Peaceful Sunday....

...well actually it's not THAT peaceful as I have the MotoGP on the telly so the living room is filled with the sound of revving engines.

Yesterday Juell took us off to Dovedale which was very very very nice. She knew I'd been having problems not getting out into the country enough so decided last week that she'd take us out to frolick in the country.

We started the day with muffins (and orange choc-chip icecream for me) and then walked up to the Dove Holes caves. Then we wandered back again. We paddled and looked in caves and took pictures and got drizzled on and laughed lots and lots. Then when we got back we all had icecreams and then drove to Ashbourne for a quick look round the market (I bought an old-fashioned dish mop) and then lunch.

Then we headed home through a small thunderstorm as Biz had to go to work at 10 (night-shifts).

A very very nice day, the nicest day I've spent in the country since we went camping in May really! I have taken pictures, but haven't got the time to faff with uploading them at the moment so will do it another day. I have Wednesday off so will try to do it then.

Ok, time to do more washing-up, laundry and then snuggle with the kittens and sew while I watch the Grand Prix.

I think I'm being hinted at...

Emily sent me this link - Bloggen.

I think she's hinting that I'm not posting enough.

So, just for her...

Today my teacher was listening to a radio program about art on the African subcontinent. She was a little shocked by the whole thing, so she started telling my friend Miguel about it, and he was all:

"No way!.. Oh man! I love the African subcontinent so much!"

But then when my teacher got to the part about the art, Miguel subsided and began sobbing. But then the next day, Miguel's uncle told me that the reason Miguel was so freaked out was because he was watching about art on TV. At times Miguel can be quite weird like that, but all he cares about is my own good...

Link of the day: Blackout Pics | Randomly generated by Flooble Instant Blog Post Generator

Happy now Emily? You made Miguel cry!

Anyhoo, I have actually been doing things this week.

I ordered some stuff from FLYLady last Wednesday and it arrived Tuesday morning (very, very good shipping from the USA!) and so I've been playing with all that. I got my Control Journal, but haven't done anything with it yet - plus it's got three holes in, not useful in the UK where everything is 2 or 4, so I have to find a hole punch. The Saving Dinner book seems ok, but trying to work out what everything is in English could take a while. Phoenix is just going through it looking for things that look do-able, then I need to find a website that will tell me what the UK equivalents will be.

The calendar and stickers are very, very groovy. The calendar is up (it runs from Aug '05 til Dec '06) and family birthdays, green box (recycling) days and miscellaneous things like work and wrestling are on there already. I'm still going to be buying my DiscWorld calendar for next year though. I don't know what I'd do without it.

Speaking of DiscWorld, roll on October! TWO new DiscWorld books! WOO-HOO! Ahem. Yes, I'm excited, and no, I'm not embarrassed about that fact.

Ok, now I've hopefully written enough to stop emails from sisters whose lives are much more exciting that mine, I shall go off and work on reaching level 26 on WoW.

Yes, I know...

...but I have been rather busy this week!

I have been reevaluating a lot of things and realised I was holding on to a whole load of "stuff" that I really should say goodbye to. So I have been sorting stuff out and working my way through things.

I finally bought a book that first came to my attention last year (!) when it fell on my head at work. Since then it's kept cropping up but I've looked at it and just thought "next month" but this time I trusted my vibes (lol) and bought the thing. Unusually for a non-fiction book I read it straight through and I'm now working my way back through it doing the exercises etc.

I have next week off so shall try to update on here everyday, if only to tell you what cleaning I've been doing as I'm going to start working with FLYlady again. Not bad for a suggestion which started as a joke email, it's actually working for me!

Right, I'm off for yet another relaxing evening - they're happening a lot this week and it's a fabulous change!

2 hours and 25 minutes

That's how long it took me to read the new Potter (1.53am - 4.18am).

Very, very, very good.

The death is a shock and also has the same "nah they're not really dead" feel about it as Sirius's in Order of the Phoenix.

