New House!

I'm moving! My first house that's all mine! I haven't got the keys yet, so I couldn't get pictures of the inside today, but I did snap some of the outside and through the windows.

I Really Did It!

I know I posted that I got my results earlier, but it's just now sinking in really. I got a 2:1! Oh my god! I got a 2:1!

That might not sound amazing to everyone, but if you only knew just how lucky I am to get that! The first half of this last year was going almost perfectly. My dissertation research was well underway, and I had everything scheduled so that I would have each chapter finished and read by my dissertation supervisor well in advance of the due date. I got a first on my victimology presentation. I got a 68 on my equity and trusts coursework.

Then, in February, everything fell apart. I knew things weren't going well between me and Simon, but I had hoped to make it through my exams in May before the big split happened. Instead, I had him kick off because I didn't jump him as soon as I walked through the door from my trip to Brussels with my university. I was tired. I'd gone almost 48 hours with only a couple of hours' sleep. The last thing on my mind when I got home was sex! So he sulked and pouted all weekend. That was also something not likely to get me into bed. And when I tried to talk to him, he refused to take any responsibility for working things out. He got pissed off and threw a glass across the room, almost hitting Ricky. Then, when I told him I had had enough and wanted him to leave, he tried to take an overdose of tablets. I called the police. They made him leave for the night, but that's all they could do. When I went to uni the next morning, I never went back for anything other than to get my stuff. What stuff he would let me have anyway.

So I've been through a relationship break up and becoming homeless this year. Then, in early March, I started seeing Rich. Talk about a total mind fuck! One minute he was with me, the next he was running back to his ex-girlfriend. And I let him do it because I thought I loved him. I thought I was in control of myself, but now, looking back, I know I was an emotional wreck. He played on that and used it, but I let him.

In mid-March I was admitted to hospital for almost a week because my gall bladder became infected. Evidently when I was waiting to be seen in the emergency room, I told Donna I wanted to die, the pain was that bad. I tried to get back to lectures and seminars as soon as I could once I was discharged, but I was way behind.

I did my best through April and into May, but I had to scramble to write my dissertation and papers for victimology and criminal justice policy. My law exams went a bit better, though I missed taking my equity and trusts exam.

Surgery in July. From May until the beginning of August, I got myself tangled up in a relationship with a married man who I thought would be moving up here to be with me because he loved me, and instead it turns out that I'm probably just one in a long line of women he's messed with just for the hell of it. He's on my friends' list on MySpace, but since he hasn't logged in since June I don't think he's using it as a venue for meeting more idiots like me.

After that, I seemed to pull myself together like I never did before. I passed that equity exam when I took it, thank goodness! And I did it on my own with no help from anyone else. I didn't lean on anyone, I just got on with the work.

So maybe it seems like I could have done better than a 2:1, and I probably could have. Under the circumstances, I'm damn proud of myself. I didn't buckle under the worst pressure I've probably been under in my life. I didn't quit. I did it, and no one can ever take this accomplishment away from me.

I Got My Results ...

I stayed at my boyfriend's house last night (that still sounds so strange to me ... "my boyfriend"! I haven't had one of those in years!), and when I got home this morning my results from university were waiting for me. I almost couldn't open the envelope, and when I did, it was a couple of minutes before I could open my eyes and look!

But I passed my equity and trusts exam last month, and I ended up with the 2:1 overall that I had been hoping for! You can imagine the total relief I felt! I found out about a job going with the Derbyshire police that I would love to have, but I hesitated applying because I was worried that I might have failed that last exam. Now I can apply for it, and it's not a minute too soon because the closing date is this Friday!

News Article

Thanks to Carolyn for this.

Wiccan sign allowed on soldier's plaque
By SCOTT SONNER, Associated Press Writer
Thu Sep 14, 12:06 AM ET

The widow of a soldier killed in Afghanistan won state approval Wednesday to place a Wiccan religious symbol on his memorial plaque, something the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs had refused.

