New Year's Eve usually sucks and involves watching Angus Deayton or Jonathon Ross interviewing D-list celebrities before orchestrating a countdown and then partying to the sounds of the latest pop sensation.
Not this year. I had already resolved some time ago that I wanted to see in the New Year in a club. Clubbing in London is expensive, with tickets costing something like £40 if you want to go to a decent nightclub. So Andrew offers to go out clubbing with me on NYE in Nottingham for £10. How can I refuse? I obliged and it transpires that it's a fancy dress ball. The reality is, Andy has bought a Dracula outfit and basically wants the most use out of it as he can get. He's therefore searching the area for fancy dress parties. And he's found one. And I'm arm twisted into going.
So I drove to Nottingham this morning complete with fancy dress outfit. I go as Shania Twain in her Man! I Feel Like A Woman video - white shirt, black tie, black mini, knee boots, long black gloves and top hat. I swear Andy's jaw actually dropped when I emerged from the bedroom. We met up with some of Andy's mates and we all walked to the Works nightclub. On the way, I got nothing but comments from people on the streets and endless car horn beeps. Andrew thought it was hysterical. I was really embarrassed, not realising that wearing a mini and knee boots was going to grab so much attention.
Once inside the club it was cool because there were loads of other people all dressed up in different outfits. At least six, including Andy's mate Mark, were in musketeer outfits. Mark's girlfriend, Tara, dressed as Velma Kelly from the stage-play Chicago. At one point we got chatting to Dick Tracy, Snow White, a Stormtrooper and Al Capone in the gangway (and the reward for the weirdest sentence of 2004 goes to...). Andy simply LOVED the attention he was getting from his outfit. He spent the entire evening draping his cloak around every woman passing by, and hamming it up for all it was worth. Such an exhibitionist!! His picture even got onto the club's website (see here). But he did keep his promise of protecting me from any unwanted attention, after a guy reached out as if to shake my hand (which happens a lot when you're in fancy dress in a bar) and then proceeded to try and cop a feel.
The nightclub has two rooms with dance floors: one plays chart music and the other plays dance and drum 'n' bass. We spent most of 2004 in the second room and then the countdown and the aftermath were spent in the first room. We even managed to get a slow dance to a couple of songs so it was all good! They didn't play Shania Twain though, even though I did request it.
Mark and Tara left about 2am and Andy and I headed into the second room again for one more drink and basically to wind down from our drinking binge! We left about 3.15am and walked back. It was pretty cold outside so I got to wear Andy's cloak home! It was toasty warm but I was forbidden from taking it home with me to London! More car beeping and hand shakes were dealt out on the way back, and we just fell into bed around 4am.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
The Earth Strikes Back
Work was kinda fun today. Toblerone and Malteasers were passed rapidly around the office (obviously unwanted Christmas surplus) and the mentality was of a regular day at work... but with only 11 people instead of 27. Phones rang, invoices were paid, just the usual 'same old'. We chatted about what we did over Christmas and how some idiot is selling Christmas cracker toys on eBay for a total (so far) of 16p.
Obviously the talk did focus a great deal on the tsunami that hit Thailand. The oceanic plates should only move a couple of inches a year but on Sunday, slipped a staggering 10 metres, causing walls of water to hit all the surrounding coastlines at 500mph. The Earth actually wobbled from the force! People are scared mindless over global warming yet our own planet is taking violent measures of its own without our intervention.
A colleague's son was supposed to fly out to Thailand on Saturday evening, but the plane remained grounded after it was discovered that the door between the pilots and the passengers wasn't bulletproof, so he was put up for the night in a Hilton. Apparently he was pretty miffed. I'm telling you, if my flight was cancelled, inadvertedly saving my life, and I spent Christmas in a Hilton, I'd be freaking estatic!
Unfortunately, some jokes did circulate the office. Something about several thousand flip flops for freebies, water-based hotels, and amenities being a stone's throw from the sea...
Obviously the talk did focus a great deal on the tsunami that hit Thailand. The oceanic plates should only move a couple of inches a year but on Sunday, slipped a staggering 10 metres, causing walls of water to hit all the surrounding coastlines at 500mph. The Earth actually wobbled from the force! People are scared mindless over global warming yet our own planet is taking violent measures of its own without our intervention.
A colleague's son was supposed to fly out to Thailand on Saturday evening, but the plane remained grounded after it was discovered that the door between the pilots and the passengers wasn't bulletproof, so he was put up for the night in a Hilton. Apparently he was pretty miffed. I'm telling you, if my flight was cancelled, inadvertedly saving my life, and I spent Christmas in a Hilton, I'd be freaking estatic!
Unfortunately, some jokes did circulate the office. Something about several thousand flip flops for freebies, water-based hotels, and amenities being a stone's throw from the sea...
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Is Christmas over yet...?
Ever wish you were at work? I never thought I would until today. Four days at home with father is enough to drive me crazy. I can barely survive a regular two-day weekend. Four days is positively claustrophobic.
I stay in bed until 11am and then grudgingly get up for a cup of coffee and watch Apollo 13. Meanwhile, Chris went to Stevenage to buy pick-ups and, when he couldn’t find the ones he wanted, bought a £600 guitar instead (as you do). Boys and their toys, eh?
In other news, my best mate from home now has her own blog too (I think it's viral!). Check out Thoughts from Paradise Babe.
I stay in bed until 11am and then grudgingly get up for a cup of coffee and watch Apollo 13. Meanwhile, Chris went to Stevenage to buy pick-ups and, when he couldn’t find the ones he wanted, bought a £600 guitar instead (as you do). Boys and their toys, eh?
In other news, my best mate from home now has her own blog too (I think it's viral!). Check out Thoughts from Paradise Babe.
Monday, December 27, 2004
Christmas Two
Ah, the first of two Bank Holidays because Christmas falls on a weekend. After a luncheon of cold turkey (I’m beginning to hate turkey already) the family plus Pam and Lynne head out to my grandparents’ in Waltham Cross, and I take Anna with me to pick up my grandmother from Hoddesdon. Once we’re all there, there is the usual flurry of getting presents out and cups of tea being handed around the room. We all sat in a circle around three small tables of snacks (“It’s a bit like a dentist’s waiting room,” Chris remarks) and we all had a chat, relaying work-related information and enquiring as to whether everyone had a good Christmas.
Two hours in, and high tea was served (it's infamously known as Christmas II in our household). I was beginning to get bored. There is only so much you can talk about. I start texting friends, wondering if they were as bored as me. No replies. Crackers are pulled and I start to play with the tape measure I get, measuring everything I can, from the length of my middle finger (3.2”) and my waist (27”) to the table in front of me (18” x 12”) and my brother’s neck (14”). I start to pick at the snacks in front of me. I have a tray of Quality Street, a bowl of Pringles, and a bowl of roasted peanuts. One by one the Quality Street is consumed, and I am horrified when I discover I have actually had nine of them, not to mention the odd handful of peanuts. I go into the kitchen to escape the snacks and decide that my waist may not be a small as it was earlier…
We eventually left at 8.30pm, and I took my grandmother back home, texting Andy quickly before heading back to Enfield. He’s insisting on knowing what I’m wearing for the fancy dress party we’re going to on New Year’s Eve. I'm not telling. It's more fun that way!
Two hours in, and high tea was served (it's infamously known as Christmas II in our household). I was beginning to get bored. There is only so much you can talk about. I start texting friends, wondering if they were as bored as me. No replies. Crackers are pulled and I start to play with the tape measure I get, measuring everything I can, from the length of my middle finger (3.2”) and my waist (27”) to the table in front of me (18” x 12”) and my brother’s neck (14”). I start to pick at the snacks in front of me. I have a tray of Quality Street, a bowl of Pringles, and a bowl of roasted peanuts. One by one the Quality Street is consumed, and I am horrified when I discover I have actually had nine of them, not to mention the odd handful of peanuts. I go into the kitchen to escape the snacks and decide that my waist may not be a small as it was earlier…
We eventually left at 8.30pm, and I took my grandmother back home, texting Andy quickly before heading back to Enfield. He’s insisting on knowing what I’m wearing for the fancy dress party we’re going to on New Year’s Eve. I'm not telling. It's more fun that way!
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Apple Betty
It was decided a few weeks ago that we would go out for Boxing Day dinner. So at 3pm, we all head out to this Beefeater-style pub in Enfield Island Village: six of us, plus Pam and Lynne, my grandmother, my aunt and uncle, and two of their five children - thirteen altogether. Since it was originally for fifteen people, there was going to be spare meals going around, but because no-one had taken note of what they had pre-ordered two weeks ago, it was all rather hit-and-miss.
Starters came out and we all just grabbed what we fancied the look of. I managed to swipe chicken coujons, which surprisingly came with cranberry jelly… A few of the group were disappointed to discover that the spicy prawns were actually regular prawns with curry sauce thrown over them. Not really what we had in mind…
Second course was a choice between turkey, beef or salmon. I avoid beef and don’t eat fish, so I had turkey for the second day in a row. Now, I know that restaurants serve dinner en masse and it can be hard sometimes, but it tasted just like school dinners, or something you would cook at home. When you go out, you expect something a little better than you’re used to. I wasn’t particularly impressed and left most of it.
Third course came up and the choices were supposed to be Christmas pudding, waffles or brownies. Plate after plate of brownies arrived, and eventually one Christmas pudding made an appearance. And then my father was handed what appeared to be treacle tart.
“I ordered Christmas pudding,” he told the waitress.
“It’s apple Betty,” she replied.
“Apple Betty?” my father repeats.
“I thought she said ‘Alphabeti’,” my uncle offers.
“Isn’t that spaghetti?” I ask.
“This is apple Betty,” the waitress insists.
“Alphabeti?” my uncle asks, clearly perplexed.
“It‘s looks like treacle,” my father says, lifting the bowl and inspecting the contents as if they were highly contagious.
“It‘s a surprise,” the waitress offers, trying a new approach.
“It certainly is,” my uncle says. “I thought Alphabeti was spaghetti shapes.”
“It‘s a horrible surprise,” my father says pointedly. “I want Christmas pudding.”
The offending apple Betty is removed, brownies are consumed by the entire table (except Sian who snagged the only Christmas pudding available), and my uncle is still insisting that the waitress said ‘Alphabeti’. My grandmother finally pipes up and explains that apple Betty is actually caramelised apples served with a crumble topping and custard, and was often served to schoolchildren for lunchtimes as it was cheap and easy to cook in large quantities. We all munch thoughtfully and my uncle and aunt disappear outside for a smoke.
Presents are handed out over coffee and Rosemary got a mystic orb, which is really cool. It’s like a bowling ball but much lighter, and you are supposed to ask it a yes/no question, channel your energy through the orb, and then turn it over to see the answer. The bottom has a circle cut out of the outer shell and you can see that the ball is fill with a black watery substance and a triangle that answers plainly ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and then gives 'maybe' answers like ‘It could be’ and ‘The stars shine favourably’. Of course we’re asking it really stupid questions like ‘Is Chris gonna be a rock star?’ and ‘Will I live to one hundred and three?’ and then laughing hysterically at the answers. Maybe we're just a bit punchy from the endless stream of fake smiles and niceties.
Starters came out and we all just grabbed what we fancied the look of. I managed to swipe chicken coujons, which surprisingly came with cranberry jelly… A few of the group were disappointed to discover that the spicy prawns were actually regular prawns with curry sauce thrown over them. Not really what we had in mind…
Second course was a choice between turkey, beef or salmon. I avoid beef and don’t eat fish, so I had turkey for the second day in a row. Now, I know that restaurants serve dinner en masse and it can be hard sometimes, but it tasted just like school dinners, or something you would cook at home. When you go out, you expect something a little better than you’re used to. I wasn’t particularly impressed and left most of it.
Third course came up and the choices were supposed to be Christmas pudding, waffles or brownies. Plate after plate of brownies arrived, and eventually one Christmas pudding made an appearance. And then my father was handed what appeared to be treacle tart.
“I ordered Christmas pudding,” he told the waitress.
“It’s apple Betty,” she replied.
“Apple Betty?” my father repeats.
“I thought she said ‘Alphabeti’,” my uncle offers.
“Isn’t that spaghetti?” I ask.
“This is apple Betty,” the waitress insists.
“Alphabeti?” my uncle asks, clearly perplexed.
“It‘s looks like treacle,” my father says, lifting the bowl and inspecting the contents as if they were highly contagious.
“It‘s a surprise,” the waitress offers, trying a new approach.
“It certainly is,” my uncle says. “I thought Alphabeti was spaghetti shapes.”
“It‘s a horrible surprise,” my father says pointedly. “I want Christmas pudding.”
The offending apple Betty is removed, brownies are consumed by the entire table (except Sian who snagged the only Christmas pudding available), and my uncle is still insisting that the waitress said ‘Alphabeti’. My grandmother finally pipes up and explains that apple Betty is actually caramelised apples served with a crumble topping and custard, and was often served to schoolchildren for lunchtimes as it was cheap and easy to cook in large quantities. We all munch thoughtfully and my uncle and aunt disappear outside for a smoke.
Presents are handed out over coffee and Rosemary got a mystic orb, which is really cool. It’s like a bowling ball but much lighter, and you are supposed to ask it a yes/no question, channel your energy through the orb, and then turn it over to see the answer. The bottom has a circle cut out of the outer shell and you can see that the ball is fill with a black watery substance and a triangle that answers plainly ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and then gives 'maybe' answers like ‘It could be’ and ‘The stars shine favourably’. Of course we’re asking it really stupid questions like ‘Is Chris gonna be a rock star?’ and ‘Will I live to one hundred and three?’ and then laughing hysterically at the answers. Maybe we're just a bit punchy from the endless stream of fake smiles and niceties.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
My 26th Christmas
Rosemary had promised to wake me up at 5am, which I had repeatedly told her was highly unnecessary. As it was, she woke up, decided it was too early, and didn’t get up again until 8.30am. I grumpily drag myself out of bed and we open our ‘Father Christmas’ presents. Now, I don’t wanna be too explicit, because young eyes may be reading, but I had ten years of believing, and now sixteen years of not. Damn, that means this is my 26th Christmas. I feel rather old…
My grandmother came over to the house about 11am and we all opened our presents from everyone. Paper and tags flew all over the living room, with Rosemary screeching in delight every time she revealed yet another present she had requested. I did rather well myself, including:
- The X-Files on DVD (seasons 2 and 3)
- Steel Magnolias DVD (my tape got screwed up in the player)
- the entire collection of Britney Spears videos on DVD (I have a defective music gene)
- Snow Patrol’s Final Straw and Franz Ferdinand on CD (well, it‘s not entirely defective)
- and the usual plethora of bathroom delights from Boots
Despite all my lovely gifts, one cannot deny that receiving a book signed by the author is pretty much the best and niftiest pressie ever, and Jenny got me just that: A copy of No Plot? No Problem! signed by Chris Baty. Apparently the world needs my book. I am so utterly jazzed! The power of Chris Baty compels me to complete the re-write before the start of the next NaNoWriMo competition!
