So we hurtle towards 2010 and I feel a review of the year coming on.
I have travelled, and visited some new places and some old places. I have made new friends, reconnected with old friends, met one friend in the flesh for the first time, and been neglectful of some others.
I have been happy at work, cross at work, disappointed at work.
I have been to one wedding and not been to four funerals. I have seen one couple decide to marry, and I await the birth of a baby to a mother whose nappies I changed when she was a baby.
I have watched my beautiful tiny girl grow into a big girl, who reads and writes, and looses teeth, and has grown in confidence, and still brings me so much joy that I am crying as I write this about her.
This year I have laughed and smiled and enjoyed. But I have cried and shouted and despaired too. I have been sadder than I have been for a long time, and found myself in a place I didn't expect to be in twice in my lifetime. This isn't the life I expected, but then, whose is?
Next year.....
I hope the hostilities cease.
I would like to loose weight.
I ought to try to drink less.
I should exercise more.
I will be rid of my glasses.
I suspect I shall still be me at the beginning of 2011, whoever me really is.
HAPPY NEW YEAR Y'ALL
Showing posts with label soul baring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soul baring. Show all posts
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
I wanna be loved by you..
I was contacted by an old school friend via one of the many social networking sites that I frequent. Well, I say school. It was a boy who was *allowed* to come to our (girl's convent) school to take part in a joint play we were putting on with their school.
Anyway, he admitted to a huge crush on me....28 years ago. And I felt all warm and fuzzy for a couple of days afterwards......That is hopelessly sad, isn't it, and I really...REALLY need to deal with my self esteem issues soon, don't I?
This is me when I was the object of his affection. No...that most certainly is NOT him in the picture. And I am applying stage make up, not gazing lovingly up into this fella's eyes! I was stage manager, you see.....I spent weeks painting shoe boxes. That will give you a clue to the play if you want to have a guess.
Anyway, he admitted to a huge crush on me....28 years ago. And I felt all warm and fuzzy for a couple of days afterwards......That is hopelessly sad, isn't it, and I really...REALLY need to deal with my self esteem issues soon, don't I?
This is me when I was the object of his affection. No...that most certainly is NOT him in the picture. And I am applying stage make up, not gazing lovingly up into this fella's eyes! I was stage manager, you see.....I spent weeks painting shoe boxes. That will give you a clue to the play if you want to have a guess.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Leaving on a jet plane
I'm going to Canada next Friday. Toronto, to be precise. It has kind of crept up on me so I am now in a flurry of excitement about it. Only stopping for 48 hours. I'm actually doing work a favour! I have to be in Ohio, at the mothership,the following week and by flying via Toronto, and staying a Saturday night, I'm saving the company 500 quid! I'm staying with friends (saving more money)...who I haven't seen for about 15 months, and a trip to Niagara Falls has been mentioned..so we are all winners!
Anyway, I fly into Lester B Pearson Airport, and being a bit of a geek I thought I should find out who he was to have an airport named after him. Well, if you didn't already know (I bet Kevin did....) he was the 14th prime minister of Canada, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Now I know we might feel that they are giving those away with cornflakes at the mo (oooo...political satire...)but he got his for organizing the United Nations Emergency Force to resolve the Suez Canal Crisis. He did lots of other worthy stuff too, but true to form this is what actually caught my eye in the wikipedia entry...". In 1917, Pearson transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (as the Royal Canadian Air Force did not exist at that time), where he served as a Flying Officer until being sent home with injuries from two accidents; while training as a pilot at an air training school in Hendon, England, Pearson survived an airplane crash during his first flight. Unfortunately, in 1918, he was hit by a London bus during a blackout and was sent home as an invalid to recuperate and then discharged from the service..." Bless!
On a slightly sentimental note I shall take the opportunity to pay tribute to my lovely friends in Canada - kate & chris. Fifteen years ago this very month I went through a particular difficult time - my first marriage broke up - and without them and my other extremely lovely friends Jenny & Richard I could not have got through it and come out the other side.....thanks to them I have extremely happy memories of two drunken and slightly deranged years in my little bachelorette pad in Sale.
