Gah! Just caught myself singing along to Oasis! (watching The Britpop Story on BBC4.)
Must move house now!
I'm turning into a Manc ah kid!
Friday, 19 August 2005
We've been in the garden for 3 days now. The frame for half of the deck is built, we still have the other half to build, then we're having a month delay before we lay the actual decking.
As promised, photos:
These first four are taken from upstairs at the end of day one. The frame was together and Mum & Dad were just starting to dig the first of the foundations. The shed will be going on this side.
The other half of the garden. The deck is going over here too. This will be slightly smaller, but we'll be able to sit up here. The back of the garden will have trellis up to disguise the horrid fence, and the junk that the neighbours behind dump in their garden. Look at the lovely fence that we built the other week too. The little brick wall at the back is built from some of the rubble we dug up when digging the borders.
This area was grass until 2 weeks ago. Now after digging up the grass, and rubble, and putting some soil in (it was mainly sand in this area) I have a herb garden. No longer do I have pots and pots of herbs which I have to water. Now I can just leave them and they'll flourish.
This is the other corner of the garden, and the only one which had plants in when we moved in. It still has plants, but they're hidden by the honeysuckle. Come Autumn the Honeysuckle will get a hefty pruning and next year I'll train it to grow along the fence.
The end of day 3 and the right hand side of the frame is built, and we're starting to do the foundations for the left side. This photo shows how high up the deck will be. The garden is very steep, after 3 days standing on it my calves feel like I've climbed Ben Nevis. This photo shows how high up it is. They'll be plenty of storage (cat hideyholes) underneath. We're also putting a trellis railing on to stop (drunken/little) people falling off.
Finally these will be the views we'll get when we're sitting up there.
I'm actually seriously considering turning the shed into a crafty workspace, only in the summer though.
As promised, photos:
These first four are taken from upstairs at the end of day one. The frame was together and Mum & Dad were just starting to dig the first of the foundations. The shed will be going on this side.
The other half of the garden. The deck is going over here too. This will be slightly smaller, but we'll be able to sit up here. The back of the garden will have trellis up to disguise the horrid fence, and the junk that the neighbours behind dump in their garden. Look at the lovely fence that we built the other week too. The little brick wall at the back is built from some of the rubble we dug up when digging the borders.
This area was grass until 2 weeks ago. Now after digging up the grass, and rubble, and putting some soil in (it was mainly sand in this area) I have a herb garden. No longer do I have pots and pots of herbs which I have to water. Now I can just leave them and they'll flourish.
This is the other corner of the garden, and the only one which had plants in when we moved in. It still has plants, but they're hidden by the honeysuckle. Come Autumn the Honeysuckle will get a hefty pruning and next year I'll train it to grow along the fence.
The end of day 3 and the right hand side of the frame is built, and we're starting to do the foundations for the left side. This photo shows how high up the deck will be. The garden is very steep, after 3 days standing on it my calves feel like I've climbed Ben Nevis. This photo shows how high up it is. They'll be plenty of storage (cat hideyholes) underneath. We're also putting a trellis railing on to stop (drunken/little) people falling off.
Finally these will be the views we'll get when we're sitting up there.
I'm actually seriously considering turning the shed into a crafty workspace, only in the summer though.
Friday, 12 August 2005
Wow, so many comments on my last post, very odd, and 2 new people who found it. Goodle must be having an update.
So in reply to the comments first.
I'm sure I had somethine else that I intended on posting about, but I've completely forgotten what it was. I suspect I'm suffering from Pimms induced memory loss.
So in reply to the comments first.
- Dave - I dont want to even think about what Palm Pilots do to my page, I try to design for all resolutions, but I think a Palm Pilot is pushing it a little. But IE has no excuse. If Firefox and Opera can get it right why can't IE?
- Shelley - I was going to ask if you wanted to come, but while I love my parents to bits, they can be a little daunting, and I don't want to scare you off already :) The next one is 17th September, so stick that down in your diary and we can go again, I'm sure I won't mind a second trip :) Also yes, I definately want to go to the G-Mex.
- Karen - Hello, I will get around to posting some pictures of the garden I promise. I'll try this weekend. Also I can't believe how much Toby looks like Gonzo, But I suspect Gonzo is fatter.
- Suzanne - feel free to come down and make use of my garden when ever you like (especially if you like cutting grass etc.) When it's done it should be great, and I'm making sure the seating areas will have great views of the hills.
I'm sure I had somethine else that I intended on posting about, but I've completely forgotten what it was. I suspect I'm suffering from Pimms induced memory loss.
Thursday, 11 August 2005
Oh how I hate IE. I hate it sooooo much!
I've spent a couple of nights working on the new layout, and it looks great... in Firefox. But stupidly I'd forgotten to check it in IE as I went along. So I checked it, and the layout is all over the place.
Why? Why? Why?
I stick to nice simple HTML, and CSS. It's not complicated code! If I can understand it why can't IE?
Grrrrr!
I thought I had got to the stage where I could start applying the new design to all the pages, but instead I've got to go back to the manuals and online tutorials to work out why IE is so rubbish.
On a lighter note, the garden is looking great. I wish I'd taken some "before" pictures. While I was at work today Mum and Dad have been building a little wall, 3 bricks high at the back of the garden, well they had to find some use for all the rubble that we found under the top soil (numerous bricks, broken paving slabs, even 4 breeze blocks). They've moved the little shed, ready for next week when the wood and concrete blocks arrive so we can start building the base for the deck which the new big shed will sit on.