After lunch, we listened to the radio a little, but by the time you’ve heard Band Aid for the fiftieth time, it gets really annoying. We switched it off and Chris bought his guitar down and played for us. In the end he was taking requests, and we were singing (mostly acapella) to Beatles songs, with the occasional punk song by Green Day and Blink 182.Friday, December 24, 2004
Working(!) on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve at work is like being in a morgue (I can only imagine, since I’ve never actually been inside a morgue). Phones were dead. The only call I got all day was from Noel, telling me that they were five minutes from the office and did I remember anything about work being carried out in Croxford Gardens?
I got more pressies at work: wine and chocs from Mark and Noel. At 10.30am, they decide to take me out for brunch, since there’s nothing better to do around the office. We drive around Haringey, trying to find a café that’s open, and find this little place off Seven Sisters Road, which seems to be inhabited by a bunch of people over from Lordship. I confiscate The Sun off Noel (he never skips page 3) and we all had a nice non-work-related chat. About 11.50am we stroll back into the office, and most of the people who could be bothered to come in have already gone. Air kisses and handshakes are exchanged between colleagues and, by 1pm, the only people left in the office are myself, Dennis, and Olubisi.
About 1.15pm, Dennis comes over and says, “I‘m on call out until five, so if you want to, you can go now.”
I ask him if he’s sure.
“Yeah, it‘s no problem. I bet no-one will ring anyway.”
Well, I don’t need to be told twice, and I’m out of there like a shot!
I got more pressies at work: wine and chocs from Mark and Noel. At 10.30am, they decide to take me out for brunch, since there’s nothing better to do around the office. We drive around Haringey, trying to find a café that’s open, and find this little place off Seven Sisters Road, which seems to be inhabited by a bunch of people over from Lordship. I confiscate The Sun off Noel (he never skips page 3) and we all had a nice non-work-related chat. About 11.50am we stroll back into the office, and most of the people who could be bothered to come in have already gone. Air kisses and handshakes are exchanged between colleagues and, by 1pm, the only people left in the office are myself, Dennis, and Olubisi.
About 1.15pm, Dennis comes over and says, “I‘m on call out until five, so if you want to, you can go now.”
I ask him if he’s sure.
“Yeah, it‘s no problem. I bet no-one will ring anyway.”
Well, I don’t need to be told twice, and I’m out of there like a shot!
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Scary, scary times...
I'm getting really worried about going to and from work lately. Only last week on the way to Induction, a whole corner of Wood Green was cordoned off because of a double murder. A couple of days later, a man was shot outside Tesco in Enfield Town. Yesterday a shopkeeper was stabbed in Wood Green and now this stabbing spree through Haringey and Enfield. All the time is gets nearer and nearer to home.
Roads have been blocked off all day. Worried colleagues from all over are enquiring if everyone is okay and if anyone has seen anything other than road blocks. Meridian Way had the road into Tottenham from the North Circular cordoned off. Further along, two police cars and a large van were parked up between the two lanes of traffic, stopping people randomly as they came out of Tottenham. At the side of the road, next to the railway line, a team of people came out carrying large envelopes marked 'FORENSICS' on them (just like on TV!), and it was all rather worrying.
It made top headlines across the news bulletins and was front page news on the BBC website. It really doesn't help that Edmonton was trying to shed its violent image...
Roads have been blocked off all day. Worried colleagues from all over are enquiring if everyone is okay and if anyone has seen anything other than road blocks. Meridian Way had the road into Tottenham from the North Circular cordoned off. Further along, two police cars and a large van were parked up between the two lanes of traffic, stopping people randomly as they came out of Tottenham. At the side of the road, next to the railway line, a team of people came out carrying large envelopes marked 'FORENSICS' on them (just like on TV!), and it was all rather worrying.
It made top headlines across the news bulletins and was front page news on the BBC website. It really doesn't help that Edmonton was trying to shed its violent image...
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Happy at work
I'm obviously doing something right at work. Normally, cards are exchanged between colleagues and only the boss gives presents. This is because there are so many people working in one area that giving presents, even to only whom we directly work with, would seriously damage finances. But today I received my fourth present from a work colleague. Maybe it appreciation of my administrative support…? Anyway, I'm really touched. Seriously. I can't stop grinning. Maybe it’s a ploy to keep me happy at work!
Monday, December 20, 2004
The finishing touches
The kitchen is finished. I know; it's a miracle! The floor was laid this morning and the last of the boxes were unpacked and cleaned up. The dining table is taken apart, moved into the 'dining room' (which is now a diner/kitchen) and that was cleaned up too.
Then Dad decides that the carpet in the living room needs cleaning. To do this, a hollow rubber ring is attached to the top of the vacuum cleaner and then a two-way tube is run through a hose attachment, so water goes from cleaner to carpet, and then the tube sucks up water from carpet into cleaner. It's very fiddly to put together, and we had all the usual grunts and over-dramatic sighs from father as he put the machine together and scrubbed at the carpet with the attachment. By 10pm, the carpet is soaked with water and shampoo remnants. Since we aren't allowed to step on the wet carpet, we all decide to retire to our bedrooms so we can watch the end of Armageddon on various televisions.
Then Dad decides that the carpet in the living room needs cleaning. To do this, a hollow rubber ring is attached to the top of the vacuum cleaner and then a two-way tube is run through a hose attachment, so water goes from cleaner to carpet, and then the tube sucks up water from carpet into cleaner. It's very fiddly to put together, and we had all the usual grunts and over-dramatic sighs from father as he put the machine together and scrubbed at the carpet with the attachment. By 10pm, the carpet is soaked with water and shampoo remnants. Since we aren't allowed to step on the wet carpet, we all decide to retire to our bedrooms so we can watch the end of Armageddon on various televisions.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
The morning after...
Now I know why I have the bigger room in the apartment: the window faces east. I woke up at 9am, sunlight hitting the sheets and refusing to fade even in the smallest measurement. I hide under the covers but I'm overwhelmed by the smell of the smoke still present in my hair and eventually give up all hopes of sleep by 10.30am. To add insult to the injury, I've forgotten shampoo and can't wash my hair. I tie my hair up and soak it in hairspray, which manages to mask the smoke rather well. Despite being tired and not completely sobered, I'm still wary of the frosted glass door of the bathroom and am extremely careful…! I read a bit of my latest purchase, Star Bores: The Original Parody, which is unbelievably funny, and start to poke my Christmas gifts from Andy. It consists of a smallish squishy package and a very heavy box, which I'm told is not a brick, but I can't drop it or get it wet… Hmm…
I decide that I'd like to see Nottingham Castle. If it was good enough for Robin Hood to steal for, then it's good enough for me! Unfortunately, the castle doesn't actually exist anymore and it's basically a house on a hill. Oh, so it's like Bruce Castle? The 'castle' part is just a name? I was disappointed. And it's full of hideous sculptures, scary paintings, and a cabinet full of silverware that looked like the one my grandmother has in her front room. The view is fantastic though and would have been better if we could have stood of the roof of the 'castle'. And Andy's sudden fascination with a squirrel had us (well, him) chasing it round the park for the best part of twenty minutes. It was incredibly cold though and we headed back into town and darted in and out of shops to keep warm. The city centre was really crowded, full of people trying to get last minute Christmas presents, and it got dark really quickly so I had to start heading off for home.
I eventually left about 5pm and got home about 7.30pm. Apparently, my sister had told my father that I was staying round a mate's and didn't divulge any specifics. About 9pm, Dad was about to go out and just said, "By the way, where did you go?"
"Uhm, Nottingham?"
"That's a long drive for a weekend."
"Yeah."
And that was it. Mind you, if he found out it was a male friend, I would have got the third degree. Sometimes, it's best if parents just don't know!
I decide that I'd like to see Nottingham Castle. If it was good enough for Robin Hood to steal for, then it's good enough for me! Unfortunately, the castle doesn't actually exist anymore and it's basically a house on a hill. Oh, so it's like Bruce Castle? The 'castle' part is just a name? I was disappointed. And it's full of hideous sculptures, scary paintings, and a cabinet full of silverware that looked like the one my grandmother has in her front room. The view is fantastic though and would have been better if we could have stood of the roof of the 'castle'. And Andy's sudden fascination with a squirrel had us (well, him) chasing it round the park for the best part of twenty minutes. It was incredibly cold though and we headed back into town and darted in and out of shops to keep warm. The city centre was really crowded, full of people trying to get last minute Christmas presents, and it got dark really quickly so I had to start heading off for home.
I eventually left about 5pm and got home about 7.30pm. Apparently, my sister had told my father that I was staying round a mate's and didn't divulge any specifics. About 9pm, Dad was about to go out and just said, "By the way, where did you go?"
"Uhm, Nottingham?"
"That's a long drive for a weekend."
"Yeah."
And that was it. Mind you, if he found out it was a male friend, I would have got the third degree. Sometimes, it's best if parents just don't know!
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Tripping the Light Fantastic
I drove to Nottingham today to spend the weekend with Andrew. I didn't get up there until late thanks to an accident between junctions 8 and 9 on the M1, but it was enough time to get thoroughly lost in the city centre (no street name signs anywhere) and witness some pretty horrific driving skills. Anyway, it is advisable not to park on the streets so Andy managed to swipe a secure underground parking space from a work colleague. Once parked up, we head up to the flat. It's right in the city centre and it's ultra cool: balcony, good view, and not too noisy (for me, anyway!). Not keen on the whole design thing though, which includes a frosted glass bathroom door ("Are you sure you can't see in?!"), and a column in the middle of the kitchen area (obviously not there for decorative reasons).
We head downstairs and attack the buffet being held in the Chinese restaurant next door to the building. Apparently, the flat corridors only occasionally smell like take-out but it doesn't actually hit the flats themselves. The restaurant is full of people, mostly of Oriental ethnicity and we manage to swipe a decent table near the food counters. It's worth observing that people don't actually queue for things. They seem to form a queue but in reality, they're just chatting and are not actually in a queue per se. The flip-side is that people generally will not queue when they should. London this ain't!
Eating completed, we head out and stop in a bar which is not all crowded, plays music at a decent level and has v classy décor. We settle into comfy leather chairs and consume two rounds before the music becomes unbearably loud and we decide to move on to a club. Oh, but before we did, I took a trip to the bathroom and met Wonder Woman. Okay, it was a girl dressed up in a Wonder Woman costume, but it was really cool! I told her that I loved her outfit and she laughed and said that she actually wanted a Xena one but this was the closest she could get.
While waiting outside one club (before going into another one instead!) I noticed that there were a lot of people walking around in fancy dress garb – mostly Santa-related outfits, angels, fairies, and comic book characters – and it surprised me. London clubs, you see, are generally pretty fashion conscious and I wouldn't dream of walking into a London club without looking short of fabulous. Here, anything goes and I think it's brilliant! I now feel a little more confident about going to a NYE fancy dress club I've been roped (read 'guilt-tripped') into going to.
So, first club of the night: Long Island Club. The club is on two floors but they play the same music throughout the entire club. The basement consists of bathrooms and a coat check. The music is mainly chart hits of the pop genre so it was okay for about an hour or so. I've now consumed three rounds of JD & coke, and Andy's not sure if he's getting doubles or not… In any case, when we start to salsa to the music and I get spun, the room spins at twice the rate in the opposite direction. I also start to giggle at everything, including the guy at the bar who tries to look cool by tossing glasses behind his back and promptly drops the lot. These are usually signs of stopping. So I grab a diet Pepsi. Then we decide to go elsewhere because what I really love dancing to is rhythm 'n' blues/ drum 'n' bass.
We skip the heavy D 'n' B club and hit Faces, an R 'n' B club, which also stands on two floors, but the upper floor is really a standing area. The music is better in here and the club seems to attract professional dancers, or at least people who can dance extremely well. I have another two JD/cokes. And then my brain feels like its being squeezed. I find the bathroom to try and grab a breather in non-smoky air and witness two girls simultaneously throwing up. Suddenly, the air isn't so fresh in there… So I go out again and we go upstairs where it's a bit cooler and slightly less smoky.
I think I started phasing at this point. This is where the night kind of goes blurry. I generally can't clearly remember events during which I phase, which is anything from five minutes to half an hour. After that I start to sober up, unless I continue drinking, which is generally a bad idea! I do remember walking back without shoes on, and I do remember sobering up whilst still awake, which is a slow and painful experience. I also remember having to play 'Guess the artist' as Andy plays with his iPod and I manage to name a ton of people he doesn't own music for, including Blink 182, Green Day, Squeeze, Franz Ferdinand, The Beatles (!), Snow Patrol and Hoobastank. He did have a Keane track though and I managed to guess all he played except Tubular Bells (the Exorcist theme is Tubular Bells II) and the Prodigy, who I dislike at the best of times. I think sleep came into the equation at about 4am!
We head downstairs and attack the buffet being held in the Chinese restaurant next door to the building. Apparently, the flat corridors only occasionally smell like take-out but it doesn't actually hit the flats themselves. The restaurant is full of people, mostly of Oriental ethnicity and we manage to swipe a decent table near the food counters. It's worth observing that people don't actually queue for things. They seem to form a queue but in reality, they're just chatting and are not actually in a queue per se. The flip-side is that people generally will not queue when they should. London this ain't!
Eating completed, we head out and stop in a bar which is not all crowded, plays music at a decent level and has v classy décor. We settle into comfy leather chairs and consume two rounds before the music becomes unbearably loud and we decide to move on to a club. Oh, but before we did, I took a trip to the bathroom and met Wonder Woman. Okay, it was a girl dressed up in a Wonder Woman costume, but it was really cool! I told her that I loved her outfit and she laughed and said that she actually wanted a Xena one but this was the closest she could get.
