Sunshine on a Rainy Day.

Yikes.

 

It's been two whole weeks since I last blogged.  I honestly do not know where the time goes these days... ! Quite frightening.

 

Last weekend was kicked off in style with cocktails and a pricey but beautiful meal at Fumo in Brum with H and her friend Carly.  It was a brilliant evening with flowing cocktails, giggles and chat finishing off at our old haunt the Station on the way home.  We followed this up with more drinks there on Saturday night and a quick trip to another local to see a friends band.  Unfortunately this coincided with a big boxing match so there was an interesting crowd there to say the least.  Still, it was nice to spend a bit of time with H, like the olden days!

 

During the week I did some shameless self promoting on twitter for my sculpting work which is just going from strength to strength! I have four commissions lined up for this month which is just brilliant albeit scary wondering how I'm going to fit them all in with a new job round the corner!

 

This weekend has been fantastic: This Friday night I went to Marco Pierre Whites for a beautiful meal and some rather tasty cocktails. The Grasshopper which I had as my dessert replacement was to die for! Saturday, I intended to start one of my commissions and amazingly ended up completing it in one day! I was dead chuffed with it and have posted it off today already so I'll be nervously waiting for my client's response by the end of the week to make sure it a) got there in one piece and b) that she is happy with it!

 

I had been looking forward to Sunday for some time but was up early packing layers and rainproof clothing for a day at the Motor Racing- this time travelling to Oulton Park for the BTCC.  It turned out that there was actually very little rain, and glorious sunshine save for a monster of a downpour in the late afternoon which saw one of the most eagerly anticipated races being postponed. Oulton being a very fan-friendly track, we were able to position ourselves in a good slot right near the finish line and with the sun shining again after the freak mini-storm we had I managed to get my best shot of the day... showing Sheddon's Honda Yuasa Racing car speeding along a wet track, yet beautiful blue skies and glowing clouds as a backdrop. 

 

It was a brilliant day, good company, good crowds and great weather at a brilliant circuit. The only downside being the obligatory sunburnt nose and neck due to me completely mis-judging the weather!

 

Easter Weekend.

After finding out on Thursday that I had managed to get two interviews for two out of the three job applications I'd submitted, I broke up for the bank holiday weekend with a mix of excitement and mild panic that I wouldn't have time to prepare for my first one which was scheduled for Wednesday (today!).

However, the weekend was upon me, and after spending Friday catching up with chores and making some preparation notes, Saturday brought far more interesting times.  It was my first BTCC weekend of the season, with the tournament coming to Donington Park.

It will always remain "my" track, my local, my home from home and somewhere I simply love to be. 

Saturday was mainly dry and we found a good seating area on some rock formed steps down at the bottom of Craner curves.  We stocked up on doughnuts and hot drinks from the obligatory vans as we watched qualifying rounds for all the formulas who would be racing the following day.

It was so good to be back there again; the familiar sights sounds and smells seeping back under my skin. 

It was a bit cold and windy at times and I left swearing that on our return the following day I would layer up!

We left early in order to get back in time for my little sister V's birthday meal.  The family gathered at Miller and Carter for a slap up tasty steak meal.  I sadly couldn't manage a starter, main AND pudding so I opted for a rather tasty After Eight mint cocktail as my desert. DEEELISH.

On Sunday morning, we set off early for another day's racing.  I went fully prepared with two vest tops, two jumpers, a fleece and my H2NO rain coat. It was a good job because the mother of all downpours occurred as soon as we got out the car.  Along with another 100 racing fans we all tried to squeeze into the diner café and under the big parasols outside to stay out of the wet.  Our hopes of a comfortable days racing faded as it got heavier and heavier.  We wouldn't be leaving early today, and as we had tickets for the BTCC After Party! So staying dry was a priority! Fortunately we managed to stay dry during the downpour and once it trailed off, we drifted down to find a suitable perch for the days races.  Showers came and went throughout the day, but this lead to some pretty interesting and action packed races! :-) We had a second downpour in the afternoon, which V and I just hunkered down on our rock step seats and covered ourselves in our brolly, managing to avoid a soaking.


