For all the UK readers, at 10pm tonight More 4 is showing the documentary "Our Year Without Oil" - following a family with children who give up all oil for a year, which of course includes all plastic as it's made with oil!
I can't wait to watch as it's something I'd like to do myself - just the sight of plastic, especially around children, turns my stomach!!
Enjoy!
Tuesday 1 July 2008
Sunday 29 June 2008
Of mice and moi
Imagine coming home & being sick, climbing into bed with a large glass of ice water, a cold compress and your laptop.
Imagine looking down at the floor.......and seeing.............................................................
MICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Imagine calling your landlord to discover he knows about the mice as they had the same problem.
Imagine being unable to complete your work as there are mice under the bed, scratching on the bed and running in a frenzy around your room.
Imagine trying in vein to find a company that is eco friendly (no toxins) and animal friendly to come to deal with said mice.
Imagine in your panic forgetting to say "animal friendly" after eco friendly
Imagine pest control turning up and placing gel traps all over your house and telling you there is a severe infestation with many many many mice in your property - with evidence of them even climbing the curtains!!!!!
Imagine pest control telling you that they will walk on the gel traps and you will hear squeaking, you with then have to pull the other flap of gel on top and crush the mouse.
Imagine screaming "I can't kill it, I'm a vegetarian, I don't kill animals for food or fashion or any reason"
Imagine him then telling you all the reasons why this is different - like the fact they can climb into bed with you at night.
Imagine wanting to book into a hotel, but them remembering while their stuck on the gel they are in pain and you couldn't possible leave a mouse in pain all night while you sleep like a baby - the kinder thing is to kill it.
Imagine feeling incredible guilt because actually, the reality is it's their land and we built on it(granted over 100 yrs ago!), and feeling you have less of a right to be here than it does
Imagine your headache growing worse with each hour and each morsel of guilt
Imagine going to the loo with an upset stomach as have had a terrible reaction to your medication
Imagine just as you turn your head you see one mouse head into the kitchen and then as you turn around you begin to hear a piercing scream from what could only be a mouse trapped in the bathroom (not the same mouse that is in the kitchen) on the gel.
Imagine looking and seeing it trying it's best to get off the gel and being sick (yes, they vomit) all over the gel
Imagine it screaming louder and louder as you go near
Imagine being sick yourself and hyperventilating as you try to get near enough to do the deed...all the time screaming "I'm a vegetarian"
Imagine having to do it and hear the crushing of bones and it's still alive
Imagine having to push even harder until there is no more sound
Imagine knowing you'll never sleep soundly again while in this house and remembering you have 5 months left in your tenancy - well actually 4 months and 3 weeks.
Imagine wondering if people can survive with no sleep for 4 months and 3 weeks
Imagine praying for forgiveness for killing a living creature, while screaming "I'm a vegetarian", hyperventilating until you feel the room spin and you are sure if you pass out you will wake up to find mice crawling all over you, while simultaneously screaming "why am I blo*dy single"
Imagine looking down at the floor.......and seeing.............................................................
MICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Imagine calling your landlord to discover he knows about the mice as they had the same problem.
Imagine being unable to complete your work as there are mice under the bed, scratching on the bed and running in a frenzy around your room.
Imagine trying in vein to find a company that is eco friendly (no toxins) and animal friendly to come to deal with said mice.
Imagine in your panic forgetting to say "animal friendly" after eco friendly
Imagine pest control turning up and placing gel traps all over your house and telling you there is a severe infestation with many many many mice in your property - with evidence of them even climbing the curtains!!!!!
Imagine pest control telling you that they will walk on the gel traps and you will hear squeaking, you with then have to pull the other flap of gel on top and crush the mouse.
Imagine screaming "I can't kill it, I'm a vegetarian, I don't kill animals for food or fashion or any reason"
Imagine him then telling you all the reasons why this is different - like the fact they can climb into bed with you at night.
Imagine wanting to book into a hotel, but them remembering while their stuck on the gel they are in pain and you couldn't possible leave a mouse in pain all night while you sleep like a baby - the kinder thing is to kill it.
Imagine feeling incredible guilt because actually, the reality is it's their land and we built on it(granted over 100 yrs ago!), and feeling you have less of a right to be here than it does
Imagine your headache growing worse with each hour and each morsel of guilt
Imagine going to the loo with an upset stomach as have had a terrible reaction to your medication
Imagine just as you turn your head you see one mouse head into the kitchen and then as you turn around you begin to hear a piercing scream from what could only be a mouse trapped in the bathroom (not the same mouse that is in the kitchen) on the gel.
Imagine looking and seeing it trying it's best to get off the gel and being sick (yes, they vomit) all over the gel
Imagine it screaming louder and louder as you go near
Imagine being sick yourself and hyperventilating as you try to get near enough to do the deed...all the time screaming "I'm a vegetarian"
Imagine having to do it and hear the crushing of bones and it's still alive
Imagine having to push even harder until there is no more sound
Imagine knowing you'll never sleep soundly again while in this house and remembering you have 5 months left in your tenancy - well actually 4 months and 3 weeks.
Imagine wondering if people can survive with no sleep for 4 months and 3 weeks
Imagine praying for forgiveness for killing a living creature, while screaming "I'm a vegetarian", hyperventilating until you feel the room spin and you are sure if you pass out you will wake up to find mice crawling all over you, while simultaneously screaming "why am I blo*dy single"
Thursday 24 April 2008
I've made the pledge, have you?