Anyway, I fly into Lester B Pearson Airport, and being a bit of a geek I thought I should find out who he was to have an airport named after him. Well, if you didn't already know (I bet Kevin did....) he was the 14th prime minister of Canada, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Now I know we might feel that they are giving those away with cornflakes at the mo (oooo...political satire...)but he got his for organizing the United Nations Emergency Force to resolve the Suez Canal Crisis. He did lots of other worthy stuff too, but true to form this is what actually caught my eye in the wikipedia entry...". In 1917, Pearson transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (as the Royal Canadian Air Force did not exist at that time), where he served as a Flying Officer until being sent home with injuries from two accidents; while training as a pilot at an air training school in Hendon, England, Pearson survived an airplane crash during his first flight. Unfortunately, in 1918, he was hit by a London bus during a blackout and was sent home as an invalid to recuperate and then discharged from the service..." Bless!
On a slightly sentimental note I shall take the opportunity to pay tribute to my lovely friends in Canada - kate & chris. Fifteen years ago this very month I went through a particular difficult time - my first marriage broke up - and without them and my other extremely lovely friends Jenny & Richard I could not have got through it and come out the other side.....thanks to them I have extremely happy memories of two drunken and slightly deranged years in my little bachelorette pad in Sale.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The little drummer boy
A quick pictorial catch up of my world over the last few weeks.
Here are the drums....
Not as big as you might have thought, but I am informed reliably informed that size isn't everything, as long as the operator is fairly skilled.
And yes, they are situated in a book (and CD/DVD) lined study. Are the family men amongst you asking how that jammy begger gets his very own personal playroom? Frankly, I ask myself that sometimes, especially as he is actually downstairs hogging the telly, watching football, and not even luxuriating in his own private kingdom.
In fact, just to rub it in, here is another shot of aforementioned booklined..etc etc...
If you zoom in Kev you might be able to recognise some of the filums...
Last weekend, as mentioned over at Mrs P's, we went to a wedding, with picnic on Box Hill. We were friends of the groom - he and I were at uni together...indeed we graduated 20 years ago this year, so took the opportunity for a reunion shot.
No shots of the actual service or the official photos you might notice. That's because we weren't there. Shan't go into too much detail for fear I will be overcome (again)with the need to go downstairs and point out a couple more home truths to the man of the house. (Actually, can't do that - I'm still not speaking to him) Suffice to say that if anyone says anything about women and their inability to handle directions I shall be round forthwith and shove a bat up your nightie.
Multi-tasking.....don't get me started.......
Here are the drums....
Not as big as you might have thought, but I am informed reliably informed that size isn't everything, as long as the operator is fairly skilled.
And yes, they are situated in a book (and CD/DVD) lined study. Are the family men amongst you asking how that jammy begger gets his very own personal playroom? Frankly, I ask myself that sometimes, especially as he is actually downstairs hogging the telly, watching football, and not even luxuriating in his own private kingdom.
In fact, just to rub it in, here is another shot of aforementioned booklined..etc etc...
If you zoom in Kev you might be able to recognise some of the filums...
Last weekend, as mentioned over at Mrs P's, we went to a wedding, with picnic on Box Hill. We were friends of the groom - he and I were at uni together...indeed we graduated 20 years ago this year, so took the opportunity for a reunion shot.
No shots of the actual service or the official photos you might notice. That's because we weren't there. Shan't go into too much detail for fear I will be overcome (again)with the need to go downstairs and point out a couple more home truths to the man of the house. (Actually, can't do that - I'm still not speaking to him) Suffice to say that if anyone says anything about women and their inability to handle directions I shall be round forthwith and shove a bat up your nightie.
Multi-tasking.....don't get me started.......
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Take all of me
I have inadvertently got an award - simply by being one of the first five folks to comment on Scarlet's blog. I get to post the award picture, which is nice.
However, I also have to list 10 true facts about myself. I did something similar a few months back at the behest of Kevin. As I am not a very interesting person it is going to be tricky to find more to say about myself, but here goes....taking more than a little inspiration from Scarlet's "truths":
1) I am not ginger either. No, seriously. I really am not, but I always wanted to be. I love red hair. Then my daughter was born ginger, or orange, as she likes to call it. Be careful what you wish for.
2) I have two scars under my chin, both about 1 cm long, parallel. Both childhood accidents - one from slipping in the public swimming pool and banging my chin on the edge, and on from hitting my chin on one of those 70s standup ashtray things.
3) In my job I get to visit lots of buildings and organisations that many people wouldn't get access to. I didn't go to the Lloyds of London meeting, but I have been to the Bank of England and the Lebanese Parliament, to name a couple.
4) I too got Unclassified in my maths O level, despite a home tutor as well as regular maths lessons. I was supposed to retake it the following january but didn't even bother to show up. However, it has been one of my many hang ups about my lack of academic prowess. Despite doing (and passing) statistics as part of my degree, I eventually took an OU maths course a couple of years ago, and PASSED! It was one of the happiest days of my life.