While waiting outside one club (before going into another one instead!) I noticed that there were a lot of people walking around in fancy dress garb – mostly Santa-related outfits, angels, fairies, and comic book characters – and it surprised me. London clubs, you see, are generally pretty fashion conscious and I wouldn't dream of walking into a London club without looking short of fabulous. Here, anything goes and I think it's brilliant! I now feel a little more confident about going to a NYE fancy dress club I've been roped (read 'guilt-tripped') into going to.
So, first club of the night: Long Island Club. The club is on two floors but they play the same music throughout the entire club. The basement consists of bathrooms and a coat check. The music is mainly chart hits of the pop genre so it was okay for about an hour or so. I've now consumed three rounds of JD & coke, and Andy's not sure if he's getting doubles or not… In any case, when we start to salsa to the music and I get spun, the room spins at twice the rate in the opposite direction. I also start to giggle at everything, including the guy at the bar who tries to look cool by tossing glasses behind his back and promptly drops the lot. These are usually signs of stopping. So I grab a diet Pepsi. Then we decide to go elsewhere because what I really love dancing to is rhythm 'n' blues/ drum 'n' bass.
We skip the heavy D 'n' B club and hit Faces, an R 'n' B club, which also stands on two floors, but the upper floor is really a standing area. The music is better in here and the club seems to attract professional dancers, or at least people who can dance extremely well. I have another two JD/cokes. And then my brain feels like its being squeezed. I find the bathroom to try and grab a breather in non-smoky air and witness two girls simultaneously throwing up. Suddenly, the air isn't so fresh in there… So I go out again and we go upstairs where it's a bit cooler and slightly less smoky.
I think I started phasing at this point. This is where the night kind of goes blurry. I generally can't clearly remember events during which I phase, which is anything from five minutes to half an hour. After that I start to sober up, unless I continue drinking, which is generally a bad idea! I do remember walking back without shoes on, and I do remember sobering up whilst still awake, which is a slow and painful experience. I also remember having to play 'Guess the artist' as Andy plays with his iPod and I manage to name a ton of people he doesn't own music for, including Blink 182, Green Day, Squeeze, Franz Ferdinand, The Beatles (!), Snow Patrol and Hoobastank. He did have a Keane track though and I managed to guess all he played except Tubular Bells (the Exorcist theme is Tubular Bells II) and the Prodigy, who I dislike at the best of times. I think sleep came into the equation at about 4am!
Friday, December 17, 2004
Christmas continues
My new boss' generosity continues… He walked around the office this morning and placed on each desk a bottle of wine with a Christmas card attached to it. It's good stuff too. I was touched.
No work was done today though. Friday afternoons end at 2pm for most of the officers and there was a get-together planned for the evening from about 4pm. People started to drift into the office from about 11am, hanging about and generally chatting until it was time to leave. Most people pushed off at lunchtime, leaving the office as quiet as a morgue for the entire afternoon. The phones hardly rang. It was creepy. I declined from going to the drink-up. By the time I've battled through the traffic to Wood Green and parked up in the multi, it'd be very crowded there and I'd never be able to get to the bar for people. Besides, I wouldn't be able to drink because I have the car, so the whole process is rather a waste of time. I've been to my office do; I don't need to go to the Corporate one.
No work was done today though. Friday afternoons end at 2pm for most of the officers and there was a get-together planned for the evening from about 4pm. People started to drift into the office from about 11am, hanging about and generally chatting until it was time to leave. Most people pushed off at lunchtime, leaving the office as quiet as a morgue for the entire afternoon. The phones hardly rang. It was creepy. I declined from going to the drink-up. By the time I've battled through the traffic to Wood Green and parked up in the multi, it'd be very crowded there and I'd never be able to get to the bar for people. Besides, I wouldn't be able to drink because I have the car, so the whole process is rather a waste of time. I've been to my office do; I don't need to go to the Corporate one.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Tax refund
I got a tax refund from Inland Revenue, a lovely gift at any time. Not as much as Anna got last month but enough to treat myself to a little something… £23. It's because tax is reduced on the first pay cheque you receive in a new job and it wasn't taken into account. Still, it's £23 I thought I didn't have!
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Cake, anyone?
The new boss of Specialist Works bought cakes in. I think it's supposed to be in lieu of it being Christmas and a season of goodwill, etc, but it may be more of a bribe to make us more accepting of him. Not that I'm complaining. Free Danish pastry? Woohoo!!
Monday, December 13, 2004
Induction
As a new (!) member of staff I have to go on the Corporate Induction course. Not that I remembered. I walked into work, took off my coat, and flipped through the office diary to update the whiteboard. There, in my handwriting, said 'Clare - Induction all day'. Bugger. I grab my coat and start to leave.
"What's wrong?" asked Christine.
"I'm supposed to be at Induction in half an hour."
"Where?"
Hmm, good point. I frantically search through my folder for the memo. Civic Centre. I have to get to Wood Green in 30 mins during morning rush hour. This is not good.
20 mins later, I'm at the junction of the High Road and Lordship Lane and haven't a clue where to park. The front of the Civic is full and the rear car park is by swipe card and pin only. All the neighbouring streets are residential parking only or a maximum two-hour wait. I've been trawling the streets for a parking space for 15 mins before I decide I'm screwed and I have no choice but to park in the multi-storey for £5.
I park up and practically run to the Civic, and arrive in the Chambers flustered and 30 mins late. I make my apologies to one of the ODL people and am informed that the course has just started. Phew. I take a seat next to Nicky and the introductions begin. We are briefed on structure, planning and current goals. The Chief Executive then talked for about an hour and was a bit boring. The Mayoress then spoke for about 15 mins and didn't seem to breathe at any point, she was talking so fast. We are bundled on a coach for a tour of the Borough, during which the Mayoress continued to natter as we made our way up through Ally Pally, round Muswell Hill Broadway, down the border of Haringey and Camden, and then round so we went up Tottenham High Road and stopped at Bruce Castle Museum.
Bruce Castle Museum is very much like Forty Hall. It's a listed building with a few old paintings and some mad occupants and is regarded as a local antiquity. We had lunch and then a obligatory tour of the Museum. The tour guide was very enthusiastic about his work which I could empathise with, being interested in local history and all, but everyone else just looked bored. I have to admit, it was rather like a school trip. The view from the clock tower was very cool and the building is pretty, a mixture of Elizabethan, Georgian and Victorian architecture (is that the right order?), where blocks were renovated, extended and added throughout the years. Tour finished, we had another briefing, this time on equalities, and we finally wrapped up about 4pm.
We coached back to Wood Green and I drove Nicky home. We had a good natter and decided that we need to see each other more often! Once home, I'm all ready to collapse. Roll on tomorrow!
"What's wrong?" asked Christine.
"I'm supposed to be at Induction in half an hour."
"Where?"
Hmm, good point. I frantically search through my folder for the memo. Civic Centre. I have to get to Wood Green in 30 mins during morning rush hour. This is not good.
20 mins later, I'm at the junction of the High Road and Lordship Lane and haven't a clue where to park. The front of the Civic is full and the rear car park is by swipe card and pin only. All the neighbouring streets are residential parking only or a maximum two-hour wait. I've been trawling the streets for a parking space for 15 mins before I decide I'm screwed and I have no choice but to park in the multi-storey for £5.
I park up and practically run to the Civic, and arrive in the Chambers flustered and 30 mins late. I make my apologies to one of the ODL people and am informed that the course has just started. Phew. I take a seat next to Nicky and the introductions begin. We are briefed on structure, planning and current goals. The Chief Executive then talked for about an hour and was a bit boring. The Mayoress then spoke for about 15 mins and didn't seem to breathe at any point, she was talking so fast. We are bundled on a coach for a tour of the Borough, during which the Mayoress continued to natter as we made our way up through Ally Pally, round Muswell Hill Broadway, down the border of Haringey and Camden, and then round so we went up Tottenham High Road and stopped at Bruce Castle Museum.
Bruce Castle Museum is very much like Forty Hall. It's a listed building with a few old paintings and some mad occupants and is regarded as a local antiquity. We had lunch and then a obligatory tour of the Museum. The tour guide was very enthusiastic about his work which I could empathise with, being interested in local history and all, but everyone else just looked bored. I have to admit, it was rather like a school trip. The view from the clock tower was very cool and the building is pretty, a mixture of Elizabethan, Georgian and Victorian architecture (is that the right order?), where blocks were renovated, extended and added throughout the years. Tour finished, we had another briefing, this time on equalities, and we finally wrapped up about 4pm.
We coached back to Wood Green and I drove Nicky home. We had a good natter and decided that we need to see each other more often! Once home, I'm all ready to collapse. Roll on tomorrow!
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Nearly...
I've just spent the entire weekend unpacking the boxes that have been occupying the living room for the past seven months. Anna informed me that we've been living without a proper kitchen since 3rd June. That's a long time. But we're determined not to eat Christmas lunch off our laps so unpacking commenced. All that is left to do is the flooring so all the cupboards can be used.
Dad is away for the weekend so we can work without feeling hassled or rushed. Chris went to a mate's on Saturday (and I had to pick up him and his friend), a party in the evening, and then to work on Sunday, so he didn't help at all (as per usual).
Boxes were unpacked and I spent ages trying to scrub off the black that had been left on everything from where it had been wrapped in newspaper for seven months. Items were then dried by Anna and Heather, and stored away by Rosemary. It was a good working team. And the living room has enough space for a Christmas tree now. It's all go.
Dad is away for the weekend so we can work without feeling hassled or rushed. Chris went to a mate's on Saturday (and I had to pick up him and his friend), a party in the evening, and then to work on Sunday, so he didn't help at all (as per usual).
Boxes were unpacked and I spent ages trying to scrub off the black that had been left on everything from where it had been wrapped in newspaper for seven months. Items were then dried by Anna and Heather, and stored away by Rosemary. It was a good working team. And the living room has enough space for a Christmas tree now. It's all go.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Christmas Dinners
I can safely say that no work was done today. At all. We are booked to have Christmas dinner at the Navigation Inn at 1.30pm, but colleagues start drifting into the office from about 10.30am, chatting, laughing, generally hanging around until everyone is ready to leave. I left with Noel about 1pm, because he wants to drink and so is leaving the car locked up in the depot. We depart with a convoy of vehicles behind the car, because the directions of "Take the main road and turn right on the Chingford roundabout" was too complicated for those who never drive outside of the borough.
Once we're there, some people have already arrived and are attacking the bar. I have a diet Pepsi and amble to the tables set up along the far wall. I want to sit on a good table! Funnily enough, we sat in our usual 'groups'. There was something I think Joel Schumacher said, about how people seem to keep to their 'groups' even when they don't mean to. We had the managers and surveyors on one table, and the administrators, purchasing officer, and the DA/DPC people on another; basically, the 'professionals' and the 'lay people'. Unintentionally split.
Anyway, we munched through four courses, during which I had half a glass of white wine because I still have to drive home. As coffee was distributed, some people broke off to go back to the bar, and the rest of us bunched together and had a good chin-wag. I left quite early (3.45pm) and drove home, showered, and then went out again and drove to Bow.
Linda and Pamela had invited myself, Mina and Laura to theirs for a pre-Christmas get-together. It was fun and we got to play with Pam's daughter, Daniella, who is still incredibly tiny. She fell asleep holding my finger and I had to prise her hand off so I could leave. It was kind of cool to get to hold her though. Mina did the whole baby-talk thing, which I don't really get on with. Maybe if I was older and had no shame I might... :)
Linda is seven months pregnant and is showing lots more than Pam did. I think she might be having a boy. Linda doesn't want to know what gender her baby is until it's born. When we asked why she didn't want to know, she said, "I'd like to have at least one surprise when it's born." Other than, "Oh my God, a baby?! How did that happen?" I presume...
Once we're there, some people have already arrived and are attacking the bar. I have a diet Pepsi and amble to the tables set up along the far wall. I want to sit on a good table! Funnily enough, we sat in our usual 'groups'. There was something I think Joel Schumacher said, about how people seem to keep to their 'groups' even when they don't mean to. We had the managers and surveyors on one table, and the administrators, purchasing officer, and the DA/DPC people on another; basically, the 'professionals' and the 'lay people'. Unintentionally split.
Anyway, we munched through four courses, during which I had half a glass of white wine because I still have to drive home. As coffee was distributed, some people broke off to go back to the bar, and the rest of us bunched together and had a good chin-wag. I left quite early (3.45pm) and drove home, showered, and then went out again and drove to Bow.
Linda and Pamela had invited myself, Mina and Laura to theirs for a pre-Christmas get-together. It was fun and we got to play with Pam's daughter, Daniella, who is still incredibly tiny. She fell asleep holding my finger and I had to prise her hand off so I could leave. It was kind of cool to get to hold her though. Mina did the whole baby-talk thing, which I don't really get on with. Maybe if I was older and had no shame I might... :)
Linda is seven months pregnant and is showing lots more than Pam did. I think she might be having a boy. Linda doesn't want to know what gender her baby is until it's born. When we asked why she didn't want to know, she said, "I'd like to have at least one surprise when it's born." Other than, "Oh my God, a baby?! How did that happen?" I presume...
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Christmas at Work
Today I was finally nagged into decorating the office for Christmas. I don't mind, actually, but I do have work to do...! However, work was quickly left in favour of collecting the boxes from the stores and starting to make the office look festive, when a batch of mobile phone bills were plonked on my desk. Yep, they can wait!!
So I set up the fake tree and put baubles all over it, mending the thread loops as I went along. Colleagues made comments as they passed the tree on the way to the reception/ water-cooler/ photocopier, etc but most of it was patronising ("That is simply lovely, Clare" etc etc). The receptionist helped untangle the lights because only yesterday I was walking all over her desk putting up her decorations - even standing on the desk she couldn't reach the ceiling. Of course, I got all the usual "Are you sure you need the stool to reach the ceiling?" jokes. Yawn! Lights went up by the office entrance doors and some hanging decs went over the tea 'n' coffee area. Tinsel was wrapped around certain colleagues' PC monitors (the ones who specifically said they didn't want it - heheheh!!) and the remainders were wrapped around the supporting columns.
It all looks really nifty... and took all afternoon. Well, 1pm to 4.30pm, which is a pretty long time really. Just have to make sure I get all my work done before the office luncheon tomorrow...
