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Flat White Goes Global
It's like a hideous Catch-22 situation. Flat Whites for me! But from Starbucks. WOE!
It's like a hideous Catch-22 situation. Flat Whites for me! But from Starbucks. WOE!
I want my couch and blanket
Jan. 8th, 2010 11:22 amI have my cranky pants on again.
Yesterday I (among others who had been working from home) were asked to "make the effort if possible by train/taxi to get here if not happy driving and treat tomorrow as a normal working day". Maybe I'm over-reacting, but I feel like the implication is that if we're not at the office we must be treating it like a holiday. So I trudged out into the icy compacted snow all over the footpaths, managed to get a bus down to town, and then the train. I have had to medicate for a tension headache, and am in a thoroughly pissy mood. I am here. I wish them much joy of me.
And so this isn't entirely a post about my bad mood, have a pretty picture of Britain from space.
Yesterday I (among others who had been working from home) were asked to "make the effort if possible by train/taxi to get here if not happy driving and treat tomorrow as a normal working day". Maybe I'm over-reacting, but I feel like the implication is that if we're not at the office we must be treating it like a holiday. So I trudged out into the icy compacted snow all over the footpaths, managed to get a bus down to town, and then the train. I have had to medicate for a tension headache, and am in a thoroughly pissy mood. I am here. I wish them much joy of me.
And so this isn't entirely a post about my bad mood, have a pretty picture of Britain from space.
Lovely Weather We're Having
Jan. 6th, 2010 09:12 amThe last couple of days in the area have been very frosty. No really. See how white it all is? Frost.
Only, yesterday the snow kicked in as well. Now before you make mock, keep in mind that most of England doesn't get a lot of snow on a regular basis, and the South West very rarely. This is the second time in nearly 7 years I've seen a significant amount of snow on the ground. So I'm working from home. In fairness, I wandered out the front about half an hour ago and no one has even thought about trying to get their car out. Not from my road, anyway.
I'd say I was staying safe, except that I slipped on the stairs earlier and fell down. No major damage, but I've definitely jarred my back a bit. Flatmate's second response was, "Are you OK?" Her first response was, "Well that was clever." Funnily enough she got told to fuck off.
Ooooh, spot who's in a bit of a mood.
Anyway. Here is my back garden as of 8.30 this morning.
Only, yesterday the snow kicked in as well. Now before you make mock, keep in mind that most of England doesn't get a lot of snow on a regular basis, and the South West very rarely. This is the second time in nearly 7 years I've seen a significant amount of snow on the ground. So I'm working from home. In fairness, I wandered out the front about half an hour ago and no one has even thought about trying to get their car out. Not from my road, anyway.
I'd say I was staying safe, except that I slipped on the stairs earlier and fell down. No major damage, but I've definitely jarred my back a bit. Flatmate's second response was, "Are you OK?" Her first response was, "Well that was clever." Funnily enough she got told to fuck off.
Ooooh, spot who's in a bit of a mood.
Anyway. Here is my back garden as of 8.30 this morning.
(no subject)
Dec. 31st, 2009 02:52 pmI have done precious little so far since last Thursday. Fortunately 'Rest' was high on my agenda, so I count that as a win.
I have also watched some old movies on TV, including most of High Society (the beginning clashed with Doctor Who, it was a no brainer), both 'An American in Paris' and 'Singing in the Rain' and most of Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death. Which adds up to more TV hours than the previous six months combined. Wallace and Gromit is always class. An American in Paris couldn't quite make up it's mind whether it was a romance or a love letter to Paris. Singing In The Rain is probably the best musical ever - I could watch Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor muck about together forever. High Society... well, it has Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby, and it's based on a great story, so it couldn't be bad, but I prefer Philadelphia Story. Oh hey, I have an icon for that... There we go.
