It's Thursday and I have had a busy week in work plus, all week I've been trying to fend off some kind of lurgy, the kind that has you sweaty but chilly at the same time and overly tired, so I've attempted to keep my days as short as possible and go to bed ridiculously early, as in... around 6pm. The worrying thing is, I have actually slept.
Thursday in work was a training day. Training day's, despite how animated the trainers are, can be pretty dry days. So much information to absorb, so few brain cells. The day ended with us being shown the interview rooms in which we are to work from. As usual, there are two panic buttons. One is silent, one sounded. No one knows which is which, but if you think you need to press any, then press both as chances are, one or the other won't work anyway.
Having worked previously, as you know, were you may wish to discreetly press the panic alarm, this revelation, did not calm my nerves. Work sucks.
Speaking of work. I have an interview on Wednesday... the one near home. I don't need to tell you that getting that job would turn my life around. The extra sleep alone, would turn my life around. I wasn't nervous when I read I had an interview. Then I realised the letter was dated on my birthday, do we believe in fate? As the interview day grows nearer, I am becoming more nervous. Especially after Thursday, so much depends on my performance at the interview. Still, I know that a lot depends on the day, how you click with the panel, how your fellow interviewees perform. You may as well flip a coin. What will be, will be.
Life has a habit of not finding the easiest road for me. This would be such an easy road, with regards to time alone. Usually, I would be thinking, "not a chance in hell," but I'm actually wondering, have I payed my dues? Am I due a break, for a change?
You know what? If I get the job, it would transform my life. If I don't, and I start my interviewing role, after I get over the safety issues, I know I'd be good at it. I am skilled, (if I say so myself,) at spotting, what I would be interviewing for. So, it's a win, win, right?
I sleep pretty well Thursday night, and Friday, is my day off. I wake a few times in the night but manage to toss and turn and drift back to nod. I finally wake at 5.50am, I feel like I've had a great amount of sleep, makes so much difference.
I laze for 20 minutes then I'm up. Breakfast and several coffee's, then jog, quite briskly for 20 minutes. It's not easy but my back has been bad during the week and I know that I need a good brisk jog and stretch afterwards.
J and I had planned to visit the latest M&S Mega store today, the most Eco friendly store the world has seen so far. J has not been feeling good of late and if I could be put in a room with Lupus, I would shout and scream and punch the living daylights out of it.
Anyway, I pick her up and we head out for breakfast, which was lovely, (I had scrambled, J had poached eggs on toast,) then we head to the store.
Store is fabulous, I love the curved and environmentally friendly ceiling. The one thing it's lacking, is signage. No signage in the car park, I noticed we'd parked opposite the David Lloyd Fitness sign so that we could make our way back there. Once you're inside the store, you need a floor plan. But it's lovely and the staff are all smiles and obviously proud, and so they should be. J and I had a coffee and an Eccles Cake before we left, just a brief respite before we head to the food hall. We just miss one of the head chefs creating something with duck and raspberries! Sounds delicious and I'm sure it tasted the same.
I've decided I should also write a "b" side to my posts, where applicable to do so. Sometimes there is another side to the story or, more of the story to tell, but at this time, I have no one to tell, or cannot tell, maybe one day, for now, they may have to remain unpublished.
I drop J off at home and head out to buy new hair straighteners, I know, as if life wasn't bad enough, my hair straighteners died on Wednesday, thankfully, God made it so that I was only three days away from pay day, overtime pay and still having a little birthday money to play with, and he let me get to work with minutes to spare before the heavens deluged their rain sodden clouds. Everything worked out perfectly... and £10 cheaper than I anticipated.
My darling nephew CJ texts me on Friday afternoon, what am I up to on Saturday? Yes, I am working. I'm going to fast forward the conversation to the point where I have declined an invitation to accompany him to a singles party as he'd feel more protective over me and we'd never get anywhere, and to where I am now clothes shopping with him on Saturday after work, ready for his singles night. Ah yes, the joys and perils of being a loving Aunt. Would not swap it for the world.
Friday, 31 August 2012
Monday, 27 August 2012
It's Bank Holiday... You're Poorly
So, it has been another weekend, not that I really noticed. I got the good/bad news that overtime was on this weekend afterall, so my break turned into 4 days rather than 7. Work itself wasn't too bad, Saturday or Sunday, other than the fact that I have develped a really annoying habbit of waking anytime between midnight and 1am, and being unable to drift back to nod. Dang it.
Thankfully, and on the bright side, it is Bank Holiday Monday so on a day when I would ordinarily have been in work, I am in fact, off.
I slept late, after recieving your text yesterday, I'm not going to phone. You sound so poorly with the chest infection, I'd rather you rested and or slept and we can catch up when you are well. Desperatly wish I was nearer to take care of you. I do know that you're being well taken care of but I would feel better if I could be nearer, even if it was to sit while you slept. I know... that sounds slightly creepy, but you know what I mean. I'd be there if you woke and needed anything... nevermind.
So today is Monday. It is Bank Holiday. The rest of the world seems to be hibernating. The weather is miserable, the roads are deserted as are the supermarkets. I try to have coffee, no point in writing, there is an Irish coningeant of young lads in Starbucks, less than 10 minutes after I arrive. They may be a rugby team, I don't know. Anyway, they are young, have accents to die for and are exuberant and loud, and while I could listen to them all day, it's not conjucive to either read or write, and so I hurry my coffee and leave after just 30 minutes. I hope they had a great time though.
I had a little look around some shops then headed straight for fuel and home.
I have done a little of everthing that needed doing, washing, ironing, tidying, hoovering, I'm exhausted, could have stayed in bed the whole day but I've only dilly dallyed for 5 weeks while I have been doing overtime, so, needs must.
Thankfully, and on the bright side, it is Bank Holiday Monday so on a day when I would ordinarily have been in work, I am in fact, off.
I slept late, after recieving your text yesterday, I'm not going to phone. You sound so poorly with the chest infection, I'd rather you rested and or slept and we can catch up when you are well. Desperatly wish I was nearer to take care of you. I do know that you're being well taken care of but I would feel better if I could be nearer, even if it was to sit while you slept. I know... that sounds slightly creepy, but you know what I mean. I'd be there if you woke and needed anything... nevermind.
