Aggh it's 1.02 am and I am still up! Mr C is watching Gladiator - it's near the end now. I have been messing about with the computer. Somehow, Excel has disappeared! It's really weird. The rest of Office is fine. If anyone has any ideas about what could have happened, please let me know!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the new layout (all of my thousands of readers!), and hope you had a good Christmas or Hanukah or Yuletide or holiday as applicable.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Gingerbread Haus
Here is our gingerbread Haus which we made last weekend. Mr C's colleague had a gingerbread house making party. Lots of people in a small flat had fun making the houses. Some people also expanded into small village buildings. We also enjoyed eating Margaret's delicious pasta. Here is the other side of the house:
Apparantly making gingerbread houses is a German tradition. They're usually broken up and eating on boxing day - I think that's right. Ours is still intact, although we have been eating the occasional sweet off the top. I'm not sure how long it will last.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Tete a Tete
I finally managed to attend a Tete a Tete session at CCJ on Tuesday. I have been very remiss in not attending any before. My excuse is that I don't live in London, and they're held on a Tuesday evening, so it can be difficult to get there. This week, we had a committee meeting beforehand, so I went and combined the two. I was late leaving work because I got asked questions at the last minute, even as I was walking out of the office in my coat, and consequently missed the train I was aiming for. I was going to be late even if I had got the train, so I wasn't sure whether to go or not, but phoned Louise, and decided to go and stay for Tete a Tete.
On the way to CCJ I managed to slip over on Victoria Station (should I sue?!) and now have some great bruises, to go with the one still on my hand from the CAT scan drip. Nice. I was already cross due to (a) being late, and (b) having to queue to exchange my ticket bought on the train for a Travelcard, so (c) falling over was the final straw. Anyway, I made it in the end, for about 15 minutes of the meeting!
Glad I went though as T a T was good. We were talking about taking texts out of context. We looked at a variety of text including one by Roland Barthes, one from Isaiah, one from Mark's Gospel and a parody addressed to Jerry Falwell. Bizarre mix, but all good for the brain. It's really easy to let your brain go rusty, as it were. Although I do have to think about things in my work, it's not the same kind of thinking as the sort of thinking we were doing on Tuesday night, which was of a more philosophical nature I suppose. In a way I think I prefer that kind rather than the day to day kind, which seems more complex. I suppose this is because at work I'm dealing with real people rather than concepts or ideas, and people are unpredicatable and complicated in way that even the most complex idea isn't. Am I making sense? I do wonder.
This week at work was not so good. Mainly because of one incident, which I am doubtless overreacting to. Sometimes one bad thing just overshadows everything else and weighs me down. Basically I was told I should do something, did it, and then was criticised (by someone other than the person who told me to do it) for doing it and for how I'd done it. It wasn't major, but it just reinforced my opinion that I am bad at my job. My lovely team were sympathetic and agreed that you can't do anything without your head being bitten off by someone or other. The place is a hive of mis-communication. I am trying to address my part in the hive, and it's hard work. So, Wednesday night I was not happy, and was still not happy on Thursday morning. It's unusual for bad mood to carry over to the next day. Thursday was better though, and then it was Friday (no way!), and now it's the weekend...but I have a feeling Monday will involve more (mis/non)communication-related stress. It's not my fault I tell you! (But sometimes I feel like it is).
On the way to CCJ I managed to slip over on Victoria Station (should I sue?!) and now have some great bruises, to go with the one still on my hand from the CAT scan drip. Nice. I was already cross due to (a) being late, and (b) having to queue to exchange my ticket bought on the train for a Travelcard, so (c) falling over was the final straw. Anyway, I made it in the end, for about 15 minutes of the meeting!
Glad I went though as T a T was good. We were talking about taking texts out of context. We looked at a variety of text including one by Roland Barthes, one from Isaiah, one from Mark's Gospel and a parody addressed to Jerry Falwell. Bizarre mix, but all good for the brain. It's really easy to let your brain go rusty, as it were. Although I do have to think about things in my work, it's not the same kind of thinking as the sort of thinking we were doing on Tuesday night, which was of a more philosophical nature I suppose. In a way I think I prefer that kind rather than the day to day kind, which seems more complex. I suppose this is because at work I'm dealing with real people rather than concepts or ideas, and people are unpredicatable and complicated in way that even the most complex idea isn't. Am I making sense? I do wonder.
