I'm a bit discombobulated at the moment (oooh, I love that word).
I keep wanting to do things and then either talking myself out of them or just getting distracted. They're not big things, just little bits of stuff usually, but I don't seem to be able to get anywhere doing them.
(Even this blog post, it was all making sense in my head til I started typing...)
This is why I have been flaking I guess. Saturday was a very relaxed day - 7 episodes of E.R. and lots and lots of stitching. Sunday was shopping and WoW. I guess it just feels like I'm doing nothing with my time and that I should be doing more, but when I do I get stressed and snappy and generally am not fit to be out in public.
I've been vaguely thinking (again) about doing an OU course, but agin I don't know which course, I don't want to pick one and then hate it and feel like it was a waste of money, I don't want to sign up and then not do it "because I've got no time" even though I so have.
It's all just a bit meh.
On the bright side:
1) Mum's stitching is really coming along.
2) I've got Anthony hooked on Charmed.
3) I'd forgotten just how much I loved George Clooney as Doug Ross.
4) We're going shopping for a BIG shiny tv in a minute.
5) My 42 games game just arrived so I have something other than Sudoku to do on the DS.
6) I got the new Sarah Dessen proof today.
7) After spending three whole days doing "related product" (cards/notebooks/giftwrap) last week it's all done and I can get back to doing book stuff.
8) I got Tanara up to level 60 and Crimsone up to 40 on WoW. (and bought Crimsone a big red emu bird as a mount)
9) I've discovered a Mornington Crescent game on Facebook!
Showing posts with label Monday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monday. Show all posts
Monday, February 04, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Random Dad Fact #1
(This is not going to be a random fact about my dad, but a random fact that I would have phoned him about. I don't think it's fair that they get lost and I still want to share them. Besides, Emily says he knows them already.)
Anthony put on a film called Shooter the other night. I was not really watching it as it's not my kind of film (I don't mind guns in films, but I don't like watching films where you see brain splatter). The only time I paid attention was during the end credits.
That's when I saw the name Levon Helm and got all excited. Levon Helm was the drummer for The Band, who my dad really liked, and I just so happened to have bought a couple of their songs from iTunes in the last couple of weeks.
Not quite like David Crosby being in Hook (and I still like the fact he was one of our favourite pirates even before we knew he was in it), but still a nice random occurrence.
Anthony put on a film called Shooter the other night. I was not really watching it as it's not my kind of film (I don't mind guns in films, but I don't like watching films where you see brain splatter). The only time I paid attention was during the end credits.
That's when I saw the name Levon Helm and got all excited. Levon Helm was the drummer for The Band, who my dad really liked, and I just so happened to have bought a couple of their songs from iTunes in the last couple of weeks.
Not quite like David Crosby being in Hook (and I still like the fact he was one of our favourite pirates even before we knew he was in it), but still a nice random occurrence.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Variousness
The lovely lovely Caroline is once again blogging things I'm thinking about. (She's so wonderful).
My thoughts on this were partly brought on by Facebook after a few very, very old pictures of me were put up on there and I still can't believe that was actually me. Partly cos I wish I'd had a hairdresser that would allow for the fact that I didn't want to spend 3 hours on my hair every morning. (The joys of bleaching it for so long mean that it's the same length now as it was then but so much more under control!)
I also just realised that of all my ex-boyfriends, there are only two that I'm not Facebook friends with (and that would be Jon from uni and the Yeti). I mean, there are a couple more who aren't on there, but Jamie's been dead for 11 years now so I'm letting him off, and the others I can only just remember first names let alone surnames. I think that's quite a good record really.
Not an ex-boyfriend, but a very dear friend from my Canterbury days, is thoroughly excited about the fact that his blog has shot to the top of Google on a search for three little words. I'm not going to put them here in case I topple him, but well done Steve on your success!
Foley chewed through the lights on the tree on Thursday so I have had to take the lights from my bed and put those on the tree instead. There is also now a length of lovely red ribbon draped round the tree after our visit to Hobbycraft yesterday. I keep wanting to make something, but I don't know quite what. I have a few ideas that I'm writing down until I have the money to give them a try. (Which makes it sound expensive, but it'll be about £5!)
The wanting to make something is probably brought on by some of the new blogs I have been reading, they're over in the sidebar under Home Stuff. I love Posie Gets Cozy and SouleMama, both of which I discovered via yarnstorm. I very very much want to make some of these which I first spotted on Posie, and then found all over the place on Flickr. This of course means I'm looking at all sorts of bits of fabric on eBay...
Otherwise I am ticking along nicely. The whole being violently sick thing has calmed down quite a lot, it really only starts up when I start feeling guilty about not being at work - so I am trying not to think about work.
