Dag 07 – Min bästa vän (my best friend)

This one is easy. My sister. And Karin+Emma. And Mike. And... and... and...

Er, not that easy it turns out!

But since the title is singular - it'll have to be my sister. I guess ;) (Plus she's the only one who reads my blog so got to give her some credit there!)

Joking aside, we're close enough in age that we've (almost) always been able to spend time together without killing each other. Especially now we're friends rather than in an older/younger sibling dynamic. Well, that's how I see it - she might not agree!

She's the best sister you could ever imagine and I love her and I miss her a lot every day.

Dag 06 – Min dag (my day)

(let's see if this works - put yesterday's date on this post...)

My day? Today? Monday...

We've moved offices today. Everything was packed up in old office so we went to new place, moved some desks around and decided what should go where. Then we waited for the rest of the furniture and the crates of all our rubbi... I mean, stuff. Then we unpacked. It was very exciting!

Some colleagues I will no longer be working (directly) with gave me a beautiful orchid which really made my day. You can kind of see it below:



Also got some nice feedback on my interview and loads of warm welcomes to my 'new' team.

We also went to Tesco, bought lots of incredibly healthy food... Exciting indeed!

Dag 04 – Det här åt jag i dag (this is what I ate today)

Yesterday's post. Ahem.

Cheese & ham baguette.
Couple of little custard pastries. Yum!
Chinese takeaway; mixture of sweet & sour chicken, duck and some pork. Too much!!

..I'm so glad this fell on this particular day. Not!

Dag 03 – delayed

This one will be late, as you've probably guessed. I'm sorry... Am away at the moment but will catch up when I get home!

Dag 03 – Mina föräldrar (my parents)

I have the best parents ever. They live just the right distance away but will always lend me money when I need it...

I'm only joking.

Not about having the best parents ever!

Don't get to see them enough, though it's nearly New Years so not long now. We talk on the phone approx once a week, with some texts/emails going back and forth most weeks. We used to Skype but - and I'm not sure if this was at my end or theirs - it was so wobbly we sort of gave up on it. It was also really faffy, having to plan exact time to talk etc. But we should probably take that up again...

Bless them, they always worry about us. I think they worry more about Mike though - not only does he have to live in a cold house, he also has to put up with me! And as two people who had to put up with me for 19 years, they have nothing but sympathy for him...

Dag 02 – Min första kärlek (my first love)

I started writing this a couple of days ago and now I can't find it. Sigh. This is a good start to the month!

Well, if you know me you probably know this. When I was 15 I met a boy with curly brown hair and kind green eyes and who listened to what I had to say. We were together 3 and a half years and we did everything together.

There are so many words I could say about those years but it wouldn't be right. Beautiful words, because they were great years.

And it ended, like most things do at that age. And I moved far away and everything changed. There's nothing to be sad about because these are beautiful memories and there's nothing to miss because everything is beautiful today.

Dag 01 – Om mig (about me)

I really struggle with this question. Like in a job interview, 'tell us a little bit about yourself'.

I could tell you my age, but you probably know it already. I could tell you where I live, I could tell you what I like to eat, what my favourite colour is... but would that be interesting, really?

Oh, ok then. Let's do a fun bullet point list!

• I like most colours, as strong and vibrant as possible! I've a weakness for red with white polka dots.
• I could not care any less about football. Or really, any sport. But especially football.
• I have a selection of Tigger mugs in all different sizes. It's not that I collect them as such, I just really like them. When I lived in halls someone stole my favourite one and I still miss it.
• I quite enjoy walking these days.
• Words are the best things ever and my head never shuts up. I just don't articulate them very often.
• I'm 25 and it keeps surprising me how grown up this really is. Old friends are getting married and having babies and I've only just barely become a grown up!
• I prefer a quiet night in to going out on the lash. Ok, maybe the above isn't so surprising!
• I'm finding myself slightly homesick lately and I'm pleased I get to go home at the end of the month. If only for a week.
• I'm a bit of an obsessive when it comes to checking my emails and my phone. A night off is a night away from the computer.
• I think the guy on BBC Breakfast is fantastic.
• Politics amuses me but I can't bring myself to be interested in it.
  

December.

I'm going to try something through December. You may have seen it on other blogs.

Dag 01 – Om mig (about me)

Dag 02 – Min första kärlek (my first love)

Dag 03 – Mina föräldrar (my parents)

Dag 04 – Det här åt jag i dag (this is what I ate today)

Dag 05 – Vad är kärlek? (what is love?)

Dag 06 – Min dag (my day)

Dag 07 – Min bästa vän (my best friend)

Dag 08 – Ett ögonblick (a moment)

Dag 09 – Min tro (my faith)

Dag 10 – Det här hade jag på mig i dag (this is what I wore today)

Dag 11 – Mina syskon (my siblings)

Dag 12 – I min handväska (in my purse)

Dag 13 – Den här veckan (this week)

Dag 14 – Vad hade jag på mig i dag? (what did I wear today?)

Dag 15 – Mina drömmar (my dreams)

Dag 16 – Min första kyss (my first kiss)

Dag 17 – Mitt favoritminne (my favourite memory)

Dag 18 – Min favoritfödelsedag (my favourite birthday)

Dag 19 – Detta ångrar jag (this is something I regret)

Dag 20 – Den här månaden (this month)

Dag 21 – Ett annat ögonblick (another moment)

Dag 22 – Det här upprör mig (this upsets me)

Dag 23 – Det här får mig att må bättre (this makes me feel better)

Dag 24 – Det här får mig att gråta (this makes me cry)

Dag 25 – En första (a first)

Dag 26 – Mina rädslor (my fears)

Dag 27 – Min favoritplats (my favourite place)

Dag 28 – Det här saknar jag (this is something I miss)

Dag 29 – Mina ambitioner (my ambitions)

Dag 30 – Ett sista ögonblick (one last moment)

Let's see how I get on... join me!

Blog: HelloMiami.

Don't you feel you're wasting your life when you see someone as talented as this: http://hellomiami.blogg.se/index.html

I do.

...with every Christmas card I write.

They're saying it will snow here next week. And in Scotland it might go down to, lo and behold, -9C.

Ok, it's not warm. At all.

But it's kind of sweet how shocked people here are any time it's colder than say a few minus degrees.

