well christmas approaches and i cant believe how busy i am going to be. luckily i have managed to acquire a vehicle for the duration - even if it is a gas guzzler. a number of friends are away over christmas - egypt, dubai and the carribean - lucky them - oh to be in the heat. the removal of the dog is not going well although my brother has a contact who might be able to find a home for her.

i am now waiting with baited breath to find out if my application to birmingham uni for my masters has been accepted and we are finally going to get our pay rise at the end of jan - but it will be backdated so i can use the money to start the fixing up of the house.

i am looking forward to next year, although january will be busy with journeys to aberdeen, cardiff, belfast, sunningdale and york - probably a number to york.

i am excited by this stage in my life and looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that are opening up for me.

and then there is glastonbury - me and cg will be registering in January and both of us are really excited about going again. i need to work out how to get tickets for some other festivals as they seem to be all sold out. we are also considering some weekend breaks in europe.

so to anyone that reads this have a happy christmas and a fantastic 2009

Good Lord - how time flies. Well what has happened over the past few weeks. A lot -not least my bank account being emptied by the boy - one phone, a jacket, a hat and pair of gloves - how can that possibly be almost £300. Then there is the possible move in the new year - have to get rid of the dog first though - so if you know anyone that wants a dog..........

There was also the shopping trip to Paul Smiths - I've not been there before - very nice. something more for the boy - though thankfully not expensive. And last weekend went out christmas shopping with CG - we bought plenty for ourselves haha. Almost had a fight over a jacket in TK max - but i found it first and it looks nicer on me.

Then there was the interesting evening up the local. We sat down for our nice quiet drink - CG wearing a coat with real fur. We were approached by an enthusiastic young girl who wanted to tell us about the wrongs of wearing animal whilst spending the entire time stroking the coat. We listened for 15 minutes. Now I dont agree with real fur - but everyone has a right to choose. after 15 minutes CG told her to go away - she was by now getting quite aggressive towards us partly coz she was a bit pissed. The CG told her fuck off and then told her to fuck off again. By now even I was getting a bit annoyed. so I asked her whether she was into fairtrade (this is a bit of a thing of mine)- she of course said yes - i asked her whether she only wore fairtrade clothes - she again said yes. Now I may not be that knowledgable on all things fairtrade but I am pretty sure the designer jeans she was wearing and the converse boots were not fairtrade. I pointed this out and she started ranting about the fur again. At this point I told her to fuck off or else. Funnily she went ............... Our friends the doormen were intrigued to see that we had lost it with someone. And said they had been hoping for some blood - well u never know perhaps this week.

Unfortunately and sadly the car has finally died. It sits on my drive looking sad for itself and so it should because soon it will be going to a breakers. However if I sell next year I will be able to afford a new one - the audi tt draws ever closer and I have found two lovely penthouse apartments. One has a roof top conservatory and patio area and is three bedroom and the other is a two bedroom with a gym for use by the residents. Now which one do I really want - I think on balance the one which provides potential for throwing parties. I cant wait and neither can the boy - here's hoping we can get the ex to agree the sale of the house.........................

so st alban's was bloody freezing and wet. Unfortunately the boy didnt get through - not surprising since he was trialled as hooker, when his position for the past 4 years has been prop. Stil never mind all the pro teams were there and as the season goes on he may get a call-up at tsome point. And with one boy being selected who wasnt even there I have a sneaking suspicion it was decided before - at least he got to play - some of the boys didnt.

well another landmark day in the boys rugby career - today he is up for the london district trials. One of 70 boys from hampshire, essex, kennt, surrey, sussex, middlesex, eastern counties and hertfordshire. They are up for selction to the south east team -he is not confident but it is a step in the right direction. Oh well here goes for nothing

well after the highs of last week this week has started out great.

The boy has got trials for London District Rugby on Sunday and next week he is reffing a rugby tournament at Wembley, then watching the BaBas match and meeting the players after. He is so excited about everything - not helping his mocks though..........

what a peculiar week. well the interview must have gone well - got the job. So all i have to do now is deliver. i get to do my masters starting in January. eighteen months of fun - not. All i have to don ow is clear the decks of the final bits of my diploma - otherwise i will never keep up.

i have had a fun weekend. Friday night up at the local CG managed to pull - a nice guy who according to another friend was obviously going to wine and dine her. We were of a different opinion and just thoguht all he wanted was a quick shag - we will wait to see who is proved right. It was a good evening coz i had a lot to look on the basis that i have identified a preferred typ for my men and there was just a heap load in there - great for me not so good for CG.

Saturday was shopping, tidying and a chat to an old friend. Then back up the pub in the evening where we spent the night chatting to the doormen - who are gorgeous if a little young.

Sunday was even more of a scream - with shopping. CG was absolutely fuming when i got a top for less than half the proce of her top and mine didnt have little humps in the shoulders - I'm sure they will come out in the wash lol. Thent here was tkmax. first we tried on jeans - there wasnt much in the womens section so we both decided to try on mens. The firt pair i tried on just fell off they were so large and the second pair were all baggy round the front - mmm think they needed something to fill them and fortunately i dont have that equipment. And then there was the boot escapade. I made the mistake of thinking that the boots were a siz 9 - whoopee i thought - not only my size but also a really nice pair of boots. Having spent 5 minutes cramming my foot in I suddenly realised that they were in fact a size 6. Try as i might i could not get the bloody thing off. Cg ran to my assitance - I say ran mre like staggered as she laughed loudly. She tried pulling but as I couldn't lift my leg very high due to the fact that i had a skirt on and have developed CGs habit after 5 minutes we gave up. I sat there for a couple of minutes before yet again trying to drag the thing off. Visions of fireman popped into my head grabbing at my leg and getting an eyeful - the laughter by this time was becoming hysterical when suddenly with a rather quiet pop the boot came off. i was released and I have to say rather thankful.

Today I had an interview for the post i am currently covering temporarily - here's hoping.........

So the boy played for Essex on 26th October against eastern counties and will be playing again this sunday against hampshire. so he is happy again. He is definitely thinking of doing physio at uni although because of his lack of height is now reconsidering an old passion - fighter pilot (something he wanted to be - but because he thought he would be too tall he had put it to the back of his mind)

My world continues to be one filled with meeting old and new friends and generally laughing. I may also have a ticket to see the stereophonics - so cool. I am considering which other bands i would like to go and see, so far i have a list of about 5 so ticket buying wil have to be done. Still got to register for Glastonbury next year, but that will be done in January - requires a bit of organisation because there are quite a few going -ooh so excited.

On Monday I have an interview for the job I am doing - if I am successful i will have permanent promotion which would be good - new telly, new car hooray.

Funny thing happened today - chatting to my staff outside the office - there was the most enormous fart - now who did that!!!!!! hahaha

Forgot to say - sadly the boy was not selected for the squad this sunday - you can imagine the language- but after calming down he is beig very mature and will still go on the coach with the rest of the squad and will be dressed in his essex number ones. He is also thinking about doing something academic at uni - my god I think he might be growing up.

Oh and one other thing this week I caught up with two old friends - both of whom I havent seen/spoken to for 25 years - it was great.

Well i was right about it being a busy week at work. Having completed a number of tasks I am pleased to note that the CE was waxing lyrical at the management board this week. How do i know - the directors were at pains to tell me. I now have a week off - which will be filled with essay writing to complete my diploma.

Now the question is why, at my mid year review, did I say to my director that would like to do an MSc in organisational development- i really should learn to keep my mouth shut.

On an even better note last night I gave a years notice to the swimming club. Hopefully i wont have to work the whole year as soemone has now come forward who wants to be treasurer. Hooray.

So that will be more free time - silly me - I will be too busy doing my MSc to notice........

so the week ahead looms. will be busy at work - lord i wish i could get my severance. then there are the evenings. Essex rugby training tomorrow night with the boy, tuesday - the mens teams for massage and learning more about their injuries - wednesday rugby training for the boy and meeting up with an old friend (will be great to swap old stories and new ones) - thursday no torture got a meeting about the olympics and how we can help the current community be part of the new one - friday swimming club agm (at least i will only have one more year - giving a years notice as treasurer)- and then collapse in a heap i think - saturday cleaning and writing essays and then sunday Essex v Kent.

yey the essex boys won 20-17

Well I thought yesterday was going to be a quiet day - how wrong can you be!!!! Went shopping with CG - laughter abounded in every changing room - except for the one in Ann Summers - where I had a pleasant surprise when trying on the dressing up clothes - boy did I look hot (even if I do say so myself).