I am also listening to large quantities of Radio Four and getting rather hooked on The Archers!
My thoughts on this were partly brought on by Facebook after a few very, very old pictures of me were put up on there and I still can't believe that was actually me. Partly cos I wish I'd had a hairdresser that would allow for the fact that I didn't want to spend 3 hours on my hair every morning. (The joys of bleaching it for so long mean that it's the same length now as it was then but so much more under control!)
I also just realised that of all my ex-boyfriends, there are only two that I'm not Facebook friends with (and that would be Jon from uni and the Yeti). I mean, there are a couple more who aren't on there, but Jamie's been dead for 11 years now so I'm letting him off, and the others I can only just remember first names let alone surnames. I think that's quite a good record really.
Not an ex-boyfriend, but a very dear friend from my Canterbury days, is thoroughly excited about the fact that his blog has shot to the top of Google on a search for three little words. I'm not going to put them here in case I topple him, but well done Steve on your success!
Foley chewed through the lights on the tree on Thursday so I have had to take the lights from my bed and put those on the tree instead. There is also now a length of lovely red ribbon draped round the tree after our visit to Hobbycraft yesterday. I keep wanting to make something, but I don't know quite what. I have a few ideas that I'm writing down until I have the money to give them a try. (Which makes it sound expensive, but it'll be about £5!)
The wanting to make something is probably brought on by some of the new blogs I have been reading, they're over in the sidebar under Home Stuff. I love Posie Gets Cozy and SouleMama, both of which I discovered via yarnstorm. I very very much want to make some of these which I first spotted on Posie, and then found all over the place on Flickr. This of course means I'm looking at all sorts of bits of fabric on eBay...
Otherwise I am ticking along nicely. The whole being violently sick thing has calmed down quite a lot, it really only starts up when I start feeling guilty about not being at work - so I am trying not to think about work.
I am also listening to large quantities of Radio Four and getting rather hooked on The Archers!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Day Off
I had a nice relaxing day off today. I did a few productive things in the morning, then spent the afternoon playing on Neopets which was fun and earned me 23,846 Neopoints.
I had another culinary success tonight, I know! Two in less than a week!
I adapted my spicy chicken thing that I've made a couple of times.* This time I left the chicken breasts whole and didn't defrost them, just sat them in little dishes of tin foil, splashed them with lime juice, sprinkled the spice mix over the top, wrapped them up and stuck them in the oven.
It worked really well, I thought I might have used a little too much lime juice but the roast potatoes soaked it all up off the plates and it was all scrummy.
I'm not sure if it quite counts as a separate recipe though.
*Just had a look through the archives to discover that I haven't written about it so can't link. Basically it's a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and cayenne pepper (and sometimes a little thyme) that I sprinkle over/rub into chunks of chicken breast and then fry up. When it's done you add a slosh of lime juice to the pan and throw on some spinach. When that's wilted, it's done! We've had it with noodles, mash, rice and on its own and I really like it. Easy cooking, but PROPER!
I had another culinary success tonight, I know! Two in less than a week!
I adapted my spicy chicken thing that I've made a couple of times.* This time I left the chicken breasts whole and didn't defrost them, just sat them in little dishes of tin foil, splashed them with lime juice, sprinkled the spice mix over the top, wrapped them up and stuck them in the oven.
It worked really well, I thought I might have used a little too much lime juice but the roast potatoes soaked it all up off the plates and it was all scrummy.
I'm not sure if it quite counts as a separate recipe though.
*Just had a look through the archives to discover that I haven't written about it so can't link. Basically it's a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and cayenne pepper (and sometimes a little thyme) that I sprinkle over/rub into chunks of chicken breast and then fry up. When it's done you add a slosh of lime juice to the pan and throw on some spinach. When that's wilted, it's done! We've had it with noodles, mash, rice and on its own and I really like it. Easy cooking, but PROPER!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Meme
1. Do you like chinese food?
Yup, I like having it as a buffet type meal so I can try lots of different dishes.
2. How big is your bed?
King-size, feels too big for just me, but too small for me, Anthony and the cats.
3. Is your room clean?
Fairly clean, but it has lots of stuff in it.
4. Laptop or Desktop computer?
Desktop.
5. Favorite comedian?
Milligoon.
6. Do you smoke?
No.
7. Does anyone like you?
There's a few people out there who think I'm alright.
8. Whats the sexiest thing about Condoleeza Rice?
This is a very strange question.
10. Sleep with or without clothes on?
Usually without, depends how cold it is.
11. Who sleeps with you every night?
Nobody *sniff*, silly shift-working boyfriend.
12. Do long distance relationships work?
Sometimes.