"I'm honored and ecstatic. I've been waiting a year for this," Roberta Stewart said from her home in Fernley, about 30 miles east of Reno.

Sgt. Patrick Stewart, 34, was killed in Afghanistan last September when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his helicopter. Four others also died. Stewart was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

He was a follower of the Wiccan religion, which the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does not recognize and therefore prohibits on veterans' headstones in national cemeteries.

But state officials said they had received a legal opinion from the Nevada attorney general's office that concluded federal officials have no authority over state veterans' cemeteries. They now plan to have a contractor construct a plaque with the Wiccan pentacle — a circle around a five-pointed star — to be added to the Veterans' Memorial Wall in Fernley.

"The VA still has not determined yet if a Wiccan symbol can go on the headstone," said Tim Tetz, executive director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services. "But we have determined we control the state cemetery and that we therefore have the ability to recognize him for his service to his country."

Wiccans worship the earth and believe they must give to the community. Some consider themselves good witches, pagans or neo-pagans.

The Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration allows only approved emblems of religious beliefs on government headstones. Over the years, it has approved more than 30, including symbols for the Tenrikyo Church, United Moravian Church and Sikhs. There is also an emblem for atheists.

From the Associated Press

Well You Never Know ...

As usual in my life, nothing can be simple. I've hardly seen Kieran (the 21 year old) this week, and I don't know what's up, so I'm assuming that we're still just good friends. That's okay with me. I don't have to have a man in my life to feel like I'm worthy. I'll just keep enjoying my life as it is. One thing's for sure: if I'm happily single, I won't get my heart broken again!

Another interesting fact to spring up today has nothing to do with my personal life. It has nothing to do with me at all, in fact. Michael Schumacher has announced that he's retiring at the end of this season. I knew it would happen eventually, but he's been in Formula One as long as I've been following it religiously, so it will be weird not to see him in that Ferrari! Instead it will be Kimi Raikkonen in the red car.

I was supposed to work last night but have pulled something in my back. I probably shouldn't work tonight, but I hate letting people down, including the pub landlord. He gave me a chance when I've never worked behind a bar before, and he and his wife have been good to me!

Unbelievable ...

I know I haven't been blogging much lately, but things seem to have been almost surreal lately. I've still been enjoying working at the pub, which is probably obvious from the pictures I posted of Elvis night. Because of the job there, I seem to have become quite popular with some of the guys!

First there was a very cute pub landlord! We went out once and had a lovely time, and he's been in to the pub where I work a few times since then. There was another guy who is a regular, John. We've been out a couple of times, and he's eager to see me again very soon. There was a third guy, but he has a girlfriend, and after my experience a couple of months ago with a married man, I think I'll steer clear of him from now on.

But now I'm sort of seeing one of the most incredible men I've ever met. He's gorgeous, sweet, thoughtful, funny ... and my kids love him to bits! The surreal part is that he's a bit younger than me. Okay, quite a bit younger than me. He's 21. It's weird, but so far it's been wonderful! So if you don't see me blogging much, you know I'm keeping myself pleasantly occupied!

"Crocodile Hunter" Killed by Stingray

I'm honestly devastated by this news. He was insane, but I really did like the guy!

Updated: 1 hour, 9 minutes ago
CAIRNS, Australia - Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the Crocodile Hunter, was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.

Irwin was at Batt Reef, off the remote coast of northeastern Queensland state, shooting a segment for a series called Oceans Deadliest when he swam too close to one of the animals, which have a poisonous bard on their tails, his friend and colleague John Stainton said.

He came on top of the stingray and the stingrays barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart, said Stainton, who was on board Irwins boat at the time.

Crew members aboard the boat, Croc One, called emergency services in the nearest city, Cairns, and administered CPR as they rushed the boat to nearby Low Isle to meet a rescue helicopter. Medical staff pronounced Irwin dead when they arrived a short time later, Stainton said.

