Promises to a new laptop (a love poem).

Oh laptop, thou art barely born.

Rejoice, you are now the lucky vessel of my neuroticism and creativity (yeah right).

I promise to overlook your sharp edges and fascinating ugliness (potential baby names: Rorschach, John Merrick). I was spoilt with my old Sony Vaio, it was a beautiful woman with gentle curves (sounding a bit gay here). But NO, you are a sleek monolith with no need for tawdry decor!

I promise to update you properly, protect you from virusy harm (sorry about this morning) and change your metaphorical nappy when needed (what?). I promise to install and master Photoshop, rather than just The Sims 2. I promise to upload my art and photography, rather than staying up to read rude fanfics. I promise to hunt for interesting work, rather than stalking people on the internet. I promise to use you for inspiration and personal development, rather than scrolling through amusing cat photos. I promise to stick up for your homely averageness when my boyfriend bullies you for not being fast or powerful enough (which he will). You're just about right for me.

In return, please keep my secrets safe and secure, so I don't end up in nude photo scandal shocker/blackmail hell. Not like I take any (sorry to disappoint). Here's to a fresh start and a few years snuggling up and slaving over the keyboard together.

Love from Natalie (a girl who writes for a living yet is appalling at poetry, and who hasn't owned a laptop since last year). *pats your wee laptop head*

A Field in England, A Beach in Wales.

Or what I did this summer when I wasn't working heh.
(really, really appreciate my free time these days)

I went to Latitude festival with my favourite people, the highlights included...

It being so hot that my lip balm melted (I then used it).

Being nude and proud like Amanda Palmer in the showers.

Getting to the front for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Hot Chip and Kraftwerk. Right on time.

Stalking Alan Moore, David Shrigley and Carol Anne Duffy.

Eddie Izzard, Dylan Moran, Richard Herring and Tim Key lulz. Everyone needs a good larf!

The flock of multicoloured sheep.

My 'cookery'.

Then we went to Wales for a week, the highlights included...

Swimming in the freezing sea with my lovely man.

Visiting all the castles. History is a story of humans being shitty to each other.

Reading Trainspotting and A Clockwork Orange like the cool kids we are.

Folly Farm (and zoo) which definitely isn't just for kids.

Not being at work/staying in bed all day.

Other people's cookery.

Everything.

I've also been on a couple of protests, written lots about beauty/babies for a household name and generally been too busy (one way or anuzzer) to blog on here.

I need to write and make time for myself more -- I'll try! :)

Scarborough castle, graves, dolls...

Clock Cafe

Meanwhile, in Whitby.

Scarborough Castle

Lovely grave (think it’s Victorian, those death-sessed romantics). Her husband was buried in the same grave a while after, Woman in Black much. I know, I take the happiest holiday photos.

Falling in love with "Petronius" the Roman soldier, on the castle audio guide.