So today is Monday. It is Bank Holiday. The rest of the world seems to be hibernating. The weather is miserable, the roads are deserted as are the supermarkets. I try to have coffee, no point in writing, there is an Irish coningeant of young lads in Starbucks, less than 10 minutes after I arrive. They may be a rugby team, I don't know. Anyway, they are young, have accents to die for and are exuberant and loud, and while I could listen to them all day, it's not conjucive to either read or write, and so I hurry my coffee and leave after just 30 minutes. I hope they had a great time though.
I had a little look around some shops then headed straight for fuel and home.
I have done a little of everthing that needed doing, washing, ironing, tidying, hoovering, I'm exhausted, could have stayed in bed the whole day but I've only dilly dallyed for 5 weeks while I have been doing overtime, so, needs must.
My Prize.. Finally
So it's Thursday and that means that it's Llangollen for lunch at the Cotton Mill with B and then on to Llandudno and I cannot help but think of you.
B parks up and we walk the pier, as is tradition. I love that you can walk the length of the pier and hear so many accents and dialects. It begins to rain even before we set foot on the wooden planks so when we finally reach the end, we go into the bar to have our traditional drink, inside the bar.
After the drink, we head off in the direction that Freddie, my cousin, told us to head for in the hope of finding the holy grail of fish and chip shops. We wander and look and rationalise and deduce, but we cannot find. We reach the end of the road and head back, downhill, in the opposite direction and towards the fish and chip shop that we usually frequent, we both feel like we have walked miles.
We are only in Llandudmo for 2 - 3 hours but it's traditional and it's fresh and it's just lovely.
B and I head out for home around 6.30 with Ronan Keating singing to us via a really old CD, another tradition. I'm home well before 8pm and I'm shattered. Must be the walking and the sea air that takes it out of you.
I plead with B to let me do some housework and gardening on Friday and technically, "have the day off," and then lounge around for the afternoon, my current idea of bliss.
When I returned home at night, there was a post office card to say," tried to deliver but parcel too big to leave, please call into the sorting office." Or words to that effect. Decided to head there after the morning rush. I park up, (on double yellows and hope and pray...) head into the sorting office and present my card. The post man takes my card, walks away and says; "How are you? Still at the bank?" I duck under the window where the light isn't reflecting so that I can see, and look at the postie, he's a customer of old and explain that I haven't been there for 6 years.
We chat, I bring him up to date, it's nice, I have no idea who the parcel is from. Turns out... parcel is my prize from Grazia Magazine... finally, from months ago. My parcel is chock full of John Masters Organics goodies. My parcel consists of; Calendula hydrating & toning mask, rose & apricot antioxident day creme, blood orange & vanilla body wash, (it's okay, if I concentrate, I can block out the hint of vanilla,) blood orange and vanilla body milk, (yep. this one, I will have to give away.) Rose foaming face wash, sea salt spray with lavender (for hair, to give you that, "beachy feel,") lavender rosemary shampoo. Aren't I lucky? They all smell divine... apart from the vanilla. I haven't tried everything yet but I love the shampoo and foaming cleanser so far.
B parks up and we walk the pier, as is tradition. I love that you can walk the length of the pier and hear so many accents and dialects. It begins to rain even before we set foot on the wooden planks so when we finally reach the end, we go into the bar to have our traditional drink, inside the bar.
After the drink, we head off in the direction that Freddie, my cousin, told us to head for in the hope of finding the holy grail of fish and chip shops. We wander and look and rationalise and deduce, but we cannot find. We reach the end of the road and head back, downhill, in the opposite direction and towards the fish and chip shop that we usually frequent, we both feel like we have walked miles.
We are only in Llandudmo for 2 - 3 hours but it's traditional and it's fresh and it's just lovely.
B and I head out for home around 6.30 with Ronan Keating singing to us via a really old CD, another tradition. I'm home well before 8pm and I'm shattered. Must be the walking and the sea air that takes it out of you.
I plead with B to let me do some housework and gardening on Friday and technically, "have the day off," and then lounge around for the afternoon, my current idea of bliss.
When I returned home at night, there was a post office card to say," tried to deliver but parcel too big to leave, please call into the sorting office." Or words to that effect. Decided to head there after the morning rush. I park up, (on double yellows and hope and pray...) head into the sorting office and present my card. The post man takes my card, walks away and says; "How are you? Still at the bank?" I duck under the window where the light isn't reflecting so that I can see, and look at the postie, he's a customer of old and explain that I haven't been there for 6 years.
We chat, I bring him up to date, it's nice, I have no idea who the parcel is from. Turns out... parcel is my prize from Grazia Magazine... finally, from months ago. My parcel is chock full of John Masters Organics goodies. My parcel consists of; Calendula hydrating & toning mask, rose & apricot antioxident day creme, blood orange & vanilla body wash, (it's okay, if I concentrate, I can block out the hint of vanilla,) blood orange and vanilla body milk, (yep. this one, I will have to give away.) Rose foaming face wash, sea salt spray with lavender (for hair, to give you that, "beachy feel,") lavender rosemary shampoo. Aren't I lucky? They all smell divine... apart from the vanilla. I haven't tried everything yet but I love the shampoo and foaming cleanser so far.
Saturday, 25 August 2012
Family Photo
It's Wednesday 22nd. I got up and jogged for 20 minutes, felt great. B and I head off for Blackpool around 10.30am, roads are clear, it's not sunny, but at least it is dry, so far.
We arrive in a wet and windy Blackpool, but it looks amazing. For the last 2 or 3 years, parts of the front have been fenced off while they renovate and rejuvenate, they have done an amazing job and it looks really good. My favourite part, is the "comedy carpet." 850 comedians and writers are represented in the form of sketches, jokes and one liners. These roads may not be paved with gold, but they are paved with laughter. http://www.visitblackpool.com/attractions/comedy-carpet-blackpool-p651130 B and I did not read all of it as it was raining, but I dare you to not to stand, point and laugh out loud at the content. An absolute joy.
B and I wandered around looking for somewhere to eat, eventually settled on Frankie and Benny's, I'm sorry to say that our beloved Harry Ramsden's did not seem inviting at all after queueing in front of the window for 10 minutes. Seems to really have gone down hill, such a shame.
With the aid of sexy Sean, the Irish Sat Nav King, we arrive at my cousin's L&F. I haven't seen them since Christmas and feel oh so guilty, but still, it's lovely to see them and just be in their company. I always feel so relaxed with them and in their home, it's not every house that is a welcoming home.
