I should be doing my taxes... but ... well it's taxes and they are boring as hell.
One of the best soundtracks I have heard in years and years and years is going to come as a surprise to some people. It's the soundtrack to the film TRON (the 2010 version). Now before you all start laughing, yes, this was an incredibly shit film but most of that was largley due to the fact this was originally a futuristic film from 1982 complete with dodgy neon effects. The newer version didn't stray too far from this, and just "modernised" some of the effects, with little success. Unfortunately it still felt like a film from the 80s. However, having seen both versions- the soundtrack to the latter was in essence one of the most perfect soundtracks I have ever heard. I simply can't imagine anyone better than Daft Punk doing it, their soundscapes fitting the whole ethos and atmosphere almost better than the rest of the film did. It's incredible. So incredible, that I bought it. I very rarely buy soundtracks- but I knew this one would be one I could listen to in the dark and completely lose myself in. Eager to hear how it sounded on my awesome Cowon-Shure set up, I listened to it in bed one night a few weeks ago and had the most freakin' awesome dream to match the soundtrack.
I just lay there in the dark, eyes closed and let my head paint pictures to the music and here's what it came up with:
A girl is being chased over rooftops but we never really see who is chasing her. It's night and the main colours are a muted navy blue with moonlight highlighting patches and shapes against the darker shadows.
Eventually she breaks into an old, derelict building and in a large room with broken windows is a man sitting, tied to a chair in a big metal cage. He has bandages over his eyes with large, dark spots which look like dried blood.
She reaches through the cage to touch him but can't quite reach, but seems to signal to him that she will be back. He slides something to her across the floor- it's a small microchip-type key. She begins to run again. Faster this time.
Bright white lights now follow her, and her chase becomes frantic, but eventually she gets away, climbing over fencing which seems to mark a boundary to the inner city area. She keeps running, not stopping, over fields to a small cottage-type building hidden away in a small valley. It's daytime, but colours are still muted and slightly blue-grey. Washed out.
This small building is almost empty and dark, except for one room with a computerised lock. She uses the key to open this room, and as the door opens, the room floods the house with colour. Colours are now bright, vivid. The girl walks in to the room and stands in the middle of the floor, looking around at the walls. They are covered with brightly coloured paintings and portraits. Some are hanging on the walls, others stood on the floor propped up against the wall once the artist ran out of hanging space.
It becomes clear, that the man in the cage is an artist. His eyes have been removed by his captors, reducing the surroundings to a colourless, dark environment. The girl holds the key, looks at it, and vows to return him to his paintings.
And then the music stopped.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Be Afraid.
These guys will soon be running your Probation services, making communities even less safe...
Prisons Rated : "Serious Concern" over two private prisons.
Well done Mr Grayling, you Tory shitbag, great move.
Prisons Rated : "Serious Concern" over two private prisons.
Well done Mr Grayling, you Tory shitbag, great move.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Common Spider Myths.
Or... Things people tell me about Spiders which aren't true.
1. Spiders eat flies.
I've never ever seen a spider eat anything. I've seen flies caught in their traps, and I've seen them wrap their corpses into little packages of death- but I've never seen one eat. I pose the question- Why, if they eat flies, do they live in houses where there are LESS flies? Why do house spiders hunt on floors and ceilings instead of making traps against open windows or better yet, why not live OUTSIDE where the flies live? I put to you that they have no interest in eating flies, and are hunting an altogether BIGGER prey. What are they surviving on? Do they feed on skin cells? Who knows.
2. Spiders are more scared of you than you are of them.
This is false TWO FOLD.
Firstly, I have a phobia. This scientifically means my fear is irrational- however I prefer to say that my physical reaction is irrational, but my fear is actually based on the FACT that these are evil creatures. I doubt you would find a spider with an equal amount of fear than I have of them.
I have yet to find a spider PHOBIC of humans. As an arachnophobe I seek to be AWAY from Spiders. Spiders seek ME. Spiders do not avoid human company, they use our homes, our beds, and our freaking handbags for their evil deeds.
Spiders have tried to reach me throughout my life. Much like dogs- they either smell fear, OR they're pissed because I've intelligently worked them out and they wish to harm me by making me a target. I involuntarily come in to contact with spiders far more than most of my peers.
3. Spiders can't fly.
I've seen this happen. A spider flying through the air, with no web line attached to it. I watched it... and I KNOW what I saw. Also, Daddy Long Legs look ALOT like Spiders with wings and I reckon they're an adaptation.