My trusty waterproof held out and the best racing was at towards the end of the afternoon with some brilliant racing and manoeuvres. We moved away from our sheltered rock steps and headed to the first corner for the final race of the day, and it was well worth the wind and cold there.  V took some brilliant photographs of the action.

The best of the weekend was still to come as after the racing finished we headed straight to the BTCC After Party!

After a VERY disappointing turkey and stuffing bap from one of the vintage themed food vans, we took our place near the stage, sneaking into the VIP area at the request of the first band- Ferris.  They played an average set, but were pretty uninspiring.  Following them was Toploader who played a fairly decent set but the sound quality was awful.  There was NO vocal sound for the front of the stage, so while the rest of the music could be heard, the vocals sounded muffly like Peter Kay's DJ.  The band and sound guys were informed by two slightly crazy people stood next to me (more on these later) but the sound issue remained throughout the whole set.  They played the only two songs I actually knew which was Achilles Heel and Dancing In The Moonlight which is one of very few songs that actually incite physical repulsion and hatred in me.  It's an AWFUL song. On every level.  But I endured it... and all for the headline act... REEF.

I have loved Reef since my teens when they were big throughout the Britpop years and they TOTALLY lived up to expectation.  To my (and the crazy fans next to me's) relief the sound was fixed as Reef brought with them, their own sound engineer.  It turned out the crazy fans next to me were SO crazy that they knew the band.  I say knew, as in they have clearly stalked them from day one and appear at all of their gigs.  They'd already travelled from Southampton for this gig because it was the guitarist's last ever show. 

Reef were incredible.  After the previous two distinctly average bands, they completely took over the room.  Gary Stringer looked EXACTLY as he did from the early reef days and sounded amazing.  Being so close to the stage he smiled and crouched right in front of me for photographs; and just owned the stage like a pro. It was brilliant. I sang away to my hearts content, which Gary seemed to appreciate giving me a lovely big smile half way through Yer Old.  He's still fit as. Amazing.

I know it was amazing... as I am still thinking about it days later.  If that isn't a sign of a good gig I don't know what is.  Speaking of gigs... I haven't blogged about my big news yet.  *Mental Note to blog about that tomorrow *.

Monday was spent in the park doing some more interview prep before returning back to work on Tuesday.  My interview was today, and after spending a few days feeling completely under prepared I think it went okay.  It was a bit short, felt a bit rushed by the interviewers at times but I think this was because they had a lot of applicants to get through.  By and large it was okay... I don't think I've ever come out of an interview thinking I said EVERYTHING I needed to, but generally I think they got the message that I had the skills for the role, and they made some comments suggesting that I would be considered for a post. Time will tell.  I have another interview to prepare for next week so after a night off I'll get back on the studying. I've been back to the gym tonight for the first time in about two weeks due to me being ill and then busy and then lazy. Must get back on it!!! I'm also half way through a wedding topper commission which I need to finish in the next couple of weeks! eek... If only I had more hours in the day!

Autosport Show 2014

So, I was having a really lovely weekend - having lovely catch up drinks with B on Friday and a further catch up with SB on Saturday after a DESPERATELY needed car wash for Franko and some household chores... when my dear N offered me a ticket to the AUTOSPORT Show on Sunday! Happy Days!

And what a day at that! The main thing I enjoyed was getting back to grips with my digital SLR.  I've missed it.  The feel of it, the weight of it in my hands; having to compose and think about the subject and final image before taking the shot; the familiar bleep of the focus, and satisfying click of the shutter. I loved being back behind the camera.  I missed the instant sharing as I've become accustomed to through social networking to but this was outweighed by the excitement of getting home, downloading all the images from my camera and unveiling each one- most triumphant little compositions, others being cast out like an editor making cuts from a film reel.

