University
Regular readers will know that back in September I started back doing two modules at Uni. (see Back to University) Well I’m still really behind on the work I MUST get my head down and do some of the work before the deadline in the first week of January. I have:

What’s worse is I just can’t seem to get motivated.

Christmas / Yule Preparations
I have bought everybody’s presents, even exchanged some. A few suprises for people that I picked up at the weekend need wrapping. I also need to organise to visit some people to exchange gifts. I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my family and friends.

Lots of self-bought Yule presents
I decided a few months back as I’m single and it is my first christmas in my new apartment (see The Move.) I was going to buy myself a few gifts to open Christmas day morning. So I bought myself a few bits ‘n’ bats and then on a whim when I got paid this month treated myself to some purchases on Amazon:

Ha ha, I think I’ve spent more on myself than on everyone else put together. Feeling so self-centred but quite satisfied at the same time.

Love Life
JB and I have continued to see each other as friends (see Honest Conversations, Cards on the table & Tastilious Food with a BUT…) and decided to go on a date between Christmas and New Years.

He had been planning a supprise for me on Christmas Eve but didn’t tell me and I have organised to catch up with some family and some friends to exchange gifts and catch up. He was gutted, I felt guilty and stupid (for making the assumption he knows what I do christmas eve, every year!). But it’s sorted with good communication and we are going to do it on the date. Have kind of a full day and evening together. He has been very patient with me considering how mad busy I’ve been in the last few weeks and I hope is patience will remain in the next two weeks which are still likely to be manic due to the looming Uni deadline.

Other Stuff
There’s loads of other stuff thats been going on that I haven’t had chance to blog about yet. But will do when life is less manic!

Keeping you updated and informed as always,

Antony

I was introduced to Eddie Izzard by my good friend Simon and have loved him ever since. Here are some short random clips off youtube.

I’m intending to order the box set as a Christmas / Yule gift to myself.

Write soon,

Antony

Just wanted to remind you all that if your planning to purchase off Amazon on pay day you can use this Amazon link. Anything you buy will give me some commision and make no difference to your purchase price.

I managed to make in July 08 – July 09 about £3. Hardly a fortune, lol. My aim is to raise £35 to fund the site for a year.

You can also use the widgets on some blog posts that look like this:

Or use the Amazon Search Box on the right hand side of this blog.

Hugs,

Antony x

I cant wait, I am a big fan of Sophie Kinsella’s writing (see People that inspire me & Confessions of a Shopaholic) and in the mean time, I might actually get round to buying The Gift by Cecelia Ahern.

Ramble on soon,

Antony

What do you think of this?

(from http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11985.html, 13th April 09).

I am not sure what to think to be honest. I think someone on the American verison of the site obiously needs some education around homophobia and how to catergorise items.

Just because a book has a gay author or has gay characters it does not mean that it is x-rated material.

And for god sake amazon, give out clear responses in relation to this!

Write randomly soon,

Antony

So in order that I not miss any further of my pagan festivals I decided to add the dates to my diary and post them here. I will give the festival name, date and some information about the festival. Here we go:

Imbolc – 2nd February
Known as the festival of light. It celebrates the end of dark winter and welcomes the sun and the light to the world. Asking the world to wake up out of hybernation.
The goddess is seen as the maiden at this festival. Indeed the festival celebrates her as a maiden. She is still in recovery from child-birth.
Colours: White, yellow & gold.
Themes: Fire, creativity, poetry, inspiration, light, healing.
Related Blog Posts: Tatton park, a poem. (Creativity & poetry), Ups and Downs (Healing)

Ostara – 20th March
Ostara celebrates the first day of spring. When light and dark are in balance.
The god matures and becomes a man. He will live and rule until Samhain.
Colours: Orange, red, yellow and pink.
Themes: Fertility, new beginings, flowers, nature.
Related Blog Posts: Welcome to the notice board of antonysimpson.com! (New beginings)

Beltane – 1st May
Beltane is the midpoint between spring and summer.
The god and the goddess meet, become lovers get married consecrating their union. The goddess becomes pregnant.
Colours: White, purple, blue and light green.
Themes: Love, relationships, commitment, fire, fun – music and dancing.
Related Blog Posts: Catergory – Love & Relationships (Love and relationships), The Feeling were Awesome (Music and dancing), Bathroom dancing, Inspired and Just Discovered (Dancing), Thanks to the attractive stranger (Kylie – music and dancing)

Litha – 20th June
The longest day of the year. It is the summer time harvest. I like this blessing:

As the sun spirals its longest dance,
Cleanse us
As nature shows bounty and fertility
Bless us
Let all things live with loving intent
And to fulfill their truest destiny
Wiccan blessing for Summer
(from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/summersolstice.shtml, last accessed: 08th February 09)

The god and goddess reaffirm their relationship and commitment to one another.
Colours: Blue, green, red and yellow.
Themes: Fruitful endevours, child-like play, affirmations, water & emotions.

