Yes, my 'about' page is dominated by a bunch of lists. What's a girl to do?
'IRL': Obviously my name isn't actually Illyria Adriatic, my parents were never actually hippies. So who the hell am I? I'm Hazel. Ok, so perhaps my parents weren't completely unaffected by the hippy movement that shrouded their youth. Not that I'm complaining: I like plants. Want to know what else I like? Well, by golly, you've come to the right place!
Currently: I am reading Fine Art and English Literature at a charming English University. Consequently I no longer live at home, but share a University-owned house with 5 other girls. As such I am drowning in a flood of oestrogen, which is as sticky and unpleasant as it sounds.
I believe Uni mechanics are now being bred in captivity in an attempt to avert extinction.
Bands & music: I'm into quite a range of music which includes some artists that I am frankly ashamed of. Then again, everyone has guilty secrets where music is concerned (you know you love Phil Collins too). At the moment, though, I'm getting obsessed with indie music. And I'm not talking Killers and Franz Ferdinand when I say that (although I do enjoy a good bout of both from time to time). No, I am referring to the largely unheard of (and compulsorily five+ syllables-long named) producers of 10 minute instrumentals. Not everyones cup of Grande Decaff Mocha Late, I know, but there you go. Anyroad, below is a handy (but greatly abbreviated) list of artists that I would gladly walk barefoot to Padua for. Take a look and have a jolly good time alternately laughing and nodding your head in concurrence.
- The Decemberists Namlessnumberheadman Foo Fighters Audioslave Jimmy Eat World Karine Polwart Nerina Pallot The Arcade Fire The Magic Numbers David Bowie Elliott Smith Damien Rice Regina Spektor! Bush The Libertines The Smiths Leonard Cohen Freddie Stevenson Alanis Morissette I could honestly do this for hours, but I'll spare you, and myself. I think you get the general idea.
Literature: Writing 'Literature' makes me feel smarter. I'm sure you understand. I'm sure you can also forgive me for again resorting to a list; just because I'm reading English Literature doesn't mean that I feel like writing essays in my spare time (eww). I do, however, enjoy perusing the following pieces of brilliance.
- The Catcher in the Rye - JD Sallenger Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden Harry Potter - some English chick. I think her name is Jo? Goodbye to Berlin - Christopher Isherwood Anything that comes from the mind or mouth of Oscar Wilde Keats' Odes (The ballads drive me berserk) Shakespeare - specifically 12th Night and R&J Emotionally Wierd - Kate Atkinson The Queen of the Tambourine - Jane Gardam
Films: List ahoooy!
- 12th Night. Yes, I do mean the one with Ben Kinglsly in. He is Feste-licious, with a hey-ho the wind and the rain. Fifth Element Eternal Sunshine - Despite the number of times I've seen it, I always sit and wait for Jim Carrey to pull a funny face. But he never does... House of Flying Daggers You, Me & Everyone we Know Lost in Translation Whale Rider Death to Smoochie. This is a beautiful, beautiful thing. I Pirates of the Caribbean. This is more of a general obsession than a favourite. Orlando Amelie! K PAX. Oh, Kevin Spacey... The Lion King, The Jungle Book, Aladdin, Robbin Hood, The Sword in the Stone, Beauty and the Beast The Last Unicorn Benny & Joon Everything is Illuminated. Putz! Schmuck! Schmendrik! Shakespeare in Love Practical Magic Labyrinth. Bowie + Lycra + glitter = joy Kung Pow The Storyteller. I'm a woozle Pride and Prejudice. NOT the new version, the BBC one starring the talented Mr. Firth. As Good as it Gets - "Good times, noodle salad"
adopt your own virtual pet!
TV: This is where I reveal that I'm actually a sad act anime fan. Or rather, where I reveal that I used to be heavily into anime and still have appreciation for enough shows to make a list. I shall now make that list, and simultaneously wave goodbye to any good opinion you may have had of me.