| (no subject) |
[May. 26th, 2009|05:03 pm] |
Lots to catch up on, I guess.
My dad died on the 3rd of April, but at least he went in his sleep. He'd been physically fighting for a week before he went, despite the insane levels of morphine they had him on. But he just stopped breathing a little after 10am, having not woken that day.
We decided to go ahead with the wedding, because I think it's what he wanted us to do. He'd been talking about travelling up, only a week before he died, and I didn't want to change the date because that way he knew where we'd be. That sounds so daft, sorry, but I needed him to know where we were, and changing things would have meant he didn't know.
The following Monday, I got knocked off the bike by some twat who pulled out of a junction without checking for filtering bikes. Yes, I know filtering is a risk (a completely legal one, mind!), but it was on the Seven Sisters Road, where there is an almost constant line of bikes, and the guy who hit me lived on the sideroad he pulled out of... (He was turning right across moving traffic, and had floored it to make it through a gap that wasn't really there in the cars anyway...).
Luckily! I had spotted him and anchored up fairly sharpish, but managed to keep the bike upright. Until he went into the side of us (he'd eventually noticed the big black bike with blazing lights, it seems...). The impact knocked me over, which resulted in a beautiful dent in his bonnet where I hit it, an equally awesome scratch where my barends slid across the paintwork, and a slightly bruised leg for me, where I was pushed into my engine bars. Bike ended up on her side in the middle of the road, I was still standing, and he was reversing pretty damn sharpish back into his side road.
Called the police, and wouldn't move the bike until they got there - amazingly, apart from a decorative bit of metallic plastic coming off, she seemed ok (and still does! Running fine, and put about 2k miles on her since then!). His car, however, not so good... However, I don't think he'll be trying to claim anything on the grounds that the police turned up and seized his car. Because that's what you get for driving with no insurance, on your third year in this country on you Cypriot licence. Ha! Take that! Still, I guess I wouldn't be so pleased if my bike had been damaged :|
April 20th (Monday) was the funeral. I'd been pretty together until then, I think, but I completely lost it (and I'm not anywhere near being back together, even vaguely...)
All a bit close to the wedding on the 25th (Saturday).
Wedding was really nice. 20 people, Scottish castle, open fire, candles, drink, cheese, and lovely lovely people. It was nice to have a quiet affair - don't think I could have coped with some massive do. The photographers were a bit much at times, but the results are really nice, so I'll forgive them :)
We wombled off to Lisbon for 4 nights, as a completely last minute sort of thing (booked in the early hours of Tuesday, flew out Wednesday morning!). It was good to get away.
Been back at work for 3 weeks now, and all is good. In Kingston at the moment, but will be moving to the Old Bailey in the next few months. However! We're looking to buy a house in Kingston! I know it's an expensive area, but it's really nice, and we've worked out that we can afford it! Hoping for a 3-bed, but a 2-bed is more realistic. The market there seems to move really quickly, so we're spending the weekend doing the while "mortgage in principle" thing so that we can go beyond the "browning the internet" stage of house-hunting.
It's a scary, scary thought this house-buying lark. Still, it will be nice to have somewhere to ourselves, where there isn't a stand-off about emptying the bins (if it's empty before we go away, surely it can't be our job to take it out when we get back 2 weeks later and it's overflowing and sticking? Apparantly it is!).
Ah well.
I'm sure there will be another update, but who knows when? |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 11th, 2009|10:28 pm] |
It's spread. And is big enough and aggressive enough that they are not going to treat as it won't do any good.
Prognosis is at "weeks".
Numb. |
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| B O U N C E ! ! ! |
[Apr. 15th, 2008|11:24 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  jubilant | ] |
For the next few days, you might well require wings to speak to me, because I will be bouncing somewhere close to the ceiling if not higher.
This can only mean one thing: Rich is coming home on Monday - 2 weeks earlier than expected!
BOUNCE!!! |
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| Monies! I has them! (but not any more, boo!) |
[Mar. 31st, 2008|10:10 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  sleepy | ] |
It has been an expensive weekend, all told. Bought Rich shiny DVDs and stuff to keep him entertained on his boat - hurrah for Amazon and ebay for making it so much cheaper than it should have been!