Today is the big day - hope the boy is on form.

Well my torture session ended in fits of giggles last night. My torturer has decided that we will go through the yoga moves alphabetically so we started with three versions of the bench which was fine but ended with something called 'the bug'. Pic below (couldnt find one of an adult so this will have to do)

Now just imagine two adults rolling around the floor doing this - it was hysterical.

Anyway tonight I am off out with CG, my sis, my niece and a couple of other friends. Watch out Blackheath is all I can say! Saturday is a quiet day and Sunday the boy is playing his first game for Essex. I am so excited!! Its Essex v Middlesex - he is not confident but hey its a first step and I have been sent information on a college in St Albans for people who want a career in rugby - so he may be living away from home earlier than expected!

Well yesterday afternoon I was off work and cleared out the bedroom and moved it round. I have almost got rid of all the ex's stuff - well not got ridof exactly its in the loft - but the bedroom looks much better - all i have to do now is decorate. Today was spent sorting out the living room which is also looking much better - unfortunately all this cleaning has left me exhausted and my son thinking I am upset again. On this ocassion this is not the case - just a need to sort my house out.

I am pleased to see that an ex friend has passed their exams - i know they meant a lot to them. Hope I do as well with my diploma. I have submitted a couple of essays recently and both have passed so only another three to go and I will be exceptionally qualified in programme and project working - lord alone knows what i will do with it.

Today I went shopping with CG and mother fuck up. I have no idea why but they found my habit of running along with the trolley and then freewheeling a little embarassing - funnily my son finds this embarassing as well - i dont

i have also found a recipe for little mexican doughnuts - they are fantastic.

well the rant went on a bit - I eventually calmed down by wednesday. this had a bit of a disasterous effect on my weekend. Friday night as always when she hasnt got her kids me CG were out on the town - up Wanstead High Street into the Cuckfield - spending the night laughing. Especially funny was the group of young guys who decided to show each other their underpants. the red ones were particularly nice. Although none of them were as nice as the 27 year old I had met at Victoria Station in the afternoon. I wont say any more about that.....except plain clothes police really should have better things to do!

We then bumped into some guys who we had met a few weeks ago who seemed to think we had abducted one of their friends admittedly he had asked CG out but she had spoken to him the next day saying she didnt want to. This led to a lot of disbelieve and questioning on their part - as to what we had done with him. All was OK though coz he turned up a little while later just to prove he was alive and kicking.

Sunday was a truly dreadful day with the exception that I bought some new clothes. These had all been tried on the day before in the presence of a couple of girlfriends who are now my official advisers in these matters. The new clothes were pretty essential - having now lost over four stone my old clothes - even those that were too small are now much to big. On Saturday the trying on trip had been followed by copious amounts of wine. I have to say the new clothes all look fantastic - especially the underwear. I have decided I will buy a few things every month to keep my wardrobe up to date.

Then back to boring work - although I have to say I cant remember a time when I have been quite so busy..........

So i need to have a rant

My job is being advertised which I was cool with until the job advert was passed to the unions. They have accused the head of directorate services of making the job description so specific only i can apply for it - this is not true. the job description was the one used last year and i was not suitable for it. so then they started removing all references to programme and project working. I wouldn't mind but as the head of organisational change you really do need to be able to programme manage - so you need to have some experience. in the end i told the guy in charge of directorate services to do what he wanted (he thinks we should just go with the unions) but that if there is no mention of programme and project working i wont apply. for heavens sake i am a programme manager and good at it. and in addition if they appoint someone who isn't then they will regret it coz the whole organisational change programme will fail. right rant over.

So Monday night I went off round CGs massaged her daughters leg - you would have thought I was murdering her. Halfway through the evening got a text from the boy telling me had possibly broken his nose - how I hear you ask. Well he had been jumped by three guys who proceeded to try and take his phone. Phone was held securely in his pocket by one hand while he hit out with the other. Then one of the guys pulled a knife while the third punched boy in face. I arrived home to find him with a bloodied face and in pain. There was no hospital trip and tonight despite him saying he wasnt going to rugby off we trotted to training.

I may or may not be meeting a film producer and composer at the weekend. He has become a good friend through facebook and we discuss music and films, my music collection is growing - not sure how long it will take me to get all million tracks that he has. He has smashed his knee up on set and I said I would see if there was anything I could do for it. So depending on whether he feels it is mending or not will I think decide him on whether I need to trudge down to Buckinghamshire. It would be nice to meet - put a person to the discussions.

I need a break at the weekend - work is sooo busy at the moment - I am in at 8 and dont stop working till 4- go home taking laptop and usually end up doing an hour or so's work in the evening. I just hope it pays off with me getting the permanent post - if not I may leave the civil service and become a consultant - the pull of £1500 per day is quite strong.

This Friday looks like a night at the Cuckfield winding up the guys - always good for a laugh well for me and CG anyway!!!!!!!

Saturday night was a scream - and that was just the journey there. I went with a work colleague who had agreed to drive. I spent the afternoon trying to decide what to wear - this is surprisingly difficult seeing as i have very few clothes left to wear - everything has now got really much too big. Anyway got a look together in the end - I think the two glasses of wine really helped. The we were off an hour later than anticipated, but hey it didnt look too far. Then as we drove towards the blackwall tunnel the realisation came that neither of us had a map and that the only instructions we had were based on leaving central london by the A23. Luckily i vaguely remembered that the A23 crossed the A205 so round the south circular we went. I discovered on this journey that my driver has anger management issues and is prone to breaking sharply at the sight of speed cameras. By the time we arrived it was getting on for 9. This was slightly awkward coz our plan had been not leave at 9.30 - colleague wanted to go to pics and i had the chance of seeing a friend. Any way we didnt leave and i spent the night dancing away to some good 80s tunes along with some 60s and 70s as well.

Sunday brought the first round of the Essex cup for the boys rugby team. He was on the subs bench due to the broken thumb and the need to ensure that it is healed by the time the County team start training. Unfortunately due to another injuries and the fact that it was warm and players were flagging he ended up on the pitch playing as flanker. I say unfortunately - he was obviously over the moon.

Then after a text exchange with a good friend which left both of us upset i was off round CGs for a gossip. Said friend then rang me at CGs and we had a chat and sorted a few things out. I am beginning to think that all relationships are on the whole too difficult and am considering retreating to a convent. And one where you live in solitude. i will discuss with CG tonight when i pop round to massage her daughters injured ankle.... I think she may disuade me.......... I wonder are nuns aloud rabbits

Well i didnt get the housework done - msn is a bad thing. distracted me all evening but i did get to bed early and i uploaded some new pics onto my comp and facebook.

So need to get on and do housework today and then off to a friends wedding reception tonight. Will be great! Then tomorrow its rugby - so a trip down to westcliffe - going with friends the boy is at his dads tonight and he has the car so cadging a lift seems best. I'm quite enjoying my role as pitch side first aider for the U16s. Maybe I will get on that pitchside trauma course.

Then I will need to do some work - Oh the responsibility of a project for the CE. I cant believe how much work I have got. I need an extra few hours in each day - or perhaps I just need to avoid msn and facebook - that would probably save me at least two days a week - but my public needs me.

Am seriously thinking about having a go as a stand-up comic...........................

Another hectic week - massage business is building - was left unsupervised at the rugby club Tuesday for 4 massages. The guys seem to think I doing OK (although the treatment bed I use is rather squeaky which seems to amuse them all no end) and then I was off to deal with an injured back (not mine this time) - so all in all good news.

Wednesday a good gossip with CG and the ups and downs of being single and then out for a late night cap.

Thursday weekly torture session - I am definitely much more flexible. Its great and it is doing my back world of good.

I was meant to be off to the cinema tonight but unfortunately companion for the evening has a cold and so is not feeling up to it - realistically this is good news because it means I can get my housework done tonight and spend more time on the pile of work I am taking home for the weekend. I am suddenly feeling all career minded - nothing like having to apply for your own job to focus the mind. It would be good to get this job as otherwise I am surplus although if they want to pay me off I wont argue - it will be more than offered last year and that could mean a whole new lifestyle - bring on the audi.

So I can't believe how busy I am these days - its so much easier to go off and do something when you are single - non of that worrying what the other person is up to and whether they had planned anything.

