Arm Lock Anyone?

Monday, slept late, totally decadent, it's a work day and here I am, lounging around until 6.30am in my pit.  Reason being, I'm on a personal safety training course today and I don't need to leave home until around 8am.

The course is going to be pretty physical and you have to wear leggings, joggers or some such like.  I dig out my leggings.  I haven't worn leggings for about 3 years which was the last time I went to a Pilate's class.  I forgot how naked you feel in them, so I then spend 10 extra minutes trying to find a t-shirt long enough so that I don't feel like I'm parading everything I have to the world.  So I'm late leaving but after some hairy moments, I find the place with the help of my sat nav and sexy Sean, the calming Irish voice who talks me through the journey.  I arrive on time, just about, at the army barracks, drive through the gates and so the day really begins.

We have three trainers, all are from the division I work for but some are ex-army.  It's quite scary, I can't remember ever raising my voice... to anyone, I am a quiet person and loud is not in my nature, nor is pummelling seven bells out of anyone, yet, for this, and to protect myself in the future, I need to be loud and potentially... strike.

We are talked through various scenarios and we do of course have to participate.

Day One and after a lecture and some physical training, of the trainers has me put him in a straight arm lock.  I think I have the correct positioning, he is bent over as if in the correct position.  "What is this called?"  The trainer asks me and I rack my brains for the right answer, is it a straight arm lock?  A locked arm bar?  "This is nothing, is it?"  "No" I reply.  I am pretty rubbish. 

I have needed to defend myself before now, but at the time, I had no clue.  Now, I'm asked to be the instigator of force, and well, we know that it's just not me.  Maybe with one to one training for a few days I would get it down, but I can't see that it's going to happen. 

I get home and throw everything I have worn on Monday and remnants of Sunday's wardrobe in the wash and hang it out on the line when it's done, hoping that whatever hot air remains, will stick around long enough to 80% dry the washing, should I want to wear it again tomorrow.

I venture into the garden to approach the washing line and I peak around the bend to wonder at the wilderness that is my garden.   With the almost incessant rain and some sunshine, all things garden have had growth spurt after growth spurt.  The left hand side of the garden looks wild, but pretty, but then I notice the tree at the bottom of the garden, well, it's branches are starting to reach over the fence into next doors garden.

So there I am, in my undies and PJ top with long armed loppers leaping up and down trying to catch a branch between the pincers of the loppers.  Thank heavens it's pretty secluded and no one can see me, hopefully.  I manage to grab a few small branches and claw back all that is infiltrating next door.

Tuesday, back on the course and we learn some emergency skills in the first half of the morning, CPR, recovery position, what to do if someone is bleeding, in shock etc.  We then move on to how to strike someone if you need to, how to block a tackle, (you think I'm making this up, don't you?) How to recover if you're knocked to the floor, how to bring someone down if need be.  We then finished with a written test and a role play scenario where all manner of things happened which we, in teams of three, had to deal with. 

I hurt just about everywhere, I don't think I've got every move down but I do feel far more able to take care of myself now than I did before and if I ever found myself in danger again, I wouldn't think, "there's nothing I can do," if there is a next time, well, I can do plenty.

I get home, shower, have something quick to eat then I have a doctor's appointment, I actually go in early which is almost unheard of.  My blood pressure is high but I explain that not only is it usually high when it's checked at the clinic and fine at home, but I've been in combative training all day which probably hasn't helped.

I am exhausted, tomorrow, is interview day.

Wisteria Close

I am no gardener, as you know.  But I do love flowers and thanks to the lovely, calamitous and very entertaining ladies of Wisteria Lane, I became familiar with the equally lovely, Wisteria plant. 

B gave me an I.O.U. for a bush/plant for my birthday of 2011.  Quite far into 2012, I told B that I'd quite like a Wisteria and lo and behold, that's what I got this August.

It's in it's pot and it's about 2 feet high, and just green and I love it.  I can't wait to see it flower... if I can keep it alive for that long.  I'm not sure where to put it and I'm worried about making the wrong decision.  I hope it will be happy on my patio.