The Half-Blood Prince is a real shock, I couldn't believe that it was that character.

Hermione and Ron row a lot, Ron gets a girlfriend (not Hermione), Harry gets a new girlfriend (also not Hermione, she does get to snog someone though), There's both a new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher AND a new POTIONS teacher, and it's a lot more grown-up than the last one and not quite so angry.

I would write more but I'm aware that a) no one else has read it yet and I don't want to spoil it for them, and b) I have had two and a half hours sleep and need to work on waking myself up before work!

Plus, I want to finish reading my new Mike Ripley book!

Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry POTTER!

(as in nana-nana-nana-nana-nana-nana-nana-nana-BATMAN!)

Quotes from today:

"No it's published tomorrow"
"It's published tomorrow and we are open at midnight for 1 hour"
"It's published tomorrow and it's £11.99"
"It's published tomorrow"
"No we haven't been allowed to read it yet"
"No we can't give out any early copies"
"Books about Wolverhampton? Just over there in local interest."

Yes, he's due tomorrow. Yes, I have touched one of the books (I touched the corner of a cover). Yes, I do plan to stay up all night reading it.

In other news, my sister is here, I bought the new Mike Ripley book and Emily has confirmed that the kitties are cute.

See you tomorrow!

What a load of bollocks!

Evil Harry Potter day cancelled

Another example of the "open-minded" Church of England then.

Tears

They're announcing names of the bomb victims on the BBC and have just confirmed that two of the missing are dead. It's silly cos it's been five days and you know that if they could get in touch they would have done. But these two were the two I heard about first, the two that I first focused on when I started sending energy, so it hurts.

The BBC's Missing page gives so many more names today than it has before. I knew there would be Essex folks on it, but it really brings it home how close Matt was when I read that one of the missing is from Billericay. It means I can visualise her exact journey, right the way through from walking over the station bridge that smells of the paint from playgroup, standing on the station waiting for the train to come round the corner, and the whole journey into London.

May you move on in peace and dignity to a world that is free of pain, and may you know that those who never met you, love you.

Added 4/8/05.

Carrie Taylor. Yup, I was at primary school with her, in fact I think she was a friend of a friend back then. Brings it closer again dammit.

Ok, what!!!

Harry Potter sold early in Canada

I want to know just how they could put it on sale, have they been paying NO attention! It doesn't even sound like a small store, plus how come they've got copies that early we're not getting ours til late on Friday!

Now I wish Emily was still in Canada, cos she'd probably have been in the right place to buy one!

Bliggity, Bloggity, Boo!

I don't quite know where that title came from.

Had a long phone call with my sister on Sunday night where we discussed the state of the world and her forthcoming visit to Wolverhampton (don't even know how to begin trying to spell that in an Essex accent).

She complained that I don't write in my blog enough, so I pointed out that I don't have a very exciting life. In fact, it usually just consists of: get up, walk to work, work, break, work, lunch, work, walk home, go on computer, do some writing, watch some TV, go to bed. Apparently this is more exciting than her life at the moment (get up, watch TV, go to pub, go clubbing) so I must write in my blog more.

So.....

I didn't have work yesterday cos I worked Sunday, and I don't have work today because I'm working Saturday due to the little-known publication of a book apparently called Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Apparently it's quite good. Oh, I know I'm not kidding anyone. I will be working at midnight, buy my book at the end, take it home and read it, get a few hours kip and then go to work again. Last time I started reading at about 1.40am and finished just before 6. (I can't remember the exact times, but I know it was just before 6 cos I had an hours kip before I had to get up for work). I want this one to be a longer book, but at the same time I don't. The number of complaints we've had because Order of the Phoenix was so thick, like we could do anything about it! Also if it's longer I won't get any sleep!