So I set up the fake tree and put baubles all over it, mending the thread loops as I went along. Colleagues made comments as they passed the tree on the way to the reception/ water-cooler/ photocopier, etc but most of it was patronising ("That is simply lovely, Clare" etc etc). The receptionist helped untangle the lights because only yesterday I was walking all over her desk putting up her decorations - even standing on the desk she couldn't reach the ceiling. Of course, I got all the usual "Are you sure you need the stool to reach the ceiling?" jokes. Yawn! Lights went up by the office entrance doors and some hanging decs went over the tea 'n' coffee area. Tinsel was wrapped around certain colleagues' PC monitors (the ones who specifically said they didn't want it - heheheh!!) and the remainders were wrapped around the supporting columns.
It all looks really nifty... and took all afternoon. Well, 1pm to 4.30pm, which is a pretty long time really. Just have to make sure I get all my work done before the office luncheon tomorrow...
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Candlemaking Clare
I decided that I was going to make some of my friends candles for Christmas, in addition to presents that I have already bought them. I've been playing around with the idea for some time and, since the post-Nano blues kicked in, I'm trying to keep myself busy. Candlemaking is a long process and perfect for this type of depression.
So I dig out my brand new ball mould that I bought at a candle supply shop in Covent Garden before it closed down. It's in two halves so, instead of tipping the candle out when it has set, you just unlock the two halves of the mould and break it out that way. I put the two halves together, thread the wick, and seal it. I melt the wax, mix in the stearic acid, and start to slowly pour the mixture into the mould. Anna sets a mat and kitchen paper underneath to catch any drips. We don't want the new kitchen surface damaged. The mixture nearly reaches the top and Anna says, "It's dripping a bit."
I can see a thin line of wax seeping through the side of the mould. "It shouldn't be," I comment. "The mould was watertight when I tested it."
Suddenly, liquid wax starts seeping out at an alarming rate and I lift the mat so I can hold it over the melting bowl. The wax gushes out and I throw it across the cooker, away from me and Anna so we don't get burnt. But there was wax all over the place: over the side, over the cooker, over the grate... Anna looks at me and I ask her if she's okay. Wax burns are not pretty. She says she's fine and then looks at the molten wax, now solidifying over everything.
"Dad's gonna kill you," she says. Great.
I start scrubbing at the grate and cooker top with a wire mesh, and then take an old cloth and rub the wax into the surface, treating it like a polish. After scraping off most of the excess, the drips of wax melted into the side and cooker top, so no injuries there. I then take the remains of the mould and scrape off the now-solid wax from inside and out. I try to put it back together again, but it's not happening.
"Why did it leak?" Anna asks.
"Dunno," I reply, "but it's not going back together."
"The wax must have been too hot and it has warped the mould."
I finally forced the mould together and, after 'fessing up to Dad, he suggested placing the mould in ice water and then letting the wax cool off before pouring it in. When I pour cool wax into an ice-cold mould, it should set quicker and not warp again. Take two, tomorrow! For now, I have my old tested and trusted moulds hard at work in the kitchen. One's plain white and gonna be decorated with beads. One is really tall and gonna be blocks of colour. The third is all one colour and is being mixed with glitter. It's all go. I might try out an ice candle tomorrow if I'm going to be working with ice. They look like fun to make...
So I dig out my brand new ball mould that I bought at a candle supply shop in Covent Garden before it closed down. It's in two halves so, instead of tipping the candle out when it has set, you just unlock the two halves of the mould and break it out that way. I put the two halves together, thread the wick, and seal it. I melt the wax, mix in the stearic acid, and start to slowly pour the mixture into the mould. Anna sets a mat and kitchen paper underneath to catch any drips. We don't want the new kitchen surface damaged. The mixture nearly reaches the top and Anna says, "It's dripping a bit."
I can see a thin line of wax seeping through the side of the mould. "It shouldn't be," I comment. "The mould was watertight when I tested it."
Suddenly, liquid wax starts seeping out at an alarming rate and I lift the mat so I can hold it over the melting bowl. The wax gushes out and I throw it across the cooker, away from me and Anna so we don't get burnt. But there was wax all over the place: over the side, over the cooker, over the grate... Anna looks at me and I ask her if she's okay. Wax burns are not pretty. She says she's fine and then looks at the molten wax, now solidifying over everything.
"Dad's gonna kill you," she says. Great.
I start scrubbing at the grate and cooker top with a wire mesh, and then take an old cloth and rub the wax into the surface, treating it like a polish. After scraping off most of the excess, the drips of wax melted into the side and cooker top, so no injuries there. I then take the remains of the mould and scrape off the now-solid wax from inside and out. I try to put it back together again, but it's not happening.
"Why did it leak?" Anna asks.
"Dunno," I reply, "but it's not going back together."
"The wax must have been too hot and it has warped the mould."
I finally forced the mould together and, after 'fessing up to Dad, he suggested placing the mould in ice water and then letting the wax cool off before pouring it in. When I pour cool wax into an ice-cold mould, it should set quicker and not warp again. Take two, tomorrow! For now, I have my old tested and trusted moulds hard at work in the kitchen. One's plain white and gonna be decorated with beads. One is really tall and gonna be blocks of colour. The third is all one colour and is being mixed with glitter. It's all go. I might try out an ice candle tomorrow if I'm going to be working with ice. They look like fun to make...
Friday, December 03, 2004
Shopping, Alternate Universes and Bridget Jones
So I have a day off work today, purely to go Christmas shopping. Yes, rather early you may think, but here's the deal: some people started thier shopping when Woolworths put up their Christmas decorations during the 2nd week of October. October is way too early for me. I usually shop the 2nd Friday of December but I have Christmas lunch with the office that day and I start seeing my friends for Christmas celebrations on that same day. So, today is the day.
I have already decided to go to Brent Cross instead of Bluewater, my usual Christmas haunt, since it now has the same shops after being revamped and has a generally nicer atmosphere. Plus its nearer, which about says it all when you wake up in the morning and find thick fog hanging around. I had full headlights on and couldn't see more than 300 yards ahead.
But I had been alerted of a new chain of shops opening across the country: Hobbycraft. It sounds geeky but they are the only non-business suppliers of candlemaking equipment within 50 miles of London and I have to satisfy my hobbying urges! So I have to trek to Watford first. Okay, fine. I can do this.
I get in the car and shoot up the M25 to Watford. Off the motorway, on to the roundabout and... There are three roads. One for North Watford, one for Watford town centre, and one for South Watford. Each direction is Watford. I'm in the Watford Alternate Universe. Scary. I know I don't want the town centre, because that's basically the Harlequin, a down-and-out shopping centre for chavs. So its North or South. I plump for South after three circuits of the roundabout. Down a little road, through a small town and following an incredibly large articulated lorry, I finally reach a retail outlet and discover Hobbycraft. Cool. But all they sell is parrafin wax and stearic acid. No moulds, dye sticks, wicks, moulding sealant, tiled blocks, scents... I was sorely disappointed. It was a good store if you want to furnish a dolls house or make your own Christmas cards, but candlemaking? Uh uh!! Apparently I need a bigger store. The search continues...
I buy 2kg of parrafin wax and stearic acid and leg it to Brent Cross. And I manage to buy presents for everyone, even my brother, who is so difficult to buy for on a budget, when all he wants is expensive music equipment and accessories. Shopping done, I relax in a sunken area on the ground floor which has been converted into a Starbucks (isn't everywhere?). I sip on my usual grande white mocha, coated with chocolate and vanilla, and make sure I haven't missed anyone off my list.
On the table next to me, a young man looking oh-so-much like Ralph Fiennes (I kid you not!) is playing with a new video phone. He's fiddling with the buttons and searching frantically through a tiny instruction manual. I try not to pay too much attention. He is then joined by a young woman and a girl of about four. She kneels on her chair and eats packets of brown sugar. She starts to sing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' very softly. I notice her parents are now filming her with the phone. The mother's going, "Sing up, sweetie, so everyone can hear," and the girl obliges. The proud parents look about them, making sure everyone is looking at their kid, and grinning at anyone who so much as glances. It was cringingly embarrassing. I don't like parents who act like their child is the best child that ever lived.
Finaly got home about 5.30pm and Anna fancied going to the cinema. So we went along to the UCG and watched Bridget Jones 2. Not as funny as the first one, except the fight between Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. This fight was loads funnier. Watching Hugh being chased around a fountain was hysterical! But I didn't like Colin as much in this one. He was more of a pompous git with a snooker cue up his arse. And Hugh seemed loads nicer, not so oily as before. Sure, he hadn't learned the error of his ways, but he seemed nicer on the whole. And the whole Thailand prison thing seemed like a last-minute idea because they hadn't enough material to fill up two hours. It reeked too much of that box office flop Brokedown Palace. I saw it coming a mile off. Maybe, because Brokedown Palace was such a bad film, the film-makers hoped that none of the audience had actually seen it and it was perfectly acceptable to steal the entire film's storyline and shove it into Bridget Jones 2.
I have already decided to go to Brent Cross instead of Bluewater, my usual Christmas haunt, since it now has the same shops after being revamped and has a generally nicer atmosphere. Plus its nearer, which about says it all when you wake up in the morning and find thick fog hanging around. I had full headlights on and couldn't see more than 300 yards ahead.
But I had been alerted of a new chain of shops opening across the country: Hobbycraft. It sounds geeky but they are the only non-business suppliers of candlemaking equipment within 50 miles of London and I have to satisfy my hobbying urges! So I have to trek to Watford first. Okay, fine. I can do this.
I get in the car and shoot up the M25 to Watford. Off the motorway, on to the roundabout and... There are three roads. One for North Watford, one for Watford town centre, and one for South Watford. Each direction is Watford. I'm in the Watford Alternate Universe. Scary. I know I don't want the town centre, because that's basically the Harlequin, a down-and-out shopping centre for chavs. So its North or South. I plump for South after three circuits of the roundabout. Down a little road, through a small town and following an incredibly large articulated lorry, I finally reach a retail outlet and discover Hobbycraft. Cool. But all they sell is parrafin wax and stearic acid. No moulds, dye sticks, wicks, moulding sealant, tiled blocks, scents... I was sorely disappointed. It was a good store if you want to furnish a dolls house or make your own Christmas cards, but candlemaking? Uh uh!! Apparently I need a bigger store. The search continues...
I buy 2kg of parrafin wax and stearic acid and leg it to Brent Cross. And I manage to buy presents for everyone, even my brother, who is so difficult to buy for on a budget, when all he wants is expensive music equipment and accessories. Shopping done, I relax in a sunken area on the ground floor which has been converted into a Starbucks (isn't everywhere?). I sip on my usual grande white mocha, coated with chocolate and vanilla, and make sure I haven't missed anyone off my list.
On the table next to me, a young man looking oh-so-much like Ralph Fiennes (I kid you not!) is playing with a new video phone. He's fiddling with the buttons and searching frantically through a tiny instruction manual. I try not to pay too much attention. He is then joined by a young woman and a girl of about four. She kneels on her chair and eats packets of brown sugar. She starts to sing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' very softly. I notice her parents are now filming her with the phone. The mother's going, "Sing up, sweetie, so everyone can hear," and the girl obliges. The proud parents look about them, making sure everyone is looking at their kid, and grinning at anyone who so much as glances. It was cringingly embarrassing. I don't like parents who act like their child is the best child that ever lived.
Finaly got home about 5.30pm and Anna fancied going to the cinema. So we went along to the UCG and watched Bridget Jones 2. Not as funny as the first one, except the fight between Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. This fight was loads funnier. Watching Hugh being chased around a fountain was hysterical! But I didn't like Colin as much in this one. He was more of a pompous git with a snooker cue up his arse. And Hugh seemed loads nicer, not so oily as before. Sure, he hadn't learned the error of his ways, but he seemed nicer on the whole. And the whole Thailand prison thing seemed like a last-minute idea because they hadn't enough material to fill up two hours. It reeked too much of that box office flop Brokedown Palace. I saw it coming a mile off. Maybe, because Brokedown Palace was such a bad film, the film-makers hoped that none of the audience had actually seen it and it was perfectly acceptable to steal the entire film's storyline and shove it into Bridget Jones 2.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Post-NaNo Blues
So I think I have post-NaNo blues. I get home and think, "What can I do tonight?" The TV porgrammes I watch are repeats of Buffy, The X-Files, Friends... Boring after a while. Yet I don't want to start the re-write, which would be a good idea because the novel is still fresh in my mind. It's too tempting to just delete whole paragraphs at the moment.
I just don't know what to do with myself in the evenings any more. I asked Anna for her advice. "How about going to sleep at a decent time?" Hmm. Not quite the response I was looking for. But then I have been going to sleep at 2am most mornings during November. She does have a point...
Answers on a postcard!
I just don't know what to do with myself in the evenings any more. I asked Anna for her advice. "How about going to sleep at a decent time?" Hmm. Not quite the response I was looking for. But then I have been going to sleep at 2am most mornings during November. She does have a point...
Answers on a postcard!
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Monday, November 29, 2004
Hoo yeah!
Yeah, that's 51,568 words officially... and 52,158 words if you include the acknowledgements and chapter headings! I am SO freaking pleased with myself!!
Friday, November 26, 2004
Rowan's
So I went bowling again tonight but with peeps from Lordship mainly. Nicky had organised it so, of course, Sarah and Alex came along, as well as Dan, Niamh, Noel (who works with me), Steve and Cliff.
We had a 7.30pm start at Rowan's in Finsbury Park on Stroud Green Road. It's quite small, some may even say dingy, but it was a relatively good atmosphere and, of course, the company was first class so it was a good night! As I've mentioned in my blog before, I'm not the best bowler in the world, but I can get the skittles down. I got a reasonable score of 117 so not too bad - I do aim to hit 100 before the end!
Everyone was drinking except me cos I was driving home and Sarah, who's on meds. Cliff takes to drink really well and, after a couple, decides that his bowling is pretty bad. It is. He enthusiastically throws the bowl down the lane and it hits the gutter before its halfway down. He decides enough is enough and suddenly he's running halfway down the lane and chucking the bowl from about five metres... and he still didn't get all the skittles down! We were laughing so much! And Noel was flirting with every female who had a pulse! This woman in the lane next to us got a strike after Noel's first bowl and started gyrating to the group of people she was with. Noel is standing there, bowl ready to throw a second time, and is just watching her, even mimicing her slightly. Ten minutes later he's buying her a drink, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend!! I may tease him about it Monday morning...!