4. Spiders aren't intelligent.
Wrong again.
They hunt. They build highly complicated traps and fishing lines of webs. I've even seen one stop in front of a closed door. Stop. Lower itself, and crawl under the door, only to stop the other side. What was it doing in those few paused moments? THINKING. It was thinking, and it knew to lower its legs and crawl under. Intelligence. They think, they know, they have eight eyes for fucks sake. I honestly believe they know who is aware of their intelligence and who isn't, as I'm pretty sure I've been targeted by them for years now.
Similarly, some have learnt how to travel the globe via banana crates, and laying eggs into imported fruit and vegetables.
5. Spiders are harmless.
They can bite, sting, eject irritant hairs into the eyes of "predators", some can kill. A creature which is harmless, wouldn't provoke centuries of myth and folklore surrounding its evilness. Spiders are associated with the occult, with evil (see LOTR Trilogy), fear and repulsion (see Greek myth- Arachne). I'm pretty sure they're capable of mass structures to ensnare humans- you've only got to take a look in my Dads shed for evidence of this.
I'm happy to dispel further myths if readers think of any. Take note.
1. Spiders eat flies.
I've never ever seen a spider eat anything. I've seen flies caught in their traps, and I've seen them wrap their corpses into little packages of death- but I've never seen one eat. I pose the question- Why, if they eat flies, do they live in houses where there are LESS flies? Why do house spiders hunt on floors and ceilings instead of making traps against open windows or better yet, why not live OUTSIDE where the flies live? I put to you that they have no interest in eating flies, and are hunting an altogether BIGGER prey. What are they surviving on? Do they feed on skin cells? Who knows.
2. Spiders are more scared of you than you are of them.
This is false TWO FOLD.
Firstly, I have a phobia. This scientifically means my fear is irrational- however I prefer to say that my physical reaction is irrational, but my fear is actually based on the FACT that these are evil creatures. I doubt you would find a spider with an equal amount of fear than I have of them.
I have yet to find a spider PHOBIC of humans. As an arachnophobe I seek to be AWAY from Spiders. Spiders seek ME. Spiders do not avoid human company, they use our homes, our beds, and our freaking handbags for their evil deeds.
Spiders have tried to reach me throughout my life. Much like dogs- they either smell fear, OR they're pissed because I've intelligently worked them out and they wish to harm me by making me a target. I involuntarily come in to contact with spiders far more than most of my peers.
3. Spiders can't fly.
I've seen this happen. A spider flying through the air, with no web line attached to it. I watched it... and I KNOW what I saw. Also, Daddy Long Legs look ALOT like Spiders with wings and I reckon they're an adaptation.
4. Spiders aren't intelligent.
Wrong again.
They hunt. They build highly complicated traps and fishing lines of webs. I've even seen one stop in front of a closed door. Stop. Lower itself, and crawl under the door, only to stop the other side. What was it doing in those few paused moments? THINKING. It was thinking, and it knew to lower its legs and crawl under. Intelligence. They think, they know, they have eight eyes for fucks sake. I honestly believe they know who is aware of their intelligence and who isn't, as I'm pretty sure I've been targeted by them for years now.
Similarly, some have learnt how to travel the globe via banana crates, and laying eggs into imported fruit and vegetables.
5. Spiders are harmless.
They can bite, sting, eject irritant hairs into the eyes of "predators", some can kill. A creature which is harmless, wouldn't provoke centuries of myth and folklore surrounding its evilness. Spiders are associated with the occult, with evil (see LOTR Trilogy), fear and repulsion (see Greek myth- Arachne). I'm pretty sure they're capable of mass structures to ensnare humans- you've only got to take a look in my Dads shed for evidence of this.
I'm happy to dispel further myths if readers think of any. Take note.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Invader.
So there I was... casually walking into my room, seeing my bright red, every-day handbag on the bedroom floor, reaching in side to get out my purse. I opened up my purse and held it in front of me to look for my card, still bending down to place it back in my bag afterwards, when something caught my eye... something out of the ordinary was sitting in my bag. And then my brain kicked in... my eyes focused in on a spider, sitting in my bag.
Obviously, I threw my freakin purse and fell backwards.
A few moments of shock passed, and I returned to look in my bag for confirmation... the bastard had moved.
Fuck.
I picked up the handles, and threw it out my bedroom, where it landed on it's side, but with most of the contents still in the bag. I was hoping to see the little, evil cretin run out but it didn't. Panic now ensued, because not only had I no idea where this nasty little creature was in my bag, but I'd thrown it in the path of the only exit to my bedroom. So I was trapped, with a spider holding my handbag hostage.