We have a lovely catch up and my second cousin PQ and his lovely, already part of the family partner Kate, arrive and we all catch up together. It was lovely.
My cousin L is much more into researching the family history than I am. She showed me a photograph from the archives, (I have no idea how I have escaped this photograph so far.) I have never clapped eyes on it before now. It's a photo of my Nanna and Grandad, with Auntie Phoebe, (Auntie Phe, she only died about 10 years ago and so I remember her vividly,) Auntie Marie, my namesake and Lyn's Mum who died a few months before I was born, and Auntie Ella, (Eleanor who I do have fuzzy and warm memories of.) The photograph looks so... Victorian. Nanna and Grandad look so young, they, if our calculations are correct, are about 26 years old. L and I laughed our socks off, all of the children, with perhaps the exception of Lyn's Mum, Auntie Marie, (pronounced Marry, okay, there is a tale, she is Christened Mary Alice but around the age of 14, JB Roberts, master butcher and boss of my Grandad declared that my auntie looked French and that Mary Alice did not suit, from that day forth, she would be known as Marie, ((Marry.)) Anyway, Lyn and I agree that the kids look like they are a sandwich short of a picnic, still, they are family and I love them, regardless.
Day's later, I am still in awe of that photograph. It is so hard to comprehend that I am only 2 generations away from that photograph. My Mum, Dorothy, is a mere twinkling of an eye, -12 years we think. It's still a huge leap.
Anyway, back to the visit and we have a lovely time. I haven't seen them since Christmas, which I do feel bad about. L and B have a whale of a time reminiscing about being teenagers together, they are around 18 months apart and they grew up together.
We're late leaving and I can hardly keep my eyes open on the drive home. Cannot stop thinking about that photograph!
Friday, 24 August 2012
Day 1
So, today is my first day off in 24 days and it happens to be my birthday. I think I'm actually more excited over the day off. You'll roughly remember how old I am? Well, if you double that figure and add 10, that was how old I felt last night, still, after a sleeping tablet and 2 glasses of red wine... and 11.5 hours sleep later, I feel quite refreshed and much nearer my actual age.
I woke to 2 texts, one from my sister V and the other from J. Had a busy couple of hours in which I squeezed in replies to texts, a phone call, breakfast and 10 minutes of jogging. It's been at least 3 weeks since I jogged and it felt great.
So far, I have a bag, purse, scarf, several bottles of wine, (hmm,) chocolates and 2 "mind, body, spirit," magazines from my friend Debs.
Just after 9am, I head out to my much missed Starbucks, I sit relaxing, reading and writing to you for an hour. It's chilled and quiet, with a soft buzz of noise in the background, it's just so lovely to be here. I eventually pop in my iPod and CBR, and it's like I've never been away, perfect start to the day.
I recycle, buy fuel and head to my eldest sister's for a coffee and a catch up. I finally get home and do a bit of tidying then 30 minutes later, B arrives and we head off to have a panini for lunch, well, we split one and have half each, B's is rounded off with coffee and walnut cake.
We head home, to mine, and I then tidy and clean for a couple of hours while B reads and chats to me, then at 5.30pm, we head out to Wagamama's. J & G are taking me to dinner for my birthday and nephew CJ is here too. B has never been before, and I know she wouldn't have chosen to go but we give her detailed descriptions of meals and she opts for Yaki Soba, the same as me and J, we have variations of gyoza and edamame to start. CJ opts for "firecracker" for his main dish, we both agree that the next time he goes on a date, he should veto the hot stuff as the sweating situation is not attractive. G has Prawn Chilli Men and he is another trooper as I know he was probably a bit unsure at the beginning. Meal and Pinot Grigio Blush are divine, J and I share a carafe of PGB. Everyone has desert, except me.
We had a lovely night. J, G and CJ drop me home. CJ picks me up and swings me like a rag doll, well, I suppose it's kind of nice that he can do that? I watch TV for an hour then crash into bed, another day, another birthday over, good though.
I woke to 2 texts, one from my sister V and the other from J. Had a busy couple of hours in which I squeezed in replies to texts, a phone call, breakfast and 10 minutes of jogging. It's been at least 3 weeks since I jogged and it felt great.
So far, I have a bag, purse, scarf, several bottles of wine, (hmm,) chocolates and 2 "mind, body, spirit," magazines from my friend Debs.
Just after 9am, I head out to my much missed Starbucks, I sit relaxing, reading and writing to you for an hour. It's chilled and quiet, with a soft buzz of noise in the background, it's just so lovely to be here. I eventually pop in my iPod and CBR, and it's like I've never been away, perfect start to the day.
I recycle, buy fuel and head to my eldest sister's for a coffee and a catch up. I finally get home and do a bit of tidying then 30 minutes later, B arrives and we head off to have a panini for lunch, well, we split one and have half each, B's is rounded off with coffee and walnut cake.
We head home, to mine, and I then tidy and clean for a couple of hours while B reads and chats to me, then at 5.30pm, we head out to Wagamama's. J & G are taking me to dinner for my birthday and nephew CJ is here too. B has never been before, and I know she wouldn't have chosen to go but we give her detailed descriptions of meals and she opts for Yaki Soba, the same as me and J, we have variations of gyoza and edamame to start. CJ opts for "firecracker" for his main dish, we both agree that the next time he goes on a date, he should veto the hot stuff as the sweating situation is not attractive. G has Prawn Chilli Men and he is another trooper as I know he was probably a bit unsure at the beginning. Meal and Pinot Grigio Blush are divine, J and I share a carafe of PGB. Everyone has desert, except me.
We had a lovely night. J, G and CJ drop me home. CJ picks me up and swings me like a rag doll, well, I suppose it's kind of nice that he can do that? I watch TV for an hour then crash into bed, another day, another birthday over, good though.
Monday, 20 August 2012
Day 23, Stop the Clock
So, it's day 23 in work. I woke around 1.30am and manged to get back off to sleep, think I was keen to start the day, the sooner you begin, the sooner it ends.
Got up at 4am, stripped bed, put a wash load on, hung that up and left for work. Today was jam packed but there was nothing that I could rush, so it all just sailed along of it's own accord and actually passed quite quickly.