This week at work was not so good. Mainly because of one incident, which I am doubtless overreacting to. Sometimes one bad thing just overshadows everything else and weighs me down. Basically I was told I should do something, did it, and then was criticised (by someone other than the person who told me to do it) for doing it and for how I'd done it. It wasn't major, but it just reinforced my opinion that I am bad at my job. My lovely team were sympathetic and agreed that you can't do anything without your head being bitten off by someone or other. The place is a hive of mis-communication. I am trying to address my part in the hive, and it's hard work. So, Wednesday night I was not happy, and was still not happy on Thursday morning. It's unusual for bad mood to carry over to the next day. Thursday was better though, and then it was Friday (no way!), and now it's the weekend...but I have a feeling Monday will involve more (mis/non)communication-related stress. It's not my fault I tell you! (But sometimes I feel like it is).
Happy Birthday Miffy!
This year is Miffy's 50th birthday! There is a good exhibition on at the museum in town at the moment. It's really interesting to see how Dick Bruna created (and creates) the Miffy books. She even has her own website now - click here to view.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
That book again
I've finished reading The Time Traveler's Wife now. It was beautifully written and incredibly sad. Like the reviewer below, I've been crying about it even when I haven't been reading the book. I really recommend it. Go and read it if you haven't already.
Anyway, here's a review from Michael Farrelly of Bookslut, that says it all.
Anyway, here's a review from Michael Farrelly of Bookslut, that says it all.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Haunted by a book
I'm being haunted by The Time Traveler's Wife at the moment. By that I mean I keep thinking like the characters, and lines from it keep going through my head. It's a lovely book. It's made me cry about ten times already, and I haven't got to the end yet. This can be slightly inconvenient when on the train to work! Definitely recommended. The book that is, not crying*.
*Actually, in some cases this is recommended, for reasons of catharsis und so weiter (as Henry would say).
CAT scan
Today didn't begin very well. I used Mr C's keys to open the door and left them in the lock as we went out. Not knowing this, and thinking I had taken them out, Mr C shut the door, locking us out. I had my keys with me but obviously they wouldn't work as the other keys were still in the lock on the other side. So, panic ensued, but I had to go to catch the train. Mr C waited til the estate agents opened and got a spare set of keys and got in through the back door and all was well.
Meanwhile, I got the train, which then became very delayed, and I missed my slot for my CT scan. I had to go and have a CT scan because the consultant hasn't been able to see my replacement valve very well on the echocardiograms I've been having. This is because of the position of my heart/the valve I think. At first she sent me for an MRI scan, but this was not a success - see previous entry. So, she scheduled the CT scan for today. Anyway, they fitted me in. My pulse was a bit fast (probably due to me being scared), so I had half a sedative, and then went for the Echo while it kicked in. Then I went back to the CT scanning place.
The CT scan is a lot better and less scary than an MRI scan. I probably would have been fine and not fussed at all, apart from the fact that I had to have a drip in my hand through which they injected dye to show up the arteries and vessels. I hate needles. It wasn't pretty. The consultant radiographer (who put in the drip) was great and just told me to stop whinging. I'm serious about him being great by the way! It took two attempts to get the drip in - I have very small and uncooperative veins. Anyway, the scan itself was fine, although my hand hurt and I was still scared, but I could see the radiographers in their little room, so that made me feel more reassured. They got some could pictures, which was the main thing.
After the scan, I went to see the consultant. It was my last appointment with her, as she is retiring at Christmas. She was pleased with the pictures. They show that the valve is narrowing slightly, but it's not bad enough to need treatment at the moment. I will just go for yearly appointments again now, and have it kept an eye on. She said I'm ok to go on long haul flights, which was a relief - thought I'd better check before the honeymoon!
After I'd finished at the hospital, I went back into London. I had an appointment with a student from UCL, who is doing a study about how people with long term medical conditions cope (or not), and why some people cope better than others. The study is focussing on people with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), which I have. It was interesting to take part in the study. Basically I just had to be interviewed about how having PCD may have affected my life, and the lives of my family. I'm not sure how representative I am, as my symptoms are not very severe now. They were more so when I was a child, so I was able to talk about how it affected my childhood. Because I have/had other medical conditions, such as the 'heart thing' it was tricky to separate out the effects of the PCD as opposed to anything else. Hopefully I was of some use.
The train on the way back was also delayed. I am very tired from everything today.