The horror of the situation dawned on me when I realised my hand had been in that bag. MY HAND. The very thought of my skin coming into contact with a spider completely unexpectedly, quite honestly, horrifies me.
I had no other choice but to call my Dad, who rather stupidly advised me to "Just tip it out". Er, What now? And have it freakin' crawl towards my bare feet?? This wasn't an option. He had to come and get it out. Which he did, by tipping out my bag, and watching the little bastard escape into a dodgy floorboard in the bathroom. Can I get over the fact that it was IN my handbag? No. Can I stop thinking about the prospect of it laying EGGS in my bag. No. No I can't. Do I think about it everytime I reach into my bag? Yes. Yes I freakin do. Oh god.
The same spider, and yes I KNOW it was the same one (same size, same shape, same horrifically AWFUL legs)... this SAME spider proceeded to try and get back into my room the following day; I found it on the ceiling making it's way towards my door. It's final attempt however, appears to have become its last. I walked into the bathroom this evening to find it sitting in the middle of the floor. I immediately stopped and adopted my usual Spider-terror stance, and then noticed it looked a bit weird. A slightly closer inspection revealed it's body appeared squashed... and I highly suspect my cat might have given the evil beast a friendly, playful pat on the head and accidently killed it. Good cat.
The reign of terror was over. Though winning the battle is not winning the war. Downstairs, I entered the living room to find one of those horrendous Orb spiders in the middle of the carpet- you know the ones with the tiny bodies and ridiculously, long, very fine legs which bend over. I flattened it with the Radio Times. Those ones seem weaker than the others; finer, slower.
It's corpse is still on the floor. I'm leaving it there as a message to the others that death WILL ensue if they persist with their assault on my house.
Spiders: Do one.
Obviously, I threw my freakin purse and fell backwards.
A few moments of shock passed, and I returned to look in my bag for confirmation... the bastard had moved.
Fuck.
I picked up the handles, and threw it out my bedroom, where it landed on it's side, but with most of the contents still in the bag. I was hoping to see the little, evil cretin run out but it didn't. Panic now ensued, because not only had I no idea where this nasty little creature was in my bag, but I'd thrown it in the path of the only exit to my bedroom. So I was trapped, with a spider holding my handbag hostage.
The horror of the situation dawned on me when I realised my hand had been in that bag. MY HAND. The very thought of my skin coming into contact with a spider completely unexpectedly, quite honestly, horrifies me.
I had no other choice but to call my Dad, who rather stupidly advised me to "Just tip it out". Er, What now? And have it freakin' crawl towards my bare feet?? This wasn't an option. He had to come and get it out. Which he did, by tipping out my bag, and watching the little bastard escape into a dodgy floorboard in the bathroom. Can I get over the fact that it was IN my handbag? No. Can I stop thinking about the prospect of it laying EGGS in my bag. No. No I can't. Do I think about it everytime I reach into my bag? Yes. Yes I freakin do. Oh god.
The same spider, and yes I KNOW it was the same one (same size, same shape, same horrifically AWFUL legs)... this SAME spider proceeded to try and get back into my room the following day; I found it on the ceiling making it's way towards my door. It's final attempt however, appears to have become its last. I walked into the bathroom this evening to find it sitting in the middle of the floor. I immediately stopped and adopted my usual Spider-terror stance, and then noticed it looked a bit weird. A slightly closer inspection revealed it's body appeared squashed... and I highly suspect my cat might have given the evil beast a friendly, playful pat on the head and accidently killed it. Good cat.
The reign of terror was over. Though winning the battle is not winning the war. Downstairs, I entered the living room to find one of those horrendous Orb spiders in the middle of the carpet- you know the ones with the tiny bodies and ridiculously, long, very fine legs which bend over. I flattened it with the Radio Times. Those ones seem weaker than the others; finer, slower.
It's corpse is still on the floor. I'm leaving it there as a message to the others that death WILL ensue if they persist with their assault on my house.
Spiders: Do one.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Round Up!
Another busy weekend has flown by!
Last Friday was my boss' leaving do (due to having to take forced retirement thanks to the Government bringing in A19). We started at a nearby pub straight after work, followed by a trip to the dogs. I was mislead into purchasing my whole evening's worth of bets in one go and I put £2.00 per race on a Reverse Forecast. This cost me £20, but since I'd chosen my two lucky numbers I thought I couldn't go wrong. Shortly after the first race however, I discovered that Forecast meant the two I had chosen HAD to finish First AND Second. I thought I only had to get one to win, so I pretty much thought my chances were screwed.
