Ever had one of those days?
You know those days, when you have just a few things planned and it just snowballs to a million different things that you need to do, or that require your attention?
Well, I am having one of those today. Which, to be fair, is mildly better to the pants day I had yesterday...pants, pants, pants...
...nuff said, I think.
So back to today.
Since returning from work I have done all the usual things that I needed to do...cook dinner for hobbits, prepare lunch for one hobbit tomorrow who is going on a school trip, washing up, washing the clothes, folding the washing...blah blah blah...my life is truly exciting, did I mention?
I also have had some paperwork to do for tomorrow, so have had two iPad's open and was intermittently dipping in to them, to ensure my clients are up to date...and no, not clients as in a little black book.
I called a friend, twice....I have had a big burly man turn up at my door with my car, valeted and returned, paperwork to sign...I have to say that was my biggest blow, the thought that I now have to return the lovely gadget filled rental car...
And finally...Sky ringing me. Testing the telephone line. Really? Now? I have unscrewed little boxes, plugged telephones into different boxes just to see what this fault on my line actually is. Anyone who has ever had a conversation with me on my landline will testify that my line is pants...
The lovely James from Sky was very helpful and apologised for all of the inconvenience, but these tests were necessary to ensure that I didn't get a big bill from the BT man who is coming on Saturday. However he did have me doing all manner of things to test this line, and at one point I did mention to him that I was rapidly going off him and after our brief relationship had started so well!!!
Nevertheless I do now have the movie package for the inconvenience. So, finally I can get back to my paperwork, but quite frankly I have lost my enthusiasm...after spending an evening with so much going on it felt like I was in the middle of Grand Central Station, I might just eat my way through a packet of Jaffa Cakes and watch a film instead....hmmmm....full moon, half moon, crescent...gone.
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Up and running...
Ok...the new blog is up and running...
It is in early stages of preparation, but hey, I am fairly sure that you have enough on here to read without reducing yourself to a double dose of me on another blog...
Not sure where I am going with it yet, so will let it develop naturally...and if you want to find it, I am fairly sure it won't take you long.
Laters :-)
It is in early stages of preparation, but hey, I am fairly sure that you have enough on here to read without reducing yourself to a double dose of me on another blog...
Not sure where I am going with it yet, so will let it develop naturally...and if you want to find it, I am fairly sure it won't take you long.
Laters :-)
Blending in...
One of my all time favourites quotes is from a film called The Blues Brothers...you may know it...
"It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses...hit it!"
Well this evening, in my car it went something along the lines of, "it's fourteen miles to the concert, we've got half a tank of diesel, a pack of chewing gum, it's dark...and we're wearing tena lady...hit it."
Not quite as cool as wearing a black trilby and dark sunglasses, but we were gonna be needing those tena lady's by the end of the evening...alas we aren't getting any younger.
We have just spent the last couple of hours moshing in the pit to Example. Poor J really didn't know what to make of it all, as the crowd surged when he came on.
"Why are those boys taking their shirts off?" She exclaimed.
"For our entertainment." Said Pootle, "just enjoy."
It was like a heavy drug filled night in Ibiza, but a sober one in cold Brighton...however, nevertheless we have bounced like the rest of the kids, and moshed when moshing was required. We have worked off several hundred calories, and we all limped back to the car at the end of the night.
The best bit of the night, was a young lad trying to impress a few young girlies by chatting to J, and them hoisting her up on his shoulders so she could see Example in all his glory.
"Not quite sure why they thought it would impress the girls," J said happily, she has never been on anyone's shoulders at a concert so it was a bit of a life moment.
However, her excitement didn't last long when one of the girls turned round and said, "they thought you were our mothers."
Oh god...really? Did she have to say that?
It really did feel like we'd been thrown back to our younger teenage years, and Pootle swore that she saw the police swoop in on a drug deal happening in the corridor.
"God, they are only young...maybe it wasnt drugs...maybe they were sharing a bag of minstrels?" She suggested.
Yeah, I can see it now...'hey you, sniff...yeah er, got any minstrels? Yeah, you know the stuff...melts in your mouth but not in your hand...'
What the hell, we have given it our best shot and kept up with the crowd...we didn't even flinch when the beer throwing contest got us covered.
Example was truly excellent; and if going to see him means I have to stand out in a crowd as a member of SAGA...what the hell, you only live once.
"It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses...hit it!"
