Phraseology Pains

Recently, I've noticed a few terms and phrases sneaking into language used by those on my tellybox or wireless and now I've noticed I can't stop.

The incriminating phrases are:

'organic process'
&
'special relationship'

The latter is mainly used to describe our fine country's relationship with the land of the free, our MPs and their senators. Is it not a little creepy? Potentially innuendo filled if said in a certain tone? When did this become the top term for a professional, political relationship between two countries anyway?

It's been battered around even more so lately with the death of Maggie Thatcher and her 'special relationship' with Reagan.

It makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up but that may well be due to the often accompanying sickening picture of two slimy politicians sidling up next to one another with stretched smiles and menace in their eyes (Thatcher's & Reagan's photographs together are particularly sinister in a wax work kind of way, see below)

photo from theweek.com

The phrase 'organic process' seems to rarely be about growing vegetables or something of a similar ilk when I hear it in interviews. The main culprits are musicians so it may go a little something like this:

Interviewer: 'so how did it come about collaborating with Mr. Big Shot Indie-Producer when you're better known for your hardcore grime street lyrics?'

Interviewee: 'well, we just got a phone call and from then on it was  real organic process, from the writing to producing the song'

I'm aware that they're trying to say that it wasn't a forced collaboration between record companies in a bid to make more of money (but I'm sure this frequently happens too), it's been used way too much recently. It's a go-to term for creative types to announce that they are still in touch with their roots and the symbolism of all these words is quite evocative, I must confess.

Yet, it makes me feel a little bit uncomfortable. It sounds somewhat forced and makes me question how organic it was. That is probably the cynic in side me.

When trying to find an apt picture this came up so I'm sticking with it:

photo from a Canadian research paper, sorry guys

There will be more that for unjustified reasons rile me up and perhaps over time I'll admit defeat, accept the convention and state that the special relationship occurred through an organic process...

Girls, Girls, Girls

If you hadn't noticed, realised or knew by now - and this may come as a surprise - I am a girl. A female. A lady. Not a man.

And being of said gender I have a group of 'girls' who are my closest alibis. There are three of them. Three beautiful ladies to whom I can have heartfelt conversations with, talk bollocks with, hang out, watch films, drink, go for lunch and all those wonderful things a friendship entails. I endlessly appreciate that I can send them a text about a TV show they've never watched, a picture of my cat or a cry for help. These are my 'girls' but you will never hear me say 'I'm going out with the girls' it doesn't feel comfortable rolling off my tongue.

I am also a fan of the HBO show 'Girls'. I like this show but I think the cons are on a par with the pros but hey, it's half an hour where I can sit back, have a little laugh and be simultaneously in so much awe and be so incredibly jealous of its' creator, Lena Dunham.  

If you have not watched Girls, there's a group of four girls in their early twenties living in New York City dealing with life, work, the future and their social lives. Each is a very distinct character but the lead is Lena's character of Hannah. I won't go in to the ins and outs of the show but I'm pretty sure you get the gist from that small description. They're very close to each other and extremely open and honest. That, is where the (one of the) problem lies.

They are extremely open and honest with each other.

Is this a bad thing you may ask? Probably not.
Is it just because you're not that open and honest? Possibly, probably.

Having discussed with my 'girls' (does putting it in quotations make it seem like I'm questioning if they are females or in fact, real? I stated why up there, I don't like using it) not being that open and honest is absolutely spiffingly great and it does not deter from our friendships.

Quite frankly, sharing a bath or bathing time with my best friend gives me the creeps - yes this happens on more than one occasion in this series. Shivers and crawly-feeling skin, the whole shebang. Perhaps, I like my privacy and that makes me the weirdo but the general consensus suggests otherwise. 

Since Sex and the City it feels as though there has been this pressure on groups of females who are friends to tell each other details of their sex lives, share everything, feel comfortable stripping naked in front of each other whilst still maintaining an average conversation. It is great for these characters but really is this how everything is or am I a repressed prude? I like to think I'm not but the fictional world of television has seeped into reality has it not. I'm fairly happy to discuss things honestly but only if necessary and I don't want to be hearing about other peoples sex lives really. I wasn't involved at the time, please don't involve me now. 