13. How many times have you been pulled over by the police?
Never ever.
14. Pancakes or French Toast?
Normal toast please.
15. Do you like coffee?
Yuck.
16. How do you like your eggs?
Don't eat them very often...um...scrambled I guess.
17. Do you believe in God?
Not the God that seems to be implied by this question.
18. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Emily.
19. Last person on your missed call list?
Campbelli.
20. What was the last text message you received?
Anthony calling me his “sexy Essex Bahrainian goddess”
21. McDonalds or Burger King?
McDonalds, but very rarely.
22. Number of pillows on your bed?
4
23. Last thing you ate?
Sweet Chilli Chicken wrap from Boots.
24. Last thing you bought?
Far too many DVD’s from HMV
25. What are you hearing right now?
Doctor Who on BBC3
26. Pick a lyric
"When I am sad and weary, when all my hope is gone, I walk around my house and think of you with nothing on"
27. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich?
I have never eaten one and do not intend to.
28. Can you play pool?
Not as well as I think I can.
29. Do you know how to swim?
Yes, although I'm not keen on it due to being so very short-sighted and therefore unable to see without lenses/specs.
30. Favourite ice cream?
Phish Food or Bohemian Raspberry.
31. Do you like maps?
Yes, discovering places is always cool.
32. Tell me a random fact:
I currently love drinking fizzy water with a few drops of lime juice in.
33. Ever had a teacher tell you to stop talking?
Almost certainly.
34. Ever attend a theme party?
Yes
35. Ever do a keg stand?
Nope
36. Craziest place you've slept?
On the floor at a Korn concert.
37. What is your favourite season?
Summer
38. What is the first music video you ever saw?
First one I can remember seeing is 'Sledge Hammer' by Peter Gabriel. I loved the plasticine train.
39. Pick a movie quote:
"There's a little witch in every woman" - Practical Magic.
40. Favourite quote:
"I can tell I've been drinking, I keep forgetting to blink!" - Campbelli.
41. What is your favourite hangout?
Anywhere with good people.
42. Do you have a best friend?
I have a few.
43. How long have you known them?
Between 22 years and 18 months.
44. Last time you laughed at something stupid?
Foley conked out in front of the halogen heater
45. What time did you wake up this morning?
1am, 1.30am, 3am, 3.30am, 4am, 4.30am 6.30am and 7am.
46. Wake up next to anyone?
Anthony, apart from at 7 as he'd gone to work then.
47. Best thing about winter?
Those proper frosty mornings.
48. Name a couple of favourite colors:
Teal, red, white.
49. How old were you when you found out santa wasn't real?
Don't remember.
50. What month is your birthday in?
December.
51. What are you doing this weekend
Working, meh.
Yup, I like having it as a buffet type meal so I can try lots of different dishes.
2. How big is your bed?
King-size, feels too big for just me, but too small for me, Anthony and the cats.
3. Is your room clean?
Fairly clean, but it has lots of stuff in it.
4. Laptop or Desktop computer?
Desktop.
5. Favorite comedian?
Milligoon.
6. Do you smoke?
No.
7. Does anyone like you?
There's a few people out there who think I'm alright.
8. Whats the sexiest thing about Condoleeza Rice?
This is a very strange question.
10. Sleep with or without clothes on?
Usually without, depends how cold it is.
11. Who sleeps with you every night?
Nobody *sniff*, silly shift-working boyfriend.
12. Do long distance relationships work?
Sometimes.
13. How many times have you been pulled over by the police?
Never ever.
14. Pancakes or French Toast?
Normal toast please.
15. Do you like coffee?
Yuck.
16. How do you like your eggs?
Don't eat them very often...um...scrambled I guess.
17. Do you believe in God?
Not the God that seems to be implied by this question.
18. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Emily.
19. Last person on your missed call list?
Campbelli.
20. What was the last text message you received?
Anthony calling me his “sexy Essex Bahrainian goddess”
21. McDonalds or Burger King?
McDonalds, but very rarely.
22. Number of pillows on your bed?
4
23. Last thing you ate?
Sweet Chilli Chicken wrap from Boots.
24. Last thing you bought?
Far too many DVD’s from HMV
25. What are you hearing right now?
Doctor Who on BBC3
26. Pick a lyric
"When I am sad and weary, when all my hope is gone, I walk around my house and think of you with nothing on"
27. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich?
I have never eaten one and do not intend to.
28. Can you play pool?
Not as well as I think I can.
29. Do you know how to swim?
Yes, although I'm not keen on it due to being so very short-sighted and therefore unable to see without lenses/specs.
30. Favourite ice cream?
Phish Food or Bohemian Raspberry.