Tuesday night found me down the rugby club helping out - although there wasnt much massage this week and the physio did seem to take particular delight at the end of training in walking out with me through the players who were for the most part still naked - why does it take them so long to get changed!

Then Wednesday rugby training for the boy - at least this week i didnt get a text saying he had broken his thumb. Thursday back at yoga with sis and a good gossip, sge is still spitting feathers over a certain person and I think they were probably lucky to get away with their life when she saw them the other day.

Thursday a real surprise for the boy - for three years he has gone for Essex selection and yet again this year we were told he had been unsuccessful - but Thursday night we got home and there was a letter offering him a place in the Essex squad. Hey were we both chuffed - its the best news he has had for ages- all we need now is for his thumb to heal before 13th October.

Then Friday night out and it was a good night - very enjoyable and a repeat is in order I think. Saturday all day at the rugby, it was a good match - and dinner in the evening was really nice although finding my companions hotel turned out to be an adventure in itself.

Sunday was my sisters birthday and i went to lunch with her, her partner, my niece, her partner and my brother. It was a fantastic afternoon and evening. The amount of alcohol consumed was probably too much - but what a day. And my brother is now wanting to take me out to meet some of his friends - hey I must be looking good - normally he wouldnt walk down the street with me (although I suspect he has the hots for CG whom he saw a pic of on my phone).

Back to work Monday and surprisingly no hangover. I got tons done and am feeling I can take on anything.

today was soooooo funny in work. It started with us unpacking coz we had moved floors - it didnt take long for me and the team - we travel light. we have moved to near the chief execs office which is great coz i like all the people in the office having worked with them previously - so the quiet studious atmosphere of the 2nd floor is about to be destroyed.

this afternoon, and i have no idea how it happened, my team ended up with one of them pretending to cry and the other dribbling. i have pointed out to both it is not a good look especially the dribbling. people will not take us seriously if we are dribbling.

lunch was eventful - mainly coz i managed to drop half of it down my white t shirt - which a member of my team felt the need to point out to me - like i didnt know that there were two tomato splodges down my front.

well where has the time gone. i cant believe it is another two weeks since i last blogged. yet more events. firstly a car crash which left me with whiplasjh in my lower back, which today resulted in a spasm which took over an hour to go away. laying on the floor next to a rugby game almost crying in pain is not a good advert if you are the team first aider and massage therapist.

Then there was the dog and her dodgy hip - bit like her owner but that seems to be clearing up and then the boy breaking his thumb last wednesday at training. amazingly he played today although he is now laying on the settee complaining that it hurts. lord knows what the consultant will say on thursday.

on the dating front - been on a couple one being a double date with cg. it was fun but to be honest 48 is too old for us. I have also learnd more about text sex - phone sex and IM sex - all of which seem to be hugely popular. And whilst they serve a purpose they are no substitute for the real thing.

Work has been a scream mainly because me and the team seem to have spent more time off sick or looking after other people than we have in work. And when they are in they spend allt heir time wanting to know about my latest escapdes with internet dating and advising me on whether the current one is suitable for me. They are still ready to kill the reporter.

I still havent heard about the HO job - ah the civil service as always prompt and decisive.

CG has started college and is thoroughly enjoying herself and also learning more about cyber sex haha-i will teach her all i know.

And the massage stuff is going well - i have been to the rugby club a few times to help with the first team. all in all life is great!!

Two weeks is a long time

Well the last two weeks of my holiday is over and to be honest I think I will be glad to get back to work- it will give me an excuse to get to bed before 3am - thats of course if I notice the time. So the last two weeks have been made up of helping CG tidy her junk room (sorry study), try and clear out my bedroom (not successful) and generally just waste an awful lot of time talking to people on msn and facebook. It is a very strange world out there.



I have spent several days and evenings in the company of CG during which time my make-up has been destroyed more than once. I have a vicar who is now trying to match make on the olympic building site - i say this because i busy gossiping with CG when I received a text which said

'hi Marion, can I give this guy called ???? your number. He is 48, your height and the ????????? manager for ????? (think I should protect the poor guys identity)' now knowing my vicar as I do I thought he was winding me up and sent an appropriate response, however apparently he wasnt and so ???? now has my number and picture and I have his. We have spoken every day since and he sounds very nice - we hope to meet for coffee soon. I will keep you posted.

I also think that at sometime over the past few weeks I must have signed up to be a Samaritan. I was trying to get to CGs last Sunday, but it really was hard work. Two online friends managed to delay me - I dont mind and they were both down and needed someone to talk to and thats fine. I was glad that they felt they could talk to me. Talking of online friends my number of facebook mates continues to grow and I am pleased to say that I managed to add 3 women this week, shows some balance I think - the number of men being added was becoming embarassing.

I am currently trying to decide whether to take a few more pain killers. Some stupid woman decided that the back of car was a good place to accelerate into and although the only damage to the car is the boot lock the damage to my back appears to be somewhat more serious - it was not helped I think by the jigging around at the Bootleg Beatles and Bjorn Again concert that me and CG attended on Friday night - along with her four kids. A great time was had by all but there was a disappointing amount of male talent around- hopefully there will be more on Sunday.

And finally - i went on a date last night. Now this is the first date with someone I dont know I have been on for 24 years. How nerve - wracking is it? But we had a good time. We went to Greenwich - I have to say being driven in a year old BMW 5 series is very nice (especially whenyour own car is an old banger). We had a lovely meal and a nice stroll around greenwich and then a nice drive back. Now I dont think this is going to be a romance to set the world alight but i think we will be good friends so nothing lost. And more importantly it has least given me my confidence back with regard to men - bring em on haha.

What a weird weekend

What a most peculiar weekend. It started with the most confrotational meeting I have been in for a long time - with my mood ring turning black three times according to one of my team - apparently that means irritated (I really should have invested in one of these things ages ago). Then I was off out with CG up to the local hostelries. We bought drinks and went for a seat in the beer garden. This week we decided that we would dress up a bit - so frocks were the order of the day and it worked. Heads turned as we walked in and sat down. So we had been sipping for about half an hour when a young lad decided to chance his arm. over he came and started by telling us he was a male stripper and promptly took off his t-shirt - the body underneath did not live up to expectations and the bouncer took exception to the stripping. So then the lad - he was 28- decided to sit with us. He was variously a bricklayer, stripper, fireman and cabbie - none of which were frankly believable. He tried various chat up lines - yours eyes are beautiful etc etc. Then he turned into an octopus, by which time one of his mates had also joined us. It has been a long time since I have had to fend off searching and groping hands, however fended off they were. The funniest thing was the fact that he was quite short and me being 5'11 I decided to try and let him down gently and warned him about my height - he was having none of it until of course i stood up. It was fantastic - the shock on his face would have been worth a fortune if only I had a camera

Saturday was fairly quiet - a bit of cleaning (unfortinately being a litttle tired I managed to pick up the spray starch instead of polish to clean with) -a chat on line with a couple of friends - one of which was important because it cleared up a misunderstanding and now we are friends again and rolling along quite nicely. Saturday evening I had agreed to give a massage (I am training to do sports massage so victims are welcome). I was very clear that it was just a massage and nothing else. However at the end of the treatment the guy seemed to think that I had missed something and promptly got out his equipment and asked for a massage on that. Why he looked confused when I said no confused me - but anyway the ride in the jag back to the station was nice and apparently he wants to stay friends - mmm still considering that one. Got home and had a very long call with two good friends - during which i spent five minutes looking for my mobile phone. I finally found it - it was in my hand because I was talking to my friends on it. I think I might need more sleep!!