There's not a whole lot I can say about the events in London on Thursday. I'd had Wednesday off and watched all the Olympics stuff and though great. Then spent Thursday at work with RitchieFingers trying to tune in a very old radio so we had some news and looking at A-Z's to work it all out. I worried about a few people I know who work down there, especially Emily Jones who works right in the middle of it all, but I've heard that they're all ok which is more great than I can express. The BBC have been keeping me updated on everything and have highlighted some of the other fabulous bloggers out there so go read this and be as proud of London, Londoners and the British Spirit in general as I am. (Although the phrase British Spirit always sounds a bit pants and never manages to describe the way that people react.)

I'm playing lots of World of Warcraft still, but have got past the dreaming it at night stage now (which happens with everything new that I do, not just computer games BTW), I'm just in the "doing it for real" stage instead. I did have one particularly annoying customer on Sunday that I wanted to use several finishing moves on (I'm tidying the tables and he's walking round behind me DELIBERATELY messing them up again "to keep you girls earning your money". Bastard) but Campbell distracted me before I could BackStab him and then finish him off with a Gouge/Eviscerate combo.

I'm also attempting to complete listing my library (and keep not finding books I know I own but have had people borrow and then not return grrrr) and to finish off the wedding pictures.

Hopefully that's a long enough entry to keep Emily quiet (and boring enough that she won't hassle me for a couple of days) and now I shall get back to having great ideas on what to write about, and then promptly forgetting it as soon as I get near the PC.

Well I'm working on it...

Saturdays Horoscope:

If you have had some problems in your sentimental life during past months, KATE, they are probably now behind you. It's a sure bet that you have learned something. Here it's been years that you have been served the same dish, and now it seems you've finally had enough! Know that from now on you will be better about not falling into the same old traps.

Well I don't know if it's my sentimental life or not, but the level of bullshit has fallen rapidly since I thought "Why the fuck am I bothering with that/them?"

Harry Potter comes out in a week, my sister is coming to visit too!

Yep, I'm at it again.

I'm so bad at posting when I say I will (plus I have emails I need to answer) but life is sooo busy!

I'm reorganising the house in stages, doing Su Doku between laundry loads, cataloguing my books (and tearing my hair out trying to remember who's borrowed what), writing thankyou letters to my wedding guests and then Phoenix went and bought World of Warcraft and either he's been playing or I have (I'm Petronella, currently a Level 11 Rogue). It's great fun but rather addictive. I say things like "Just let me finish this quest and then I'll do whatever" and then the quest takes ages or it leads onto doing more things.
I do recommend the game, but only if you have spare time and a sympathetic partner who will understand you talking about Gnolls ears and bandit armbands!

Oh, bedtime (very early compared to last three nights at 1.30am - but we have work tomorrow) and I shall stay off the PC in the morning or I'd definately be late for work.

Now then, where's that Su Doku book, I'll just do a couple before I go to bed......

Young people today...

The problem with young people today is that they just can't stop posing!

I mean you take a picture of them without them knowing and they just look bored...



But as soon as they notice the camera it's all staring off into the distance and hair flicking...



I, on the other hand, am no good at posing even when I know people are taking photos!

More Horoscopes

This is my Yahoo Horoscope for today (yesterdays came from AstroCenter).

Capricorn Quickie: You're ready for more responsibility. With things in your hands, life is worry-free.

Capricorn Daily Overview: It's the old family and career tug-of-war, and you're stuck in the middle, being yanked wildly back and forth. How about letting go of the rope for just a moment or two so you can set your own priorities?

Capricorn Daily extended (by Astrology.com)
Home isn't just a physical place or location. It's a state of mind -- and one that you can take with you. Remember that when worries about your place in the world or your family spring into your mind. Certain things about them -- that is, the most important things -- remain with you no matter what may change outwardly. So don't panic even if it seems like everything is changing. The most important stuff stays the same.