Seeing so many racing cars under one roof has really given me the motorsport bug for the impending season and the live action arena was equally brilliant.  We were treated to drifting, moto cross, stock cars, vintage racing cars, stunt driving, smart car racing and even some double bonneted cars which could race in both directions and even split apart!

Another little highlight was artist Ian Cook posing for a photograph for me while he worked on his latest piece in front of a fascinated crowd.  Sadly, I took this one on my phone so that I could share it on twitter and as a result it came out a little blurry which I was gutted about seeing as he'd been so kind as to pose for me!

I did a small bit of autograph hunting too, gaining signatures from Matt Neal, Gordon Sheddon, Andrew Jordan, Alan McNish, Tom Kristensen and Rob Austin in my Paddock Pass lanyard book. I also managed to get an autograph for my sister from Rob Austin as she's sponsoring his drive this year via his Roof Share scheme.

And at the end of it all, I've had time to post all my photographs, update my blog and soak it all in all over again. Happy Slink tonight thanks to a truly awesome weekend.  Here's to more of these!

:-)

Beat the Blues!

The arse-end of last week was a hellish mess of work-stress, flat application stress and upset thanks to a few irritating, confusing individuals and one who couldn't get lower in my estimation if they tried. However, the weekend came and took all the stress away.

Friday night kicked it off with a meal at a nearby lounge where H and I had tapas and a good ol chinwag about the week.  Saturday I spent doing some relaxing sculpting, then a movie in the evening.  Sunday N and I picked up two of his colleagues for our trip to Silverstone for the BTCC.  It was a beautiful day despite the chilly breeze which you noticed from the stands.  I have to say, it was some of the best racing I've seen this year; all three of the Touring Car races proving to be tense, action packed and brilliant to watch.  You can tell it's nearing the end of the season, with just one race to go, as all the drivers are putting 200% into their races.  I'm not sure yet if we're able to get down to Brands Hatch for the final, it's unlikely at this late stage, but if that's the last racing I'll see this year, it was one hell of a day to watch. :-)  We stopped off at Mum's on the way home after dropping off N's friends, for a slap up roast dinner and a cup of tea.  Perfect British end to a very British day.

The weekend couldn't have got any better- especially since today is my day off!!!! Yeppo, because I've been single-handedly holding down the fort for the last four weeks while my colleague has been off sick then off on holiday, I made sure I booked her first day back off. Ha! Yes, today I will be sculpting, listening to awesome music and I also have to fit in the gym and 250 squats as it's the last day of my 30 Day Squat Challenge today!!!! :-O

I better get cracking.

Behold ... Franko.

So a few blogs ago I confessed to spending an extortionate amount of money on a special opaque wax for my beautiful matt black Fiat 500, Franko.  I used the wax about a week or so ago and have to say it worked a treat, but for £54 you'd bloody expect it to! The picture on the left is him post-wax and I think you will agree he looks awesome.  I need to get some tyre blackener on his tyres though because they've gone a bit grey. 

Very occasionally, and I mean VERY occasionally, I regret getting a matt black car purely for the paint vulnerability and also for the inconvenience of not being able to run him through a car wash or even pay for a handwash (as their cloths will be full of nasty polish and unsafe wax).  However, 99.9% of the time I love that he's different.  I love the looks and comments he gets on a regular basis.   His matt finish makes him rare, his blue stripes make him unique - he's provocative. Just like me. :-) I love him.

General Waste.

HAHA!

I just realised- my dear friend Miss P included me in a top 5 blog list a few days ago so anyone directed to my blog from her wonderful link would have been confronted by my Fuck You- From a Blonde post.  Probably not the best first impression! :-D

What news what news I hear you ask...

Well, I have been working hard both at work and in the gym.  My little muscle is coming along nicely- I even went up a free weight size last night so even though it's still tiny weights, it's all progress in the right direction.  I am still enjoying it and want to see a bit more of an improvement in my general cardio strength and fitness before I start running.  My legs are already feeling much stronger, though I've not managed to find a combat class at a suitable time to join yet but this is hopefully going to be my next thing.  :-)

My car naming skills have reached new heights- I am now getting requests for my naming abilities by the fabulous Miss P herself!!!  I'm starting to feel like one of those spiritual guides who can read cars...!