I have also been to meet cats at two local animal shelters. I hadn't realised how much of a palaver it is to adopt a pet over here. I have to take Flatmate to meet the prospective pet, and then they have to do a house inspection. The whole thing takes weeks. It's good that they take it seriously, but come on. Anyway, the point is that there are three or four prospects, and when Flatmate is back from her holiday I'll arrange to take her to meet them all. (She'll be thrilled, I'm sure :oP)
I also am trying to motivate myself for a clean up. 7 days into my 10 day holiday, and I'm not doing too well on that front. I went out to the Bookbarn with a load of books I decided I didn't want to keep, but they weren't taking any more paperback fiction, and I ended up leaving an hour later with more books than I arrived with. However, since I acquired a number of books that are out of print very cheaply, I regret nothing. Mary Stewart and Rosemary Sutcliffe, you are MINE. Including Warrior Scarlet, of which I remember very little apart from that I adored it when I was younger. It's got an appalling 1980s YA Fiction cover, but beggars can't be choosers, and I got the set of The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment in hardcover with (slightly battered) dust jackets as well. This is my 'YAY BOOKS' face. :oD Followed swiftly by my 'Where the fuck am I going to put them' face. :oS
Tonight I'm going out for dinner with some friends, and then on to see the new year in at the pub. Much the same as the year before last, except that this time I am WELL! My Christmas Plague amounted to nothing more than a minor cold for a couple of days. I am choosing to view it as a positive sign of things to come.
Happy New Year, my lovelies. Take care of yourselves.
I have also watched some old movies on TV, including most of High Society (the beginning clashed with Doctor Who, it was a no brainer), both 'An American in Paris' and 'Singing in the Rain' and most of Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death. Which adds up to more TV hours than the previous six months combined. Wallace and Gromit is always class. An American in Paris couldn't quite make up it's mind whether it was a romance or a love letter to Paris. Singing In The Rain is probably the best musical ever - I could watch Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor muck about together forever. High Society... well, it has Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby, and it's based on a great story, so it couldn't be bad, but I prefer Philadelphia Story. Oh hey, I have an icon for that... There we go.
I have also been to meet cats at two local animal shelters. I hadn't realised how much of a palaver it is to adopt a pet over here. I have to take Flatmate to meet the prospective pet, and then they have to do a house inspection. The whole thing takes weeks. It's good that they take it seriously, but come on. Anyway, the point is that there are three or four prospects, and when Flatmate is back from her holiday I'll arrange to take her to meet them all. (She'll be thrilled, I'm sure :oP)
I also am trying to motivate myself for a clean up. 7 days into my 10 day holiday, and I'm not doing too well on that front. I went out to the Bookbarn with a load of books I decided I didn't want to keep, but they weren't taking any more paperback fiction, and I ended up leaving an hour later with more books than I arrived with. However, since I acquired a number of books that are out of print very cheaply, I regret nothing. Mary Stewart and Rosemary Sutcliffe, you are MINE. Including Warrior Scarlet, of which I remember very little apart from that I adored it when I was younger. It's got an appalling 1980s YA Fiction cover, but beggars can't be choosers, and I got the set of The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment in hardcover with (slightly battered) dust jackets as well. This is my 'YAY BOOKS' face. :oD Followed swiftly by my 'Where the fuck am I going to put them' face. :oS
Tonight I'm going out for dinner with some friends, and then on to see the new year in at the pub. Much the same as the year before last, except that this time I am WELL! My Christmas Plague amounted to nothing more than a minor cold for a couple of days. I am choosing to view it as a positive sign of things to come.
Happy New Year, my lovelies. Take care of yourselves.
I have calendar pictures! Thank you everyone who helped. I have ditched Les Baux, Mont St Michel (most regretfully) and the daytime shot of umbrellas in Florence. I have added the nighttime shot of umbrellas in Florence and the inukshuk casting a shadow in the snow.
I have been Doing Things over the last few weeks. It's funny, I keep thinking that I should tell you about the things I'm doing, but I never seem to get around to it.
So. I have been swimming a few times. I go with a friend up to the Uni pool which, for no more cost than the council pool down in town, has a 2m deep pool and no small children. Bliss. I managed 15 lengths of the 50m pool, which could be better but isn't too bad. For some reason the first 3 lengths are always the hardest.
A couple of weeks ago I went to my first ever yoga class. It's a very small class, which I quite like, and held on the lady's home which makes it a nice atmosphere. I felt it for days after! I didn't go last week as I had things I needed to do for the Friday, but I'm planning to go again tomorrow.
Last Friday was the work Christmas Do. Actually, tbh I don't have a lot to say about it. It was a nice night out, I had fun and I looked pretty. :o)
Not having drunk very much (damn meds), I was able to go pruning apple trees the next day at the community orchard. I actually really quite enjoyed it. Next month they're doing wassailing (pronounced 'wossling', natch), which involves blessing all the trees and drinking a lot. Sounds good to me! Although next time I will be a bit more organised and take a thermos of tea, because damn it was cold. Sunny, but cold.
