A clean sweep

Jo returned from LA over Christmas, and called in to the office last week, so we scooted around the corner to the pub. It was great to see her again, and we were joined by a few of the other kids that have moved on to new jobs since. I was all smiley and full of praise for impromptu midweek pints when I went to the loo and spied this brush convention at the bottom of the stairs...

So! I will make no promises for 2008, because that always blows up in my face. I will just wish you all a Happy New Year, and if you're in the mood, give you a big squishy hug too.

The beginning of the end

Last night we had the work Christmas party, as is now a mid-November tradition. Today we say goodbye to half of the people in the office. The heads here are a combination of sad faces at leaving, and pretty bad hangovers. I took it very easy, because of a small soirée on Wednesday night that turned into a full-blown session (don’t even pretend to register surprise at that, it’s ok, we all knew it would happen), yesterday I was in bad shape, and very tired. This eve we will have a bye-bye tipple, and then I head to the sticks for a bit of detox.

We’ve been so spoiled…it’s only when I read people’s farewell emails that I realise how we took it all for granted. How often can you say that the people you work with are also some of your best friends? I don’t think I’ve dreaded even one day here, and the bit of bad crap that came along was a tiny percentage compared to the ton of happy memories I have of the job and the people.

I finish up work on 31st January. I’m only just beginning to deal with that fact, and trying not to get too blue about it. I’m not good with endings…

Mild Aussie Mate Violence

So Young Dan has been a busy bee of late, getting all his cool videos together in one place for our viewing pleasure. check them ooot...

http://mildanimatedviolence.blogspot.com/


And this is the last week of my twenties. But who's counting?

(Steve, stop counting!)

Dan. A man.

Our house-husband Dan has revisited! He’s in town for a few days before scooting off to the Eurovision in Helsinki. Don’t ask, don’t tell, is the policy re that, I think. The last time he was in town was during my godawful January, so he possibly didn’t get the very best impression of me! But this time we’ve been hanging out, having some drinkies and just chillin’, which is a good way to find me, I suppose.

And he lets me try on his fly sunnies. So we like Dan. If only they were prescription!



I can’t get enough of these bank holiday weekends. And Sunday is fast becoming my favourite day. How d'you do that?!

Degeneracy!

Drinking on company time… gotta love it…

Jo made Baileys coffees for everyone this morning, and I had my reservations, but they are indeed delish. And strong – no more reservations for me today! About anything! Just back from placing loads of bets on the horses too – it’s been a good Cheltenham for me so far. So, in summary, I’m drinking in the morning and gambling like a fiend. Yay for preserving stereotypes! And Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all!



She even made a lil shamrock on the top…

Been thinkin'

I’ve been having one of those contemplative days. Which is strange, because it’s Monday, and usually all I try to do is get through the day. I suppose it’s because lately I’ve been taking stock of a lot of what’s going on in my life. I hate doing that. Anyone that knows me knows that I hate change, I hate disruption, and I hate having to face the not-so-nice things that come along every now and then. I’ve been thinking a lot about the year that’s just passed, it was this time 12 months ago that the health scare with Patch happened, and after that I found myself making a lot of changes in my life, mainly small, but some significant. It took something that big and potentially devastating for me to reassess and (I hope) improve.

Changes are coming again, not least with the job, and I’ve had my head in the sand about it for a while now. The news came in the middle of a really bad time for me, so I think part of my brain just filed it away so as not to become overwhelmed by all the shit that was happening right then. But I’ve since realised that you have to keep on keepin’ on even when crap is starting to pile up. It would be far too easy for me to sit down and mope about all my little mini disasters right now, and on bad days I almost fall into the mire, but mostly I’m able to stay if not upbeat, then on an even keel of coping. That feeling that I just need to get away from everything isn’t as predominant as before, but I’ve been having a lot of dreams lately about being far away, so I guess it’s still on my mind.

