...be careful what challenge you set your friends! During conversation with a couple of friends of mine I asked, without thinking (naturally), what 3 new year resolutions they could come up with. Could be anything; deep & meaningful, life changing or frivilous. We sat there in stunned silence for a few minutes. It was at that point that I realised what I had done. Yup, I could wait until they stated their 3, which would buy me time, but it would come back to me eventually and being the person who asked there was no getting out of it.
I never was one who subscribed to the whole New Year resolution thing until the beginning of 2010. For some reason I decided that that was going to be the year that not only would I set myself a New Year resolution but I would set 10!! I wrote them up on my Wall of Wisdom & other Shite (kitchen wall) and crossed them off when completed/achieved. I LOVED it! I managed to achieve 8 out of 10. I did not manage to do a Sky Dive nor did I learn how to make a dress (I carried them onto 2011...em...perhaps 2012??). 2010 was a challenging year of sorts. I wasn't earning a lot of money, I was working a lot of hours as I had 3 jobs to keep my head above water - yet I was happy. I wasn't 'fufilling my potential' in terms of the type of work I was engaged in, but the amount of hours I worked, the lack of time off & keeping myself afloat financially was challenging. However having these goals/challenges that were not work related gave me focus and a sense of achievement.
I remember the 31st December 2010, I was house sitting, seeing in the new year on a sofa in front of the fire, with a stinking cold and a sympathetic friend for company. It should have been a night of massive celebration. Not only was it Hogmanay but as of the 1st January I had a 'permanent' contract for a job that I knew I was going to love (and I did). But instead, I kept falling asleep mid conversation with my poor friend who really had drawn the short straw that night. However, I was happy and decided that I didn't need to make New Year resolutions as I had, what I thought were going to be, positive challenges & experiences ahead of me without me adding to it. And I did for part of the year, however I also ended up going through what has been, to date, the most challenging & difficult time of my life...and that's saying something!
Of course coming to the end of the year, one becomes reflective, I've reflected....and, well...I'm stuck! Because of the experiences I've had this year I feel derailed & deflated. I no longer want what I thought I wanted. The work I do is fantastic. I'm learning, there is development in my near future and I have a lot of freedom...but is there such a thing as too much freedom? Maybe not, perhaps I just have to adjust a little more...?!
I said at the start of this blog that I don't have a TomTom, this is still true. I don't even feel like I'm at a cross-roads. I feel like I'm standing in the middle of a really, really big field and as I spin around 360° the horizon looks exactly the same ~ in all directions.
So, I've decided to set myself some New Year Resolutions for 2012. When I move home in the middle of January I shall write them up on my Wall of Wisdom for all to see (well those I allow into my home).
Here are my first 4...
1. Get my hair cut (it's been many, many months)
2. Loose 3 stone by the end of the year through a combination of healthy eating and exercise...mainly cause I can't afford the surgery!! For the record I mean by the end of year 2012...I'm stating this so that I can't turn round and say 'I didn't state which year!')
3. Start a book/film club.
4. Save up, so that once I've lost the 3 stone I can buy a pair of fabulous jeans. I really covet a pair of fabulous jeans!!
If I add to this list and I will publish - nothing like a bit of pressure to keep me on track/give me something to kick myself about!! =)
{FYI: I was thinking about adding 'Give up moaning' but on reflection I've decided that I enjoy a good ol' moan. There's a song that goes "Always look on the bright side of life dodo, dooodo dodo dodo" - this is good advice, but bear in mind that you can only do that if you acknowledge the dark. Also it's not possible to be funny unless you are miserable once in a while - FACT!}
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Give me a...Ho...
ho....ho!
I'm sitting on the sofa nursing the remnants of my hangover that I earned last night. I thought I was doing pretty well because I've had my very, very hungover friend as a point of reference - and up to the point where she went home she was, without doubt, the most hungover person in the room. However, now that I'm sitting here on my tod, I realise that I now hold that coveted title....poop! The good news is that in a few minutes it's going to be Christmas and that means a new day - so automatically I'll feel a zillion times better....cannae wait!
This evening I received an email from a friend of mine. We went to school together and we haven't seen each other since we left....what would that be...9yrs or so?? *cough* Anyway, I think it was last year that we started to chat via facebook and then we moved on to good ol' email. He began his email apologising for being a crap efriend, which made me laugh...he's my only efriend, which means he's both the crappiest and the bestest, so why apologise?
This got me thinking about the different types of friendships there are and the expectations we attach to them. There's your best friend(s)/close circle of friends, the 'meet up at parties, have a great time but never meet up otherwise' friends, childhood/long term friends who you think know everything about you and you them, friends who you don't have to keep in touch with everyday but the minute you want/need them - they are there - no questions asked, the friends who you met through a certain experience/period in your life who you may or may not keep in touch with, Uni friends, meet for an afternoon coffee on a Tuesday friend, random friends, friend of friends the list goes on.
I think the most dangerous out of that lot is the childhood/long term friends. It's the knowing everything about each other bit which disturbs me most. It's a double edged sword. On one side, it's brilliant. They accept you, warts & all, they are the people who know what to do or not do in certain situations (eg. when you're being hormonal and being a completely irrational grinch), they know how to make you laugh (usually by reminding you of experiences shared, most likely something embarrassing that you'd rather forget, but the older one gets the less you mind because it serves as a reminder that there was a time where you just didn't give a ****), they should be the one person with whom you can be yourself - no explanation required thank you very much....on the other hand they also have the power/ability to embarrass/pull you up/remind you of past behaviours, actions, words spoken. Fair enough...because as long as it's a two way street.
I think where it gets difficult is if either person (or both of you) don't pay attention to who the other person is today or if boundries are pushed that teensy bit too far. I'm guilty as charged, and I've also been on the recieving end. Fun? Nope. But in the grand scheme of things if the good outweighs the bad, and as long as it's something you can use to your advantage in the future - suck it up and save it!
I am a very, very lucky gal...I have amazing friends. I have friends who will drop everything to be there for me, or will forgive me when I'm grumpy/irrational/forgetful/insensitive/*add your own adjective*. There are friends who come & go ~ that's life ~ (hopefully) both parties move on with great memories, and perhaps one day we'll pick up that friendship once again in the future in whatever form it may take. There are also the friends who you've known all/most of your life and you know will continue to be there at the side lines to remind you of that time you decided to give your little sister a 'proper' hair cut when playing hairdressers...if only mum's orange handled scissors hadn't looked like they belonged with my toy hairdressing set...then the idea would never have occurred!!
But getting back to my efriend (who I dated for the grand total of 5 days back in school...it was a lucky escape for him, and doesn't he know it!!)...as I said at the beginning, he's my only efriend and so he's my bestest efriend, what a lucky, lucky man! I'm sure if he reads this he's going to feel like all his Christmas wishes have come true...which is lucky what with it being the 25th December an all!!
Merry Christmas friends past, present & future...here's to a happy, healthy & peaceful 2012!!
I'm sitting on the sofa nursing the remnants of my hangover that I earned last night. I thought I was doing pretty well because I've had my very, very hungover friend as a point of reference - and up to the point where she went home she was, without doubt, the most hungover person in the room. However, now that I'm sitting here on my tod, I realise that I now hold that coveted title....poop! The good news is that in a few minutes it's going to be Christmas and that means a new day - so automatically I'll feel a zillion times better....cannae wait!
This evening I received an email from a friend of mine. We went to school together and we haven't seen each other since we left....what would that be...9yrs or so?? *cough* Anyway, I think it was last year that we started to chat via facebook and then we moved on to good ol' email. He began his email apologising for being a crap efriend, which made me laugh...he's my only efriend, which means he's both the crappiest and the bestest, so why apologise?
This got me thinking about the different types of friendships there are and the expectations we attach to them. There's your best friend(s)/close circle of friends, the 'meet up at parties, have a great time but never meet up otherwise' friends, childhood/long term friends who you think know everything about you and you them, friends who you don't have to keep in touch with everyday but the minute you want/need them - they are there - no questions asked, the friends who you met through a certain experience/period in your life who you may or may not keep in touch with, Uni friends, meet for an afternoon coffee on a Tuesday friend, random friends, friend of friends the list goes on.
I think the most dangerous out of that lot is the childhood/long term friends. It's the knowing everything about each other bit which disturbs me most. It's a double edged sword. On one side, it's brilliant. They accept you, warts & all, they are the people who know what to do or not do in certain situations (eg. when you're being hormonal and being a completely irrational grinch), they know how to make you laugh (usually by reminding you of experiences shared, most likely something embarrassing that you'd rather forget, but the older one gets the less you mind because it serves as a reminder that there was a time where you just didn't give a ****), they should be the one person with whom you can be yourself - no explanation required thank you very much....on the other hand they also have the power/ability to embarrass/pull you up/remind you of past behaviours, actions, words spoken. Fair enough...because as long as it's a two way street.
I think where it gets difficult is if either person (or both of you) don't pay attention to who the other person is today or if boundries are pushed that teensy bit too far. I'm guilty as charged, and I've also been on the recieving end. Fun? Nope. But in the grand scheme of things if the good outweighs the bad, and as long as it's something you can use to your advantage in the future - suck it up and save it!