Sunday as usual was church followed by shopping. Then round cg's to discuss the previous evening events. The said equipment now referred to as the slug. After a quick nap we decided to pop up the local again. Whilst there we met up with an aquaintance of CGs. he is the manager of a punk band and the lead singer was with him so we sat around having nice conversation with the odd profanity thrown in for good measure. Then another friend joined them and as the conversation became more and more bizarre it became obvious that they had probably had more than just alcohol. There were a number of offers made from one of the guys for us to go home with him or for him to go back to CGs with the pair of us. We declined all, so that we could get on with having some tea. Back to CGs for tea (not sure if you can call it that at 11:30pm) and then back home for me. I got home to find the boy had left the dog in the garden and I had neighbours complaining - looks like she will be on the move soon. Then on to msn and a chat to friends - I really dont know where the weekends go - well at least i dont have work for two weeks.

what a busy week. a number of bbqs, a job interview, getting to know new people, possibility of new massage work, buying school uniform (although I am not convinced that a designer coat is school uniform) a pub crawl, the opprtunity of being wined and dined which sadly had to be turned down and a picnic - even if it was a day later than planned and with a different person. Shame I am back at work next week, even if for only four days - thankfully the office is shut Tuesday so another day off and without having to use annual leave. The trouble with going back to work is that I will have to start getting to bed earlier than 3am, otherwise I will be useless. Still it is only one week and then i am off again for two weeks. At some point i really need to do some studying and possibly a bit of decorating. Saw a great bed the other day in Ikea trouble is the boy wants one as well and at £500 a throw i think the likelihood of either of us getting one is slim. There was another one i would settle for on the basis that i just want to be rid of the one i have, but it really isnt the one i want.

Today there was cleaning frenzy - short-lived coz I only managed to clean downstairs. The boy is convinced it is because I am upset - he thinks I only clean when upset - this is not true - he just isnt in normally when i clean.

Then this afternoon i was off to search for an outfit for the HMP job interview on Tuesday (for which I still have to prepare my presentation). In the end I have got trousers - mainly because there were too many sales and too many people - why do people have to go shopping when I go. All I need to do now is see if they fit - otherwise it will be back to the shops tomorrow - haha deep joy

Yoga last night was as always a pleasure - I am definitely getting more flexible, some of the positions that my torturer (sorry sister) tries to get me into. For last night challenge see pic below (I did manage it eventually)

ha Ha! bt have admitted they got it wrong. so the explosion threat has subsided for the moment. Have rung bank who are giving me back my money although now i will owe bt £12. Oh well I have my money back so can now get a suit for my interview next week - haven't got any as they all fall off if I walk too quickly - question is - trousers or skirt? mmmmmmm almost as difficult as the 5 year plan.

having got all chilled out bt have managed to piss me off yet again. I rang them to find out where my complaint had got to and guess what they managed to cut me off - *!*!!*!*!*!*!!*!*!!**!*!*!!*! is all I have to say. I am about ready to explode. Further updates later - although if there is a sudden darkcloud over east london it may well be that I have exploded

Having a had a bit of a think about life, the universe and everything my brilliant 5 year plan is ready. i think I'll do what I have always done and go with the flow. Although its not been always successful, for the most part i have enjoyed life especially the last year and as I dont have any great career aspirations I think it will do. I would like to do something more practical so I will try and work on the massage thing, build up a customer base and do some more courses - probably hot stone therapy and reflexology. But for the rest of it I am going to just be me. Go where the wind blows me, so to speak (coz it would take a hurricane to blow me anywhere) and enjoy the world and the people in it.

Last night said goodbye to a good friend who is off to France for four weeks - lucky thing.

Well the bedroom decoration project is in the planning stage. Think I might have picked the colours - think I quite like the idea of blue and a beige (the beige being one of those suede paints). Thinking I might get a new bed as well and wardrobes. Make it all new for me. The cheeky git of a boy has also picked out paints for his room - I hadn't even mentioned doing his room. He then tells me that where he was ill last year and spent a lot of time in bed - he has picked a load of paint off the wall. So I suppose I ought to do his room - that might have to be later in the year.

The ongioing saga of BT has not yet reached resolution - I might have to give them a ring although I'mnot sure if I can be bothered. They haven't replied to my letter of complaint - they have had a week - honestly they are bloody useless.

Post just arrived - how exciting I have an interview for a job I applied for ages ago. Have to give a 5 minute presentation. The job is considerably better paid than the one I am in and is permanent rather than temporary promotion. I really didnt think I would get an interview. Oooh I am soooo excited!!!

Wimbledon it was not

Having just returned from tennis with the boy I'm sure I will never recover. All in all it wasn't too bad I won the first set 6-0. However the second set was tied at 1-1, then the boy won again at which point my legs, arms, and rest of my body cried out NO MORE!! So apparently I forfeit the game. Luckily I am not overly competitive so thats fine with me. Tomorrow will be a different matter...................

yesterday was just soooo hot. Spent the afternoon in MFUs garden sipping wine and chatting. Met miss tearful (or tiny tears) new man. He seemed nice if a little overwhelmed by the coven that greeted him in the garden.

We eat the chocolate cake - which was scrummy. However if all you eat all day is a very rich chocolate cake and drink wine - you end up with quite a bad stomach ache. Never mind it was worth it.

On a very positive note - I appear to have lost more weight, which is good in one way but bad in another. Good - coz I have plenty to lose. Bad - coz even more of my clothes will be too big and I will need to replace them - i really do need to finish off my massage course so that I can start charging. The next practical is in september so hopefully i will be able to get on that one and then i can finish and start making some extra cash

On my shopping trip to stratford yesterday I bought four tennis balls. Unfortunately on testing this morning they are more suited to cricket than tennis as their ability to bounce is nil.

Well yesterday I did some of the things I wanted to although the cleaning was a bit cursory - it was hot. However I did find out that cleaning with nothing on in the heat helps to keep the temperature down. Not that it would have been a pleasant sight for anyone watching, but as I had the house to myself all day there was no one to see.

I learned how to upload videos from youtube to facebook so spent some time playing around with that. I also baked a chocolate and cola cake. This is a scrummy cake and of course has no calories. It is coming on a trip with me this afternoon to CGs where it will be eaten while we sip a glass of wine.

I have also started to think about my five year plan. The first question of course is where do you want to be in five years and what do you want to be doing? This is difficult - in five years the boy will be either at uni or working or travelling and therefore mostly independent of me, so for the first time in my life the question is truly about what I want from my life. Most of my life has been spent falling into situations, without really thinking beyond tomorrow - the one exception being my son, for whom I planned and planned and had almost given up. Most of the jobs I have had, came to me rather than me going after them. So what do I want and where do I want to be - I know the answers to both questions just need to work out how to get there.

hints for stratford shoppers

If you must go shopping then please note:

1. Do not stop abruptly in front of me - you will only cry when i shout at you

2. when entering a shop as a group don't then stand in the entrance while you try and work out how many baskets you need - the abuse you received was fully justified and did not warrant the abuse back

3. If taking a trolley out or any other apparatus on wheels - do not let your children steer it - although of course they may be doing a better job than you could - it must be difficult whilst dragging your knuckles along the floor.

4. And finally if you are going to follow me home then at least offer to carry my bags for me they were f***ing heavy

Hooray the holiday has started. I was thinking yesterday that it was laying in tatters but today I am much more positive. I have a couple of games of tennis with the boy over the next couple of weeks - if of course he can fit me in. We may go to Thorpe Park, although I will have to overcome my fear of big rides. I noticed that Sainsburys are doing a buy one ticket get one free when you spend over £40 so next time I shop I will be getting tickets. Then there is the radio show next Saturday - its a play by and with Miranda Hart. It looks very funny. I have two tickets so volunteers for a night out please apply. Then there is the beach party. Me and a few girlfriends are going to spend a day sipping cocktails, listening to music and pretending we are in some exotic location. Oh and then there are a few other places I want to visit and some nice long walks in the country with the dog.

The boy has a rugby camp at the end of the holiday and then there is always the shopping trip for new uniform. In addition I have a number of essays to write a which I will knuckle down and do and I need to do some exterior decorating as well as my bedroom. I'm not now sure whether four weeks is going to be enough. Then I think I will have a bit of time thinking about of time to consider where I want to be in ten years time. This I find is always a good thing to do. It focuses the mind on the things you need and the things you want (not always the same). I suspect this will involve me in being a little less others focussed and bit more me focussed.

I have just spent the most bizarre 5 minutes in a lift that seems to have a mind of its own. We got in to go to the ground floor and it started to go down and then went up and then went down without stopping. I did wonder whether I was going to spend the rest of the day in the lift just going up and down. The same lift also has a habit of displaying SS instead of the floor number. This is very offputting for my colleague who is Jewish.

On another matter - my recent rant at BT has stilled not been resolved. I have written to them and I have had no reply as yet, which means that I may have to contact them again. Not sure if I can bear the idiots who only seem to be able to read out what their card says.

Well I have just had a go at the virgin radio 80s quiz. I got to question 8 before losing all three of my lives. I am truly shite at music.