I want to go to Canada, I want to stay here, I want to go to Canada, I want to stay here…

But I keep coming back to this time last year. No matter what happens, it’s all really small potatoes compared to the possibility of losing someone you love. I bitch about my family sometimes, but know that I’m blessed with them. Sometimes my friends can wreck my head, but I always remember that I’m lucky to have so many, and I hope they know how much they mean to me. As much as the job is like a job, a really bad day is rare, and I find myself laughing with people around me all the time. And most importantly, I have somebody that I can talk to about anything, anytime, no matter what.

Everything will work out. It all happens for a reason. We’re going to be ok.

Back from nowhere

Been a bad blogger of late. It all started when I took a week off work to rest up and rendezvous with some people I hadn’t seen in ages. Yes, that’s right, it was the return of the travelling girlies! 11 months! And they haven’t changed a bit! Apart from having tans and weary bones and absolutely no money. So I was down in the sticks visiting them, then back in town going out on the razz all the time. I’ve been knackered ever since. Clever plan, wasn’t it?













Supposed to be going to Lahndan this weekend to visit young Vicki and go see Avenue Q (woo hoo!). If they let me into the country, that is. Recent developments mean Heathrow is no longer the magical wonderland of whimsy and amusement it once was. Will have full report next week. Hopefully!

El Scorchio

It’s hot again. I believe I can say without any exaggeration whatsoever that it is the hottest it has ever been anywhere ever. Categorically. It got up to 30 degrees in some parts yesterday, which is about 29 degrees higher than the yearly average, give or take a few. Continue reading, this is all scientifically proven fact! Met Eireann were quoted as saying that today in particular would be hotter-n a mofo (their words), perfect weather for frying eggs on cars.






















So instead of baking my ass here last weekend, I went to where it was even hotter - to sunny Wales, for the wedding of Mark and Rachel! The former lead guitarist of Vern’s Pest Control was in flying form, and his lovely bride was a vision to behold. Myself and Lar went over on Friday and partied hearty until Sunday. The happy couple are currently calming themselves down in the Maldives. It’s probably about the same temp there as it is in Cymru right now…

And no, I didn’t meet anyone called Myfanwy. I wasn’t even the only gay in the village…

Gin Turtle

To continue on the theme of booze (and why the hell not?!), La Snowflake was over in the gaff the other night, and we got to thinking about drinking some gin. So then we did. And you know, as the night progresses, people like to put stuff in their drinks, like crackers and chocolate-covered strawberries and whatnot? Well, somebody put a little jelly turtle into her drink, and then promptly forgot all about it. And so did I, until I was cleaning up the next day, and found a glass with a gin-soaked mutant turtle at the bottom of it. Here he is, compared to a normal (sober) specimen. Fascinating stuff, no?

















This particular fella was packed off to a nearby AA meeting, but I think we might engineer a few more for the next soiree.

Lovely Girls Bum Touching

It’s one of those two times every year when I throw caution to the wind and throw away my money on the horsies. So far the Cheltenham festival has not been kind to me, I got one winner on Tuesday, but at odds of 2/1, I’m not going to be buying that gold-plated Bentley any time soon. Yesterday was a complete bust, my first fella had a chance until his reins broke (sabotage, anyone?) and the other one came a close second. Not close enough! Anyway, bet on a few today, will of course bet on the big one tomorrow, and then I will be a good girl again. At least until Punchestown rolls around.

In other bad luck news, my crack squad of quiz kids failed to set the world alight last night, but we were glad all the same to support a very worthy cause in the form of the KAL Case (read all about it). We came out around mid-table in the end, but those questions were HARD! We also scooped up some lovely consolation prizes, courtesy of Herc’s quick thinking of an alternative explanation for the LGBT acronym (see title above). So, in conclusion, Yay Team!