Aquarius Daily extended (by Astrology.com) (Your Rising Sign)
Ever watched those cartoons where one character gets a brilliant idea and a huge light bulb goes off over her head? Well, get ready to be asked, 'What's up doc?' because cartoon light bulbs aplenty are going to be glowing over your ever ready noggin. All this inspiration might even lead to a long-lasting and profound discovery -- for both you and the people you care about.

---------------------------------

Well I let go of the rope and phoned in sick again. I know it's not really making a decision, and there isn't one to make really as I am going back to work. But my whole world has changed again and I guess I just need some down-time to deal with it.

As for the home thing, I was so so horribly homesick on Sunday. I would love to be able to move back to Essex, to be able to sit in pubs and understand what people are talking about, to know the places and the people again. Just sitting in a pub on Brentwood High Street and hearing the girl at the next table talk about what she'd bought in "Chelmpsford" (there's not supposed to be a p in it, bit like Bishops Cassell/Carsill) and to know the places she was talking about was so nice.

We went over to Baggeridge late last night with Biz and Juell and wandered about in the rain annoying all the rabbits who wanted to eat their dinner. It was really lovely and I was amazed once again at the fact that it was so close to where we live, just a 10 minute drive and you're there. It's not being able to do the 10 minute drive that gets to me I think. Didn't notice it so much last year because we were always going places with Mab or making plans for going places and the year before I was working every weekend and Phoenix was working all the time. But this year I missed green. There was a surreal moment in the car when Juell was listing all the lovely places that were nearby and I realised I didn't know where any of them were. So this summer we're going to try going on local adventures to places. That should help a bit and then the rest, we'll see.

Everything is changing, and some bits are so horrible they can't be thought about. But I will get through it. I have my family, my friends and my faith, and I will get through it.

Todays Horoscope

Rest and recuperation should be at the top of your agenda today, KATE. You are definitely in need of some "downtime" after the absorbing activity of the past few days. Perhaps someone will phone with an offer to go on a leisurely boat ride, or a friendly match of tennis or handball. Better yet, why not take the phone off the hook and simply put your feet up. All work and no play equals dull!

Well I have been trying to rest after the events of the last few days.

I've been watching Wimbledon if that counts, and will be going for a drive with Juell and Bizkitt tonight.

The living room is all rearranged, I've done loads of washing and the library room is feeling all peaceful again after I rearranged that too. All that while I've been off work for two days under doctors orders to take things easy and rest.
I have been trying to rest, but doing things keeps my mind busy and I'm not tiring myself out.

Just Married

Off to get hitched!

Right then, I'm off down South for a weks holiday. I get to see my sister again, hang out with my folks and apparently I'm getting married on Friday too!

Probably won't have internet access much while we're away, but I'll update when I can.

Byeeeeeee!

Cortez the Killer - Neil Young (again)

He came dancing across the water
With his galleons and guns
Looking for the new world
In that palace in the sun.

On the shore lay Montezuma
With his coca leaves and pearls
In his halls he often wondered
With the secrets of the worlds.

And his subjects gathered 'round him
Like the leaves around a tree
In their clothes of many colors
For the angry gods to see.

And the women all were beautiful
And the men stood straight and strong
They offered life in sacrifice
So that others could go on.

Hate was just a legend
And war was never known
The people worked together
And they lifted many stones.

They carried them to the flatlands
And they died along the way
But they built up with their bare hands
What we still can't do today.

And I know she's living there
And she loves me to this day
I still can't remember when
Or how I lost my way.

He came dancing across the water
Cortez, Cortez
What a killer.

--------------------------

I'm listening to music again you see, had a while where I didn't want to but I've got that vibe back.

Found this while trawling through some albums and remembered my ex from uni, Jon. He was a big music and movie guy, it's thanks to him I like the Stones and Springsteen as much as I do. He wasn't really keen on my music, but I can remember him learning to play the chords at the beginning. I can hear the guitar in my head right now.

Just remembered I actually dreamt about Jon last night, first time I've thought of him in a long while so it was strange. I'd bumped into him in Canterbury and just said hi, then we had a drink and a chat and parted ways again. Nice, but strange.