Speaking of cars- I have a confession.  The long and short of it is that I spent £200 on car products. :-S ... I know what you're thinking... Nutbag.  Yeah that's what I thought too. 
So as you know my little Franko is matt black, this makes him both awesome and a great big freaking pain in the arse to clean, but mostly awesome.   I have to buy a special shampoo for matt black paint which costs £30 a bottle from a rather lovely little company called Swissvax.  Well, I decided to buy some new shampoo and some wax from them as they're the only company who care enough for my little Franko's sensitive skin.. I mean.. paint.  SOOO, I ended up buying shampoo, wax, some new cloths which looked rather nice... and then some pre-cleaner for the wax, and the cloths that went with it, and some wax pads.  And before I knew it... it was £203 right there in the cyber basket! A lot I know... but I won't have to buy much more for him for a looong time, and he WILL look fabulous for it.  And it's an investment, looking after his paintwork which will hopefully sell him in the future if it's looked after properly... sounds a good enough excuse anyway! I'll let you know how I get on with the wax when I pluck up the courage to use it.  I might just add that this wax smells freakin AMAZING.  I want to eat it.  Not only will Franko look amazing, he will smell amazing too. Yeah baby.

I've spent the last two weekends working on a small cake topper commission.  It's been a welcome return to doing something creative.  I've also managed to pick up a new wedding cake commission from work which I've got booked in to start at the end of June.  Can't wait!

I have mostly been listening to Skrillex this week and eating Jaffa Cakes. 

Good news also - I have sourced THREE more tubs of my mint ice cream.  WOOT! Spring can now commence.

The Pits.

Stirling Moss thinks women lack the Mental Aptitude for Formula One.

 



Or should that have read- Stirling Moss proves he's an outdated, old bigot. ?  I might point out that he never won a championship also. 

 

His reasoning is flawed, flimsy and quite frankly comes from an era long gone- one that no longer exists and it's quite sad to hear that he is still living in decades past. 

 

This follows a good documentary aired by the BBC on Sunday, made my David Stoddard about his sister Susie Wolffe and her rise to test driver for the Williams F1 team.  She's a remarkable young woman- I remember seeing her race in lower formulas many years ago and have been pleased to see her success through the formulas, competing in DTM for a number of years before moving to her new testing role in F1 in 2012.  I hope she makes it; I hope she proves Sterling Moss wrong- as she's already surpassed him in sheer determination in a still widely sexist, male dominated motor racing world where grid girls are still seen as compulsory at family orientated events and serious female racing contenders are expected to race in the occasional pink car as a pathetic attempt at a publicity stunt.

 

I hope she, or another female competitor races in Formula One in my lifetime- I will be right behind her all the way.

 



Women in Motor Racing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grr...

My Dad picked up his new car today.  It's a rather swanky Jaguar XF Sportbreak.  It's the size of a plane, but a plane filled with cream leather and wood grain inside.  It is ... the bees knees.  I've been reliably informed that I will be put on the insurance for this absolute (pricey) beast of a car.  The very thought of being in control of a car the size of a small cruise ship frankly terrifies me.  Especially when you consider the fact that my current choice of vehicle, little Franko, is probably the smallest cars you can find on the market!

 

 

 

It is a very well equipped with about the same amount of dashboard functions and gadgets as a Spaceship.  A very beautiful spaceship.  It's automatic, 8 gear, 2.2 litre engine. I've never driven an auto before and can't quite imagine what it will feel like having a left arm and left foot.  It must be a very strange feeling.  I'm not entirely sure I'll ever pluck up the courage to find out!

Both my Dad and the Jaguar dealership men were unimpressed with my name choice for the car - Barbara.  All I can say in my defence is that these names come to me.  The vehicle chooses it's own name, I am but the receiver of their will.  This car looks like a Barbara. 

