So, another weekend come and gone! It was a return to my "weekend dad" alter-ego this weekend with Melissa returning to work!
Saturday was mainly spent at my mum's house setting up her new broadband etc. However, I'm told by more experienced bloggers than I that this isn't very exciting, and if in doubt, to make it up. Therefore, ignore the start of this paragraph, and just know that Saturday was actually spent wrestling tigers, sailing the high seas, jousting with bad knights, and defeating the dark lord of the sith to generally ensure that by Saturday evening the good had out, and the people of the world could relax with a warm fuzzy feeling, knowing that all was well!!
Having done all of that, Saturday evening was spent with friends, something we hadn't done for a long while and was great to spend time with them.
Sunday was the usual mad rush! Melissa went to work yesterday afternoon and Eloise wanted to "make cakes"!! Hmmmmm, now I'm not bad in the kitchen, if I do say so myself, but I struggled with this one!! We started with 10 cake cases, but somehow only finished with 8 cakes!! The instructions on the cake mix packet (Disney Princess, if you're interested!) then told me to mix a "little" water with the icing sugar to make the icing. Great!, how much is a "little"?? - what I do know is that it is less than the amount I actually did add. So we have cakes (of sorts) waiting to be iced today.
So there we go, such excitement!!
Monday 30 April 2007
Friday 27 April 2007
There's gratitude for you!
I just thought I'd share something that happened to me last night. Was walking from the office towards London Bridge station, when a big Mercedes pulled up beside me. A gentleman got out, and started walking towards the station. As he did, he pulled something out of his back pocket, and in doing so a bundle of £20 notes fell onto the ground. He obviously hadn't realised and carried on walking.
I picked up the bundle of notes - there were a lot, I would estimate well in excess of £100 in total - and being the good, honest boy that I am, scurried (or maybe even sturried Liz??!!!) after him. I tapped him on the shoulder, he turned round and I said "excuse me, you dropped this on the floor" at which point, he scowled at me, snatched the money out of my hand and walked off again. Not a word, not even a thankyou.
I'd like to think that if the roles were reversed I would have shown some gratitude, or am I expecting too much???!!!!!!
I picked up the bundle of notes - there were a lot, I would estimate well in excess of £100 in total - and being the good, honest boy that I am, scurried (or maybe even sturried Liz??!!!) after him. I tapped him on the shoulder, he turned round and I said "excuse me, you dropped this on the floor" at which point, he scowled at me, snatched the money out of my hand and walked off again. Not a word, not even a thankyou.
I'd like to think that if the roles were reversed I would have shown some gratitude, or am I expecting too much???!!!!!!
Monday 23 April 2007
Never Look a Polar Bear in the eye!
Saw this story, and it intrigued me!! Some of you may have read about this bear in the papers a few weeks back, German Animal Rights protesters wanted him put down because he wasn't being allowed to live as a "proper bear" The only reason I have added this, and it's not to trigger a debate about animal rights, was because it actually made me chuckle - see points after the story!
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's celebrity polar bear cub Knut has received an anonymous death threat, causing alarm at Berlin Zoo on Thursday and prompting heightened security.
Top-selling Bild newspaper said the zoo had received a hand-written fax from a suspected animal hater with the words: "Knut is dead! Thursday midday."
But that deadline came and went safely for media star Knut, who has been on newspaper front pages around Germany and the world for weeks. "He is safe and in good spirits," said zoo official Ragnar Kuehne after the time had passed.
Berlin police said they had investigated a letter containing a threat but did not believe it was serious.
Berlin Zoo's business manager Gerald Uhlich said: "They told us prominent figures often have things like this happen but in this instance we need not be too worried."
Nonetheless, Bild said the zoo had trebled the number of minders responsible for Knut's safety to 15.
"Death threat, police protection for Knut!" Bild wrote in bold letters on page one above a picture of the sad-looking polar bear cub peering out from behind a tree branch.
As Knut appeared for one of his public appearance on Thursday, about twelve minders in orange jackets and carrying walkie-talkies patrolled the area around his enclosure to keep a close eye on the cub and the crowd of fans.
