Can you believe we're in October?
I was thinking of going somewhere else this morning, to look out at a different view from a different Starbucks, and have a wander around different shops... but in the end... I couldn't be bothered. I'm feeling a little blah and a little blue. I think I'm just hormonal but I wish I could just go home, pack, and hop on a plane to you.
After my eyebrow disaster of yesterday, (the eyebrows are lovely, but it took me 20 minutes to park... 20 minutes Col... in the Old Town! So I was late for my appointment, which I hate.) Anyhoo, luckily, Mandie didn't have anyone in after me and so I could still have my brows done and she was very gracious about me being late... she knew I wouldn't just not turn up. Well... it was so hot and I'd had such a busy morning, I decided to go home and set about my washing and ironing. So, three hours later, I'd done two wash loads and ironed everything. Hot work in this weather but so great it get to out of the way. I spent the afternoon in some of my NZ shorts, (the khaki ones,) can you believe me, in shorts, here, practically in October?
I told the Starbucks ladies this morning that they gave me full fat milk on the top of my filter yesterday and they've just handed me my filter with an extra paper cup of skimmed milk. I feel a tiny bit better.
I left early again this morning and stocked up on my sparkling water while it's on offer. I can have a leisurely morning tomorrow.
More family upsets last night. Nothing to do with me, as usual, I just feel the fallout. I need to look for three birthday presents before I head home. (October is an expensive month.) Then, I need to head home to blitz. You know I'm not tidy but my head feels cluttered so I need to do something about that.
I've been having trouble sleeping again lately, especially on a Sunday night. I was going to invest in some herbal sleeping tablets but I don't like taking anything like that, still, while looking at the herbal items, I spotted Bach's Rescue Remedy Night-time. I used to live off Rescue Remedy, remember? I used to consume it by the litre. Anyway, they now make a night time version. Last night, I made myself a little warm milk and took three drops of the remedy. It's horribly sweet, but I slept like a log. Now then, last night is not a litmus test , I was already very tired before I had the drops, and the warm milk.... and the wine may have helped too. I'll let you know how Sunday goes.
Saturday, 1 October 2011
September 30th
I had peaked this week by Tuesday. Early I know, a tad premature. There is so much pressure to hit your targets, you work flat out to get ahead when you can before you're hit with unworkable work, which will take four times as long to complete. By Wednesday, I'd headed into the unworkable and the trend continued through Thursday. It was like wading through treacle but all was not lost, I finished early Thursday afternoon, came home in the glorious sunshine for a quick shower, then headed off to the cinema with B, who treated me to dinner at Frankie & Benny's. We shared a crab cake to start followed by warm chicken salad for me and fried calamari for B. We then headed for "Crazy Stupid Love," and not "Crazy Sexy Love," as I keep calling it. It stars; Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei. It was a combination of funny, very funny, sad, it dipped in the middle then recovered to finish strongly. Worth a trip to see it when it reaches your shores.
I woke at 4am this morning... my day off. Stayed in bed for as long as possible without falling back to sleep, then got up, checked emails, friend from work had given birth to a girl at 10.20pm last night, 6lb 2oz Lucy had finally arrived. Fought with my "frozen" iPod, jogged with my iPod once I'd unfrozen it, for 30 minutes, then hit the shower.
I was at the supermarket for 8 doing my monthly, now that it's payday, "bulk shop" of all the things I'll need that won't go off, coffee, salad dressing, toothpaste etc. I've developed a thing about people commenting about food I eat or buy, I stopped eating in work years ago because people are so pass remarkable, so, when the portly cashier at the checkout asked me; "what's with all the dressing?" I calmly replied; "It's a month's worth. I eat a lot of salad." I wanted to add... "you should try it," but thankfully, I'm only a cow in my head.
Rewind to me pushing my trolley up the coffee aisle and I saw, and she spotted me.. a customer from the old days. She told me I looked well and that I'd lost, "a lot" of weight. This is always a double edged comment but she's lovely and I know that she meant to be complimentary. Incidentally, I was never huge was I? And I don't think I've lost that much.