This weekend I'm having brunch with some friends and hitting the Farmer's Market for yummy nibbly things for Christmas. Which is just over a week away. Eep! Must write Christmas cards!
I have been Doing Things over the last few weeks. It's funny, I keep thinking that I should tell you about the things I'm doing, but I never seem to get around to it.
So. I have been swimming a few times. I go with a friend up to the Uni pool which, for no more cost than the council pool down in town, has a 2m deep pool and no small children. Bliss. I managed 15 lengths of the 50m pool, which could be better but isn't too bad. For some reason the first 3 lengths are always the hardest.
A couple of weeks ago I went to my first ever yoga class. It's a very small class, which I quite like, and held on the lady's home which makes it a nice atmosphere. I felt it for days after! I didn't go last week as I had things I needed to do for the Friday, but I'm planning to go again tomorrow.
Last Friday was the work Christmas Do. Actually, tbh I don't have a lot to say about it. It was a nice night out, I had fun and I looked pretty. :o)
Not having drunk very much (damn meds), I was able to go pruning apple trees the next day at the community orchard. I actually really quite enjoyed it. Next month they're doing wassailing (pronounced 'wossling', natch), which involves blessing all the trees and drinking a lot. Sounds good to me! Although next time I will be a bit more organised and take a thermos of tea, because damn it was cold. Sunny, but cold.
This weekend I'm having brunch with some friends and hitting the Farmer's Market for yummy nibbly things for Christmas. Which is just over a week away. Eep! Must write Christmas cards!
(no subject)
Oct. 29th, 2009 03:29 pmI just emailed the property manager to get them to ask the landlord whether it would be OK for me to get a cat.
I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET A CAT!!! I MISS HAVING A CAT. AND IF I'M ALLOWED, I CAN GO HANG OUT AT CAT HOMES TILL I FIND MY CAT. IT WOULD BE SOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!
I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET A CAT!!! I MISS HAVING A CAT. AND IF I'M ALLOWED, I CAN GO HANG OUT AT CAT HOMES TILL I FIND MY CAT. IT WOULD BE SOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!
Frankly, if Tuesday involved anything but tissues and a high temperature I don't remember it, so I'm skipping Tuesday and moving on.
On Wednesday, Workmate C had her baby. A little girl called Vita, who came after a mercifully quick labour.
On Thursday I had a good chat with L about workload distribution and how I could be doing more, and in fact would be happier doing more. Her little face lit up. I have hope for at least a little more work. I also went back to my counsellor. I kind of love that woman. I am pretty good at working things through, but she always helps make things clearer and helps me find next steps. Things we established are: I have done everything I can ref situation with BossBoss, now I need to look beyond it. Because a big part of what I ultimately want is beyond the company's ability to give me. I want to be busy and engaged and challenged, but the client is just not sending the work through. So although I used to get those things from my job, I don't anymore. It's nobody's fault, it's just the way it is, and I need to start looking elsewhere for that sense of achievement that I want so badly. So that's what I'm working on for the next few weeks. It's so good to have a sense of forward movement again. I haven't even done anything yet, but I suddenly don't feel like there's nowhere to go. I can't tell you how good that feels.
We are having a lovely Autumn at the moment. The leaves and mornings are bright and crisp. The colours are rich with turning leaves and gleaming berries. It's just cold enough in the mornings and evenings to warrant scarves and maybe, just maybe, arm-warmers but warm enough in the afternoon for t-shirts. It's soup weather. I love soup weather.
On Wednesday, Workmate C had her baby. A little girl called Vita, who came after a mercifully quick labour.
On Thursday I had a good chat with L about workload distribution and how I could be doing more, and in fact would be happier doing more. Her little face lit up. I have hope for at least a little more work. I also went back to my counsellor. I kind of love that woman. I am pretty good at working things through, but she always helps make things clearer and helps me find next steps. Things we established are: I have done everything I can ref situation with BossBoss, now I need to look beyond it. Because a big part of what I ultimately want is beyond the company's ability to give me. I want to be busy and engaged and challenged, but the client is just not sending the work through. So although I used to get those things from my job, I don't anymore. It's nobody's fault, it's just the way it is, and I need to start looking elsewhere for that sense of achievement that I want so badly. So that's what I'm working on for the next few weeks. It's so good to have a sense of forward movement again. I haven't even done anything yet, but I suddenly don't feel like there's nowhere to go. I can't tell you how good that feels.