I am a very, very lucky gal...I have amazing friends. I have friends who will drop everything to be there for me, or will forgive me when I'm grumpy/irrational/forgetful/insensitive/*add your own adjective*. There are friends who come & go ~ that's life ~ (hopefully) both parties move on with great memories, and perhaps one day we'll pick up that friendship once again in the future in whatever form it may take. There are also the friends who you've known all/most of your life and you know will continue to be there at the side lines to remind you of that time you decided to give your little sister a 'proper' hair cut when playing hairdressers...if only mum's orange handled scissors hadn't looked like they belonged with my toy hairdressing set...then the idea would never have occurred!!
But getting back to my efriend (who I dated for the grand total of 5 days back in school...it was a lucky escape for him, and doesn't he know it!!)...as I said at the beginning, he's my only efriend and so he's my bestest efriend, what a lucky, lucky man! I'm sure if he reads this he's going to feel like all his Christmas wishes have come true...which is lucky what with it being the 25th December an all!!
Merry Christmas friends past, present & future...here's to a happy, healthy & peaceful 2012!!
Friday, 23 December 2011
If there's one thing at this time of year you would not want to do...
...it would be to lock yourself out of the house you're looking after!! Oh yes....that would be really stupid.
I was out the back of the house faffin aboot, getting some fresh air, then I 'think' I hear the front door bell, so I run through the house, pulling the back door closed behind me (thankfully not locking it), get to the inner front door, open it, step into the porch and as I open the outter door I realise, just too late, that I'd let the inner door close and LOCK behind me!! To add insult to injury there was no one at the door, probably just the voices in my head playing chap'n'run!!
After my mild panic attack, standing in my slippers in the porch, I realise that the back door was unlocked. So I go next door and introduce myself to the neighbours, who haven't even met my mates who own the house. Heather was lovely, she let me go through her house, past the cool spiral staircase she has in her kitchen then into her backgarden. She then helped push my ample rear over the garden wall. I can only imagine that it must have been quite a sight for sore eyes.
There is a point in life when you realise that there are some lessons you wish you had learnt early on....like checking to see how far you have to drop at the other side of a garden wall! But in my defense it was pitch black and thankfully I think I must have been a cat in a previous life cause I landed (granted not very elegantly) on my feet. The drop was taller than me (I'm 5ft6") and I'm sure it would have looked very daring had there been anyone who could have witness it other than Heather ,who was standing watching me disappearing over the wall.
But the good news is that I survived the drop & I got back into the house with out breaking anything...or me.
Lesson: Not to answer the front door without my climbing kit on. Note to self: Buy climbing kit.
Saturday, 17 December 2011
I've moved up in the world...
...I'm now living in a beautiful 5 bedroom house with it's own front door and thankfully servants quarters (it's always nice to have somewhere where the hired help can sleep). For a whole month, I'm getting to pretend that I'm rich. I was going to say posh, but I already am...just a poor posh person!
Two of my mates have nipped off to NZ for a month and so I'm house sitting. It's one of the massive advantages of the way I earn my living, I can work from anywhere as long as there is internet access, electricity, heating, (...charshmallows & chocolate...) This is something I seem to do a lot, usually I'm also looking after pets but there are none...but it's a cold time of year and I'm going to make sure that the house stays standing, that pipes don't freeze and that EVERYONE I meet thinks I'm now a resident of the West End.
I was thinking about this the other day, questioning whether or not I'm a total fruit loop/saddo for acting like this, but thankfully I've come to the conclusion that I'm ok. And here's why...
Actors! There are people who get paid a shed load of dosh to pretend to be other people and they are revered by society. People want to know them, touch them, be them...why? They spend their life being other people, and that's when it dawned on me...that's what I'm doing. I step into other peoples lives and pretend to be someone else for a wee while. I'm respectful, responsible and there's the added bonus of helping my friends out. I get to escape being me for a while (obviously not fully, but a wee bit), change of scenery and it helps feed the actor in me (see I'm not fat, I just happen to be carrying an actor about inside my body!) And the good news, for me anyway, is that I'm happy to return to me at the end...win win situation really.
I moved in yesterday, but needed to get my stuff...which has brought me over to my place for a couple of hours whilst I pack up my life that I'll need for the month. This has to include music. My very good friend Jamie gave me his computer when he moved onto pastures new...and he left me some tunes! Combining that to what I already have I am now the proud owner of 39 days worth of music!! Jamie has always been great at introducing me to new music - I'm pretty sure he thinks I don't pay attention or am not grateful - and ok sometimes I don't pay attention but that's only sometimes, but I am grateful, always. It's through conversations with him that I realise how music impacts people in different ways. He's very much in tune with lyrics. I love it when he calls me up and says 'Jo, listen to this'...I do and think 'cool tune', and he's like 'did you listen to the lyrics?' 'Em....uhuh, kinda'. He will then manage to recite them to me, and this is with music he's just discovered...crazy, but kinda cool!!
I had a couple of difficult days last week where I was feeling sorry for myself (pathetic I know, but hey it happens), I actually wrote a blog about how bloody frustrating it is to not being able to cry when you know you really, really need to (btw - I never managed, but I went out with friends got drunk and laughed instead!) but I deleted it. At the risk of sounding like a fruit loop (probably too late eh?) I put on music and selected 'random' and I swear it was like a sound track to my current life...and I think I paid more attention to the lyrics because I had a wee voice in my head saying 'Are you listening to the lyrics?'
Yes I am, I really am!
Two of my mates have nipped off to NZ for a month and so I'm house sitting. It's one of the massive advantages of the way I earn my living, I can work from anywhere as long as there is internet access, electricity, heating, (...charshmallows & chocolate...) This is something I seem to do a lot, usually I'm also looking after pets but there are none...but it's a cold time of year and I'm going to make sure that the house stays standing, that pipes don't freeze and that EVERYONE I meet thinks I'm now a resident of the West End.
I was thinking about this the other day, questioning whether or not I'm a total fruit loop/saddo for acting like this, but thankfully I've come to the conclusion that I'm ok. And here's why...
Actors! There are people who get paid a shed load of dosh to pretend to be other people and they are revered by society. People want to know them, touch them, be them...why? They spend their life being other people, and that's when it dawned on me...that's what I'm doing. I step into other peoples lives and pretend to be someone else for a wee while. I'm respectful, responsible and there's the added bonus of helping my friends out. I get to escape being me for a while (obviously not fully, but a wee bit), change of scenery and it helps feed the actor in me (see I'm not fat, I just happen to be carrying an actor about inside my body!) And the good news, for me anyway, is that I'm happy to return to me at the end...win win situation really.
I moved in yesterday, but needed to get my stuff...which has brought me over to my place for a couple of hours whilst I pack up my life that I'll need for the month. This has to include music. My very good friend Jamie gave me his computer when he moved onto pastures new...and he left me some tunes! Combining that to what I already have I am now the proud owner of 39 days worth of music!! Jamie has always been great at introducing me to new music - I'm pretty sure he thinks I don't pay attention or am not grateful - and ok sometimes I don't pay attention but that's only sometimes, but I am grateful, always. It's through conversations with him that I realise how music impacts people in different ways. He's very much in tune with lyrics. I love it when he calls me up and says 'Jo, listen to this'...I do and think 'cool tune', and he's like 'did you listen to the lyrics?' 'Em....uhuh, kinda'. He will then manage to recite them to me, and this is with music he's just discovered...crazy, but kinda cool!!
I had a couple of difficult days last week where I was feeling sorry for myself (pathetic I know, but hey it happens), I actually wrote a blog about how bloody frustrating it is to not being able to cry when you know you really, really need to (btw - I never managed, but I went out with friends got drunk and laughed instead!) but I deleted it. At the risk of sounding like a fruit loop (probably too late eh?) I put on music and selected 'random' and I swear it was like a sound track to my current life...and I think I paid more attention to the lyrics because I had a wee voice in my head saying 'Are you listening to the lyrics?'
Yes I am, I really am!
Monday, 12 December 2011
Ass.u.me
It was my dad that taught me that to assume makes and 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'. It's so true. However, with the world not being a black & white place we have to make assumptions (read 'judgements'/'decisions') a lot of times every day. It's how we get by.
For example: One would assume that if one was to walk in front of a car travelling at 40mph, that one would end up either dead or seriously injured. It's this assumption which stops 98% of us from not stepping out in front of a fast moving car.
But there are assumptions that are not necessary and there are some assumptions which can be detrimental to our lives. A lot of my life changing events, when I analyse them (yup, I'm an analyser) could have had a significantly different outcome had I not assumed as much as I did.
Just recently I was subject to the consequences of my assumptions; I assume that if you treat someone fairly and with respect they will extend you the same courtesy - wrong!!
Having said that, I don't know if I would want to change that assumption. I repeatedly assume others have the same moral compass or principles as I, which is absolutely ridiculous. I can think about this rationally and come to the conclusion that it's ridiculous to hold that assumption, but my actions betray me over & over again.
However sometimes, just sometimes, making an assumption and then being proven wrong can be a brilliant experience. For example, I met up with an good friend of mine to go to the cinema on Friday (we went to see 'A Week with Marilyn' - I'd give it 4*/5*). Anyway, there was about 17hrs of trailers, so we utilised the time to catch up with each others news. My friend is a wonderful person, she's sweet, kind - very much a lady. I think she hangs about with me in the hope it'll wear off on me - lost cause, but I like that she's trying!
So I was telling her one of my recent adventures. It was a week long adventure with a very surprising twist in the tail. It's at this point that I have to confess that I had assumed what my friend's reaction was going to be....