And then there is the evil of weightloss. Don't get me wrong, losing weight is GREAT! Down to a size 14(ish) - as in the size 16 trousers I tried on were mahoosive, and although the 14s are a teeny bit tight, it is only a teeny bit. Which we can deal with as I've just started my swimming/running routine, and I'm going to start fencing again when Rich comes home from sea (nothing says "I love you" like impaling someone with 3 feet of metal, oh no!). But with the sales on I was able to get 3 pairs of nice trousers for work from River Island for under £60 - can't complain about that! It's nice to be wearing clothes I don't have to pull up every few second...
What I really object to is bra shopping. Once upon a time (about... 4years ago?) I was a hefty 42DD, and it was impossible to buy pretty bras. And yesterday I traded in my 36FF for a mindboggling 32GG/H (depending on manufacturer). That's just scary. But support is NICE! I dislike how they can charge so much money for something that really is essential wear - and 3 of the cheap range bras set me back £73! I ask you! And that's for relatively plain things (not a huge amount of choice, mind - given my habit of wearing v-necked tops, plunge-style underwear is something of a necessity. And Bravissimo don't carry a huge amount of those...)
Still, today I am dressed in pretty new clothes, with newly cut hair, and I feel like a real grownup rather than a kid who has been playing in he mother's wardrobe. Long may it continue!
For some reason I slept really badly last night - I've been ok since last weekend (once the oddity of sleeping alone passed), but I spent more time awake than asleep last night, and I feel dead in my seat at work. Ergh. |
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| Meep :( |
[Mar. 21st, 2008|06:26 pm] |
After a practically perfect week off work, spent bimbling around Wansford, York (day trip... don't ask!), and London (including the transport museum in Covent Garden!), Rich left this morning to fly out to Barbados for the start of a 6-week-anna-bit stint working on a cruise ship. So if I seem a bit mopey this weekend, pray forgive me - the prospect of spending so long without him is a little daunting, given that we have all but lived in each others pockets since early January. It'll pass, just take a little getting used to.
I shall, methinks, take the opportunity of his absence to actually get stuff done - what was once normality has been somewhat shelved in favour of nights nestled on the sofa or climbing walls. Which, whilst I wouldn't change it for the world, means that cinema, dancing, and MUDding have been sidelined to an extent. I might finally find time to code my workroom!
Still, back to work on Monday - no rest for the wicked, it seems. |
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| New number |
[Mar. 7th, 2008|04:05 pm] |
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Thanks to some grave incompetancy, my phone number no longer exists, and has been replaced by the following: 07738 894875 |
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| Pondering... |
[Feb. 22nd, 2008|04:28 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  nervous | ] |
Should you ask a question when you are almost certain of the answer? When it is far too soon by so many conventions? And when the answer you are almost certain to receive is likely to destroy something you don't want to lose, and ruin plans already made?
Questions alter atmospheres, and lead to loss. And yet if not asked, how will you ever know. And another four years is an impossible time.
Chicken that I am. |
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| Happiness, and stuff! |
[Feb. 8th, 2008|12:34 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  exhausted | ] |
My life has gone from doing almost nothing but play on the MUD every evening and weekend, to actively having to make time to play outside of work! Healthy, perhaps, but I kind of miss it :(
It's not been helped this week by a veitable explosion in the prison population - most nights it has been around 7pm before I've escaped the office, and exhaustion is beginning to set in.
But tomorrow there shall be sleep! Followed by the Mikado tomorrow night (ENO version, yum!). And more G&S in the form of Iolanthe (huzzah!) on Tuesday, climbing Wednesday, and meeting Rich's dad on Thursday. Argh!
And then Febmeet!
I am in danger of having a life. Somebody stop me!
Nevermind - it will all come to an end when he sods off on a boat for almost 7 weeks at the end of March... |
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| Meme wossit filched from Eri! |
[Jan. 31st, 2008|02:54 pm] |
1) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
A.
2) What was your dream growing up?
A.
3) What talent do you wish you had?
A.
4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
A.
5) Favorite vegetable?
A.
6) What was the last book you read?
A.