I have weekly torture session tonight - apparently my niece may be joining us. I am sure that this is so she can impress me with her flexibility and brilliant yoga technique and appear better than the others in her class - namely me. Last week I appeared to have lost my balance as I almost fell over on at least 2 occasions. Of course my teacher did not laugh at all!

Today work was going really well until my email system decided it was going to operate like a snail. At which point I really lost it and find myself in a well pissed off mood now. Can't wait for today and tomorrow to be over at least then I have two weeks off

Mr Grumpy is getting a little upset at his nickname - although after yesterday evenings performance up town I am even more convinced that it is an apt name for him. Just walking down the street was a chore. Admittedly a couple of people did bump into him and he claimed that one woman stepped out in front of him without warning (personally I think he was enjoying that one). However this is normal for London. Then there was the sports shop- which was apparently too hot. In the end he went and stood outside.

I had agreed to stop callling him mr grumpy, but now I am reconsidering......

The boy is now off school for six weeks. Yesterday I was surprised when he was up at 10:30 - I am sure that will be midday by the end of the week. We are going to play some tennis at some point - possibly next week. We may go up town to have a look at a shop I found yesterday which the boy is quite keen to visit. Well thats all for now.

I am not in work today. Reason - I woke up this morning in absolute agony with the most severe stomach pains I have ever had. In addition as I walked down the stairs I pulled a muscle in my calf. I now know how the grumpy one feels -aches and pains all over the place - no one he is always so grumpy!

I tried to upload some video from glastonbury the other day, failed miserably - I may have to ask for help. The grumpy one is even grumpier now - his brother has apparently adopted this new form of address and for some reason he is not pleased by it.

Yesterday I had a great time shopping with my sister in Basildon - she is the queen of bargains. I love going shopping with her. We are going to return with my niece. Speaking of which she has muscled in on my yoga class - I don't mind it - it will be great.

The boy only has two more days at school and then five weeks holiday. Fortunately for him I am off for four of those weeks. He will love having me around. I have been thinking about things to do in the holiday. Last summer I went to the Greenwich Observatory and I think that will be worth a trip again this year. I almost went to the Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green but changed my mind at the last moment so I think I will take a trip along there as well. I have also promised the boy a game of tennis - lord alone knows what I have let myself in for. I may also go to a theme park - perhaps thorpe park -that should be fun. As for the rest of the time I have thought about decorating my bedroom so that might finally get done - still can't pick a colour but it definitely needs doing so I will have to make a decision soon. Any ideas on colour gratefully accepted.

I need to become more assertive. I have been told by a number of people this week that I am too soft and get pushed around too much. This is probably true and I thought I was doing better since the management development centre that I attended, where an occupational psychologist told me the same thing. Obviously though I am not progressing as well as I had imagined. So from now on others better watch out!!

The other thing I need to do is get some savings together. I was hoping to take the boy on holiday this summer, but its not going to happen. So I need to get some savings together and take him away in the October half term. Not sure where yet.

I think I may stop giving sports massage to men. The reason is simple. They are such delicate creatures that any sort of pressure seems to result in them screaming - well perhaps not screaming but there is certainly a lot more grunting than when womenalso have a massage. They are insitent on having full massages done rather than just the injured part - my son informs me that this is because it is nice! Well thats all right then!

So last night found me tucked up in bed at 5.30pm with an impending migraine, however I had to drag myself out at 9pm to pick the boy up. Once home straight back to bed and my own little dream world - which I have to say is getting more and more bizarre. The other night I dreamt I was having a picnic with Anthony Hopkins and a load of kids in the middle of a very busy road. We had a nice chat and then I went and played with the kids. I'm sure it means something but I cannot for the life of me think what. I don't remember any of my dreams from last night but that may have been down to the fact that most of the night was spent with me wondering whether my head was going to explode. Well the headache has cleared up now - thank God. Tonight I have yoga (my weekly torture session) and then a quick massage for the grumpy one (so there goes my resolve above)- try and help his leg along a bit, I don't want to get the blame for a poor performance on Sunday.

So last night found me out walking and watching some amateur football games. The grumpy one was commenting on the standard of play and I dutifuly listened, however when I started to take an interest in the game suddenly it was time to move on.

This morning I got a DAB radio off of Virgin Radio. All for sending in a simple text and having a chat with the OC. Great!!

thank God its hayfever season, although in my experience commuters on the tube do not notice others distress. I had one of those 'epiphany' moments on the train this morning and only just managed to stop myself turning into a blubbering wreck. I think my brain has been working up to it over the past couple of weeks - it would be nice if it had warned me that it was going to come to a conclusion this morning.

The weekend was quite relaxing - especially yesterday. Pottered off to church in the morning and then a bit of ironing and watching tele for the rest of the day - oh and a massage for the boy. Perhaps that explains the epiphany this morning - its not often I relax to that extent.

Anyway another busy week is ahead - have to pop out this evening and then up the rugby club tomorrow - a massage for one of the guys, nothing wednesday night - thursday is yoga and a massage for a friend and then out and about saturday and sunday. And of course there is the day job which I thought would be fairly quiet this week, but I find that my diary is quickly filling up.

Well last night was great. Darts were on form and the 100 club is a brilliant venue. Will definitely be going back. The grumpy one was particlularly grumpy at the beginning of the evening - something to do with fisher price radio, traffic difficulties and a shirt that was, shall we say, interesting!!

Hoorah - almost the weekend and what an exciting one I have lined up. Tonight is the swimming club committee meeting. I have spent the last week sorting out the accounts only to have my computer crash and seemingly to have wiped most of the stuff for this year. Technology drives me up the wall - anyway I will sort it all out over the summer in time for the AGM. Tomorrow is even better with cleaning, washing and ironing and a meeting about the Church finances and then tomorrow night I am off out. Now 3 of those I am off out with know me from a long time ago, but have not been out with me for many years (well one has but I have remained restrained). I am not sure that they really appreciate what I am like when out - and the worst thing is takes no alcohol for me to behave in a totally wild manner - so there is no stopping me. I suspect I may be banished to a different carriage on the tube on the way home and possibly asked to walk 10 yards either in front or behind them when we get off the train. The funniest thing is they think they are going to be the wild ones!!

Finally I have internet back. Hooray. Trouble is the boy had to catch up with all his friends so he has spent all day on here.

The weekend was busy busy busy. The grumpy one was on the radio and may I say a little near the mark at times. But as always it was a wonderful show (have to massage his ego every now and then). then I watched a game of cricket on sunday in the rain. I really need to get a life!!

So we did it!! We went to Glastonbury did the festival and returned in one piece. The journey down was a challenge- quite frankly the speed limits were aspirational - not just because of traffic but because Daisy, a white van, was unable to get above 60 for most of the journey. Overtaking took careful planning.

On arrival we were laden down with numerous bags and a trolley which was heavier than the stuff we were carrying and then we were given a load more bags including rubbish bags. Two and a half hours later the tent was sort of up with me on the hunt for black market tent pegs. We had been good and left the metal ones behind only to find that the biodegradable ones wouldnt go into the ground orif they did promptly broke.

The festival itself - what can I say - fantastic. We spent the weekend laughing, looking confused, and drinking. The weather was great and we both have pretty good tans. The lack of talent on display in our age range was deplorable, but there was nice some eye candy in the younger market and there was some dancing with one really nice guy - however on the return of his female companion that was brought to an end. Shaky was great and pissed, but I think the highlight for me was Newton Faulkner singing Bohemian Rhapsody. Am I going next year? Of course - although the grumpy one informs me he is coming and it has never been dry at Glastonbury when he has been there - so perhaps I will leave him at home!!!

I now feel able to write down my latest encounter with BT. On saturday I received my first bill which included a connection charge of £124.99. I had been assured this would be waived on the basis that the original connection that I had arranged and they cocked up would not have cost me. Anyway I rang BT and got some guy who read out my bill to me. I tried explainig to him that I knew what it said on my bill, but that I had been promissed the connection charge would be waived. After 15 minutes with this idiot I then spoke to his manager - this was a mistake. She was even more useless. She too kept reading out my bill. I pointed out that I was perfectly capable of reading and undestood why they would normally place a charge on the work. Then I went through the whole story I gave her all the account numbers and at the end of it she said 'Yes but we have to charge because the engineer came out' At this point I thought I was going to explode. I have now written a letter to their customer complaints department with copies of all their correspondence. Lets see what that brings - hopefully not a 'Yes but we have to charge because the engineer came out'.