I don't think I could have been more wrong in my assumption. I thought she would have been shocked. Well ok, she was, but then I thought that she would have has a wee rant about a certain sector of our society...but she didn't. My story led her to revealing something I wouldn't have guessed about her in a month of Sundays. And you know what? I'm so happy. I'm so happy that I don't know everything about her. I'm delighted that my friend's still have the capability to shock/surprise me after years of friendship and I'm over-the-moon that my friend has a colourful past, which is a little unconventional.
So does assuming make an ass out of you and me?
Hell yeah, but that's not always a bad thing! ; )
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Gin or heating, gin or heating, gin or heating....
...life really is full of difficult decisions and this is the most recent one.
I spend quite a lot of my time moaning about not having enough money to have my heating on as much as I need - working from home and living in Scotland, it would almost be a 24hr requirement, if I wasn't such a hardy chiel (child). I complain about the cost of my utility bills, which is fair enough - they are expensive. HOWEVER I caught myself bonny at the weekend. Who does that? The usual story would be that someone else would catch you out...but no, no, not me...I'll catch myself out, thank you very much!!
My good friend Ash moved into a flat near where I live at the weekend, and so on the Friday she asked if I would like to go and see the band her brother played in The Oxbow Lake Band (they were very good....difficult to describe, very eclectic). Had a brilliant night, drank, laughed, chatted, bumped into old friends...what more can you ask for?
Saturday night I had arranged to meet up with a friend of mine that I bumped into recently. We used to play rugby together in the mid-nineties, when I say 'we' I mean Shona played (she now plays Touch Rugby for the Scotland Squad) and I pitched up and had a laugh!! Anyway, we met again recently at one of the Business Gateway courses, so we arranged to go out for dinner. We did what we planned. We met up, ate dinner and consumed a LOT of alcohol!! Hats off to Shona ~ she mixed things up a bit, she had a g&t, 4 large glasses of wine (btw 3 large glasses = a bottle!!) then moved onto Vodka & Lemonade...this girl is my new hero. I just stuck to g&t...but I did exceed my usual 2-gin-jo status!!
Sunday, I wake up....questioning what I ate the night before because I was feeling a wee bit rough, then it dawned on me, whilst I lay nice and cosy under my 4 duvets & one quilt. For some reason I have a problem paying for heating but no problem going out two nights on the trott and spending what I spent!! Eh??? (When I say 'no problem' I mean it's no problem at the time....the following day when I work out what I have to go without for the next month to claw back the money I've spent...little harder...)
So when I say it's a difficult decision between gin & heating, I have obviously made the decision already however, I'm now thinking I might have to grow up a bit....OR just stop complaining about being cold!
I spend quite a lot of my time moaning about not having enough money to have my heating on as much as I need - working from home and living in Scotland, it would almost be a 24hr requirement, if I wasn't such a hardy chiel (child). I complain about the cost of my utility bills, which is fair enough - they are expensive. HOWEVER I caught myself bonny at the weekend. Who does that? The usual story would be that someone else would catch you out...but no, no, not me...I'll catch myself out, thank you very much!!
My good friend Ash moved into a flat near where I live at the weekend, and so on the Friday she asked if I would like to go and see the band her brother played in The Oxbow Lake Band (they were very good....difficult to describe, very eclectic). Had a brilliant night, drank, laughed, chatted, bumped into old friends...what more can you ask for?
Saturday night I had arranged to meet up with a friend of mine that I bumped into recently. We used to play rugby together in the mid-nineties, when I say 'we' I mean Shona played (she now plays Touch Rugby for the Scotland Squad) and I pitched up and had a laugh!! Anyway, we met again recently at one of the Business Gateway courses, so we arranged to go out for dinner. We did what we planned. We met up, ate dinner and consumed a LOT of alcohol!! Hats off to Shona ~ she mixed things up a bit, she had a g&t, 4 large glasses of wine (btw 3 large glasses = a bottle!!) then moved onto Vodka & Lemonade...this girl is my new hero. I just stuck to g&t...but I did exceed my usual 2-gin-jo status!!
Sunday, I wake up....questioning what I ate the night before because I was feeling a wee bit rough, then it dawned on me, whilst I lay nice and cosy under my 4 duvets & one quilt. For some reason I have a problem paying for heating but no problem going out two nights on the trott and spending what I spent!! Eh??? (When I say 'no problem' I mean it's no problem at the time....the following day when I work out what I have to go without for the next month to claw back the money I've spent...little harder...)
So when I say it's a difficult decision between gin & heating, I have obviously made the decision already however, I'm now thinking I might have to grow up a bit....OR just stop complaining about being cold!
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
A week oot in the sticks with 2 dogs, a lodger and..
...me!
So this week I'm living 'oot in the sticks' (out in the country) as friends of mine are away and asked if I would come and look after the dogs. I've been supplied with plenty of food (still trying & currently failing to come off the 'ch' food group diet, but I haven't had any charshmallows this week...yeeha!) a car (not just a car but a beautiful & fast car =D) and the company of two dogs and their lodger whom I shall call 'Alfred' (this probably comes from my wanting to be a superhero...which I very nearly am 'Anchor Woman - I'll explain later).
It has been good for many reasons, but to name a few there's exercise with taking the dogs out for walks, having to get my laptop up to speed and sync'd with my desktop (I'm about 70% there!) and change of scenery. Alfred is good company; good laugh/conversation and it's nice to have someone to eat meals with. The flip side is that I'm in a continual war with the puppy to see who's going to eat my food first. I am losing =( He's very fast and very hungry ALL THE TIME! But he is very cute...which is why he's still alive and in one piece! haha
Anyway last night I took Alfred climbing with me and some of my mates (they're all new friends except the lovely Jutta who introduced me to climbing...last week!) Was a great evening. I managed to climb to the top of a really, really high wall...I raced a 6yr old!! haha. And then I managed to do a 'colour' climb, this is when you only climb using a particular colour of thingys that you hang off of for your dear life. I only did two climbs, which is pretty lame, but there are three good reasons....
1. I'm overweight (ie. my strength to weight ratio is very unbalanced)
2. I'm unfit
3. I've still got a really sore back and don't want to over do it until I get to the physio.
BUT it turns out that I have a talent and this led me to my new superhero name....AnchorWoman =) I was even Anchor Woman for Alfred who is a good couple of meters taller and a wee bit heavier (muscle not fat) than me (this I learnt when I went flying up into the air when he was doing his absail!!).
In my role as AnchorWoman I saved Alfred's life 4 times and another guy twice! Of course EVERYONE knew about it (I'm totally uncool) and I'll expect payment in return in the future, but until then I can live off my 'I've saved lives' stories.
So this week I'm living 'oot in the sticks' (out in the country) as friends of mine are away and asked if I would come and look after the dogs. I've been supplied with plenty of food (still trying & currently failing to come off the 'ch' food group diet, but I haven't had any charshmallows this week...yeeha!) a car (not just a car but a beautiful & fast car =D) and the company of two dogs and their lodger whom I shall call 'Alfred' (this probably comes from my wanting to be a superhero...which I very nearly am 'Anchor Woman - I'll explain later).
It has been good for many reasons, but to name a few there's exercise with taking the dogs out for walks, having to get my laptop up to speed and sync'd with my desktop (I'm about 70% there!) and change of scenery. Alfred is good company; good laugh/conversation and it's nice to have someone to eat meals with. The flip side is that I'm in a continual war with the puppy to see who's going to eat my food first. I am losing =( He's very fast and very hungry ALL THE TIME! But he is very cute...which is why he's still alive and in one piece! haha
Anyway last night I took Alfred climbing with me and some of my mates (they're all new friends except the lovely Jutta who introduced me to climbing...last week!) Was a great evening. I managed to climb to the top of a really, really high wall...I raced a 6yr old!! haha. And then I managed to do a 'colour' climb, this is when you only climb using a particular colour of thingys that you hang off of for your dear life. I only did two climbs, which is pretty lame, but there are three good reasons....
1. I'm overweight (ie. my strength to weight ratio is very unbalanced)
2. I'm unfit
3. I've still got a really sore back and don't want to over do it until I get to the physio.
BUT it turns out that I have a talent and this led me to my new superhero name....AnchorWoman =) I was even Anchor Woman for Alfred who is a good couple of meters taller and a wee bit heavier (muscle not fat) than me (this I learnt when I went flying up into the air when he was doing his absail!!).
In my role as AnchorWoman I saved Alfred's life 4 times and another guy twice! Of course EVERYONE knew about it (I'm totally uncool) and I'll expect payment in return in the future, but until then I can live off my 'I've saved lives' stories.
Friday, 11 November 2011
The dangers of not drinking...
..became apparent to me this morning!
I went out last night to the pub that I used to work in to catch up with some friends and the locals, who I miss more than I thought I would when I rang the bell behind the bar for the final time earlier this year. They are an eccentric, wonderful bunch of people who are generous in both buying me drinks and their time, conversation and laughter. But this is how I discovered the pitfall of not being a regular drinker...I just couldn't keep up. At one point I had 4 vodkas sitting in front of me. Not only could I not keep up, I got a teensy~weensy bit drunk and the truth is, relative to the people I was drinking with (with the exception of my friend L who I was with...sorry P, but you're a far more experienced drinker my lovely (compliment)), I hardly drank.