Welcome, Barbara.  :-)

Snow Joke...

My office move is complete and not only was today my first drive to my new Station, this was my first time driving in snow.

It was NOT nice.

This morning wasn't too bad. There was a light covering on paths but the newly gritted roads were fine for driving on.  I got to work at 7.30 with no trouble at all. 

However, by 9am, the snow had mounted.  By 12 o'clock the snow was probably about 15cm deep and a message from HQ was sent to say that all none operational staff were being sent home.  This was it- my first drive in snow.  It. Was. Horrible. 

My route home contains hills- fairly steep hills at that, and of course if I could get up them- I also had to get back down.  The roads through Walsall centre were fairly okay, it was only once I reached the main crossroads that it all started to get interesting.  Although painfully snow, I got through the town centre and up the first hill without any trouble.  I was feeling quite proud of myself so far in fact- pulling off in second gear, taking the down slope in first and the journey was going fairly smoothly though I was panicking behind the wheel.  However, I wasn't even half way home and this three mile stretch had taken me about 35 minutes.  My normal commuting times is 25-30 minutes! The roads after the first hill had gotten progressively worse in that time, and when I finally reached hill challenge two I could feel Franko's tyres slipping slightly.  I stayed calm, reduced speed and brought him some pretty awsome (if I do say so myself) clutch skills to control it going up the hill.  Hill three, was lurking about 10 minutes round the bend an I started to see my first people skidding around and cars stopping at the side of the road.  I navigated the down slope of hill three pretty perfectly, passing a number of people struggling to get up on the other side.  The next hour, involved painfully slow, ankle aching clutch use as poor little Franko drove along at 15mph maximum.  Hill four was all downhill and here I felt my ABS kick in.  Skidding just feels awful- you feel the car being pulled in opposite directions but it's good how much of your driving instinct kicks in and you just do what you need to whilst bearing in mind all the advice and tips for winter driving.  The last hour was the worst.  The roads were just treacherous and I was getting really hungry and thirsty. People were skidding, sliding and I felt like little Franko was struggling to keep in an adequate gear for the inclines and grip. Aside from the odd Wanker, most drivers were sensible and took it pretty easy.

The snowier side roads close to home were actually moderately better and provided some welcome grip from the slush I'd been sliding in for two hours.  I pulled in and covered up Franko in his snow blanket. He did pretty well considering he's just a little 1.2. :-)  I'm considering investing in some Snow Socks for him.

I have rarely been so relieved to just get back home in the warmth. It took just over two hours.  I'm proud of myself for managing to get home safely though I have to admit to feeling incredibly anxious the whole time.

Stay safe out there folks! Where's my cuppa....

PUNK-ture!

Franko had a puncture on Friday. It was a slow puncture and after having to call out the AA to fit the teeeeeney spare wheel I didn't even know I had- it became clear just what had caused it; a great big nail in Frankos tyre. Poor little Franko looked terribly pathetic with his tiny little spare wheel. It reminded me of Nemo's lucky fin.

Having no car, and being on a training course in Birmingham this week meant resorting to my old mode of commuting- Train! I've missed the train.  I miss being able to read, people watch and listen to my own little soundtrack.  I even miss my walks to and from the station even though I haven't missed the soaking wet clothes from walking in the rain.  Having said that, I've also had to get a bus the last two days and I have to say it's one of the most DIRE experiences now, getting a bus.  FULL of smelly, wierdo's and irritating children.  The seats are dirty and damp, and there's ALWAYS an obligatory empty bottle or drinks can rolling around on the floor up and down the bus which no one wants to touch in case they get infected with disease.  VILE.

After waiting for three days to get his special size tyre delivered (at a cost of £100!?!) I've finally got him back on the road.  I bought him a lovely new cherry air freshener, a boot bag, and a nice car cover for the winter to protect him from the frost and snow, all for being good at the garage while he got fixed.  :)

Welcome back Franko!!!