A Little History of the World by Ernst Gombrich

Ugh. So Boyfriend left and he's boarding the plane right this second. To be honest, I still can't believe that he left and I'm all alone until Monday. I have this feeling that he's gonna come home any minute from work and enter the room with huge smile on his face. I keep myself busy with cleaning, mini-at-home SPA and watching Jersey Shore. I also have plans to read The Slap and maybe some leftover Sunday Times magazines. 

Last week I've finished reading A Little History of the World by Ernst Gombrich. The book is fantastic, and starts with the enternal 'Once upon a time...'. The introduction is brilliant and interesting. The book starts slowly explains the history of the world and provides a great outline for both adults and children. It does tell a 'story' in such a way that encourages you to find out more. The only drawback for me was that I realized at the very end of the book that it was written over 50 years ago (I had no idea who Gombrich was, as far as I know, Boyfriend got him mistaken with Polish writer Wiktor Gombrowicz). Therefore, I disagree with some of his views - especially concerning modern history - World War I and II as well as the communism era. He focuses on the industrialization and the connection between machines and people in whole chapter, regrettably omitting USSR and Marxism. I was also disappointed not to have any information on communist China (even though there are few China chapters along the way) or Korea and Vietnam wars. So that's why towards the end of the book I got a feeling that he was bored with writing and wanted to wrap it up as soon as possible. A real shame, because I would gladly give this book 10/10.

Gleek!

Nothing really happened since my short escapade to AW except I watched an enormous amount of Glee episodes and I love it! So that makes me an official GLEEK! I better get a badge or something. I wasn't so convinced about this show at the beginning, because I'm not a fan of musicals, but Glee is much more than that!

The show was created by Ryan Murphy, who was also behind one of my all time favourite TV series - Popular. There were only two seasons of Popular, but I remember how I watched it religiously every Saturday evening. Even though I already had a computer then (with 512 MB hard-disk = SCORE!), I didn't even dream of  something called Internet, so imagine my anticipation for every episode! Of course now I watch it on-line or... erm... I find different means to do it.

I like Glee, because it covers difficult areas like being an outcast, sexual orientation, bullying and disability. I also like the fact that they use contemporary songs - but I bet that in 10-15 years my children will give my pity looks when I will turn Glee on.

I am also getting better in styling my hair! Now, because it is much shorter, I can easily and more quickly operate all the machinery. So far I tried my Braun Satinstyler for waves/curls and BaByliss You Curl for the bohemian waves. It works, but I think I need to invest in better hairspray and keep checking not to switch the styler off. After watching some inspiration video tutorials on YouTube I'm thinking about BaByliss Glamour Waves Curling Tong - PERFECT for creating these large loose waves, because it has 38mm barrel. When I complained that I can never achieve this look, the hairdresser suggested getting a perm on a huge rollers, but I'm pretty scared I'll damage my healthy hair, so it's a no for me. 

Jersey Shore thing

OK, so I'm watching Jersey Shore and now I miss summer, wearing simple summer clothes - dresses, t-shirts, shorts - NOT layers of clothes. And I'm still repelled by drinking straight vodka. Dom-dom's birthday party last year was too much for me. I will never forget when at one point I was given an ultimatum - get up from the floor (where I was having convulsions) and go to bed OR go to the hospital for lavage of the stomach. Given this ultimatum I swiftly collected myself and went to bed - for a very long beauty sleep. 

It's not a mystery that I am a suck up for TV shows - I watch vast number of them. To be honest most of my closest friends don't have any idea how addicted I am. Now - when I'm not working, I've even made a little digital Post-It on the laptop's wallpaper to keep track what is when. I know - there's something wrong with me (and I have lots of free time). The third season of Jersey Shore started two weeks ago and there already has been a cat fight. Meow!

Jersey Shore is one of my guilty pleasures. When I watched first few episodes I was AMAZED how stupid and ignorant people can be. And at the same time - how entertaining. I keep my lips sealed about this one, because when people can excuse me for watching Gossip Girl, Desperate Housewives or even 90210, they are not forgiving about the Jersey Shore. Maybe it's because they think they're better than Snooki and the gang? Oh, and I do like Snooki and JWoww, even if sometimes they act really stupid. I have soft spot for Snooki especially, because she is the same height as me - I know - I'm pint-size! The one thing about the Jersey Shore I don't get is The Situation (who nicknames himself "The Situation" anyway?!) - come on - he is SO ugly it's beyond words! OK, he has a fab six-pack but on the daily basis I wouldn't manage to constantly look on his face and this horrific haircut!