I also seem to have lost the knack of getting a round in. This isn't because I'm tight, but because you have to be really fast and sly, really sly. The men who drink there (it is predominately a blokes pub) are not very good at letting 'burds' (women) buy drinks. If you offer, they will shoot you down. So the trick is to slyly, without anyone noticing, get the barmaid over and order the round. Once the drink is put down, you're ok. You're a 'cheeky wee besom' (pronounced 'bizzum'), but the drink will be accepted. I did manage to get one round in, but to be honest due to the amount I consumed (relative to my normal consumption - I'm not called 2-gin-Jo for nothing) I wasn't as sharp as I needed to be to pull off this no mean feat!
Another pitfall of not being a regular drinker (or perhaps a pitfall of drinking whether regular or not) is the post-drinking-hungar! I ended up going into the Chinese across the road from the pub and ordering. Now, for 'regular, normal' people this is a great idea....helps to soak up some of the alcohol. But if you're wheat & yeast intolerant you need to be careful what you consume...I thought I'd ordered well, but my body tells me otherwise =( And the mess I left in my kitchen...sight for sore eyes this morning that's for sure!
So, taking this lesson on board, I have arranged to meet some friends tonight in the pub (will stock up fridge with appropriate food prior to going out). Well, I don't want to make the same mistakes - that would just be plain stoooopid!
I went out last night to the pub that I used to work in to catch up with some friends and the locals, who I miss more than I thought I would when I rang the bell behind the bar for the final time earlier this year. They are an eccentric, wonderful bunch of people who are generous in both buying me drinks and their time, conversation and laughter. But this is how I discovered the pitfall of not being a regular drinker...I just couldn't keep up. At one point I had 4 vodkas sitting in front of me. Not only could I not keep up, I got a teensy~weensy bit drunk and the truth is, relative to the people I was drinking with (with the exception of my friend L who I was with...sorry P, but you're a far more experienced drinker my lovely (compliment)), I hardly drank.
I also seem to have lost the knack of getting a round in. This isn't because I'm tight, but because you have to be really fast and sly, really sly. The men who drink there (it is predominately a blokes pub) are not very good at letting 'burds' (women) buy drinks. If you offer, they will shoot you down. So the trick is to slyly, without anyone noticing, get the barmaid over and order the round. Once the drink is put down, you're ok. You're a 'cheeky wee besom' (pronounced 'bizzum'), but the drink will be accepted. I did manage to get one round in, but to be honest due to the amount I consumed (relative to my normal consumption - I'm not called 2-gin-Jo for nothing) I wasn't as sharp as I needed to be to pull off this no mean feat!
Another pitfall of not being a regular drinker (or perhaps a pitfall of drinking whether regular or not) is the post-drinking-hungar! I ended up going into the Chinese across the road from the pub and ordering. Now, for 'regular, normal' people this is a great idea....helps to soak up some of the alcohol. But if you're wheat & yeast intolerant you need to be careful what you consume...I thought I'd ordered well, but my body tells me otherwise =( And the mess I left in my kitchen...sight for sore eyes this morning that's for sure!
So, taking this lesson on board, I have arranged to meet some friends tonight in the pub (will stock up fridge with appropriate food prior to going out). Well, I don't want to make the same mistakes - that would just be plain stoooopid!
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Can this really be the end of the 'ch' food group?
I went to the doctors today because I've got a sore back and have had for some months now. The doctor was brilliant. She gave me a thorough examination and asked lots of intelligent and prudent questions and sat down and explained what is most likely happening (none of which I really wanted to hear, so I kinda zoned out until I thought I'd got through the worst of what she was saying).
She was nothing like the last doctor I went to see when I was having heaps of problems with my knee. The minute I told her that I had had an accident 11yrs ago and had had a dunt to my knee it was game over. The advice I was given was...
"Hmmm...yeah, there's nothing we can do for you. Take painkillers & anti-inflammatory's and we'll give you a new knee in 20-25yrs time."
This was WITHOUT looking at my knee. I suspect she was using her x-ray vision ~ pretty cool really.
I was only 27-ish back then and that was her diagnosis ~ I should've had asked to see her medical degree. It turned out that I have an intolerance to wheat & yeast and had excess fluid retention (21lbs worth) and by cutting them out of my diet, my knee got better.
Anyway back to my sore back. As it turns out, apparently putting on weight by eating too much, especially foods out of the 'ch' food group and not exercising enough is not helping!?! Hmmm...all a bit left-field but unfortunately I suspect she might be on to something. I think I'm going to have to give up my charshmallows sandwiched between two chocolate buttons, chunks of cheese and churpak on ryvita...
So today I had what may be my final chocolate chip cookie (with a cup of Earl Grey tea).
Before....
She was nothing like the last doctor I went to see when I was having heaps of problems with my knee. The minute I told her that I had had an accident 11yrs ago and had had a dunt to my knee it was game over. The advice I was given was...
"Hmmm...yeah, there's nothing we can do for you. Take painkillers & anti-inflammatory's and we'll give you a new knee in 20-25yrs time."
This was WITHOUT looking at my knee. I suspect she was using her x-ray vision ~ pretty cool really.
I was only 27-ish back then and that was her diagnosis ~ I should've had asked to see her medical degree. It turned out that I have an intolerance to wheat & yeast and had excess fluid retention (21lbs worth) and by cutting them out of my diet, my knee got better.
Anyway back to my sore back. As it turns out, apparently putting on weight by eating too much, especially foods out of the 'ch' food group and not exercising enough is not helping!?! Hmmm...all a bit left-field but unfortunately I suspect she might be on to something. I think I'm going to have to give up my charshmallows sandwiched between two chocolate buttons, chunks of cheese and churpak on ryvita...
So today I had what may be my final chocolate chip cookie (with a cup of Earl Grey tea).
Before....
and after *sniff*
(don't worry, I got the crumbs right after I took the photograph. I had left them there as some kind of symbolic gesture, which I promptly cleared up after taking this shot!)
Oh, and the doc is also sending me to the Physio. I'm going to start exercising again and reschedule my day so that I can make use of the daylight and get outside.
I used to go to Yoga. I LOVED my yoga (Ashtanga). I had the most amazing teacher until she rather inconsiderately moved, not just abroad but to a whole different continent =(. I miss my yoga and I miss my teacher. She sold her business to another lovely yoga teacher. But you see, I'm not great with change (you'd realise just how ironic that is if you have even half an idea of how I've lived my life over the past 17yrs) and the new teacher's style is a lot different to G's style, and I didn't have the same bond/trust with her. So, like a spoilt brat I stopped going (well ok that and it costs a lot of money and I have no spare cash).
However today, I made the decision that once I can afford it, I am going to go back to Yoga. It's been long enough now that I'm sure I'll be more accepting about the change of teaching style.
{I've just read back what I've written and I realise just how un-yoga-ish I sound}
So that's that. No food from the 'ch' group and start exercising. Hmmm....
Sunday, 6 November 2011
My Halloween project...
Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year, but unfortunately this year I was recovering from my manflu so had to make the difficult decision to stay home this year ~ but this was made easier by my friend Claire coming over for a girly evening (chocolate, X Factor etc).
However my friend Didi (with whom I was meant to be going out with, along with the guys from the Aberdeen Wanderers Rugby team) still came over and I helped her get ready.
The concept behind Didi's costume was that she was a car crash victim, so one half of her was normal...
However my friend Didi (with whom I was meant to be going out with, along with the guys from the Aberdeen Wanderers Rugby team) still came over and I helped her get ready.
The concept behind Didi's costume was that she was a car crash victim, so one half of her was normal...
and the other half was...not
As it turned out, I did end up going out, in the middle of the night as I got a call for help from a friend who had lost everything and everyone. Suffice to say I left my bed at 1am (didn't bother getting dressed, threw coat, scarf and hiking boots on over my pj's) and didn't return to it until 5am! It was an adventure which I think I'll get a pretty decent amount of mileage out of!! =) Also it turns out that whilst I was walking about the city centre, trying to locate some of my mates who were MIA, I got chatted up twice. Lesson = go out more often in pj's & no make-up!!
Ye cannae shove yer granny off the bus and other myths!
This morning I've been thinking about grannies. A lot is said about grannies that I suspect is either not true or untested. Take the whole "Ye cannae shove yer granny aff the bus" for example. For anyone who's not from the UK, we have a Scottish song all about pushing your granny off the bus. It has occurred to me that you probably could push your granny off the bus and most likely with minimal force. It is important for me to state that I don't think anyone should try this out, grannies should be loved not shoved. The point of this rambling is to highlight the inaccuracy of the statement made in the song. I think it should be 'Ye shouldnae shove yer granny aff the bus".
But this wasn't my first thought about grannies today, it was 'You can't teach your granny to suck eggs'. Now, there are different factors to take into account e.g. Is your gran still alive? How old is she? What's her general health like? Is she allergic or intolerant to eggs?
However, if your gran's alive, in good fettle and isn't likely to keel over by being near or touching an egg then actually I suspect that you may be able to teach your granny to suck eggs if you so desire. Obviously, you need to know how to do it yourself and your gran would need to be a willing participant, but other than that, don't let that saying put you off! Why not try it this week? If you have a grandpa...think about including him. Or you could make it a new year's resolution...just a thought.
But this wasn't my first thought about grannies today, it was 'You can't teach your granny to suck eggs'. Now, there are different factors to take into account e.g. Is your gran still alive? How old is she? What's her general health like? Is she allergic or intolerant to eggs?