I left work, laden down with bags and heavy things and a big, cumbersome umbrella. It was lashing down this morning and I needed that umbrella, now, the sun is brilliant and hot and I'm sweltering as I carry everything back to the car and juggle the giant umbrella.
I go to the supermarket on the way home and before I've shut the front door, the phone is ringing. Wearily, I pick up the phone, it's my nephew CJ asking what he has done so that I need to ignore him at said supermarket. He is of course kidding, I think I actually ignored him while I was driving through the supermarket car park, (which is not the same thing...) I reminded him that I'm blind and that I can't get used to the car he is currently driving, it's just not him. He then proceeded to ask me a shopping question.
So I thankfully, now have at least four days off work to look forward too. I can hardly believe it. I just hope that I break my sleep pattern immediately and begin to sleep like a normal person, I think a good nights sleep would work wonders.
Four days off... absolute bliss.
Got up at 4am, stripped bed, put a wash load on, hung that up and left for work. Today was jam packed but there was nothing that I could rush, so it all just sailed along of it's own accord and actually passed quite quickly.
I left work, laden down with bags and heavy things and a big, cumbersome umbrella. It was lashing down this morning and I needed that umbrella, now, the sun is brilliant and hot and I'm sweltering as I carry everything back to the car and juggle the giant umbrella.
I go to the supermarket on the way home and before I've shut the front door, the phone is ringing. Wearily, I pick up the phone, it's my nephew CJ asking what he has done so that I need to ignore him at said supermarket. He is of course kidding, I think I actually ignored him while I was driving through the supermarket car park, (which is not the same thing...) I reminded him that I'm blind and that I can't get used to the car he is currently driving, it's just not him. He then proceeded to ask me a shopping question.
So I thankfully, now have at least four days off work to look forward too. I can hardly believe it. I just hope that I break my sleep pattern immediately and begin to sleep like a normal person, I think a good nights sleep would work wonders.
Four days off... absolute bliss.
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Tomorrow is Day 23
You may recall that my back garden is a bit of a sprawling mess. A Lilliputian would be lost forever out there. I like to pretend that it is a "wild" garden. Truth is... it's Wild.
I have a 4ft square clump of giant daisy's, (I don't know their real names.) Picture an actual daisy, make the flower about 3 inches in diameter and stick it atop a three foot, rambling, reaching for the sunshine stalk. I went out last weekend to hang out washing, only to be met by these sprawling white headed, pretty things. They reached out waywardly, looking for a spot to bask in. For some reason, they reminded me of very cute, slightly naughty 3 year olds. They are not quite behaving, but they don't know what they're doing wrong. They are beautiful and so full of joy, you cannot help but love and admire them and wouldn't dream of telling them off.
I woke for work on Sunday at 4.10, even though I had three alarms set for 5am. I got up and out, no problem. The work itself was fine but again, it was like a sauna. I was sweating within 2 minutes of arriving in the building and as the hours progressed, so our energy was sapped.
I drove home with he window wound down, cool... cold air blowing on me, then I began to sneeze. I probably have some kind of heat then cold induced pneumonia just in time for me to be off.
Tomorrow is day 23 in work. It will be a packed day but I don't care. It's only a day. The least it will last will be 7.5 hours, I can't see it lasting more than 11 hours, then the drive home, by which point, I won't care because I have at least 4 days stretching out ahead of me, pure and absolute bliss, I can't wait. Bring on tomorrow and let's get it out of the way.
I have a 4ft square clump of giant daisy's, (I don't know their real names.) Picture an actual daisy, make the flower about 3 inches in diameter and stick it atop a three foot, rambling, reaching for the sunshine stalk. I went out last weekend to hang out washing, only to be met by these sprawling white headed, pretty things. They reached out waywardly, looking for a spot to bask in. For some reason, they reminded me of very cute, slightly naughty 3 year olds. They are not quite behaving, but they don't know what they're doing wrong. They are beautiful and so full of joy, you cannot help but love and admire them and wouldn't dream of telling them off.
I woke for work on Sunday at 4.10, even though I had three alarms set for 5am. I got up and out, no problem. The work itself was fine but again, it was like a sauna. I was sweating within 2 minutes of arriving in the building and as the hours progressed, so our energy was sapped.
I drove home with he window wound down, cool... cold air blowing on me, then I began to sneeze. I probably have some kind of heat then cold induced pneumonia just in time for me to be off.
Tomorrow is day 23 in work. It will be a packed day but I don't care. It's only a day. The least it will last will be 7.5 hours, I can't see it lasting more than 11 hours, then the drive home, by which point, I won't care because I have at least 4 days stretching out ahead of me, pure and absolute bliss, I can't wait. Bring on tomorrow and let's get it out of the way.
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Sweat Shop
Last Sunday was horrible in work, for a reason unknown to me, we do not have air con on a Sunday, I believe it's fair to call the office a sweat shop on the Sabbath. Add to that, I was rushed off my feet trying to do two peoples jobs, so it was hot and uncomfortable and I felt quite sickly towards the end, but as I was so busy, at least the day passed reasonably quickly.
I forget if it was Monday or Tuesday when my alarm went off and I really did not know what day it was. Not having a day off is like some form of sensory deprivation and you lose all sense of time.
I'm covering for the manager again this week and each day has passed by as if it were about 3 hours max. I'm leaving work each day, later than planned, after being super busy all day, and with a headache. Only have to do this until Friday, then I'm back to the day job, thank heavens, looking back, can't believe I did that job for over two years, I must have been insane.
I haven't been for a run for weeks now and oh, gosh, I really miss it, so does my body, especially my back. Each morning, I notice that I'm getting stiffer as I haul myself out of bed. When you think about it, I spend almost an hour driving to work, I then spend a minimum of 9 hours at my desk, an hour to drive home, I maybe food shop on the way home, shower, cook while I'm standing up, all of which would probably takes an hour max, then I sit for a couple of hours before bed... and then I spend around 7 hours in bed before my alarm goes off and I start all over. My body is not moving people, and boy can I feel it.
I'm doing a bit of toning each night, no more than five minutes, either legs or arms. Last night I did a new one, standing up, arms straight up over head then lowered hands backwards to shoulder blades while holding a water bottle in each hand as weights. Well, I overdid it, or my form was terrible, because this morning, I have an ache in my back, a bit lower than my where my left shoulder blade ends, and it hurts to breathe. Do not try that at home.