In a bid to do more to help the earth, reduce my impact on it and make sure I'm supporting ethical business I've made the pledge, for the rest of this year from today I'm only buying handmade goods. If you can't do this, I encourage you to read more about how you can reduce your consumption and have ethical products in your home!
p.s. Thanks to a more green and simple life for the link!
Next stop, ethical banking - currently in research mode, hoping to switch all money over to ethical funds in the next month or so!
p.s. Thanks to a more green and simple life for the link!
Next stop, ethical banking - currently in research mode, hoping to switch all money over to ethical funds in the next month or so!
Wednesday 16 April 2008
A big CONGRATULATIONS are in order!!!
My wonderful friend met her daughter for the first time in the last couple of weeks and is now home from Ethiopia after a long adoption process with her darling baby girl, who as everyone can see is all smiles!
What a special family you make, a BIG Congratulations!
Monday 14 April 2008
I can die happy...!
Your IQ Is 120 |
 Your Logical Intelligence is Exceptional Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Exceptional Your General Knowledge is Above Average |
Mensa anyone?
Sunday 6 April 2008
Easy 10 Tips for a more eco friendly life brought to you by SNOW!
So, I'm snowed in, well actually not snowed in per se, but unable to get to my holiday destination due to road closure. Thankfully everyone was helpful and I'm able to get a booking to leave in the morning instead. So, I thought I'd do a post I've been thinking of for some time, the 10 easy changes I made to live a more eco friendly life!
1. Switched from regular dishwashing liquid and detergents to eco friendly ones. Most supermarkets stock them, I personally enjoy ecover
2. Switched all light bulbs in the house to environmentally friendly ones
3. Committed to understanding that cheap clothing = not only modern day slave labor, but also process' that hurt the environment. Therefore I not only save money but stop contributing to slave labor and unethical process'.
4. Began buying Fairtrade tea & coffee, eventually moved on to purchasing all fairtrade products available including many fruits and clothing
5. Stopped leaving things plugged in and on stand by. If it's plugged in, it means I am watching or listening to it, if I'm not it's unplugged!
6. Switched to purchasing organic food. Began with meat & dairy in the year 2000, moved onto fruit and veg (2001), now including all grains (2003) and officially needed to stop buying organic meat and dairy in 2008.
7. As hinted above, became a vegan. Now, I should say, that I began by going back to being a vegetarian, the vegan bit was a natural progression. Reasons were partly due to the environmental impact of livestock, partly due to health reasons (toxins, pesticides, cancer rates) and a big factor was the ethics. I suddenly realized how very hypocritical it was for me to cry hearing a story of horses being transported across Europe for slaughtering, when I was in fact eating animals myself (and no, I wasn't eating horses). I do believe that people can make choices to eat meat more ethically. I believe in Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall's campaign to educate people into eating free range organic meats instead of factory bread animals who have no space to move, live in horrific conditions etc. You can read more about their campaign here
8. I invested in good, sturdy reusable bags to pack my groceries in and they are still going strong eight years and three countries later. My bags do not promote those same shops that want us to think they are doing something, when in actual fact they remain with their unethical practices. Most of the bags I have are fairtrade or made directly from artists in developing countries who get a fair pay for their work.
9. I started purchasing 90% of my gifts for people from charities and foundations offering good gifts. I get most of my things from World Vision, Toybox and Oxfam
10. I stopped buying paper towels, wet wipes, baby wipes and anything else disposable (don't get me started on the disposable nappy/diaper industry!) Instead I invested about £10 = $20 in purchasing good fairtrade cloth and knit some dish clothes and then also purchased mini flannels. These have lasted me 5 years and must have saved me at least $500 by now!
11. Only wash clothes when they really need it (jeans for instance as well as towels and PJ's can be used many times before needing washing) the exception is more personal items like underwear. I also reduced the temperature in the washing machine to 30 degrees and hang clothes to dry as much as possible.
My next two tasks are to start using the mooncup & moonrabbits (gulp!) and start growing my own fruit and veggies in an allotment
I leave you with this article
Please consider signing this petition so that animals used for meat are kept in ethical living conditions
p.s. yes I know I gave 11, I just can't help myself :)
Saturday 5 April 2008
Where in the world was I?
Judging from these photos, my guess would be either Cuba or Spain. I walked through the front door of the hotel to a wonderful old world Latin flavour. A mix of Havana and Andalusia were upon me. Every corner of the hotel was well thought out and planned fitting in with the theme. The hotel included an "honesty bar" which allowed patrons to help themselves to a variety of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, with a little sheet and slate pencil to record your takings. Of course, I was in neither Cuba or Spain, but instead London. The only give away was breakfast (home made smoothies - the best I have ever tasted, croissants, organic oatmeal and yogurt) and of course the view of the London Eye from the window.
While this was mainly a business trip, I did enjoy a 2.5 hour boat ride down the Thames, lunch with friends at some of the best restaurants London has to offer as well as WAGAMAMA and enjoyed yet more celebrity sightings! And of course being asked out by 4 different men in 4 days was quite the experience too! I did say no to all 4 for a few different reasons!
Off on hols tomorrow, will reveal where once I'm back. Too paranoid of psycho to post in advance.
Thursday 27 March 2008
Okay ladies, it is time to swoon!
