Go up in a hot air balloon

22) Have someone give me a pinecone

23) Sit on a hill, and watch a storm

24) Be pushed on swings by someone I love

25) Tell someone everything

26) Go on a children’s adventure/mystery holiday.

27) Splash in puddles in a park wearing red wellingtons

28 ) Learn to play guitar

29) Sing ‘Always’ by Bon Jovi on stage somewhere

30) Go to Australia, visit Sydney opera house

31) Go to Brazil

32) Write a song

33) Build a snowman with children

34) Sail a raft down the river

35) Find some long distance relatives

36) Go shopping in hair curlers

37) Perform in a sleazy jazz club

38 ) Become a published author

39) Keep a pen pal for a year

40) Go back to Wales

41) Walk down a red carpet

42) Have a hug that feels like it lasts forever

43) Own a rainbow coloured VW beetle

44) Sing in a band

45) Go busking again

46) Build a giant sandcastle

47) Run round a field with a cape and play ‘Batgirl’

48 ) Go on a cruise

49) Perform in at least 3 European countries (one where I can ski!)

50) Bubble bath, champagne and candles with the guy I marry.

[link] - About me. If you want to know, read.



-
++Edit: The 8's were bugging me. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1241020/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1241020/ Mon, 06 Oct 2003 10:18:56 PDT Name: Sarah Ruth Francis
Nicknames: Liri, Saz, Snazzles
Age: 17 years, 11 months and 364 days.
Location: Nottingham, UK

Loves:

-Strou...Ryan...Bennie...Matt...Bridget Happy now?
-Being adored
-Soft kisses
-My hair being played with
-Hugs
-God
-Real friendship- the kind that lasts through the tough times. The only kind.
-Music
-Candlelight and moonlight
-Midnight
-Twinkling fairy lights
-Black, red and white
-Angels
-Cemeteries
-Dark Orchids, White Lilies, Roses
-Autumn
-Firelight
-Thunderstorms
-Philosophy
-Politics and debating
-Dreaming
-Christian Dior: Hypnotic Poison
-Romance
-Literature
-Emotions
-Writing
-Listening
-Red wine
-Being alive

Hates:

-Hypocrisy
-Lies
-Deception
-Loneliness
-Emotional numbness
-Cruelty to children
-Silence
-Broken trust
-Nightmares
-Clowns, porcelain dolls
-Black horses with red eyes
-Clichés
-Meat
-Losing
-Bitterness
-Fickle people

I am:

-Passionate
-Confusing
-Confused
-A writer
-A dreamer
-Lost
-An emotional time-bomb-waiting-to-go-off
-A friend/lover/sister/daughter
-A listener
-A musician
-Alive

Random Facts:

-I Shouldn’t be alive according to Nature.
-I Lived in Wales for 3 years
-I have an IQ of 156
-Built dens and hid in them for hours, writing, and belonged to our version of ‘The Famous Five’.
-My first kiss was when I was 12, with a guy from the Salvation Army, Gareth. (He was in my Famous Five group!)
-Didn’t have TV when I was younger so I grew up and learnt everything from books.
-I broke my arm because I was cleaning out a guinea pig’s cage on my roller blades.
-Ran away from home because I was scared of who I was and thought running away was the answer.
-I owned the whole board in a Monopoly game, with hotels on everything.
-Organised an Anti-war protest which got me into major trouble at school
-Flushed my head down the toilet because I got black industrial paint in it- and there was no turps or other source of running water.
-I am a very cruel person. I say exactly what I know will hurt the most. And then regret it afterwards.
-I need power. Don’t give it to me because I’ll abuse it.
-I have dyed my hair purple, blonde, black, red, and pink. And regretted all of them.
-I used to straighten my hair, listen to pop music, and be bitchy. Because I wanted to fit in.
-I saw an angel
-Buried a time capsule
-Had recurring nightmares about being chased by a black stallion with red eyes. I can’t look at anything like that anymore.
-I cry and get angry when I watch the news
-Get emotionally attached too quickly, and love freely and without restraint instead of holding back and waiting.
-I have a list of 50 things I want to do before I die which I wrote on the plane back from Poland last year. (Ask me….)
-Want to visit Australia because it’s so beautiful.
-I don’t fit in anywhere. Parts of me do.
-I love getting post, handwritten letters. I love cards and flowers and sweet things.
-I love watching the rain from behind a window in a darkened room.
-I knew Royally and want to build Igloos on the moon. Yes. Yes I do.

Hope that tells you a little bit more about me.... I never know quite what to say but a lot of you have asked... so here you go. Thankyou to *newklear for the idea. Bennie you're a genius!

Feel free to ask anything else




- ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1239689/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1239689/ Sun, 05 Oct 2003 15:05:10 PDT *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1236001/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1236001/ Sat, 04 Oct 2003 15:30:24 PDT
YES. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1236000/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1236000/ Sat, 04 Oct 2003 15:21:00 PDT
YES. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1223147/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1223147/ Thu, 02 Oct 2003 02:57:43 PDT Pain is the indefinable which defines us as human. No-one can live without it, yet we seem to spend the entirity of our fleeting existences running from it.

Why?

Pain is the one element of life beyond our control. We can numb it, suppress is, but never destroy it. It will always be there, and always be needed. Without pain we would never change. We would live on in our perpetual ambiguity, full of indifference. Our apathy would be in itself repulsive.

How can anyone be drawn to a life like that?

Wonderland is a beautiful place, full of mazes and twists and trees and tarts and kings and hearts.
But it's wonderland. It's nothing compared to the intensity of reality.
Wonderland, in its never-ending burrow of dark holes and white rabbits, is as fake as the grin of the Cheshire Cat.
Give me reality anyday.



Does your name begin with S?

For you, it is pleasure before business. You can be romantically
idealistic to a fault and are capable of much sensuality. But you never
loose control of your emotions. Once you make the commitment you stick like glue. You could get jealous and possessive. You tend to be very selfish often regarding yourself as the only human being on the planet. You like being the centre of attention. You are very caring, sensitive, private & sometimes very passive. You are turned on by soft lights and romantic thoughts. When it gets down to the nitty-gritty, you are an expert. You know all the little tricks of the trade, can play any role, or any game, and take your love life very seriously. You don't fool around. You have the patience to wait for the right person to come along. You are very generous & giving, often selfless. You are kind natured and sweet which is found to be attractive by many. You are a good friend.

That's so me!
[Thanks to ~thezombie]


I am worth £1,263,572.04 and have an I.Q of 154. ]]> *Liri http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1209592/ http://Liri.deviantart.com/journal/1209592/ Wed, 01 Oct 2003 05:51:53 PDT Pain is the indefinable which defines us as human. No-one can live without it, yet we seem to spend the entirity of our fleeting existences running from it.

Why?

Pain is the one element of life beyond our control. We can numb it, suppress is, but never destroy it. It will always be there, and always be needed. Without pain we would never change. We would live on in our perpetual ambiguity, full of indifference. Our apathy would be in itself repulsive.

How can anyone be drawn to a life like that?

Wonderland is a beautiful place, full of mazes and twists and trees and tarts and kings and hearts.
But it's wonderland. It's nothing compared to the intensity of reality.
Wonderland, in its never-ending burrow of dark holes and white rabbits, is as fake as the grin of the Cheshire Cat.
Give me reality anyday.


]]> *Liri