Good that my dreams are making more sense now, plus I'm sleeping too!

Falling From Above - Neil Young - Greendale

Grandpa said to cousin Jed
sittin' on the porch,
"I won't retire
but I might retread

Seems like that guy singin' this song
been doin' it for a long time
Is there anything he knows
that he ain't said?

Sing a song for freedom
sing a song for love
sing a song for depressed angels
falling from above"

Grandpa held the paper
pretendin' he could see
but he couldn't read without his glasses on

"How can all these people
afford so many things?
When i was young
people wore what they had on...and Mama said

'a little love and affection
in everything you do
will make the world a better place
with or without you'"

A little love and affection
in everything you do

Slammin' down a late night shot
the hero and the artist compared
goals and visions and afterthoughts
for the 21st century

But mostly came up with nothin'
so the truth was never learned
and the human race just kept rollin' on

Rollin' through the fighting
rollin' through the religious wars
rollin' down the temple walls
and the church's exposed sores

Rollin' through the fighting
the religious wars
mostly came up with nothin'

"Grandpa here's your glasses
you'll see much better now,"
said that young girl of Edith and Earl's
but Grandpa just kept starin'
he was lost in some distant thought
then he turned and said
to that young girl

"A little love and affection
in everything you do
will make the world a better place
with or without you"

With or without you
a better place
with or without you
with or without you

Hear that rooster crowin'
down on the double e
It's a new morning
dawning on the green

Bouncing off the towers
and the sun's heading down for the streets
the business meeting
window shades are drawn

Another morning edition
headed for the porch
because Grandma puts down the paper
before Grandpa raises his fork

A little love and affection
in everything you do
with or without you

Hear the rooster crowing
down on the double e

Greendale - Neil Young

Emily's at it again

I got another middle-of-the-night text with her latest picture.

She's had this done at the base of her spine.



If you happen to watch the Canadian Grand Prix this afternoon, look out for an excited figure wearing pink! Yup, she's back in Montreal at the moment, then I think it's back west to Calgary and she'll be home on the 20th!

Productive day so far...

I've managed to do quite a lot today, despite promising Phoenix I would take it easy so that my sciatica wouldn't flare up (couldn't walk on Monday so had to phone in sick).

I actually got a lie in until 8, then came down to play on the computer and listen to the news. The phone went at about ten and it was Brentwood Registry Office checking that we'd sent our marriage registration documents to them (which I had just yesterday) and saved me phoning them to check that was the right thing to do.

This meant I remembered I had a doctors appointment (just an asthma check-up) so I checked when that was and then went to hang out the washing.

Since it's lovely lovely weather here today (blue blue blue sky that hurts your eyes to look at) I hung it in the garden then decided to let the cats out to play while I sat in the sun. But then I noticed the hedge needed trimmin (it's the only green thing in our back garden barring my herb pot) so I fetched the secateurs and trimmed that back.

Then it was off to the doctors (a 5 minute walk) and when I came back I went and sat in the garden in a very skimpy top (and when I checked no-one could see, no top at all) and read Thornyhold and videoed the kittens pouncing on leaves, woodlice, bees and stray bits of air that caught their attention.

Then I thought I'd come in as I was going a little pink (despite the suncream) and that made me think I'd better wash-up.

Washing-up means finding sparky music to listen too and I turned on Magic in time to hear Drops of Jupiter, one of my favourite songs in the world. I washed-up until Celine Dion came on, then ran in here to turn off the TV and put Damh the Bard and CSN&Y on instead.

I also decided that since it's still so sunny I'd wash a load of bedding (can't dry it in the house, no room!) to add to the big load I did this morning.

So I have been productive on my quiet day off and I'm proud of myself.

Now for a little bit of Neopets and then some cross-stitch I think.

(spell check wanted to replace Neopets with neophytes and Celine with clone!)