I've got a bad case of lovin' you.

Ok, I've tried to get new migraine tablets today. The doctor wasn't sure what he could prescribe to me so he will give me a ring when he's figured it out. Bless. Also got an appointment with someone who *may* be able to give acupuncture. My aunt swears by it so it's worth a try! Have had these migraines for too many years now and it's starting to impact on my work sooo planning to get it sorted out. Once and for all.

In other news, I've had a good 24 hours or so. Can't stop smiling for some reason. I'm sure this week's work will see to that, though ;)

Also got my interview date/time through. I daren't say I'm looking forward to it but I think as far as interviews go it will be quite nice.

Weekend fun.

This has been a lazy weekend. Lots of sleep, pub and thai food yesterday; cleaning & sorting office and some work today. And supermarket - always fun on a Sunday.

Head's empty and it's late so I'll be off to bed - will get better at this. Soon. Promise ;)

xx

I made a new friend.

I was in a taxi home on Saturday. The nice, slightly elderly driver asked me where I was from. Upon learning I was Swedish and had lived here over 6 years, he commented that 'well you must have broken a lot of heart here then love?' 'Er, no' I responded politely. 'Oh, do you not have a boyfriend then?'

Not quite the same question, is it? Anyway...

'You should lose him and get with me instead, love', he said. I could only laugh, whilst hoping he was joking, and looking through the window to make sure he was in fact taking me home.

He proceeded to tell me he was a single man, and did I know any other Swedish ladies in York?

At the end of the ride he also gave me his number.

Get in!

Cold.

Tonight is clearly a How I met your mother night. And curry night.

Can anybody find me?

I've been singing this song in my head for a long time now.

The most annoying part is that it's only one word, really, going round and round and round...

Yep, you guessed it. 'Somebody'.


"Somebody. Somebody. Somebody. Somebody. Can anybody find me - somebody to love..."

It's not Mario time.

It's no good, I need a secretary. Or two. I'd be good at delegating work I think.

Catching up with stuff after a holiday is always a nightmare. I'm not sure it's worth going on holiday really.

Speaking of secretaries, the other week I was referred to as the 'sextarial support' for something. I thought that sounded awesome.

Hello darkness, my old friend.

It's Autumn. Lovely, pretty Autumn.

But it's also pitch black by the time I leave work. I like this less. Maybe I need a miner's lamp thing?

Remember, remember.

Last year today my sister was visiting and we drove up to H'gate to watch the fireworks and bonfire. We got there, parked up and it was tipping it down.

So we turned around and went back home. We saw some fireworks on the drive home though.

This year - no sister. And no rain. But we can see lots of fireworks from our front room window so no need to go outside. And it's not as noisy.

Win!

One, two, three, four...

From Russia with love.

Inventive title, I know. While I'm in Portugal I thought I'd show you some photos from Russia... We took over 1000 (that's just me & Mike, I've not even seen all of mum&dad's, Joanna's and Dennis'...) so this is just a snapshot, if you will. Ha ha ha.

Scary scaffolding...




My new home. Funnily enough it's the same colour as my old room back home. Or, it will be until my parents redecorate it... sniff. I suppose it has had a good 15 years of being lovely bright blue!




Me and my friend Bear. (The Swedish word for bear is also a man's name... bit of trivia for ya!)





Wonderful restaurant. I have to admit I've forgotten if this was the Armenian or Azerbadjani one though? Ohyes, the walls are textured. They looked yummy.




I was only kidding earlier, this is my new house.

I see a red door and I want it painted black, no colours anywhere I want tthem to turn black.

My parents are redecorating my old room at home.

I think I'm meant to be upset about this. Or sad? It's a gorgeous colour - I picked it when I was 10. Parents thought it'd be too bright. But it's great.

I'd keep it that way!

But I think 15 years of various pin holes from a variety of posters (everything from Spice Girls to Nirvana, from Ozzy to Tigger...) has taken their toll on my poor walls.

Thought I had a photo but it appears not - how odd!

Webs.

One frosty morning I'll take photos of some of the spider webs on my route to work. They're gorgeous in the morning sun.

I'll avoid taking pictures of the spiders though. Cos no one wants to see them!

Leningrad sky.

I'm quite pleased with how this one turned out. I'm not a photographer - far from it. But I enjoy it. When they turn out nice!

I managed to snap quite a lot of good pictures during an evening boat ride in St. Petersburg. big skies.

The electric company.

So the other day we started wondering why we haven't received an electricity bill this quarter. Checked the online account and it said a bill was due to be issued the next day.

Fine.

Fastforward until today, over 2 weeks later, still no bill. Mike rang the company and they said the bill isn't due until November as they never issued our first bill (which we were supposed to get a month after moving in).

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see... who knows, we may be one of those households that never gets any bills ;)

xx

And why not?

In Russia, police hit bins with batons.

Party til the break of dawn.

Tonight I'm out with work colleagues. Should be nice - I don't go out enough.

And yes, of course I do get enough of colleagues at work but I'm sure I can stomach it for one night ;)

Will be nice to see some of them in a different setting!

Me-grain.

The other day I came home from work with a stinking migraine. It was hurting to the extent that I took one of my tablets (which I really don't like taking) and was in bed asleep by half past 7.

My parents rang around 10 and of course I woke up. Spoke to them for near enough an hour. Then back to sleep.

This was Monday night and I don't think my head's recovered yet.

The joy! I'm sorry to be moaning but will it always be like this? I'm now exercising (walking half hour each way to and from work, sporadic gym sessions even!), not eating bad food, getting fresh air, decent hours in bed. It's just stupid now.

Rela-la-laxa broder, ta en paus och softa.

I'm rarely stressed over things. I try not to let things get to me. If stuff needs doing I try to be sensible about it and not let it overwhelm. Sometimes I even succeed.

We're going on holiday a week today. We've got accommodation for 7 out of the 12 nights. Maybe I should be stressing over that?

No. Life's too short.

Game: My Fitness Coach - Dance workout

Tried this game on the Wii: My Fitness Coach: Dance

It's pretty poor.

The actual workouts are fine, and fun. But obviously more fun in a class than in my front room! But the game is a bit too buggy for my liking.

Oh well. At least it reminded me I like dancing. Even though I'm very bad at it ;)

Oh happy day.