7) What zodiac sign are you?
A.
8) Any tattoos and/or piercings? Explain where.
A.
9) Worst habit?
A.
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
A.
11) What is your favorite sport?
A.
12) Do you have a negative or optimistic attitude?
A.
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
A.
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
A.
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
A.
16) Do you have any pets?
A.
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
A.
18) What was your first impression of me? (hmmm...careful!)
A.
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
A.
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
A.
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
A.
22) What color eyes do you have?
A.
23) Ever been arrested?
A.
24) Bottle or can soda?
A.
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
A.
27) What's your favorite place to hang at?
A.
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
A.
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
A.
30) Do you swear a lot?
A.
31) Biggest pet peeve?
A.
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
A.
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
A.
35) Do you believe in God?
A.
36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?
A. |
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| Another one bites the dust... |
[Jan. 2nd, 2008|10:51 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | optimistic | ] |
2008.
Scary stuff, eh?
New Year was spent nestled on a bench in Alexandra Palace Park, high above the city. Slightly intoxicated youths, armed with only the basics of pyrotechnics, a vast quantity of explosives, and a lighter, provided the small crowd on the hill with an intimate display - without casulaty, which was pleasant.
And when the time came, the city below lit up in a cloud of starbursts dancing their momentary existances from east to west.
And a slow amble home through the silent streets, the stillness occasionally punctuated by a blast of pop through tinny speakers, and home.
And this year is to be one of hope, of trust, of belief. And happiness. |
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| Lush-tastic |
[Dec. 27th, 2007|11:24 am] |
Mmmmmm, Lush sale!
I bought: 2 lots of Flying Fox shower gel, 1 lot of Snow Fairy shower gel, and 1 lot of American Dream conditioner. Which set me back £45 (made up for by the fact that I received Lush vouchers from the brother).
I got for FREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!: 1xLush Legends (big, glittery should be £99.50), and 2x Wish List (not so big, still shiny, should be £49.95 each).
The girl done good ;)
And now the office smells of Lush :D |
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| Meep :( |
[Dec. 9th, 2007|10:20 pm] |
So it seems that my mother fell down the stairs on Thursday morning, in an attempt to avoid treading on the cats who have adopted it as their lurking spot. Was taken to hospital, strapped to a board. Luckily it is a case of severe bruising, but nothing broken. She can't move without help, but it is a lot better than it could have been. As she says, it's one way of getting out of the work night out...
What annoys me is the fact that I found this out this afternoon. Note, Sunday. My dad, in his usual way, completely failed to pass on what I would have considered somewhat important news.
Men! |
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| meowf! |
[Dec. 3rd, 2007|03:01 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | groggy | ] |
Coming down with some damn cold thingy. Although, seeing as I don't get colds, it is likely to be something stronger. Especially given the bit where I nearly feel down the stairs because my head started spinning... Fun!
And the MUD seems to be broken, so I am having to pretend to do work for once. Grrrr...
But it will soon be Wednesday, and that equals hugs, however brief :)
*needs real hugs* |
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| Reasons to love men... |
[Nov. 28th, 2007|03:28 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | happy | ] |
They manage to fix the 3G card work gave me so that I can abuse the interwebs without paying extortionate monies to T-Mobile :D
And they are warm and snuggly, and make me feel safe :) |
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| Squee! |
[Nov. 27th, 2007|04:47 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | content | ] |
Third time lucky!
Arriving at the hotel last night, after cleverly napping on the train (I seem to be having trouble with sleep, to the extent that however much I actually get, I keep dozing off. Ergh...), I was presented with the key to my charming single room on the third floor. So off I merrily trudge, carting the case of doom up the narrow staircase, along pokey corridors, until I came to my room. Key in door. Check. Chain on. How odd. So, not thinking, I muzzily slid my hand through the crack and clasped the chain - hoping to release it. Imagine my shock when a voice came from what I was certain was my room, asking what the hell I was doing! I explained that yes, I did have the key to this room, and therefore it was mine! He promptly showed me his key for the same room and - as he was already settled in, I proceeded to stalk back to the reception.