Okay ladies, Alan Carr 3rd came over last night to give me a foot massage (how lucky am I to have such great neighbours) and the gem he is, brought this video with him to show me. He then proceeded to tell me all the ways my Nigel and I are similar in our mannerisms. Do you know we both put our hands to our mouth if we say something we shouldn't? Apparently we sit the same way, laugh at similar intervals and he looks like my Dad! So, without further adieu here he is...enjoy!
Tuesday 25 March 2008
Reason Number 101 why I love England
One of the best things about this glorious country is the phenominal beaches! This weekend included a very last minute trip to Cornwall; no computer and no telephone, just good old fashioned fun. Honestly, it was as close to Heaven as I could ever imagine. The wonderful cliffs, beaches, rock pools, the people, the galleries, the art....exactly what my recovering body needed!Favourite moment was sitting on the balcony, with panoramic views of the coast, drinking a white wine spritzer and enjoying those calorific scones with clotted cream & jam. Honestly, who needs therapy when you can enjoy these views???
Monday 17 March 2008
How not to get a girl to give you her phone number!
Sorry I've been MIA, it's been a BUSY week and no sadly Nigel didn't ask for me to marry him...yet!
Was at a party Friday night, hence the title of the post.
This is what was said by a member of the opposite sex about half way through the evening:
When you walked in, I thought you were a dumb blonde, but actually you know a lot of things, you obviously follow politics, read the Guardian, are well travelled, in fact you could be my perfect woman. Can I get your number so we could meet up?
And of course, my answer was no....sorry but I can't quite get past the dumb blonde bit...
What is wrong with men? All the good ones seem to be taken, sigh!
Was at a party Friday night, hence the title of the post.
This is what was said by a member of the opposite sex about half way through the evening:
When you walked in, I thought you were a dumb blonde, but actually you know a lot of things, you obviously follow politics, read the Guardian, are well travelled, in fact you could be my perfect woman. Can I get your number so we could meet up?
And of course, my answer was no....sorry but I can't quite get past the dumb blonde bit...
What is wrong with men? All the good ones seem to be taken, sigh!
Tuesday 11 March 2008
Ha Ha Ha
Ha Ha Ha!
Good news is that the thong is going out ladies, it now only makes up 13% of underwear sales! Best piece of news I've heard in a long time:)
Wednesday 5 March 2008
Nigel Harman please marry me!
Why Nigel Harman and I are meant to be together:
1. We both have a background in musical theatre (and we all know all the experts say common interests are very important in a relationship!)
2. He played Curt in The Sound of Music and I played Gretel (who doesn’t love Gretel??!!)
3. He and I are the same number of years, months and days apart as my parents are (and they had a great love story!)
4. We both had a parent die as a child
5. We both grew up in Surrey (like point 1, these similarities are important my love)
6. We share the same favourite bakery in London
7. His Dad is a banker and I looove bankers...!
8. He worked @ Sainsbury’s and I worked at Sainsbury’s (as a College student). I should say that upon completion of the entry to work at Sainsbury's test, I was deemed suitable for the office instead of the shop floor!
9. Nigel said in an interview that he’d love a girlfriend who wasn’t necessarily the brains of Britain but was smart (well does number 8 show my brains?? Don’t forget those 3 degrees I’ve got and my super fabulous job now, youngest in the team by 20 yrs!!)
10. He likes women with red hair – heck I would look great with red hair!
11. We both support Crystal Palace FC (granted I switched from supporting the gunners upon learning of my beloved Nigel’s love for CP, please forgive me for my indiscretion Nigel)
12. He can juggle, I am VERY good at juggling (um...men)
13. A friend of a friend of a friend of a friend I was at a pub with in London once told me that my humour reminded him so much of his old friend Nigel (alright, he wasn’t talking about THE Nigel, but we’ve got to start somewhere!)
14. He has that thing where he has one eye that is bigger than the other – I LOVE THAT!!!!!!
15. He is vulnerable – honestly, I’ve always had a soft spot for vulnerable men
16. He likes Julianne Moore – honestly, I have been told several times that my voice sounds very similar to hers (and no I didn’t pay people to say that!)
17. I look like Tamzin Outhwaite
18. He smokes – I detest, hate and despair at people who smoke BUT every good relationship has something to fight and make up about. This can be our thing baby!
19. He was distressed not to get a role in the new upcoming film Mama Mia. I was distressed too baby (sshh! secretly I was relieved because at least he won’t have American women swooning after him, I can cope with the Brits but not the Americans)
20. He likes hot women and I have been told I am positively on fire. Yes, it was by the 75 year old man that swims at the same time as me each evening and yes he is blind in one eye, but we can overlook such things
21. I fancy him from the depths of my heart and I know if he gave US a chance, he’d fancy me too
Now dear Nigel, I should preface this by saying I am no jezebel and no groupie. I was taught, very rightly, there is a big difference between the women men get into relationships with and the women men marry, I am the latter. Remember that saying, every man wants a lady on his arm, a wife in the kitchen and a ........(fill in blank – couldn’t possibly say it, after all I am a lady!) Well baby, that expression was made with ME in mind :)
If anyone who reads this knows him, I will give you naming rights to our first child if you set us up. After all Alan Carr 2nd & 3rd (the neighbours) did say, when I shared my obsession, er love, for Nigel "ooohhh, you'd make beautiful babies, I tell you, beautiful babies"
Dishy Dicky any insider tips, chance of a set up?? Come on you have to use that star status for some good!!
I leave you with this parting video; can you see the similarities???
1. We both have a background in musical theatre (and we all know all the experts say common interests are very important in a relationship!)