We had a 7.30pm start at Rowan's in Finsbury Park on Stroud Green Road. It's quite small, some may even say dingy, but it was a relatively good atmosphere and, of course, the company was first class so it was a good night! As I've mentioned in my blog before, I'm not the best bowler in the world, but I can get the skittles down. I got a reasonable score of 117 so not too bad - I do aim to hit 100 before the end!
Everyone was drinking except me cos I was driving home and Sarah, who's on meds. Cliff takes to drink really well and, after a couple, decides that his bowling is pretty bad. It is. He enthusiastically throws the bowl down the lane and it hits the gutter before its halfway down. He decides enough is enough and suddenly he's running halfway down the lane and chucking the bowl from about five metres... and he still didn't get all the skittles down! We were laughing so much! And Noel was flirting with every female who had a pulse! This woman in the lane next to us got a strike after Noel's first bowl and started gyrating to the group of people she was with. Noel is standing there, bowl ready to throw a second time, and is just watching her, even mimicing her slightly. Ten minutes later he's buying her a drink, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend!! I may tease him about it Monday morning...!
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
All clear!
So Dr Greg seems like a nice guy. He said my teeth were lovely (as per usual) so I like him! He x-rayed my wisdom teeth to check my tooth freckles but no holes as yet. Tooth freckles are just brown marks on the enamel where the 'mix' isn't as pure, hence they are rare and if they occur, it's usually on the notoriously troubled wisdom teeth. They can be weaker spots than the rest of the enamel so its good to x-ray them.
He shared that my brother's x-rays were possibly the worst he's seen in a while, so I'm thinking that I shouldn't tell him a great deal!! He also said I should see a hygenist. Hmm... £34 for someone to brush my teeth for me? Don't think so!
He shared that my brother's x-rays were possibly the worst he's seen in a while, so I'm thinking that I shouldn't tell him a great deal!! He also said I should see a hygenist. Hmm... £34 for someone to brush my teeth for me? Don't think so!
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Dentists
I have to go to the dentist tomorrow. I haven't been since... Oh, I think I was at UKC and I came home in the January and it was snowing... I can't remember quite when. It was at least six or more years ago. My usual dentist, a lovely woman called Dr Bromley, had left so I was tranferred to Dr Pearl. Now, all respect to Dr Pearl and everything because he was doing a long shift, but whilst looking at my back wisdom teeth, he asked me out. Well, he asked me out on behalf of one of his clients who was also tall and was single and did I want him to fix a date? I told him to check the other side of my mouth. And I didn't go back again. I just took real good care of my teeth.
But I have to go now because I'm worried about a couple of my teeth. The new dentist there, Dr Greg, seems okay. He also happens to be administering no less then seven fillings for my brother tomorrow morning so it should be a fun day for our household! My brother said he's looking forward to having the anaesthetic, which I think he's only saying just so he sounds weird...!
But I have to go now because I'm worried about a couple of my teeth. The new dentist there, Dr Greg, seems okay. He also happens to be administering no less then seven fillings for my brother tomorrow morning so it should be a fun day for our household! My brother said he's looking forward to having the anaesthetic, which I think he's only saying just so he sounds weird...!
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Sex and Samantha
So I finally got to write my gratituous sex scene for Samantha. I wanted to write the story so you could imagine everything clearly in your head as you read it, and that goes for everything! However, I didn't want minors coming across the scene accidently and, despite the 15 rating I've given my story on the disclaimer page, I don't want to be overly graphic, although it would certainly boost my word count. I wrote a really graphic scene that spanned a couple of pages, but decided that it was for the best to trim it down to a couple of paragraphs. I didn't want a smut fest.
So I have a semi-steamy bit. It's kinda cool I guess. And I had to have one. It is chick lit after all!
So I have a semi-steamy bit. It's kinda cool I guess. And I had to have one. It is chick lit after all!
Friday, November 19, 2004
Sudocrem
Yes, the stuff you use for babies' nappy rash. I'm having to slather it over my hands. Well, only patches of one hand but it still looks stupid and I smell like a baby's bum.
I have a really weird case of dermatitis, brought on by the sudden cold snap we're having. It started with my right thumb knuckle getting real itchy. And then my right ring finger joint got itchy. And then the middle of my little finger developed some little red lumps. Horrified at my hand turning into an itchy scaly mess, I went out and bought E45, a cream everyone was recommending. It did nothing but sting and make the area even redder.
Then Heather gave me a pot of Sudocrem, saying it helped her when she developed mild ezcema as a child. This stuff is the best and my hand is almost normal again. But it don't half smell.
I have a really weird case of dermatitis, brought on by the sudden cold snap we're having. It started with my right thumb knuckle getting real itchy. And then my right ring finger joint got itchy. And then the middle of my little finger developed some little red lumps. Horrified at my hand turning into an itchy scaly mess, I went out and bought E45, a cream everyone was recommending. It did nothing but sting and make the area even redder.
Then Heather gave me a pot of Sudocrem, saying it helped her when she developed mild ezcema as a child. This stuff is the best and my hand is almost normal again. But it don't half smell.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Halfway point
I've reached the halfway point - 25,000 words. Actually, it's 25,715 words but I can't be bothered to work out which word was my 25,000th. Only another 25K to go...
I've decided that Kevin will seduce Samantha with strategically-placed alcohol and The Reason by Hoobastank. Before it was just alcohol, but I've found something to really pull at the old heart-strings and a further twist into Samantha's increasingly lonely soul. Yes, all mush and angst. It's all going swimmingly now I'm in Week 3...!
I've decided that Kevin will seduce Samantha with strategically-placed alcohol and The Reason by Hoobastank. Before it was just alcohol, but I've found something to really pull at the old heart-strings and a further twist into Samantha's increasingly lonely soul. Yes, all mush and angst. It's all going swimmingly now I'm in Week 3...!
Saturday, November 13, 2004
The Lord Mayor's Show
I went to the Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday with Rosemary and my grandfather, a sort of traditional thing we do every year. For those of you who don't know, the Lord Mayor is elected every year by the Corporation of London to run the capital. Most of the money is from taxpayers but the Lord Mayor can actually spend up to £3/4 million of his own money. This year he will be concentrating on the tourist attractions for London to try and boost our chances of the 2012 Olympic bid. I don't think we'll get it and I don't want to get it. The Government will spend ridiculous amounts of money on strangely designed buildings that will fall into disrepair as soon as the athletes go home. My proof? The Millennium Dome. Paris will get the bid, almost certainly.
Anyway, back to the show...! The procession gets longer every year and we stood in the cold watching it for an hour and a half. It was fun and I always enjoy it, but I was so cold by the time it was over, my legs hurt when I tried to walk away. I couldn't feel my fingers or my feet and toes. It was madness.
We walked from Mansion House to the West End and ate at Salieri, opposite the Savoy and Simpsons. The décor is fabulous - murals on the walls, all sorts of various lampshades hanging from the ceiling, and a rather interestingly designed toilet...
Anyway, Rosemary and I were knackered by this point so we left the restuarant and jumped into a black cab to Westminster Abbey to walk around the Garden of Remembrance. Surprisingly for a 12yr old, Rosemary was quite touched by the sight of hundreds of minature crosses planted in the grass. It was great to know she saw it on another level, other than "Nice, a bunch of crosses!" The only relative I have that died during the actual warfare was my great uncle Bob Lambeth - his plane was shot down over occupied France. A few of my other relatives died as a result of the war, through injuries.
So I didn't do any Nano. Too tired. Sleeeeeeeeeeep....
Anyway, back to the show...! The procession gets longer every year and we stood in the cold watching it for an hour and a half. It was fun and I always enjoy it, but I was so cold by the time it was over, my legs hurt when I tried to walk away. I couldn't feel my fingers or my feet and toes. It was madness.
We walked from Mansion House to the West End and ate at Salieri, opposite the Savoy and Simpsons. The décor is fabulous - murals on the walls, all sorts of various lampshades hanging from the ceiling, and a rather interestingly designed toilet...
Anyway, Rosemary and I were knackered by this point so we left the restuarant and jumped into a black cab to Westminster Abbey to walk around the Garden of Remembrance. Surprisingly for a 12yr old, Rosemary was quite touched by the sight of hundreds of minature crosses planted in the grass. It was great to know she saw it on another level, other than "Nice, a bunch of crosses!" The only relative I have that died during the actual warfare was my great uncle Bob Lambeth - his plane was shot down over occupied France. A few of my other relatives died as a result of the war, through injuries.
So I didn't do any Nano. Too tired. Sleeeeeeeeeeep....
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Second wind
I needed to write Chapter VI. It was a difficult one though and I kept putting it off. I was supposed to write it last Sunday but found lots of excuses not to write it: car needed fixing, blogs needed reading, fellow Nano-ers blogs needed reading...
I went on to the forum and found everyone was light years ahead. I'm talking 20K or so. I felt like a failure. I had a detailed chapter plan sitting in front of me... and I was a failure. It was horrible and depressing. I whinged to Jenny and about six hours later (damned time difference) she gave me a pep talk.
I now have a 4,403 word chapter. It's not the best chapter in the world and it will be tweaked before posting. It needs much more dialogue and character building, so I'm definitely going to be upping the word count.
But it's done. Now I can really get to grips with the novelling. Thanks Jenny!
I went on to the forum and found everyone was light years ahead. I'm talking 20K or so. I felt like a failure. I had a detailed chapter plan sitting in front of me... and I was a failure. It was horrible and depressing. I whinged to Jenny and about six hours later (damned time difference) she gave me a pep talk.
I now have a 4,403 word chapter. It's not the best chapter in the world and it will be tweaked before posting. It needs much more dialogue and character building, so I'm definitely going to be upping the word count.
But it's done. Now I can really get to grips with the novelling. Thanks Jenny!
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Pseudonyms
For the NaNoWriMo, I have my usual Athene19 as my username but have the pen name of Clare Tallamy-Benton, my regular name with my mother's maiden name inserted in the middle so I don't sound American. Benton is an American surname, what with several places named Benton Town, Bentonsville, and Benton Harbor. None of my ancestors are American so I don't really understand...
Anyhow, Anna and I were watching Fallen Angel (TXF - S1) and Max Fenig says that Mulder uses the pseudonym M F Luder, which is a pretty lame pseudonym - an anagram of F Mulder. So Anna says to me, "Why don't you have a pen name that is an anagram of your name?"
So we came up with a list of them:
Real C Benton - This makes me sound like a gangster
Cloe Brennat - Cloe should be spelt Chloe, so this annoys me
Lacee B Tronn - aka Lara Croft? I sound like I belong in a computer game
Bree Clannot - A Country & Western singer
Lena C Bronte - Charlotte Bronte's ancestor? I like this one!
Anne T Creole - I'm anti-what?
Albert Nonce - I'm not a guy. And 'nonce' means something in Britain...
Electra Bonn - I'm a Bond girl. I like this one too!
What do you think??
Anyhow, Anna and I were watching Fallen Angel (TXF - S1) and Max Fenig says that Mulder uses the pseudonym M F Luder, which is a pretty lame pseudonym - an anagram of F Mulder. So Anna says to me, "Why don't you have a pen name that is an anagram of your name?"
So we came up with a list of them:
Real C Benton - This makes me sound like a gangster
Cloe Brennat - Cloe should be spelt Chloe, so this annoys me
Lacee B Tronn - aka Lara Croft? I sound like I belong in a computer game
Bree Clannot - A Country & Western singer
Lena C Bronte - Charlotte Bronte's ancestor? I like this one!
Anne T Creole - I'm anti-what?
Albert Nonce - I'm not a guy. And 'nonce' means something in Britain...
Electra Bonn - I'm a Bond girl. I like this one too!
What do you think??
Monday, November 08, 2004
Ear piercing
My brother got his ear pierced. Not in his earlobe, though; in the cartilage through the side of his outer ear shell. It looks really cool - a small silver sleeper with a ball threaded through on the ring. Unfortunately, Dad wasn't so enthralled. 'Went ballistic and hit the roof' describes Dad's feelings a little more accurately. He demanded that Chris pay him back all the money he owes him immediately. This includes (and is not limited to) two electric guitars, a high-tech and heavy-looking amp, and several leads.
I think Dad wanted the money anyway and is just using the earring as an excuse. It has, however, made me seriously reconsider my plans to have a few piercings done myself. Of course, I could do them on the quiet...
I think Dad wanted the money anyway and is just using the earring as an excuse. It has, however, made me seriously reconsider my plans to have a few piercings done myself. Of course, I could do them on the quiet...
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Past the initial 10K
Okay, it's half past eleven at night and I have to be up early for an appointment at the garage for 8am tomorrow morning. The guy looked at it Saturday morning and reckons the heater doesn't work because of the thermostat. *sigh* More money...
It is now with semi-triumph that I announce I have just finished and posted Chapter V of Samantha and I now have a total word count of 11,474. Not as many words as Jenny or Melissa, but a decent total for little ol' me.
My story is picking up I think. The last chapter isn't as boring as the others. Its all about setting the scene before the story actually gets going so you know where you stand amongst the characters. I can't wait until Chapter IX. And Chapter XVI is gonna rock! I'm really looking forward to writing those chapters.
Okay I need my bed. But I sleep with a sense of pride!
It is now with semi-triumph that I announce I have just finished and posted Chapter V of Samantha and I now have a total word count of 11,474. Not as many words as Jenny or Melissa, but a decent total for little ol' me.
My story is picking up I think. The last chapter isn't as boring as the others. Its all about setting the scene before the story actually gets going so you know where you stand amongst the characters. I can't wait until Chapter IX. And Chapter XVI is gonna rock! I'm really looking forward to writing those chapters.
Okay I need my bed. But I sleep with a sense of pride!
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Fireworks
Fireworks. They're pretty aren't they? Its just a shame that everyone has to have their own display every night over two weeks when it's enough to have them just on the 5th November. Parliament nearly blew up one evening, not nearly every evening over a fortnight.
I did admittedly go to the public display in Enfield tonight. Its a good show, organised by the District Scouts, and all the money raised is pumped back into the community, going towards the upkeep of Scout huts, uniforms for disadvantaged Scouts, and equipment for groups through the borough. So its for a good cause and I get to see fireworks. Its just that I've been seeing them (and laying awake at night listening to them!) for days. The courier at work is one of the Scout organisers for the display and advised me on the advance tickets so that was good.