Anyway, lady is now 81 she tells me, she looks fabulous and not a day over 60. She updated me on people she obviously thought I knew but I didn't have a clue. Anyway, Rose has moved to a new and lovely bungalow and Maude's husband has Alzheimer's... or so they think. We had a lovely chat and she said she misses us girls, all of the older customers that I bump into say the same thing which is nice don't you think? It's good to be missed, damn it, we made a great team.
Just as the conversation was drawing to a close, I got the usual closer... "so, are you married yet?" Which is swiftly followed by, "that, look" when you tell people, "no, still single." It's funny really, to the older generation especially, not being married is something incomprehensible.
So, we've been basking in our Indian summer for a few days now. On the way to the cinema last night, it was 28 degrees.
At 11.30, I'm getting my brows waxed, love the finish of newly waxed brows. Not sure what the rest of the day holds... I'm torn.
I woke at 4am this morning... my day off. Stayed in bed for as long as possible without falling back to sleep, then got up, checked emails, friend from work had given birth to a girl at 10.20pm last night, 6lb 2oz Lucy had finally arrived. Fought with my "frozen" iPod, jogged with my iPod once I'd unfrozen it, for 30 minutes, then hit the shower.
I was at the supermarket for 8 doing my monthly, now that it's payday, "bulk shop" of all the things I'll need that won't go off, coffee, salad dressing, toothpaste etc. I've developed a thing about people commenting about food I eat or buy, I stopped eating in work years ago because people are so pass remarkable, so, when the portly cashier at the checkout asked me; "what's with all the dressing?" I calmly replied; "It's a month's worth. I eat a lot of salad." I wanted to add... "you should try it," but thankfully, I'm only a cow in my head.
Rewind to me pushing my trolley up the coffee aisle and I saw, and she spotted me.. a customer from the old days. She told me I looked well and that I'd lost, "a lot" of weight. This is always a double edged comment but she's lovely and I know that she meant to be complimentary. Incidentally, I was never huge was I? And I don't think I've lost that much.
Anyway, lady is now 81 she tells me, she looks fabulous and not a day over 60. She updated me on people she obviously thought I knew but I didn't have a clue. Anyway, Rose has moved to a new and lovely bungalow and Maude's husband has Alzheimer's... or so they think. We had a lovely chat and she said she misses us girls, all of the older customers that I bump into say the same thing which is nice don't you think? It's good to be missed, damn it, we made a great team.
Just as the conversation was drawing to a close, I got the usual closer... "so, are you married yet?" Which is swiftly followed by, "that, look" when you tell people, "no, still single." It's funny really, to the older generation especially, not being married is something incomprehensible.
So, we've been basking in our Indian summer for a few days now. On the way to the cinema last night, it was 28 degrees.
At 11.30, I'm getting my brows waxed, love the finish of newly waxed brows. Not sure what the rest of the day holds... I'm torn.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Do you read me?
Have you ever pondered over your communication skills? I wonder all the time about mine and I forget the ratio, but isn't around 80% of all communication, non verbal? My skills, by my own admission, well, they're severely lacking. My skills were put to the test this week when I noticed a blind colleague had taken a wrong turn out of the lift and had ended up where she didn't want to be. I jumped up, told her who I was, (we sat near each other for a few weeks in April,) then I asked her if she was supposed to be on my side of the office, which of course she wasn't, so I proceeded to take her by the arm and guide her back over to her side. My skills were atrocious and I had to admit to my colleague, (although I suspect she'd already guessed by this point but was too polite to mention it,) that I was "rubbish at this." Telling a blind person; "let's go this way..." or, "I think you might be over here in this direction," is absolutely no use, whatsoever. Thankfully, L was very patient with me, (she must have thought I was an idiot,) and within a couple of minutes, I had her back at her desk... somehow... despite my shortcomings.
The adventure that I subjected L to, made me think about how we communicate, specifically, how I communicate. Are we crystal clear? Am I guilty of saying one thing, thinking I'm being clear, when actually, the recipient hasn't a clue of the subtext? Do I need to be more direct? (This week, S told me I absolutely do need to be more direct.) I don't want to be blunt to the point of impoliteness, but I need to stop thinking that I know what other people are thinking or how they'll react and I need to speak more freely rather than sugar coating everything. I need to be clear. After a lifetime of pussyfooting around, this is going to be a challenge... I like a challenge.