2. He played Curt in The Sound of Music and I played Gretel (who doesn’t love Gretel??!!)
3. He and I are the same number of years, months and days apart as my parents are (and they had a great love story!)
4. We both had a parent die as a child
5. We both grew up in Surrey (like point 1, these similarities are important my love)
6. We share the same favourite bakery in London
7. His Dad is a banker and I looove bankers...!
8. He worked @ Sainsbury’s and I worked at Sainsbury’s (as a College student). I should say that upon completion of the entry to work at Sainsbury's test, I was deemed suitable for the office instead of the shop floor!
9. Nigel said in an interview that he’d love a girlfriend who wasn’t necessarily the brains of Britain but was smart (well does number 8 show my brains?? Don’t forget those 3 degrees I’ve got and my super fabulous job now, youngest in the team by 20 yrs!!)
10. He likes women with red hair – heck I would look great with red hair!
11. We both support Crystal Palace FC (granted I switched from supporting the gunners upon learning of my beloved Nigel’s love for CP, please forgive me for my indiscretion Nigel)
12. He can juggle, I am VERY good at juggling (um...men)
13. A friend of a friend of a friend of a friend I was at a pub with in London once told me that my humour reminded him so much of his old friend Nigel (alright, he wasn’t talking about THE Nigel, but we’ve got to start somewhere!)
14. He has that thing where he has one eye that is bigger than the other – I LOVE THAT!!!!!!
15. He is vulnerable – honestly, I’ve always had a soft spot for vulnerable men
16. He likes Julianne Moore – honestly, I have been told several times that my voice sounds very similar to hers (and no I didn’t pay people to say that!)
17. I look like Tamzin Outhwaite
18. He smokes – I detest, hate and despair at people who smoke BUT every good relationship has something to fight and make up about. This can be our thing baby!
19. He was distressed not to get a role in the new upcoming film Mama Mia. I was distressed too baby (sshh! secretly I was relieved because at least he won’t have American women swooning after him, I can cope with the Brits but not the Americans)
20. He likes hot women and I have been told I am positively on fire. Yes, it was by the 75 year old man that swims at the same time as me each evening and yes he is blind in one eye, but we can overlook such things
21. I fancy him from the depths of my heart and I know if he gave US a chance, he’d fancy me too
Now dear Nigel, I should preface this by saying I am no jezebel and no groupie. I was taught, very rightly, there is a big difference between the women men get into relationships with and the women men marry, I am the latter. Remember that saying, every man wants a lady on his arm, a wife in the kitchen and a ........(fill in blank – couldn’t possibly say it, after all I am a lady!) Well baby, that expression was made with ME in mind :)
If anyone who reads this knows him, I will give you naming rights to our first child if you set us up. After all Alan Carr 2nd & 3rd (the neighbours) did say, when I shared my obsession, er love, for Nigel "ooohhh, you'd make beautiful babies, I tell you, beautiful babies"
Dishy Dicky any insider tips, chance of a set up?? Come on you have to use that star status for some good!!
I leave you with this parting video; can you see the similarities???
Tuesday 4 March 2008
How to have a very good 24 hours - yes another shameless mention of Dishy Dicky aka Richard Madeley
Firstly, forget that you:
1. Left your beloved Jimmy Choo shoes outside overnight because you insisted on wearing them when cleaning out the rabbit's cage (so that you would feel beautiful of course).
2. Found a slimy slug in said Jimmy Choo shoes, scream and wake neighbours; luckily Mr and Mr Alan Carr 2 & 3'rd don't seem to mind, instead erupt in fits of laughter at your expense, (would be funny except for the fact I am scantily clothed and not expecting spectators!)
3. Forget to remove slime and slide foot into said shoe
4. Were so lazy when you plugged your alarm clock in, that instead of setting it at 11pm, you leave it flashing at 0:00 and of course, therefore in your state of hazy morning madness you arrive at work an hour early
5. Were so eager to work out this morning, that you begin your moves (before, or should that be, in the middle, of being clothed) forgetting that you had already opened the blind, the milkman in full view of at least the top half!!!
Instead focus on:
1. The fact you've had 2 comments from the wonderfully salubrious Dishy Dicky (admitting you'll never be able to watch tv at 5 without blushing again), one in which he actually states my obsessions make his world feel complete (yes I will shamelessly plug him plug him plug him as much as I wish!)
2. The fact you were privy to, and the subject, of an intense discussion between some very handsome police officers you are teaching about whether you look more like Kate Winslet or Tamzin Outhwaite.
3. The fact that when you ask said officers if this is good (similarities to Kate and Tamzin), they say "very good, very very good indeed" (dirty old men!)
4. Remember that Nigel Harman went out with Tamzin Outhwaite and thank the Lord that hope prevails
Isn't life grand???
1. Left your beloved Jimmy Choo shoes outside overnight because you insisted on wearing them when cleaning out the rabbit's cage (so that you would feel beautiful of course).
2. Found a slimy slug in said Jimmy Choo shoes, scream and wake neighbours; luckily Mr and Mr Alan Carr 2 & 3'rd don't seem to mind, instead erupt in fits of laughter at your expense, (would be funny except for the fact I am scantily clothed and not expecting spectators!)
3. Forget to remove slime and slide foot into said shoe
4. Were so lazy when you plugged your alarm clock in, that instead of setting it at 11pm, you leave it flashing at 0:00 and of course, therefore in your state of hazy morning madness you arrive at work an hour early
5. Were so eager to work out this morning, that you begin your moves (before, or should that be, in the middle, of being clothed) forgetting that you had already opened the blind, the milkman in full view of at least the top half!!!