Being open and honesty is a great way to be. Yet, a little discretion goes a long way.

I love my girl friends, but I'd rather not see them naked. I'd prefer not to know what they get up to in the bedroom, I'm pretty sure we're old enough to assume we're doing the down and dirty  with our partners/choices in a safe way! There's honesty and laying everything out on the table. 

Or is there? 

I hope this isn't just how I and my friends feel, maybe we are the ones missing out on another level of friendship and closeness by not flaunting ourselves both physically and emotionally to each other? Yet, you can be open and honest and assume that your friends will also be making assumptions without you having to say a word. They'll know if you're sad through a text so they don't have to sit on the side of your bath tub. They'll know if you're having fun with your boyfriend or what have you because well, they ain't stupid. They'll know. They'll just know. As beautiful and sexy as they are, I like them in their clothes.

When it comes to Girls, Girls, Girls and honesty, I'll just rock out to Motley Crue.

Life Through Eddie's Eyes #1

#1: Wildlife Programmes

Let's make introductions first, so as not to be rude.

World this is Eddie:

This is his TV face

Eddie is my 2yr old-ish rescue cat. We haven't had him so long but he fits in with our small household just perfectly and we are still learning each others' idiosyncrasies.

We have learned he shares my love of wildlife programmes. 


His favourites so far are:

• any David Attenborough (we've watched Africa, Galapagos & The Life of Mammals), 

• Polar Family & Me (with Gordon Buchanan, a firm favourite in our house)

• he also enjoys Winterwatch (I'm less of a fan but it's a compromise and I think he liked it because of the birds and Gordon Buchanan's voice which he recognised. Clever cat)

• and we've (we being myself and my Mum, this was her doing - she defended herself by saying at least what he was watching was educational...) even started enabling his viewing abilities, this is how he watched the Natural World Special: Jaguars - Born Free

Next, I'm going to try to get him to watch Simon Reeve when he next has a show on. I'm sure he'll share my love for Simon. Positive.

In spite of the adorability of the above, I can't help but think how confusing watching a wildlife programme must be for the little guy. He sits watching birds through the patio window, plotting how he'll get his murderous way but understands that when he goes outside these are the same blasted birds that taunt him when he's inside. He'll have his way with them as soon as he's allowed out unsupervised (vets orders, honest).

On the flipside these animals on the TV are right there in front of him, so brazen and unaware of his presence; he pads at the screen trying to catch the baby ostriches, padding at the eyes of a ginormous bird and stalking leopards but even though he's touching them - he's not. He looks at the ceiling when the birds fly off, goes behind the screen to see where the big cats went and looks at me for help. Sorry little one, better luck next time. 

It results in one confused cat, who then takes his frustration out on my arms and feet.

What must cats think when they watch wildlife programmes? They recognise animals but they obviously can't comprehend the idea of a television and how it's a recording. I often wonder what goes through his mind (do cats have thoughts other than food, toilet, kill?)

Selfishly, I hope he never figures out that he won't be able to kill an ostrich or stalk with jaguars because I love watching him, watching the television so intently and climbing up to get a better look at those huge fish and brushing his face against the screen when he sees bear cubs. It's one of the many little things that makes being a cat-mum so fun, enjoyable and lovely.

But, not wanting to be biased I thought I'd let Eddie give his version of events.

Here's what he had to say:

``z ;./;./ggf/ftg./d./erdxe33333333µ

He hasn't mastered using a keyboard yet but let's not hold that against him eh? 

He was looking for an escape route, I was trying to make him wave

All photos are mine, please don't steal them. He's my kitty, very cute yes, but just say that they're mine, that be nice. Pleaaaase don't be a thief! Thank you, please, etc. Lovely people.

Oh god, I'm one of those internet people now aren't I? Any other photos of mine, feel free just leave the kitty!