The adventure that I subjected L to, made me think about how we communicate, specifically, how I communicate. Are we crystal clear? Am I guilty of saying one thing, thinking I'm being clear, when actually, the recipient hasn't a clue of the subtext? Do I need to be more direct? (This week, S told me I absolutely do need to be more direct.) I don't want to be blunt to the point of impoliteness, but I need to stop thinking that I know what other people are thinking or how they'll react and I need to speak more freely rather than sugar coating everything. I need to be clear. After a lifetime of pussyfooting around, this is going to be a challenge... I like a challenge.
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Excited it's Friday?
Should a person really be excited that it's Friday? I can't remember the last time I was excited by the thought of it being Friday but I really was, and I don't even have anything planned for the weekend.
The week itself hasn't been too bad. Each day passed at a moderate pace, I've been running out for coffee around 11am every morning for a liquid lunch, which is a costly and flexi-time consuming habit which I'm trying to break. While each day didn't drag, I haven't felt myself for over a week now.
It took me until Wednesday night to work it out, I finally realised that I have summer to autumn jet leg. I feel tired, cold, a bit like I'm getting a cold, my body is stiff and I'm desperately wishing I could take to my bed and hibernate for the next 3 months. Autumn, and of course,Winter, will not be over in 3 months but, I think it's the week after Christmas... the nights will once again begin draw out again. I'll get over it, I'm just going to need time to adjust again... probably around 3 months... until the nights start to draw out.
So, one day this week, after a particularly bad hair day, I decided to enlist the assistance of some of the many hair defying products in my bathroom, to smooth out the frizz and restore some of my dignity. A few spritzes later and extra blow drying time than the norm with the big round brush, (we're probably talking an extra 3 minutes,) and I got three compliments and at least that in double-takes. Damn it, that means I need to spend 3 minutes longer... more often. By the way, every time I use the word "compliment," I need to double check the spelling. Compliment is an expression of praise were as "complement," means something is completed like a good wine together with a fabulous meal, or Tom Cruise's character with Renee Zellweger's character in Jerry Maguire ... just in case you were wondering. I swear I'll commit this to memory before I die.
The week itself hasn't been too bad. Each day passed at a moderate pace, I've been running out for coffee around 11am every morning for a liquid lunch, which is a costly and flexi-time consuming habit which I'm trying to break. While each day didn't drag, I haven't felt myself for over a week now.
It took me until Wednesday night to work it out, I finally realised that I have summer to autumn jet leg. I feel tired, cold, a bit like I'm getting a cold, my body is stiff and I'm desperately wishing I could take to my bed and hibernate for the next 3 months. Autumn, and of course,Winter, will not be over in 3 months but, I think it's the week after Christmas... the nights will once again begin draw out again. I'll get over it, I'm just going to need time to adjust again... probably around 3 months... until the nights start to draw out.
So, one day this week, after a particularly bad hair day, I decided to enlist the assistance of some of the many hair defying products in my bathroom, to smooth out the frizz and restore some of my dignity. A few spritzes later and extra blow drying time than the norm with the big round brush, (we're probably talking an extra 3 minutes,) and I got three compliments and at least that in double-takes. Damn it, that means I need to spend 3 minutes longer... more often. By the way, every time I use the word "compliment," I need to double check the spelling. Compliment is an expression of praise were as "complement," means something is completed like a good wine together with a fabulous meal, or Tom Cruise's character with Renee Zellweger's character in Jerry Maguire ... just in case you were wondering. I swear I'll commit this to memory before I die.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Nina-esque... finally
I have had a very lazy morning. Wait, to begin with, last night, I watched for the first time, all the way through; "Moonstruck." Oh my goodness, I can't believe what I've been missing for the past twenty four years. It's warm, funny, touching, romantic, and no wonder Cher won the Oscar. I loved it and yes, I need to find it on DVD, it's a keeper.
