Fuddland

Gah. Stressed. Very.

This Thursday sees my first seminar about my work in a couple of years, so I’ve been busy wrestling with Powerpoint and Microsoft Equation Editor’s atrocious displaying of mathematics [I really should find something better to use for this type of thing].

I also have to produce a more detailed report which indicates how much further my research needs to go; owing to my having to change the focus of my PhD about halfway through, I’m not going to finish by my original completion date [around September this year], and am hoping to get some additional funding for a few more months [I know, I know: bloody scrounging students etc.]. Seeing as one of my supervisors is also the Head of Department and it is up to him whether I get more money or not, I’m hoping this is a formality, although that doesn’t mean I can submit a poorly-written report though.

All this isn’t what’s causing me the stress though. My friends are holding a party at the end of this month, and for some reason have decided it has to have a theme. The theme is “pop stars”, and those that don’t make some effort won’t be allowed through the front door. Given my current bearded appearance, I’m having a lot of trouble thinking of someone to go as — bearded pop stars have been a bit thin on the ground lately, and I’m forced to look to the ’70s for inspiration. The likes of Cat Stevens and Kris Kristofferson would, I’m sure, result in many a “Who are you supposed to be?” conversation, and I’d have to persude three friends to join me if I wanted to go as Benny from Abba.

I could always shave my beard into a stupid thin line around my jawline, don a tea-cosy and go as warbling ego-maniac Craig Dave David.

#1

Daisy | 2004 / 02 / 16 – 01:13

Mmm, the trouble* with the Craig David look is that you’d have to live with that beard until it grows back (or shave it off completely). Getting three friends to go as Abba sounds like much more fun.

*I must say, I like that beard

#2

Lyle | 2004 / 02 / 16 – 08:24

You could always go as Badly Drawn Boy.

Or ZZ Top.

#3

Jann | 2004 / 02 / 16 – 10:03

Badly Drawn bioy does leap to mind.

You could always go as Dave Lee Travis, Mungo Jerry or with some big hair and some bigger trousers, Jimmi Hendrix.

#4

David | 2004 / 02 / 16 – 10:19

Re #1: Good point — I could handle the silly beard for one night. It didn’t occur to me I’d be stuck with it for a couple of weeks afterwards. Thanks for the approval though; the current standings are:

Like beard: 2. Don’t like beard: 2. Couldn’t care less either way: 6,235,745,127.

Re #2 & #3: All fine suggestions. I forgot about Badly Drawn Boy! [Another fan of the tea-cosy look.] Perhaps I could put a couple of those inflatable arm-bands you wear for swimming, and go as Badly Drawn Buoy? :)

#5

Lyle | 2004 / 02 / 16 – 10:29

Depending on the level of beard, there’s also always *shudder* Noel Edmonds. (Bit wanky, though) Also, there’s plenty of the heavier acts that still do beardy bits - can’t remember names off hand, but I’m sure MTV/ Kerrang/ whatever can help…

George Michael could be done too (again, slightly wanky ‘face sculpture’ thing going on, though)

#6

Phil | 2004 / 02 / 16 – 18:59

Go as a womble, they did a pop song didn’t they? That way, there’s no need to shave or otherwise alter your appearance, plus you get the added bonus of no one being able to see who you really are, thus saving any embarresment. Sounds like a plan. No, really.

#7

David | 2004 / 02 / 16 – 19:07

Re #6: “…no need to shave or otherwise alter your appearance” — are you saying I look exactly like a Womble right now? Right, where’s that razor…? :P

#8

David | 2004 / 02 / 16 – 19:13

Re #6 [& further to #7]: They did loads of songs! We had a Wombles album when I was a child. Some classic songs on there — aside from the theme tune I remember particular favourites of mine were “Remember You’re a Womble” and “Superwomble”.

#9

Phil | 2004 / 02 / 16 – 19:35

I thought the suggestion that you’d wear a costume was implicit enough. :oP

I don’t recall an album, I don’t think my parents were cruel enough to buy one. Mind you, I didn’t get into music until I was about 16 and could afford to buy something to play music on…

#10

Daisy | 2004 / 02 / 17 – 16:48

If we’re going for novelty acts, how about Clive Dunn?

#11

Lyle | 2004 / 02 / 18 – 13:55

I don’t recall Clive Dunn having a beard. I could be wrong though.

#12

David | 2004 / 02 / 18 – 14:00

I think after about comment #5, we moved slightly away from bearded stars, and more into the general “make David look as ridiculous as possible” area. :)

#13

Phil | 2004 / 02 / 18 – 19:09

Yeah, you could go as Orville, and find a friend to go along with you as Keith Harris (or whatever his name was. They had a song out, too). No, I know, how about Rolf Harris! The man’s a god. Tie me kangaroo down, two little boys, waltzing matilda, etc.

#14

Daisy | 2004 / 02 / 18 – 19:22

Rolf Harris!!!
*scurries off to add to list of 100 sexiest things to come out of Wales*

#15

Phil | 2004 / 02 / 19 – 01:04

How does Rolf Harris remind you of things coming out of Wales? Or do you know something about Rolf I don’t?

#16

David | 2004 / 02 / 19 – 01:33

Re #15: Little known fact: Rolf’s parents were Welsh and emigrated to Australia before Rolf was born.

#17

Lyle | 2004 / 02 / 19 – 09:19

*mumble* I thought Rolf just came in whales. */mumble*

#18

Phil | 2004 / 02 / 19 – 19:24

That’s fantastic, Rolf is even more of a god than I thought he was! I have welsh ancestors myself (grandparents on fathers side).

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