I spent tonight spraying parts of the grass with weed killer in an attempt at killing it before the plastic sheeting goes down. It does seem daft that Porl and I spent last night cutting the grass and now I'm trying to kill it, but it's got to be better than digging up the turf which was the other option.
Finally before I head off for bed I should mention Saturday. I'm taking Mum & Dad to Holmfirth, to a Knitting & Crochet Guild Open Day (hoping to get some tips on spinning too). Porl is ecstatic about the fact that I'm not expecting him to come, he'll be happy at home watching the cricket (though I think it will be raining). My Dad however is happy to go, he likes his crafts too, and a trip to Homfirth means he can go to Ashley Jackson's Art Shop.
Oh nearly forgot... Well Done Jimmy on passing your Driving Test!!!
So when are you driving us to the Cairngorms then? :)
I've spent a couple of nights working on the new layout, and it looks great... in Firefox. But stupidly I'd forgotten to check it in IE as I went along. So I checked it, and the layout is all over the place.
Why? Why? Why?
I stick to nice simple HTML, and CSS. It's not complicated code! If I can understand it why can't IE?
Grrrrr!
I thought I had got to the stage where I could start applying the new design to all the pages, but instead I've got to go back to the manuals and online tutorials to work out why IE is so rubbish.
On a lighter note, the garden is looking great. I wish I'd taken some "before" pictures. While I was at work today Mum and Dad have been building a little wall, 3 bricks high at the back of the garden, well they had to find some use for all the rubble that we found under the top soil (numerous bricks, broken paving slabs, even 4 breeze blocks). They've moved the little shed, ready for next week when the wood and concrete blocks arrive so we can start building the base for the deck which the new big shed will sit on.
I spent tonight spraying parts of the grass with weed killer in an attempt at killing it before the plastic sheeting goes down. It does seem daft that Porl and I spent last night cutting the grass and now I'm trying to kill it, but it's got to be better than digging up the turf which was the other option.
Finally before I head off for bed I should mention Saturday. I'm taking Mum & Dad to Holmfirth, to a Knitting & Crochet Guild Open Day (hoping to get some tips on spinning too). Porl is ecstatic about the fact that I'm not expecting him to come, he'll be happy at home watching the cricket (though I think it will be raining). My Dad however is happy to go, he likes his crafts too, and a trip to Homfirth means he can go to Ashley Jackson's Art Shop.
Oh nearly forgot... Well Done Jimmy on passing your Driving Test!!!
So when are you driving us to the Cairngorms then? :)
Sunday, 7 August 2005
One of my favourite sites, Reusablog has made a comeback with a 24 hour Blog-a-thon for charity. I missed the on-going posts over the 24 hours, but I've been catching up today. There are loads of great ideas for re-using some of our rubbish, and I was chuffed to see that one of those ideas was mine. I can't link to it directly which just means you'll have to read all the other useful tips too.
I'm planning on making some more of these flowers soon as my garden is a bit bare until the plants start growing, so I'll post some pictures of them then.
Whilst on the topic of reusing/recycling I should post about Freecycle. I found out about it when I saw a flyer for Saddleworth Freecycle the other day in Uppermill. Freecycle is basically a way to get rid of your unwanted goods, by passing them onto people who do want them. It's run through Yahoo Mailing lists, and there are lists for areas all over the world. I've signed up to the Saddleworth one (16 members), which is relatively new, so still growing, and the Manchester one (1181 members) which is established, so I've had plenty of offers of things, from Greenhouses and Compost Bins, to everything I could possibly need for a new baby (maternity clothes, cots, buggies, sterilizing gear, toys, books, videos, etc, etc, etc.) For the past year I've been saying I'd do a car boot to get rid of my junk, I should do really I need the money, but after that I'll stick what's left on Freecycle. Everybody should sign up and we can all swap our junk around.
In other news, the garden is coming along brilliantly. The fence is finished (except for 1 panel which we missed painting.) We have a gate, so feel a bit more secure. Mum has been making wider borders and rebuilding walls, as well as raiding her garden for plants which should look great when they've grown and filled out.
We've taken up the turf on one side of the garden and filled it with herbs. I'm hoping that the scents they give off will be strong enough to disguise the smells created by the neighbour's not clearing up after their dog.
The next plan is to build a little wall at the back of the garden to retain the rubbish coming over from the garden behind, then we're putting decking across the back and putting a shed up there. We're still trying to decide what to do with the fence at the back. It's a green wire mesh fence, which is supposed to be held up with 2 big wooden stakes, but the stakes are actually held up with the branch of a tree. I would like to get rid of it completely as it isn't very safe, I'm scared that one day when the cats climb on it and it will collapse. Instead I'd put some trellis up there so we can grow plants to hide the mess, but Dad isn't keen on shifting it and want to put trellis infront of it. That worries me because it would still be there and be dangerous, and we'd be losing more of our already small garden.
We'll reach some agreement eventually.
Right now back to redesigning the website. I'm determined to get it online by next weekend.
I'm planning on making some more of these flowers soon as my garden is a bit bare until the plants start growing, so I'll post some pictures of them then.