I've found a gospel choir to join here. Not really been in a choir since before I moved to the UK. Did try in Lancaster but the people running it were both rubbish and not very nice so I didn't last long!

Hopefully this new one will be fun :)

Can't find any videos of the choir I used to be in back home - no videos from when I was there anyway... Here's a newer one (not great quality unfortunately)

I'm sure we used to have more fun than it looks like they're having there.. haha. Best choir in the world! When we move back to Stockholm I'll definitely be joining again.


(This is what it should look like... )


On a similar note, this is lovely:

Important research dissemination.

We recently bought some Lakerol at IKEA and it made me remember a conversation I once had with a friend about our mothers. I think it must have started out with me wearing my mum's coat... anyway.

We concluded that all mothers keep the following three things in their coat pockets (in winter, at least):

• a box of Lakerol.
• a packet of tissues.
• at least one used tissue.

This was a very empirical study based on a sample of two mothers. No exceptions. So it must be true.

Radio Julia.

If I was in charge of choosing the music for any radio station it'd be so different. The radio is lame. Especially lame when your taste in music differs from that of the person you're with. Ok, we don't disagree on everything. Far from everything. But... Come on, Steve Lawler? Red Hot Chilli Peppers?

I also wish I could have music on at work. I can, sometimes. Depending on who's in. But if I don't want to offend by making people listen to music they really don't like.

I suppose headphones may be the way forward - but mine are big chunky (red!) closed-cup ones so I think I'd look a bit rude! In-ear ones just fall out of my ears, it's the Backelin-curse... ;)

When I worked at Manchester we'd have some great music blasting (ahem, I mean... on a very reasonable volume) in the office. It was fantastic - Bob Dylan, Amy Winehouse, any and all rock you can imagine. Louise, you need to come work with me here.

That sounds so mean - my colleagues are lovely! But there's less Dylan in my current office.

News: Fingerprints.

BBC: FBI seizes John Lennon fingerprint card from auction house.

Is this for real? Do the FBI really not have anything better to do? Sure - not great if government documents are going walkies but it seems like a waste of time, esp as it's been 40 years and the subject is long gone.

Documentaries.

BBC: Louis Theroux on Lagos.

This is on tonight at 9pm. Looks interesting - I like Theroux. I like documentaries. I like learning about things. I like the BBC, with all its faults.

I want to travel more. See more.

WMHD 2010.

Happy World Mental Health Day!

'No Health without Mental Health' seems to be this year's slogan.

I work with nurses, nursing students, midwives a lot, in different settings. And I'm noticing the above is becoming more and more true in the way they do things - in the way they train.

One way in which this is noticable is through the use of 'storytelling', encouraging students to engage their patients (service users/clients/blablabla) in conversation about their whole lives, how their conditions affect them and their every day lives etc. Not just the direct affects but to understand them better.

I like.

Coming of age, musically.

I've been listening to the Pixies a fair bit recently. Can't believe I pretty much missed them out in my musical education/coming of age/whatever.

Instead there was a whole lot of Swedish 'trallpunk'. Like Ebba Gron, Imperiet, DLK... I listened to Silverchair, a lot. A lot is probably an understatement. Nirvana's a given. Black Sabbath, Rolling Stones, AC/DC. I was something of a... I don't even know how to label myself at 15. Grunge I think.

Yet I missed out on Pixies. Lame. Definitely have some catching up to do.

Bay city rollers.

Trying to be organised this morning (well, afternoon now...) and sort through paperwork. Clean a bit. Put some hooks and pictures up maybe. But it's much better to sit in the bay window with a cup of tea and watch the world go by...

That's the one reason why I wanted to rent this flat. The bay window seat. Ok, and the red carpets.

When we first rang up about the flat we were told it had been rented out already. Gutted! So we looked at some crappy typical English narrow houses with plenty of rooms which were all tiny, with ridiculously narrow and steep staircases separating the 2 or 3 floor. Houses where the front door is right on the pavement (see how British I'm becoming - I always say sidewalk usually...). We did see some nice ones too but mostly ones that did not seem like a home at all. I know, where we lived the first 2 years after moving to York was massive so maybe I'm a bit spoilt. I don't mind small though, as long as it's cosy. And most of the houses we saw were decidedly not cosy.

Anyway.

After looking for a month or two, this flat came back up on the website. So we rang up. And got a viewing (woop!). We went around and the lady showing us around didn't have answers for most of our questions (no surprises there). She did tell us that the house hadn't been rented out last time we'd rung up, but that the landlord had taken it off the market to do it up a bit. We also got to meet the landlord who lives next door and he was lovely. The visit dragged on a bit and the estate agent was getting twitchy. Clearly this didn't fit in her 10-minute-per-house view of the world.

We decided to go around again and try to view the house one more time before making our final decision, and the landlord was very happy to show us around. He told us that the house *had* been taken off the market because someone had wanted to rent it, but after a month or so of umming and arring they'd not been able to set a move in date. So it went back on the market.

Another flat we looked at, had been advertised as having a yard and being unfurnished. We got there and the 'yard' was the space where everyone in the surrounding flats (this was ground floor) walked to get to their own front doors. Someone in a neighbouring flat had a sofa sat just outside their door - just like in one of those movies set in the ghetto... I'd imagine this sofa was quite saturated by this point! We got in the flat and it was packed with people viewing it. And filled with furniture. And a couple of people moving boxes out. Turns out it was a furnished flat (the estate agent got quite hostile when we asked her about it...) and that this was, in fact, moving day for the current tenants. Poor people, trying to move all their stuff out when 15 odd people were walking around in their house...

Anyway. I got my bay window and red carpets and jag sitter hellre har, och luktar pa blommorna...

Well done Sainsbury's. Really.

We bought some raspberries last night. The end date is tomorrow. Today they were mouldy.


Yum.

Mmmminty.

Doesn't matter how many times I have to type 'mentor' in a day, it always comes out as mentos. How freudian.

Retro.

Mike brought home pretty flowers for me but since we don't seem to have enough vases we had to go with the retro look...

How beneficial.

I've just had an interesting conversation with my sister.

I was telling her about the cut in child benefits for people earning £44k or more per year. And how some people are outraged. And how other people seem to think it's the best thing since sliced cheese. Or whatever.