Well this evening, in my car it went something along the lines of, "it's fourteen miles to the concert, we've got half a tank of diesel, a pack of chewing gum, it's dark...and we're wearing tena lady...hit it."
Not quite as cool as wearing a black trilby and dark sunglasses, but we were gonna be needing those tena lady's by the end of the evening...alas we aren't getting any younger.
We have just spent the last couple of hours moshing in the pit to Example. Poor J really didn't know what to make of it all, as the crowd surged when he came on.
"Why are those boys taking their shirts off?" She exclaimed.
"For our entertainment." Said Pootle, "just enjoy."
It was like a heavy drug filled night in Ibiza, but a sober one in cold Brighton...however, nevertheless we have bounced like the rest of the kids, and moshed when moshing was required. We have worked off several hundred calories, and we all limped back to the car at the end of the night.
The best bit of the night, was a young lad trying to impress a few young girlies by chatting to J, and them hoisting her up on his shoulders so she could see Example in all his glory.
"Not quite sure why they thought it would impress the girls," J said happily, she has never been on anyone's shoulders at a concert so it was a bit of a life moment.
However, her excitement didn't last long when one of the girls turned round and said, "they thought you were our mothers."
Oh god...really? Did she have to say that?
It really did feel like we'd been thrown back to our younger teenage years, and Pootle swore that she saw the police swoop in on a drug deal happening in the corridor.
"God, they are only young...maybe it wasnt drugs...maybe they were sharing a bag of minstrels?" She suggested.
Yeah, I can see it now...'hey you, sniff...yeah er, got any minstrels? Yeah, you know the stuff...melts in your mouth but not in your hand...'
What the hell, we have given it our best shot and kept up with the crowd...we didn't even flinch when the beer throwing contest got us covered.
Example was truly excellent; and if going to see him means I have to stand out in a crowd as a member of SAGA...what the hell, you only live once.
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Forrest Gump...
My friend H is very wise.
I have known her just under three years and I have always respected and valued her opinion.
Alas I don't get much of a chance these days to see her, but we keep in touch as much as we can and today she and I caught up during my lunchbreak over coffee and panini's.
She has a gorgeous baby who is now nearly eight months old, and looks the spitting image of her mummy.
H has been through a lot in her years, hence the reason I respect her opinion. She is the one who told me to filter through advice as people will always give you the advice that is pertinent to them and their life experiences, and consequently it may not always be the right advice for you at the time.
However, today she told me something that her dad told her and it has always stuck in her head.
She said,"you know there is never just one person for another person. There is no such thing as a soulmate, there are choices."
I was glad to hear this to be honest, because all this recent talk about about soulmates was beginning to get on my nerves quite frankly. (Sorry to the man in Peru and Pootle! :-D)
H went onto say that she is with her partner and future husband for a reason, it is her choice to be with him and that makes her feel quite empowered. However, she knows that there are other choices out there for her...should she choose to look.
"Take for example that menu of Panini's," she said pointing to the blackboard, "one week you might fancy a bit of tuna, but on another occasion coronation chicken might be more your thing...until you try lots of panini's you won't know which one is your favourite and more suited to your taste."
"The things is, there are multiple choices out there...one coronation chicken may taste great, while another has extra chicken and tastes better."
"So your advice is, eat lots of Panini's and get fat?" I ask.
She laughs, "you can just nibble if you prefer...but in essence yes, try all of the Panini's, then you can make a choice of which one is your favourite."
Anyone else feeling hungry at this point?
So I look at the board and see that yes, there are a lot of choices out there. I may not be hungry at the moment, after all one has just had a big lunch, but knowing that I could choose a Panini with an alternative filling when I am feeling peckish is good to know.
So after all this time, life isn't like a box of chocolates...it is a selection of Italian bread with alternative fillings.
Doesn't really sound like something Forrest Gump would say, now does it?
I have known her just under three years and I have always respected and valued her opinion.
Alas I don't get much of a chance these days to see her, but we keep in touch as much as we can and today she and I caught up during my lunchbreak over coffee and panini's.
She has a gorgeous baby who is now nearly eight months old, and looks the spitting image of her mummy.
H has been through a lot in her years, hence the reason I respect her opinion. She is the one who told me to filter through advice as people will always give you the advice that is pertinent to them and their life experiences, and consequently it may not always be the right advice for you at the time.