However, if your gran's alive, in good fettle and isn't likely to keel over by being near or touching an egg then actually I suspect that you may be able to teach your granny to suck eggs if you so desire. Obviously, you need to know how to do it yourself and your gran would need to be a willing participant, but other than that, don't let that saying put you off! Why not try it this week? If you have a grandpa...think about including him. Or you could make it a new year's resolution...just a thought.
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Vodka
I don't know if you'll have noticed but I normally have the title of the blog run into the first line. But this evening morning (2.57am) I feel that that one word says it all.
Vodka.
Because I'm wheat & yeast intolerant, I can no longer drink wine or champers/cava =( Then, to my horror I discovered that I cannae drink Pimms either! Dear Lord...we need a word!
However, I do seem to be ok with Gin & Vodka. Which is great news because I consumed quite a bit of the latter this evening.
I had a leaving do to attend. I had to say goodbye (or hopefully just a momentary farewell) to my wonderful friend Jorge. He is heading west to Texas and I'll miss him. He's a wonderful person whom I admire and respect. I have many great memories from time spent with him. We were discussing this tonight and he said that he'll never forget the first time we met...I believe that this is because I turned up to his BBQ party in a short skirt and my red coat, sat on a garden chair and promptly fell backwards. In my wisdom I thought if I just stayed there for a bit that no one would notice... this was an incorrect assumption and one I doubt I'll make again.
One of my favorite memories of our time together is when Flo, Jorge and I decided to go on a camping trip together to the west of Scotland! It was brilliant. It was a fabulously wet, cold and wonderful adventure which I think we all remember with fondness ~ in particular the following conversation between Flo (who's from Malaysia) & I as we drove through the Scottish countryside passing fields of lambs that were just weeks old...
Flo: What are baby sheepses called?
Me: Lambs
Flo: No, no...I mean those cute wee sheeps
Me: Uhuh...lamb.
Flo: WHAT? Those are lambs?
Me: Yup
Flo: Oh my god, I am NEVER eating lamb ever again!
Me: Em...why?
Flo: Because they are soooo cute!
Me: What? What are you talking about Monkey (nickname for Flo...always good when used in public place (she calls me chalky...so it's give & take in our friendship!))?
Flo: I can't eat something THAT cute.
Me: Yes you can.
Flo: Well yes, I have, but not any more.
To give her credit, I believe that Flo did indeed stop eating lamb, well kinda, most of the time anyway....until she moved to Australia. I believe that her and Jamie are eating lamb again but have given up kangaroo because they see them hopping about outside!
In terms of having to say goodbye to friends who are moving on to pastures new, it's been quite a difficult year. I feel abandoned. What annoys me most is that it's not like the b*st*rds end up all going to the same part of the world....no, no....they've spread themselves out, like a burst bag of marbles. Inconsiderate and irresponsible actually. The good news is that not everyone has got away ~ phewf! For that I'm thankful...but I still miss the ones who got away, the ones who have moved on to begin their next chapter elsewhere.
Silver lining = I've got a ridiculous amount of places around the world where I can get free accommodation.
Cloud = I cannae afford to get to the free accommodation!!
Thursday, 3 November 2011
I did something unusual today...
...I got dressed! Yup, I normally spend the day in my pj's. It wasn't originally a conscience decision, it just so happens that my commute to work is from my bed to my desk in my living room. Sometimes I forget to stop and put day clothes on. I'll be sitting working away at my desk and before I know it, it's 3.28pm and I've not eaten (seriously WTF is that about?) and I haven't got dressed.
The main problem with getting dressed is putting on clothes that don't stretch, they are a harsh critic of ones new eating habits (do you like the way I've slipped into speaking in 3rd person, means I'm not taking ownership. Denial is a strong tool to get through life...trust me, it's the way forward!). If only someone would ban me from the "ch's"......Cheese, Chocolate & Ch..urpak! Notice I've not included Charshmallows in that list, it's because they are FAT FREE...says so on the packet, and that is ALL that matters! Give me a D, give me an E....N....I....A....L!!!
Anyway, the reason I got dressed today is because I chose to go to a NLP Coaching with Humour (provocative coaching) with Sue Knight (author of NLP at Work) seminar, hosted by the Coaching Association. Worry ye not, I've not entered the world as a coach...could you imagine?? But I am interested in coaching, but especially NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). It was blimin brilliant. I think that now is a good time to announce that from now on I'm not being 'mean', I'm being 'provocative'! =D
I first found out about this evening's event via some of the lovely ladies that I had met at the lunch I went to last Friday, and it sounded interesting. I'm trying to ensure that I don't go for days without leaving my abode, so am being proactive about getting out and about. It's a little difficult because I'm still in the honeymoon period of my new career and want to work all the time.
Of course there was the added incentive of going somewhere where they would have the heating on! And I'm pleased to report that Maersk (where the event was located) are not too tight and had their heating and lighting on, so it was rather special evening.
When I came home there was a funny smell, it didn't take me long to discover that I had gone out for FOUR hours and had left the gas burning under an empty pan on the cooker!! I'm just hoping that I haven't used up my luck that I was hoping to use to win the £10million lotto jackpot on Saturday. I'm gutted if I have...I have plans for that money! Like proper plans. As my beautiful friend L commented on my facebook status "Someone upstairs likes you!!!" (I always feel when one does something stupid, that the best thing to do is share it...make people feel good about themselves!). My question is 'how much?' How much does this person love me....show me the money!!
Speaking of money, tomorrow is going to be the first day I invoice my clients! I realise that most companies put on a '28 day payment term', I'm wondering if my clients will mind if I put on a '2.8hr payment term'?? Think about it, everything is instant these days. I'll be emailing the invoices, not snail mail. Everyone does internet banking, which is instant. What's the point of dragging out the best bit? Food for thought??
Talking of food....time to consume something from the 'ch' food group?!
The main problem with getting dressed is putting on clothes that don't stretch, they are a harsh critic of ones new eating habits (do you like the way I've slipped into speaking in 3rd person, means I'm not taking ownership. Denial is a strong tool to get through life...trust me, it's the way forward!). If only someone would ban me from the "ch's"......Cheese, Chocolate & Ch..urpak! Notice I've not included Charshmallows in that list, it's because they are FAT FREE...says so on the packet, and that is ALL that matters! Give me a D, give me an E....N....I....A....L!!!
Anyway, the reason I got dressed today is because I chose to go to a NLP Coaching with Humour (provocative coaching) with Sue Knight (author of NLP at Work) seminar, hosted by the Coaching Association. Worry ye not, I've not entered the world as a coach...could you imagine?? But I am interested in coaching, but especially NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). It was blimin brilliant. I think that now is a good time to announce that from now on I'm not being 'mean', I'm being 'provocative'! =D
I first found out about this evening's event via some of the lovely ladies that I had met at the lunch I went to last Friday, and it sounded interesting. I'm trying to ensure that I don't go for days without leaving my abode, so am being proactive about getting out and about. It's a little difficult because I'm still in the honeymoon period of my new career and want to work all the time.
Of course there was the added incentive of going somewhere where they would have the heating on! And I'm pleased to report that Maersk (where the event was located) are not too tight and had their heating and lighting on, so it was rather special evening.
When I came home there was a funny smell, it didn't take me long to discover that I had gone out for FOUR hours and had left the gas burning under an empty pan on the cooker!! I'm just hoping that I haven't used up my luck that I was hoping to use to win the £10million lotto jackpot on Saturday. I'm gutted if I have...I have plans for that money! Like proper plans. As my beautiful friend L commented on my facebook status "Someone upstairs likes you!!!" (I always feel when one does something stupid, that the best thing to do is share it...make people feel good about themselves!). My question is 'how much?' How much does this person love me....show me the money!!
Speaking of money, tomorrow is going to be the first day I invoice my clients! I realise that most companies put on a '28 day payment term', I'm wondering if my clients will mind if I put on a '2.8hr payment term'?? Think about it, everything is instant these days. I'll be emailing the invoices, not snail mail. Everyone does internet banking, which is instant. What's the point of dragging out the best bit? Food for thought??
Talking of food....time to consume something from the 'ch' food group?!
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
It's only Tuesday and already I've found myself...
...getting defensive about living in Aberdeen! Due to the nature of the Oil & Gas industry, which is the main employer in this beautiful misunderstood city, people come to be educated, work & live here for 2-5yrs then move on. The North Sea is regarded as being the training ground by professionals in the industry, they get the experience they require then move on to more 'exotic' (I'll get back to this word) parts of the world. I think that Aberdeen is an easy target for people to slag off....and more and more recently I've really found myself becoming defensive about my home city.
The things I love about Aberdeen....
Location - it has long, beautiful beaches (ok, so we rarely get the weather to appreciate them in a conventional sense, but come on use your imagination people), it has two lovely rivers running through and it's an hour or two drive to some breath-taking mountains, where if there's snow, you can ski/snowboard. The surrounding area of Aberdeen is gorgeous...Royal Deeside, Stonehaven (Dunnottar Castle)...actually any part of Aberdeenshire & Grampian.
People - Ok, like everywhere we have our fair share of tossers but hand on heart I believe that the majority of people around here are braw (brilliant). There is a large international community because of the O&G Industry and I like the fact that we have this amazingly diverse mix of people from different backgrounds & cultures. I have many, many wonderful friends that I would never have met had it not been for living in Aberdeen (and I'm even counting the ones who have abandoned me when they've moved to those more 'exotic' locations that I mentioned earlier.