We're both so Swedish -

we concluded that by doing this, they're turning this into a benefit rather than money towards the child. In the long run, won't this turn into another stigmatised benefit where higher earners moan that people ('scroungers') take our tax money... blablabla.

I'm not saying I'm for or against this cut. I can absolutely see why a country/government trying to cut down on spending is choosing this option. But what is interesting about this is people's attitude towards benefits.

From our (blonde and oh-so blue eyed) Swedish perspective, it's an ideological issue more than anything else. It's not just about benefits to those who struggle - it's about a welfare country, where the welfare is fair. That doesn't necessarily just mean that those who are poor get benefits chucked at them. Nor does it mean that those who pay more tax in get more of the perks. It just means that some benefits/tax credits/whatever you choose to call them are for everyone, regardless of background or 'class' (I hate that term but that's for another day).

It's the same with student grants/loans. No matter your background or financial family situation, everyone in Sweden is entitled to the same amounts. Child benefits works the same way in Sweden. Families who struggle may be entitled to more - but I don't think that's labelled in the same way; it's part of the circumstances on which your benefits are based I guess.

I don't know. This goes back to a blog post I wrote a while ago about growing up 'well off' and being made to feel inferior because of it in this country.

We're all just people after all and when something becomes a stigma it's not the right way to go about it. And that's my reservation about these plans to cut child benefits for high earners.

Having said that, perhaps the general stigma surrounding benefits is where we need to focus first of all, before we worry about a money-saving scheme like this one will create more of it... Maybe I've got it all backwards.

Raspberry yum.

Bloggtips.

Only in Swedish, sorry. But you can use Google translate! :P

http://blogg.joannaforsberg.se/

Grr.

Stupid camera battery! I was gonna show you a lovely photo 'n all...

Oh the weather outside... etc.

Christmas adverts... I don't know. I envy the people who are so organised they've started (planning?) their Christmas shopping... I tend to panic come mid-December. But it usually turns out ok anyway.

All this saving in Christmas clubs etc is something I can't understand though. At least starting to shop early and spreading out the cost makes sense but surely these schemes won't save you any money - you're just restricted to the shop/s included in the scheme?

Having said that, maybe I do the same as I do try to keep my Boots points for Christmas shopping. Mind you, this year I've been working far from a Boots so don't go in as often... So if you're on my Christmas list you may have to put up with something home made this year ;)

Blonde isles.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11442920

I don't know what to think about this. It's hilarious. Yet very, very sad...

Awesome.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11458056

Live precariously.

... I don't think this will end well. But they sure are gorgeous.

I've never had one before.

Isn't it pretty?

Book: Straight into Darkness

I've just finished the book Straight into Darkness by Faye Kellerman. Not the best book I've ever read but it kept me interested. I think the main reason for this was that it's set in Munich in the late 1920s, and Hitler's rise to power plays a part in setting the scene for this thriller.

And it made me think... I kept seeing so many things which we're currently seeing throughout Europe, most recently in Sweden. And that's scary.

I know people voted like they did because there's so much fear and so much apathy. But it still scares me how these extremist parties can gain such a large number of votes in only a few years.

Onwards and upwards, I say.

Have a song:

Friday.

It's one of those nights. You know, when you've only eaten jelly babies and no dinner. And your feet are aching from too much standing up. And head is sore from aforementioned jelly babies.

One of those nights.

I think it'll be an early one.

A couple of Minster photos.

Early 2010

Spring 2010

Big Brother is ending. Long live Big Brother.

So what comes after Ultimate Big Brother?

I've got some suggestions (because clearly they're not going to stop):

Super-Ultimate Big Brother?
Extra Special Big Brother?

...I do have more but I won't push it. But if they use any of my ideas they'd better pay me royalties.

I'm just a teenager at heart.

So I've just finished reading the Twilight... eh. Fourology?

I'm so torn.

They're rubbish, they absolutely are. So why did I enjoy them so much?

In my mid/late teens I was all about the Anne Rice, the Dracula... So why am I now enjoying the adventures of a bunch of sparkly vampires?

As my sister will testify though, I don't read anything 'good' or well written anymore. But Twilight is a new low to like, even for me.


...when's the next film coming out?

Dales.

Photos from the same (general) area in winter vs. late spring. Breathtaking, though my photos do not make it justice.

Did I show you...

.. these lovely flowers Tania & Kirsty sent me on my birthday?

Non-interesting post.

This has been a long week, so pleased it's the weekend. I even had Monday off!

Weather is nice at the moment so I think we're going to take advantage of it tomorrow... If it's still nice, that is.

Last weekend we did so much walking, I doubt we'll be able to top it.

Dramatic skies...

Nothing like a bit of mango.

Yummy dinner. I'm so full...

Wedding weekend.

Sooo this weekend is the lovely Tania & Darren's wedding - really looking forward to it! They really deserve their day to be absolutely wonderful and I bet it will be :) I can't wait...

Sleep now, long drive tomorrow...

Jack Reacher

I'm slightly hooked on reading. Yes, if you know me you knew this.

When I get into a book it's hard to get me out of it. Well, if it's even remotely well written/entertaining, that is.

When I was younger it was impossible to even get my attention when I was reading... I'm not so bad now (if I was I wouldn't dare read whilst walking to work!!) but I do love it.

Currently I'm stuck on Lee Child novels. Mike's dad's lent me all of the (I think it's all of them!) Jack Reacher novels and they're great. Y'kno, not exactly a masterpiece ("Jack Reacher. Men want to be him. Women want to be with him.") but very entertaining.


[scheduled post]

If only...

http://arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

This looks really good. I don't have any kind of drawing/sketching talent but I'd love to do it... Hmmm...



[scheduled post]

Confusion.

I just walked past a clock and did a filmic double take. I'm sure it said 10 to 4. I wondered how on earth that was possible; did I fall asleep on the sofa again? Nope. It's only 20 past 10 and I'm already knackered.

Must be old age.

Rain on me.

I've had a productive weekend. And very pleasant too! The nice weather helped.

Finally cleared out the spare room - chucked out a desk, too. It's looking a bit more like a room and less like a dumping ground. Though let's face it. It is a dumping ground.

