I haven't squeed about my course lately. Mainly because, for the last two lessons (which are once a week), our usual tutor was away. We had someone who claimed to be "just as knowledgeable". That may well have been the case, but his ability to communicate that knowledge was non-existent, so we spent the lessons pootling around with the programme. Which, y'know, is all well and good as a learning method (that's pretty much how I learnt Photoshop), but I have the programme downloaded onto my laptop at home. I can pootle in my spare time. Bah.

But anyhow, yesterday, Juan - the regular tutor - was back, and there was much rejoicing (in my brain, anyhow - the class is pretty quiet and subdued). We learnt about how to create a curve that can be rotated so you get something that's symmetrical, all the way around. I made a table lamp that lit up. *g*

I'm definitely getting to grips with the basics. And the good thing is, now I'm not moving house, I'm able to go in to the college during the summer, after the course has finished. Juan said we could just call him and ask if it was okay to use the computers. Whee! I'll definitely have to take him up on that, if I can get some free time.

In fannish news, I can't concentrate. I have lots of new shinies, and that's not a very good idea. There's the 

gateverse_remix

abyssinia4077

geneeste

vickyocean

vickyocean

Bit tired of Christmas now. I was doing so well, too. I did the shopping, I saw the family (but unfortunately not enough of the friends), have wrapped the presents, put up the decorations, planned the meal... I've done a lot more this Christmas than I normally would, in fact (and, incidentally, my god but putting together a decent stocking is expensive!). But the Christmas spirit vanished abruptly yesterday when I heard Band Aid for the umpteenth time whilst queuing in Tesco. Whoosh.

Got it back a little by having dinner out with my dad. Delicious veggie burrito, nice french fries, and lovely, lovely chocolate brownie and ice cream for dessert. Very friendly, pleasant staff. Dad needed cheering as has job worries, and I needed company as bf was out at his work Christmas party. Had a nice time - me and dad not naturally sociable, but do okay chatting to each other about life, the universe, and everything. Both feeling a little lonely, I think - me in temp job and not planning on staying long so didn't got to work Christmas do, miss friends from previous job, miss other friends who live far away. And brother, who lives with dad, has gone away on holiday with his girlfriend, so dad's not bothering with Christmas. He's never particularly bothered with celebrations of any kind, but I'm guessing it's still slightly uncheery to be not putting up Christmas decorations for the first time in at least 30 years as you're divorced and the kids have flown the nest.

Ugh. I'm depressing myself. And projecting, which is unfair to the paternal unit. He's probably perfectly content with himself and neurotic cat, no Christmas hassle.

Okay, sod this. Christmas making me depressed with thoughts of how it should be vs. how it is - stupidness, because I have nice life, overall. Don't have to have ultimate perfect Christmas.

Going to celebrate Winter Solstice instead. 22nd December this year. Am on holiday that day. May do something to celebrate - freeze ass off viewing sunrise, perhaps. Spectacular sunrise today - all ice blue and hazy purple (like my lj colours!) - so very, very cold but lovely. "I'm a sucker for mornings," as someone said.

Will cheer myself up until then by writing kissing fic, as per December challenge on sj_everyday.

And I have pink stars hung all over the place, getting in the way of my screen (but they're see-through, so not too badly in the way). All good.