We are having a lovely Autumn at the moment. The leaves and mornings are bright and crisp. The colours are rich with turning leaves and gleaming berries. It's just cold enough in the mornings and evenings to warrant scarves and maybe, just maybe, arm-warmers but warm enough in the afternoon for t-shirts. It's soup weather. I love soup weather.
So, uh. Hi everyone. It occurs to me that some of you are interested in my actual life, so!
( Click or skip. I offer you the choice )
( Click or skip. I offer you the choice )
State of the Debitha
Jun. 1st, 2009 11:17 amIt cracks me up just how much our house is not designed for six people. Want a shower or a cup of tea? You need to be quick and/or patient.
So Flatmate's parents have been and gone without any issues. F was really pleased to see them, but quite traumatised by their departure on Saturday.
We both have our birthdays at the end of May, so we had a bit of a party on Saturday night, which was really good.![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
tiapia and smarla both came - tiapia stayed the whole weekend, which was super awesome. We did 'Pie At The Raven' on Friday night, and on Saturday went to a spa in town for some manicure/pedicure pampering. Then we mooched around the Farmers' Market, had lunch at Jamie's Italian (mmmmmm, polenta chips), got ready for the party, and had a barbeque dinner. As regards the party, it was all very civilised. Although for a very civilised party, we got through a hell of a lot of booze.
I blame the meds for the fact that two glasses of Buck's Fizz (champagne with orange juice, in case you wondered) left me gently hanging on Sunday. Not that it mattered. TP and I went down to my increasingly attractive back garden and lazed about on the sun lounger and garden chairs I bought on Friday. I can't remember the last time the weather was nice on my birthday, but this year had it in spades. After TP left, F and her boyfriend took me to the Garden Centre, and now my garden has lavender, rosemary, lemonbalm and borage in pots, and will soon smell lovely.
I had my hair cut short a week or so back, and decided that I really was over blonde. So now instead of having long curly blonde hair, I have short straight brown hair. It has taken a few days to get used to, particularly the colour, but I really like it.
Generally things are better than they were, due to some combination of awareness, meds and pleasant weather. Whatever the cause, I am a much happier bunny than I was a couple of months ago. Roll on 30!
So Flatmate's parents have been and gone without any issues. F was really pleased to see them, but quite traumatised by their departure on Saturday.
We both have our birthdays at the end of May, so we had a bit of a party on Saturday night, which was really good.
tiapia and smarla both came - tiapia stayed the whole weekend, which was super awesome. We did 'Pie At The Raven' on Friday night, and on Saturday went to a spa in town for some manicure/pedicure pampering. Then we mooched around the Farmers' Market, had lunch at Jamie's Italian (mmmmmm, polenta chips), got ready for the party, and had a barbeque dinner. As regards the party, it was all very civilised. Although for a very civilised party, we got through a hell of a lot of booze.I blame the meds for the fact that two glasses of Buck's Fizz (champagne with orange juice, in case you wondered) left me gently hanging on Sunday. Not that it mattered. TP and I went down to my increasingly attractive back garden and lazed about on the sun lounger and garden chairs I bought on Friday. I can't remember the last time the weather was nice on my birthday, but this year had it in spades. After TP left, F and her boyfriend took me to the Garden Centre, and now my garden has lavender, rosemary, lemonbalm and borage in pots, and will soon smell lovely.
I had my hair cut short a week or so back, and decided that I really was over blonde. So now instead of having long curly blonde hair, I have short straight brown hair. It has taken a few days to get used to, particularly the colour, but I really like it.
Generally things are better than they were, due to some combination of awareness, meds and pleasant weather. Whatever the cause, I am a much happier bunny than I was a couple of months ago. Roll on 30!
It's a funny old day today. Sunny and rainy, with lots and lots of wind.