Meanwhile, I got the train, which then became very delayed, and I missed my slot for my CT scan. I had to go and have a CT scan because the consultant hasn't been able to see my replacement valve very well on the echocardiograms I've been having. This is because of the position of my heart/the valve I think. At first she sent me for an MRI scan, but this was not a success - see previous entry. So, she scheduled the CT scan for today. Anyway, they fitted me in. My pulse was a bit fast (probably due to me being scared), so I had half a sedative, and then went for the Echo while it kicked in. Then I went back to the CT scanning place.
The CT scan is a lot better and less scary than an MRI scan. I probably would have been fine and not fussed at all, apart from the fact that I had to have a drip in my hand through which they injected dye to show up the arteries and vessels. I hate needles. It wasn't pretty. The consultant radiographer (who put in the drip) was great and just told me to stop whinging. I'm serious about him being great by the way! It took two attempts to get the drip in - I have very small and uncooperative veins. Anyway, the scan itself was fine, although my hand hurt and I was still scared, but I could see the radiographers in their little room, so that made me feel more reassured. They got some could pictures, which was the main thing.
After the scan, I went to see the consultant. It was my last appointment with her, as she is retiring at Christmas. She was pleased with the pictures. They show that the valve is narrowing slightly, but it's not bad enough to need treatment at the moment. I will just go for yearly appointments again now, and have it kept an eye on. She said I'm ok to go on long haul flights, which was a relief - thought I'd better check before the honeymoon!
After I'd finished at the hospital, I went back into London. I had an appointment with a student from UCL, who is doing a study about how people with long term medical conditions cope (or not), and why some people cope better than others. The study is focussing on people with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), which I have. It was interesting to take part in the study. Basically I just had to be interviewed about how having PCD may have affected my life, and the lives of my family. I'm not sure how representative I am, as my symptoms are not very severe now. They were more so when I was a child, so I was able to talk about how it affected my childhood. Because I have/had other medical conditions, such as the 'heart thing' it was tricky to separate out the effects of the PCD as opposed to anything else. Hopefully I was of some use.
The train on the way back was also delayed. I am very tired from everything today.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Little fluffy clouds
Yes, I know, I'm a bit late reading this one cos everyone else has already ready it (?), but this is my train read of the moment. The cover on the left is the UK cover, and the one on the right is from the US. I think I prefer the UK version, although the US one is also nice. Anyway, I haven't finished it yet - I'm just about right in the middle. I'm enjoying it. I bought it a long time ago, but had put off reading it, because I was a bit intimidated by it, to be honest. I really only bought it because of the hype (yes, I admit it!), and because I liked the cover. It's nice and shiny in real life. Each story is interesting in its own right, but I am kept reading by my desire to know what happens in the end of each one, and how the bigger picture unfolds. The devices he uses are clever - and have the desired effect of making you want to read on. The use of different writing styles and forms of language are also clever, but some can be an effort to read, especially the middle section. The little mysteries are important, as they keep the reader wanting to read, when otherwise they might be tempted to give up. This isn't a very profound review of a book that gives off such an air of profundity, but I haven't finished it (the book) yet. Also, I am never sure whether I like books where the author uses so many devices. They make me suspicious that the author is trying to get everyone to see how clever he is, but only because that's the kind of thing I would do if I was an author.Why is it that actors can be big fat and flabby, but actresses can't? And why aren't actresses called actresses anymore? Do people think that 'actor' sounds more like a serious profession, is it a weird attempt at equality - or what?
It's so cold here. Really bitter now, with a sharp wind for good measure. Even the short walk from the station to home was enough today. Apparantly it's supposed to get worse over the weekend! We have had a few frosts this week - I almost slipped on some frosty bits on the way to the station. The potential for slipping is one of the things I don't like about winter, in fact it's probably the thing I like least about it. I do like sunny winter days though.
We had Staff Development again today at work. It was all about effective communication again, but this time about how knowing yourself can be an aid to effective communication. We studied three psychological theories to do with the ways people communicate: Eric Berne's Transational Analysis (TA), Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Emotional Intelligence (EI/EQ). In the TA self analysis bit I came out as equal adult and child modes and slightly less parent-y (scores of 12, 12 and 10 respectively). As the person leading the session said, I need to have a much lower child score if I am in a supervisory role. I could definitely see that I am in a kind of constant battle between my adult and child modes, and I need to make sure that it's the adult who 'wins' more often. I think one reason I came out with such a high 'internal child' score was that I don't like making decisions, which in turn comes from lack of confidence. The session leader said later that I am actually a logical person (=internal adult=good manager/communicator) but my failures as a supervisor come from lack of confidence, and I agree. It has always been a problem for me, and I must try and use some of the techniques I'm learning now to try to overcome it, and bring the 'internal adult' to the fore.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Le Weekend
This weekend hasn't been terribly exciting. A went to London yesterday, to meet up with his siblings (and T, as it turned out). They had quite a good day - went to the usual place in Chinatown, then had Thai for dinner, and talked about various things. These included the lack of alcohol at the wedding.