Just an hour before the death threat expired, an unperturbed Knut rolled around on the ground with his bearded keeper Thomas Doerflein and, as usual, chewed his fingers.
Knut, who now has his own brand, won global attention after questions were raised about hand-rearing polar bears. Some animal rights campaigners were interpreted as calling for him to be put down rather than raised by humans.
Doerflein has slept in Knut's cage, played with him and fed him porridge since the cub's mother rejected him at birth.
The zoo has already received about six serious offers to give Knut a home when he is older, the latest from a Norwegian zoo north of the Arctic Circle.
"We are the northernmost zoo in the world so we thought, why not take the initiative to get him up here," said Sigbjoern Soerensen, managing director of the Polar Zoo in Bardu, Norway.
Soerensen, who sent his proposal to Berlin in a letter, said the Polar Zoo had ideal conditions for Knut, with deep snow in winter and temperatures sometimes diving to -30 degrees celsius and summer temperatures typically a cool 10-15 degrees.
Kuehne said Berlin Zoo would only consider whether to send Knut abroad in a year or so when he is old enough to breed.
1) - The person who sent the death threat - brave or stupid?? Polar Bears actually have a reputation as a fearsome predator, so I'm going for stupid - Stupid enough to want to take the bear on in the first place, but also stupid for sending a death threat to a Polar Bear -as far as I'm aware they can't read!!
2) "The zoo received a hand-written fax from a suspected animal hater" - Suspected?? He's threatening to kill the bear, hardly sounds like he's a big fan!
3) The bear makes public appearances with 12 minders - that's almost as many as Mariah Carey!!!
4) "Berlin Zoo will consider whether to send Knut abroad in a year or so when he is old enough to breed" - Why have I got this image of a Polar Bear in dark glasses, carrying suitcase and passport, boarding a plane!! Is it a permanent trip, or a gap year - lady polar bears of the world beware, Knut is on his way!!
Anyway, sorry for the slightly surreal nature of this entry, it just amused me that's all!! The title for this blog, by the way, comes from what, I am told, is the second golden rule of Arctic survival. The first?? Never eat yellow snow!!
Later,
G
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's celebrity polar bear cub Knut has received an anonymous death threat, causing alarm at Berlin Zoo on Thursday and prompting heightened security.
Top-selling Bild newspaper said the zoo had received a hand-written fax from a suspected animal hater with the words: "Knut is dead! Thursday midday."
But that deadline came and went safely for media star Knut, who has been on newspaper front pages around Germany and the world for weeks. "He is safe and in good spirits," said zoo official Ragnar Kuehne after the time had passed.
Berlin police said they had investigated a letter containing a threat but did not believe it was serious.
Berlin Zoo's business manager Gerald Uhlich said: "They told us prominent figures often have things like this happen but in this instance we need not be too worried."
Nonetheless, Bild said the zoo had trebled the number of minders responsible for Knut's safety to 15.
"Death threat, police protection for Knut!" Bild wrote in bold letters on page one above a picture of the sad-looking polar bear cub peering out from behind a tree branch.
As Knut appeared for one of his public appearance on Thursday, about twelve minders in orange jackets and carrying walkie-talkies patrolled the area around his enclosure to keep a close eye on the cub and the crowd of fans.
Just an hour before the death threat expired, an unperturbed Knut rolled around on the ground with his bearded keeper Thomas Doerflein and, as usual, chewed his fingers.
Knut, who now has his own brand, won global attention after questions were raised about hand-rearing polar bears. Some animal rights campaigners were interpreted as calling for him to be put down rather than raised by humans.
Doerflein has slept in Knut's cage, played with him and fed him porridge since the cub's mother rejected him at birth.
The zoo has already received about six serious offers to give Knut a home when he is older, the latest from a Norwegian zoo north of the Arctic Circle.
"We are the northernmost zoo in the world so we thought, why not take the initiative to get him up here," said Sigbjoern Soerensen, managing director of the Polar Zoo in Bardu, Norway.