And the display was cool. I know the one at Alexandra Palace is bigger and better and done with lasers and Capital Radio playing in the background but its always too crowded and not worth the hassle of getting there and having to navigate the upward hill walk... The downfall is that its free with only suggested donation entry. Its asking for crowd surges, really.
I love fireworks. Just wish I didn't have to hear them at 2am.
I did admittedly go to the public display in Enfield tonight. Its a good show, organised by the District Scouts, and all the money raised is pumped back into the community, going towards the upkeep of Scout huts, uniforms for disadvantaged Scouts, and equipment for groups through the borough. So its for a good cause and I get to see fireworks. Its just that I've been seeing them (and laying awake at night listening to them!) for days. The courier at work is one of the Scout organisers for the display and advised me on the advance tickets so that was good.
And the display was cool. I know the one at Alexandra Palace is bigger and better and done with lasers and Capital Radio playing in the background but its always too crowded and not worth the hassle of getting there and having to navigate the upward hill walk... The downfall is that its free with only suggested donation entry. Its asking for crowd surges, really.
I love fireworks. Just wish I didn't have to hear them at 2am.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
The ball is rolling
Two days in and I have two chapters out of twenty already written up. Word count total so far is 4,214 - way over the targets I've set myself. Now who's a slow poke...?!
Monday, November 01, 2004
NaNoBlogMo
Wahey! The NaNo starts today and I have a blog set up for the sole purpose of being a home to my NaNo entry. These type of blogs are fondly referred to as a NaNoBlogMo and mine is simply called Samantha, the working title of my NaNo entry. The link is in the margin or, if you're lazy, click HERE. It won't be updated daily as Chris usually has the internet cable under guard most evenings, but I will be updating at least every weekend so you'll have to set aside your Sunday mornings for a good read.
In other news, Anna insisted that I have a 'decent' tape for when she's in my car, since she doesn't seem to like my current playlist. She wants Westlife in there. So I obligingly put together a few tracks together and give her the list for her approval.
"You have fifteen tracks," she notes. "That won't fill two sides."
"It's only for one side," I say. "I don't think I can take two sides."
"Fine then! You will probably get eleven tracks on to one side."
"Fine. I can knock four tracks off."
I duly cross off two tracks which they didn't release, Uptown Girl because the original by Billy Joel was better, and Flying Without Wings because it's cheesy.
Anna takes the list and gasps. No, really gasps. "You took off Flying Without Wings!"
"Yeah, so?"
"You can't do that! It's like their signature song!"
"The video is contrived and god-awful! They swing their arms out like five-year-olds playing Airplanes in the playground! They strut down a corridor wih flowing white coats and..."
"It's an important song!" she yells, and starts to re-do the list, crossing off Fool Again and Bop Bop Baby, and putting back on Flying Without Wings and Miss You Nights, a song they didn't release.
I snatch the list back and say that I want my original choice. She protests that a Westlife tape without Flying Without Wings is not a proper Westlife tape.
*sigh* So it made the final cut plus my original eleven choices. I'll try and squeeze on all twelve tracks but if push comes to shove, it's not going on there. I do have to listen to it too, you know!
In other news, Anna insisted that I have a 'decent' tape for when she's in my car, since she doesn't seem to like my current playlist. She wants Westlife in there. So I obligingly put together a few tracks together and give her the list for her approval.
"You have fifteen tracks," she notes. "That won't fill two sides."
"It's only for one side," I say. "I don't think I can take two sides."
"Fine then! You will probably get eleven tracks on to one side."
"Fine. I can knock four tracks off."
I duly cross off two tracks which they didn't release, Uptown Girl because the original by Billy Joel was better, and Flying Without Wings because it's cheesy.
Anna takes the list and gasps. No, really gasps. "You took off Flying Without Wings!"
"Yeah, so?"
"You can't do that! It's like their signature song!"
"The video is contrived and god-awful! They swing their arms out like five-year-olds playing Airplanes in the playground! They strut down a corridor wih flowing white coats and..."
"It's an important song!" she yells, and starts to re-do the list, crossing off Fool Again and Bop Bop Baby, and putting back on Flying Without Wings and Miss You Nights, a song they didn't release.
I snatch the list back and say that I want my original choice. She protests that a Westlife tape without Flying Without Wings is not a proper Westlife tape.
*sigh* So it made the final cut plus my original eleven choices. I'll try and squeeze on all twelve tracks but if push comes to shove, it's not going on there. I do have to listen to it too, you know!
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Happy Un-birthday
If my Mum was still alive, she'd be 50 today. I don't think I can imagine her as being 50. Time simply flies by. It's been so long since she died I can only remember small fragments of the stuff we did together or the things she'd say in certain situations. I do remember how she felt though. When I hugged her, she was very soft and kinda squidgy around her stomach. The palms of her hands (and the soles of her feet) were rough due to a skin disorder, but I couldn't imagine them being any other way. I still miss her, even though I can't really remember her. Its strange... I can't really describe the feeling. I guess you don't really know unless it happens to you.
I won't be so melodramatic tomorrow. Oct 31st always gets me like this.
I won't be so melodramatic tomorrow. Oct 31st always gets me like this.
Friday, October 29, 2004
Temp-Perm Branch Negotiation Agreement
Today I received the final piece of paper that confirmed my permanent position at work: the invoice from my recruitment agency asking for their introductory fee for me. Now, I’ve heard that that the fee is usually a percentage of the agency person’s annual income, so I’m expecting a nice high fee of something in the range of £3,000. The invoice, as I guessed, asked for the tidy sum of £3,515. Only, since I’ve been at my place of work for so long, a special fee gets negotiated and with deductions in place and the addition of VAT, the total introductory fee was… £293.75
I was actually quite upset. Is this all I’m worth? A week’s pay. I was gutted. I felt like a cheap commodity purchased off E-Bay. If there was an auction, I’d be worth less than £300? Gutted.
I was actually quite upset. Is this all I’m worth? A week’s pay. I was gutted. I felt like a cheap commodity purchased off E-Bay. If there was an auction, I’d be worth less than £300? Gutted.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Hollywood Bowl
After yet another quiet day in the office, I went bowling with a few people from my office tonight. Bob had been on at me all week to join them so I thought, "Why not?" Bob is incredibly generous. He would regularly buy his closest colleagues breakfast every day from the canteen (when we had one) or would spend ages in the kitchen making piles of toast for people to dig into. He told me that two lanes were pre-booked and I was more than welcome to come along.
So I went home to change after work and headed out to the Hollywood Bowl in Finchley, despite the fact that it's raining so hard that I can barely see the road. I arrive on time and find no-one there. Have I got the right evening? Bob did say Thursday, didn't he? And then I remember that he's probably been coerced into picking up Jordana from Chingford and therefore has a bit of a trek on his hands!
After about 20mins everyone arrives and we start settling into the lanes. Bob and Jo arrive halfway through the first game and eagerly muck in. It's even teams: Nan, Phil, Jo and myself against Bob, Siva, Tom and Christine. We win the first game and I do pretty well with 98 points. I am a pretty bad bowler despite loving the game! Second game is won by my team again, only this time I get the surprisingly mega high score of 133. Third game the other team won, but my score was still high: 105.
It was a lot of fun and I am always pleasantly surprised by how people react to situations outside of the office. Usually I would feel a bit uncomfortable in this sort of scenario but since becoming permanent staff I feel a bit more like I belong. Of course, I'll feel even more so when I get that all-important first payslip!!
So I went home to change after work and headed out to the Hollywood Bowl in Finchley, despite the fact that it's raining so hard that I can barely see the road. I arrive on time and find no-one there. Have I got the right evening? Bob did say Thursday, didn't he? And then I remember that he's probably been coerced into picking up Jordana from Chingford and therefore has a bit of a trek on his hands!
After about 20mins everyone arrives and we start settling into the lanes. Bob and Jo arrive halfway through the first game and eagerly muck in. It's even teams: Nan, Phil, Jo and myself against Bob, Siva, Tom and Christine. We win the first game and I do pretty well with 98 points. I am a pretty bad bowler despite loving the game! Second game is won by my team again, only this time I get the surprisingly mega high score of 133. Third game the other team won, but my score was still high: 105.
It was a lot of fun and I am always pleasantly surprised by how people react to situations outside of the office. Usually I would feel a bit uncomfortable in this sort of scenario but since becoming permanent staff I feel a bit more like I belong. Of course, I'll feel even more so when I get that all-important first payslip!!
Monday, October 25, 2004
First day at work... again...
Today is officially my first day at work according to my payroll details. It's nice to think I can now be paid for taking time off and being sick.
I had to go to an induction session at Alexandra House this afternoon where this woman droned for an hour about Council rules and regulations, which I already know about, of course. I had to fill in some forms though - next of kin, GP details, payroll details etc - but I didn’t have to have the fuss of photo ID cards being made up for me. I’ve already done that too! I’m glad I didn't need another photograph, a painful experience for anyone who wears glasses and isn’t photogenic.
I had to go to an induction session at Alexandra House this afternoon where this woman droned for an hour about Council rules and regulations, which I already know about, of course. I had to fill in some forms though - next of kin, GP details, payroll details etc - but I didn’t have to have the fuss of photo ID cards being made up for me. I’ve already done that too! I’m glad I didn't need another photograph, a painful experience for anyone who wears glasses and isn’t photogenic.
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Laura's birthday
I went to Laura’s for lunch today. It’s a birthday celebration thing, although her birthday was last Sunday. I was telling her how I always dread it every year that I won’t be able to make it because Anna’s birthday is on the 14th and her's is on the 17th, and the weekend celebrations always have a chance of clashing. Anyway, Laura was okay and surprisingly bubbly for someone who was going to miss the big Man U v Arsenal match. Laura is an avid Arsenal fan, which makes sense considering she lives in Holloway. We have a thing for Thierry Henry. We most definitely would!
Unfortunately Mina couldn’t make it but Pamela and Linda came, armed with 8 week old Daniella. Linda is due in February but isn’t showing much yet. Mind you, Pamela didn’t really show until she was eight months in, so we’re guessing Linda’s having a girl as well. Boys tend to sit more forward so the pregnancy bump appears earlier. (I know too much about these things…) Anyway, Daniella was pretty much the focus of most of the afternoon and yes, I did hold her and play with her a little. I’m a bit of an old hand being the eldest of five but it was cool. She has the tiniest fingers and cute dimples when she smiles and… Ohmigod. I’ve turned into one of those babbly women who get all broody over babies. Stop, Clare, stop this instance! You’re not supposed to be maternal! Tough chick, remember? Tomboy! Repeat after me... t-o-m-b-o-y.
*sigh* Phew, I feel better now.
Unfortunately Mina couldn’t make it but Pamela and Linda came, armed with 8 week old Daniella. Linda is due in February but isn’t showing much yet. Mind you, Pamela didn’t really show until she was eight months in, so we’re guessing Linda’s having a girl as well. Boys tend to sit more forward so the pregnancy bump appears earlier. (I know too much about these things…) Anyway, Daniella was pretty much the focus of most of the afternoon and yes, I did hold her and play with her a little. I’m a bit of an old hand being the eldest of five but it was cool. She has the tiniest fingers and cute dimples when she smiles and… Ohmigod. I’ve turned into one of those babbly women who get all broody over babies. Stop, Clare, stop this instance! You’re not supposed to be maternal! Tough chick, remember? Tomboy! Repeat after me... t-o-m-b-o-y.
*sigh* Phew, I feel better now.
Saturday, October 23, 2004
XMTS
I successfully navigated the staircases and didn’t fall down at all. I’m so proud!
I spent all day doing the stuff I wanted to do last weekend and couldn’t. It rained like hell all day. It just did not stop. Rosemary and I got soaked just going from the car into the shops. Mad. Shopping was rather boring for Rosemary because she wanted to spend her New Look vouchers but wanted Anna to shop with her, and Anna went to the Town to renew her Angel videos instead of coming with us to Brookfield Centre. I treated her to a drink in the café and while there, saw an old colleague from work. I didn’t go over to say hello, although we did acknowledge each other. The thing is, he got suspended and then fired, and I didn’t want to be trapped into saying something I wasn’t supposed to say. The Council are pretty strict with regulations in that area.
Anyway, after shopping I carted Chris and his equipment to Hertford Community Centre for a Hallowe’en themed gig he was playing at. His band XMTS have come up with some cool merchandise - T-shirts, demo CD’s and stickers with the band name emblazoned on them. (Someone has put a sticker on the signpost on Baker Street before you get to Parsonage Lane if you‘re interested!). I listened to Chris sound check before sweet-talking the doorman into letting me in without paying. The doorman was the manager for punk rock band D-Monic and I basically told him his band were really cool at the Puke In The Sun gig and he let me in! Then I sneaked backstage to find Chris and I hugged him, wished him luck, and then nipped home to grab an early night. My head was thumping and I just couldn’t stay.
I spent all day doing the stuff I wanted to do last weekend and couldn’t. It rained like hell all day. It just did not stop. Rosemary and I got soaked just going from the car into the shops. Mad. Shopping was rather boring for Rosemary because she wanted to spend her New Look vouchers but wanted Anna to shop with her, and Anna went to the Town to renew her Angel videos instead of coming with us to Brookfield Centre. I treated her to a drink in the café and while there, saw an old colleague from work. I didn’t go over to say hello, although we did acknowledge each other. The thing is, he got suspended and then fired, and I didn’t want to be trapped into saying something I wasn’t supposed to say. The Council are pretty strict with regulations in that area.
Anyway, after shopping I carted Chris and his equipment to Hertford Community Centre for a Hallowe’en themed gig he was playing at. His band XMTS have come up with some cool merchandise - T-shirts, demo CD’s and stickers with the band name emblazoned on them. (Someone has put a sticker on the signpost on Baker Street before you get to Parsonage Lane if you‘re interested!). I listened to Chris sound check before sweet-talking the doorman into letting me in without paying. The doorman was the manager for punk rock band D-Monic and I basically told him his band were really cool at the Puke In The Sun gig and he let me in! Then I sneaked backstage to find Chris and I hugged him, wished him luck, and then nipped home to grab an early night. My head was thumping and I just couldn’t stay.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Four long years...
I got THE phone call.
Oh yes.
Recruitment called me to say that they now had received my occupational health form and, since I’d been at the Council for so long and already had all the equipment I needed to do my job, there was no reason why I couldn’t start immediately. So, my official start date is Monday 25th. Its funny how things turn out. A week later and it would have been exactly four years since I started at the Council - I started 31st October 2000.