Since I first wrote this... about 12 hours ago, it's taken a turn for the worst.  It's been so rainy, and it looked so robust, I didn't think it would need to be watered, but as I peered out of the patio window yesterday, it looked slightly withered and on closer inspection, the leaves were dry.  I watered with two large jugs of aqua last night and one this morning, and it looks as though it's 95% recovered.  Can't believe I came this close to killing it... this soon.

Anyway, it looks like this for now,

Eventually, I'm hoping it looks like this;

 

 

Pretty huh?  Watch this space x

Australia, the Film

I have no TV as you know, I'm in between providers, I really must get on the blower and sort something out.  Anyway, it hasn't been too much of a hardship although I am missing the Paralympics which I'll have to try to catch up on the iPlayer.

I've been watching / semi watching my DVDs, last night and then tonight, it's been the turn of "Australia," the Baz Luhrmann epic.  I really love this film.  It really is an epic story, I love that Nicole Kidman is so comedic in this role, in the beginning anyway.  I don't think she plays for laughs, she is so totally over-the-top straight, it's comical and she's obviously not afraid to be laughed at, she is brilliant.  Hugh Jackman is a sight for sore eyes, not only his physical presence, but he is a throw back to the "leading men" of the golden age of cinema, he reminds you of the Gregory Peck's, the Cary Grant's, the John Wayne's, it's refreshing to watch and gee whiz, they are in short supply these days.

And I know I've said it before, but the film ends with Elgar's "Nimrod," pure perfection.

Speaking of the art of film, I was really saddened to hear that Michael Clark Duncan had passed away at the age of 54 years.  I remember watching "The Green Mile" at the cinema, and I sobbed, and I mean sobbed, my heart out.  His career did not span decades but it didn't need to.  I think his role in "The Green Mile" was equally memorable, defining and immortalising.  He will not be forgotten.

Interview Day... the Prequel

It's Wednesday 5th September and, apart from feeling a bit stiff and sore from the past two days fisty cuffs, I feel pretty good.  I've had so much sleep the past 3 nights and I've slept through the night too, first time for weeks. 

I woke early this morning, around 5.30am, I just stayed in bed until my alarm went off at 6.30.  I jogged for 15 minutes, felt great, stretched out my back which has been sorely neglected for weeks on end now, had cereal and toast for breakfast with butter and blackcurrant jam, de-lish.

Now I'm here in Starbucks and I've just read over my application form and notes ready for my interview this afternoon, interview is at 2pm and even though it's only 5 minutes away, I plan on leaving around 1.15pm, just to be on the safe side.

I've come out without a jacket but it's actually quite chilly.  The sun is trying to shine, and I'm sitting here flicking through magazines and writing to you, it's all very leisurely and lovely, feels like so long since I've had the opportunity to do this.

I talk out loud on the drive home, spout my potential answers and practise my delivery.  Back at home, I pace and talk some more for about 45 minutes before changing into my interview clothes and heading out the door.  Of course, that large glass of water before I left was not the best idea, nothing I can do about that now.

So, that was yesterday and this is today, you know how it went.  I'm just going to forget about it now and leave it all up to fate.

Interview Day

Well, I pretty much waffled for England.  I know that I gave at least one really good answer, didn't realise it was good until I was finished then thought, wow, I could not have made one up that good! 

I said a few things which the panel of three nodded in agreement with, they were asides so I don't know if that counts for anything.  Anyway, I felt like it could have gone better, but you can never tell with these things can you?

One member of the panel walked me out and I said I felt like I waffled, her reply was, "trust me, you didn't," but she may have just been being nice.

Anyway, I have to wait for 2 weeks now to hear as they are interviewing until the end of next week.  At least I can forget about it for now, what will be, will be.