Soerensen, who sent his proposal to Berlin in a letter, said the Polar Zoo had ideal conditions for Knut, with deep snow in winter and temperatures sometimes diving to -30 degrees celsius and summer temperatures typically a cool 10-15 degrees.
Kuehne said Berlin Zoo would only consider whether to send Knut abroad in a year or so when he is old enough to breed.
1) - The person who sent the death threat - brave or stupid?? Polar Bears actually have a reputation as a fearsome predator, so I'm going for stupid - Stupid enough to want to take the bear on in the first place, but also stupid for sending a death threat to a Polar Bear -as far as I'm aware they can't read!!
2) "The zoo received a hand-written fax from a suspected animal hater" - Suspected?? He's threatening to kill the bear, hardly sounds like he's a big fan!
3) The bear makes public appearances with 12 minders - that's almost as many as Mariah Carey!!!
4) "Berlin Zoo will consider whether to send Knut abroad in a year or so when he is old enough to breed" - Why have I got this image of a Polar Bear in dark glasses, carrying suitcase and passport, boarding a plane!! Is it a permanent trip, or a gap year - lady polar bears of the world beware, Knut is on his way!!
Anyway, sorry for the slightly surreal nature of this entry, it just amused me that's all!! The title for this blog, by the way, comes from what, I am told, is the second golden rule of Arctic survival. The first?? Never eat yellow snow!!
Later,
G
Thursday 19 April 2007
The wisdom of Nichole
I should point out that the article reproduced below doesn't necessarily reflect my own views or opinions completely, but it seemed quite relevant to various discussions that have gone on recently in Blogdom, so thought I would include it! Besides, it's written by Nichole Nordeman - and she's a legend in my eyes!!!
Comments, discussion, or otherwise welcome!!!
G
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION – March 2007 CCM By Nichole Nordeman
Lights, camera, action
Movie night is a big deal at my house. I remember when I was a younger, single person, hearing my married friends with kids talk about how excited they were about getting to have a “Blockbuster night” on Saturday night. I remember thinking, “Wow. How sad. When I get married and have kids I am sooo not going to be a giant lame-o and allow the highlight of my entire week to revolve around microwave popcorn and a DVD player.” I was certain my evenings would be spent strolling through art museums or stopping at sidewalk cafes to scribble something insightful in my journal. Naturally, whatever child I was schlepping around in a stroller, would be quietly practicing his or her French with the flashcards I found at the museum gift shop.
No joke. That was my vision of family life. ANYTHING, dear Lord, but Blockbuster night.
The irony of course, is that I married a man who is such a film buff, that we have a separate ROOM for movie watching. A special screen on a special wall the size of an SUV with 19 remote controls, specifically designed to detonate in the hands of women. But I am an admitted convert. I am now the girl who takes great pride in un-scorched popcorn, and great shame in un-popped kernels. I am now the girl who races to my special spot on the couch for movie night. Let the museum people scoff…I have far more comfortable slippers than Van Gogh ever owned.
The other night, Errol and I made a rare and erroneous film selection. He had obtained a free copy of the most recent King Kong movie (2005). I won’t waste time reviewing the film. Besides, I should try and be sensitive…maybe you liked it. Maybe you also like sweaty gym socks and small daggers poked in your eyes. Maybe you like the Keebler elves. But, our only consolation in watching this film was that it was…free. But then, so are the chickenpox.
The film opens with one of the main characters Carl Denham, played by Jack Black, a struggling yet passionate movie director in the 1930’s trying to make his mark and fund his next “masterpiece.” When he is first introduced in early scenes, I had compassion for him. He is desperately trying to win the enthusiasm (and dollars) of some wealthy investors to afford him the luxury of finishing his film. He is appropriately eccentric and inappropriate, but it was easy for me to be sympathetic with his willingness to go to any lengths to make his movie.