I was wrong. I had TWO races where my lucky numbers finished first and second, winning £13 the first time and £14 the second; leaving with a profit of £7! Wooohoo! My lucky numbers never let me down. :-)
Following this, and with many a drunk Officer in tow, we headed to another pub. I was driving so I finally got home at 1.30am having dropped off two people including my boss.
Saturday evening I hit the town with H, going to our local first of all and then heading into the city for cocktails at Marco Pierre Whites where we caught a cool breeze out on the terrace of The Cube. It was a lovely view, watching the sunset over concrete-y Brum. Unfortunately, as with many of these places, the only downside to the nice environment was the snotty, pathetic, bitchy crowd. We later met up with N, his brother, his girlfriend and an old mate a bit later in the evening. It was far too hot to stay in the Yardbird so we ended up outside.
Sunday I spent some time with the family, in particular my Grandparents who I haven't seen for a few months. My Grandad's stories make me laugh, and I love how him and my Grandma still hold hands and have play fights. I ended Sunday at the Gym where I'm trying to rebuild all the strength I lost when I had to take three weeks off from the Gym due to my Labyrinthitis/ Vertigo. To my amazement I was able to lift one of the higher freeweights which made my evening, however, I still have a long way to go to re-tone and re-build. I'm cutting down so much on cardio, sticking to a bit of rowing or cycle just as a warm up exercise.
I've just been given the go ahead for a new wedding cake topper commission so I need to get round to some preliminary sketches this weekend.
I've lost my prescription sunglasses so I also need to take on the onerous, horrendous task of getting my eyes tested and new glasses.
I also had a really good write up from my supervisor as to my performance over the last year and have been given a bit more training in order to take the reigns on the departments website, so I'm chuffed with that too.
I'm also sleeping much better thanks to some handy ear plugs. This is massively helping my appetite and general mood
Things feel good. Busy... but good.
Last Friday was my boss' leaving do (due to having to take forced retirement thanks to the Government bringing in A19). We started at a nearby pub straight after work, followed by a trip to the dogs. I was mislead into purchasing my whole evening's worth of bets in one go and I put £2.00 per race on a Reverse Forecast. This cost me £20, but since I'd chosen my two lucky numbers I thought I couldn't go wrong. Shortly after the first race however, I discovered that Forecast meant the two I had chosen HAD to finish First AND Second. I thought I only had to get one to win, so I pretty much thought my chances were screwed.
I was wrong. I had TWO races where my lucky numbers finished first and second, winning £13 the first time and £14 the second; leaving with a profit of £7! Wooohoo! My lucky numbers never let me down. :-)
Following this, and with many a drunk Officer in tow, we headed to another pub. I was driving so I finally got home at 1.30am having dropped off two people including my boss.
Saturday evening I hit the town with H, going to our local first of all and then heading into the city for cocktails at Marco Pierre Whites where we caught a cool breeze out on the terrace of The Cube. It was a lovely view, watching the sunset over concrete-y Brum. Unfortunately, as with many of these places, the only downside to the nice environment was the snotty, pathetic, bitchy crowd. We later met up with N, his brother, his girlfriend and an old mate a bit later in the evening. It was far too hot to stay in the Yardbird so we ended up outside.
Sunday I spent some time with the family, in particular my Grandparents who I haven't seen for a few months. My Grandad's stories make me laugh, and I love how him and my Grandma still hold hands and have play fights. I ended Sunday at the Gym where I'm trying to rebuild all the strength I lost when I had to take three weeks off from the Gym due to my Labyrinthitis/ Vertigo. To my amazement I was able to lift one of the higher freeweights which made my evening, however, I still have a long way to go to re-tone and re-build. I'm cutting down so much on cardio, sticking to a bit of rowing or cycle just as a warm up exercise.
I've just been given the go ahead for a new wedding cake topper commission so I need to get round to some preliminary sketches this weekend.
I've lost my prescription sunglasses so I also need to take on the onerous, horrendous task of getting my eyes tested and new glasses.
I also had a really good write up from my supervisor as to my performance over the last year and have been given a bit more training in order to take the reigns on the departments website, so I'm chuffed with that too.