On a happier note the Church PCC agreed two major things last night - one was to rehang the bell (which has upset some people -notably though they do not live in the area nor attend the Church), so I have now got to get some scaffolding quotes and two we are going to look into the possibility of building a conference/retreat centre where our Church Hall is. So busy times ahead.

So only two days to go before the great adventure. I have downloaded a route only hope we can follow it - women and map reading I undersstand is not good. Then there is the shopping to be done - that's tomorrow I think- only trouble is CG is going to her sons music recital - he has a trumpet solo - I know a few men who could do that and they wouldn't need a trumpet.

My thoughts at the moment are filled with Glastonbury and why the hell I said I would go. I can't believe that originally I was going on my own - I would be terrfied by now, but at least me and CG have each other. Our flag is a masterpiece with a number of glow in the dark hearts and some sequins and glittery things on it. It is in the shape and colours of a certain rugby clubs flag, however we are not sure whether they would be approving of our decoration so we are torn between hiding it away forever on our return or insisting that the club use it when the first team play at home.

And finally for now - I now have a vicar for my wedding. He invited himself when he heard about the Krispy Kreme wedding cake. I will start having nightmares about this wedding soon - I wouldn't mind if it was real but honestly the detail that is going into the arrangements for a fantasy wedding. However I am beginning to think that with all those donuts up for grabs I may well need a significant amount of time to diet before the great day and possibly an appearance on Pimp my Bride (oops sorry thats only a fantasy in someones mind as well). Hey ho the ultimate fantasy wedding. Perhaps I could sell the idea to the Simpsons - now theres an idea...............

So this afternoon I have been practising putting up a tent in preparation for the adventure that is Glastonbury. We managed it all on our own - not bad for two women eh. Then we had some really nice dinner which was followed by Belgian waffles, ice cream and chocolate sauce. Then Miss Tearfull and her brother turned up. The conversation quickly degenerated into a conversation about my wedding. I'm not sure what wedding but my friends including Miss T and Commando Girl have it all planned. There will be a 70s theme - groom in white suit, cowboy boots and medallion. Me in a flowy number with big bell sleeves, blue eyeshadow and flowers in my hair. As for the reception the menu will be melon, followed by peppered steak and chips (with a large beef tomato) and pudding will be black forest gateux. But the greatest inspiration was left for the wedding cake - krispy kreme donuts piled in a pyramid - fantastic. Now all that is left to do is get divorced and find a groom.

Last night was my weekly torture session - oh sorry yoga lesson. My sister is a very good yoga teacher but seems to take some perverse pleasure in getting my body into the most peculiar positions. Anyway last night she mentioned she had bumped into the older bro, so I must get in touch otherwise I might end up in his bad books. I am going to suggest that he might like to get a glasto ticket and join me and CG on the trip - obviously he will have to bring his own tent as we only have a 6 berth tent and rather a lot of equipment so there would be no room for him. Talking of Glasto - I still haven't received my car park ticket so need to chase that up today. I cannot believe that this time next week I will be there. I am soooooooo excited.

The tent erection lesson on Wednesday didn't happen so tomorrow its over to CGs for the lesson. I still have my doubts as to whether it will be of any benefit. My memory is very poor -its an age thing - and I intend to open the wine as soon as we get there. So all in all I think we will probably need some help from some unsuspecting souls.

I was with friends last night and we were laughing and joking, mainly at my expense, but the thought crossed my mind how much has happened in the last year. This was brought home to me even more because on Sunday the boy is off to Essex trials again. He has spent the last two years being sorely disappointed and said to me yesterday that if he doesn't get selected this year then he will not pursue his dream to be a professional rugby player. I hope to persuade him otherwise. At the end of the day our dreams are what drive us to achieve. I have given up too many dreams to let my child do the same. So any suggestions on how to inspire him if he doesn't get selected will be gratefully received. As for my dreams many of them have been assigned to the dream dustbin, although some have managed to drag themselves back out - altough perhaps they were never truly put there in the first place.

Finally I have a phone again, sadly however no internet access. I can now write my grumpy old woman letter to BT. I can't wait. The internet was apparently cut off by BT and Virgin now wish to charge £30 to reconnect and it will take 7-10 days, however as this is not in my name I have told the ex to forget it and I will sort out my own internet access when I sort out the telly.

The weekend was somewhat weird. Myself and Commando Girl drove to Basildon to get some bling for the Glastonbury flag, we encountered a traffic jam just outside and ended up going through an estate, although remarkably we did not get lost. We also spent most of the drive down in fits of laughter l, athough for the life of me I cannot remember what we were laughing about.

In Starbucks I was condemned because I asked what drinks my companions, CG and the grumpy one, wanted - they requested a capaccino and a hazelnut latte - and when I came back with a frapaccino for myself they claimed I had misled them. Not my fault if they cannot read the drinks menu. And then CG managed to spit half of hers across the table, narrowly missing the grumpy one. Honestly you can't take some people anywhere.

Back at CGs we had doughnuts and coffee and tea and wine. We also made a number of decorations for the flag and have concluded that we will also add empty crisp packets, chocolate wrappers etc to the flag over the weekend.

Then the grumpy one underwent inspection some more friends and passed. Not that it would have made any difference to me, although it is nice if everyone can get on.

I still have no phone or internet access. I am truly pissed off by the whole affair and BT are in line for a letter, not that it will do any good. I am trying to look on the bright side of things otherwise I am in danger of becoming as grumpy as my friend the grumpy radio reporter who is able to grump and moan for England.

This weekend is looking like fun as me and commando girl get on with our Glastonbury flag. We think it needs a bit of bling so we are going to jazz it up. Once complete a picture will appear on this blog.

Last night I was accused of misinterpreting certain statements. I have to say the person saying them had had a few beers so perhaps I was being a little unfair in taking anything they said as sensible (not that they much sense normally). Even so when someone says they don't do dating, I cannot think of any other interpretation other than that they don't date. As for the comment about long term relationships well what can i say. Luckily I don't tend to listen too much to those who are inebriated - to many years on the Woolwich reception of the Benefits Agency and I also have a very bad memory so by next week I will have forgotten completely what they said.

Today I have had my highlights done for Glastonbury. They are no longer ginger. So no more comments.

Having got up at 4:45 this morning I am amazed that I am still awake and believe it or not still working. I have spent a great day in Caerphilly looking at a Contact Centre. The journey back to London was longer than anticipated with a signalling fault between somewhere and somewhere. What made it worse was the woman that decided to sit opposite me. She pushed my paperwork off the table so that she could put her laptop on it - obviously her work was far more important than mine, because I only had a pen and paper. Then she managed to chew her way through a whole packet of chewing gum - I wouldn't have minded but the constant noise was a bit much and then there was the kicking under the table.

And I still don't have a phone or the internet grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Well my grand nephew was adorable and very well-behaved. The only difficulty was his attachment to a certain radio reporter and grumpy old man. He got quite upset when the grumpy one disappeared and I had to keep playng a video of said grumpy one (video will appear here as soon as I get my phone and internet back) to keep him happy.

Talking of the phone after one week and hours of telephone calls, I still have no phone and no internet at home. Indeed I have been on the phone this morning and despite the assurance of the girl on Saturday they are still trying to charge me a reconnection fee and I still have no date for reconnection. And to think I was going to move my internet provider to them - I will seriously have to consider my options. However there will be a very strongly worded letter going to them, after I am connected of course.

Since my last post a number of things have happened - not least the loss of internet access at home. Which to be frank is bloody inconvenient. Not only can I not update my blog, I cannot feed my puppy on facebook and most importantly the boy cannot be kept occupied talking to his mates on line. This might seem a minor inconvenience but in truth it means that his phone is constantly bleeping with text messages - thank God for unlimited texts.

Secondly I note that an unexploded bomb has been found in Stratford and that a certain good friend of mine has taken it upon himself to want it moved to blow up my Church Tower. He has a cheek! Anyway on the subject of the bell rehanging - the guy from the foundry was very positive and will be sending some quotes through to me in the next couple of weeks. We may very well have a fully ringing bell by the end of the Summer or whenever they can fit us in.

Lastly i went to my yoga class last night. My yoga teacher, who is also my sister, is a sadist. She claims she is getting me back for things long forgotten. Anyway last night during the class I managed during lunges to pull my hamstring and get incredible cramp. However this morning it all feels fine, so I am looking forward to texting her later and telling her that despite all her efforts she has yet to cripple me....