Most of the movie is spent watching him trail a giant, hairy gorilla (duh) who spends 2 hours flinging the lovely Naomi Watts about, lipstick and curls perfectly intact, despite the fact that Kong repeatedly snaps her bony neck around like a chicken. There. Now you’ve seen the movie.
Oh yah. She screams a lot.
Long after the movie mercifully ended, it was the Jack Black character…the passionate director…that stayed with me. Once he is finally on spooky Skull Island, and he begins frantically filming, it is clear that his passion for his art has started to look more like a disturbing obsession. Danger lurks around every corner and even though his closet friends and crew are losing their limbs and lives to creatures who are unspeakably gruesome, he manages to somehow keep his camera rolling ‘for art’s sake.’ Narrowly escaping the clutches of giant cockroaches and gianormous eels himself, he is miraculously able to scramble behind the lens and continue to film the bedlam, unharmed.
What began as my admiration for his passionate pursuit of art quickly became disgust for his insatiable greed and opportunism…all at the expense of his cast and crew.
Why is there always such a fine line between genuine commitment and unhealthy fixation? And why is it so easy for everyone else to recognize when that line has been blurred or crossed, except for the sucker who is still clinging to the illusion that he or she is somehow gallantly obliged to keep fixating? We see it all the time…dating relationships that should have ended long ago, jobs that should have been resigned from, unrealistic pie in the sky notions of being “discovered” at something, the optimistic pining away for a certain kind of physical beauty we will never attain, the clutching, the grasping, the constant justification…and everyone else in the room is thinking… PUT THE CAMERA DOWN. YOUR LIFE IS FALLING APART AROUND YOU AND YOU’RE WAITING TO GET FOOTAGE OF A 50-FOOT MONKEY HOLDING A BLONDE. Let…it…go.
Knowing when to clutch at something even tighter because you believe so firmly in seeing it through and knowing when to walk away might be one of the hardest parts about a journey in faith. There are so many competing voices. So much input. So many books and friends and friends recommending books. So many therapists and counselors (big fan, by the way)…it can be a great struggle to quiet all the chatter and really hear God’s heart. Everybody and their gorilla is an expert on what God wants for you. And very few people have a clue. Least of all the goofball staring back from the mirror who can no longer see the forest for the bananas.
In the 10th chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus spends some time talking to a crowd about how His sheep “will follow him because they know His voice.” Other shepherds, other watchmen and “hired hands’ will try and coerce His sheep to follow but “they will never follow a stranger, in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (vs. 5) After his thorough and gentle explanation of this sheep/shepherd metaphor…18 verses worth in fact…about half of the crowd decided he was “demon possessed and raving mad,” and probably went off in search of Little Bo Peep. Case in point, I’d say.
There’s the challenge. Not JUST the getting quiet part, but whose voice you choose to amplify. And it is a choice. And a huge risk…because it might very well mean God prying your white knuckles off that camera.
ARRGH. I hate it when I accidentally write something that applies to my own life. Stupid Kong.
Don’t rent it…you can borrow my copy. You can have my copy. No charge.
nichole
Comments, discussion, or otherwise welcome!!!
G
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION – March 2007 CCM By Nichole Nordeman
Lights, camera, action
Movie night is a big deal at my house. I remember when I was a younger, single person, hearing my married friends with kids talk about how excited they were about getting to have a “Blockbuster night” on Saturday night. I remember thinking, “Wow. How sad. When I get married and have kids I am sooo not going to be a giant lame-o and allow the highlight of my entire week to revolve around microwave popcorn and a DVD player.” I was certain my evenings would be spent strolling through art museums or stopping at sidewalk cafes to scribble something insightful in my journal. Naturally, whatever child I was schlepping around in a stroller, would be quietly practicing his or her French with the flashcards I found at the museum gift shop.
No joke. That was my vision of family life. ANYTHING, dear Lord, but Blockbuster night.
The irony of course, is that I married a man who is such a film buff, that we have a separate ROOM for movie watching. A special screen on a special wall the size of an SUV with 19 remote controls, specifically designed to detonate in the hands of women. But I am an admitted convert. I am now the girl who takes great pride in un-scorched popcorn, and great shame in un-popped kernels. I am now the girl who races to my special spot on the couch for movie night. Let the museum people scoff…I have far more comfortable slippers than Van Gogh ever owned.