So, after being totally awestruck by Moonstruck, it was now 9pm. I was tired and with nothing good on TV, I decided to take myself off to bed, maybe to read. I can't remember the last time I read in bed. I did ponder on a scale of 1 - 10, how pathetic it was to go to bed at 9pm on a Saturday night but only for a minute, with no alternative... bed easily won. I fell straight to sleep and fast. I woke this morning after a very weird dream, and pondered, from my nest, that maybe I shouldn't run this morning. Can't remember the last time I decided I was going to give it a miss and with no injury in sight, well, not one to stop me running anyway.
Instead, I had a lazy morning up until I left for here. I sewed a button onto my teal jacket that's been hanging by a thread for two weeks, (incidentally, did someone make the eyes of needles smaller since the last time I sewed on a button?) Ironed my top, it's made of that perma-crinkled cotton but there are limits darling, I couldn't leave home looking like I'd slept in it, could I?
I think you'd love the outfit. Despite the jeans and the boots, I confess to looking quite feminine today, even if I do say so myself, and most Nina-esque, speaking of which, did you watch the finale of Offspring yet? I finally got to wear the new scarf I bought the last time I was down south. I've been itching to wear it since I brought it home but it didn't go with any of the tops I've been wearing. Anyway, with a chill in the air, I have found a top that goes with the scarf, just as we head into Autumn. The top is beige for want of a better description, lets call it pale gold, it's kind of smocky with lace, capped sleeves and a pin tucked front which makes my chest look enormous. Well, slight exaggeration, not enormous exactly, as you can imagine, but still, bigger some how, which was not the look I was going for. Anyway, add to that; Pandora, a teal and pink bracelet I haven't worn for around 8 years that I stumbled upon, a Swarovski bracelet, wavy hair and teal jacket, and there you go.
I'm suddenly conscious that the end of the year is zooming towards me at break neck speed and yes, I realise that my never ending de-cluttering has been going on now, well... for years but I really need to get my skates on. Everything seems to be annoying me at home and the utopia vision I have in my head, of living in a clutter and excess free home, feels like it needs to become reality, pronto, and not just a fantasy. Could it really happen before the end of the year? Judging by the last 8 years I would hazard a guess at no, but I could fling a heck of a load of stuff between now and the start of 2012. Just how futuristic does that sound? And just so you know... futuristic is only 15 weeks away chick.
So, after being totally awestruck by Moonstruck, it was now 9pm. I was tired and with nothing good on TV, I decided to take myself off to bed, maybe to read. I can't remember the last time I read in bed. I did ponder on a scale of 1 - 10, how pathetic it was to go to bed at 9pm on a Saturday night but only for a minute, with no alternative... bed easily won. I fell straight to sleep and fast. I woke this morning after a very weird dream, and pondered, from my nest, that maybe I shouldn't run this morning. Can't remember the last time I decided I was going to give it a miss and with no injury in sight, well, not one to stop me running anyway.
Instead, I had a lazy morning up until I left for here. I sewed a button onto my teal jacket that's been hanging by a thread for two weeks, (incidentally, did someone make the eyes of needles smaller since the last time I sewed on a button?) Ironed my top, it's made of that perma-crinkled cotton but there are limits darling, I couldn't leave home looking like I'd slept in it, could I?
I think you'd love the outfit. Despite the jeans and the boots, I confess to looking quite feminine today, even if I do say so myself, and most Nina-esque, speaking of which, did you watch the finale of Offspring yet? I finally got to wear the new scarf I bought the last time I was down south. I've been itching to wear it since I brought it home but it didn't go with any of the tops I've been wearing. Anyway, with a chill in the air, I have found a top that goes with the scarf, just as we head into Autumn. The top is beige for want of a better description, lets call it pale gold, it's kind of smocky with lace, capped sleeves and a pin tucked front which makes my chest look enormous. Well, slight exaggeration, not enormous exactly, as you can imagine, but still, bigger some how, which was not the look I was going for. Anyway, add to that; Pandora, a teal and pink bracelet I haven't worn for around 8 years that I stumbled upon, a Swarovski bracelet, wavy hair and teal jacket, and there you go.