Whilst on the topic of reusing/recycling I should post about Freecycle. I found out about it when I saw a flyer for Saddleworth Freecycle the other day in Uppermill. Freecycle is basically a way to get rid of your unwanted goods, by passing them onto people who do want them. It's run through Yahoo Mailing lists, and there are lists for areas all over the world. I've signed up to the Saddleworth one (16 members), which is relatively new, so still growing, and the Manchester one (1181 members) which is established, so I've had plenty of offers of things, from Greenhouses and Compost Bins, to everything I could possibly need for a new baby (maternity clothes, cots, buggies, sterilizing gear, toys, books, videos, etc, etc, etc.) For the past year I've been saying I'd do a car boot to get rid of my junk, I should do really I need the money, but after that I'll stick what's left on Freecycle. Everybody should sign up and we can all swap our junk around.
In other news, the garden is coming along brilliantly. The fence is finished (except for 1 panel which we missed painting.) We have a gate, so feel a bit more secure. Mum has been making wider borders and rebuilding walls, as well as raiding her garden for plants which should look great when they've grown and filled out.
We've taken up the turf on one side of the garden and filled it with herbs. I'm hoping that the scents they give off will be strong enough to disguise the smells created by the neighbour's not clearing up after their dog.
The next plan is to build a little wall at the back of the garden to retain the rubbish coming over from the garden behind, then we're putting decking across the back and putting a shed up there. We're still trying to decide what to do with the fence at the back. It's a green wire mesh fence, which is supposed to be held up with 2 big wooden stakes, but the stakes are actually held up with the branch of a tree. I would like to get rid of it completely as it isn't very safe, I'm scared that one day when the cats climb on it and it will collapse. Instead I'd put some trellis up there so we can grow plants to hide the mess, but Dad isn't keen on shifting it and want to put trellis infront of it. That worries me because it would still be there and be dangerous, and we'd be losing more of our already small garden.
We'll reach some agreement eventually.
Right now back to redesigning the website. I'm determined to get it online by next weekend.
Thursday, 4 August 2005
I've finally started making serious headway on the redesign that I've been putting off for over a year, and it's given me ideas for the jewellery/shop website too. In preperation for it I'm having a cull on my Blogrolling list, and I'll be making a lot more use of del.icio.us instead.
Monday, 1 August 2005
Oh I feel old.
It's nothing to do with today being my birthday though. I've successfully reached the grand old age of 28 without ever having broken any bones, or losing any teeth. Which is a good job because I'm a wimp, I got stung by a wasp when we were gardening yesterday and nearly cried it hurt so much. (Although the pain could have also been due to mum giving me shocks from her mosquito zapper on me to try to stop the itching.)
I feel old because Mum, Dad and I spent 9 hours gardening yesterday The front garden is looking much more respectable, the back garden almost has a fence, and I've got more ideas of how I want it to look. Tomorrow I'll do some more, get the fence painted, and cut the grass.
It's been a busy couple of weeks. Last weekend was Katpins wedding, which was great fun. I never know many people at most weddings, but I went on holiday for a week with a load of Katpins uni mates, so I knew a surprising amount of people there. Plus Jenny from sixth form, and Katpins Parents, her Mum was my old English teacher. Porl even managed to talk to Katpins brother who is from Ormskirk, and is a musician. Also Barnard Castle is a lovely town, full of antique and junk shops, plus a French Chateau. Had it not been for the hangovers (and Porl's boredom) I'd have spent hours wandering around there.
Today I had a lazy sleep in bed. Got up and opened some presents, not much really because I'd already had most things chocolates, bath stuff, bits and bobs accompanying much needed money. I also had a couple of lovely presents of my neighbour, a Rose bush called "Birthday Girl" and a Huge paperweight, which I love. I'm fascinated by paperweights, I got a few off my Grandma when she died and I'm always drawn to them in the shops but never buy them as Porl hates them. So I'm overly pleased with my slightly strange present.
After breakfast we decided to go exploring. We went up to Uppermill which is a little village near us. The Huddersfield Canal goes through there and they run Canal boat rides hourly, and there are loads of little craft and gift shops, and second hand book shops. Unfortunately we picked the wrong day. Most of the shops are closed on Mondays, so we're going to have to go back another day. Especially as the shop for the Saddleworth Craft Co-operative had a sign on the door advertising for Craft Workers to join their ranks. Shelley I think we need to investigate!
We then drove up to the tops of Saddleworth Moors and had a look at the views over the moors and reservoirs, and down onto Manchester. Then home onto home, via Tescos and had a lovely picnic on the living room floor.
The rest of my day will be spent drinking Pimms & Lemonade, browsing the web, maybe doing some redesigning.
Happy Birthday Me!
It's nothing to do with today being my birthday though. I've successfully reached the grand old age of 28 without ever having broken any bones, or losing any teeth. Which is a good job because I'm a wimp, I got stung by a wasp when we were gardening yesterday and nearly cried it hurt so much. (Although the pain could have also been due to mum giving me shocks from her mosquito zapper on me to try to stop the itching.)
I feel old because Mum, Dad and I spent 9 hours gardening yesterday The front garden is looking much more respectable, the back garden almost has a fence, and I've got more ideas of how I want it to look. Tomorrow I'll do some more, get the fence painted, and cut the grass.
It's been a busy couple of weeks. Last weekend was Katpins wedding, which was great fun. I never know many people at most weddings, but I went on holiday for a week with a load of Katpins uni mates, so I knew a surprising amount of people there. Plus Jenny from sixth form, and Katpins Parents, her Mum was my old English teacher. Porl even managed to talk to Katpins brother who is from Ormskirk, and is a musician. Also Barnard Castle is a lovely town, full of antique and junk shops, plus a French Chateau. Had it not been for the hangovers (and Porl's boredom) I'd have spent hours wandering around there.