Today it's raining. But luckily I got lifts both to and from work so survived - and my book didn't even get wet!

Gym bunny.

Last night I dreamt I joined a gym in York and one in Stockholm. Rather pointless really. But is my subconscious trying to tell me something about moving back to Sweden..?

Phobia cure.

I was in the staff room at work today, and by the sink were a set of keys. One of the keyrings was a spider in resin. I had to look both twice and three times before I was sure - because why on earth?! I asked my colleague if it was really a spider. She said yep, it's a way to 'top up' the cure of a previous phobia.

Ew ew ew. I think I'd rather be afraid.

Find your own way.

I don't get it. It's so easy to write. It's so.. natural. I keep thinking I don't have the time, but to be honest, I do. I just need to plan better, sleep less? Read less, be less lazy.



I wish there was an easy way to write whilst walking. Don't say pen&paper - I won't be able to read my squiggles...



I need to nail down this routine thing. I need to get better at getting up in the morning. I need to find a way to stop getting ill all the time.



So far this morning two people have said I don't look well. But I can't take another day off work; sick days are a bit of a no-no in the real world, if I've understood it all right. Sure, if I'm ill I should stay home. Both to get myself better and to make sure no one else catches whatever lurgy I've got. But when you're ill this much? Ridiculous. Clearly, I need a job where I can work from home.



Trip back to the doctor's is probably a good idea. But they'll just tell me to get more fresh air and exercise. Blahblahblah.



Anyway. Oh, and yes. I'm writing this from work. Lunch break, I think it's called...



Wow, it turned into another moan. Sorry!

Moanmoanmoan.

I'm so bored of being ill. Again and again and again. I know what you're gonna say - exercise and fresh air. Well, I walk about an hour and a half every day. Not exactly heavy exercise, I know, but it's more than I used to do.

I have also always been told this would help with my headaches. 'Pah!' is all I have to say to that! It's no better.

Might as well move really close to work and never walk anywhere or go outside or do anything healthy.


I AM going to work tomorrow.

It was different in my day.

When I was in my teens, it was not considered cool to spend a lot of time online. LunarStorm (lightyears ahead of the FaceBook trend...) was about as far as people went, and even then it was definitely not cool to put too much time and effort into it. People would edit and play around with their profiles, put emo pictures on and send each other messages. But chatting, surfing for the sake of it, blogging? Hell no.

I loved it. I spent every waking moment online. We had a two-hour-a-day limit on time spent online (or in front of the TV; like we couldn't do both at once - plus our homework...) but we broke it. Most days. I'd stay up way past bedtime chatting on Yahoo and ICQ, in fact until I heard dad get up the next morning. I'd sneak to bed, hoping he hadn't heard me still up.

Sorry Mum & Dad - I'm pretty sure you already knew though!

But now, I've discovered all these Swedish blogs run by the gorgeous, popular, perfect girls... And it sure as hell wouldn't have been them blogging when I was that age! But then I suppose these days (man I sound old) blogging can make you a celebrity. And you can make money off it.

So that's why I do it. Half-hearted as my efforts may be...

;)

It's all about the labels. I'm told.

I've been thinking about sexuality recently. Partly because I recently watched all the episodes of Sugar Rush over a few days.

It's always baffled me why people feel the need to make such a bit deal out of sexual preference. The need to label it, that you either are or are not this or that.

I know that for some people, it's about identity. About fitting in with a peer group, somewhere to meet like-minded and so on. And I know some are incredibly uncomfortable with the whole thing; both for themselves coming into contact with homosexuality and seeing it around them.

And I'm not going to blame anyone for feeling uncomfortable. Or for wanting to fit in. I just can't quite get my head around either of the two. I guess that's part of the beauty of everything - that we're all different; that we think feel want different things.

Years ago, someone I was close to made a big deal out of telling me she was bi. There'd been such a build up to this grand revelation, she was clearly scared about telling me and worried about my reaction. When she finally did tell me - I couldn't stop myself from laughing. I wasn't laughing at her, I wasn't belittling her, I wasn't laughing because I thought the very idea was ridiculous. I laughed because it was, to me, such a non-revelation. Does that make sense? It obviously was a big deal to her, but me? I didn't care.

Another friend - who I hadn't known that long - picked up a lass in a club one night we were out. She later apologised to me, and said she hadn't wanted me to find out like that. Like what? The same way I would've found out she was straight if she'd've got off with a guy?

I don't know. I wonder if this post comes out sounding stupid - or patronising - or even mean. But I don't mean to be either of those.

Whilst I understand the perceived need for labels I don't understand needing them - in my head that sums it up nicely but that may just be in my head ;)

On writing.

I would like to write again. I say this a lot, I know. But as you'll have noticed from my lack of activity on here I've not had much time for any kind of writing, unfortunately.

What would I like to write? And why would I like to write? If I had the choice - as we so often wish we did - I'd write something that made a difference. To someone, anyone.

A lot of what I read at the moment (online, that is) is mindless. Rubbish. Surely I could do better? Some is witty descriptions of their every day life, and is actually amusing. I could do that? Not much, but some, of what I read is commentary on current affairs, to do with mental health or in other ways 'interest'-blogs. But what am I interested in? More to the point, what am I interested enough in to write insightful, entertaining blog posts about?

I recently promised someone I went to uni with to read and comment on a short story he's recently written (I haven't done this yet, but will tonight. Promise!). He's clearly carried on writing. Maybe not continuously since he left Lancaster back in, oh 2007? - but he's writing. And of that I am jealous.

So, where is my inspiration? How do I stop being such a grumpy sod complaining about not writing, and just make myself write?

Over and out.

Photos of the new flat.

I've promised my dad some photos of our new flat - so varsagod!

Tooth fun.

I chipped part of my front tooth off when I had lunch. Damn ciabatta. Luckily I managed to get a dentist appointment for next week to get it fixed... If I was rich I'd just replace all my teeth with something magic and strong and white that didn't ever chip.

Well aren't I active...

Wow, I don't know how (nearly) 3 months have passed. I'm sure it's not been that long!

Sat on my lunch break and figured I'd do a bit of writing. There are a bunch of drafts which I'm yet to complete and post - patience...