31. Do you like maps?
Yes, discovering places is always cool.
32. Tell me a random fact:
I currently love drinking fizzy water with a few drops of lime juice in.
33. Ever had a teacher tell you to stop talking?
Almost certainly.
34. Ever attend a theme party?
Yes
35. Ever do a keg stand?
Nope
36. Craziest place you've slept?
On the floor at a Korn concert.
37. What is your favourite season?
Summer
38. What is the first music video you ever saw?
First one I can remember seeing is 'Sledge Hammer' by Peter Gabriel. I loved the plasticine train.
39. Pick a movie quote:
"There's a little witch in every woman" - Practical Magic.
40. Favourite quote:
"I can tell I've been drinking, I keep forgetting to blink!" - Campbelli.
41. What is your favourite hangout?
Anywhere with good people.
42. Do you have a best friend?
I have a few.
43. How long have you known them?
Between 22 years and 18 months.
44. Last time you laughed at something stupid?
Foley conked out in front of the halogen heater
45. What time did you wake up this morning?
1am, 1.30am, 3am, 3.30am, 4am, 4.30am 6.30am and 7am.
46. Wake up next to anyone?
Anthony, apart from at 7 as he'd gone to work then.
47. Best thing about winter?
Those proper frosty mornings.
48. Name a couple of favourite colors:
Teal, red, white.
49. How old were you when you found out santa wasn't real?
Don't remember.
50. What month is your birthday in?
December.
51. What are you doing this weekend
Working, meh.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
Never judge a book by its cover
The other day I had a customer ask me for a few children's books that had won prizes.
The first one I thought of was Saffy's Angel (which won the Whitbread Children's Award). I enthused about it to the lady and she had a read of the back and decided to take it (and the first sequel, Indigo's Star). But she did say that she wouldn't have picked it up because the cover was so horrible. "It looks like one of those cheap trashy chick-lit girlie books, you know" - I didn't know. I LOVE all the Casson Family covers. All I could say was "I suppose it is a bit..." and then trail off. I wanted to finish that sentence with "...beautiful" but couldn't.
Then today I was putting some books out and spotted a copy of The Darling Buds of May with a completely hideous cover. If my parents had had these editions there's no way on earth I'd have read them! They have the editions with cartoony covers, like their copy of Animal Farm had - which is why I picked it off the shelf at age 9. 1984 didn't have such a nice cover, but I read that next because I'd enjoyed Animal Farm so much.
Covers can indeed make or break a book. There are certain types of cover that I wouldn't pick up in a million years, and I may possibly be missing some good books because of it. We actually have a display at work that I set up called "Books that make you go mmm..." It's not a display of porn, it's books with beautiful covers.
These are some beautiful books.
The first one I thought of was Saffy's Angel (which won the Whitbread Children's Award). I enthused about it to the lady and she had a read of the back and decided to take it (and the first sequel, Indigo's Star). But she did say that she wouldn't have picked it up because the cover was so horrible. "It looks like one of those cheap trashy chick-lit girlie books, you know" - I didn't know. I LOVE all the Casson Family covers. All I could say was "I suppose it is a bit..." and then trail off. I wanted to finish that sentence with "...beautiful" but couldn't.
Then today I was putting some books out and spotted a copy of The Darling Buds of May with a completely hideous cover. If my parents had had these editions there's no way on earth I'd have read them! They have the editions with cartoony covers, like their copy of Animal Farm had - which is why I picked it off the shelf at age 9. 1984 didn't have such a nice cover, but I read that next because I'd enjoyed Animal Farm so much.
Covers can indeed make or break a book. There are certain types of cover that I wouldn't pick up in a million years, and I may possibly be missing some good books because of it. We actually have a display at work that I set up called "Books that make you go mmm..." It's not a display of porn, it's books with beautiful covers.
These are some beautiful books.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Darkness
I'm rather confused at the moment.
When the world ends everything's supposed to stop right? Things aren't supposed to just carry on. At the very least there should be a moment when everything stops.
All I got was the TV blowing up.
Spain was lovely, got sunburnt and relaxed a lot and then got back to England at 3am yesterday morning. Crashed at Anthony's for a few hours, went to Tesco for food, went to Waterstone's for the new Pratchett and then came home just as the phone rang.
It was my mother ringing to tell me that my dad was in hospital. That he'd gone in on Thurs/Fri with a bit of a pain and that then all of a sudden she had a phonecall on Sunday to say that instead of thinking about him coming home on Monday, she should get there as soon as possible.
Unfortunately there was no point in me trying to get there as soon as possible. Instead we did sensible things like putting the food in the freezer and putting a load of washing on and feeding the cats treats.