The City - The Granite City/Flower of Scotland/Oil Capital of Europe/Silver City with the Golden Sands...it has many nicknames, but all of them conjure fair images of my beloved home city. The majority of the city is built out of Granite, which granted when the weather is a wee bit dreich (bleak) the whole place is grey (no getting away from that), but if there is even just the slightest bit of sun, the granite comes alive, it sparkles and is truly beautiful. There are incredible parks...hence 'Flower of Scotland'. And it's not too large that you cannae stott home after a night oot on the tiles!!
Architecture - There are some stunning buildings, Marshall College for one, but granted there would be a hell of a lot more if the damn city planners had been kept in check over the past 50yrs....bring back hanging!!
Humour - you do have to have a good sense of...to live here!! Hahaha...but also I think that in general the good folks in this part of the world have a wicked sense of humour, but warning - you need thick skin & an understanding of sarcasm.
Ok, I could go on about the things I love about Aberdeen but I'm going to stop here. I could also write a list of the shite, no where is perfect, but today I'm focusing on the positives.
Anyway the reason I found myself getting defensive is that I met up with a friend who's 'desperate' to get out of this place and is on full steam ahead to fulfill this goal. I know a few people who subscribe to the 'oh my god, need to get out of here' catchphrase, and it never really bothered me that much until recently.
I'm now reflecting on why it bothers me? Is it pride? Do I feel that I need to defend the city that provides for it's inhabitants? Do I feel that the need to run away from Aberdeen is a reflection on the locals (including myself of course)? Perhaps it's a mix of the above.
Maybe I feel that I need to defend/justify my life choice to live here? Or perhaps I'm just sick'n'tired of the negativity?
On the flip side, I've travelled, lived & worked abroad and I can see the appeal of living/working in different countries/cultures. I guess what I'm looking for is for those who chose to come to Aberdeen, be appreciative of the good things here and perhaps mute your negativity when moving on, especially to the locals! Make the most of opportunities present and be open to having experiences which create good/great memories that you can carry in your heart and perhaps you'll remember Aberdeen & it's people more fondly.
P.s. Exotic...surely Aberdeen is exotic when you're not from the UK?? Ok...maybe that's a stretch even in my mind =)
The things I love about Aberdeen....
Location - it has long, beautiful beaches (ok, so we rarely get the weather to appreciate them in a conventional sense, but come on use your imagination people), it has two lovely rivers running through and it's an hour or two drive to some breath-taking mountains, where if there's snow, you can ski/snowboard. The surrounding area of Aberdeen is gorgeous...Royal Deeside, Stonehaven (Dunnottar Castle)...actually any part of Aberdeenshire & Grampian.
People - Ok, like everywhere we have our fair share of tossers but hand on heart I believe that the majority of people around here are braw (brilliant). There is a large international community because of the O&G Industry and I like the fact that we have this amazingly diverse mix of people from different backgrounds & cultures. I have many, many wonderful friends that I would never have met had it not been for living in Aberdeen (and I'm even counting the ones who have abandoned me when they've moved to those more 'exotic' locations that I mentioned earlier.
The City - The Granite City/Flower of Scotland/Oil Capital of Europe/Silver City with the Golden Sands...it has many nicknames, but all of them conjure fair images of my beloved home city. The majority of the city is built out of Granite, which granted when the weather is a wee bit dreich (bleak) the whole place is grey (no getting away from that), but if there is even just the slightest bit of sun, the granite comes alive, it sparkles and is truly beautiful. There are incredible parks...hence 'Flower of Scotland'. And it's not too large that you cannae stott home after a night oot on the tiles!!
Architecture - There are some stunning buildings, Marshall College for one, but granted there would be a hell of a lot more if the damn city planners had been kept in check over the past 50yrs....bring back hanging!!
Humour - you do have to have a good sense of...to live here!! Hahaha...but also I think that in general the good folks in this part of the world have a wicked sense of humour, but warning - you need thick skin & an understanding of sarcasm.
Ok, I could go on about the things I love about Aberdeen but I'm going to stop here. I could also write a list of the shite, no where is perfect, but today I'm focusing on the positives.
Anyway the reason I found myself getting defensive is that I met up with a friend who's 'desperate' to get out of this place and is on full steam ahead to fulfill this goal. I know a few people who subscribe to the 'oh my god, need to get out of here' catchphrase, and it never really bothered me that much until recently.
I'm now reflecting on why it bothers me? Is it pride? Do I feel that I need to defend the city that provides for it's inhabitants? Do I feel that the need to run away from Aberdeen is a reflection on the locals (including myself of course)? Perhaps it's a mix of the above.
Maybe I feel that I need to defend/justify my life choice to live here? Or perhaps I'm just sick'n'tired of the negativity?
On the flip side, I've travelled, lived & worked abroad and I can see the appeal of living/working in different countries/cultures. I guess what I'm looking for is for those who chose to come to Aberdeen, be appreciative of the good things here and perhaps mute your negativity when moving on, especially to the locals! Make the most of opportunities present and be open to having experiences which create good/great memories that you can carry in your heart and perhaps you'll remember Aberdeen & it's people more fondly.
P.s. Exotic...surely Aberdeen is exotic when you're not from the UK?? Ok...maybe that's a stretch even in my mind =)
Friday, 28 October 2011
You know the opening scene from Four Weddings and a Funeral...
...with Hugh Grant and Charlotte Coleman? Where they get up about 5 mins before they are meant to be at the first wedding? Well that whole scene seems to be the best way for me to describe my day! I had been invited to my friend's Hen lunch at The Bishop's Table, which is situated in Old Aberdeen on the University grounds, I was to be there for 12.30pm. That's fine, I work from home, I'm generally an organised person, so how hard could it be? Well today the answer to that question is 'very'!
I was sitting in my PJ's at my computer (which is pretty much how I exist most days...perk of my current existance!) trying to finish off an urgent assignment before lunch. Time was tick, tick, a-ticking and before I knew it I had 20 mins to get washed, dressed, slap on AND get to the other side of town.
This is what actually happened...
Grabbed can of dryshampoo....swooshed hair to try make it look a little less manky, then tied it back anyway.
Liberally apply B.O.buster.
Threw random array of make-up in bag to apply in taxi. [Note to self: have emergency bag of useful make-up on hand for such situations]
Called taxi (arrrgghhh what a waste of money that I don't have...stress about that later!)
Ran through to bedroom, can't find any decent clothes, remind self that's because I don't own any decent clothes. [Note to self: Buy decent clothes when have money]. Found some semi-decent clothes on clothes-chair (ie. place all clothes get thrown instead of hanging up/folding and putting in drawers which are right next to clothes-chair).
Finish off with a few good shooshes of perfume and a piece of chuddy (chewing gum).
Phone rang - taxi at door! (dang...why don't taxi's arrive this quickly normally, only when you need them to arrive a wee bit later than you need them to, do they swan up early/on-time!)
Grab necklace, rings, earrings to put on whilst running down stairs, so I don't look like I got ready in 40seconds.
It was all worth it though! If anyone is looking for a brilliant place to eat, I highly recommend The Bishop's Table, excellent food which is not expensive. Good service, nice atmosphere....it's a good all rounder! Not sure what it's opening hours are though...but check it oot!
Also the company was excellent (and none of them let on that they realised that I'd pitched up looking/smelling like a total mink!) I think there was 16 of us there...and what a laugh! I met really lovely, interesting, funny, intelligent ladies. A couple of them are preggers....which of course gave me the opportunity to ask them if they were sure they were only having one baby!! It's the look of 'oh dear lordy' which amuses me most!
Anyway, now that I'm home it's time for me to go and have a proper shower, fold and hang up my clothes (uhuh....bets on what I allow to distract me before I get to that?) and then find something productive to do, like write my emergency procedure for what to do if this happens again!
I was sitting in my PJ's at my computer (which is pretty much how I exist most days...perk of my current existance!) trying to finish off an urgent assignment before lunch. Time was tick, tick, a-ticking and before I knew it I had 20 mins to get washed, dressed, slap on AND get to the other side of town.
This is what actually happened...
Grabbed can of dryshampoo....swooshed hair to try make it look a little less manky, then tied it back anyway.
Liberally apply B.O.buster.
Threw random array of make-up in bag to apply in taxi. [Note to self: have emergency bag of useful make-up on hand for such situations]
Called taxi (arrrgghhh what a waste of money that I don't have...stress about that later!)
Ran through to bedroom, can't find any decent clothes, remind self that's because I don't own any decent clothes. [Note to self: Buy decent clothes when have money]. Found some semi-decent clothes on clothes-chair (ie. place all clothes get thrown instead of hanging up/folding and putting in drawers which are right next to clothes-chair).
Finish off with a few good shooshes of perfume and a piece of chuddy (chewing gum).
Phone rang - taxi at door! (dang...why don't taxi's arrive this quickly normally, only when you need them to arrive a wee bit later than you need them to, do they swan up early/on-time!)
Grab necklace, rings, earrings to put on whilst running down stairs, so I don't look like I got ready in 40seconds.
It was all worth it though! If anyone is looking for a brilliant place to eat, I highly recommend The Bishop's Table, excellent food which is not expensive. Good service, nice atmosphere....it's a good all rounder! Not sure what it's opening hours are though...but check it oot!