Today I had a lazy sleep in bed. Got up and opened some presents, not much really because I'd already had most things chocolates, bath stuff, bits and bobs accompanying much needed money. I also had a couple of lovely presents of my neighbour, a Rose bush called "Birthday Girl" and a Huge paperweight, which I love. I'm fascinated by paperweights, I got a few off my Grandma when she died and I'm always drawn to them in the shops but never buy them as Porl hates them. So I'm overly pleased with my slightly strange present.
After breakfast we decided to go exploring. We went up to Uppermill which is a little village near us. The Huddersfield Canal goes through there and they run Canal boat rides hourly, and there are loads of little craft and gift shops, and second hand book shops. Unfortunately we picked the wrong day. Most of the shops are closed on Mondays, so we're going to have to go back another day. Especially as the shop for the Saddleworth Craft Co-operative had a sign on the door advertising for Craft Workers to join their ranks. Shelley I think we need to investigate!
We then drove up to the tops of Saddleworth Moors and had a look at the views over the moors and reservoirs, and down onto Manchester. Then home onto home, via Tescos and had a lovely picnic on the living room floor.
The rest of my day will be spent drinking Pimms & Lemonade, browsing the web, maybe doing some redesigning.
Happy Birthday Me!
Saturday, 30 July 2005
So.
Online Telegrams.
Mark is a friend. We didn't know his address, so this has been sent to Andy, the Manager of a pub where he drinks. It should arrive on Monday, which is his Birthday.
Happy Birthday Mark!
Online Telegrams.
Message: DEAR ANDY. PLEASE TELL MARK C*RR*N TO RETURN MY COMPUTER. LOVE AND HUGS JIMMY. PS THIS IS A TELEGRAM
Mark is a friend. We didn't know his address, so this has been sent to Andy, the Manager of a pub where he drinks. It should arrive on Monday, which is his Birthday.
Happy Birthday Mark!
Monday, 18 July 2005
Sorry for not posting. I'm frantically trying to finish crocheting a cardigan which I'm supposed to be wearing on Friday. I took pictures of it to post on Saturday, it consisted of a the back, plus 1 and a half front pieces. Instead of posting them I carried on crocheting and I've now finished the front, and done 1 and a half arms. So I've got to finish the arm, sew it all together, put about 4 inches onto the bottom (I'm roughly following a pattern, but I want the bottom frilly) then crochet all around the sleeve and front edges... will I finish it? I really hope so. Oh I've also got to make some jewellery which I think I'll be doing tomorrow night at the craft club. There's nothing like leaving things till the last minute.
I've also got some really really really ace news... but I'm a bit scared to put it online where anyone may stumble up on it.
But it's ace, and in a couple of months time it'll mean I'll be a much much happier person.
Right back to the crocheting...
I've also got some really really really ace news... but I'm a bit scared to put it online where anyone may stumble up on it.
But it's ace, and in a couple of months time it'll mean I'll be a much much happier person.
Right back to the crocheting...
Thursday, 7 July 2005
Planned on a quiet day off, crocheting, and doing nothing. Instead just been reading news reports.
Porl had his gig night that he organized last night, it went well, nerves at the start of the night when no one was there, then a few people showed up, no where near as many as hoped, but people relaxed and seemed to enjoy it. The 3 guys up from London were staying at ours overnight, so we eventually got home, had some food, a bit of a chat and went to bed at about 3.
This morning got up, played with cats, and a kitten which is trying to adopt us, cooked a fry up, chatted more, the guys left at about 12:30, porl went upstairs to go online, and Jimmy told him to check the news. I've been wach the news and reading reports ever since, feeling terrible because we don't know how to get in touch with the guys to find out if they've switched the radio on. Or if like most musicians are listen to CD's.
I'm half thinking about going into work. I'm responsible for dealing with and logging all the faults on customers phone lines over the next fortnight. My boss was to keep everything ticking over today while I was off. He's going to be swamped. The mobiles networks have been switched off as a precaution due to some of the Madrid bombs being triggered by mobile phones, they're also trying to free capacity up for Emergency Services to use. This is having a knock on effect on the Landlines which are also running at near capacity. I suspect they'll also be a fair amount of damage to lines too.
I don't think it's not worth me going in. It takes me an hour to get there, and BT will only work on most of our faults until 5. But I'll be busy tomorrow.
I'm not good about posting thoughts and feeling on here, so I won't except to say feeling numb and angry. Also grateful again that I live in Britain and not the US. All British news agencies are being very careful to only state what they know regarding casualties etc. The casualties are likely to be high, but news agencies here are so far only stating 2 confirmed dead, unlike CNN who are currently saying 45, and Fox who are saying 90, (Fox have also said there have been 3 buses explode, and that Michael Howard is the Mayor of London.)
There's still a lot of confusion though, most places are saying 7 explosions, but Charles Clarke has confirmed to the House of Commons 4 explosions (3 on tubes, one on a bus). Mixed reports may be from people being evacuated from different stations, and the original explosions were blamed on power surges, there will have been power outages so these may be what other people heard.
I feel numb, I'm going back to the news, need to digest.