Then we put the British Superbikes on to distract me. Then the TV went "buh-dooooooo" and stopped working. Then mum phoned about ten minutes later to say that dad had died about ten minutes before.
Bastard took my TV with him.
I think we are going to have to be careful with the family sense of humour. It is dark at the best of times but at the moment is very very black and leads to hysterical laughter followed by flooding.
Like the fact that my mother can now watch exactly what she wants on TV and has claimed possession of the "preciouses" (remotes) but then got all shaky when thinking about the copy of the Radio Times next to his chair with all the programmes he wanted to watch this week circled.
We are all over the place at the moment, literally. I'm in Wolves and Emily is in Cardiff. She went back yesterday morning when everything was still ok.
Anthony has had to go to work which is one of the reasons I'm up so bloody early. I don't have to even think about work until I have to ring RichieFingers towards the end of the week. Poor Richie, he was so very unintentionally funny on the phone yesterday when I phoned to say I probably would not be in today. He was all "Oh. What? No! What? What? No! WHAT?" Darling boy.
I spoke to my cousin Richard last night as mum couldn't face ringing my Aunt Sylv and so I rang Richard to ask him for her number. But he was also a star and said he would tell her (and his dad) and then pass on my number.
No one even knew he was in hospital cos everything happened so fast. But fast is good in a way as I wouldn't have wanted him hanging on and on for days. He would have hated it too, partly cos it's £3.50 a day for the TVs in Basildon Hospital. He was whinging about this, but then enjoying watching the football results.
Bloody Orient lost their first game of the season too. And he never got his birthday present - the programme for Leyton Orient.v.Arsenal in the FA Cup Semi-Final game from Saturday 8th April 1978. The game prior to this was the one that led to me being born.
I will be here for a few days and then will go home. Mum wants to be on her own for a little bit as it will make things easier afterwards. Emily is stuck in Cardiff until Thursday as she has to enrol on Wednesday (essential for student loan). I am worried about my baby sister. I am ALWAYS worried about my baby sister, but I am extra worried at the moment. Being worried about her is helpful cos then I am not thinking.
I will be spending a lot of time on the computer trying not to think. Thinking's overrated.
It also means I shall be doing lots of work on the cross-stitch for my mother.
And contributing to global warming by using acres of tissues.
When the world ends everything's supposed to stop right? Things aren't supposed to just carry on. At the very least there should be a moment when everything stops.
All I got was the TV blowing up.
Spain was lovely, got sunburnt and relaxed a lot and then got back to England at 3am yesterday morning. Crashed at Anthony's for a few hours, went to Tesco for food, went to Waterstone's for the new Pratchett and then came home just as the phone rang.
It was my mother ringing to tell me that my dad was in hospital. That he'd gone in on Thurs/Fri with a bit of a pain and that then all of a sudden she had a phonecall on Sunday to say that instead of thinking about him coming home on Monday, she should get there as soon as possible.
Unfortunately there was no point in me trying to get there as soon as possible. Instead we did sensible things like putting the food in the freezer and putting a load of washing on and feeding the cats treats.
Then we put the British Superbikes on to distract me. Then the TV went "buh-dooooooo" and stopped working. Then mum phoned about ten minutes later to say that dad had died about ten minutes before.
Bastard took my TV with him.
I think we are going to have to be careful with the family sense of humour. It is dark at the best of times but at the moment is very very black and leads to hysterical laughter followed by flooding.
Like the fact that my mother can now watch exactly what she wants on TV and has claimed possession of the "preciouses" (remotes) but then got all shaky when thinking about the copy of the Radio Times next to his chair with all the programmes he wanted to watch this week circled.
We are all over the place at the moment, literally. I'm in Wolves and Emily is in Cardiff. She went back yesterday morning when everything was still ok.
Anthony has had to go to work which is one of the reasons I'm up so bloody early. I don't have to even think about work until I have to ring RichieFingers towards the end of the week. Poor Richie, he was so very unintentionally funny on the phone yesterday when I phoned to say I probably would not be in today. He was all "Oh. What? No! What? What? No! WHAT?" Darling boy.
I spoke to my cousin Richard last night as mum couldn't face ringing my Aunt Sylv and so I rang Richard to ask him for her number. But he was also a star and said he would tell her (and his dad) and then pass on my number.
No one even knew he was in hospital cos everything happened so fast. But fast is good in a way as I wouldn't have wanted him hanging on and on for days. He would have hated it too, partly cos it's £3.50 a day for the TVs in Basildon Hospital. He was whinging about this, but then enjoying watching the football results.