However, today she told me something that her dad told her and it has always stuck in her head.
She said,"you know there is never just one person for another person. There is no such thing as a soulmate, there are choices."
I was glad to hear this to be honest, because all this recent talk about about soulmates was beginning to get on my nerves quite frankly. (Sorry to the man in Peru and Pootle! :-D)
H went onto say that she is with her partner and future husband for a reason, it is her choice to be with him and that makes her feel quite empowered. However, she knows that there are other choices out there for her...should she choose to look.
"Take for example that menu of Panini's," she said pointing to the blackboard, "one week you might fancy a bit of tuna, but on another occasion coronation chicken might be more your thing...until you try lots of panini's you won't know which one is your favourite and more suited to your taste."
"The things is, there are multiple choices out there...one coronation chicken may taste great, while another has extra chicken and tastes better."
"So your advice is, eat lots of Panini's and get fat?" I ask.
She laughs, "you can just nibble if you prefer...but in essence yes, try all of the Panini's, then you can make a choice of which one is your favourite."
Anyone else feeling hungry at this point?
So I look at the board and see that yes, there are a lot of choices out there. I may not be hungry at the moment, after all one has just had a big lunch, but knowing that I could choose a Panini with an alternative filling when I am feeling peckish is good to know.
So after all this time, life isn't like a box of chocolates...it is a selection of Italian bread with alternative fillings.
Doesn't really sound like something Forrest Gump would say, now does it?
Monday, 25 February 2013
On the right track...
Open your mouth, engage brain and talk...easy, huh?
Hmm..apparently not for some. Some people find it remarkably easy to talk about their feelings and general day to day chit chat, whilst others find it incredibly hard to open up about anything. Especially their inner most thoughts.
This is what makes us different. This is why we are attracted to some people but not others; some men like a confident woman, whilst others are scared of an independent female who knows her own mind and is happy to be inquisitive.
This is at times a good thing. We can't all be the same, and the world would be a boring place if we were...we would all never shut up, and sometimes just being peaceful is the way to go.
However, when the lack of communication becomes an issue in any friendship or relationship it can have devastating consequences.
For me, communication is very important in my life. If I do something to upset one of my friends I would rather they spoke to me about it. It won't make me dislike them, and there may be occasions when I disagree with them...but at least they felt they could trust the solid basis of our friendship to tell me that I pissed them off.
In this world where we have communication at the click of a button, it is easy to see how we rely on email, text message, what's app, viber or Facebook to talk to friends and people we care about. These things make our lives more convenient. However, it transpires that there is also a danger of using these to actually have a relationship rather than using this as an extension of face to face, or voice to voice communication.
My father says that the reason relationships work is communication. He talks about anything and everything with his wife. He respects and values her opinion, he wants to shoot the breeze with her from what's needed in the food cupboard, to local politics and just life.
Friends of mine talk about how their partners want to know who they are, and the only way you can ever learn that is talking about the past, the present and your thoughts about the future. Your dreams become their dreams too...how could they not be if they want to support you? Sharing your life with someone you love, and who loves you back is one of the most amazing things in the world; we are so lucky that we have the ability to do that.
So, dear god please, leave the email for work and complaint letters; leave the texting for general messaging and reminding someone to pick up milk on the way home...and keep communication alive, by taking the time to tell someone face to face your thoughts, good or bad. Yes it may be difficult, it may hurt, but actually it could also help them make sense of what you are trying to say.
As a blogger I love the written word, but people will always read into my blogs as implying one thing while others another. Someone asked me recently if every blog was about me...good god no...that suggests that I have fifteen men on the go, have tried every sex toy in the manual and support the conservatives. (Wild accusations always rile me!)
Which is why messaging and emails are so difficult when talking about your emotions. Someone else will always read it in a different way to which you intended. A very good friend of mine learnt that lesson this week...and I dedicate my blog to her and her significant other tonight. I know you guys are on the right track....keep talking.
XXX
Hmm..apparently not for some. Some people find it remarkably easy to talk about their feelings and general day to day chit chat, whilst others find it incredibly hard to open up about anything. Especially their inner most thoughts.
This is what makes us different. This is why we are attracted to some people but not others; some men like a confident woman, whilst others are scared of an independent female who knows her own mind and is happy to be inquisitive.
This is at times a good thing. We can't all be the same, and the world would be a boring place if we were...we would all never shut up, and sometimes just being peaceful is the way to go.