5) I am crap at sport. I was always one of those sad ones picked last for teams along with the fat girl. I was on the arts side - but I was always picked for the school play, so that was good!
6) I am a glasses wearer because I can't really get on with lenses. I have several pairs.
7) I have never been to a Cure concert. I did, however, dress as a pirate for a Bow Wow Wow concert.
8) I am a voracious reader - cannot be without a book anywhere. My dad used to help me with my reading when I was younger by getting me to read hymns - that's left footers for you!
9)I have never been a contestant on a game show, but my husband was a contestant on a radio music quiz. He was knocked out in the first round, but we had great fun at the recording, and had drinks and nibbles with Ned Sherrin.
10) I went for a riding lesson once with a horse mad school friend. I fell off, and thought it was hilarious. I wasn't a horsey type. As with the sport, I was too busy doing plays, doing dance classes or reading a book.
However, I also have to list 10 true facts about myself. I did something similar a few months back at the behest of Kevin. As I am not a very interesting person it is going to be tricky to find more to say about myself, but here goes....taking more than a little inspiration from Scarlet's "truths":
1) I am not ginger either. No, seriously. I really am not, but I always wanted to be. I love red hair. Then my daughter was born ginger, or orange, as she likes to call it. Be careful what you wish for.
2) I have two scars under my chin, both about 1 cm long, parallel. Both childhood accidents - one from slipping in the public swimming pool and banging my chin on the edge, and on from hitting my chin on one of those 70s standup ashtray things.
3) In my job I get to visit lots of buildings and organisations that many people wouldn't get access to. I didn't go to the Lloyds of London meeting, but I have been to the Bank of England and the Lebanese Parliament, to name a couple.
4) I too got Unclassified in my maths O level, despite a home tutor as well as regular maths lessons. I was supposed to retake it the following january but didn't even bother to show up. However, it has been one of my many hang ups about my lack of academic prowess. Despite doing (and passing) statistics as part of my degree, I eventually took an OU maths course a couple of years ago, and PASSED! It was one of the happiest days of my life.
5) I am crap at sport. I was always one of those sad ones picked last for teams along with the fat girl. I was on the arts side - but I was always picked for the school play, so that was good!
6) I am a glasses wearer because I can't really get on with lenses. I have several pairs.
7) I have never been to a Cure concert. I did, however, dress as a pirate for a Bow Wow Wow concert.
8) I am a voracious reader - cannot be without a book anywhere. My dad used to help me with my reading when I was younger by getting me to read hymns - that's left footers for you!
9)I have never been a contestant on a game show, but my husband was a contestant on a radio music quiz. He was knocked out in the first round, but we had great fun at the recording, and had drinks and nibbles with Ned Sherrin.
10) I went for a riding lesson once with a horse mad school friend. I fell off, and thought it was hilarious. I wasn't a horsey type. As with the sport, I was too busy doing plays, doing dance classes or reading a book.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Six random things
I've been tagged by Kevin to list six random things about me. Ho hum...
1) I have a moderate hearing loss. Hearing loss is graded as mild, moderate and severe. Trust me, it doesn't seem moderate when the DVD doesn't have subtitles, or the person you are trying to communicate with is mumbling, has a beard, or is simply looking the other way when they are talking to you. I have a hearing aid. I ought to have two, but I lost one..whoops! They are so uncomfortable I take them out when I don't need them. Then I forget where I have put them, and I lose them.
2) I have joint hypermobility. That's doubled jointed in layman's terms. It ain't that fancy. It's why I keep falling over and knackering my knees. But, on the positive side I can bend my thumbs and elbows into really obnoxious angles, and it really turns some people's stomachs! Also, I can clap with my feet - like a seal. Try it...stretch your legs straight, then try to turn your feet inwards, so you can clap the soles together. Great for dinner parties!
3) Despite working in libraries since I was 16, it was not my chosen career. Oh no. It was a future treading the boards for me. I was passionate about the theatre from an early age, exceled in drama at school, was in the school plays, studied Drama for two years on a sort of pre-Drama school foundation course, where we did dance, singing, speech, etc. I even have LAMDA medals....but I knew in my heart I wasn't good enough. I thought I'd do stage management instead - ideal for a perfectionist control freak, and I was the only one on my drama course who could change a plug. But I realised I would be destined for a life in the wings, disappointed that I hadn't been focused enough for the stage, and envying the ones who made it. Girls I was at college with ended up in Nanny, Emmerdale and Cracker.