Instead focus on:
1. The fact you've had 2 comments from the wonderfully salubrious Dishy Dicky (admitting you'll never be able to watch tv at 5 without blushing again), one in which he actually states my obsessions make his world feel complete (yes I will shamelessly plug him plug him plug him as much as I wish!)
2. The fact you were privy to, and the subject, of an intense discussion between some very handsome police officers you are teaching about whether you look more like Kate Winslet or Tamzin Outhwaite.
3. The fact that when you ask said officers if this is good (similarities to Kate and Tamzin), they say "very good, very very good indeed" (dirty old men!)
4. Remember that Nigel Harman went out with Tamzin Outhwaite and thank the Lord that hope prevails
Isn't life grand???
Monday 3 March 2008
Favourite Post from the old blog...the post NOT about meeting Nelson Mendela but instead a post about Richard Madeley aka dishy dicky and much more!
Firstly, anyone else hear that Conrad Black is headed to prison?? I know him, in fact one of my earliest memories involves him. Still not sure what I think about this, may do a post another day!
Thought I'd re-post my favourite blog post from the big old blog. It's funny, I had at least 450 readers a day, 45-70 comments on each post and yet I felt my literary juices were stifled, here now, a fortnight into a small blog and I'm loving every moment!
What a day.... I was going to write this great post tonight about meeting Nelson Mandela....but I am too tired to do anything but debrief by sharing my day....
8:15 - leave house for hair appointment, happen to look at gas meter....empty (totally) swing by the gas station and pay £40/$70US for gas for my small small car....yup it is that expensive here in blighty
9:00 - park at my work parking lot - woo hoo my space is still there. Don't have to pay (the building allows shoppers to park there, but they have to pay a donation to a charity, workers do not) but I want to, can't find any change, promise I'll come back with money even though they tell me I don't have to
9:15 - Arrive 15 minutes late at my hair appointment - stylist not happy.....
9:16 - Remember why I don't like going to the hair dresser - the combination of mirrors and the chair make anyone who isn't a size 0 look like they just swallowed a dump truck! I swear I look wider and wider with each passing minute.....wish I looked gracefully curvy like Judy Finnegan (mind you if dishy Dicky were my husband I'd make an effort too!!)
9:17 - realize that Miss size 0 stylist could fit 2 of her bodies into mine...
9:18 - REALLY WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE....Stylist tells me, well it will only be about 2 hours.......GULP - decide best option is to keep eyes closed, first remind stylist 'I am NOT brave, please tread lightly and whatever you do don't make me any blonder!!!!!!'
9:19 - realize I will never really be able to keep my eyes closed...decide to read a gossip mag...
9:20 - officially bored....realize I still look double the size of the size 0 stylist and decided to close my eyes....
9:22 - open eyes to check watch (surely 30 minutes must have passed....?) 2 minutes later....
10:15 - colour ready, time for wash!
10:16 -Size 0 two is my 'washer' she is a very very good washer, how I wish she was a man!
10:20 - In chair now the cutting has begun....decide seriously the only option is to close eyes......and pray
11:00 - eyes open...it's not too bad.....yes, not bad!
11:05 - go to pay, hand in $100 certificate....
11:06 - 'I'm sorry miss but we can't register your gift card, it wasn't activated'......what to do?11:07 - They go and get manager
11:08 - Size 0 three gets involved as well as super uper 'I am batting for the other team' male stylist...(honestly he gives Alan Carr a run for his money)
11:09- they accept it and will call me if the gift card says it doesn't have £100 and I can pay the difference....I pay what they think I owe and leave
11:15 - Arrive at shop to pick up some things I had ordered for some friends,
11:20 -wait in LONG line up
11:32 - woman tells me that the books aren't on the buy one get one half price deal, I tell her they are in the section that says that....she calls manager
11:40 - he FINALLY arrives - makes me walk him there, I show him 'Oh yes he said it is buy one get one half price'
11:41 - arrive back at my space to see it is gone, woman clerk tells customers she has to serve me first, they simply will not move, I end up passing my money over their heads!!!
11:45 - Feeling really smug....nice hair, nice gifts, on my way to car park (with change for the charity) to get my car and go for my stone treatment....oh no....I see the hot man who told me on the date he sees dead people - hide behind bush.....
11:47 - Safe, start walking, hear phone ringing...pick it up, start chatting tell friend I am in a rush, will call later.....hang up to find someone tapping shoulder....
11:48 - turn around (thinking it couldn't be could it???) IT's HIM
11:49 - exchange pleasantries, 'wow you look good' (him) 'thanks' (me)......
11:50 - oh no I can tell by the 'I'm holding it in look'.......he's going to AAAAAHHHHH
11:51 - he asks me out again
11:52 - me squirming as he is speaking I am thinking remember honesty is the best policy decide i can't be that mean.....tell him that I have met someone....
11:53 -Oh, is it serious?' says he...."well we are engaged and expecting our second baby together and plan to move to Borneo to take a very early retirement" I tell him.....
11:54 - Shaking his head, he says "wow you guys move fast, wasn't our date only a few months ago"
11:55 - Me: "well I have to be at an appointment in 5 minutes" he then says "I am planning a trip next year, maybe I could visit you"
11:56 - Me "Um we are going to be missionaries in Bornio, not sure if your faith would fit in...."