However, when the lack of communication becomes an issue in any friendship or relationship it can have devastating consequences.
For me, communication is very important in my life. If I do something to upset one of my friends I would rather they spoke to me about it. It won't make me dislike them, and there may be occasions when I disagree with them...but at least they felt they could trust the solid basis of our friendship to tell me that I pissed them off.
In this world where we have communication at the click of a button, it is easy to see how we rely on email, text message, what's app, viber or Facebook to talk to friends and people we care about. These things make our lives more convenient. However, it transpires that there is also a danger of using these to actually have a relationship rather than using this as an extension of face to face, or voice to voice communication.
My father says that the reason relationships work is communication. He talks about anything and everything with his wife. He respects and values her opinion, he wants to shoot the breeze with her from what's needed in the food cupboard, to local politics and just life.
Friends of mine talk about how their partners want to know who they are, and the only way you can ever learn that is talking about the past, the present and your thoughts about the future. Your dreams become their dreams too...how could they not be if they want to support you? Sharing your life with someone you love, and who loves you back is one of the most amazing things in the world; we are so lucky that we have the ability to do that.
So, dear god please, leave the email for work and complaint letters; leave the texting for general messaging and reminding someone to pick up milk on the way home...and keep communication alive, by taking the time to tell someone face to face your thoughts, good or bad. Yes it may be difficult, it may hurt, but actually it could also help them make sense of what you are trying to say.
As a blogger I love the written word, but people will always read into my blogs as implying one thing while others another. Someone asked me recently if every blog was about me...good god no...that suggests that I have fifteen men on the go, have tried every sex toy in the manual and support the conservatives. (Wild accusations always rile me!)
Which is why messaging and emails are so difficult when talking about your emotions. Someone else will always read it in a different way to which you intended. A very good friend of mine learnt that lesson this week...and I dedicate my blog to her and her significant other tonight. I know you guys are on the right track....keep talking.
XXX
Gadgets...
I can't be the only 'girl' who loves gadgets?
I am not talking about sexual, buy in the back of a magazine gadgets...but technological gadgets. There is something about pushing buttons, getting a wicked sound, seeing a screen that opens up to six different options that excites me...hmm, maybe I do get the wrong sort of kick out of them?
My car has been taken off to the garage today to have a new wing and bumper after my accident a couple of weeks ago. The hobbits were uber excited to see it being rolled onto a ramp, tied down and taken off for repairs. Clearly a boy thing...
As for me, my excitement came with the hire car rolling up. Oh yes...now as sad as I am, I have to confess it is a family car, however inside it does stuff that I could play with all day on.
GPS, Bluetooth, remote control, automatic handbrake, blah blah blah...I have informed the hobbits that the remote control is for over eighteens only, which Spider-Man is absolutely gutted about. Ha ha ha! My little computer screen even gives me Google as an option...hmmm...do you think I could get some YouTube videos on it? Will check that out later.
The computer tells me that three seat belts are clicked in at the back and tells me what is happening to the car as I drive it...it is just a shame it doesn't tell me that three little hobbits are behaving nicely and that Daniel Craig needs picking up on the way home...but hey, one can't get have everything.
I even got a little thrill discovering that I could use my memory stick to play music or films in it and that it had a sixth gear, (sheesh I really should get out more), and the push button starter key nearly sent me over the edge!!!
This car is the dogs bollox...in fact they are also hanging from the rear view mirror!!!
So night is falling, bed time is closer for the hobbits...however I don't want to leave my new toy of gadgets. Even though it is cold out here, I want to stay and play...however according to my SatNav, Daniel does indeed need a lift so I might get a chance to check out the automatic reclining seats too!!!
I am not talking about sexual, buy in the back of a magazine gadgets...but technological gadgets. There is something about pushing buttons, getting a wicked sound, seeing a screen that opens up to six different options that excites me...hmm, maybe I do get the wrong sort of kick out of them?
My car has been taken off to the garage today to have a new wing and bumper after my accident a couple of weeks ago. The hobbits were uber excited to see it being rolled onto a ramp, tied down and taken off for repairs. Clearly a boy thing...
As for me, my excitement came with the hire car rolling up. Oh yes...now as sad as I am, I have to confess it is a family car, however inside it does stuff that I could play with all day on.