Flickr Photostream
Guardian News Blog
Fark Comments
Porl had his gig night that he organized last night, it went well, nerves at the start of the night when no one was there, then a few people showed up, no where near as many as hoped, but people relaxed and seemed to enjoy it. The 3 guys up from London were staying at ours overnight, so we eventually got home, had some food, a bit of a chat and went to bed at about 3.
This morning got up, played with cats, and a kitten which is trying to adopt us, cooked a fry up, chatted more, the guys left at about 12:30, porl went upstairs to go online, and Jimmy told him to check the news. I've been wach the news and reading reports ever since, feeling terrible because we don't know how to get in touch with the guys to find out if they've switched the radio on. Or if like most musicians are listen to CD's.
I'm half thinking about going into work. I'm responsible for dealing with and logging all the faults on customers phone lines over the next fortnight. My boss was to keep everything ticking over today while I was off. He's going to be swamped. The mobiles networks have been switched off as a precaution due to some of the Madrid bombs being triggered by mobile phones, they're also trying to free capacity up for Emergency Services to use. This is having a knock on effect on the Landlines which are also running at near capacity. I suspect they'll also be a fair amount of damage to lines too.
I don't think it's not worth me going in. It takes me an hour to get there, and BT will only work on most of our faults until 5. But I'll be busy tomorrow.
I'm not good about posting thoughts and feeling on here, so I won't except to say feeling numb and angry. Also grateful again that I live in Britain and not the US. All British news agencies are being very careful to only state what they know regarding casualties etc. The casualties are likely to be high, but news agencies here are so far only stating 2 confirmed dead, unlike CNN who are currently saying 45, and Fox who are saying 90, (Fox have also said there have been 3 buses explode, and that Michael Howard is the Mayor of London.)
There's still a lot of confusion though, most places are saying 7 explosions, but Charles Clarke has confirmed to the House of Commons 4 explosions (3 on tubes, one on a bus). Mixed reports may be from people being evacuated from different stations, and the original explosions were blamed on power surges, there will have been power outages so these may be what other people heard.
I feel numb, I'm going back to the news, need to digest.
Flickr Photostream
Guardian News Blog
Fark Comments
Saturday, 25 June 2005
I've been offline. The main reason is that Porl has a new PC, and the firewall is stopping me getting online. Last time this happened Porl spent a week trying to get it to work, then I fixed it in 5 minutes, but the weather has been nice and I've been busy, so haven't minded avoiding the PC.
I promise I'll update properly tomorrow, with pictures too.
As a taster, somethings which may be mentioned are... crochet, fairy clothes, ants nests, long-lost-dead-relatives, multiple interviews.... and my new job!
Night night
I promise I'll update properly tomorrow, with pictures too.
As a taster, somethings which may be mentioned are... crochet, fairy clothes, ants nests, long-lost-dead-relatives, multiple interviews.... and my new job!
Night night
Wednesday, 15 June 2005
 | You scored as Madeleine the Rag Doll. You sit in your chair away from the others. However you are well loved use your position to carefully watch over your freinds.
Which Bagpuss character are you? created with QuizFarm.com |
Monday, 13 June 2005
Hurrah!
Shirokuma is Steve Lamacq's record of the week on BBC 6 Music.
They've even taken my doctored image off the website. The original has a pink polar bear on it, I changed it to sepia to fit in with the old colour scheme.
The weekend was ace! I might get around to writing a full run down when I feel more awake.
In brief, I want a quad bike, salsa dancing is fun, but I'm rubbish at it, tapas is very filling, Bondi Beach Bar is very very very cheesey, and I really really want a quad bike.
One of my favourite moments (after the quad biking) was being taught a dance routine to "Call On Me" by Eric Prydz, then being told that it was the routine used in the school nativity at a Catholic School - it was performed by the 3 Wise Men of course!
Also as was pointed out to me today... isn't quad biking a bit of a contradiction? Quad=4 Bi=2
Shirokuma is Steve Lamacq's record of the week on BBC 6 Music.
They've even taken my doctored image off the website. The original has a pink polar bear on it, I changed it to sepia to fit in with the old colour scheme.
The weekend was ace! I might get around to writing a full run down when I feel more awake.
In brief, I want a quad bike, salsa dancing is fun, but I'm rubbish at it, tapas is very filling, Bondi Beach Bar is very very very cheesey, and I really really want a quad bike.
One of my favourite moments (after the quad biking) was being taught a dance routine to "Call On Me" by Eric Prydz, then being told that it was the routine used in the school nativity at a Catholic School - it was performed by the 3 Wise Men of course!
Also as was pointed out to me today... isn't quad biking a bit of a contradiction? Quad=4 Bi=2
Wednesday, 8 June 2005
Job interview done. Went quite well, I'll find out next week.
Spent the rest of the afternoon clothes shopping.
I hate clothes shopping.
I quite like the floaty gypsy skirts that are in the shops now, but I know I'll never wear them, so I refuse to buy them. The floaty tops are nice too, but if you have anything bigger than a C chest then you look pregnant.
Also why is everything brown? I wear brown at work, (part of my trying to look smart without resorting to wearing black) I refuse to wear it on a night out. I want bright colours. Okay there are pink things, but I hate pink. I had the same problem 2 years ago. I was trying to find an outfit for my brothers wedding, but the punk look was in, so everything was black, white or red (or as I was shopping in Liverpool, velour tracksuits.) Hardly the right look for a wedding.