The other night, Errol and I made a rare and erroneous film selection. He had obtained a free copy of the most recent King Kong movie (2005). I won’t waste time reviewing the film. Besides, I should try and be sensitive…maybe you liked it. Maybe you also like sweaty gym socks and small daggers poked in your eyes. Maybe you like the Keebler elves. But, our only consolation in watching this film was that it was…free. But then, so are the chickenpox.
The film opens with one of the main characters Carl Denham, played by Jack Black, a struggling yet passionate movie director in the 1930’s trying to make his mark and fund his next “masterpiece.” When he is first introduced in early scenes, I had compassion for him. He is desperately trying to win the enthusiasm (and dollars) of some wealthy investors to afford him the luxury of finishing his film. He is appropriately eccentric and inappropriate, but it was easy for me to be sympathetic with his willingness to go to any lengths to make his movie.
Most of the movie is spent watching him trail a giant, hairy gorilla (duh) who spends 2 hours flinging the lovely Naomi Watts about, lipstick and curls perfectly intact, despite the fact that Kong repeatedly snaps her bony neck around like a chicken. There. Now you’ve seen the movie.
Oh yah. She screams a lot.
Long after the movie mercifully ended, it was the Jack Black character…the passionate director…that stayed with me. Once he is finally on spooky Skull Island, and he begins frantically filming, it is clear that his passion for his art has started to look more like a disturbing obsession. Danger lurks around every corner and even though his closet friends and crew are losing their limbs and lives to creatures who are unspeakably gruesome, he manages to somehow keep his camera rolling ‘for art’s sake.’ Narrowly escaping the clutches of giant cockroaches and gianormous eels himself, he is miraculously able to scramble behind the lens and continue to film the bedlam, unharmed.
What began as my admiration for his passionate pursuit of art quickly became disgust for his insatiable greed and opportunism…all at the expense of his cast and crew.
Why is there always such a fine line between genuine commitment and unhealthy fixation? And why is it so easy for everyone else to recognize when that line has been blurred or crossed, except for the sucker who is still clinging to the illusion that he or she is somehow gallantly obliged to keep fixating? We see it all the time…dating relationships that should have ended long ago, jobs that should have been resigned from, unrealistic pie in the sky notions of being “discovered” at something, the optimistic pining away for a certain kind of physical beauty we will never attain, the clutching, the grasping, the constant justification…and everyone else in the room is thinking… PUT THE CAMERA DOWN. YOUR LIFE IS FALLING APART AROUND YOU AND YOU’RE WAITING TO GET FOOTAGE OF A 50-FOOT MONKEY HOLDING A BLONDE. Let…it…go.
Knowing when to clutch at something even tighter because you believe so firmly in seeing it through and knowing when to walk away might be one of the hardest parts about a journey in faith. There are so many competing voices. So much input. So many books and friends and friends recommending books. So many therapists and counselors (big fan, by the way)…it can be a great struggle to quiet all the chatter and really hear God’s heart. Everybody and their gorilla is an expert on what God wants for you. And very few people have a clue. Least of all the goofball staring back from the mirror who can no longer see the forest for the bananas.
In the 10th chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus spends some time talking to a crowd about how His sheep “will follow him because they know His voice.” Other shepherds, other watchmen and “hired hands’ will try and coerce His sheep to follow but “they will never follow a stranger, in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (vs. 5) After his thorough and gentle explanation of this sheep/shepherd metaphor…18 verses worth in fact…about half of the crowd decided he was “demon possessed and raving mad,” and probably went off in search of Little Bo Peep. Case in point, I’d say.
There’s the challenge. Not JUST the getting quiet part, but whose voice you choose to amplify. And it is a choice. And a huge risk…because it might very well mean God prying your white knuckles off that camera.
ARRGH. I hate it when I accidentally write something that applies to my own life. Stupid Kong.