Irwin was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchword Crikey! in his television program Crocodile Hunter. First broadcast in Australia in 1992, the program was picked up by the Discovery network, catapulting Irwin to international celebrity.

He rode his image into a feature film, 2002s The Crocodile Hunters: Collision Course and developed the wildlife park that his parents opened, Australia Zoo, into a major tourist attraction.

The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet, Stainton told reporters in Cairns. He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, Crocs Rule!

'A huge loss to Australia'
Prime Minister John Howard, who hand-picked Irwin to attend a gala barbecue to honor President Bush when he visited in 2003, said he was shocked and distressed at Steve Irwins sudden, untimely and freakish death.

Its a huge loss to Australia, Howard told reporters. He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people.

Irwin, who made a trademark of hovering dangerously close to untethered crocodiles and leaping on their backs, spoke in rapid-fire bursts with a thick Australian accent and was almost never seen without his uniform of khaki shorts and shirt and heavy boots.

His ebullience was infectious and Australian officials sought him out for photo opportunities and to promote Australia internationally.

Irwins public image was dented, however, in 2004 when he caused an uproar by holding his infant son in one arm while feeding large crocodiles inside a zoo pen. Irwin claimed at the time there was no danger to the child, and authorities declined to charge Irwin with violating safety regulations.

Later that year, he was accused of getting too close to penguins, a seal and humpback whales in Antarctica while making a documentary. Irwin denied any wrongdoing, and an Australian Environment Department investigation recommended no action be taken against him.

Stingrays have a serrated, toxin-loaded barb, or spine, on the top of their tail. The barb, which can be up to 10 inches long, flexes if a ray is frightened. Stings usually occur to people when they step on or swim too close to a ray and can be excruciatingly painful but are rarely fatal, said University of Queensland marine neuroscientist Shaun Collin.

'Extraordinarily bad luck'
Collin said he suspected Irwin died because the barb pierced under his ribcage and directly into his heart.

It was extraordinarily bad luck. Its not easy to get spined by a stingray and to be killed by one is very rare, Collin said.

News of Irwins death spread quickly, and tributes flowed from all quarters of society.

At Australia Zoo at Beerwah, south Queensland, floral tributes were dropped at the entrance, where a huge fake crocodile gapes. Drivers honked their horns as they passed.

Steve, from all Gods creatures, thank you. Rest in peace, was written on a card with a bouquet of native flowers.

Were all very shocked. I dont know what the zoo will do without him. Hes done so much for us, the environment and its a big loss, said Paula Kelly, a local resident and volunteer at the zoo, after dropping off a wreath at the gate.

Stainton said Irwins American-born wife Terri, from Eugene, Ore., had been informed of his death, and had told their daughter Bindi Sue, 8, and son Bob, who will turn 3 in December.

The couple met when she went on vacation in Australia in 1991 and visited Irwins Australia Zoo; they were married six months later. Sometimes referred to as the Crocodile Huntress, she costarred on her husbands television show and in his 2002 movie.

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Elvis Night at the Pub

Elvis Night at the Pub
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

The pub where I work had an "Elvis Night" to raise money for Ashgate Hospice here in Chesterfield. It was a big hit, and Jane was a bit tickled by the Elvis impersonator serenading her!

Elvis Night at the Pub

Elvis Night at the Pub
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

My mate Gaz! I love this dude!

Elvis Night at the Pub

Elvis Night at the Pub
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

Michael is really a hippie at heart, so he decided to skip the Elvis look. For some reason he couldn't resist trying on a blond wig after he'd had more than a few too many ... Definitely a night to remember!

Elvis Night at the Pub

Elvis Night at the Pub
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

My boss Howard, the pub landlord, who didn't intend to dress as Elvis but couldn't resist the wig and glasses after he had a few bottles of Magners.

Elvis Night at the Pub

Elvis Night at the Pub
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

My drunken friend Nico, who is really very cute when he hasn't had way too much beer and isn't wearing a black Elvis wig!