Now, asking the receptionist if perhaps I might have a room that wasn't already occupied, in my politest little bitch voice, might have been unwise, given the events that followed. I received a hasty, flustered apology, and a key to a double room - upgraded as compensation.
A double room on the fourth floor. At the back of the hotel. Not so much of a trudge as a veritable hike from reception, to what can only be described as an attic, home to two rooms. Key in door. Check. No voice from the other side - an improvement indeed! Turn key in lock. No, wait. No, yes, it will turn, dammit! Turn you bastard! Ah, there we go. Key turns, but has bugger all effect on the locked status of the door. Right, thinks I, in my 'this is not happening' mentality. Maybe it's just stiff. However, anything that doesn't open with a turned key and thirteen stone of pissed off Laura behind it probably is actually a problem. So, to reception once more...
In retrospect, the girl at the desk has my sympathies. I've been there, done that, in so many ways. But when she stepped out from the office to see me at the counter, the death stare hovering on the edge of my expression, her face dropped utterly. 'Third time lucky?' She nodded, and fumbled a key to me, which I took in silence, dragging the ankle-biting case behing me as I strode towards the stairs. Key in door. Check. Key opens door - a veritable improvement indeed!
Open door, hit light! We seem to be onto a winner! OK, where's the bed?
Oh! Ok... It's not a room. It's, it's, well, it's a suite! OK, no more complaints from this quarter!
And fluffs to unexpected company :)
Seeing as he has to be in Bicester tomorrow night, and I am lounging in my -suite- in my Banbury hotel, it would seem somewhat foolish to waste the opportunity.
And it'll give me something to do when I can't access the mud, I suppose...
Hurrah for geography! |
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| And in other news... |
[Nov. 26th, 2007|12:18 pm] |
...I have managed to get tickets for Kate Rusby in Brighton on the 15th, as London was sold out. Which means a day of stormswept beaches, scalding coffee in firelit pubs, and chips flavoured with the salt-scented air. Yum.
Oh, and Kate Rusby :D |
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| Happiness |
[Nov. 26th, 2007|11:45 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | content | ] |
"Here's a toast to each of us, and all of us together.
Here's a toast to happiness and reasonable pride.
May our touch on life be lighter than a seabird's feather,
And may all sorrows as we pass politely step aside!"
This truly was the most delightful, relaxing and - well - perfect weekend. (Well, once you take away evil body pain crap bitch grumble...). Just curled up on the sofa, mudding, watching Mirrormask, doing nothing, just being.
And bouncing across to Spitalfields on a cake hunt. *looks shifty*. Me, trek half-way across London on a promise of cake? Never! Well...
*tries to look innocent and fails somewhat miserably*
Ambling through the streets on a Sunday, the winter sun picking out our warm breath against the crisp sky, cold noses, cold fingers, fighting the crowds at Covent Garden, and hopping a red bus to Oxford Street for the sole purpose of purchasing forest green ink at Selfridges...
And settling down with Chinese to watch Neverwhere, which was great in its 90s BBC perfection. So 90s it was almost 80s :p But it was just the security of nestling and not having to speak, no need, just knowing that all was good. And being fed popcorn, and red wine with orange juice because I have never been able to drink red wine by itself in any quantity. And sleeping. I always sleep better when he's here.
Cooking. Why don't I cook properly for myself? I don't know, but there so rarely seems to be much point in prepping for one. But cooking for someone else is a joy in itself - even if you do resort to making stir-fry with fillet steak because nowhere had venison or duck breast. Philistines!
I am in a worryingly creative mood at the moment, which isn't going to be helped my being in Banbury this week. But the lack of inks and papers and fabric, and the ability to cook, and other shiny things might actually lead to me writing again, which would be good for me. It's been too long... |
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| prrrrut! |
[Oct. 23rd, 2007|11:25 am] |
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There is something wonderfully indulgent about wearing stockings and suspenders to work. Even if it is only because I dislike tights intensely, and wanted to wear a skirt. |
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| New start |
[Oct. 21st, 2007|11:15 pm] |
Tomorrow. 7am. Gym.
Urgh. Stupid work finishing late rubbish. But at least I should develop some sort of routine, and the physical work might even lead to an ability to sleep like a normal person! |
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