I'm also sleeping much better thanks to some handy ear plugs. This is massively helping my appetite and general mood
Things feel good. Busy... but good.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
The Big News.
I have been dropping clues in my titles the last few blog posts as to what my big news is...
This is going to massively underwhelm (is that possible- to MASSIVELY underwhelm?) a lot of people... however, those who know me well will appreciate why this news is big. To me.
Something life changing occured. And all I have to show for it both before and after will be a bit of paper.
There are a few bands that I love... those that leap out as all time favourites are the likes of Radiohead (seen them twice), The Deftones (seen once), System of a Down (seen once). There's a few others I HAVE to see before I die- A Perfect Circle or Puscifer to complete my TOOLkit (gettit??? lol) and of course... the amazing ... Nine Inch Nails.
I missed them many years ago, I think it was my first year of Uni when they last toured and I missed them perform in Birmingham. I idiotically only realised they were playing on the day they performed and couldn't go. This year, they're performing at Reading and Leeds, and I was toying with the idea of paying a stupid amount of money on a day ticket, a hotel and a very long car journey to see them. This would have cost me well over £200 all in. HOWEVER, they are ALSO playing in a tiny little town called Belfast in August... and I've ONLY BLOODY WELL GONE AND GOT TICKETS!!!!
Fuck. I am RIDICULOUSLY excited about this. It's meant a hotel and flights, but even with the tickets it's cost about £130. This is a lot, however, this gig is going to be epic for me.
There's been a few gigs where I've just experienced absolute awe. I was immersed in it standing in front of Martin Grech, and the times I saw Radiohead and System of a Down, even Tool, ... I've just been completely, utterly in awe, almost on a complete other plain as I just breathe in and absorb the gig experience. Trent Reznor is like the Pope is to Catholics, without the paeodophilia, corruption, obscene hyppocrisy and religion. He is more than that, a genius, everything he touches turning to liquidy, ear-nectar. I can well imagine this gig is going to be one of those momentous gigs that I will never forget.
The gig is on the 21st of August. I'm counting down the days via the below worm...
This is going to massively underwhelm (is that possible- to MASSIVELY underwhelm?) a lot of people... however, those who know me well will appreciate why this news is big. To me.
Something life changing occured. And all I have to show for it both before and after will be a bit of paper.
There are a few bands that I love... those that leap out as all time favourites are the likes of Radiohead (seen them twice), The Deftones (seen once), System of a Down (seen once). There's a few others I HAVE to see before I die- A Perfect Circle or Puscifer to complete my TOOLkit (gettit??? lol) and of course... the amazing ... Nine Inch Nails.
I missed them many years ago, I think it was my first year of Uni when they last toured and I missed them perform in Birmingham. I idiotically only realised they were playing on the day they performed and couldn't go. This year, they're performing at Reading and Leeds, and I was toying with the idea of paying a stupid amount of money on a day ticket, a hotel and a very long car journey to see them. This would have cost me well over £200 all in. HOWEVER, they are ALSO playing in a tiny little town called Belfast in August... and I've ONLY BLOODY WELL GONE AND GOT TICKETS!!!!
Fuck. I am RIDICULOUSLY excited about this. It's meant a hotel and flights, but even with the tickets it's cost about £130. This is a lot, however, this gig is going to be epic for me.
There's been a few gigs where I've just experienced absolute awe. I was immersed in it standing in front of Martin Grech, and the times I saw Radiohead and System of a Down, even Tool, ... I've just been completely, utterly in awe, almost on a complete other plain as I just breathe in and absorb the gig experience. Trent Reznor is like the Pope is to Catholics, without the paeodophilia, corruption, obscene hyppocrisy and religion. He is more than that, a genius, everything he touches turning to liquidy, ear-nectar. I can well imagine this gig is going to be one of those momentous gigs that I will never forget.
The gig is on the 21st of August. I'm counting down the days via the below worm...
A Film in the Sunshine.
Last night my friend H and I went to Brum to catch an outdoor film showing of Breakfast At Tiffany's. It was a free event in the lovely Brindley Place and the organisers handed out bean bags, free popcorn and blankets to the crowd. It was a different way to spend the evening, sitting on the steps in the shade watching a film, especially one I haven't seen in years!
I have another fairly busy weekend coming up with my Boss's leaving do on Friday and some drinks in Brum with H on Saturday, starting off at Marco Pierre Whites for some cocktails.