For all who were asking, Sib 2 is doing well, still having tests, but we’re all relieved that it’s not what we feared it might be. That was probably the worst two weeks of my life, waiting for that news. So he’s quit smoking and is aiming for a full recovery, and a return to his acting career. He says hi to all wellwishers.

It's all Meme Me Me...

As if I didn’t have enough to deal with, I got this from young Clicky sometime (I’ve lost of sense of time since I’ve spent days in bed and nights on the couch). So of course I have to put to one side the mountain of work that piled up over the holliers, and treat this with top priority. What is it then? Or to quote the Click Here-self, “what is the meme-ing of this?” (oh, very droll).

It appears to be the chain letter of the 21st century, except with blogs, and about 90% less annoyance. Here be the rules:

The first player of this game starts with the topic five weird habits of yourself, and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals. Don’t forget to leave a comment in their blog or journal that says You are tagged (assuming they take comments) and tell them to read yours.

Now, to find five faults with my perfect self, and five poor suckers to tag…


Weird-o


1. My shoes must be clean at all times. If I see any little scuff or bit of dirt, I must repair to the loo or someplace where soap, water and paper towels are plentiful, and get them fixed. Even if the rest of me looks like I’ve been living rough under a bridge or I’ve just run away from the circus, the footwear’s gotta be clean.

2. I hate writing with biros. Hate them hate them hate them. And then I break them.

3. I’ve set my mouse on my work PC to be a lefty, but the one at home to be a righty. Not sure what my brain was thinking, but that’s the way it’s gotta be.

4. “Comical” mispronunciation or elongation of certain words. I’m doing it more and more. “By the light of the silvery mooing”, “I’m not walking all the way home, I’ll catch a taxidermy instead”, “Hasta la pasta!” and so on. In my defence, this is all my father’s fault, and can therefore be excused for hereditary reasons.

5. It’s perfectly normal, but the common misconception is that a third of a regular-sized teaspoon of sugar is a weird amount to take in one’s tea. Also the precise nature of the amount is considered weird by many, and the way that I check that I have it just right (need to hold it up to eye level, aerial view is not accurate enough). This is not an admission of weirdness, just a nod to everyone who gets on my case about this. It’s noted, jerks.

And now the honour is passed on to Shano , D_C , Evenewra , Manas and Cadavre Exquis . Yes, you are all so very honoured…

Hola Emilio!

It's the 22nd of September! I almost forgot, but then I remembered, in time I hope (what time is it in Thailand now?!) A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Miss Emma, hope you're having a wonderful day, that you're celebrating with the girlies, and that your rucksack isn't too heavy! Sending lots of love from here...

...to here! Somewhere!



Thailand

Counting down...

Hot damn! Yee haw! Etc! Just one and a bit more days of work, and then it's sweet, sweet holiday time! Two weeks of chilin' out back home, down on Rancho Relaxo (as Kel calls it), and maybe a little bit of skipping around town. Over two weeks there will be three concerts (Pixies! Scissor Sisters! Sleater-Kinney!), a wedding, a 21st, and the christening of baby Cathal. And so much sleep, it's almost indecent! I love sleep! I know very few people that gain more pleasure from buying sheets and duvet covers and pillowcases than I. Mmm...pillow...

Yeah, it probably will be indecent.

Oh, and the soiree was a great success. In that nobody gatecrashed, nobody was injured, nobody was sick, but everybody got a little bit merry! And who knew that we could party until 4.30 am? Amazing! Even more astonishing was the fact that I wasn't absolutely dying the next day. Such an anomaly is most welcome!

Much ado about the do

Do be do be do.

We're having a party in our place tonight. Well, technically a soiree. If it gets loud and fun, I suppose then it'll be a party. And maybe if the cops arrive, it'll become something else. And if we have gatecrashers, I get to knock some heads! So maybe I will have fun after all...

I've stocked up on the Nurofen and the Alka Seltzer and the paper towels. I'm such an aul wan. If I wasn't the one throwing this shindig, I probably wouldn't even be invited.