I have decided to embrace adulthood (for a certain value of adulthood) and buy myself a car for my birthday. So I traipsed out to Trowbridge today, as there are a number of 2nd hand dealers fairly close to each other. I keep forgetting how pretty the train trip out there is. Green fields, and the railway line follows the river pretty closely, and the May trees are out.
So at the moment I have a couple of possibilities. One is a Citroen C3, the other is a Nissan Micra. On the whole I would prefer an Asian make, rather than a European one, as they are more reliable. The Nissan is about a grand cheaper, but the Citroen has very low mileage, will be given a full service and MOT (WoF equivalent) before I take it, and has a 12 month warranty as opposed to 3 on the Nissan. Also, the Nissan is a diesel, and diesel is expensive here. Workmate K has a Citroen so I will pick her brains about reliability and so on. But does anyone have any thoughts?
Having tired myself out walking around Trowbridge and test driving cars, I figured it was time for a late lunch. So I went to Yen and ate way the hell too much sushi, but it was so good. OMNOMNOM!
I have decided to embrace adulthood (for a certain value of adulthood) and buy myself a car for my birthday. So I traipsed out to Trowbridge today, as there are a number of 2nd hand dealers fairly close to each other. I keep forgetting how pretty the train trip out there is. Green fields, and the railway line follows the river pretty closely, and the May trees are out.
So at the moment I have a couple of possibilities. One is a Citroen C3, the other is a Nissan Micra. On the whole I would prefer an Asian make, rather than a European one, as they are more reliable. The Nissan is about a grand cheaper, but the Citroen has very low mileage, will be given a full service and MOT (WoF equivalent) before I take it, and has a 12 month warranty as opposed to 3 on the Nissan. Also, the Nissan is a diesel, and diesel is expensive here. Workmate K has a Citroen so I will pick her brains about reliability and so on. But does anyone have any thoughts?
Having tired myself out walking around Trowbridge and test driving cars, I figured it was time for a late lunch. So I went to Yen and ate way the hell too much sushi, but it was so good. OMNOMNOM!
I have gardened, and gardened mightily.
I decided to get a proper gardener in to sort out the mess that our garden is. That and the lovely weather this weekend had me out doing some of it. Last week the gardener left some plants for the newly-dug bed in the front garden, so they are now all planted and looking nice.
Then I turned mine eye to the enormous and out of control forsythia and buddleia along the boundary with the neighbour on the other side. I gave both of them a pretty good prune last year, but didn't go as far as I wanted to. Today I had a chat with said neighbour who a) hates the buddleia and b) has a hacksaw. Between us we took 4-6 feet off the top, and I have taken out a lot of the width as well. It's all looking a bit naked at the moment, but it'll grow back and hopefully be easier to manage.
I am quite excited at the prospect of having a garden that is both nice to be in and manageable. The gardener is not just clearing out the crap, but rebuilding all the borders and such like. I think it is going to look really good.
Also had a chat with Workmate L on Friday and sorted a few things out, so hopefully some of the work situation will start to sort itself out.
I wonder why googleads is trying to sell me... I think either internet service or a survey in German. Oh googleads, why so weird?
I decided to get a proper gardener in to sort out the mess that our garden is. That and the lovely weather this weekend had me out doing some of it. Last week the gardener left some plants for the newly-dug bed in the front garden, so they are now all planted and looking nice.
Then I turned mine eye to the enormous and out of control forsythia and buddleia along the boundary with the neighbour on the other side. I gave both of them a pretty good prune last year, but didn't go as far as I wanted to. Today I had a chat with said neighbour who a) hates the buddleia and b) has a hacksaw. Between us we took 4-6 feet off the top, and I have taken out a lot of the width as well. It's all looking a bit naked at the moment, but it'll grow back and hopefully be easier to manage.
I am quite excited at the prospect of having a garden that is both nice to be in and manageable. The gardener is not just clearing out the crap, but rebuilding all the borders and such like. I think it is going to look really good.
Also had a chat with Workmate L on Friday and sorted a few things out, so hopefully some of the work situation will start to sort itself out.
I wonder why googleads is trying to sell me... I think either internet service or a survey in German. Oh googleads, why so weird?
I have climbed
Apr. 29th, 2009 12:39 pmMy hands feel like I've been playing with a sand-grinder.
My muscles are OK today, except for my butt. I expect the pain to kick in tomorrow, although I have been stretching like crazy so I might yet fight it off.