Thursday will be day nineteen in work without a break, I'm shattered but powering through, only five days to go and then I have a few days off.
Thursday, as it turned out, was horrendous. I think I'm tired and the managerial plate spinning was beginning to get to me. I realised late Thursday that there was a major problem with the next batch of work, it wasn't my fault, nor was there anything I could have done to avoid it, but I felt like had I noticed it earlier, I could have gone into fire fighting mode sooner, so it really rattled me, felt like I'd dropped the ball. Just before all of this happened, I was asked to "volunteer" for a new role, a somewhat, shall we say, stressful role? At this point though, after the past 2 weeks, I'm not only thinking that I need a change but that I can tackle pretty much anything. I got home totally exhausted, drained and looking like a ghost. Tell you what though.... maximum score for Maybelline liner express, it was the only thing that stayed the course on a very emotional day. Even when I was calm my eyes continued to leak, Maybelline would not be beaten.
Friday was a new day. I was still drained from the day before but it was a lot calmer and a lot quieter, and I even managed to get work prepared for Saturday. The pressure is mounting, my last day in work will be Monday and I must clear time sensitive work prior to me finishing. I was hoping for a calm, wind down, tie up loose ends kind of a day on Monday, but no. I have to finish my work which I haven't touched for the last two weeks while I've been manager, I need to hand back over to the manger and I need to have a training day ready for my new responsibilities from September.
It's now Saturday. Work passed really quickly today and I'm feeling less stressed about getting everything done that I need to, before I finish on Monday.
I've lost 7lbs in two weeks, think it's a combination of tiredness and the last two weeks in work. I have no doubt that in the 4 days I have off, I'll regain most of it.
I didn't see anywhere near as much of the Olympics as I had hoped but I did catch sight of some very funny moments. Who said the BBC was a stuffy, old institution? Check out some BBC presenters getting a tad over excited... and rightly so, by the way, I think you'll be able to spot the Brits.
Even Yank, the great Michael Johnson, (just in front of Denise Lewis) can't contain himself.
I forget if it was Monday or Tuesday when my alarm went off and I really did not know what day it was. Not having a day off is like some form of sensory deprivation and you lose all sense of time.
I'm covering for the manager again this week and each day has passed by as if it were about 3 hours max. I'm leaving work each day, later than planned, after being super busy all day, and with a headache. Only have to do this until Friday, then I'm back to the day job, thank heavens, looking back, can't believe I did that job for over two years, I must have been insane.
I haven't been for a run for weeks now and oh, gosh, I really miss it, so does my body, especially my back. Each morning, I notice that I'm getting stiffer as I haul myself out of bed. When you think about it, I spend almost an hour driving to work, I then spend a minimum of 9 hours at my desk, an hour to drive home, I maybe food shop on the way home, shower, cook while I'm standing up, all of which would probably takes an hour max, then I sit for a couple of hours before bed... and then I spend around 7 hours in bed before my alarm goes off and I start all over. My body is not moving people, and boy can I feel it.
I'm doing a bit of toning each night, no more than five minutes, either legs or arms. Last night I did a new one, standing up, arms straight up over head then lowered hands backwards to shoulder blades while holding a water bottle in each hand as weights. Well, I overdid it, or my form was terrible, because this morning, I have an ache in my back, a bit lower than my where my left shoulder blade ends, and it hurts to breathe. Do not try that at home.
Thursday will be day nineteen in work without a break, I'm shattered but powering through, only five days to go and then I have a few days off.
Thursday, as it turned out, was horrendous. I think I'm tired and the managerial plate spinning was beginning to get to me. I realised late Thursday that there was a major problem with the next batch of work, it wasn't my fault, nor was there anything I could have done to avoid it, but I felt like had I noticed it earlier, I could have gone into fire fighting mode sooner, so it really rattled me, felt like I'd dropped the ball. Just before all of this happened, I was asked to "volunteer" for a new role, a somewhat, shall we say, stressful role? At this point though, after the past 2 weeks, I'm not only thinking that I need a change but that I can tackle pretty much anything. I got home totally exhausted, drained and looking like a ghost. Tell you what though.... maximum score for Maybelline liner express, it was the only thing that stayed the course on a very emotional day. Even when I was calm my eyes continued to leak, Maybelline would not be beaten.
Friday was a new day. I was still drained from the day before but it was a lot calmer and a lot quieter, and I even managed to get work prepared for Saturday. The pressure is mounting, my last day in work will be Monday and I must clear time sensitive work prior to me finishing. I was hoping for a calm, wind down, tie up loose ends kind of a day on Monday, but no. I have to finish my work which I haven't touched for the last two weeks while I've been manager, I need to hand back over to the manger and I need to have a training day ready for my new responsibilities from September.
It's now Saturday. Work passed really quickly today and I'm feeling less stressed about getting everything done that I need to, before I finish on Monday.
I've lost 7lbs in two weeks, think it's a combination of tiredness and the last two weeks in work. I have no doubt that in the 4 days I have off, I'll regain most of it.
I didn't see anywhere near as much of the Olympics as I had hoped but I did catch sight of some very funny moments. Who said the BBC was a stuffy, old institution? Check out some BBC presenters getting a tad over excited... and rightly so, by the way, I think you'll be able to spot the Brits.
Even Yank, the great Michael Johnson, (just in front of Denise Lewis) can't contain himself.
Saturday, 11 August 2012
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It's the end of another week, very tired but buoyant, overtime is on again this weekend and I only have ten days left in work until I get a day off.
I haven't seen much of the Olympics this week but I did watch, and choke back tears of joy and pride with Sir Chris Hoy, our greatest Olympian to date, overtaking Sir Steve Redgrave, who was on the sidelines to congratulate him and I watched Mo Farah race to victory by a mile in the 10,000m and then watched his daughter excitedly run onto the tracks to congratulate Daddy, it was another tear jerker.
Changing the subject, I have been able to distance myself from the Maltersers, or at least ignore them calling to me from the snack machine in work, actually, I haven't even heard them calling me, so I'm feeling much better.
I've been doing some new Tracy Anderson moves for my bottom and hips, these are actually do-able, you don't have to contort into an unrealistic position to do them and they seem to be working. I still feel sluggish from not getting my run in though and oh how I miss it. I really must get myself organised so that I can work even a small, very small run into my routine.
