It Is Official

I am addicted to Green and Black's Organic Maya Gold chocolate. It is organic dark chocolate flavoured with orange and spices - it tastes like Christmas. It is the best thing in the whole world but is bad for the losing weight thing.

Halloween Help

Madde is coming for a visit this weekend. On Saturday night we are going to a Halloween party. I am not sure what to go as. Unlike home, over here Halloween costumes are supposed to be scary or you get kicked out of the party. I may just go for the easy option and get a witches hat. Does anyone have any suggestions? Preferably cheap and easy suggestions.

Forgot to tell you this – when we went to the Isle of Wight this past weekend, we took this car ferry. Man, Isle of Wight ferries make the Holiday Island and Vacationland look luxurious with gourmet food. Thank God we were eating at Sally’s. Although, I do miss the clam chowder from the Abby and the Gray.

Not Verdi Impressive

Had a very nice and relaxing weekend on the Isle of Wight. On Saturday night, we went to see the Mid Wales Opera Company's production of Rigoletto by Verdi. I don't know if it was me (I am a bit of a Philistine), the Opera (quite grim subject matter), the set (metal cages and creepy men in clown masks) or the performers (the Duke had amazingly ill fitting trousers) but I found it rather mediocre. For the people in the UK, you would recognise one of the songs from the Yellow Pages ad with James Nesbitt 'Life is great and life is good because I've got a girl and you've got none'. Oh well, it was a different way to spend a Saturday and Sal's Dad bought us a glass of wine.

We also went for a really nice walk along the cliffs with the dog and accidentally came across a surfing competition. Mmmmmmm surfers. I helped pick apples, ate pumpkin pie - all in all very laid back weekend.

On another note, it looks like my last day at work will be 12 November. I got some paperwork today and am now on 10 days notice to receive an official letter of redundancy after which I will have 5 days notice to leave. Scary.

As well, my passport arrived on Saturday so I officially exist again - hurrah!

Yesterday was a good day.

Sally's PR firm won 5 awards last night including PR Company of the Year and and Outstanding Achievement award for one of Sally's campaigns.

Sal's fab news aside, yesterday was just a really good day. Have you ever had one of those days where nothing huge happens but a series of little things make it a fantastic day? Lets see, I had lunch with Pauly - haven't seen him in ages and it was great, saw another colleague I haven't seen in ages, won an auction on ebay and found a parking spot right in front of the house (a rarity these days).

Today is shaping up ok. Sal and I are off to the Isle of Wight this evening. We are going to the opera tomorrow - Rigaletto. How cultured are we!

Hope you had a good day too.

Why?

I don't know what I have done. I was perfectly nice to the man at the gym. I agreed with all his suggestions, filled out his forms, answered his questions politely. I smiled and was nice as pie. So - why is he trying to kill me?

This will be a short entry as every time I press a key, I scream in pain and everyone in the office is starting to look at me funny. This morning, I practically had to crawl to the shower. I did this really slow kind of John Wayne waddle. Thank God Sally had already left and Josh was still asleep.

If I don't post anything for a while, don't worry, it will only be because I have had my arms amputated.

Christine Climbing Tree

Went to visit Shaun (my cousin) and the kids yesterday as it was Edmund's (her son's) birthday. Edmund and Michael are my distant cousins but I prefer Sally's title for them - the little things that are not your nephews. I love the little beasts but have a bit of a problem with them - I have set the precedence that I will play with them. There is no going back on this when I get tired of them, they just don't understand or listen or care. Apparently I only ever visit Arundel to allow them to jump on me. They have pointy little elbows and knees and feet that hurt! Any advice?

I Am Old and I Like It

The decision was made last week by Chris and Brian et al that spending every Saturday night at the Racing Page is boring. I definitely agree with that and have been going other places as it was getting quite dull. So, taking this new idea to heart, the plan was hatched to go out in Kingston this past Saturday night. Cool I said. On Saturday afternoon, Sal phoned Brian and found out the plan. On hearing the plan - Oceaniana at 10:00pm, I decided to pull out. I had absolutely no interest in spending the evening at the 'best' club in Kingston watching 20 year olds trying to pull and having my head split in two by techo-dance crap. Sal told me I was very boring for not wanting to come along. Actually that I was boring, boring, boring. I thought about this and all the things I have said above and realised that I am not boring - I am just old and I like it.

The funny thing is that Sal and Chris and Brian et al never actually made it to Kingston. After a few drinks at the flat, they couldn't be bothered to dress up or make the trip. I guess they are old too!

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Turkey-day to me.
Happy Turkey-day to me.
Happy Tuuuurkey-day dear Christine.
Happy Turkey-day to me!

Nadine has saved Thanksgiving. I had resigned myself to the fact that like most years, I would not be having Thanksgiving in October like all good Canadians. I would be waiting for the end of November and celebrating with the Yanks. The plan was to spend this evening hunched over a bowl of pasta feeling sorry for myself. However, Nadine called on Friday and invited me over this evening to celebrate in true Canadian style. Huge turkey, pumpkin pie (made by me) and maple mousse. Yum, yum, yum, yum-yum.!!!!

30 Something or 20 Something?

As of yesterday, Madde officially became a 30 something. Well a 30. So welcome to the club. I thought we could use this post as a way to pass on our collective wisdom (I realise that a couple of readers are not there yet but you are in the minority and you will get there eventually).

My favourite 30 quote is by Mike Gayle - 30 means that you won't go to the pub unless you know there is a seat. It pretty much sums me up but I did turn 30 a while ago. Before writing this I searched around a bit for some advice to pass on. I was a little surprised to read that '30 is the new 21'. I am not sure exactly what that means - it could be that 21 used to be the age at which we were expected to grow up but I prefer to think that it is a license to keep acting childish. So I guess it is happy 21st Mad.

About 92%

For those who were worried, I am feeling quite a bit better. I must say, though, that I was severely underwhelmed by the sympathy posts I received!

Feel Sorry For Me

I feel like poo. I think I ate something dodgy yesterday and I am sick today. Please send me sympathy.

Getting a Head Start

First of all just let me say how jealous I am of Mike on his new vehicle. I am sure Angela will join me as the Jeep Liberty is on her wish list.

Speaking of wish lists, I realise it is early and that I will be getting lots of jeers from people over this post BUT what do you want for Christmas? I have decided to get a jump on it so that I can spread the cost over a few months. So, send me your wish lists right now.

For those interested in my desires, precious gems are always welcome and the impersonalness of cash can be overcome with quantity.