Bloody Orient lost their first game of the season too. And he never got his birthday present - the programme for Leyton Orient.v.Arsenal in the FA Cup Semi-Final game from Saturday 8th April 1978. The game prior to this was the one that led to me being born.
I will be here for a few days and then will go home. Mum wants to be on her own for a little bit as it will make things easier afterwards. Emily is stuck in Cardiff until Thursday as she has to enrol on Wednesday (essential for student loan). I am worried about my baby sister. I am ALWAYS worried about my baby sister, but I am extra worried at the moment. Being worried about her is helpful cos then I am not thinking.
I will be spending a lot of time on the computer trying not to think. Thinking's overrated.
It also means I shall be doing lots of work on the cross-stitch for my mother.
And contributing to global warming by using acres of tissues.
Monday, July 09, 2007
More holiday
My second holiday week was just as relaxing as the first, but had the added bonus of Anthony.
We went shopping a couple of times, including buying some heavenly choc drops in Hotel Chocolat, and also went and looked at fish tanks. We saw some lovely ones that doubled up as coffee tables, which we could actually picture in my front room...with Foley doing her best to get into them! So the fish plan is on hold for the moment.
We stayed at Anthony's house a couple of nights, and he made himself very happy by managing to get WoW on both computers so we could both play. This was part of his cunning plan to get me to level 70 before the end of the week, cos otherwise I'd tell him to play while I worked on finishing my cross-stitch.
Both of these tasks were achieved!
I've also picked out and started a new cross-stitch project. So far it looks like this ---->
Obviously it's a work in progress, but it has a deadline so I plan to photograph it each week to encourage me to work on it!
I loved both Grand Prixs during my holiday, not just because Kimi won both of them...honest! Although it was a little scary when I phoned home yesterday to natter about them, to have my dad say "I hear you have a kitten blog" (!!!) I think my sister has been talking about me behind my back (which isn't hard when she's in Essex and I'm up here!).
I'm back to work tomorrow which I am actually looking forward to. I have a few things to sort out that I can't wait to get my teeth into now I'm all refreshed, plus it's less than two weeks until Potter!!! (I have been practicing staying up to read it, at least that's one of the excuses I used when I went out for a night on the town and didn't get home until 4am).
We went shopping a couple of times, including buying some heavenly choc drops in Hotel Chocolat, and also went and looked at fish tanks. We saw some lovely ones that doubled up as coffee tables, which we could actually picture in my front room...with Foley doing her best to get into them! So the fish plan is on hold for the moment.
We stayed at Anthony's house a couple of nights, and he made himself very happy by managing to get WoW on both computers so we could both play. This was part of his cunning plan to get me to level 70 before the end of the week, cos otherwise I'd tell him to play while I worked on finishing my cross-stitch.
Both of these tasks were achieved!
I've also picked out and started a new cross-stitch project. So far it looks like this ---->
Obviously it's a work in progress, but it has a deadline so I plan to photograph it each week to encourage me to work on it!
I loved both Grand Prixs during my holiday, not just because Kimi won both of them...honest! Although it was a little scary when I phoned home yesterday to natter about them, to have my dad say "I hear you have a kitten blog" (!!!) I think my sister has been talking about me behind my back (which isn't hard when she's in Essex and I'm up here!).
I'm back to work tomorrow which I am actually looking forward to. I have a few things to sort out that I can't wait to get my teeth into now I'm all refreshed, plus it's less than two weeks until Potter!!! (I have been practicing staying up to read it, at least that's one of the excuses I used when I went out for a night on the town and didn't get home until 4am).
Monday, June 25, 2007
Bookness
With my nice back-pay that I got on Wednesday I decided to treat myself to a few books that I've had my eyes on for a while.
So I now need to add the following to LibraryThing:
I know that these won't keep me going for the whole two weeks so I shall be visiting the library again next week (that way I get a lift as Anthony is on holiday then too) and try again to pick up some stuff that I wouldn't normally read.
So I now need to add the following to LibraryThing:
- Chocolate Cakes - in an attempt to actually bake...
- Jarrold Short Walks in Birmingham and the Heart of England - to burn off the effects of the baking!
- The Unseen University Cut-Out Book - my second copy of this so I might start work on it in my holiday-time over the next two weeks.
- The Ankh-Morpork Post Office Handbook - I'd had this stashed for about 6 months so thought I'd better buy it!
- Moomin - Totally beautiful book. Read about it on our intranet and ordered it for a look and then decided I had to add it to my Moomin/Tove Jansson collection.
- Nobody Does It Better... - I love French food, and I love the idea that I could actually cook some of it. Ok, so we've covered why when I think of cooking I think of it as a hassle, but I want to get past that and cook lovely things and enjoy it!