I'm suddenly conscious that the end of the year is zooming towards me at break neck speed and yes, I realise that my never ending de-cluttering has been going on now, well... for years but I really need to get my skates on. Everything seems to be annoying me at home and the utopia vision I have in my head, of living in a clutter and excess free home, feels like it needs to become reality, pronto, and not just a fantasy. Could it really happen before the end of the year? Judging by the last 8 years I would hazard a guess at no, but I could fling a heck of a load of stuff between now and the start of 2012. Just how futuristic does that sound? And just so you know... futuristic is only 15 weeks away chick.
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Who?
I love the TV show; "Who do you think you Are?" This week's episode featured Alan Carr and this was by far, my favourite episode of the series. Alan was charming, funny and entertaining as you can imagine. His story was, very much like mine in that he'd failed to get any further back than grandparents prior to filming so, many... many questions sat there, lazily waiting to be answered.
Through the course of the programme, the narrator mentioned that in World War I, over half of the troops were wounded or killed in action and this got me thinking.
My Grandad, on Mum's side is James Williams. He was wounded in France and shipped home to convalesce in hospital for 12 months, at the opposite end of the county to my Nanna, and to live with the physical legacy of the "Great War," for the rest of his life.
He came home. Jimmy, came home. If he'd been killed in action, 12 people so far, would never have been born, and that includes my Mum, and her offspring which, of course, includes yours truly.
Isn't that amazing? My cousin, who's like a sister and close friend all rolled into one, well, she would have had a sister-in-law and almost, a daughter in law, and that's it in that department, no me, none of my sisters.
There have been many times when I've had an, "It's a Wonderful Life," moment and wondered what if I'd never arrived, but this, simple statistic, really made me think. Going to war was and remains, some, warped game of roulette. Red. Black. Live. Die. What will be, I guess, will be. It's meant to be.
I hope that I never stop being amazed, I love life, and it's twists and turns... they never fail to amaze me.
Through the course of the programme, the narrator mentioned that in World War I, over half of the troops were wounded or killed in action and this got me thinking.
My Grandad, on Mum's side is James Williams. He was wounded in France and shipped home to convalesce in hospital for 12 months, at the opposite end of the county to my Nanna, and to live with the physical legacy of the "Great War," for the rest of his life.
He came home. Jimmy, came home. If he'd been killed in action, 12 people so far, would never have been born, and that includes my Mum, and her offspring which, of course, includes yours truly.
Isn't that amazing? My cousin, who's like a sister and close friend all rolled into one, well, she would have had a sister-in-law and almost, a daughter in law, and that's it in that department, no me, none of my sisters.
There have been many times when I've had an, "It's a Wonderful Life," moment and wondered what if I'd never arrived, but this, simple statistic, really made me think. Going to war was and remains, some, warped game of roulette. Red. Black. Live. Die. What will be, I guess, will be. It's meant to be.
I hope that I never stop being amazed, I love life, and it's twists and turns... they never fail to amaze me.
Signs from the Stars
A friend in work is as interested in astrology as I am, and this week, she decided to lend me; "Collins Need to Know Zodiac Types." I know that a lot of people think astrology is hooey but when I read something and I know that it's true, well, it amazes me because I don't understand it. How can being born on a particular date determine that you have pre-destined traits, and or, looks? Doesn't that really scramble your brain?
Here are a few examples;
Capricorn
Key Words;
Realism & practicality
Planning & persistence
Status & quality
Authority & discipline
Wealth & investment
Loyalty & wisdom
Love & marriage
Famous for being; stable, reliable, calm and utterly dependable.
Sounding familiar yet?
Positive Characteristics;
totally realistic, gives excellent advice, dignified, strategically brilliant, self disciplined, natural leader.
I couldn't have described you more accurately, if I'd tried.
Physical Traits;
small and trim figure
slender neck
very white teeth
shapely legs and small feet
I told my friend that I'd avidly read me, Leo, as a "control" to see how accurate it was but as she pointed out, being a cusp baby, (born at the end of Leo,) I should read Virgo too. I think this is interesting.