I've also finally been back to the gym this week after a few weeks off due to my inner ear problems which thankfully seem to have cleared up. Good times! :-)
I have another fairly busy weekend coming up with my Boss's leaving do on Friday and some drinks in Brum with H on Saturday, starting off at Marco Pierre Whites for some cocktails.
I've also finally been back to the gym this week after a few weeks off due to my inner ear problems which thankfully seem to have cleared up. Good times! :-)
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Burn.
I was going to pose the question: Why does sunburned skin stay hot for days as opposed to when you overcook a sausage and it gets burnt but cools down?...
The answer, I have just discovered, is basically because sausages aren't alive.
The sunburnt skin doesn't stay hot because of the burn per se, it stays hot because of the body responding to the type of injury, increasing blood flow to the area causing slight inflammation and warmth until the skin is fully healed.
If I'd have given that question considerable thought for longer than the twenty seconds I gave it, I might have reached that conclusion myself. My god, I can be such a dumbass.
Tonight I am having to survive without my phone. It already feels a bit odd... not sure yet how I'm going to get up in the morning without my alarm but I'll worry about that later.
The answer, I have just discovered, is basically because sausages aren't alive.
The sunburnt skin doesn't stay hot because of the burn per se, it stays hot because of the body responding to the type of injury, increasing blood flow to the area causing slight inflammation and warmth until the skin is fully healed.
If I'd have given that question considerable thought for longer than the twenty seconds I gave it, I might have reached that conclusion myself. My god, I can be such a dumbass.
Tonight I am having to survive without my phone. It already feels a bit odd... not sure yet how I'm going to get up in the morning without my alarm but I'll worry about that later.
Sunday, July 07, 2013
Sunspots.
What an awesome weekend!
It kicked off with some sunny post-work drinks on Friday evening with H from work. I survived my first round of drinking post inner-ear troubles. Having felt drunk for three weeks I was a bit wary of getting back on the good ol' Jack n Coke, but yep, it was just what I needed.
Following that I spent Saturday on a mini road trip with N up to Chester. It was beautifully sunny and we strolled around the quaint little shops and had a waffle cone ice cream by the river. We took a walk all round the ancient city walls and looked around the Roman gardens and amphitheatre although I was put off by the creepy stilt walker who seemed to be tottering around. I still hate them. Always will.
I failed miserably at remembering my digital SLR to take any decent photographs which pissed me off no end, but to redeem myself I am proud to say I refrained from spending any money in the shops despite being very tempted by a nice new handbag. Be proud.
Saturday evening was spent being set up in the back garden with some Honey Jack, Peanuts, a nice warm chicken salad and the Sono's blaring out some awesome tunes while a little lantern flickered in the gentle breeze. It was perfect.
Today I spent the morning strolling around Cars In the Park in Lichfield wishing I was rich enough to have a car for every day of the week. A quick lunch was had at Ego nearby, a Mediterranean bar where I had a Fusion Mezze platter and a Strawberry, Mango and Stem Ginger Eton Mess for dessert. Then, back to the park for a last drool over some amazing cars... before heading back in time for the Wimbledon final where grumpy-ass Murray took the cup.
I've picked the following as my faves from today although the F type Jag and a BEAUTIFUL blue TVR Sagaris also looked incredible. I think you will agree the matt black Hudson complete with skull on the dashboard is very me. :-)
The weekend was finished off with a family barbeque in place of the traditional Sunday dinner, complete with steaks, burger, sausage, rice, salad, new potatoes and kebab roasted vegetables.
I have some sunburn from today. I plastered myself in factor 30 this morning, and seem to have staved off getting burnt in the normal places like my neck. However, I do have an interesting red, stripe down my nose, and some weird patterns on my arms which look equally strange! It must have been where I was holding my bag or something and have got burnt in between the straps. No matter how hard you try, when you have ghostly white pale skin like me, the sun will get to you somehow!!!
Despite the sunburn, this weekend has been - simply PERFECT. :-)
Coming up this week... I am planning on returning to the gym now I'm fully fit, shopping for Boss' leaving present on Tuesday, Boss' leaving do on Friday and then potentially a night out in Brum on Saturday! I want to squeeze in a trip to the cinema, headphone shopping, potential holiday shopping and wedding guest dress shopping also this week.
Ooh... and I must blog about the imminent awesomeness that I have managed to source for myself.
It kicked off with some sunny post-work drinks on Friday evening with H from work. I survived my first round of drinking post inner-ear troubles. Having felt drunk for three weeks I was a bit wary of getting back on the good ol' Jack n Coke, but yep, it was just what I needed.