- The Good Fairies of New York - this is another one I saw recommended on the work intranet a long while ago and I'd ordered one for stock. When tidying Sci-Fi/Fantasy I found it and added it to my haul.
- Stranger in a Strange Land - I read this years and years ago and have wanted my own copy for a while (another one of my dad's books). Another one found on my trawl through Sci-Fi/Fantasy, and then promptly moved to the front 342 table.
- Casino Royale , Live and Let Die and Moonraker - I've always loved James Bond and when these sexy new/old covers came out I figured it was time to invest.
I know that these won't keep me going for the whole two weeks so I shall be visiting the library again next week (that way I get a lift as Anthony is on holiday then too) and try again to pick up some stuff that I wouldn't normally read.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Tattoo
Anthony took some sensible pictures of my new tattoo the other day.
Here you can see the relative size of the thing.
(I know, I'd been scratching round it...)
Then he took this rather funky angled shot that shows him, me, and both of my tattoos (even if my hummingbird just shows as a small black blob!)
I have a day off tomorrow so I shall attempt deep thoughts and post something...or I may just play lots of Zelda.
(I'm annoyed that my hair still looks so red. It's very blonde until people take pictures of it! Roll on the summer and pictures taken in natural light!)
Here you can see the relative size of the thing.
(I know, I'd been scratching round it...)
Then he took this rather funky angled shot that shows him, me, and both of my tattoos (even if my hummingbird just shows as a small black blob!)
I have a day off tomorrow so I shall attempt deep thoughts and post something...or I may just play lots of Zelda.
(I'm annoyed that my hair still looks so red. It's very blonde until people take pictures of it! Roll on the summer and pictures taken in natural light!)
Monday, March 05, 2007
Inspired...
...to wash-up by Keris, I looked up at the two pictures stuck to the window frame above the sink and thought I'd try and find them to share with you.
So I Googled one of them and instead of what I expected, I found this...
Contemplating Washing-up
This is the one I was looking for
So I search for a picture for Keris...and find a picture from Mark instead.
We really are all interconnected in strange ways.
So I Googled one of them and instead of what I expected, I found this...
Contemplating Washing-up
This is the one I was looking for
So I search for a picture for Keris...and find a picture from Mark instead.
We really are all interconnected in strange ways.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Fictional fiction
I read this yesterday.
It was a bit pants to be honest, I only picked it up from the library because of all the fuss. The bits I liked best were the bits about Indian culture, describing the food and the family connections, that kinda thing.* The rest of it was same old teen novel...well several teen novels as it turned out. I knew some bits would be familiar, I just didn't expect it to all be familiar!
Opal Mehta vs Sloppy Firsts
Opal Mehta Controversy
Kaavya Viswanathan
*and it turns out that the Wiki article says they were pinched too!
It was a bit pants to be honest, I only picked it up from the library because of all the fuss. The bits I liked best were the bits about Indian culture, describing the food and the family connections, that kinda thing.* The rest of it was same old teen novel...well several teen novels as it turned out. I knew some bits would be familiar, I just didn't expect it to all be familiar!
Opal Mehta vs Sloppy Firsts
Opal Mehta Controversy
Kaavya Viswanathan
*and it turns out that the Wiki article says they were pinched too!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Pinched from Michelle
1. Name six things in your refrigerator: Activia yogurt drinks, orange juice, Marks & Spencers Cornish Cruncher Extra Mature cheddar, ginger beer, pate, several bottles of Kronenbourg 1664
2. Name six things in your freezer: Chicago Town pizzas, ready-to-roast parsnips, Tesco Lasagnas, pork loin steaks, Waitrose Aberdeen Angus meatballs, bag of winter veg roasting mix.
3. Name six things under your kitchen sink: cat litter, squirty polish, yellow dusters, Dettol, posh beeswax solid polish, bleach.
4. Name six things around my computer: half-pint glass mug full of pens, four candles, tv remote, stack of World of Warcraft guides, FlyLady timer, jar of bullseyes.
5. Name six things in your medicine cabinet: little bottle of TCP, Imperial Leather soap (Anthony's), cotton buds, spare tub of hair gunk, scarlet nail varnish, spare razor blades.
6. Name six things on or around your nightstand: Lumie alarm clock/lamp (best present EVER), drinks mat showing The Simpsons dressed in Leyton Orient gear, notebook for writing, pens, Lush peppermint foot lotion, pile of Black Lace books.
2. Name six things in your freezer: Chicago Town pizzas, ready-to-roast parsnips, Tesco Lasagnas, pork loin steaks, Waitrose Aberdeen Angus meatballs, bag of winter veg roasting mix.