Also the company was excellent (and none of them let on that they realised that I'd pitched up looking/smelling like a total mink!) I think there was 16 of us there...and what a laugh! I met really lovely, interesting, funny, intelligent ladies. A couple of them are preggers....which of course gave me the opportunity to ask them if they were sure they were only having one baby!! It's the look of 'oh dear lordy' which amuses me most!
Anyway, now that I'm home it's time for me to go and have a proper shower, fold and hang up my clothes (uhuh....bets on what I allow to distract me before I get to that?) and then find something productive to do, like write my emergency procedure for what to do if this happens again!
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Can this really be as serious as...man flu??
*sniffcoughspluttersniff* Ah yes, you've guessed it (or you just read the title of this post) I am coming down with man flu. Now I know that that is a serious claim to make and I haven't even seen a doctor but it's true. I'm really feeling like poo...and of course now is not a good time to get ill (when is?...answers on a post(card) please).
I had a meeting with my now new client yesterday =) Meeting went very well and I am very excited about working with this company. I have a really good gut feeling about this venture and am looking forward to seeing what the future holds. The work sounds interesting and I think that it will suit my personality and if all goes well I believe that there is a possibility of development of my role. It is a position which involves confidentiality which is why I'm not getting into any detail or specifics...but suffice to say I'm happy and excited about this new venture.
This morning, amongst other tasks, I've been trying to write a biog. Good grief...could I write it for someone else? Yup! So why then is it so hard to write one for myself? I sat looking at the blank screen for a long while, which I think is always helpful. Then I started to type notes. I now have a lot of unconnected, bizarrely constructed 'notes' all about me which do not make up a biog. I've even tried the 'walking away and coming back to it a wee while later' AND the 'eat-some-chocolate-then-have-another-go' techniques, not to mention the amount of cups of tea I've drank...and I'm disappointed to say that none of the above has worked. I think it's time I make some calls to seek help.
Did I mention that I'm becoming a bit of a recluse? Which is quite surprising considering that I've always been an outgoing 'bubbly' person, but with the experiences that I've had over the past 6 years and the recent changes in my life I'm seeing the appeal of the hermit lifestyle. So much so that I've started to order my groceries online. Ok, granted there is also the added appeal of the delivery charge being cheaper than the bus fare and someone else carries them up the stairs. However, I've found out that there is a darker side to this 'online grocery shopping' especially if you're a visual person (like yours truly)...size! Yup, who knew that would be a tricky point?
Take my recent butter order for instance...
I had a meeting with my now new client yesterday =) Meeting went very well and I am very excited about working with this company. I have a really good gut feeling about this venture and am looking forward to seeing what the future holds. The work sounds interesting and I think that it will suit my personality and if all goes well I believe that there is a possibility of development of my role. It is a position which involves confidentiality which is why I'm not getting into any detail or specifics...but suffice to say I'm happy and excited about this new venture.
This morning, amongst other tasks, I've been trying to write a biog. Good grief...could I write it for someone else? Yup! So why then is it so hard to write one for myself? I sat looking at the blank screen for a long while, which I think is always helpful. Then I started to type notes. I now have a lot of unconnected, bizarrely constructed 'notes' all about me which do not make up a biog. I've even tried the 'walking away and coming back to it a wee while later' AND the 'eat-some-chocolate-then-have-another-go' techniques, not to mention the amount of cups of tea I've drank...and I'm disappointed to say that none of the above has worked. I think it's time I make some calls to seek help.
Did I mention that I'm becoming a bit of a recluse? Which is quite surprising considering that I've always been an outgoing 'bubbly' person, but with the experiences that I've had over the past 6 years and the recent changes in my life I'm seeing the appeal of the hermit lifestyle. So much so that I've started to order my groceries online. Ok, granted there is also the added appeal of the delivery charge being cheaper than the bus fare and someone else carries them up the stairs. However, I've found out that there is a darker side to this 'online grocery shopping' especially if you're a visual person (like yours truly)...size! Yup, who knew that would be a tricky point?
Take my recent butter order for instance...
On the right is my normal size of tub and on the left is my online size...as it turns out! It wasn't just with butter ...oh no, I also decided that I might do some baking, so I ordered some Golden Syrup...I now have enough to make 1000 flapjacks (estimated quantity).
On that note, I better get back to staring blankly at my screen wondering what on earth I can write about myself which will not make me sound like a butter/chocolate/tea addict!
p.s. The ceramic heart in the background reads 'Food should always be prepared with butter & love' Quite appropriate...at least if I run out of love, I'll still have plenty of butter!!
Sunday, 23 October 2011
They say if you don't like the weather in Scotland...
...wait 20 minutes! Well when I say 'they' I'm pretty sure that it was Billy Connolly ~ wise man! I sometimes feel that I can apply that to my life. Take Friday for example. To start the day I went to the Business Gateway Book Keeping workshop and, thankfully, like the other workshops that I have been to, it was to the same high standard. Then as a brucey bonus when I walked into the room I saw a face that I recognised from waaay back, through the mists of time...the rather fabulous and cool Shona. We used to play rugby together. When I say "we" the reality is that Shona used to play and I used to turn up (was really quite crap) BUT I did always have a great laugh which could be credited to my skills at the (mandatory) drinking, singing & also it was a great way to meet men =)! I love rugby to this day (watched the World Cup final this morning...what a match!)
Shona & I had a quick chat and swapped numbers...hopefully we shall have a proper catch up soon, in a fashion fitting our past...with copious amounts of alcohol ~ you grow old but you don't have to grow up my darlings!!
So after the workshop, I nipped to Markies to grab some lunch (sushi..yum!) and then jumped into a taxi to attend the funeral of an old friend of mine. Dear Julia pass away in her sleep the previous week at the grand old age of 91. She was a wonderful friend and I will miss her. She was my partner in crime a couple of years ago when I was out of work for a couple of months. We used to hang out and go off on adventures...like the time I took her to the cinema. Julia hadn't been to the cinema in 25years and it was the first time she ever had popcorn! I parked the car, got her into her wheelchair then realised that I had two options...
1. Struggle to get Julia in her chair up onto the pavement, walk along to the crossing and cross the road OR
2. Run along the road with Julia in her chair then cross the road (at the crossing).
Obviously I chose option 2! What a laugh...there was a white van driving along side us whilst we ran along the road, honking his horn with the guys inside cheering us along.
To be honest, on reflection it is a little surprising that Julia lasted as long as she did with me around!!
I attended the intimate service with her family and close friends, then went along to her wake. It was lovely to see her family again and share our memories.
Just as we were preparing to go home I received a call from a potential client to say that he is interested in working with me!! =) I am so pleased and am really looking forward to getting started. We're meeting on Monday to discuss details.
I called my dad (IT expert) and he's helping me get my desktop & laptop set up so that they are fit for purpose. In the mean time I'm trying to reorganise my home so that it's fit for purpose for work and still remaining my home...this is this weekend's project.
Then Friday evening I went to see the very, very funny Tom Stade (Canadian guy, who lives in the UK with his wife and kids) with my friend Nicky & co. He's on tour at the moment, I recommend you going to see him if you get the chance. Look him up on YouTube!
Saturday was a mix of trying to sort out my belongings & catching up with a good friend (so we could go to Bibi's Bakery (Schoolhill, Aberdeen) and eat lots of cupcakes ~ we both opted for gluten free which were absolutely delicious!).
I have a LOT of stuff. I love my stuff. I'm a sentimental fool who likes having reminders around which evoke memories and remind me of happy, wonderful moments in my life. I've had a LOT of happy, bloody brilliant times in my life...which translates into me having a lot of stuff! However, I'm now going to be working from home and I need to have a clear out. I have already started, but I've got more to sell.
So last night, I was doing some research on ebay. This is so I can work out what's more likely to sell there and what I'm better to throw into another car boot sale. During this research I decided to find out if my rollerboots are likely to sell. I can confidently say that I think they would sell and I'd probably get a pretty decent amount for them. However...as I was looking at all the fabulous rollerboots on ebay, I started to get all nostalgic and remember how much fun I used to have on my rollerboots (WHEN I WAS 9!!)...so the next minute I had strapped those badboys on and was scooting about my flat. Now, I know that I have told you that I live in a penthouse, but that is an outright lie. The only similarity that my flat has with a penthouse is that it's on the top floor! But oh my lordy...did I have fun. I'm not so sure that my neighbour would've had the same amount of enjoyment out of my wee 26 minute stint...but see after 10 mins, I could stop myself by either twirling (elegantly ~ natch!) or failing that by using either my shins, bum or clothes airer!
I think it's fair to say that the rollerboots are now off the selling list...they are here to stay!
Shona & I had a quick chat and swapped numbers...hopefully we shall have a proper catch up soon, in a fashion fitting our past...with copious amounts of alcohol ~ you grow old but you don't have to grow up my darlings!!
So after the workshop, I nipped to Markies to grab some lunch (sushi..yum!) and then jumped into a taxi to attend the funeral of an old friend of mine. Dear Julia pass away in her sleep the previous week at the grand old age of 91. She was a wonderful friend and I will miss her. She was my partner in crime a couple of years ago when I was out of work for a couple of months. We used to hang out and go off on adventures...like the time I took her to the cinema. Julia hadn't been to the cinema in 25years and it was the first time she ever had popcorn! I parked the car, got her into her wheelchair then realised that I had two options...