So, since last time (and I will tell you more later in the week, honest!)... I've moved house. I've been back home. I've been to Russia. I'm thinking Russia may be the most interesting thing for you - but I think I'll start with some pictures of my new kitchen (and kitchen table!).

We went swimming in the river at the weekend - my colleagues are horrified, apparently it's a no-go area... I will have to check if A got ill as well, hopefully not... I'd like to go again, it was lovely.

I've been watching Sugar Rush while I've been off ill. It reminds me of My So Called Life a bit - apart from all the lesbian stuff in SR and the staring into space our lovely Angela is so damn good at...

 

Anyhoo, I'd best get back to work - I'll be seeing you shortly. Honest.

xx

Steps 21+22nd April and other assorted fun.

Forgot to reset the counter - so over Weds/Thurs I walked 22551 steps. Not toooooo bad...

This week has been hectic. I've been doing so many different things I don't know what I'm doing in the end. Will be nice to have a relaxing weekend though. Hah! As if.

I'm slightly frustrated by the lack of enthusiasm in certain projects but nothing new there. I just wish people wouldn't take me and other people, and the work we do, for granted. Watch what happens if I take a step back...

Finally spoke to my parents last night, I've been complaining (heh) they haven't rung me in ages but to be fair I've not rung them either... I'm incredibly bad at keeping in touch (which you'll probably know if you know me at all!) and it's something I need to get better at.

But not now. Now I have to go get ready for work.

It's good to write, even if they're just words and there's not much too them. But I like (nearly) all words.

Steps 20th April.

13680 steps today. And a very busy day...


Is this becoming a steps-blog? Sure looks like it... I'm sorry!

xx

Steps 17 + 19th April

Not been very good at wearing my step counter recently... but on Saturday I took 10051 steps and today I took 12230. Not too bad...

xx

Weekend fun.

Have had a lovely weekend in the sun. I've missed it.

Need to start walking again; I've walked home all week but it'd be nice to walk to work too. Monday is supposed to rain though... perhaps I'll let Fi pick me up (note to self - get her something as thanks!) and see what it's like on the way back? It's easier to walk home cos if you're warm/flustered/soaked from rain when you get home that doesn't matter - it matters more if you're like that when you get to work!

On a different note, I keep meaning to make muffins. Someone just told me he made cookies this weekend - I want cookies!

Having a fairly lazy Sunday night, CSI NY on TV now, Desperate Housewives in half an hour... Have had early nights all weekend but a fair bit to drink so have been knackered - so I think another early(ish) night is in order.

We've also been to view some houses - they've not been great if I'm honest. Two of the three we saw were nice, but very small. One claimed to have a kitchen/diner, the other a dining/lounge. Neither of them would fit a table - especially not ours. Don't want to get rid of our lovely table though!!

Genius song.

Magnus Uggla - Dansar aldrig nykter



Ska man fixa en fru
bör man lite till mans
kunna svänga sig i dans
i en lagom glad och svängig rytmik
till nåt som kallas för musik
för inte kan man bara kliva fram till en tjej
och säga ska du följa med hem till mig
Först ska man ju rejva fram till klockan tre
så kanske det blir té
Men jag saknar både djärvhet och mod
och jag har inget negerblod
och jag tycker techno, disco och funk
är ett enda jävla dunk
Men efter några geting vänder det tvärt
börjar svänga om höfter och stjärt
Festar jag på gränsen till att jag ska spy
så breakar jag som hela Rinkeby

Jag dansar aldrig nykter någonstans
aldrig inte en chans
att jag dansar nykter
kallat´t undanflykter
om du vill
Utan minsta promill
står jag still

Går man ut en vardag är man en blyg
som framåt tolv går hem i smyg
men är det lördagskväll och sån´t oerhört race
att man stänger varje place
då törs man också utan svårighet kliva fram
och bjuda upp varenda kaxig madame
Mitt under en sådan natt i jakt på synd
så träffar jag mitt fynd

Jag dansar aldrig nykter någonstans
aldrig inte en chans
att jag dansar nykter
kallat´t undanflykter
om du vill
Utan minsta promill
står jag still

När vi har gift oss
och man i samstämd hals
avkräver mig en bröllopsvals
och fast jag står bland släkten i inhyrd frack
säger jag utan snack

jag dansar aldrig nykter någonstans
aldrig inte en chans
att jag dansar nykter
kallat´t undanflykter
om du vill
Utan minsta promill
står jag still

Dad's birthday shindigs!

Went home for Easter to celebrate dad's 60th birthday.

We came home on the Thursday afternoon and spent the next couple of days cooking, and picking birch branches...

Let me back up a bit there. The branches were to make bird's nests to put painted eggs, mini-daffodils and feathers in for table decorations at the party. So Joanna, Mike and I went for a walk in the forrest (well - it's a very small forrest; but I remember it as being massive...) to find some. We should probably have thought of the fact that birches don't have hanging branches low enough in forrests... d'oh! Finally found some 3 minutes from the house instead. Very inconspicuously cut branches off and shoved them into a bag...

Anyway. The party was on Easter Saturday and we had 48 people there. Eek! Mostly family (my cousins have many kids!) and some friends of the family. It was really nice to see people I've not seen in years.

Dad had a wonderful time (he says! ;) ), so a great big huge thanks to everyone who helped us make it such a lovely day.

Spiderfun.

Spider time has started. Already. Grr! Notes to self - do not leave anything on the floor. Empty bag out when I get home. Shake everything after picking it up/before using it.

...at least we won't still be living here when the big spiders come out to hunt in Sept/Oct time!

Link link link.

http://www.sverigedemokraterna.de/  

- nej, det ar faktiskt en antiSD sida :)

Funny advert.

I don't want to like it... but I can't help myself.

I've no life, apparently.

(stolen from Colleen's Facebook... I definitely don't have a life - seen just over half of these! I'm not sure I should be proud... Actually, the fact that I actually bothered doing this survey is more of a testiment to the fact I have no life than having seen the films!)

"SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 85 films, you have no life. Mark the ones you've seen. There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own facebook account, paste this as a note. Then, put x's next to the films you've seen, add them up, change the header adding your number, and click post at the bottom. Have fun."