More of this day later, just wanted to get this out there x

September 1st

Can you believe it?  The 1st?  I can't.  Don't feel like we have had a summer and all of a sudden, it's September, the month following my Leonine birthday month, (which I barely noticed this year,) and as we all know, September announces the beginning, or at least give you fair notice that Autumn is well on it's way, whether you are ready or not.  The nights are drawing in, the mornings are already darker and before you know it, the leaves will be turning to shades of gold and orange and will be crunching under my feet.

I spent the 1st by firstly working overtime, as usual at the moment.  I had then arranged to meet dear nephew CJ for a mini shopping expedition and general catch up.  I have no idea if all men are like this but shopping with a man is a totally different kettle of fish to shopping with a woman.  CJ at least, is quick to please and quick to decide.  I choose for him, send him into changing rooms, he comes out to get my opinion and hey presto, we have a sale ladies and gentlemen.  Same goes for cologne shopping.  Do we need help?  (the sprightly sales assistant asks.)  Yes we do!  I reply.  She deftly asks CJ what he usually wears, deduces that he likes fresh but masculine scents and give us three to choose from.  I veto one as it's too sweet for me, but leave CJ up to make his own decision.  He chooses the one I would have chosen. 

Two pairs of jeans and one cologne later and we're in Costa Coffee for a beverage, a little something to eat and a catch up.

I feel like death, hot, sweaty, tired and mentally drained after work, still, it is nice to catch up and I'm pretty sure my darling nephew doesn't care what I look like.

I get home, fall into the shower, devour a gorgeous, if I do say so myself stir-fry then catch up with my cousin L for an hour, it's been a busy week.

I manage to stay up until 9.30pm, a record for me at present and only the loud buzz and vibration of a "midge" close to my ear, disturbs me in the middle of the night.  By 4.30am I'm wide awake and raring to go, fortunately, today... Sunday, my alarm does not need to go off until 5am, so I stay there and make the most of my sleep in.

No TV

Due to my bug/lurgy, I unfortunately missed the opening of the Paralympics, but I will watch on the iPlayer. I heard Dr Stephen Hawking on the radio and his opening speech was nothing short of inspirational.

So, back to Friday and I'm home after having successfully purchased hair straighteners cheaper than expected, and after completing two tours of the supermarket, I can only manage a "small" trolley due to the depth of the big ones and lifting in and out etc, so I do one sweep, deposit in the car and go back to pick up more bottled water, then head home.

By the time I get home, I'm feeling slightly short of breath and a little overwhelmed. I have bills to pay... deadline today, cleaning, washing, ironing, dropping off to do. I decide to pay a bill and phone my cousin L, if she is free for a 10 minutes time out and to get my breath back.

My skin is terrible, I am hormonal to the extreme and I am on a personal safety training course on Monday and Tuesday... after normal work on Saturday and Sunday... do we really think I am in sane enough of mind to go on the PST on Monday????  If the course involves tackling someone to the ground, I think I'll win.

So I thankfully get to speak to L for a few minutes of calming chat.  I pay the necessary bills, catch up on emails and texts and potter while I have on "Murder By Numbers," the one with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling, did I tell you that I am in between TV providers?  No?  Well, I have no TV at present, so it's DVDs all the way.  After "Murder By Numbers", I switch to "The Notebook", no prizes for noticing that a certain Mr Gosling stars in both films, I don't care.

So, "Murder By Numbers" is great and "The Notebook"?  Well, I watch two thirds then sob through the final third, then rewind while I write to you and re-sob through the final third as I missed it first time around through all of the sobbing. 

I burnt the front of my thigh last Monday, while ironing in shorts, I was all ready to warn you of the perils of ironing in shorts but then realised that you have probably done that for the past five years, give or take... without damaging yourself.  Anyway, my burn is about 2.5cm long and is starting to dry out and stretch out and be a little sore.

So I go to bed with puffy eyes after the extended sobbing, and as is normal for weekends these days,  I seem to wake every 40 minutes, thinking that it is time to get up.  When my alarm finally goes off, (when I say alarm... I mean my three alarms, two clocks and one phone, so that I don't oversleep,) it is actually a relief to get up and finally start the day.