Its weird though. I’ve done so much over four years that I can’t believe I put up with most of it. I didn’t think four years ago I’d still be at the Council. Mind you, who would have thought this time last year my friends would be married with children? Funny how life turns out.
Oh yes.
Recruitment called me to say that they now had received my occupational health form and, since I’d been at the Council for so long and already had all the equipment I needed to do my job, there was no reason why I couldn’t start immediately. So, my official start date is Monday 25th. Its funny how things turn out. A week later and it would have been exactly four years since I started at the Council - I started 31st October 2000.
Its weird though. I’ve done so much over four years that I can’t believe I put up with most of it. I didn’t think four years ago I’d still be at the Council. Mind you, who would have thought this time last year my friends would be married with children? Funny how life turns out.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Walk 'n' buy
Yay! I can walk again! Well, normally at any rate. Still wearing trainers though, but no limp. It's a wonderful thing!
My aunt took a bunch of us to one of the local primary schools to help support a fundraiser. Several clothes shops have donated a range of clothes (suspiciously end-of-line looking I must add) and selling them off at a discount price. To make it more fun, the school had asked for six 'mums' to model the clothes and demonstrate how the clothes are wearable for 'normal sized' people. They walked up a makeshift catwalk a little nervously at first, but got into the 'feel' of it by the third clothes change and visibly started to enjoy themselves more. Friends in the audience cheered and joshed them on and we clapped for the more revealing outfits!!
After the show, everyone was handed a complimentary plastic cup of wine and the clothes racks came out. My goodness, it was like the January sales! Suddenly, you couldn't move for women grabbing at articles and rushing into the makeshift dressing area - a reception classroom. Half-naked women danced around the mirrors propped up against a giant abacus and a whiteboard. The desks and chalkboards were used as clothes props. Someone uttered the infamous line, "Does my bum look big in this?" I simply had to look-see. Her bum wasn't particularly big but the flared skirt wasn't doing much to flatter it. I restrained myself from nodding.
Anna bought a zip-up rollneck and Rosemary bought a hoodie and t-shirt. I declined. I can't impulse buy. I have to go away, think about it, and buy it the following week. It must be a Taurean thing.
But I can impulse buy a pair of shoes.
That must be a woman thing!
My aunt took a bunch of us to one of the local primary schools to help support a fundraiser. Several clothes shops have donated a range of clothes (suspiciously end-of-line looking I must add) and selling them off at a discount price. To make it more fun, the school had asked for six 'mums' to model the clothes and demonstrate how the clothes are wearable for 'normal sized' people. They walked up a makeshift catwalk a little nervously at first, but got into the 'feel' of it by the third clothes change and visibly started to enjoy themselves more. Friends in the audience cheered and joshed them on and we clapped for the more revealing outfits!!
After the show, everyone was handed a complimentary plastic cup of wine and the clothes racks came out. My goodness, it was like the January sales! Suddenly, you couldn't move for women grabbing at articles and rushing into the makeshift dressing area - a reception classroom. Half-naked women danced around the mirrors propped up against a giant abacus and a whiteboard. The desks and chalkboards were used as clothes props. Someone uttered the infamous line, "Does my bum look big in this?" I simply had to look-see. Her bum wasn't particularly big but the flared skirt wasn't doing much to flatter it. I restrained myself from nodding.
Anna bought a zip-up rollneck and Rosemary bought a hoodie and t-shirt. I declined. I can't impulse buy. I have to go away, think about it, and buy it the following week. It must be a Taurean thing.
But I can impulse buy a pair of shoes.
That must be a woman thing!
Monday, October 18, 2004
Purple toe
Anna went to work on the bus today because I wasn’t sure if I would be able to drive and didn’t want to make her late. My big toe is now an interesting shade of dark purple. Yep, the bruises have finally appeared. And it’s not pretty. But at least I get to wear trainers to work. And no one thinks I’m faking it now there’s visible evidence. And I can drive but it’s a long and painful process.
I had to fill out accident forms at work in case I need to take time off as a result of the accident. I was reluctant to because the accident was at home but my line manager insisted. It took ages and now eight other people at work know I damaged myself slipping down a couple of stairs. It’s terribly embarrassing.
I had to fill out accident forms at work in case I need to take time off as a result of the accident. I was reluctant to because the accident was at home but my line manager insisted. It took ages and now eight other people at work know I damaged myself slipping down a couple of stairs. It’s terribly embarrassing.
Sunday, October 17, 2004
The pain continues
I still can’t walk very well yet still no sign of bruising or swelling on my foot. It’s rather weird and I’m being accused of faking it to get out of lunchtime washing up. I’m not – honest! Geez, would I lie about having a constant dull pain? Would I really want to hobble around the house and take twice as long to get anywhere? Going to my room on the 2nd floor is now a trek and takes a good minute or so instead of the usual 35 seconds. Yeah, sure I’m faking it (!).
Dad offered to take me to hospital to x-ray it in case I’ve broken anything. I doubt it. I’m sure it’d hurt more and there’d be a swelling the size of a tennis ball. I don’t fancy spending the day in hospital anyway, especially since Heather’s still at home for the weekend. I agreed to let Dad bandage up my foot. He is a staunch believer in accelerating the healing process by bandaging up things. All I can say is now my foot is cold because my slipper doesn’t fit over the bandage.
Dad offered to take me to hospital to x-ray it in case I’ve broken anything. I doubt it. I’m sure it’d hurt more and there’d be a swelling the size of a tennis ball. I don’t fancy spending the day in hospital anyway, especially since Heather’s still at home for the weekend. I agreed to let Dad bandage up my foot. He is a staunch believer in accelerating the healing process by bandaging up things. All I can say is now my foot is cold because my slipper doesn’t fit over the bandage.
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Extensor hallucis longus
So much for walking off all that cake this weekend. I slipped down four stairs this morning, gaining a carpet burn on my left elbow, a bruise on my right elbow where I hit the bannister, and I landed funny on my right foot. My big toe really hurts. Its sore along the top although there's no bruising or swelling. Its definitely not broken although if it still hurts on Monday, I'm gonna get it x-rayed at the hospital. I've probably either bruised the actual metatarsal bone or just strained the tendon of extensor hallucis longus. (Neat medical terms, huh?!)
Anyway, I declined from putting a support bandage on it in case I encouraged swelling and just rested up all day. It hurts to put pressure on it. It would probably be more painful to attempt to drive on it. I hate being housebound.
Anyway, I declined from putting a support bandage on it in case I encouraged swelling and just rested up all day. It hurts to put pressure on it. It would probably be more painful to attempt to drive on it. I hate being housebound.
Friday, October 15, 2004
Birthdays
Thursday was Anna's birthday and we had a scrumptious chocolate cake to celebrate. Meanwhile at work it was Mark's birthday, and he brought in carrot cake and chocolate cake to divide around the office. Today at work it was Jhita's birthday and he brought in a giant chocolate cake for the office. And of course, tonight we had tea and leftovers of Anna's cake from yesterday.
That's a lot of chocolate cake. I might have to do a bit more walking at the weekend and shift it.
That's a lot of chocolate cake. I might have to do a bit more walking at the weekend and shift it.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Gift vouchers for Halfords
While taking Anna to work this morning it was raining and the passenger-side windscreen wiper suddenly just flew off the wiper arm. I duly stopped at the side of the road and fixed it back on. Two minutes later, I’m fixing it again. One side of the clip had broken and couldn’t hold the wiper on properly, and excessive use was making it loose. I left the wipers on intermittent mode, dropped Anna off at work, and drove to the nearest Halfords.
I picked up a maintenance book because the heater needs fixing and requires taking panels off and draining the radiator – all good fun (!) Not sure how to do it though, hence the book! While doing this, a guy in a suit with a clipboard asked me if I came here a lot.
"Is that a pick up line?" I asked.
"No, no," he laughed, "I’m telling people about a Halfords credit card and wondered if you come here a lot and would find it useful to have."
I do my whole ‘nodding and slowly backing up’ thing which he sees coming a mile off.
"Now before you say ‘no’," he continued, "it’s a low transfer rate, you don’t have to pay for it, and you can get store credit and gift vouchers."
"Gift vouchers?" I repeat.
"Yeah!" he says enthusiastically.
"You do gift vouchers for a car maintenance store?"
"Uhm…"
"I dunno about you, but if someone gave me Halfords gift vouchers for Christmas, I’d be rather disappointed."
"Right," he said, as if he’d never thought about it that way before. "So that’s a ‘no’ then?"
I nodded with a look that said ‘Well, duh!’ but also of sympathy which said ‘Sorry you have this stupid job’.
"Er, can I help you with anything else then?" he asked.
"Well, I need windscreen wipers…"
He was off like a shot, looking up my car (which he guessed from the maintenance book I was holding) and the wipers I needed, and explaining the difference between all the brands. I nodded like I already didn’t know out of sympathy. It was rather cute actually. And if he wasn’t a salesman I might have asked for a date.
I picked up a maintenance book because the heater needs fixing and requires taking panels off and draining the radiator – all good fun (!) Not sure how to do it though, hence the book! While doing this, a guy in a suit with a clipboard asked me if I came here a lot.
"Is that a pick up line?" I asked.
"No, no," he laughed, "I’m telling people about a Halfords credit card and wondered if you come here a lot and would find it useful to have."
I do my whole ‘nodding and slowly backing up’ thing which he sees coming a mile off.
"Now before you say ‘no’," he continued, "it’s a low transfer rate, you don’t have to pay for it, and you can get store credit and gift vouchers."
"Gift vouchers?" I repeat.
"Yeah!" he says enthusiastically.
"You do gift vouchers for a car maintenance store?"
"Uhm…"
"I dunno about you, but if someone gave me Halfords gift vouchers for Christmas, I’d be rather disappointed."
"Right," he said, as if he’d never thought about it that way before. "So that’s a ‘no’ then?"
I nodded with a look that said ‘Well, duh!’ but also of sympathy which said ‘Sorry you have this stupid job’.
"Er, can I help you with anything else then?" he asked.
"Well, I need windscreen wipers…"
He was off like a shot, looking up my car (which he guessed from the maintenance book I was holding) and the wipers I needed, and explaining the difference between all the brands. I nodded like I already didn’t know out of sympathy. It was rather cute actually. And if he wasn’t a salesman I might have asked for a date.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Benjy's
Since the canteen on the depot shut down, there has been a lot of fuss over not having any nearby food supply, especially from people who want a half-hour lunch rather than a full hour. The nearest food place is a small BK and KFC on the Tottenham Hale roundabout, a good 10-15 min walk.
So the manager bowed to the pressure and a Benjy’s van arrived on the depot about 11.30am, sounding a musical klaxon like those novelty horns you get. Someone pipes up, "Has the circus arrived?" Suddenly the manager bursts in. "The man from Benjy’s is here! Come on and get sandwiches, drinks, rolls… Come on, don’t be shy! He’s sitting outside with hot and cold snacks, salads, a great choice! Lets go people!"
Yes, the manager had turned into a sales pitch for Benjy’s. Who said work was boring?
The food is quite good actually. The guy is fairly accommodating and said that if people requested something he didn’t have, he’d endeavour to have it in future for them. He’s gonna be at the depot for a week and see how it goes. If the business is justifiable he’ll do it for fixed term periods. I think it’ll be quite popular. No one wants just sandwiches in the winter months when there’s hot coffee and paninis available!
So the manager bowed to the pressure and a Benjy’s van arrived on the depot about 11.30am, sounding a musical klaxon like those novelty horns you get. Someone pipes up, "Has the circus arrived?" Suddenly the manager bursts in. "The man from Benjy’s is here! Come on and get sandwiches, drinks, rolls… Come on, don’t be shy! He’s sitting outside with hot and cold snacks, salads, a great choice! Lets go people!"
Yes, the manager had turned into a sales pitch for Benjy’s. Who said work was boring?
The food is quite good actually. The guy is fairly accommodating and said that if people requested something he didn’t have, he’d endeavour to have it in future for them. He’s gonna be at the depot for a week and see how it goes. If the business is justifiable he’ll do it for fixed term periods. I think it’ll be quite popular. No one wants just sandwiches in the winter months when there’s hot coffee and paninis available!
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Jamie and the Astronauts
It is Anna’s birthday next week so I went out this morning to find her a present. After some deliberation I decided to get her a DVD with all three of the Die Hard films on it. She has a good video version of the first, a fuzzy video version of the second, and the third film didn’t tape when it was played on the TV a few months back. So she should be pleased with that. I want to get her Speed on DVD for Christmas but they only seem to sell it with Speed 2, which was a truly awful film, so the search continues!
To my utter surprise, the EPG is actually interested in taking part in the NaNoWriMo. I just mentioned I was doing it and she said it sounded like a great idea and could I give her the website so she could have a look-see? So I obliged and she’s gonna give it a shot. Not that she has time to write a novel but the whole idea is just to have fun and flex those creative juices! Cool. The more the merrier I guess…
I was discussing my story line with Anna this morning. She thinks I should do something based on the Greek mythology-style stories. I said that although I was interested in the subject matter, I really couldn’t stretch it out long enough to hit the target. Homer I ain’t.
"But you can just take another story and make a modern update," she countered. "Instead of Jason you can have Jamie, and instead of Argonauts you can have astronauts."
The frightening thing was I think she was serious.
To my utter surprise, the EPG is actually interested in taking part in the NaNoWriMo. I just mentioned I was doing it and she said it sounded like a great idea and could I give her the website so she could have a look-see? So I obliged and she’s gonna give it a shot. Not that she has time to write a novel but the whole idea is just to have fun and flex those creative juices! Cool. The more the merrier I guess…
I was discussing my story line with Anna this morning. She thinks I should do something based on the Greek mythology-style stories. I said that although I was interested in the subject matter, I really couldn’t stretch it out long enough to hit the target. Homer I ain’t.
"But you can just take another story and make a modern update," she countered. "Instead of Jason you can have Jamie, and instead of Argonauts you can have astronauts."
The frightening thing was I think she was serious.
Friday, October 08, 2004
Samantha
So I’ve decided for the NaNoWriMo that I’m going to write a fresh story based on an abandoned idea I had for Samantha. Only the characters remain the same. It’s a new concept with a different approach and at the moment I have is an outline of the first half of the novel. I have researched thoroughly and apparently its perfectly acceptable to have story outline and chapter summaries, just so long as not one word of the actual novel is written until 1st November.