Did I tell you about my alopecia of my eyelashes on my right eye? A few months ago, I noticed my eyelashes were looking stubby, then one morning, I realised that the were totally missing from the arch of my right eyelid, totally bald. I wondered if I was allergic to my new mascara then a friend from work who used to be some kind of beauty lady, suggested that I was washing my face too vigorously in the shower and reminded me that the eye area is delicate and should be treated as such. Anyway, I have been especially gentle and two months later, the lashes are back.
Speaking of the eye area, I recently watched a BBC documentary on the truth about ageing. One major study in the UK is of lorry drivers believe it or not, as they spend so much time in their cabs driving around the country with one side of their face more directly exposed to sunlight than the other.
Long story short, the biggest ageing factor is sunlight and it's harmful rays. Did you know that an easy way to remember your UVA's from your UVB's? UVAgeing, UVBurns, so you need to look for sun protection with strength in both areas.
Anyway, photographs were taken of the drivers faces using a special camera which could see ageing and damage to the skin. Sure enough, the right side of the face showed more damage as that's the side exposed to the most sunlight, (if you drive on the left as we do.) Where do I have more wrinkles around my eyes? The right side of my face. The right side of my face and my right arm are directly exposed to late sunshine for an hour a day on my drive home. For months I'd been wondering why the right side looked worse than the left, and now I know.
Needless to say, I've been slapping on the factor 50 since the programme. I don't think there is anything I can do naturally to improve the wrinkles I have now, but if I can stop the clock, I'd be pretty happy to stay as I am... forever.
I'm back under 9st for the first time in about 6 weeks and I finally feel like "me" again, even though I'm still 5lbs heavier than at Christmas, still, I won't argue with 8st 12lbs, even though it is heavier than it used to be.
After 15 days straight in work, and 15 days straight of 9 hours a day at a desk and almost 2 hours commute per day... sitting down, my back is beginning to complain. I know what it needs, it needs a run and a really good stretch. I really need to organise myself so that I can start fitting in little runs, the overtime has only been on for 3 weekends, if it goes on for another 7, as predicted, my back will seize up altogether.
So, we have had some sunshine and after many years of weathering my skin... my skin tans much more easily than it once did, (however, I do have considerable damage from my younger years.) I'm still very fair, I still burn, but I have a little more tanning time in me than I used to. As a result from driving home and short sleeved shirts in the sunshine that we have had, (in between the rain,) my right "driving" arm, is now considerably more tanned than my left. Looks odd if I line up my arms side by side but how often am I going to do that?
Saturday evening from around 7.30pm, the 5000m finalists took to the track and we were introduced one by one to them. As the name Mo Farah was announced, the roof, had we had one, would have lifted off. The crowd screamed and cheered and the roar of energy sourced through every Brit watching. I think if the crowd had screamed for me as loudly, I would have finished top 5 for sure, that roar was so inspiring and such an energy boost, even this non Olympian felt it all the way back home. I spent the next few minutes screaming the words, "Come on Mo" at the television as Mo Farah aimed to become the first track, double gold male British Olympian since 1920. From sitting on the edge of my sofa, to sitting on my foot stool, to kneeling on the floor with my fingers crossed on both hands and the rest of my fingers intertwined in a symbol of prayer, I have never felt so nervous as when I ran myself as I watched Mo run the 5000m after winning gold in the 10,000m. It was the greatest race I have ever witnessed. For the first few torturous minutes, he was running a gut wrenching last, but he knew what he was doing from the first second, even the commentators tried to explain, "for those not used to track... this might be a little nerve wracking." "Nerve wracking," really doesn't do it justice, but what an honour to have this man in our team, seeing Mo win is something I will never forget, it wasn't just down to speed, it was skill.
I haven't seen much of the Olympics this week but I did watch, and choke back tears of joy and pride with Sir Chris Hoy, our greatest Olympian to date, overtaking Sir Steve Redgrave, who was on the sidelines to congratulate him and I watched Mo Farah race to victory by a mile in the 10,000m and then watched his daughter excitedly run onto the tracks to congratulate Daddy, it was another tear jerker.
Changing the subject, I have been able to distance myself from the Maltersers, or at least ignore them calling to me from the snack machine in work, actually, I haven't even heard them calling me, so I'm feeling much better.
I've been doing some new Tracy Anderson moves for my bottom and hips, these are actually do-able, you don't have to contort into an unrealistic position to do them and they seem to be working. I still feel sluggish from not getting my run in though and oh how I miss it. I really must get myself organised so that I can work even a small, very small run into my routine.
Did I tell you about my alopecia of my eyelashes on my right eye? A few months ago, I noticed my eyelashes were looking stubby, then one morning, I realised that the were totally missing from the arch of my right eyelid, totally bald. I wondered if I was allergic to my new mascara then a friend from work who used to be some kind of beauty lady, suggested that I was washing my face too vigorously in the shower and reminded me that the eye area is delicate and should be treated as such. Anyway, I have been especially gentle and two months later, the lashes are back.
Speaking of the eye area, I recently watched a BBC documentary on the truth about ageing. One major study in the UK is of lorry drivers believe it or not, as they spend so much time in their cabs driving around the country with one side of their face more directly exposed to sunlight than the other.
Long story short, the biggest ageing factor is sunlight and it's harmful rays. Did you know that an easy way to remember your UVA's from your UVB's? UVAgeing, UVBurns, so you need to look for sun protection with strength in both areas.
Anyway, photographs were taken of the drivers faces using a special camera which could see ageing and damage to the skin. Sure enough, the right side of the face showed more damage as that's the side exposed to the most sunlight, (if you drive on the left as we do.) Where do I have more wrinkles around my eyes? The right side of my face. The right side of my face and my right arm are directly exposed to late sunshine for an hour a day on my drive home. For months I'd been wondering why the right side looked worse than the left, and now I know.
Needless to say, I've been slapping on the factor 50 since the programme. I don't think there is anything I can do naturally to improve the wrinkles I have now, but if I can stop the clock, I'd be pretty happy to stay as I am... forever.
I'm back under 9st for the first time in about 6 weeks and I finally feel like "me" again, even though I'm still 5lbs heavier than at Christmas, still, I won't argue with 8st 12lbs, even though it is heavier than it used to be.