Don’t rent it…you can borrow my copy. You can have my copy. No charge.
nichole
Tuesday 17 April 2007
Best Feet Forward
There's a pedial theme to today's entry (that's foot-like, in the same way that "Cupboardy" is Cupboard like!)
Yesterday Eloise went to her first Ballet Lesson. She was very excited, although disappointed that she didn't have a leotard and tutu like the other children - This has now been ordered! I was treated to a "replay" of the class's events when I got home from work. Needless to say, she has an elegance, grace and poise that she could only have inherited from me ( and anyone who has ever seen my "Beyonce" would know that that's the truth!!) She's growing up very quickly!! Maisie smiled and giggled her way through the repeat showing in the lounge last night, and it's only going to be a matter of time before she starts joining in!!
The other "foot-related" news is as a result of my ongoing weight loss - Have felt the need to set myself a challenge once I get to my desired weight, and first started looking into this a couple of months ago, it's been a bit overtaken with the events of the last couple of months though. However, now beginning to look again at a plan to walk the Great Wall of China (well, part of it, not all of it!) next year. I will be doing it in aid of Little Havens Childrens Hospice (Where Melissa works), and will probably be doing it in October of next year. It's all very early stages of planning at the moment, but if all works out I will need to raise quite a lot of sponsorship, so be warned!!! I'll also need some advice on comfortable, functional walking boots from the walkers amongst you!!!
Have a good day everyone!
G
Yesterday Eloise went to her first Ballet Lesson. She was very excited, although disappointed that she didn't have a leotard and tutu like the other children - This has now been ordered! I was treated to a "replay" of the class's events when I got home from work. Needless to say, she has an elegance, grace and poise that she could only have inherited from me ( and anyone who has ever seen my "Beyonce" would know that that's the truth!!) She's growing up very quickly!! Maisie smiled and giggled her way through the repeat showing in the lounge last night, and it's only going to be a matter of time before she starts joining in!!
The other "foot-related" news is as a result of my ongoing weight loss - Have felt the need to set myself a challenge once I get to my desired weight, and first started looking into this a couple of months ago, it's been a bit overtaken with the events of the last couple of months though. However, now beginning to look again at a plan to walk the Great Wall of China (well, part of it, not all of it!) next year. I will be doing it in aid of Little Havens Childrens Hospice (Where Melissa works), and will probably be doing it in October of next year. It's all very early stages of planning at the moment, but if all works out I will need to raise quite a lot of sponsorship, so be warned!!! I'll also need some advice on comfortable, functional walking boots from the walkers amongst you!!!
Have a good day everyone!
G
Thursday 12 April 2007
Thursday, It's the new Friday
Hurrah, today is my "Friday" - not working tomorrow, so I'm in a good mood!! Quite excited, off to the company box at Tottenham tonight for the UEFA cup game, where one of the guests will be a chap by the name of Karl Duguid - captain of the mighty Colchester United. Yes, I have the number of a professional footballer in my phone book!
Spent the evening watching tv last night. Loving the new series of "The Apprentice", this lot are hilarious - the brightest young entrepreneurs in Britain?? Don't make me laugh!! But the one that got me last night was Property Ladder - I'm not a huge fan of property programmes, but Melissa likes them, so I do my husbandly duty and watch them with her!! Although, truth be told, I actually quite like this one - which is odd, because it entertains and frustrates me in equal measure. Why oh why oh why does nobody take notice of her advice, she's an expert property developer for crying out loud!! And why volunteer to go on the programme in the first place if you're not going to listen to her advice!! You know, there's probably a testimony in there somewhere!!! Mind you, the family on there last night, after taking no heed of her opinions, ended up with an £85,000 profit, at which point the "Property Ladder is a bit like life" analogy kind of falls down!!!!!