11:57 - "Too bad" says he "I guess I won't be seeing you at the bi-monthly strategy meetings for much longer"....(DO'H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
11:58 - I now have 2 minutes to get to hot stone treatment that is a 5 minute drive....pray to God for forgiveness for lying - lying = sin
11:59 - arrive at car, give charity money.....
12:06 - arrive at parking lot for hot stone treatment, need change to pay....oops gave it all to the charity.....
12:08 - me in total panic, must have looked quite damsel in distress nice man comes over and gives me the money - thank him profusely
12:09 - walk all the way down the hill, pay12:10 - walk up the hill
12:14 - Arrive at appointment
12:15 - 1:45 - this time would be best described as total bliss - hot stone treatment and pedicure 1:45 - go to pay....they don't take cards (WHAT????) am directed to an ATM/hole in the wall
1:47 -arrive at ATM/hole in the wall to find the following message 'We are sorry to inform you that this machine can not be of assistance at this time'
1:50 - arrive at shop, ask if they can do cash back yes, if you spend £2.50
1:55- finally get to front of line, purchase 5 packs of gum/mints,comes to £2.49, clerk tells me I must purchase another one
1:59 - back to shop, pay
2:00- walk down hill to car, realize my feet hurt, remember I just got a pedicure and her last words were 'rest your feet'
2:03 - hobble down hill, get in car
2:15 - arrive at appointment that was supposed to start at 2, once again....'I HAVE NO CHANGE FOR THE PARKING LOT' -
2:16 - decide only option is to rummage through car
2:18....find enough for 1 hour.....praying it's enough
2:20 - arrive at appointment, apologize profusely!!
2:21 - realize I haven't had any food or drinks since 8am.....choice to be made accept water from lady & use public loos (one day I'll bore you all with a post about my HATE for public loos) or go without....
2:21 - decide to go without
2:22 - the smells in this place are making me SICK
2:23 - am turning green with sickness from the fumes
2:24 - I ask the lady how she can stand the fumes...her answer 'I don't smell them anymore' I then say "from a public health perspective I'd be very worried about that"
2:25 - she looks blankly at me
2:26 - 3:19 - cough, wheeze, feel dizzy, feel like being sick, think about how much my feet hurt.... 3:20 - pay and get the hell out of there
3:30 - drive back into the city for appointment at the bank
3:45 - Arrive in the city, pay at meter....WHAT WAS I MISSING??? CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3:46 - Seriously feel like giving up and going home, but must pay school fees....realize my feet are still seriously hurting, take shoes off, nice man comes out of his office
3:47 - Nice man insists on paying my parking fee, I promise I'll be back with money in a couple hours, he insists it isn't necessary....I insist!
3:50 - walk by a dear homeless man I always talk to and purchase BIG ISSUE from, he says 'hey lady' and smiles, I greet him, we chat
3:51 - I go to store and buy him sandwich and get some money for him
3:52 - give him some money, he then wants to hug, then I hand him his sandwich (he likes meat, so I always get him free range, organic ham sandwich, some fruit and juice)
3:53 - he begins the line he always says 'hey lady, do you think someone like me needs organic food' , to which I always say 'but I care what goes into your body, and how could I live with myself if I fed you something with toxins or something that was made by keeping animals in terrible conditions.
3:54 - he laughs, tears streaming down his face and says 'thanks crazy lady' and then mutters 'I love you'
3:58 - arrive at my bank appointment (wobbling all the way), I get in before the door is locked
4:00 - see all my money go out of my account.....
4:03 - leave bank, wobble to the post office
4:08 - 4:15 - wait in line...feet hurt, look down and see the polish on my toes has already smugged....
4:17 - wobble to counter....
4:30 - I have the jeopardy theme going through my head, mr post man is very very slow.....
4:40 - wobble to shop and buy some swimming trunks for baby bean....
4:45 - as I am paying run into a Canadian friend who lives here with her daughter from China, greet, tell news etc
4:55 - walk out of shop, promising I'll call soon to meet up, see a homeless man selling his BIG ISSUE magazine (a magazine homeless people can sell, they get to keep 1/2 of the cost of each magazine) decide to buy the magazine.
4:56 - He is so happy I am buying it, I look in my wallet and what do I see??? NO CHANGE
4:58 - I then give mr magazine man a bill to take to a shop to get change
4:59 - He stands there with a puzzled look 'you trust me??????'
5:00 - Me OF COURSE!!!
5:02 - He realizes he has stood there for 2 whole minutes in awe that I trust him, then runs off
5:05 - He arrives back with the change
5:06 - we chat
5:07 - He thanks me for being the first customer of the day (he started selling at 9am) and for trusting him....
5:15 - hobble to my favourite Malaysian food store to get some dinner....
5:16 - 5:19 - purchase food, realize my car parking is almost up
5:25 - arrive at car, go and pay man (who still insists I don't need to), get in car
5:45 - almost home, get a phone call, 'can I pick up some cheesecake for my mum'
5:53 - arrive at grocery store, find cheesecake, remember the older lady who lives alone a street below me told me she is always running out of milk, decide to go get her some ,
5:54 - reach for milk.....get it, an older lady looks at me and says 'is that the last organic milk'
5:55 - give the lady the milk, go and find someone to look in the back for more organic milk
5:57 - find someone, he goes off to find it
5:57 - 6:05 - playing Jeopardy song in my head.......