After 15 days straight in work, and 15 days straight of 9 hours a day at a desk and almost 2 hours commute per day... sitting down, my back is beginning to complain. I know what it needs, it needs a run and a really good stretch. I really need to organise myself so that I can start fitting in little runs, the overtime has only been on for 3 weekends, if it goes on for another 7, as predicted, my back will seize up altogether.
So, we have had some sunshine and after many years of weathering my skin... my skin tans much more easily than it once did, (however, I do have considerable damage from my younger years.) I'm still very fair, I still burn, but I have a little more tanning time in me than I used to. As a result from driving home and short sleeved shirts in the sunshine that we have had, (in between the rain,) my right "driving" arm, is now considerably more tanned than my left. Looks odd if I line up my arms side by side but how often am I going to do that?
Saturday evening from around 7.30pm, the 5000m finalists took to the track and we were introduced one by one to them. As the name Mo Farah was announced, the roof, had we had one, would have lifted off. The crowd screamed and cheered and the roar of energy sourced through every Brit watching. I think if the crowd had screamed for me as loudly, I would have finished top 5 for sure, that roar was so inspiring and such an energy boost, even this non Olympian felt it all the way back home. I spent the next few minutes screaming the words, "Come on Mo" at the television as Mo Farah aimed to become the first track, double gold male British Olympian since 1920. From sitting on the edge of my sofa, to sitting on my foot stool, to kneeling on the floor with my fingers crossed on both hands and the rest of my fingers intertwined in a symbol of prayer, I have never felt so nervous as when I ran myself as I watched Mo run the 5000m after winning gold in the 10,000m. It was the greatest race I have ever witnessed. For the first few torturous minutes, he was running a gut wrenching last, but he knew what he was doing from the first second, even the commentators tried to explain, "for those not used to track... this might be a little nerve wracking." "Nerve wracking," really doesn't do it justice, but what an honour to have this man in our team, seeing Mo win is something I will never forget, it wasn't just down to speed, it was skill.
Friday, 10 August 2012
Overtime
So, another week is over and it's actually flown by. It's Sunday and I have been in work for 8 days straight, and have at least 5 ahead of me, maybe more.
As you know, we had overtime last Sunday and this Saturday and Sunday. I'm blocking out how tired I may be as this is the first overtime we've had for almost three years. After last Sunday, I set about making a list of all of the purchases, indulgences and necessities I could think of, ticket to NZ is of course top of the list, also on the list are new glasses, dentist, work shoes, tree felling, I could go on, it's quite a substantial list.
There are two luxury items on the list which I could argue until the cows come home, that they are in fact, actually necessities. Firstly, GHD's, my last set died around 3 years ago and I couldn't afford to replace them, nor can my hair exist peacefully on my head without them, as I have discovered in the years since. Anyway, I bought another brand, but lets face it, they're no where near as good as GHD's, so, for the sake of my head, GHD's are a necessity. My other luxury item, is my beloved soothing and giver of calm perfume by Jo Malone, my Amber and Lavender, which I think I would die without. It keeps me sane in kind of the same way that CBR keeps me sane with "Just Like a Star", oh I miss that in my ears on a Sunday morning while I write or flick through a magazine at Starbucks.
Anyway, adding the overtime to my usual week is tiring but I don't mind because I will actually see something for my effort. Just keep everything crossed that I at least get enough for my NZ ticket, even if it's a while until I can fit in between family visits, at least the money will be in the bank ready for me to book. I am so excited at the thought, I can hardly contain myself.
Well, the weather has continued to be dreadful all week. Sunday - Tuesday, I got soaked everyday getting either from the car to work or on the way home and heading back to the car. Wednesday was the first day I didn't get soaked, then the rain returned. Sunday afternoon, we had thunder and lightening.
Olympic fever is gripping the nation, I hope that you're gripped too. I haven't seen half as much as I would have liked, I seem to get home just as one of Team GB has their arms raised in the air in triumph, or I miss it totally while I'm at work. I'm very proud though, today it's gold for Ben Ainslie and Andy Murray, I'm ashamed to say that Team GB has far exceeded all of my expectations, that is no reflection on the talents of our team, just the natural British reserve, we don't expect much do we? I can't help but think how many children and future Olympians will be inspired by these London games, I hope I'm around long enough to hear their stories.
It's late Sunday evening and I'm playing catch up with my washing and housework. Work was baking hot today, they apparently switch off the air con on Saturday at 3pm, until Monday morning. Lovely. I don't have air con in the car but even after a 50 minute drive home with the window wound right down, I still had to peel my clothes off me at home before hitting the shower.
Powering on to the week ahead, and in a couple of weeks, I get a few days off! Can't wait, intend to sleep... a lot.
As you know, we had overtime last Sunday and this Saturday and Sunday. I'm blocking out how tired I may be as this is the first overtime we've had for almost three years. After last Sunday, I set about making a list of all of the purchases, indulgences and necessities I could think of, ticket to NZ is of course top of the list, also on the list are new glasses, dentist, work shoes, tree felling, I could go on, it's quite a substantial list.
There are two luxury items on the list which I could argue until the cows come home, that they are in fact, actually necessities. Firstly, GHD's, my last set died around 3 years ago and I couldn't afford to replace them, nor can my hair exist peacefully on my head without them, as I have discovered in the years since. Anyway, I bought another brand, but lets face it, they're no where near as good as GHD's, so, for the sake of my head, GHD's are a necessity. My other luxury item, is my beloved soothing and giver of calm perfume by Jo Malone, my Amber and Lavender, which I think I would die without. It keeps me sane in kind of the same way that CBR keeps me sane with "Just Like a Star", oh I miss that in my ears on a Sunday morning while I write or flick through a magazine at Starbucks.
Anyway, adding the overtime to my usual week is tiring but I don't mind because I will actually see something for my effort. Just keep everything crossed that I at least get enough for my NZ ticket, even if it's a while until I can fit in between family visits, at least the money will be in the bank ready for me to book. I am so excited at the thought, I can hardly contain myself.
Well, the weather has continued to be dreadful all week. Sunday - Tuesday, I got soaked everyday getting either from the car to work or on the way home and heading back to the car. Wednesday was the first day I didn't get soaked, then the rain returned. Sunday afternoon, we had thunder and lightening.