I didn't do anything too difficult. I am horrendously out of shape, so I stuck to the easy ones (5a - Bristol Climbing Center uses the French scale) but was able to do 4 or 5 before my arms gave out. They all went pretty well, though. I remember all the technique stuff, so now it's just a question of building up the muscle tone. Which requires me to continue climbing on a regular basis. *gives self a stern look*
Seriously though, my butt hurts.
My muscles are OK today, except for my butt. I expect the pain to kick in tomorrow, although I have been stretching like crazy so I might yet fight it off.
I didn't do anything too difficult. I am horrendously out of shape, so I stuck to the easy ones (5a - Bristol Climbing Center uses the French scale) but was able to do 4 or 5 before my arms gave out. They all went pretty well, though. I remember all the technique stuff, so now it's just a question of building up the muscle tone. Which requires me to continue climbing on a regular basis. *gives self a stern look*
Seriously though, my butt hurts.
One of those horrible Pop Factor people has been out ruining perfectly good songs. I really love Run by Snow Patrol. It has a wonderful gentle intensity to it. And now some dopey Whitney-wannabe has re-released it with overblown strings and Mariah-Carey-esque warblings. What's the opposite of impressed? Because UNimpressed is just the absence of, and I am so far beyond that.
Winter has kicked firmly in. There have been some spectacular frosts for the last week or so, not clearing for most of the day. It has in short been pretty goddamn cold. However, not as cold as Winnipeg (where I will be visiting just after Christmas). It was -35 degrees today. I am told we will mostly be inside buildings and cars. Minus 35!
I am rather hoping that the cold I am nursing at the moment is the sum total of my traditional Christmas Plague. Being horrendously unwell on a 1 week trip to Guatemala was pretty rough, but in Canadian winter for 3 weeks? Not cool. At the moment I just have a nuisancey cough left. I live in hope.
I went skating again on Sunday, for the second time ever. The more pleasant weather (ie lack of rain and hail) made it a bit easier, but also meant there were a lot more people on the ice this time. It's quite difficult to avoid crashing into people who randomly and uncontrollably zip in front of you, especially when your only stop method is "drift to a gradual halt". Miraculously I did not fall over. I count it a victory.
Work's Christmas Do is tomorrow night, so that should be fun. I have a pretty green dress, and dye for my roots. I have now been blonde for nearly two years. I think I am nearly ready for a change. Next time though.
We now return you to your regular schedule.
Winter has kicked firmly in. There have been some spectacular frosts for the last week or so, not clearing for most of the day. It has in short been pretty goddamn cold. However, not as cold as Winnipeg (where I will be visiting just after Christmas). It was -35 degrees today. I am told we will mostly be inside buildings and cars. Minus 35!
I am rather hoping that the cold I am nursing at the moment is the sum total of my traditional Christmas Plague. Being horrendously unwell on a 1 week trip to Guatemala was pretty rough, but in Canadian winter for 3 weeks? Not cool. At the moment I just have a nuisancey cough left. I live in hope.
I went skating again on Sunday, for the second time ever. The more pleasant weather (ie lack of rain and hail) made it a bit easier, but also meant there were a lot more people on the ice this time. It's quite difficult to avoid crashing into people who randomly and uncontrollably zip in front of you, especially when your only stop method is "drift to a gradual halt". Miraculously I did not fall over. I count it a victory.
Work's Christmas Do is tomorrow night, so that should be fun. I have a pretty green dress, and dye for my roots. I have now been blonde for nearly two years. I think I am nearly ready for a change. Next time though.
We now return you to your regular schedule.
You Always Stole All My Last Words
Nov. 2nd, 2008 12:40 pmMy new British passport came through in what may be a record 3 days. I feel this is an attempt (however feeble) at compensating for the appalling trauma of applying for the damn thing in the first place. There were various issues and incidents, but the one I am most aggrieved by is the picture. I had a nice picture ready to go, but if you squint at it you can see my teeth. No-one has explained the problem with this, so I can only assume that terrorists show their teeth in their passports, and therefore no-one showing their teeth in their passport picture is allowed to have a passport as they are clearly a terrorist. As a result I now own a ten-year zit. Oh usually they go away after a few days, but this one I get to cherish for the next decade. Thanks a bunch Passport Service.