Eventually today I saw a nice denim skirt, which was short and frayed at the bottom, with a big belt. Then I realized I have one at home which is longer and I never wear because it's too long, so as soon as I've finished here I'm going to fray the bottom and shorten it. I'll wear that with an orange vest top, and a beady belt (bought a necklace going to reconstruct it), I don't like the big chunky belts that most people wear. Also when I get bored of the beady belt I can turn it into jewellery, (my Yorkshire spendthriftness is coming out) lastly I found some orange mules.
I still haven't a clue what we're doing on this night out, but I should be acceptable in most places wearing that outfit.
Last night was my first night teaching at the craft club. A bit scary at first, but I managed to get away with about 5-10 minutes at the front talking, then everyone got stuck into making things and I was left to wander around talking to people in smaller groups which I'm fine with. The jewellery everyone made was great, people stuck to earrings and memory wire bracelets, but they were all so varied. The majority of things I make tend to be blue, and I always use silver wire, but the predominant colour was pink, and a lot of people used gold wire. It made me realise I'd best change my habits if I want things to appeal to a wider audience than just me.
Now to go and order more craft bits for next weeks lesson, alter a skirt and make a belt (and possiblyy some more jewellery if I get chance.)
Spent the rest of the afternoon clothes shopping.
I hate clothes shopping.
I quite like the floaty gypsy skirts that are in the shops now, but I know I'll never wear them, so I refuse to buy them. The floaty tops are nice too, but if you have anything bigger than a C chest then you look pregnant.
Also why is everything brown? I wear brown at work, (part of my trying to look smart without resorting to wearing black) I refuse to wear it on a night out. I want bright colours. Okay there are pink things, but I hate pink. I had the same problem 2 years ago. I was trying to find an outfit for my brothers wedding, but the punk look was in, so everything was black, white or red (or as I was shopping in Liverpool, velour tracksuits.) Hardly the right look for a wedding.
Eventually today I saw a nice denim skirt, which was short and frayed at the bottom, with a big belt. Then I realized I have one at home which is longer and I never wear because it's too long, so as soon as I've finished here I'm going to fray the bottom and shorten it. I'll wear that with an orange vest top, and a beady belt (bought a necklace going to reconstruct it), I don't like the big chunky belts that most people wear. Also when I get bored of the beady belt I can turn it into jewellery, (my Yorkshire spendthriftness is coming out) lastly I found some orange mules.
I still haven't a clue what we're doing on this night out, but I should be acceptable in most places wearing that outfit.
Last night was my first night teaching at the craft club. A bit scary at first, but I managed to get away with about 5-10 minutes at the front talking, then everyone got stuck into making things and I was left to wander around talking to people in smaller groups which I'm fine with. The jewellery everyone made was great, people stuck to earrings and memory wire bracelets, but they were all so varied. The majority of things I make tend to be blue, and I always use silver wire, but the predominant colour was pink, and a lot of people used gold wire. It made me realise I'd best change my habits if I want things to appeal to a wider audience than just me.
Now to go and order more craft bits for next weeks lesson, alter a skirt and make a belt (and possiblyy some more jewellery if I get chance.)
Monday, 6 June 2005
I hate my back.
At some point over the weekend, probably Saturday, I've done something which has made my back go again. So now I've got that weird burning/numb pain in the bottom of my back, and the steel-plate-inserted-under-the-skin feeling in the rest of my back.
I finally fell asleep some time after 3am this morning, then the alarm went of at 6am.
I phoned in sick.
When my back is this bad driving is the worst thing I can do, pressing the pedals uses all the same muscles that are screaming out in pain at the moment. Plus I refuse to drive on the motorway having had so little sleep.
So today I'm going to potter, do my physio exercises, and try to make my back looser. Then hopefully tonight I'll sleep and I can go to work tomorrow.
Wednesday I'm off work again though. I have a job interview. Eeep! I wasn't going to say anything here, but as no-one at the new place knows I have a website I think I'm safe. The interview is for Bank-Staff at the local Libraries. (Bank staff meaning they'll phone if they need you, and you can choose to work or not.) Nice and flexible and perfectly suited to my plan of returning to care work, for which I've also filled in an application form. I was holding out for a job in Tameside, but there hasn't been one advertised in the 9 months that I've been here, so I've applied for one in South Manchester. It's exactly the same job as I did in Ormskirk so hopefully I should get it. Fingers, toes, and eyes are crossed.
Right now I'm going to shower (lazy sod that I am, and I was too sore to do it this morning) then I may sort out the piles of paperwork that have been cluttering up my desk.... or more likely I'll do some crafty things.
At some point over the weekend, probably Saturday, I've done something which has made my back go again. So now I've got that weird burning/numb pain in the bottom of my back, and the steel-plate-inserted-under-the-skin feeling in the rest of my back.
I finally fell asleep some time after 3am this morning, then the alarm went of at 6am.
I phoned in sick.
When my back is this bad driving is the worst thing I can do, pressing the pedals uses all the same muscles that are screaming out in pain at the moment. Plus I refuse to drive on the motorway having had so little sleep.
So today I'm going to potter, do my physio exercises, and try to make my back looser. Then hopefully tonight I'll sleep and I can go to work tomorrow.