Olympic fever is gripping the nation, I hope that you're gripped too. I haven't seen half as much as I would have liked, I seem to get home just as one of Team GB has their arms raised in the air in triumph, or I miss it totally while I'm at work. I'm very proud though, today it's gold for Ben Ainslie and Andy Murray, I'm ashamed to say that Team GB has far exceeded all of my expectations, that is no reflection on the talents of our team, just the natural British reserve, we don't expect much do we? I can't help but think how many children and future Olympians will be inspired by these London games, I hope I'm around long enough to hear their stories.
It's late Sunday evening and I'm playing catch up with my washing and housework. Work was baking hot today, they apparently switch off the air con on Saturday at 3pm, until Monday morning. Lovely. I don't have air con in the car but even after a 50 minute drive home with the window wound right down, I still had to peel my clothes off me at home before hitting the shower.
Powering on to the week ahead, and in a couple of weeks, I get a few days off! Can't wait, intend to sleep... a lot.
Friday, 3 August 2012
Olympic Gold
The BBC seems to have sole coverage rights to the Olympic games in London in the year of 2012. The opening few minutes alone, of the "Olympic Countdown," made me proud to be British, it's the first time the games have been here since 1948, the year of the "austerity games," and a time when this was a very different world.
There are VT clips of Olympians from the past and these are some of the names which I remember vividly; Daley Thomson, Nadia Comaneci, Carl Lewis, Mark Spitz, Sebastian Coe, Steve Ovett, Matthew Pinsent, Kelly Holmes, Olga Korbut, Michael Phelps, Steve Redgrave, Michael Johnson, all of them providing Olympic moments, moments in history, quite incredible.
Danny Boyle, film director and creator and director of the opening of the Olympic Games 2012. Lancashire born and bred, he hails from about an hour up the road, what an honour to be trusted with this task, the Northern lad should be proud.
The first glimpse we get to signal that the greatest show on earth is about to begin, are the Red Arrows trailing red white and blue smoke in their wake. World class precision flying, and just stunning to watch.
Seven years ago it was announced that London would be the host city of the Olympic Games 2012, I suppose that living outside of London, it didn't seem quite real, the country is in a mess, the majority of people in this country, the bread and butter workers are struggling, it feels like our heads have been bowed for such a long time with worry and drudgery, we have hardly dare look up for an age. But tonight at last, it feels tangible, the Olympic Games are actually here, and so is the rest of the world, finally, something bright, brilliant and hopeful enough to lift our heads up for.
During the countdown, Gary Linaker and the lovely Sue Barker interview Steve Redgrave, Michael Johnson and Mr John McEnroe, the L'enfant terrible of tennis is just... don't hate me, such a gentleman and professional broadcaster! I love it when he is here to cover Wimbledon and I love that he is here for this amazing event and is so excited at the prospect.
The opening ceremony is literally a work of art. I truly hope that the rest of the world "gets" Mr Boyle's vision, as a friend put it, his words not mine, "stunning, I was genuinely filled with national pride." Ditto.
For me, it was towards the end of the opening ceremony, when the young athletes of the future took turns of running around the Olympic Stadium with the torch, they did a lap of honour, arriving before the former Olympians who had nominated them for the honour. The former Olympians symbolically handed each young athlete an unlit torch infront of 240 Olympic medal winners which included Jayne Torvil and Christopher Dean. The one lit torch lit each of the others, they each then bowed before an unfurled mass of, what looked to me like, long stemmed, steel lilies and placed the flame near each flower. The flames leapt into each of the flowers beside them until a circle of flame was visible, then another inner circle and another, then, each stem rose up slowly, high into the air, the like of which I have never seen before. As each stem reached it's destination, an aerial view looked deep into the mass flame, and it was beautiful. I only wish that we could have had a camera on Danny Boyle as his masterpiece was brought to life.
Let the Games, begin.
There are VT clips of Olympians from the past and these are some of the names which I remember vividly; Daley Thomson, Nadia Comaneci, Carl Lewis, Mark Spitz, Sebastian Coe, Steve Ovett, Matthew Pinsent, Kelly Holmes, Olga Korbut, Michael Phelps, Steve Redgrave, Michael Johnson, all of them providing Olympic moments, moments in history, quite incredible.
Danny Boyle, film director and creator and director of the opening of the Olympic Games 2012. Lancashire born and bred, he hails from about an hour up the road, what an honour to be trusted with this task, the Northern lad should be proud.
The first glimpse we get to signal that the greatest show on earth is about to begin, are the Red Arrows trailing red white and blue smoke in their wake. World class precision flying, and just stunning to watch.
Seven years ago it was announced that London would be the host city of the Olympic Games 2012, I suppose that living outside of London, it didn't seem quite real, the country is in a mess, the majority of people in this country, the bread and butter workers are struggling, it feels like our heads have been bowed for such a long time with worry and drudgery, we have hardly dare look up for an age. But tonight at last, it feels tangible, the Olympic Games are actually here, and so is the rest of the world, finally, something bright, brilliant and hopeful enough to lift our heads up for.
During the countdown, Gary Linaker and the lovely Sue Barker interview Steve Redgrave, Michael Johnson and Mr John McEnroe, the L'enfant terrible of tennis is just... don't hate me, such a gentleman and professional broadcaster! I love it when he is here to cover Wimbledon and I love that he is here for this amazing event and is so excited at the prospect.
The opening ceremony is literally a work of art. I truly hope that the rest of the world "gets" Mr Boyle's vision, as a friend put it, his words not mine, "stunning, I was genuinely filled with national pride." Ditto.
For me, it was towards the end of the opening ceremony, when the young athletes of the future took turns of running around the Olympic Stadium with the torch, they did a lap of honour, arriving before the former Olympians who had nominated them for the honour. The former Olympians symbolically handed each young athlete an unlit torch infront of 240 Olympic medal winners which included Jayne Torvil and Christopher Dean. The one lit torch lit each of the others, they each then bowed before an unfurled mass of, what looked to me like, long stemmed, steel lilies and placed the flame near each flower. The flames leapt into each of the flowers beside them until a circle of flame was visible, then another inner circle and another, then, each stem rose up slowly, high into the air, the like of which I have never seen before. As each stem reached it's destination, an aerial view looked deep into the mass flame, and it was beautiful. I only wish that we could have had a camera on Danny Boyle as his masterpiece was brought to life.
Let the Games, begin.
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