Leaving such whinging behind, the delightfulsokky graced me with her presence for a couple of days last week. We did the usual Bath-ly things of wandering about and admiring the Georgian architecture, and the Roman Baths and doing the Jane Austen thing and geeking out over Georgette Heyer. We had pie at the Raven (a must-do when in Bath) with smarla on Wednesday, and lunch at Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant. Deep-fried polenta "chips" with rosemary, you guys, OMG yum!
Sometime in between my dashing out the door at 5pm on Wednesday and the end of Thursday (I took Thursday and Friday off for Sok's visit) my workmates apparently decided to dress up for Halloween on Friday. I have been promised pictures, and cannot wait. It's not terribly significant, but it hits pretty damn high on the random scale!
Yesterday I attended a friend's wedding, but that one probably deserves a post of its own.
P.S. LJ's spell check junction does not recogise (amongst other things) "LJ" or "OMG", probably two of the most high usage abbreviations on LJ. LJ Spell Check: Fail.
Leaving such whinging behind, the delightful
sokky graced me with her presence for a couple of days last week. We did the usual Bath-ly things of wandering about and admiring the Georgian architecture, and the Roman Baths and doing the Jane Austen thing smarla on Wednesday, and lunch at Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant. Deep-fried polenta "chips" with rosemary, you guys, OMG yum!Sometime in between my dashing out the door at 5pm on Wednesday and the end of Thursday (I took Thursday and Friday off for Sok's visit) my workmates apparently decided to dress up for Halloween on Friday. I have been promised pictures, and cannot wait. It's not terribly significant, but it hits pretty damn high on the random scale!
Yesterday I attended a friend's wedding, but that one probably deserves a post of its own.
P.S. LJ's spell check junction does not recogise (amongst other things) "LJ" or "OMG", probably two of the most high usage abbreviations on LJ. LJ Spell Check: Fail.
Coats for Cold
Oct. 20th, 2008 07:21 pmMy black wool coat has served me well over the last 5 years, but it is starting to get a bit thin at the bum, and I am getting very tired of sewing the buttons back on.
So, despite the fact that I want a black coat, my heart is very nearly set on this one. However, I am not sure about the fact that it is cotton. (The woman in the shop said it was wool.) Wouldn't cotton just get wet and cold and clammy?
Other runners are:
Wool, nice style, quite simple but a bit different with the trim.
Also wool, funky design, quite cheap. Not sure about the fit though. (I have just seen it online, not tried it on.)
And just for lulz, Check it out, yo.
Thoughts and opinions?
So, despite the fact that I want a black coat, my heart is very nearly set on this one. However, I am not sure about the fact that it is cotton. (The woman in the shop said it was wool.) Wouldn't cotton just get wet and cold and clammy?
Other runners are:
Wool, nice style, quite simple but a bit different with the trim.
Also wool, funky design, quite cheap. Not sure about the fit though. (I have just seen it online, not tried it on.)
And just for lulz, Check it out, yo.
Thoughts and opinions?
Walking home tonight I walked past a man talking loudly on his mobile. He had a very welsh accent and was gesticulating wildly. There was something about building the Titanic over the river and then blah blah blah, blah blah blah, blah blah blah, blahblahblah.
A double take later I was relieved to find that he really was saying, "Blah blah blah", and it wasn't just what I was hearing. I mean, my listening skills are not always great. I sometimes wander off mentally in meetings, but to actually just be hearing filler would be a bit alarming.
Weather is getting cold and wintery so I am making Apple Crumble. Pretty sure there is not enough butter in the crumble part, though. I will report back.
A double take later I was relieved to find that he really was saying, "Blah blah blah", and it wasn't just what I was hearing. I mean, my listening skills are not always great. I sometimes wander off mentally in meetings, but to actually just be hearing filler would be a bit alarming.
Weather is getting cold and wintery so I am making Apple Crumble. Pretty sure there is not enough butter in the crumble part, though. I will report back.
I wonder what poor bastard insured that
Sep. 23rd, 2008 07:07 pmBy which I mean the new Southgate development, which day quite spectacularly caught fire.
No idea what happened, except that it meant I had to walk 45 minutes home from the other side of town from the Oldfield Park station, because they weren't allowed to stop at Bath Spa. My feet hurt. :o(
Plus I am starving. Stirfry magic rice for dinner, I think!