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
(x) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total so far: 8


( ) The Princess Bride
(x) AnchorMan
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
( ) Labyrinth
(x) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
( ) Anger Management
( ) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
(x) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 13

(x) Scream
(x) Scream 2
(x) Scream 3
(x) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
(x) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 20

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 26

(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
( ) Signs
(x) The Grinch
(x) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
(x) White Chicks
(x) Butterfly Effect
( ) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
( ) Robots
Total so far: 33

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
(x) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
( ) KING KONG
Total so far: 41

(x) A Cinderella Story
( ) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
( ) Halloween
( ) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving X-MAS
( ) Flubber
Total so far: 43

(x) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
( ) Practical Magic
( ) Chicago
() Ghost Ship
(x) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
(x) Secret Window
(x) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 48

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
(x) Just Married
(x) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 56

(x) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
(x) Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
( ) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
Total so far: 64

(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
(x) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(x) ET
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
( ) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 70

( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x) She's All That
(x) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
( ) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
( ) The Terminator
( ) The Terminator 2
( ) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 76

(x) X-Men
( ) X-2
( ) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
( ) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
(x) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 86

( ) Swimfan
( ) Miracle on 34th street
( ) Old School
(x) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf's Tribe
( ) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-yea-old Virgin
Total so far: 88

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
( ) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
( ) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
( ) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 91

(x) Baseketball
(x) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
(x) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
( ) Highlander
(x) Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
( ) Three
Total so Far: 97

( ) The Jacket
(x) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(x) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total so far: 102

( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
(x) Hulk
(x) Dawn Of the Dead
( ) Hook
( ) Chronicles Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
(x) 28 days later
(x) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
( ) Waterworld
Total so far: 106

(x) Kill Bill vol 1
( ) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 107

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 113

(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
(x) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
(x)Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal
Total Movies Seen: 120

Steps 7 April

Only 12582... That's what I get for getting a lift in the morning ;)

Really need to blog more. And get my foot sorted out!

xx

We are not airtight.

These are some random thoughts I had last night as I was drifting off to sleep. Normally I don't remember them, should be keeping a note book by my bed really!

I know a girl who claims she never poops. Not as a joke or in that giggly way some girls claim they don't fart (did I say 'some'? I never fart, obviously), she's adamant she does not do number twos.

Not a very nice thing to have lingering on your mind is it? Well it was on my mind at quarter to three this morning so it's only fair it's now on yours.

She's the kind of person I want to shake, and almost shout at her - or at least laugh. My mind is almost tempted to make a mean joke out of it - but that's not the person I am (I just write about it on my blog, see...) - but seriously. If she really does not poo, and has not pooed in her 21 years on this planet, then I'm seriously worried. She really needs to see a doctor about this...

Of course, I'd never say this. I just get that confused wrinkle between my eyebrows and go 'ooook...'


Another thought on my mind 4 hours ago is that I wish some people were airtight! Or that there was at least a mute button on them. Or that I could choose not to see them, kind of like a 'show as offline' button in real life...



In other news, I'm all better now and need to get to work. Yet I'm sat blogging on my sofa. It's raining outside you see, so I'm really not feeling it...

xx

Steps Monday/Tuesday

Monday/Tuesday I did 22249 steps. Not bad considering I got the bus to and from work on Tuesday...

(really need to note these down every day! I'll never beat my mum at this rate...)

xx

Poorly, bus travels.

I'm ill again. Suddenly started feeling ill about mid day yesterday, thought I was going to be sick at work... So I went home. Was going to walk but couldn't face it so got on the bus. I was alright for the first bus. But on the second I was feeling worse so had to get off and be sick :( It was terribly embarrassing. Not a very busy area but there were a good few people around, all looking at me like I was drunk in the middle of the day? I was saying to Mike that if someone was being sick in the street in the middle of the day, obviously unwell and alone I would at least see if there was anything I could do to help. He didn't seem convinced I actually would... Would you? I'd like to think I would anyway!

So I went home and straight to bed. Slept all afternoon and all night. Am trying to stay up now, maybe I'll even do something constructive...

Not been sick since yesterday which is good. But decided to stay home today, still not feeling very good.

On the bus right before I got off a lady started talking to me. It started with something about York traffic being bad, but somehow she moved seamlessly onto job interviews, and why don't the adverts say there's a minimum height/driving licence required? If I understood her right she'd just been to an interview where they told her she was too short to waitress?? If I hadn't been forced to get off the bus I would've chatted more to her, cos that sounds shocking... Hopefully I misunderstood...


 We've started watching the Wire by the way - it's looking promising! Only seen 3 episodes so far bur I'm enjoying it... Have you seen it?













Right, I'm going to have a shower and try to eat something. And maybe do something productive...

xx

Steps.

I've walked 16541 steps today.

Home time.

Not really had a proper headache in ages (being ill doesn't count) but today I've got one. Moanmoanmoan. I moan too much.

It's really windy outside, maybe a refreshing walk home will make it all better?

Have finished work now but am still sat at my desk. I quite like it here. The thing I liked the least about my job in Manchester (as well as other jobs I've had - but that one in particular) was that my back was towards everyone else in the office. Not that I'd take the piss and surf the web all day, but I don't like people being behind me like that for many reasons. Certain technicians used to take full advantage of this and sneak up on me. Anyway, my point was... that I'm basically in the corner here. Half turned away from a colleague but no one can walk up behind me. Win!

Had lunch with a Nathan today who has his own office. Well, nearly his own anyway! Was nice to catch up a bit.

Got my step counter on today - so far I'm on 9332 steps today. Which, considering I have a desk job, isn't too bad...

Poor Mike's gears have all fallen off, half way to work... Gears on his bike, that is. Not car, luckily... I guess that's what you get for trying to be healthy ;)

xx

Helmets compulsory for under 18s in Jersey.

For some reason I've got Defying Gravity stuck in my head. Odd.




http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/jersey/8567448.stm

This annoys me, why is there even a debate? I just don't understand how people are opposed to wearing helmets. Or, to their children wearing helmets. A friend of the family had a rather horrific bike accident and will never be the same again - people don't realise how big a difference a helmet can make. And no, it wasn't due to a car or there 'not being proper speed limits' as the guy claims.

Are people really so vain and stubborn so they won't bike if they have to wear a helmet? I agree with the parent who says it's like seatbelts - it'll become second nature before long if it's compulsory.

That was a shorter rant than in my head - but it's time to go to work! Well done Jersey!