Lammas – 1st August
The harvesting of berries and grains take place at around the time of this festival. Days are getting shorter.
The gods power continues to wane.
Colours: Purple, black, brown, yellow (pale shades).
Themes: Magick, death, banishing, hopes, work.

Mabon – 22nd September
The autumn equinox. Light and dark are again in balance, however from this point on we shall have less sun light as it get’s darker. It’s about also giving thanks to the mother goddess for providing enough food (from the havest) for the winter.
The god prepairs for his journey to the underworld. The mother goddess is heavily pregnant but continues to rein and begins to age.
Colours: Brown, violet, indigo, blue & black.
Themes: Land & property, goals, introspection, past life regression, relaxation, letting go.
Related Blog Posts: Catergory – Thinking (Introspection), Goals for 2009 (Goals), Relaxation (Relaxation)

Samhain – 31st October
The last harvest. When the vails between the worlds are thin. Seen as the pagan ‘New Year’. Also known as Halloween.
The goddess is now the crone. With age coming wisdom.
Colours: Black, orange, purpose, violet, white.
Themes: Ancestors, death, rebirth, banishings & bindings, spirit & guide communication, guidance.
Related Blog Posts: Samhain Ritual, goes well (Samhain)

Yule – 21st December
The first day of winter also known as the winter solstice. Longest night of the year. Evergreens and pine are ideal for your alter along with traditional Yule logs. Wreath’s symbolise the wheel of the year.
The goddess gives birth to the god and then goes in to hybernation being tired from child-birth.
Colours:White, green, red, gold & silver.
Themes:Prosperity, death, rebirth, banishings, protection, goal setting, happiness, peace & harmony.
Related Blog Posts: Yule & A Lifetime Gift (Yule)

Useful Links
BBC – Religion – Multifaith Paganism
Pagan Holidays
Walk in the Light – Wheel of the Year

Personal Beliefs

God and Goddess
Many pagans believe in a god and a goddess. I differ slightly. I do believe there is a god-like being, but that it is one that is genderless as it is simply energy. Some pagans would disagree with this, although like I said earier these are my own individual beliefs.
(From Antony Simpson Paganism)

With thanks
With thanks to my friend Sye, who helped explain the goddess’ birth of the god and place it in the right festival. He used Scott Cunningham’s, Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.

Books @ Amazon

Hope this is as useful to you all, as it will be to me.

In love and light,

Antony

What a busy week it’s been – well on the work front!

So I finally sat down to catch up on TV that I had saved on freeview recorder. Here some of my highlights:

Shameless
I have only (back end of the last series) got in to Shameless! And goddess, was I missing out. It’s fantastic. Very funny and in many aspects true to life. I am seriously considering buying the previous series on Amazon (see Shameless Search @ Amazon). Perhaps I should add this too Things I want, but can’t afford – update?

Gok Wang: Too Fat Too Young
In this documentary Gok Wang explores the relationship between young people’s weight & their self esteem. What’s most interesting, is that he looks at his own past and as a teenager he was big. What a shock? Especially as he looks sooo thin now. He explains that he was isolated as a teenager being gay and part-chinese in ethnic origin. These effecting his self esteem and leading to comfort eating and him balloning. Now his biography would be a good read!

Intrestingly my friend Sye has posted this on his blog:

Hey, just a quick post to tell you theres going to be a new article every month or so (depending on how long I can keep her subdued, which usually means not answering her calls until she comes knocking at the door) by a new writer to the site called Vivian.

You can read Vivian’s take on obesity here. Not sure I agree with her, apart from the comments around us needing to exercise more. We could all use some more exercise as a society. (Like the way I deflected it away from me as an individual?)