This morning found me at Asda at 6:30 Why you might ask? Well the boy has got his GCSE Catering practical today and needed mince. Unfortunately the mince I bought for said exam was in the freezer and I forgot to take it out last night so a mad dash to Asda to get more mince. I have to say it was very empty and I may choose to do all my shopping at this time. So much nicer not having to fight shopping trolleys down every aisle.

I am now working at home - trying to right out guidance for a number of processes. Not my sort of thing at all but hey I get paid to do a job.

At 11 I am meeting someone from the Whitechapel Bell Foundry to see whether the Church can rehang its bell. Now I know this will come as a blow to a certain friend who thinks that the bell tower should be demolished. I agree that the tower is not attractive, but then neither is the Church from the outside, but it is lovely inside. And anyway we want to wake up the neighbours every Sunday and remind them that we're there.

Last night I spent most of the evening writing answers to questions on sports massage and sports injuries. Can't remember whether I've mentioned this before but I am doing a sports massage and injuries course. So anyone out there wanting a free massage ........

hooray - Still have internet access. The only trouble now is I'm not sure when it will disappear - the suspense will keep me on the edge of my seat!

Honestly you can't ask a friend to do a simple thing. It just dawned on me that because I don't have a live phone line - BT wankers - I also do not have access to the internet which is a problem because on my Facebook lives a virtual puppy. He is quite adorable but does need feeding every day. Is it weird then that I ask a friend to feed him for me. I don't think so - apparently this friend does and has told the world that he thinks its weird- so I will remember not to ask him again. I will ask another friend to feed the puppy with the big belly. Anyway said friend may now find himself in the doghouse!!

Don't ever try and change the name on a BT bill. Last night I spent 2 hours on the phone to BT and this morning another hour trying to change the name on our BT line. The result I now have a new phone number! Good Lord how difficult can it be. I sometimes wonder why companies make things so difficult. They must deal with this type of thing all the time and yet you are thrown backwards and forwards between customer services, the options team and new line rentals. In the end I gave up trying to write down who I was speaking to. And as for the number of times the line went dead - I thought last night it was because it was late but it happened again this morning. Everytime things got a bit complicated then the line goes dead. Oh and I forgot to say although I have a new number it wont be connected until Friday and the old number is cut off today, so I am not sure whether I will have any internet tonight when I get in - that will be a shock for the boy.

I have however sorted out a single persons rebate on my council tax - which I have to say was relatively painless although it was all on line and no doubt there will be some difficulty at some point.

Well back to work.

Back to Work

I really hate work. Wish I was at home doing housework!

The first day back is always a pain, however I am working at home Wednesday so only two days in the office. Yet again I have a busy week ahead but most of it is neither social nor overly enjoyable except Friday when I am going to a good friends for dinner.

Then at the weekend I have agreed to look after my grand nephew who is 11 months old. Will probably need a week to recover from that! Why oh why did I agree?

Well back to work - plenty to do and not much time to do it

Go Wasps

Today I was off to Twickers with the boy, a good friend and his son to watch the Guinness Premiership Final. It was a pretty good game with Wasps dominating the first half and looking certain to win. But Leicester came out in the second half and fought back. In the end though the lacklustre performance of Leicester was no match for the wasps and their outgoing captain.

I have to say I have never seen Twickenham so full even for international matches and the atrmosphere was great. At the end of the day Wasps deserved to win and it was a fitting end to a great career.

Christmas comes early

A busy day today. Started off trying to get into work from Stratford, which was rammed with all the plebs off the overground trying to fit on to the central line. In the end I gave up and went to Waterloo on the Jubilee and then on a bus to work. The only reason I was going in was to complete an application that needs to be in tomorrow. Then off to Leather Lane for a bit of retail therapy with my sis. I had barely got in when my companion for the evening rang to ask what time we had arranged to meet. As we hadn't arranged a time we agreed to meet in 45 minutes at Waterloo.

After an hour and a half queuing in the rain at the TV studios we were in to watch a recording of QI. What I failed to notice but everyone else did was the Christmas set. I only noticed once I sat down. It was a great show and well worth the wait, although a little surreal to be sitting on a set with Christmas trees and fake snow in May.

After the show off to get something to eat, my companion complaining that he was starving. He proceeded to show me just how starving he was by eating most of the dough balls, his pizza and half of mine followed by a dessert ( I will add at this point that he only ate half my pizza coz I couldn't finish it-I probably could have but then I wouldn't have been able to have my favourite dessert). Then there was the saga of the coffee, which I am sure will be the subject of a rant and possibly a letter of complaint to pizza express.

So that was my day - I really can't go into the bizarre three way conversation via text with commando girl regarding farting, coughing and sneezing. If you want to know you will just have to ask.

So surprisingly I didnt go and watch my friend in her race - the weather really wasn't suitable. This was good news for the boy because he got the massage he's been after so he was happy. Decided that since the weather was so bad I would go and strip and polish the floors round the Church. Which I have done- well stripped them at least. Some of the floors have one coat of polish - but I need to get some more so there will be a trip to Welling tomorrow. I can already feel my back aching so I will have to have a long soak tonight.

What other exciting things have I planned for the week - well some essay writing needs to be done and then there is a shopping trip on Thursday to Leather Lane and then a night out watching a tv recording. So all in all not too bad a week and best of all - no work!

Victoria Park was excellent. I arranged to meet up with Miss Tearful, Mother Fuck-up and Commando Girl and her kids. I arrived forst and was happily laying on the grass listening to the music and watching the seven fireman in front of me when they arrived. For some reason the firemen disappeared - now I'm not saying my friends scared them off, but yo udo have to ask the question......

Two goes on the waltzer ride which were great, a tattoo, two bracelets and a good wander later we headed of back to commando girls place. Here I played on the trampoline, drank wine adn eat pie and mash. What a great way to spend an afternoon and an evening. I'm sure I shall regret the trampoline in the morning, especially playing horse rides on it - I suspect my back will be a little sore...........

So today i met a friend for coffee. He was very quiet, which is unusual, in fact very unusual. So i made the most of it and talked for England which I am very good it. However the highlight was leaving the shop. My 'athletic' friend tried to step over a rope barrier and the result - fortunately just a minor stumble but it made the women at the next table laugh and to be honest so did I - a lot, in fact it has kept me amused most of the afternoon.

Other than that my day has been the normal drudge of a day - but I now have a week off - so hooray and tomorrow is Eurovision - always good for a laugh and Monday I am off to watch a friend run a 10k race (albeit she expects a massage at the end). i might go to Vicotria Park tomorrow they have a victorian thing on with refurbished steam fairground rides and other things so that could be worth a wander round.

As for the rest of the week - lots of lay-ins and essay writing, a bit of proper work and not much else.

Brilliant, fantastic, mind-blowing - what else can i say. It was absolutely out of this world. Roger Waters is a genius. there was tons of pyrotecnics, lights and the of course the pig and an added bonus of an astronaut floating round the O2. Apparently not everyone was as enthralled coz one guy was asleep - according to my companion who went off during the break to talk to a fellow student. All I can say is I am glad I was there. Not quite sure why people left before the end because the finale of Comfortably Numb was definitely worth the wait.

At to end the evening I made two new friends from Harold Hill - John and his mate nuiscance. Admittedly they were drunk but they were a laugh and made the bus journey to Stratford one to remember, especially nuiscance who decided that i needed company on my seat.

I still can't hear properly so excuse me if I don't answer your texts or the phone. Right off to listen to PF while laying in a nice hot bath.

Right companion has contacted me and so I am not going on my own tonight and as suspected, having now checked out all the local hotels - none have any availability for tonight. Note to self - when planning a night out try and think of everything.

I can't believe it's Monday already, although today I don't mind. Tonight I am off to see Roger Waters and I can't wait, although if my companion for the evening doesn't answer the text soon I may find myself going on my own. I will update tomorrow on whether it was any good! haha!

I am also not worried about it being Monday because I don't have to go into work tomorrow and so it doesn't matter what time I get home tonight I can have a lay in. If I'd thought about it before I would have booked a hotel and then I wouldn't have had to go home at all - which would have been even better. So all in all a very good Monday.