6:06 - he brings it
6:10 - pay
6:18 - arrive at older lady's house....she looks at it and says 'Ooohh thank you, but I don't drink organic milk'
6:19 - I decide to forgo the talk about the importance of organics and tell her to try it and she'll be surprised,
6:20 - she then says 'just a minute, I'll try it'
6:22 - she drinks milk and says 'oh dear, this is lovely'
6:27 - I arrive home happy but tired....my hair is now quickly going back into ringlets instead of the straight locks it was when I left the salon...but in general I am happy (happy but with bleeding feet)
The motto of the story really is make sure you have ooodles of change
In hindsight it may have been quicker to write about meeting Nelson Mandela
Thought I'd re-post my favourite blog post from the big old blog. It's funny, I had at least 450 readers a day, 45-70 comments on each post and yet I felt my literary juices were stifled, here now, a fortnight into a small blog and I'm loving every moment!
What a day.... I was going to write this great post tonight about meeting Nelson Mandela....but I am too tired to do anything but debrief by sharing my day....
8:15 - leave house for hair appointment, happen to look at gas meter....empty (totally) swing by the gas station and pay £40/$70US for gas for my small small car....yup it is that expensive here in blighty
9:00 - park at my work parking lot - woo hoo my space is still there. Don't have to pay (the building allows shoppers to park there, but they have to pay a donation to a charity, workers do not) but I want to, can't find any change, promise I'll come back with money even though they tell me I don't have to
9:15 - Arrive 15 minutes late at my hair appointment - stylist not happy.....
9:16 - Remember why I don't like going to the hair dresser - the combination of mirrors and the chair make anyone who isn't a size 0 look like they just swallowed a dump truck! I swear I look wider and wider with each passing minute.....wish I looked gracefully curvy like Judy Finnegan (mind you if dishy Dicky were my husband I'd make an effort too!!)
9:17 - realize that Miss size 0 stylist could fit 2 of her bodies into mine...
9:18 - REALLY WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE....Stylist tells me, well it will only be about 2 hours.......GULP - decide best option is to keep eyes closed, first remind stylist 'I am NOT brave, please tread lightly and whatever you do don't make me any blonder!!!!!!'
9:19 - realize I will never really be able to keep my eyes closed...decide to read a gossip mag...
9:20 - officially bored....realize I still look double the size of the size 0 stylist and decided to close my eyes....
9:22 - open eyes to check watch (surely 30 minutes must have passed....?) 2 minutes later....
10:15 - colour ready, time for wash!
10:16 -Size 0 two is my 'washer' she is a very very good washer, how I wish she was a man!
10:20 - In chair now the cutting has begun....decide seriously the only option is to close eyes......and pray
11:00 - eyes open...it's not too bad.....yes, not bad!
11:05 - go to pay, hand in $100 certificate....
11:06 - 'I'm sorry miss but we can't register your gift card, it wasn't activated'......what to do?11:07 - They go and get manager
11:08 - Size 0 three gets involved as well as super uper 'I am batting for the other team' male stylist...(honestly he gives Alan Carr a run for his money)
11:09- they accept it and will call me if the gift card says it doesn't have £100 and I can pay the difference....I pay what they think I owe and leave
11:15 - Arrive at shop to pick up some things I had ordered for some friends,
11:20 -wait in LONG line up
11:32 - woman tells me that the books aren't on the buy one get one half price deal, I tell her they are in the section that says that....she calls manager
11:40 - he FINALLY arrives - makes me walk him there, I show him 'Oh yes he said it is buy one get one half price'
11:41 - arrive back at my space to see it is gone, woman clerk tells customers she has to serve me first, they simply will not move, I end up passing my money over their heads!!!
11:45 - Feeling really smug....nice hair, nice gifts, on my way to car park (with change for the charity) to get my car and go for my stone treatment....oh no....I see the hot man who told me on the date he sees dead people - hide behind bush.....
11:47 - Safe, start walking, hear phone ringing...pick it up, start chatting tell friend I am in a rush, will call later.....hang up to find someone tapping shoulder....
11:48 - turn around (thinking it couldn't be could it???) IT's HIM
11:49 - exchange pleasantries, 'wow you look good' (him) 'thanks' (me)......
11:50 - oh no I can tell by the 'I'm holding it in look'.......he's going to AAAAAHHHHH
11:51 - he asks me out again
11:52 - me squirming as he is speaking I am thinking remember honesty is the best policy decide i can't be that mean.....tell him that I have met someone....
11:53 -Oh, is it serious?' says he...."well we are engaged and expecting our second baby together and plan to move to Borneo to take a very early retirement" I tell him.....
11:54 - Shaking his head, he says "wow you guys move fast, wasn't our date only a few months ago"
11:55 - Me: "well I have to be at an appointment in 5 minutes" he then says "I am planning a trip next year, maybe I could visit you"
11:56 - Me "Um we are going to be missionaries in Bornio, not sure if your faith would fit in...."
11:57 - "Too bad" says he "I guess I won't be seeing you at the bi-monthly strategy meetings for much longer"....(DO'H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
11:58 - I now have 2 minutes to get to hot stone treatment that is a 5 minute drive....pray to God for forgiveness for lying - lying = sin
11:59 - arrive at car, give charity money.....
12:06 - arrive at parking lot for hot stone treatment, need change to pay....oops gave it all to the charity.....