4) I have a bodhran, but I can't play it. It is decorated. I got it for my 30th birthday. It used to be on my wall so I could just look at it, which filled me with joy.
5) I learnt the words to The Lion and Albert to impress a bloke. He was impressed, but it didn't get me anywhere.
6) I discovered Botero when I was in Colombia this year. Totally my sort of artist. Despite being married to a fella with a Fine Art degree, my taste is art is very low brow, I'm afraid.
So, I now have to tag six other folk, who need to link back to me.....and reveal six random things.....so, over to you Kate, Bev, TKW and all three members of the chasing sheep household.
1) I have a moderate hearing loss. Hearing loss is graded as mild, moderate and severe. Trust me, it doesn't seem moderate when the DVD doesn't have subtitles, or the person you are trying to communicate with is mumbling, has a beard, or is simply looking the other way when they are talking to you. I have a hearing aid. I ought to have two, but I lost one..whoops! They are so uncomfortable I take them out when I don't need them. Then I forget where I have put them, and I lose them.
2) I have joint hypermobility. That's doubled jointed in layman's terms. It ain't that fancy. It's why I keep falling over and knackering my knees. But, on the positive side I can bend my thumbs and elbows into really obnoxious angles, and it really turns some people's stomachs! Also, I can clap with my feet - like a seal. Try it...stretch your legs straight, then try to turn your feet inwards, so you can clap the soles together. Great for dinner parties!
3) Despite working in libraries since I was 16, it was not my chosen career. Oh no. It was a future treading the boards for me. I was passionate about the theatre from an early age, exceled in drama at school, was in the school plays, studied Drama for two years on a sort of pre-Drama school foundation course, where we did dance, singing, speech, etc. I even have LAMDA medals....but I knew in my heart I wasn't good enough. I thought I'd do stage management instead - ideal for a perfectionist control freak, and I was the only one on my drama course who could change a plug. But I realised I would be destined for a life in the wings, disappointed that I hadn't been focused enough for the stage, and envying the ones who made it. Girls I was at college with ended up in Nanny, Emmerdale and Cracker.
4) I have a bodhran, but I can't play it. It is decorated. I got it for my 30th birthday. It used to be on my wall so I could just look at it, which filled me with joy.
5) I learnt the words to The Lion and Albert to impress a bloke. He was impressed, but it didn't get me anywhere.
6) I discovered Botero when I was in Colombia this year. Totally my sort of artist. Despite being married to a fella with a Fine Art degree, my taste is art is very low brow, I'm afraid.
So, I now have to tag six other folk, who need to link back to me.....and reveal six random things.....so, over to you Kate, Bev, TKW and all three members of the chasing sheep household.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Knowing me, knowing you....
Pinched from ...tea stains.
1. Where is your mobile? Upstairs, next to my bed. The work mobile is switched off - hurrah
2. Where is your significant other? Work
3. Your hair colour? Basically brown, with blonde and red bits...added, not natural.
4. Your mother? On her way to visit me, apparently.
5. Your father? Ditto
6. Your favorite thing? Reading in bed
7. Your dream last night? Chainsaws...
8. Your dream/goal? Success
9. The room you're in? Living room
10. Your hobby? Mostly sleeping
11. Your fear? Loss
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Up for discussion!
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. What you're not? Very well
15. One of your wish-list items? Thinness
16. Where you grew up? Heston.
17. The last thing you did? Got out of bed
18. What are you wearing? pyjamas
19. Your TV? Love it..
20. Your pets? Two cats
21. Your computer? Dell laptop...tiny...fits in a (large) handbag
22. Your mood? Feed up of being poorly
23. Missing someone? Katie - out of the country so no gossip!
24. Your car? Citroen Picasso
25. Something you're not wearing? Undies! I'm in my pjs
26. Favourite shop? Urban Outfitters at the mo...it'll change
27. Your summer? France
28. Love someone? My daughter
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? This morning - at some Laura did I expect.
31. Last time you cried? Couple of weeks back
Have a go yourself......
1. Where is your mobile? Upstairs, next to my bed. The work mobile is switched off - hurrah
2. Where is your significant other? Work
3. Your hair colour? Basically brown, with blonde and red bits...added, not natural.
4. Your mother? On her way to visit me, apparently.
5. Your father? Ditto
6. Your favorite thing? Reading in bed
7. Your dream last night? Chainsaws...
8. Your dream/goal? Success
9. The room you're in? Living room
10. Your hobby? Mostly sleeping
11. Your fear? Loss
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Up for discussion!