I will have a gripe here though about Essex drivers. On Saturday I sat at a set of lights in Basildon, behind someone who was obviously colour blind. They sat at the green light - with me banging on the car horn - and then just as the light turned amber they pulled away. Needless to say I then did not have time to get away before the light turned red. This was shortly followed by a car turning right onto the dual carriageway along which I was driving. As he crossed the ccentral reservation I thought to myself 'he's definitely seen me'. Oh how wrong I was as I mounted the pavement and pulled back on to the road in order to avoid smashing into the side of his car. I have a feeling that I will not be driving in Essex for a while.

Well the week started out not too bad, but since Wednesday I have had a bad back. After attempting to go into work yesterday and then coming home I have decided today to stay at home.

The Metro has a lot to answer for. I note that a friend of mine has reproduced the article that was in the said paper yesterday morning regarding scoring your wife. Now whilst the ex might not agree, I think I could score quite high on this document, I might struggle with the having a hot dinner ready, coz one I am not the worlds best cook, and two unless I am in the mood I dont really enjoy it, but the rest I am pretty good at - so if anyone's looking.....+

Well the weekend turned out to be rather busy. Thankfully the talc on the doorstep and windowsill has curbed the ant invasion. Just have to remember to keep it topped up.

Saturday it was up the rugby club with two of my girlfriends, commando girl and Miss Tearful to watch some live bands. They were all very good (as was I - stuck to water all night). The last band - Boyld Pig - did a number of cover versions all heavy rock or punk. So inevitably there was some head banging and pogoing, much to the horror of Miss Tearful, who is only 18. I think it was the fact that I hadn't been drinking that finally did it for her. Oh and there was the beer spilt on a shirt - which I helpfully suggested the owner should suck out so as not to waste it........

Then Sunday was presentation day at the club. So of we trotted again this time with Mother fuck-up in tow as well. She was busy Staurday night. The weather was glorious and we had a great time, although I'm not sure quite how it happened but I ended up giving two shoulder massages. Then back to CG's house and sat in the garden with cheap bubbly, won the night before, with a strawberry. There was of course the trampolining, but the least said about that the better. And then it was off home with the boy and tucked up asleep by 10:30 (wondering how sore I was going to be in the morning)

Answer to last question is that at 42 pogoing and trampolining play havoc with your knees and a low cut dress results in sunburn.

The ant invasion has subsided - for now. I have been out and about this mornign - its really hot. I bumped into someone I haven't seen for years. The scouts are using our church for an event today and I went round for somethings else to see an old friend who I knew when I was a kid. Turns out she lives in Beckton now. So we had a bit of a chat and a catch up. Maybe we will meet up again for a longer chat.

This morning there has been murder in my kitchen. I knew it was coming, the signs have been there. The hot weather was the final straw. This morning I awoke to find the annual ant invasion had started - so I have spent half an hour killing every one I can find. I will now have to sprinkle talc all over the back step and the kitchen wibdowsill and that will be the end of it. Bloody things - who do they think they are!!

And to those who hav3e been following my random thoughts - I passed the exam that I took a few weeks ago. Hoorah!! Oh and I now find that the work I have been doing for the past 6 months is normally done by Business Analysts - so the question is can I call myself a business analyst - sounds good and I am sure that they get paid more than me!

Something I forgot to mention yesterday. Even though it was me that arranged the place and time for lunch yesterday I managed to end up at the wrong location. The problem being there are two pubs in/near fleet street with a similar name - The Cheshire Cheese and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. I have been to the latter before and therefore am bemused why I felt it was necesasry to get a map. But I did get one and ended up at the former. I became worried because I didnt recognise it, however just put that down to a greater excess than I had previously remembered. It was only when my friend rang me from and said she was at the latter that it all became clear.

I suppose I should be worried because unfortunately this is not an isolated incident. But I cannot say my life is uninteresting, I find out of the way places I would never have found any other way and it gives other people something to laugh at. So all in all I would rather be like this than any other way.

On a more positive note....

I woke up this morning feeling quite positive. I have no idea why perhaps its the sunny weather that has finally warmed away any vestiges of winter sadness. This surprisingly good mood led to laughter in the house even before I left. I woke the boy at 6:45 as normal - there was as normal little physical movement just a bit of grunting and moaning. At 6:50 I removed his quilt from his bed and the bedroom, again to little physical movement and a lot of grunting. At this point I warned him that if he was not out of the bed in 5 minutes a wet flannel would find its way into the bed. Sure enough 5 minutes later boy and cold wet flannel were introduced. And the language!! Still his indignation amused me no end. Perhaps tomorrow we will have movement at an earlier stage.

I met my friend for lunch and we had a really good gossip catching up on each others lives. Its amazing how much changes in a few short months. We also went for a wander along leather lane and found some really good bargains in the market - namely jewellery. Although there were some great clothes so I might go back tomorrow and see if there is anything there for saturday night - the rugby club music night. Which sounds crass but I understand the bands playing are really good.

Then there was the discussion with a colleague at work who is also going to Glastonbury. He was meant to be going with his son, but unfortunately his son cannot get authorised time off from school so now he is going with a friend. It is his first time at the festival and so like me he is very excited. You never know we might even bump into each other.

This afternoon I had a great time at the London Dungeon. If you haven't been you must go. The real highlight was when Jack the Ripper jumped out on one of the visitors who screamed and screamed while the rest of us fell about laughing but only because we were relieved it wasn't us. At the end of the visit is a ride which raises you up in the air and then drops vertically. This was fine except I had a skirt which flew up as I flew down - thankfully the picture taken did not capture this moment. After the Dungeon it was off to a restaurant near Waterloo and some nice Meze and a beer - I refrained from the cocktails - only because I thought I would have to take the boy rugby. So at 5 I left the party and came home only to find the boys father already home. Apparently he has been to look at a flat so had come home early. Unfortunately the flat is not acceptable so there is no party here tonight. I am seriously thinking we may have to sell the house and me and the boy get our own flat nearer his school, perhaps then we can start living a reasonably normal life.

Anyway off of that boring subject. Tomorrow evening I am at my sisters, however that is after a boozy lunch with a friend, whom I haven't seen since before Christmas. I am really looking forward to seeing her and I know we will spend the afternoon catching up on each others lives.

I might even arrange a dogwalking date with her.

TFL what a joke

My day wasn't going too bad - I managed to do a load of preparatory work for some strategies and plans and then my new massage table arrived. So everything was going really well. And then I rang TFL....... Why you might ask. Well the boy's Oyster card has failed - its just stopped working (probably taking its lead from its owner). Anyway I rang the helpline, who gstated that they could not cancel and I had to go through to another department and then promptly cut me off. So second attempt they managed to put me through - the guy was really helpful, and explained that i could get a new card for him and I could reclaim any fares incurred in the intervening period. So far so good - unfortunately the software they use for replacing was not working so he suggested I went back to the main helpline who would be able to replace it. Back to the helpline who can replace it - however only if I pay £10. I will not pay £10 so back to the failed cards department who suggest I try again in a couple of hours when there software might be working. So 20 minutes later and I am no further forward grrrrrr.

I wouldn't mind but to me this whole oyster card thing for kids has just been a real rip-off. Because the boy uses a train to school he always has a travelcard on his oyster card and the price of this did not reduce when the oyster cards were introduced - so he has never had free travel. In fact because a number of them have been stolen I have paid more for his travel since these were introduced than I used to pay before.

Back to more pleasant things - when the boy gets in tonight I think I might have to inflict a sports massage on him. I'm sure he won't mind!

Forgot to say earlier - the back is fine as well. So exercise is good for a bad back. Another reason for me not to sit around on my lazy arse all day

So after a bit of a rant yesterday I am feeling considerable better today. I will blame my current mood on PMT - lord alone knows what I'd be like without the oil of evening primrose. Anyway I spent the rest of yesterday tidying the garden, taking rubbish to the dump, although I did forget to take the lawnmower, so there will be a return trip today, studying and acompleting assignments for my sports massage and injuries courses and of course just laying in the sunshine catching a few rays. So actually it wasn't that bad a day, in fact it was a pretty good day.

Having done some investigation on the web - what on earth did we do before the internet- I think I will be spending quite a lot of time at the national portrait gallery. They do a whole host of talks etc and they are at the weekend. So certainly the next three weekends are now filled with three portraits of the day, tudor portraits, a film about kitaj- in the picture (an american artist), jacobean portraits, and 18th century portraits. my art education is beginning - probably rather late - but hey better late than never.