QI
I really enjoy this programme. If only school could of been like this: education with fun and laughter thrown in. I’m sure we would have more achievers in the school system.

What am I missing? A particular good programme or series? Write a comment and let me know, who knows I may even watch it.

Have an ace weekend,

Antony

A few months ago I posted about Things I wan’t, but can’t afford, so here’s an update on the Wishlist.

1. iPhone – This is still a want! I am aware of it’s limitations (see phones) but it has some very nifty features too. I plan to upgrade to one shortly when my contract comes up for renewal.
Got? NO

2. Alan Carr – Look Who it Is! – I bought this as a gift to myself before Christmas. I have read it from cover to cover. A worth while read.
Got? YES

New Item:
2. Kylie Live ‘X’ 2008 – A DVD of Kylie’s tour I was lucky to see at the MEN (see Thanks to the attractive stranger & Photos – Kylie X2008)

3. Dawn French – Dear Fatty – Mum got it me for Christmas, in the process of reading at present.
Got? YES

New Item:
3. French and Saunders – Still Alive DVD The DVD of French and Saunders last tour, again which I was lucky enough to see it and have the tour from 2000, so I need this to add to my collection.

4. A Robot Hover – To escape the domesticated task I had this on my orignal list. However as I currently house-share, I couldn’t justify buying it for one room. So it is still on the list for if/when I move.
Got? NO

5. Silverwind – Magic for lovers – A book David and I looked at whilst shopping one day. I still fancy it as a easy read.
Got? NO

6. John Barrowman – Another Side (CD) – Downloaded this. He has a fantastic voice, I’m a big fan!
Got? YES

New Item:
Nintendo Wii Console – These looks like good fun and seen as this is a wish list, I’d love one of these!

7. Robbie Williams – Live At The Albert DVD – I once saw this at a friend of mines apartment, still want it. He is fantastic in it and soo camp in parts.
Got? NO

8. Bruce – How to Create a Magical Home – It is a beautiful book I am currently reading. Would highly recommend to anyone who loves their home and is a pagan.
Got? YES

New Item:
8. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor DVD – This had many bad reviews. But David and I watched it and I really enjoyed it. Defo, one I want to add to my DVD collection some day.

9. Western Digital My Book 1TB – I still need one of these for my increasly cluttered computer. Bless it.
Got? NO

10. Ice CreamMaker – Nobody bought my justification for wanting this. I quote (from my post Things I wan’t, but can’t afford):

My justification for this being on the list is that, if I bought it I could make healthy ice cream (yeah right! ha ha.).

I suppose I would be able to make ice cream using sweetner rather than sugar. Now wouldn’t I be a healthy diabetic? It would be diabetic ice cream (that doesn’t have a laxitive effect).

Got? NO

11. The Wizard of Oz DVD Still need to purchase this before I can call myself a gay man (reminds me of that Catherine Tate line: “He’s a gay man now da”).
Got? NO

12. Will and Grace: Complete Series 5 DVD Boxset – My older brother usually buys me this for Christmas. But this year he bought me an Science Museum Retro Space Hopper and Science Museum – ATM Bank which are even better.
Got? NO

Aditions:
13. John Barrowman – Anything Goes (Auto Biography) – Continuing my love for John.
Got? NO

14. John Barrowman – Music Music Music (CD) – His latest CD.
Got? NO

So there it is, your update! It’s nice to make a list of material things you want and tick them off as you get them.

What do you have on your Things you want, but can’t afford list? Leave comments below.

Write soon,

Antony

The Royal Variety Show is a British National Insititution. Much like tea or cucumber sandwiches.

Historically it has always been a place for new comers in the music, comedy and theatre fields. Any that appeared on The Royal Variety Show , later went on to be big.

So I have been saving the most recent one for watching on a chill night. Tonight was that night.

I am soo disappointed. No new talent. The performers included Take That, Leona Lewis, Jimmy Carr, Duffy, Peter Kay (as Geraldine McQueen), four west end musicals, too name a few. All big stars who’ve made it.

The exception to this was of course George Samson:

I wish it would go back to giving new comers in the fields a chance.

Ok, rant over. (I feel better now!)

Antony

P.S it was made better by John Barrowman performing ‘What about us’ and I particularly loved the gay couple centre stage! See for yourself:

Amazon related products:

Well here’s mine, for 2009 (owe it rhymes):