Spamming...

For some weird, bizarre, odd, stupid reason one of my posts on this blog keeps getting spammed. Obviously I put some tag word in it that make people click and send spam messages to it. Thank goodness for the spam-controller (is that anything like the Fat Controller out of 'Thomas the Tank Engine'?). Seriously, I've had to delete numerous messages from that one particular post in the past - very...interesting...messages they were, too... - and now it's getting spammed again. I wish spammers would just go jump in the creek...

Almost tempting to delete the post, except it contains piccies I took overseas, in London.

Yes, it's very sad that I'm typing about spamming, but it's an annoying bit of life on the net, and I'm wanting to vent.

Holidays

Well, all I can say is...ABOUT TIME!

This term seems to have dragged on, but also sped along, all at the same time. The days seemed to fly by - probably because we were all constantly on the go, doing things to make sure everything was running smoothly at school. And yet, at times the days could not go fast enough. Especially when I was teaching certain classes. Other teachers would understand - there is always one class that you just don't want to face...especially on certain days when you're already not in a good mood.

I must admit, I haven't done as much work as I should have during the whole term. Or, rather, I've been very slack and not done enough work in my own time, thereby creating extra work for me to do during the holidays. That sucks, but that's my own fault.

My favourite National Rugby League (NRL) team is in the semi-finals tomorrow night, and I'm definitely barracking for them to make it through to the grand final. It would be great if they did. They seem to bail out in the semis each time they make it, but...High hopes this year. Go the DRAGONS!!!

Apart from that, and hoping to maintain some kind of semi-respectable status in an English Premier League (soccer) tipping comp, there isn't really much that has occurred, or is going to soon occur, in my life after this term finished today. School, home. That seems to be my life. Very boring. I seriously must start thinking about achieving something more with my life.

And the real dratter these holidays - though not at the same time, because of the reason - is that I can't go out and visit my friends from where I used to live. I'm housesitting at the moment, and so enjoying the break from home. However, because of that, I have an obligation to not go anywhere, in case of any break-ins, etc. I would feel very guilty if something occurred while I was away. So, I'll just have to try and squeeze a visit in before Christmas.

Oh, heading to Rome for NYE and three weeks after that. That's certainly something to look forward to, apart from seeing Muse in early December. Yes, those are both highlights of my life at the moment.

But holidays are made for vegging out with, right? Here's to vegging out! (Oh...and all the marking that goes with not completing it before the term ended...)

A cool video, with a very important message!

Muse have put one of their songs to a video brought out by MTV Exit, to help raise awareness about human trafficking and exploitation. This is a very important issue to raise awareness about, and something that all people should know is going on, sometimes right under your very nose.

To view the video, click here.

Thanks, Muse, for adding your name to the campaign.

'The Host', again...

Well, I finished reading 'The Host'. At around page 100 I was starting to feel bored, so I gave up on it for that night and turned to the book beside my bed for lighter reading. I wasn't finding the storyline all that captivating and, to be honest, I was finding myself reading words that Stephenie Meyer had used in 'Twilight'. However, when I picked the book up the following day, I got back into the story and didn't read anything else until I finished it.

The plot is good. It's simple in many ways - there are only about two or three things the main character wants to achieve and the audience knows this. They aren't kept a secret. There are, though, a couple of interesting moments in the book where the audience can get confused on what the author is actually trying to say. Had to re-read a couple of passages to get the correct understanding. Admittedly, I wasn't expecting the viewpoint she went on with after the main character 'dies' - very well done, there! Bit of a curve ball doing that!

Overall, if you like sci-fi storylines you would enjoy this novel. Well, no, maybe not, but you quite possibly would if you were female and enjoyed them. The momentum isn't hugely fast. It does pick up more towards the end, as any good novel should, but it isn't something that will take your breath away. It's not a mind-numbing, brain-bending experience, but it is an enjoyable read, and something that could possibly make you ponder a couple of things about humanity.

A student of mine said that she didn't understand the book - that she got confused by it. I can understand this, because of the internal conversations that take place within the main character, but it's not very confusing if you keep up with it. I'm just pleased how the story turns out in the end. It's well thought out, and structured. Wasn't expecting the ending that came about when first reading.

If you're interested in know more about it, click here to go directly to Stephenie Meyer's page on 'The Host'.

Happy Reading! Still got 'Percy Jackson 2' to read. Still got three weeks to do that, too... I know I'll have to go out and eventually buy 'The Host', may as well return it to the library this week!

Follow up from 'The Bet'...

As you would be well aware, I made a bet with a friend a couple of months ago about being able to forego seeing 'Twilight: Eclipse' until the 20th July this year. (Click here for more details.) My friend graciously accepted 'defeat', though he didn't really lose, and so read 'Emma' by Jane Austen, watched the Gwyneth Paltrow movie version of the book, and did a report on it, as his punishment. Part of the punishment, too, was joining my Facebook group and submitting his report to the group as a discussion topic.

Please, PLEASE, go and have a look at what he has written. It is classic. You don't have to join my group, but I would love to know what you think! Click here to indulge in a few chuckles...