GPS, Bluetooth, remote control, automatic handbrake, blah blah blah...I have informed the hobbits that the remote control is for over eighteens only, which Spider-Man is absolutely gutted about. Ha ha ha! My little computer screen even gives me Google as an option...hmmm...do you think I could get some YouTube videos on it? Will check that out later.
The computer tells me that three seat belts are clicked in at the back and tells me what is happening to the car as I drive it...it is just a shame it doesn't tell me that three little hobbits are behaving nicely and that Daniel Craig needs picking up on the way home...but hey, one can't get have everything.
I even got a little thrill discovering that I could use my memory stick to play music or films in it and that it had a sixth gear, (sheesh I really should get out more), and the push button starter key nearly sent me over the edge!!!
This car is the dogs bollox...in fact they are also hanging from the rear view mirror!!!
So night is falling, bed time is closer for the hobbits...however I don't want to leave my new toy of gadgets. Even though it is cold out here, I want to stay and play...however according to my SatNav, Daniel does indeed need a lift so I might get a chance to check out the automatic reclining seats too!!!
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Checking the list...
With the realisation that we are coming to the end of February next week, it has hit home that I only have three and a half months to complete the things on my list that I set myself just under a year ago.
My god where has it gone?
I know that my final blog will be from New York and I already know what that blog will contain to a degree. It will be a recap of what I have learnt, achieved and done in the year...good and bad. However, there are still over 100 sleeps to go so anything could happen within that time.
During a conversation with Pootle this morning I have run down a quick check list of things that I have done, and things I haven't. Some things were never on my initial list, but happened anyway...proof if it were ever needed, that life never happens the way you think it will.
So with the list in my mind, I have set myself onto my next task.
To learn to drive a tractor.
I have no idea why I have a burning desire to learn to drive one, but there is something about driving a great big cab with monster wheels that has to be empowering.
"T can drive a tractor," says Pootle to me over coffee, "he could teach you."
"Really? Wow, would you ask him?"
She nods, "absolutely, however, we kind of need a tractor for you to actually practice on."
"Yes," I concur, "it's no good making one out of a big box - it really wouldn't have the same impact."
I have visions of my first lesson being with a cardboard steering wheel, cardboard gear stick and Pootle at the side making big tractor noises...no, we need the real thing.
"Well," she says, "where T has his lock up it is on a farm, he gets on well with the Farmer there who has a huge Massey Ferguson Tractor. I am sure we could ask him."
Ok, things are taking shape...we have checked the licence, and I don't need anything else besides my driving licence in order to drive one off road.
So the next things are the tattoo...the cowboy hat...off roading...making amendments to the CV...but the last achievement I think I will keep to myself for just now, as life is never predictable or straightforward and for many different reasons some things should remain a secret....for the time being.
So keep an eye out on the roads; the tractor holding you up in traffic in the summer might just be me...
My god where has it gone?
I know that my final blog will be from New York and I already know what that blog will contain to a degree. It will be a recap of what I have learnt, achieved and done in the year...good and bad. However, there are still over 100 sleeps to go so anything could happen within that time.
During a conversation with Pootle this morning I have run down a quick check list of things that I have done, and things I haven't. Some things were never on my initial list, but happened anyway...proof if it were ever needed, that life never happens the way you think it will.
So with the list in my mind, I have set myself onto my next task.
To learn to drive a tractor.
I have no idea why I have a burning desire to learn to drive one, but there is something about driving a great big cab with monster wheels that has to be empowering.
"T can drive a tractor," says Pootle to me over coffee, "he could teach you."
"Really? Wow, would you ask him?"
She nods, "absolutely, however, we kind of need a tractor for you to actually practice on."
"Yes," I concur, "it's no good making one out of a big box - it really wouldn't have the same impact."
I have visions of my first lesson being with a cardboard steering wheel, cardboard gear stick and Pootle at the side making big tractor noises...no, we need the real thing.
"Well," she says, "where T has his lock up it is on a farm, he gets on well with the Farmer there who has a huge Massey Ferguson Tractor. I am sure we could ask him."
Ok, things are taking shape...we have checked the licence, and I don't need anything else besides my driving licence in order to drive one off road.
So the next things are the tattoo...the cowboy hat...off roading...making amendments to the CV...but the last achievement I think I will keep to myself for just now, as life is never predictable or straightforward and for many different reasons some things should remain a secret....for the time being.
So keep an eye out on the roads; the tractor holding you up in traffic in the summer might just be me...
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