The only thing I’m nervous about is the word count. With a target of 50,000 words over thirty days, that’s 1,666.66 words a day. So I reckon 1,700 a day will do just great. It’s only a target and I will no doubt fall short on a few days and go over on others. Just simple mathematics really.
All I have to do now is wait for the confirmation email… It’s only been a week. I can wait a bit more…
The only thing I’m nervous about is the word count. With a target of 50,000 words over thirty days, that’s 1,666.66 words a day. So I reckon 1,700 a day will do just great. It’s only a target and I will no doubt fall short on a few days and go over on others. Just simple mathematics really.
All I have to do now is wait for the confirmation email… It’s only been a week. I can wait a bit more…
Monday, October 04, 2004
Team brief
At the team briefing today we were asked to think about which days we’d like off for Christmas and New Year. I protested it was too early to be dealing with that kind of malarkey. I was brusquely told it was never too early to think about Christmas. If the gifts are displayed in the shops, Christmas is not far off. I wouldn’t dream of doing my shopping this early. If you buy chocolate, for instance, it would taste horrible by the time Christmas came.
We were also told that CPZ might be enforced around the depot. This would mean public transport every day. Ugh. Still, at least then I wouldn’t be lying to my car insurance company when I tell them I only use my car for personal and social purposes. Of course, I argue that going to work is a personal purpose – it’s a personal choice over the bus! :)
We were also told that CPZ might be enforced around the depot. This would mean public transport every day. Ugh. Still, at least then I wouldn’t be lying to my car insurance company when I tell them I only use my car for personal and social purposes. Of course, I argue that going to work is a personal purpose – it’s a personal choice over the bus! :)
Sunday, October 03, 2004
NaNoWriMo...?
I'm being asked to take part in this year's National Novel Writing Month this November, affectionately known as the NaNoWriMo (nah-no-wry-mo). It's basically writing a novel within the month of November and trying to hit the 50,000 word target by the end. You submit your 'mini novel' into the website and the counter accepts the word count and you have the personal pride of being able to write a novel in the space of thirty days. And prizes are apparently available. And despite the title being 'National' it is actually international and a bunch of London-bound NaNoWriMo-ers meet up for pub crawls during the contest.
Personally, I don't think I have the creative capacity to get 50,000 words down in thirty days. I can't even finish Fiona and that's only 18,000 done in the last two years. It was getting too predictable and I felt like a trashy romance novelist after writing my third sex scene in less than 10,000 words so just gave it up. It's currently sitting in my personal drive at work, something I occasionally look at fleetingly during lunch breaks.
My creative flair temporarily lost, I decided to try another novel, and came up with Samantha. It was based around my personal situation but I changed events to my advantage and made them more dramatic. In the end, it began to read like a sort of twisted version of my autobiography so I stopped that too.
I could try for NaNoWriMo I guess... I mean, there's no harm in at least signing up and having a go. All to gain, nothing to lose, and all that caper... It wouldn't even have to be a proper novel...
Personally, I don't think I have the creative capacity to get 50,000 words down in thirty days. I can't even finish Fiona and that's only 18,000 done in the last two years. It was getting too predictable and I felt like a trashy romance novelist after writing my third sex scene in less than 10,000 words so just gave it up. It's currently sitting in my personal drive at work, something I occasionally look at fleetingly during lunch breaks.
My creative flair temporarily lost, I decided to try another novel, and came up with Samantha. It was based around my personal situation but I changed events to my advantage and made them more dramatic. In the end, it began to read like a sort of twisted version of my autobiography so I stopped that too.
I could try for NaNoWriMo I guess... I mean, there's no harm in at least signing up and having a go. All to gain, nothing to lose, and all that caper... It wouldn't even have to be a proper novel...
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Lakeside
I took my friend shopping today for her birthday. It was actually yesterday but I sort of forgot about it because I was going to buy her present for her today when she chose it, so it completely slipped my mind to buy her a birthday card. But I did send her a text yesterday. Not that the picture was compatible with her phone, but it's the thought that counts!
So, anyway, every year I take her on a shopping trip to one of the complexes and Lakeside in Thurrock was pencilled in for this year. We had intended to spend most of the time window shopping for a wedding dress but decided not to temp fate as her boyfriend hasn't exactly proposed yet... He's just asking all the type of questions that lead up to an impending proposal, such as, "How do you think your parents would feel about having me as a son-in-law?" which I think is pretty much spot-on.
Instead, we trawled the clothes shops for the 'tall' ranges I was blithering on about last week with a ray of hope, as all the shops are twice the size of the ones in the Town. Walked into Topshop and tried on their coats - they fitted perfectly. They came in cream or black and had fake fur collars, a feature I'm not all keen on. I said I'd think about it and we continued our search. Eventually I saw the perfect coat in DP. It was the right length on the body and sleeves, had good-sized pockets, and came in a cream or dusky pink tweed-look. I took the pink one and hugged it. I am so happy! I simply love my new coat! :)
I also bought some music, something I really don't do all that often. I bought Keane's album, Hopes and Fears, cos I've been meaning to get it for ages and never really got around to it. Then this morning I discovered vouchers for Virgin Megastores that I had from my birthday and decided that I would use them! So I bought Keane and then I was really torn choosing between Snow Patrol, The Libertines and Maroon 5, but in the end I plumped for a reduced Coldplay album which I had also meant to get for some time: A Rush of Blood to the Head. I can always ask for one of the other albums for Christmas.
I think that's the one thing that was rather annoying about the whole day - It's the 2nd October and all the shops have Christmas decorations and gifts already on display. "Only twelve weeks to Christmas" someone told me. Yeah? And? Christmas is overhyped. What is Christmas? People spending too much and eating too much. Its about over-extravagance and Christmas is supposed to be the opposite of that. I hate that Christmas is one big entrepreneural event for businesses. I hate that the build-up to Christmas is one big anti-climax. Some parts I love - the shopping, wrapping gifts, decorating the tree, getting all dressed up, being able to eat lots of mince pies and mint chocolates, and have cream in my coffee without feeling guilty! But the day itself as a whole is just too much. I actually prefer Boxing Day.
Maybe I should just do something different. Anyone fancy going away for Christmas?
So, anyway, every year I take her on a shopping trip to one of the complexes and Lakeside in Thurrock was pencilled in for this year. We had intended to spend most of the time window shopping for a wedding dress but decided not to temp fate as her boyfriend hasn't exactly proposed yet... He's just asking all the type of questions that lead up to an impending proposal, such as, "How do you think your parents would feel about having me as a son-in-law?" which I think is pretty much spot-on.
Instead, we trawled the clothes shops for the 'tall' ranges I was blithering on about last week with a ray of hope, as all the shops are twice the size of the ones in the Town. Walked into Topshop and tried on their coats - they fitted perfectly. They came in cream or black and had fake fur collars, a feature I'm not all keen on. I said I'd think about it and we continued our search. Eventually I saw the perfect coat in DP. It was the right length on the body and sleeves, had good-sized pockets, and came in a cream or dusky pink tweed-look. I took the pink one and hugged it. I am so happy! I simply love my new coat! :)
I also bought some music, something I really don't do all that often. I bought Keane's album, Hopes and Fears, cos I've been meaning to get it for ages and never really got around to it. Then this morning I discovered vouchers for Virgin Megastores that I had from my birthday and decided that I would use them! So I bought Keane and then I was really torn choosing between Snow Patrol, The Libertines and Maroon 5, but in the end I plumped for a reduced Coldplay album which I had also meant to get for some time: A Rush of Blood to the Head. I can always ask for one of the other albums for Christmas.
I think that's the one thing that was rather annoying about the whole day - It's the 2nd October and all the shops have Christmas decorations and gifts already on display. "Only twelve weeks to Christmas" someone told me. Yeah? And? Christmas is overhyped. What is Christmas? People spending too much and eating too much. Its about over-extravagance and Christmas is supposed to be the opposite of that. I hate that Christmas is one big entrepreneural event for businesses. I hate that the build-up to Christmas is one big anti-climax. Some parts I love - the shopping, wrapping gifts, decorating the tree, getting all dressed up, being able to eat lots of mince pies and mint chocolates, and have cream in my coffee without feeling guilty! But the day itself as a whole is just too much. I actually prefer Boxing Day.
Maybe I should just do something different. Anyone fancy going away for Christmas?
Friday, October 01, 2004
Just like 1974 - Part II
The computers were down again today so I went out with Noel on site visits this morning. It was kinda cool to see first-hand what actually happens but I'm glad I don't do it all the time. I couldn't believe the way some people lived in their houses. It ranged from the very house-proud woman leading us through her flat with newspaper on the floor, to a Jimmy Saville lookalike whose house stunk of fags and we had to pick our way through the filth. Still, I asked for experience and that's what I got!
This afternoon I did newspaper crosswords and cleaned my keyboard. The system was suddenly up and running by 3pm. I did all my outstanding works orders and then left at 4.15pm. I'll play catch-up on Monday morning over coffee!
BTW, for those of you who care(!) I added a guestbook function for the webpage. It just seemed like a nice touch...
This afternoon I did newspaper crosswords and cleaned my keyboard. The system was suddenly up and running by 3pm. I did all my outstanding works orders and then left at 4.15pm. I'll play catch-up on Monday morning over coffee!
BTW, for those of you who care(!) I added a guestbook function for the webpage. It just seemed like a nice touch...
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Just like 1974
The computers were down at work today. All day. The boss came in at 9.15am and said, “I’ve spoken to IT about the network and its down. They're trying to fix it. It could take minutes; could take hours.”
Someone piped up, “Can we go home then?”
He laughed a bit nervously. I guess that means ‘No’ then!
So people generally did nothing all day. The phones hardly rang, since most of our calls are made internally and, with no computers up, nobody was ringing with enquiries. People were standing around chatting, drinking coffee and generally just mooching around. Paper balls and elastic bands started flying all over the place. An electronic noise was randomly set off. It was like being in a classroom of mischievous kids!
By 11.30am, it was obvious the network wasn’t going to be up until at least mid-afternoon, so everyone just did site visits all day. I did some much-needed archiving and filing, but by 2pm, I was bored silly and had absolutely NOTHING to do! I played with my mobile, phoned a couple of the girls in other offices and had a good natter, but it was just stupid having to sit in the office all day and do nothing.
It was a bit like before computers came out - a sort of time-warp into office life thirty years ago with everyone having to write everything down. It would drive me crazy not being able to use a computer. I live by computers. Writing down everything is so archaic! Geez, I even have an on-line diary rather than a manual one!! Go figure...
Someone piped up, “Can we go home then?”
He laughed a bit nervously. I guess that means ‘No’ then!
So people generally did nothing all day. The phones hardly rang, since most of our calls are made internally and, with no computers up, nobody was ringing with enquiries. People were standing around chatting, drinking coffee and generally just mooching around. Paper balls and elastic bands started flying all over the place. An electronic noise was randomly set off. It was like being in a classroom of mischievous kids!
By 11.30am, it was obvious the network wasn’t going to be up until at least mid-afternoon, so everyone just did site visits all day. I did some much-needed archiving and filing, but by 2pm, I was bored silly and had absolutely NOTHING to do! I played with my mobile, phoned a couple of the girls in other offices and had a good natter, but it was just stupid having to sit in the office all day and do nothing.
It was a bit like before computers came out - a sort of time-warp into office life thirty years ago with everyone having to write everything down. It would drive me crazy not being able to use a computer. I live by computers. Writing down everything is so archaic! Geez, I even have an on-line diary rather than a manual one!! Go figure...
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Personal statement
Anna is currently agonising over her personal statement for her entry into a teaching course at university. I’m helping her a little with her phrasing and grammar, but she’s been doing this for a week now and it is getting boring. She says that a woman at her workplace is going to help her secure a placement through Middlesex University. That'll be good for her as she won't have far to commute every day. She's just thrown her pen down. I think she's getting bored too.
She’s now trying to take off her earrings. She got her ears pierced a couple of months ago and I asked her if she could change her earrings yet. Anna said, “Yeah… if I could get them off!”
Are they stuck then?
“A bit. The problem is they’re still a bit watery and I don’t want to take them out and not be able to put them back in again. I’ll be like some one-earring pirate woman!”
After much fiddling in front of the mirror, she heaves a sigh and says, “That‘s enough earring twiddling for one night. Here, read my statement. There are some gaps.”
I go through it with a fine red pen. There aren’t many mistakes; just a few mixed-tense sentences. I’ll finish it properly once the gaps are filled.
She’s now trying to take off her earrings. She got her ears pierced a couple of months ago and I asked her if she could change her earrings yet. Anna said, “Yeah… if I could get them off!”
Are they stuck then?
“A bit. The problem is they’re still a bit watery and I don’t want to take them out and not be able to put them back in again. I’ll be like some one-earring pirate woman!”
After much fiddling in front of the mirror, she heaves a sigh and says, “That‘s enough earring twiddling for one night. Here, read my statement. There are some gaps.”
I go through it with a fine red pen. There aren’t many mistakes; just a few mixed-tense sentences. I’ll finish it properly once the gaps are filled.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
1st Chinese Grand Prix
It was the first Chinese Grand Prix today. Michael Schumacher spun out during the qualifying lap and ended up something like 17th on the grid. Awh, shame(!).
The race itself was cool and Schumacher spun out again. Not very good back tyres today. He’s making so many mistakes its unbelievable. Anna is having a whale of a time. Hey, David Coulthard might even finish today!
In the end, Reubens Barrichello came first, the v. gorgeous Jensen Button came second, and Kimi Raikkonen came third. Coulthard came ninth after getting a puncture and pushing Schumacher off the track. The German finished in a miserable twelfth place.
The day was marred by news that the British Grand Prix, held at Silverstone, is being axed and is out of the picture for the Grand Prix 2005. Its a bit of a black cloud over a great day for British motor racing.
The race itself was cool and Schumacher spun out again. Not very good back tyres today. He’s making so many mistakes its unbelievable. Anna is having a whale of a time. Hey, David Coulthard might even finish today!
In the end, Reubens Barrichello came first, the v. gorgeous Jensen Button came second, and Kimi Raikkonen came third. Coulthard came ninth after getting a puncture and pushing Schumacher off the track. The German finished in a miserable twelfth place.
The day was marred by news that the British Grand Prix, held at Silverstone, is being axed and is out of the picture for the Grand Prix 2005. Its a bit of a black cloud over a great day for British motor racing.
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