Wednesday I'm off work again though. I have a job interview. Eeep! I wasn't going to say anything here, but as no-one at the new place knows I have a website I think I'm safe. The interview is for Bank-Staff at the local Libraries. (Bank staff meaning they'll phone if they need you, and you can choose to work or not.) Nice and flexible and perfectly suited to my plan of returning to care work, for which I've also filled in an application form. I was holding out for a job in Tameside, but there hasn't been one advertised in the 9 months that I've been here, so I've applied for one in South Manchester. It's exactly the same job as I did in Ormskirk so hopefully I should get it. Fingers, toes, and eyes are crossed.
Right now I'm going to shower (lazy sod that I am, and I was too sore to do it this morning) then I may sort out the piles of paperwork that have been cluttering up my desk.... or more likely I'll do some crafty things.
Wednesday, 1 June 2005
I think there's something wrong with me.
I think I'm turning into a girl.
My best friend from 6th form, Katpin, is getting married at the end of next month, in preparation for this event I've been looking for pretty skirts to wear, and tonight I bought, and applied tanning lotion (only for my vanilla white legs though).
I rarely wear skirts, and I've certainly never tried tanning lotion. When I graduated I phoned Katpin to tell her I was wearing a long dress and sandals... with heels...for the Grad Ball. She didn't believe me, I had to send a photo as proof. The only skirts I ever wore when I knew her were Very Very short. To preserve my dignity (and my Dad's heart) I always wore cycling shorts or hot pants underneath them, any femininity the skirts gave me was destroyed by the DrMartens.
It's her Hen-Do in a couple of weekends time, it's been organised by a company specializing in Hen and Stag do's. I'll be wearing scruffy jeans during the day... well I'd look a real prat quad biking in a floaty skirt, I haven't thought about the night time, I'm not sure what we're doing, I just know it's in Leeds and we have hotel rooms booked, a shopping spree may be neccessary, I don't think my usual "night-out" clothes of jeans and a t-shirt will do this time.
As well as the floaty skirt (which I think I'll be getting Mum to make) I'm planning a nice lacy cardy. I've found exactly the style I want, right here unfortunatly there's no pattern yet. I've been hunting through all my knitting/crochet books and magazines trying to find patterns similar so I can merge them together, but no luck yet. I'll probably do it all in crochet, it's quicker and easier, but crochet patterns are very thin on the ground, and I've never actually made any items of clothing before, other than scarves and hats.
Getting scarves and hats to fit is far far easier than getting a cardigan to fit.
Hints and tips greatly appreciated.
What would you prefer a brand new bag? or 20 fizzy cola bottles?
One can be constructed over the course of several hours, the other can be demolished in a matter of minutes.
I think I'm turning into a girl.
My best friend from 6th form, Katpin, is getting married at the end of next month, in preparation for this event I've been looking for pretty skirts to wear, and tonight I bought, and applied tanning lotion (only for my vanilla white legs though).
I rarely wear skirts, and I've certainly never tried tanning lotion. When I graduated I phoned Katpin to tell her I was wearing a long dress and sandals... with heels...for the Grad Ball. She didn't believe me, I had to send a photo as proof. The only skirts I ever wore when I knew her were Very Very short. To preserve my dignity (and my Dad's heart) I always wore cycling shorts or hot pants underneath them, any femininity the skirts gave me was destroyed by the DrMartens.
It's her Hen-Do in a couple of weekends time, it's been organised by a company specializing in Hen and Stag do's. I'll be wearing scruffy jeans during the day... well I'd look a real prat quad biking in a floaty skirt, I haven't thought about the night time, I'm not sure what we're doing, I just know it's in Leeds and we have hotel rooms booked, a shopping spree may be neccessary, I don't think my usual "night-out" clothes of jeans and a t-shirt will do this time.
As well as the floaty skirt (which I think I'll be getting Mum to make) I'm planning a nice lacy cardy. I've found exactly the style I want, right here unfortunatly there's no pattern yet. I've been hunting through all my knitting/crochet books and magazines trying to find patterns similar so I can merge them together, but no luck yet. I'll probably do it all in crochet, it's quicker and easier, but crochet patterns are very thin on the ground, and I've never actually made any items of clothing before, other than scarves and hats.
Getting scarves and hats to fit is far far easier than getting a cardigan to fit.
Hints and tips greatly appreciated.
I also finish my bag.
What would you prefer a brand new bag? or 20 fizzy cola bottles?
One can be constructed over the course of several hours, the other can be demolished in a matter of minutes.
Friday, 27 May 2005
My throats a bit sore today... no where near as bad as Porls head though.
Well done Steven Gerrard for sleeping with the trophy last night. I think I'd have done that too.
Now I just need Sheffield Wednesday to have the same luck on Sunday in their play-off against Hartlepool, then I'll be an extremely happy girl.
Monday, 23 May 2005
Is BBC3 trying to stop people having kids?
Tonights viewing was "The House of Tiny Tearaways", then "Desperate Midwives".
I can't watch Desperate Midwives, but I find The House of Tiny Tearaways quite interesting. I like Child Psychology, and I'm sure most people must watch it thinking "God what awful kids", I watch it thinking "God what awful parents".
I know I'm not a parent, but I've looked after enough kids over the years because of Mum's child-minding, my baby-sitting, oh and let's not forget those 50 or so kids with disabilities and Challenging Behaviour on the Playscheme. So I think I've got a fairly good idea of what makes children tick and how to handle them, even when they're kicking, screaming, biting and beyond reason.
Thankfully the advice the parents are given is what I'd do anyway.
It's relatively simple.