Have a good weekend everyone,
G
Spent the evening watching tv last night. Loving the new series of "The Apprentice", this lot are hilarious - the brightest young entrepreneurs in Britain?? Don't make me laugh!! But the one that got me last night was Property Ladder - I'm not a huge fan of property programmes, but Melissa likes them, so I do my husbandly duty and watch them with her!! Although, truth be told, I actually quite like this one - which is odd, because it entertains and frustrates me in equal measure. Why oh why oh why does nobody take notice of her advice, she's an expert property developer for crying out loud!! And why volunteer to go on the programme in the first place if you're not going to listen to her advice!! You know, there's probably a testimony in there somewhere!!! Mind you, the family on there last night, after taking no heed of her opinions, ended up with an £85,000 profit, at which point the "Property Ladder is a bit like life" analogy kind of falls down!!!!!
Have a good weekend everyone,
G
Wednesday 11 April 2007
The "Next" target!
I'm feeling quite pleased with myself this week - Some of you may know, that we've been "doing" Weightwatchers since the new year - Well, Monday was weigh day, and I've hit the "2 stone lost" mark!! I am officially now only 90% of the man I used to be (you do the maths!).
To be honest, I've suprised myself (and Melissa) at how I've taken to it (think it might be because I have to pay for it!!) - 3 months ago I couldn't envisage that I'd actually be happy to cook meals using Quorn and Couscous, amongst others!! It's not been all easy though - I miss Cheese, and oh how I miss Pies (mmmmmm, love the pie!!). Still, onwards and downwards (in weight that is).
What it does mean is that at some point I'm going to need to buy some new clothes, as some of my existing ones are beginning to look a bit "spacious". My suit jacket is beginning to look like I'm 11 again, wearing my brother's "hand me down" school blazer (actually, not sure it ever looked that big, in fact not sure I ever actually fitted in his "hand me downs"!!) But, hey, at least soon I'll be able to start shopping in Next again (what do I mean?? I don't think I've ever been able to shop in Next!!!!)
New wardrobe will mean I need lots of shirts and ties though!!!
See you all later,
G
To be honest, I've suprised myself (and Melissa) at how I've taken to it (think it might be because I have to pay for it!!) - 3 months ago I couldn't envisage that I'd actually be happy to cook meals using Quorn and Couscous, amongst others!! It's not been all easy though - I miss Cheese, and oh how I miss Pies (mmmmmm, love the pie!!). Still, onwards and downwards (in weight that is).
What it does mean is that at some point I'm going to need to buy some new clothes, as some of my existing ones are beginning to look a bit "spacious". My suit jacket is beginning to look like I'm 11 again, wearing my brother's "hand me down" school blazer (actually, not sure it ever looked that big, in fact not sure I ever actually fitted in his "hand me downs"!!) But, hey, at least soon I'll be able to start shopping in Next again (what do I mean?? I don't think I've ever been able to shop in Next!!!!)
New wardrobe will mean I need lots of shirts and ties though!!!
See you all later,
G
Is there "Life on Mars"
Liz tells me that I should overdo it in my first few goes!! So here's another entry!
So last night found me glued in front of the tv from 9 until 10 for the final ever "Life on Mars"! A lot happened, and Melissa, who was watching it with me, asked a few times what was going on - Unfortunately I couldn't beging to explain for fear of missing out on something else!!
So was he mad? Was he in a coma? - Well, I'm still not entirely sure, and that's what made it such a brilliant ending! Nothing wrong with a bit of ambiguity! At least there was a resolution to the Sam/Annie story. And the moral of it all - "You're not alive unless you can feel it" - very deep, maybe??!!!
Now, apparently there's a "sequel" coming next year - can't wait!!!
So last night found me glued in front of the tv from 9 until 10 for the final ever "Life on Mars"! A lot happened, and Melissa, who was watching it with me, asked a few times what was going on - Unfortunately I couldn't beging to explain for fear of missing out on something else!!
So was he mad? Was he in a coma? - Well, I'm still not entirely sure, and that's what made it such a brilliant ending! Nothing wrong with a bit of ambiguity! At least there was a resolution to the Sam/Annie story. And the moral of it all - "You're not alive unless you can feel it" - very deep, maybe??!!!