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. What you're not? Very well
15. One of your wish-list items? Thinness
16. Where you grew up? Heston.
17. The last thing you did? Got out of bed
18. What are you wearing? pyjamas
19. Your TV? Love it..
20. Your pets? Two cats
21. Your computer? Dell laptop...tiny...fits in a (large) handbag
22. Your mood? Feed up of being poorly
23. Missing someone? Katie - out of the country so no gossip!
24. Your car? Citroen Picasso
25. Something you're not wearing? Undies! I'm in my pjs
26. Favourite shop? Urban Outfitters at the mo...it'll change
27. Your summer? France
28. Love someone? My daughter
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? This morning - at some Laura did I expect.
31. Last time you cried? Couple of weeks back
Have a go yourself......
Monday, July 07, 2008
It's all about you...
I stole this from a couple of blogs I visit.....
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Working in Sales for the same company I now work for, albeit with a different name (the company, not me) (actually, that's not true. I had a different surname then)
Five things on your to-do list for today:
I'll cheat, and do tomorrow as it is late evening now -
1) Do presentation for conference on Wednesday
2) Wrap daughter's birthday pressies
3) Check she can have disco room at her party
4) Get her a birthday card
5) Pack to go to aforementioned conference
What are three of your bad habits?
1) Jumping to conclusions
2) Total lack of self confidence
3) Watching crap telly
What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Stop work, have another baby, and give loads of it away.
What are some snacks you enjoy?
Oh blimey....I am queen of snacks...
Popcorn
Chocolate
Crisps
Grapes
What were the last five books you read?
Hattie Biography of Hattie Jacques
Queuing for beginners Mass observation type stuff - brilliant
Two caravans by Marina Lewycka, not finished..finding it harder going than A short history of tractors in Ukranian
Promise me Perhaps this should actually be on my bad habits list. I love these real airport reading, american crime stories. But I read them in a day, so I spend a fortune on them.
Eating for England prose, rather than recipes, by Nigel Slater. Rather lazy book actually. Not as good as Toast.
What are five jobs you have had?
Saturday assistant in public library in London
Library assistant in different public library in London
Barmaid (and a right crap one at that. I kept being told to smile at the punters)
College librarian
Present - which has included sales, training and now product management.
Five places that you have lived?
London - with my parents, till I went to .....
Manchester - to do my library degree, after which I lived in...
Oldham - when I was married, then
Sale - when I ceased to be married, and then..
Sheffield - which I loved, and really didn't make the most of, and sometimes hanker for now.
So...now I am supposed to tag others to do this..so Kate , Kevin....or actually anyone....consider yourelf tagged.
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Working in Sales for the same company I now work for, albeit with a different name (the company, not me) (actually, that's not true. I had a different surname then)
Five things on your to-do list for today:
I'll cheat, and do tomorrow as it is late evening now -
1) Do presentation for conference on Wednesday
2) Wrap daughter's birthday pressies
3) Check she can have disco room at her party
4) Get her a birthday card
5) Pack to go to aforementioned conference
What are three of your bad habits?
1) Jumping to conclusions
2) Total lack of self confidence
3) Watching crap telly
What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Stop work, have another baby, and give loads of it away.
What are some snacks you enjoy?
Oh blimey....I am queen of snacks...
Popcorn
Chocolate
Crisps
Grapes
What were the last five books you read?
Hattie Biography of Hattie Jacques
Queuing for beginners Mass observation type stuff - brilliant
Two caravans by Marina Lewycka, not finished..finding it harder going than A short history of tractors in Ukranian
Promise me Perhaps this should actually be on my bad habits list. I love these real airport reading, american crime stories. But I read them in a day, so I spend a fortune on them.
Eating for England prose, rather than recipes, by Nigel Slater. Rather lazy book actually. Not as good as Toast.
What are five jobs you have had?
Saturday assistant in public library in London
Library assistant in different public library in London
Barmaid (and a right crap one at that. I kept being told to smile at the punters)
College librarian
Present - which has included sales, training and now product management.
Five places that you have lived?
London - with my parents, till I went to .....
Manchester - to do my library degree, after which I lived in...
Oldham - when I was married, then
Sale - when I ceased to be married, and then..
Sheffield - which I loved, and really didn't make the most of, and sometimes hanker for now.
So...now I am supposed to tag others to do this..so Kate , Kevin....or actually anyone....consider yourelf tagged.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)