1. Struggle to get Julia in her chair up onto the pavement, walk along to the crossing and cross the road OR
2. Run along the road with Julia in her chair then cross the road (at the crossing).
Obviously I chose option 2! What a laugh...there was a white van driving along side us whilst we ran along the road, honking his horn with the guys inside cheering us along.
To be honest, on reflection it is a little surprising that Julia lasted as long as she did with me around!!
I attended the intimate service with her family and close friends, then went along to her wake. It was lovely to see her family again and share our memories.
Just as we were preparing to go home I received a call from a potential client to say that he is interested in working with me!! =) I am so pleased and am really looking forward to getting started. We're meeting on Monday to discuss details.
I called my dad (IT expert) and he's helping me get my desktop & laptop set up so that they are fit for purpose. In the mean time I'm trying to reorganise my home so that it's fit for purpose for work and still remaining my home...this is this weekend's project.
Then Friday evening I went to see the very, very funny Tom Stade (Canadian guy, who lives in the UK with his wife and kids) with my friend Nicky & co. He's on tour at the moment, I recommend you going to see him if you get the chance. Look him up on YouTube!
Saturday was a mix of trying to sort out my belongings & catching up with a good friend (so we could go to Bibi's Bakery (Schoolhill, Aberdeen) and eat lots of cupcakes ~ we both opted for gluten free which were absolutely delicious!).
I have a LOT of stuff. I love my stuff. I'm a sentimental fool who likes having reminders around which evoke memories and remind me of happy, wonderful moments in my life. I've had a LOT of happy, bloody brilliant times in my life...which translates into me having a lot of stuff! However, I'm now going to be working from home and I need to have a clear out. I have already started, but I've got more to sell.
So last night, I was doing some research on ebay. This is so I can work out what's more likely to sell there and what I'm better to throw into another car boot sale. During this research I decided to find out if my rollerboots are likely to sell. I can confidently say that I think they would sell and I'd probably get a pretty decent amount for them. However...as I was looking at all the fabulous rollerboots on ebay, I started to get all nostalgic and remember how much fun I used to have on my rollerboots (WHEN I WAS 9!!)...so the next minute I had strapped those badboys on and was scooting about my flat. Now, I know that I have told you that I live in a penthouse, but that is an outright lie. The only similarity that my flat has with a penthouse is that it's on the top floor! But oh my lordy...did I have fun. I'm not so sure that my neighbour would've had the same amount of enjoyment out of my wee 26 minute stint...but see after 10 mins, I could stop myself by either twirling (elegantly ~ natch!) or failing that by using either my shins, bum or clothes airer!
I think it's fair to say that the rollerboots are now off the selling list...they are here to stay!
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Can a 120g bar of chocolate kill you?
And what happens if you add half a bag of marshmallows on top of that? I didn't start eating until after 3pm today and, credit where credit is due, I do believe that I have more than made up for those hours of unintentional fasting. I now feel a teeny weeny bit disguisted with myself.
However I'm now lounging on my sofa (working off the carbs in a passive manner, granted it's never been scientifically proven to be an effective fat-busting technique, but that's probably because the scientists have been busy working on other things.) I've had a great day today, I went to the Business Gateway Marketing workshop this morning. It was informative & very interesting. It was delievered by Roz Caulwell and she was brilliant. She has a relaxed yet professional style and came across as very knowledgeable and managed to be inclusive of everyone at the workshop! I hope our paths cross again in the future.
I also managed to get Windows 2010 up and running on my desktop...only took about 14hrs (ok, that might be a wee bit of exaggeration...but it really was a very long time). First I found out that I had to upgrade Vista to Vista SP1...who knew that existed? Anyway the outcome is that I'm now all set up with Outlook, I feel like I have some organisation to my life again. I spent a good 30 mins inputting all my appointments in to the calendar...now all I need is a smart phone to sync it up with!! One day =)
To raise money I've been selling lots of stuff on ebay, oh and I had a carboot sale last Sunday. Couldn't have asked for better weather, it was gorgeous. Also, in it's small way, it was a successful day...I raised a grand total of...£11.05 BUT that was from selling things that I would've thrown out otherwise! I have made a conscious decision to not divide that amount by the number of hours I stood there as that might be too much information. But I can think of worse ways to spend a Sunday morning...I got to stand/sit out in the sun, people watch (another thing to add to my list of things I love!) and barter over a pair of bookends (which I found) and eventually managed to get a fiver for!! =)
Ebay has been a lot more successful financially and in terms of decluttering my home. But then again I've been selling good quality items which I hope will go to people who will enjoy them rather than store them under their bed/back of their wardrobe etc.
Between the two I managed to raise enough to buy: Windows 2010 + correct licence for a business = very happy me!
So my business....I'm setting myself up as a VA (Virtual Assistant). I have had some meetings with potential clients, which seem to have gone well but time will tell ~ keeping my fingers crossed. I've got something else that I would like to do along side, but I'm in the very early stages of researching that idea & also I don't want to bite off more than I can chew...
I registered my business with HMRC yesterday =). I haven't started trading yet, but I was advised that it's best to get it done ASAP, so it's done.
Tomorrow I'm going to a workshop in Book Keeping...I never thought that I'd get excited about a book keeping course, but darn it, I really am!!
However I'm now lounging on my sofa (working off the carbs in a passive manner, granted it's never been scientifically proven to be an effective fat-busting technique, but that's probably because the scientists have been busy working on other things.) I've had a great day today, I went to the Business Gateway Marketing workshop this morning. It was informative & very interesting. It was delievered by Roz Caulwell and she was brilliant. She has a relaxed yet professional style and came across as very knowledgeable and managed to be inclusive of everyone at the workshop! I hope our paths cross again in the future.
I also managed to get Windows 2010 up and running on my desktop...only took about 14hrs (ok, that might be a wee bit of exaggeration...but it really was a very long time). First I found out that I had to upgrade Vista to Vista SP1...who knew that existed? Anyway the outcome is that I'm now all set up with Outlook, I feel like I have some organisation to my life again. I spent a good 30 mins inputting all my appointments in to the calendar...now all I need is a smart phone to sync it up with!! One day =)
To raise money I've been selling lots of stuff on ebay, oh and I had a carboot sale last Sunday. Couldn't have asked for better weather, it was gorgeous. Also, in it's small way, it was a successful day...I raised a grand total of...£11.05 BUT that was from selling things that I would've thrown out otherwise! I have made a conscious decision to not divide that amount by the number of hours I stood there as that might be too much information. But I can think of worse ways to spend a Sunday morning...I got to stand/sit out in the sun, people watch (another thing to add to my list of things I love!) and barter over a pair of bookends (which I found) and eventually managed to get a fiver for!! =)
Ebay has been a lot more successful financially and in terms of decluttering my home. But then again I've been selling good quality items which I hope will go to people who will enjoy them rather than store them under their bed/back of their wardrobe etc.
Between the two I managed to raise enough to buy: Windows 2010 + correct licence for a business = very happy me!
So my business....I'm setting myself up as a VA (Virtual Assistant). I have had some meetings with potential clients, which seem to have gone well but time will tell ~ keeping my fingers crossed. I've got something else that I would like to do along side, but I'm in the very early stages of researching that idea & also I don't want to bite off more than I can chew...
I registered my business with HMRC yesterday =). I haven't started trading yet, but I was advised that it's best to get it done ASAP, so it's done.
Tomorrow I'm going to a workshop in Book Keeping...I never thought that I'd get excited about a book keeping course, but darn it, I really am!!
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
The Kitchen Wall of Wisdom (& other shite)
As I said in my 'Me, myself & I' page, I've had a great life to date and have enjoyed the ride. I have never been one of those people with a great life plan and must admit I kinda felt like I was missing out, but I could never get one together. If an opportunity comes along and it seems like it's going to be fun/interesting/an adventure...then I go with it. I love a challenge and am up for learning new skills. Of course I've got myself into some sticky situations or have ended up-to-my-neck in it but I've survived to tell the tale. I think that if I had planned my life I would've missed out in some of the most amazing experiences that I've had, of course I might have 'made something' of my life but let us gloss over that!
So getting back to the purpose of this blog...my next new adventure!
I've decided to go solo & start up my own business! Aaaaarrgghhh....exciting/scary/stupid/brave/ignorant (*delete as appropriate). I've got a zillion ideas running through my head (well, that's probably not true, I'm just trying to make myself sound way more intelligent/interesting than I actually am!).
So these are my actions/plans to date:
- Contacted this rather fabulous lady I know who is a Personal/Executive/Life coach (I get mixed up with the terminology) and I've started having sessions with her. I cannot recommend going to a personal coach enough. It's not a cheap option, but value for money?...definitely!! You know how life sometimes throws you a curve ball? Well, that's usually a really good time to valuate what you're up to & where you would like to head next. So, with Mrs Fabulous, I've been bouncing ideas and with her help looking at and identifying exactly what I enjoy and how I can translate that into moving forward.
- I've also signed up to a heap of workshops run by the Business Gateway on setting up your own business. If all the workshops are as well run and interesting as the first one that I've attended then that will be a Brucey Bonus!!
- And research...research and more research!
I've got my company name...which surprisingly is the same name as I use to author this blog...faemoi. I'm from the north-east of Scotland and 'fae' means 'from'. I used to live in France and of course 'moi' means 'me'. So faemoi means 'from me', except as the eagle-eyed will spot, I've merged the words together!! Clever eh?? hahaha.
So I'm going to blog about it all and just my life in general. Hopefully this will make an interesting read if it works out... ;o)
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