1. Remember who's in charge (the grown up, not the kid.)
2. Mean what you say. (Porl learnt the hard way. "You can hit me as much as you like it won't hurt." So the kid hit him as much as he liked.)
3. If a kid does something wrong explain why it's wrong.
4. Followed by the Playscheme mantra "It's the action that's bad, not the child."
5. Shower you kids with affection, (not money). Never let them go to sleep thinking they're not loved.
6. Respect them as people.
7. Show them Eddie Izzard from a young age. Make them believe it's all true. (Daddy is friends with the bees. Cats go to Jazz Clubs behind the sofa.)
Hopefully one day soon we'll be able to put this into practise (and try to stick to it). I think the offspring of Porl and I will be ace. Warped, but ace.
However if I see anymore than the 30 seconds I caught of Desperate Midwives there will be no little Celeste's or Porl's to experiment with.
Tonights viewing was "The House of Tiny Tearaways", then "Desperate Midwives".
I can't watch Desperate Midwives, but I find The House of Tiny Tearaways quite interesting. I like Child Psychology, and I'm sure most people must watch it thinking "God what awful kids", I watch it thinking "God what awful parents".
I know I'm not a parent, but I've looked after enough kids over the years because of Mum's child-minding, my baby-sitting, oh and let's not forget those 50 or so kids with disabilities and Challenging Behaviour on the Playscheme. So I think I've got a fairly good idea of what makes children tick and how to handle them, even when they're kicking, screaming, biting and beyond reason.
Thankfully the advice the parents are given is what I'd do anyway.
It's relatively simple.
1. Remember who's in charge (the grown up, not the kid.)
2. Mean what you say. (Porl learnt the hard way. "You can hit me as much as you like it won't hurt." So the kid hit him as much as he liked.)
3. If a kid does something wrong explain why it's wrong.
4. Followed by the Playscheme mantra "It's the action that's bad, not the child."
5. Shower you kids with affection, (not money). Never let them go to sleep thinking they're not loved.
6. Respect them as people.
7. Show them Eddie Izzard from a young age. Make them believe it's all true. (Daddy is friends with the bees. Cats go to Jazz Clubs behind the sofa.)
Hopefully one day soon we'll be able to put this into practise (and try to stick to it). I think the offspring of Porl and I will be ace. Warped, but ace.
However if I see anymore than the 30 seconds I caught of Desperate Midwives there will be no little Celeste's or Porl's to experiment with.
Thursday, 19 May 2005
Gonzo's eyes both continue to twinkle, and the magpie continues to swoop and cackle at him.
I'm going to have to take extra care to make sure Gonzo is in at night, otherwise that Magpie is going to be waking me up in the mornings.
The photos are very bad quality, but it was getting dark, (and I was doing my chav impression stood in the back garden in my pyjama bottoms... they're comfy, and I'd just spilt coffee all over my trousers)
I'm sure they'll be plenty of opportunities to take some better pictures over the next few weeks.
Monday, 16 May 2005
Dash it Obby! Dash it! It twinkled! I like twinkling things!Magpie - The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew.
We may have a problem. Gonzo has a new favourite perch on top of our shed/storage thing in the garden. Unfortunatly a Magpie has decided to build it's nest in the tree directly above Gonzo's perch. The nest is about 4-5 foot above where Gonzo sits, he's far too heavy to be able to get up there, but we have one very irate Magpie who has spent the day lunging and diving at Gonzo trying to scare him away.
Let's hope Gonzo's eyes don't twinkle too much...
The weekend was quiet. Mum and Dad came up on Friday to do some DIY, then Jimmy and Robin came up Friday night we drank beer and had a silly game of Balderdash (not that it's possible o have a sensible game of Balderdash). I also slept a lot, read a little, and started crocheting a new bag.
Who needs expensive Noro yarn, when you can get 20p balls of yarn from Charity shops that work up like this!
It's quite fluffly, and using a 4mm hook it's working up quite firm, I'm having to feel where to put my hook in, because I can see any gaps. The finished result is great, almost like it's been felted. I'm not sure how tall it will be, probably about the same height again, I'll just keep going until I run out.
Work today has made me feel a bit more comfortable as I've found out what my new role will be. I was basically given a choice between working in Customer Service, Accounts, or Operations. As I hate customers, and have never worked in Accounts, I went with Operations. Which is what I wanted to do anyway. Now I get to process orders, sort out faults, and shout at BT and YC a lot, and not have to speak to customers. I'll also be the only female in a team of men which is how I like it. Women are wierd!
Finally we had Drama this evening!
Porl came downstairs asking what the beep beep beeping was. He thought it was on the telly, I thought it was a car alarm. After a minute or so of trying to work out where it was coming from he shouted "call the fire brigade it's next door!"
He'd seen smoke coming from the vent next door, but no windows or doors were open so we thought they were out. I phoned the Fire Brigade, while I was on the phone to them the neighbour came out, and smoke was billowing out of the door. I tried to tell them it was okay, but the Fire Engines were on their way already.
Her dinner needed 20 minutes to cook, but she'd left it in for 2 hours. The house was full of smoke. The fire engines arrived, we apologised and explained it was a bit of a false alarm, but they checked everything out and used big industrial fans to clear the smoke for her. They left then I had a chat with her and calmed her down. I was shaking like a leaf, and she was crying. Thankfully there's no lasting damage, and I understand her a little better.
That makes 3 times in 2 years that we've had to call the fire brigade. That must be way above average. I'd like to not have to do it again for many many years.
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