12:08 - me in total panic, must have looked quite damsel in distress nice man comes over and gives me the money - thank him profusely
12:09 - walk all the way down the hill, pay12:10 - walk up the hill
12:14 - Arrive at appointment
12:15 - 1:45 - this time would be best described as total bliss - hot stone treatment and pedicure 1:45 - go to pay....they don't take cards (WHAT????) am directed to an ATM/hole in the wall
1:47 -arrive at ATM/hole in the wall to find the following message 'We are sorry to inform you that this machine can not be of assistance at this time'
1:50 - arrive at shop, ask if they can do cash back yes, if you spend £2.50
1:55- finally get to front of line, purchase 5 packs of gum/mints,comes to £2.49, clerk tells me I must purchase another one
1:59 - back to shop, pay
2:00- walk down hill to car, realize my feet hurt, remember I just got a pedicure and her last words were 'rest your feet'
2:03 - hobble down hill, get in car
2:15 - arrive at appointment that was supposed to start at 2, once again....'I HAVE NO CHANGE FOR THE PARKING LOT' -
2:16 - decide only option is to rummage through car
2:18....find enough for 1 hour.....praying it's enough
2:20 - arrive at appointment, apologize profusely!!
2:21 - realize I haven't had any food or drinks since 8am.....choice to be made accept water from lady & use public loos (one day I'll bore you all with a post about my HATE for public loos) or go without....
2:21 - decide to go without
2:22 - the smells in this place are making me SICK
2:23 - am turning green with sickness from the fumes
2:24 - I ask the lady how she can stand the fumes...her answer 'I don't smell them anymore' I then say "from a public health perspective I'd be very worried about that"
2:25 - she looks blankly at me
2:26 - 3:19 - cough, wheeze, feel dizzy, feel like being sick, think about how much my feet hurt.... 3:20 - pay and get the hell out of there
3:30 - drive back into the city for appointment at the bank
3:45 - Arrive in the city, pay at meter....WHAT WAS I MISSING??? CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3:46 - Seriously feel like giving up and going home, but must pay school fees....realize my feet are still seriously hurting, take shoes off, nice man comes out of his office
3:47 - Nice man insists on paying my parking fee, I promise I'll be back with money in a couple hours, he insists it isn't necessary....I insist!
3:50 - walk by a dear homeless man I always talk to and purchase BIG ISSUE from, he says 'hey lady' and smiles, I greet him, we chat
3:51 - I go to store and buy him sandwich and get some money for him
3:52 - give him some money, he then wants to hug, then I hand him his sandwich (he likes meat, so I always get him free range, organic ham sandwich, some fruit and juice)
3:53 - he begins the line he always says 'hey lady, do you think someone like me needs organic food' , to which I always say 'but I care what goes into your body, and how could I live with myself if I fed you something with toxins or something that was made by keeping animals in terrible conditions.
3:54 - he laughs, tears streaming down his face and says 'thanks crazy lady' and then mutters 'I love you'
3:58 - arrive at my bank appointment (wobbling all the way), I get in before the door is locked
4:00 - see all my money go out of my account.....
4:03 - leave bank, wobble to the post office
4:08 - 4:15 - wait in line...feet hurt, look down and see the polish on my toes has already smugged....
4:17 - wobble to counter....
4:30 - I have the jeopardy theme going through my head, mr post man is very very slow.....
4:40 - wobble to shop and buy some swimming trunks for baby bean....
4:45 - as I am paying run into a Canadian friend who lives here with her daughter from China, greet, tell news etc
4:55 - walk out of shop, promising I'll call soon to meet up, see a homeless man selling his BIG ISSUE magazine (a magazine homeless people can sell, they get to keep 1/2 of the cost of each magazine) decide to buy the magazine.
4:56 - He is so happy I am buying it, I look in my wallet and what do I see??? NO CHANGE
4:58 - I then give mr magazine man a bill to take to a shop to get change
4:59 - He stands there with a puzzled look 'you trust me??????'
5:00 - Me OF COURSE!!!
5:02 - He realizes he has stood there for 2 whole minutes in awe that I trust him, then runs off
5:05 - He arrives back with the change
5:06 - we chat
5:07 - He thanks me for being the first customer of the day (he started selling at 9am) and for trusting him....
5:15 - hobble to my favourite Malaysian food store to get some dinner....
5:16 - 5:19 - purchase food, realize my car parking is almost up
5:25 - arrive at car, go and pay man (who still insists I don't need to), get in car
5:45 - almost home, get a phone call, 'can I pick up some cheesecake for my mum'
5:53 - arrive at grocery store, find cheesecake, remember the older lady who lives alone a street below me told me she is always running out of milk, decide to go get her some ,
5:54 - reach for milk.....get it, an older lady looks at me and says 'is that the last organic milk'
5:55 - give the lady the milk, go and find someone to look in the back for more organic milk
5:57 - find someone, he goes off to find it
5:57 - 6:05 - playing Jeopardy song in my head.......
6:06 - he brings it
6:10 - pay
6:18 - arrive at older lady's house....she looks at it and says 'Ooohh thank you, but I don't drink organic milk'
6:19 - I decide to forgo the talk about the importance of organics and tell her to try it and she'll be surprised,
6:20 - she then says 'just a minute, I'll try it'
6:22 - she drinks milk and says 'oh dear, this is lovely'
6:27 - I arrive home happy but tired....my hair is now quickly going back into ringlets instead of the straight locks it was when I left the salon...but in general I am happy (happy but with bleeding feet)
The motto of the story really is make sure you have ooodles of change
In hindsight it may have been quicker to write about meeting Nelson Mandela
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