What do you think? Do you wear a helmet when you bike? Would you stop biking if you had to wear a helmet?

xx

Blaaah.

Am a bit overwhelmed at the moment. There's a lot going on and I'm struggling to keep up. No, you don't need to be worried - I'm fine. Just busy.

It'll get better, just need to get some things out of the way and then I can get on with the every day stuff  :)

Quite a few projects seem to be starting to come together so I'm pleased :) Will update at some point, I'm sure.



Went for a few drinks with colleagues at the council on Friday, it was really nice. And hearing people's positive reactions when I told them I'd still be working there a day a week for a while was great :) Planning a girly weekend in London to see a show in Sept or so with some of those colleagues as well!

Have given up on the Cognitive Psych course I started, was way too far behind by the time I got accepted onto the course... Shame! But I can always do it another time. Have just started another one in communication, group dynamic and e-services. Looks great! And applied for a few for the summer, will see which ones I get onto...


It's taken me all night to write this post, I keep getting distracted. Sigh. Bed time I think, need a break.


xx

I tried to make it an even month.

I'm going to resist starting this with 'wow, it's been a while' or 'I'm such a rubbish blogger...' Nope, those don't count - I'm just quoting myself.

Started my new job at the uni, it's great :) I lasted a week before coming down with the flu and being off a full week. Tried going in on Thursday but was sent home by the nice ladies in my office within the hour. But like my cousin says, should always listen to the ladies cos they tend to be right...

As I've had the flu, I've spent all the time I've not been asleep or wallowing (which was most of last week - well, mostly asleep. I barely wallowed) watching rubbish TV shows. For example - Accidentally on Purpose. Has anyone seen this gem? Yep, it stars Jenna Elfman from Dharma & Greg and it's amusing enough to watch when you're in bed with flu. Not really at any other time.

My sister and I were always big fans of Dharma & Greg. I'm sure she'd deny it if asked, though. Isn't it amusing though that Elfman went on to do Accidentally on Purpose (genius as it may be...) whereas the male lead, Thomas Gibson went on to do Criminal Minds? Well, I find it amusing. I love Criminal Minds. But I won't make the mistake of watching it when home alone for a weekend again - and Mike won't watch it with me... boo! I should probably stick to reading scary things rather than watching them.

I've pretty much run out of books to read. I don't like re-reading things too soon after having read them, it seems like a waste to me... but don't think I'll get rid of books! I do need another book case or two though. A bigger house maybe - with a library... ooh. I need to marry someone rich.

xx

It's nearly been a month, how did that happen?

Quite a lot has been happening - I'm sure I'll not post about it all so I won't promise I will.

Graduated a few weekends ago, it was nice. Parents & Joanna came over which was lovely - this flat may be big but it sure isn't big enough for 5 people... Bittersweet feeling as always when they left, I miss them. But should get to see Dad in March and all of them for Dad's 60th at Easter. Which reminds me, I've not booked my flight yet, oops!

The actual graduation was great, with good speeches from both the chancellor and the honorary doctorate. I'd never heard about him but I enjoyed his speech. May tell you more about it another day. Oh look, I'm doing it again - promising you things I'll probably never do...

After the ceremony we took loads of photos, Dad tried on my robe & hat (and they really suited him!) and then we went for lunch at Ask. Nice place, so busy on a Sat lunch though... And we were all pretty tired from getting up early + late night the night before. Then we went to the pub with some people off my course + their families which was really nice. Crazy warm though.

Was also elected as secretary for the charity I work with - not that anyone else stood for the role at the AGM, but still... Am quite excited but am still trying to get my head around it.

I shall tell you more about work another time - too tired right now!

Cleveland Show is on TV and it's so ridiculously bad. I expected it to be bad but not quite like this. I wouldn't recommend it.

Wellies.

Well. I needed to write about wellies - I've been thinking about it for a long time, and I can't not do it.

First of all - I'm sorry if this upsets anyone who has/likes wellies ;) My views may be provocative, unkind and judgemental but I need to get this off my chest.*

I don't understand it. Wellies are selling out in York. I was in ASDA and they had one pair left. One pair. A lass at work said they'd driven round all the shops and couldn't find any.

Ok, it's been snowing. There has, in fact, been a lot of snow lately. So wellies sell out?? To my mind this is so incredibly illogical. Sure, wellies are pretty good at keeping the wet away from your feet. I'll admit that. Fine, wear them in the rain, in the mud at festivals, but in the snow? They're useless for keeping your feet warm.

Fine, I know, some people will be wearing woolly socks underneath. But that's not the point - let me hate in peace.



I mean... how ugly can something get?

homeshoppingspy

These are... passable. Probably just cos they're red and I have a weakness for anything red...

cloggs

 ...but I also have a weakness for polkadots - and these just aren't working...

 

fashionhomephotographs.blogspot.com

These are kind of cute actually, I like the little wedge heel and the fact that they're slightly more shapely than normal wellies.

shoewawa

I had to add these in. It's not so much the colour - it's the heel. Chunky, clunky, thick AND pink. Never a good combination.

 

wellywarehouse

 ...if you had a kid, would you get these for them? I definitely would. Together with a head scarfy thing and an eye patch. I'll pass on the hook for a hand though; I'd want that to be his/her choice when old enough...

 

cradleandall

These would be cool! I'd pretend my feet were eating the sludge you brits call snow...

 

shropshirestar

But if you can find me the ones below, I will be eternally grateful...

 

kingdomofstyle

I do wonder if my childhood hatred of wellies has just carried on into adult(well, ahem)hood. There's nothing worse than being in wellies, feet nice and dry, dragging them through the sludge to get to the boat (or wherever) and suddenly stepping into a deep bit with one foot, thus draining it. Whilst the other stays nice and dry. It's like washing my hands - I can't have just one hand wet; it's both or none. But I digress. Oh, and of course there are worse things. But I love all things hyperbole.

But then there's a part of me that just wonders if my current hatred of them is due to jealousy. Maybe I too want something pretty & eccentric to put on my feet and not have people laugh and stare! Something pretty & eccentric, but not wellies...


Maybe one of these days I'll establish myself as a great fashion blogger. Great start, don't ya think?


xx



*I am, of course, joking. I very much hope a post about wellies wouldn't upset anyone.