Following that I spent Saturday on a mini road trip with N up to Chester. It was beautifully sunny and we strolled around the quaint little shops and had a waffle cone ice cream by the river. We took a walk all round the ancient city walls and looked around the Roman gardens and amphitheatre although I was put off by the creepy stilt walker who seemed to be tottering around. I still hate them. Always will.
I failed miserably at remembering my digital SLR to take any decent photographs which pissed me off no end, but to redeem myself I am proud to say I refrained from spending any money in the shops despite being very tempted by a nice new handbag. Be proud.
Saturday evening was spent being set up in the back garden with some Honey Jack, Peanuts, a nice warm chicken salad and the Sono's blaring out some awesome tunes while a little lantern flickered in the gentle breeze. It was perfect.
Today I spent the morning strolling around Cars In the Park in Lichfield wishing I was rich enough to have a car for every day of the week. A quick lunch was had at Ego nearby, a Mediterranean bar where I had a Fusion Mezze platter and a Strawberry, Mango and Stem Ginger Eton Mess for dessert. Then, back to the park for a last drool over some amazing cars... before heading back in time for the Wimbledon final where grumpy-ass Murray took the cup.
I've picked the following as my faves from today although the F type Jag and a BEAUTIFUL blue TVR Sagaris also looked incredible. I think you will agree the matt black Hudson complete with skull on the dashboard is very me. :-)
The weekend was finished off with a family barbeque in place of the traditional Sunday dinner, complete with steaks, burger, sausage, rice, salad, new potatoes and kebab roasted vegetables.
I have some sunburn from today. I plastered myself in factor 30 this morning, and seem to have staved off getting burnt in the normal places like my neck. However, I do have an interesting red, stripe down my nose, and some weird patterns on my arms which look equally strange! It must have been where I was holding my bag or something and have got burnt in between the straps. No matter how hard you try, when you have ghostly white pale skin like me, the sun will get to you somehow!!!
Despite the sunburn, this weekend has been - simply PERFECT. :-)
Coming up this week... I am planning on returning to the gym now I'm fully fit, shopping for Boss' leaving present on Tuesday, Boss' leaving do on Friday and then potentially a night out in Brum on Saturday! I want to squeeze in a trip to the cinema, headphone shopping, potential holiday shopping and wedding guest dress shopping also this week.
Ooh... and I must blog about the imminent awesomeness that I have managed to source for myself.
Thursday, July 04, 2013
With Teeth.
I'm back.
Normal Slink service is resumed.
The last few weeks haven't been the best I suppose, but I'm back... with bite.
I've just completed my first full week back at work and I'm glad to say that my few weeks off have ensured some colleagues actually appreciate what I do there! I've been given a small project to complete also, which means I get some training and another computer system under my belt also.
Before I got poorly I was feeling worn out, worn down and not at all myself. I know why, and I've dealt with it. My sleeping patterns aren't right still, but are getting better which signals to me that I'm in a better place than I was.
A message to anyone considering trying to mess me about: I will always always suss you out and watch you make a total fucking idiot of yourself long before I let on that I know you're a complete, total, utter asshole before removing your pathetic existence out my life.
The sun is shining and giving me energy, making me feel stronger and "lighter".
Next week I'm going to get back to the gym after being under doctors orders not to go, so I'll be back to doing some free weights. I might even buy myself a set for home to keep it up.
I have some new summery maxi dresses and am planning on wearing one this weekend on mini road trip with the bestie this weekend. My aim for the weekend is to take some photographs.
I am looking into some potential breaks away, looking for a lovely dress for a wedding later in the year, ready to book up my tattoo appointment when I have time... AND I still have three tubs of Ice Cream. I dunno, things just feel good right now. :-) I even FINALLY updated my blog profile picture as the one on there was from 2006, just after graduating from Uni! I thought it was high time for a new photo.
Oh... AND I have BIG news ... so big it's off the awesome scale.
Normal Slink service is resumed.
The last few weeks haven't been the best I suppose, but I'm back... with bite.
I've just completed my first full week back at work and I'm glad to say that my few weeks off have ensured some colleagues actually appreciate what I do there! I've been given a small project to complete also, which means I get some training and another computer system under my belt also.
Before I got poorly I was feeling worn out, worn down and not at all myself. I know why, and I've dealt with it. My sleeping patterns aren't right still, but are getting better which signals to me that I'm in a better place than I was.