3. Name six things under your kitchen sink: cat litter, squirty polish, yellow dusters, Dettol, posh beeswax solid polish, bleach.
4. Name six things around my computer: half-pint glass mug full of pens, four candles, tv remote, stack of World of Warcraft guides, FlyLady timer, jar of bullseyes.
5. Name six things in your medicine cabinet: little bottle of TCP, Imperial Leather soap (Anthony's), cotton buds, spare tub of hair gunk, scarlet nail varnish, spare razor blades.
6. Name six things on or around your nightstand: Lumie alarm clock/lamp (best present EVER), drinks mat showing The Simpsons dressed in Leyton Orient gear, notebook for writing, pens, Lush peppermint foot lotion, pile of Black Lace books.
Monday, January 29, 2007
At last
Someone has finally talked about the real issues in BB.
I watched very little of it, mainly cos I can't stand the programme.
When the Jade row happened, I must confess I didn't see most of it as a racist thing, just as a Jade thing.
It's about background, not skin colour. Jade would probably have had a stinking great row with Tara P-T if she'd been in there.
The thing about it that shocked me (that shouldn't have done) is the way the media have reacted. For the last few years they've written stories about Jade and secretly loathed her, this affair gave them the chance to rip her to shreds.
Class issues run a lot deeper than anyone thinks. In the comments on the BBC article, someone says that "chavs" are working class and that it's the middle class that disparage them. I don't think of chavs as working class, to me they are the benefit scroungers, the people who could be working but can't be bothered. If you're on benefits because you need them and are entitled to them then fine. If you'd sooner claim than do any work then off to the workhouse with you!
The Yeti always used to call my parents middle class. He'd laugh at me because I was used to certain things, like proper cheese instead of cheese slices, and having salt and pepper grinders rather than using packets you've lifted from KFC. If being middle class is having a certain standard of living, then that's me. But I know for a fact that if I quit my job and had a couple of kids I could be living in a council flat free of charge and picking up more in benefits than I earn working.
Whatever I am, I'm someone who has respect for other people and for myself. Something that's lacking in a lot of places these days, especially in the media.
I watched very little of it, mainly cos I can't stand the programme.
When the Jade row happened, I must confess I didn't see most of it as a racist thing, just as a Jade thing.
It's about background, not skin colour. Jade would probably have had a stinking great row with Tara P-T if she'd been in there.
The thing about it that shocked me (that shouldn't have done) is the way the media have reacted. For the last few years they've written stories about Jade and secretly loathed her, this affair gave them the chance to rip her to shreds.
Class issues run a lot deeper than anyone thinks. In the comments on the BBC article, someone says that "chavs" are working class and that it's the middle class that disparage them. I don't think of chavs as working class, to me they are the benefit scroungers, the people who could be working but can't be bothered. If you're on benefits because you need them and are entitled to them then fine. If you'd sooner claim than do any work then off to the workhouse with you!
The Yeti always used to call my parents middle class. He'd laugh at me because I was used to certain things, like proper cheese instead of cheese slices, and having salt and pepper grinders rather than using packets you've lifted from KFC. If being middle class is having a certain standard of living, then that's me. But I know for a fact that if I quit my job and had a couple of kids I could be living in a council flat free of charge and picking up more in benefits than I earn working.
Whatever I am, I'm someone who has respect for other people and for myself. Something that's lacking in a lot of places these days, especially in the media.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Customer Satisfaction
A young lad walks up to the counter, can't be more than 20. Dark hair, dark eyes, looks good and knows it.
He places a copy of 'The Modern Kama Sutra' on the counter and looks up at me.
"So, your place or mine?" he says with a smirk.
In return he receives a raised eyebrow from me.
"I'd have to see if my boyfriends free" I reply.
The transaction continues as normal except he's gone a little bit red.
As he goes I say "Enjoy the book" and get a brilliant smile in return.
---------------
I'm not used to customers trying to flirt with me, last time I managed to short-change the guy cos I was so flustered. This time I'm flattered but at the same time the ultimate unanswered question pops into my head.
Why is it only guys under 20 who buy the Kama Sutra?
He places a copy of 'The Modern Kama Sutra' on the counter and looks up at me.
"So, your place or mine?" he says with a smirk.
In return he receives a raised eyebrow from me.
"I'd have to see if my boyfriends free" I reply.
The transaction continues as normal except he's gone a little bit red.
As he goes I say "Enjoy the book" and get a brilliant smile in return.
---------------
I'm not used to customers trying to flirt with me, last time I managed to short-change the guy cos I was so flustered. This time I'm flattered but at the same time the ultimate unanswered question pops into my head.
Why is it only guys under 20 who buy the Kama Sutra?
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