Now, apparently there's a "sequel" coming next year - can't wait!!!
Tuesday 10 April 2007
Go easy on me, I'm new to this!!
Well, seems I'm arriving at this pretty late, and as everyone else seems to be doing it then perhaps I should too!!
Choices, choices - what to call my blog, what template should I use?? Good job it's pretty quiet at work today - they were tricky calls to make!! I'm sure that someone has done a psychological survey on what you call your blog says about you, so I await some analysis!!
Like I say, quiet at work today - as some of you know I've recently got a new job, so it kind of feels like I'm "marking time" at the moment until the end of my notice period (middle of June!!).
Easter weekend has been good, and been able to spend a lot of time with the family. Saturday morning was spent at Lakeside (was just supposed to be a quick visit, but before we knew it, it was 3pm!) Although Eloise seemed to think the only purpose was to get her a new Recorder (hers was recently broken) and some "scoop" sweets.
Challenging service on Sunday morning, which gave us plenty to think about. Eloise spent time at the end of the meeting "exploring" the tomb, Maisie spent time growling, and blowing raspberries at the back row! Sunday evening's meeting was eventful for the wrong reasons! After thinking I felt a bit strange (no comments anyone!), I felt decidedly "dodgy" whilst the songsters sung - tingling fingers, light-headed, blurry vision. Managed to make it to the end of the song, but then decided it was probably best to go home! Made it back and into bed, where I proceeded to spend most of Easter Monday - great! especially as it was so sunny! Now I'm not suggesting that the sudden illness on Sunday evening was anything to do with having lunch at my mum's on Sunday afternoon but...............!
For other reasons, it was a great weekend - 6 points for Colchester United, 3 of them at the expense of Southend, which is always satisfying! And the play offs are still in reach!
No songster practice tonight - which is great (oops, should I be saying that??!!) as it's the last ever episode of "Life on Mars", one of the best series to grace our tv screens in recent years, so please note, I will be completely incommunicado between 9 & 10pm tonight - absolutely, totally, and that is in no way negotiable!!!!
Well, not sure how interesting anyone will find that, but hey, I'm up and running - comments anyone!!
G
Choices, choices - what to call my blog, what template should I use?? Good job it's pretty quiet at work today - they were tricky calls to make!! I'm sure that someone has done a psychological survey on what you call your blog says about you, so I await some analysis!!
Like I say, quiet at work today - as some of you know I've recently got a new job, so it kind of feels like I'm "marking time" at the moment until the end of my notice period (middle of June!!).
Easter weekend has been good, and been able to spend a lot of time with the family. Saturday morning was spent at Lakeside (was just supposed to be a quick visit, but before we knew it, it was 3pm!) Although Eloise seemed to think the only purpose was to get her a new Recorder (hers was recently broken) and some "scoop" sweets.
Challenging service on Sunday morning, which gave us plenty to think about. Eloise spent time at the end of the meeting "exploring" the tomb, Maisie spent time growling, and blowing raspberries at the back row! Sunday evening's meeting was eventful for the wrong reasons! After thinking I felt a bit strange (no comments anyone!), I felt decidedly "dodgy" whilst the songsters sung - tingling fingers, light-headed, blurry vision. Managed to make it to the end of the song, but then decided it was probably best to go home! Made it back and into bed, where I proceeded to spend most of Easter Monday - great! especially as it was so sunny! Now I'm not suggesting that the sudden illness on Sunday evening was anything to do with having lunch at my mum's on Sunday afternoon but...............!
For other reasons, it was a great weekend - 6 points for Colchester United, 3 of them at the expense of Southend, which is always satisfying! And the play offs are still in reach!
No songster practice tonight - which is great (oops, should I be saying that??!!) as it's the last ever episode of "Life on Mars", one of the best series to grace our tv screens in recent years, so please note, I will be completely incommunicado between 9 & 10pm tonight - absolutely, totally, and that is in no way negotiable!!!!
Well, not sure how interesting anyone will find that, but hey, I'm up and running - comments anyone!!
G
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