Key Words;
Leo
Pleasure & playfulness
Creativity & recognition
Performance & appreciation
Generosity & loyalty
Risk & luck
Entertainment & hospitality
Romance & sex appeal (well, it can't be accurate 100% of the time)
and for Virgo;
Altruism & honesty
Self Improvement
Health & hygiene (this explains a lot as I have a bit of OCD when it comes to hand washing and touching door handles.)
Efficiency & reliability
Service & modesty
Veiled strength & sensuality
Logic & decisiveness, (logic maybe... decisive.....)
Characteristics for Virgo;
Excellent eye for detail, (I do, even if I do say so myself and J relies on this for the jewellery)
Superhuman organisational abilities, (check, I was a pretty good team leader.)
Dedicated
Modest
Meticulous & hardworking
Sympathetic & supportive
Humanitarian
Characteristics for Leo;
Honest & extremely loyal
Lively & cheerful
Accept people for what they are
Dignified
Responsible
Immensely courageous
Unparalleled generosity
Loving
Leo physical traits;
Exudes dignity and class (not sure about that)
Has distinctive or eye-catching hair (well, you know... there is quite a bit of it.)
Walks with head held high (I do)
Usually tall, slim and well proportioned
Dresses to impress
Oval face
Personality;
Trusting and loyal
Loves excitement and travel (travel... definitely)
Is polite and friendly to strangers (well, you never know if they're going to become friends, do you?)
Loves power and wealth (doesn't everyone?)
Instictivly generous
Constantly, but subtly, flirtatious (I couldn't possibly comment)
So, what do you think? Did I, astrology or the book blow your mind? Can't wait to hear what you think.
Here are a few examples;
Capricorn
Key Words;
Realism & practicality
Planning & persistence
Status & quality
Authority & discipline
Wealth & investment
Loyalty & wisdom
Love & marriage
Famous for being; stable, reliable, calm and utterly dependable.
Sounding familiar yet?
Positive Characteristics;
totally realistic, gives excellent advice, dignified, strategically brilliant, self disciplined, natural leader.
I couldn't have described you more accurately, if I'd tried.
Physical Traits;
small and trim figure
slender neck
very white teeth
shapely legs and small feet
I told my friend that I'd avidly read me, Leo, as a "control" to see how accurate it was but as she pointed out, being a cusp baby, (born at the end of Leo,) I should read Virgo too. I think this is interesting.
Key Words;
Leo
Pleasure & playfulness
Creativity & recognition
Performance & appreciation
Generosity & loyalty
Risk & luck
Entertainment & hospitality
Romance & sex appeal (well, it can't be accurate 100% of the time)
and for Virgo;
Altruism & honesty
Self Improvement
Health & hygiene (this explains a lot as I have a bit of OCD when it comes to hand washing and touching door handles.)
Efficiency & reliability
Service & modesty
Veiled strength & sensuality
Logic & decisiveness, (logic maybe... decisive.....)
Characteristics for Virgo;
Excellent eye for detail, (I do, even if I do say so myself and J relies on this for the jewellery)
Superhuman organisational abilities, (check, I was a pretty good team leader.)
Dedicated
Modest
Meticulous & hardworking
Sympathetic & supportive
Humanitarian
Characteristics for Leo;
Honest & extremely loyal
Lively & cheerful
Accept people for what they are
Dignified
Responsible
Immensely courageous
Unparalleled generosity
Loving
Leo physical traits;
Exudes dignity and class (not sure about that)
Has distinctive or eye-catching hair (well, you know... there is quite a bit of it.)
Walks with head held high (I do)
Usually tall, slim and well proportioned
Dresses to impress
Oval face
Personality;
Trusting and loyal
Loves excitement and travel (travel... definitely)
Is polite and friendly to strangers (well, you never know if they're going to become friends, do you?)
Loves power and wealth (doesn't everyone?)
Instictivly generous
Constantly, but subtly, flirtatious (I couldn't possibly comment)
So, what do you think? Did I, astrology or the book blow your mind? Can't wait to hear what you think.
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