No idea what happened, except that it meant I had to walk 45 minutes home from the other side of town from the Oldfield Park station, because they weren't allowed to stop at Bath Spa. My feet hurt. :o(
Plus I am starving. Stirfry magic rice for dinner, I think!
And that was another week
Sep. 21st, 2008 01:37 pmAs expected, when J came to visit last weekend we ate a lot and watched most of Jane Eyre. This would be the 2006 BBC version with Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens. Did that make it to NZ TV ever? Did anyone see it? I completely loved it. Jane is very clearly a basically decent person, but is also portrayed as a very passionate one, where often is she is portrayed as very prim, and a bit superior. And Mr Rochester is done very sympathetically. He's very much shown as having a plan, but tripping over himself from time to time. Also, I could listen to him talk forever.
It looks like we're getting an Indian Summer for our Autumn. It's getting pretty damn cold overnight, but it's lovely during the day. (Which is why I have to go do some gardening after I post this.) I just hope it's enough to fend off the blues for the coming winter. I've been getting pretty down over the last couple of months at the rain and the grey. Where does the term "Indian Summer" come from, does anyone know?
J came back this weekend, and we pretty much did more of the same - we finished watching Jane Eyre, and went to the 2nd Best Book Shop in the World (it's good to live in Bath), where she bought 7 more books, although one of them was for me. (Yay!) We went and sat in Victoria Park in the sun for about an hour and then wandered of again. As we were leaving the park she said, "You know, I'm actually pretty hungry." At that moment we walked past a No Entry sign which some young charmer had tagged wth "Nachos". J said, "Mmmmmmm, nachos." I responded with, "Yeah. [Pause] Actually, yeah." And so we went in search of nachos. Which we found. In a cafe which had been recommended to us by an aussie guy I chat to sometimes at the farmer's market. (He sells pies.) And the nachos were good, and all was well with the world. So my question is this: was the universe conspiring to get us good nachos, with a conspiracy beginning over a week ago, or are we just incredibly suggestible?
Garden, here I come!
It looks like we're getting an Indian Summer for our Autumn. It's getting pretty damn cold overnight, but it's lovely during the day. (Which is why I have to go do some gardening after I post this.) I just hope it's enough to fend off the blues for the coming winter. I've been getting pretty down over the last couple of months at the rain and the grey. Where does the term "Indian Summer" come from, does anyone know?
J came back this weekend, and we pretty much did more of the same - we finished watching Jane Eyre, and went to the 2nd Best Book Shop in the World (it's good to live in Bath), where she bought 7 more books, although one of them was for me. (Yay!) We went and sat in Victoria Park in the sun for about an hour and then wandered of again. As we were leaving the park she said, "You know, I'm actually pretty hungry." At that moment we walked past a No Entry sign which some young charmer had tagged wth "Nachos". J said, "Mmmmmmm, nachos." I responded with, "Yeah. [Pause] Actually, yeah." And so we went in search of nachos. Which we found. In a cafe which had been recommended to us by an aussie guy I chat to sometimes at the farmer's market. (He sells pies.) And the nachos were good, and all was well with the world. So my question is this: was the universe conspiring to get us good nachos, with a conspiracy beginning over a week ago, or are we just incredibly suggestible?
Garden, here I come!
Apropo of someone in the office having yoghurt for breakfast, my manager just asked what was French for yoghurt.
It was a close thing, but I managed not to answer with "Yoplait".
It was a close thing, but I managed not to answer with "Yoplait".
My books, let me show you them
Aug. 11th, 2008 07:35 pmOn Saturday it was cold and wet and I was mooching around town, so I swung by The Best Bookshop in the World. An hour or so later I walked out, the pleased owner of 4 shiny new books. Then I got home and was confronted by my already fairly large "To Read" pile. Oops.
I haven't been reading a lot lately - mostly surfing the internet, or entering a vegetative state. So I am going to write it out here as a motivation. Sometimes that even works. And then as I finish the books I will (well, may) tell you about them. You lucky, lucky people.
( A honking great To Read pile )
I haven't been reading a lot lately - mostly surfing the internet, or entering a vegetative state. So I am going to write it out here as a motivation. Sometimes that even works. And then as I finish the books I will (well, may) tell you about them. You lucky, lucky people.
( A honking great To Read pile )