A message to anyone considering trying to mess me about: I will always always suss you out and watch you make a total fucking idiot of yourself long before I let on that I know you're a complete, total, utter asshole before removing your pathetic existence out my life.
The sun is shining and giving me energy, making me feel stronger and "lighter".
Next week I'm going to get back to the gym after being under doctors orders not to go, so I'll be back to doing some free weights. I might even buy myself a set for home to keep it up.
I have some new summery maxi dresses and am planning on wearing one this weekend on mini road trip with the bestie this weekend. My aim for the weekend is to take some photographs.
I am looking into some potential breaks away, looking for a lovely dress for a wedding later in the year, ready to book up my tattoo appointment when I have time... AND I still have three tubs of Ice Cream. I dunno, things just feel good right now. :-) I even FINALLY updated my blog profile picture as the one on there was from 2006, just after graduating from Uni! I thought it was high time for a new photo.
Oh... AND I have BIG news ... so big it's off the awesome scale.
Dear Asshole,
Thanks for finally revealing your true nature.
In particular, I love how you've consistently tried to hide the fact that you're:
- weak
- superficial
- dishonest
- completely incapable of any empathy
- self centred
- narrow minded
- uncaring
- shallow
- callous
- cowardly
- disloyal
- pathetically vain
- slutty
- egotistical
- illogical
- unbelievably selfish
- incapable of understanding/coping with/conveying emotions
- defensive
- attention seeking
- spineless
- arrogant
- fearful
- a carbon copy of the other meaningless twat you were so desperate to be different to, yet surpass his crap-ness by not even having the self awareness he did to admit you're a total dick and apologise for it. Hilarious.
You fail on every level at meeting my expectations of what makes a man.
Your weakness makes me stronger and I celebrate you reminding me just how much better I deserve.
Fuck you, and enjoy your half life of avoidance and ineptitude.
S
x
In particular, I love how you've consistently tried to hide the fact that you're:
- weak
- superficial
- dishonest
- completely incapable of any empathy
- self centred
- narrow minded
- uncaring
- shallow
- callous
- cowardly
- disloyal
- pathetically vain
- slutty
- egotistical
- illogical
- unbelievably selfish
- incapable of understanding/coping with/conveying emotions
- defensive
- attention seeking
- spineless
- arrogant
- fearful
- a carbon copy of the other meaningless twat you were so desperate to be different to, yet surpass his crap-ness by not even having the self awareness he did to admit you're a total dick and apologise for it. Hilarious.
You fail on every level at meeting my expectations of what makes a man.
Your weakness makes me stronger and I celebrate you reminding me just how much better I deserve.
Fuck you, and enjoy your half life of avoidance and ineptitude.
S
x
Monday, July 01, 2013
Goodbyes.
I got back from Kirsten's funeral a few hours ago.
It was what she would have wanted- short but sweet, with an elegant simplicity. Everyone wore something pink - a tribute to her fight with breast cancer.
Walking into the crematorium behind her family and friends, her tiny coffin covered with beautiful flowers and the Goo Goo Dolls' song Iris playing was heartbreaking; so many people shedding tears at their individual losses. Yet the messages throughout the service were clear- smile. Always keep smiling. As Kirsten did throughout her illness. Her final song, as we exited the room, was Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. I could just picture her dancing away to it.
Her wake was decorated so beautifully with fairy lights, tables covered with objects associated with Kirsten (Some My Little Ponys and Barbies amongst them!), photographs and little reminders of this lovely lady. It was nice to see her remembered so fondly, everyone sharing their stories and memories over drinks. It must have been both heartbreaking and comforting for her family to know just how many will miss her smile.
RIP Kirsten.
:-)
It was what she would have wanted- short but sweet, with an elegant simplicity. Everyone wore something pink - a tribute to her fight with breast cancer.
Walking into the crematorium behind her family and friends, her tiny coffin covered with beautiful flowers and the Goo Goo Dolls' song Iris playing was heartbreaking; so many people shedding tears at their individual losses. Yet the messages throughout the service were clear- smile. Always keep smiling. As Kirsten did throughout her illness. Her final song, as we exited the room, was Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. I could just picture her dancing away to it.
Her wake was decorated so beautifully with fairy lights, tables covered with objects associated with Kirsten (Some My Little Ponys and Barbies amongst them!), photographs and little reminders of this lovely lady. It was nice to see her remembered so fondly, everyone sharing their stories and memories over drinks. It must have been both heartbreaking and comforting for her family to know just how many will miss her smile.
RIP Kirsten.
:-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)