We have decided not to have alcohol at the wedding, partly because the wedding is at 11.00 and will be over by 5. 00pm (not usual drinking time and people might be driving home the same day), and partly because we thought Dad would prefer it. T and A's sister wanted to know whether they could bring their own wine, and was talking about providing "a crate" of wine. I am not sure whether they think we are not having alcohol because parents don't want to pay for it and are being kind (especially in T's case), or whether they really don't think they can sit through a wedding without alcohol. More than either of these two reasons I think it may be that they haven't read the info where it says about the timings of the wedding and reception and/or think we are having an evening do and don't want to have to dance without drinking (in which case I can sympathise slightly). Before I rationalised it with A I felt quite offended - why can't people just accept our decision and leave it alone. It's our wedding!
To add to the negative feeling going around when A told me about the conversation, it turns out he thought that the proposed lack of alcohol at the wedding was a direct order from Dad, even though I had never said this. I had said I thought it was what Dad would prefer, and that's why I thought we made the decision not to have any, and I thought A was happy with that. However, he wasn't really but didn't say anything and now it's too late because we've talked about the drinks with the caterer and sent out lots of invitations saying that the drinks served will be non-alcoholic. Anyway, people can bring their own if they really feel they can't do without - maybe they will be ok once they actually read the info and see what time we are supposed to finish.
I stayed at home and did the cleaning. I also put some new photos up in the lounge, in a frame I got bought when I left my opening envelopes job 3 years ago. It only had one picture in it, which was cut from a card. It has three pictures in now and is looking better. I also took a photo of me out of a frame and put in one of me, A and A's family (apart from his brother) with the swans in Hyde Park. After that, I blogged - started putting my dissertation into a blog about Libraries and the Second World War.
Today, not much has happened. I helped with Sunday school. A has put his name down for the refreshments, door and reading rota. We went to Debenhams for lunch and I went to try and find Ralph Lauren's "Ralph" body lotion for H's birthday. Looked in Deb's, Boots and Superdrug, but no one stocks it. Maybe I need to go to a bigger store. Or maybe it doesn't exist! This afternooon we chased people for addresses - half of A's friends haven't had their invitations yet, because he doesn't know their new addresses, and they haven't responded to messages left. We got hold of a couple of people. A talked to his friend in Malaysia - I'm scared of the phone bill now! I talked to him on MSN - much cheaper! He and A are very similar. They were at school together.
I had my new patient appointment at the doctor's on Friday night. It was an amusing experience. I think the Dr is a bit eccentric, or maybe he is just very American (or Canadian - I don't want to offend). He said, 'have you had any serious illness in the past?', I said yes...and handed him my medical notes. He looked at them and said 'Oh my God' after every item he read (imagine in an American accent for a more amusing effect), and told me to photocopy the summary of my notes. Apparantly my blood pressure is ok - I wasn't sure it would be, given the stress of work etc recently.
It feels really late - more like 10.30 than 9.30. I must stop typing. I think I may be obsessed!
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Wow!
Wow, my posts are so boring that no one can even be bothered to vote on how boring they are! That has to be an achievement.
I sent the invitations - well, my half of the invitations anyway. Mr C still has to find addresses for most of his friends and family. He was supposed to phone some people tonight, but has not! Apparantly he can tell how stressed I am by the speed of my typing - the faster I type, the more stressed I am. Beware!
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is on (hence the above pic). It's a good'un, but not as good as the first one.
Here's an article that made me think, and made me ashamed, this week:
Supposing...We all had instant suicide buttons on our heads
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Lacking in motivation
I am supposed to be putting wedding invitations into envelopes (along with the 3 pages of information for guests, the maps and the response forms), but instead here I am writing this waste of time (no one reads it as far as I know). Thought I would take the opportunity while Mr C is out. He's gone bowling. I wrote the spiel over the weekend, and printed and copied everything at work (the advantages of being able to put 5000 copies credit on your card for free). After I had made seventy copies of the spiel and we had stapled all the pages together seventy times, Mum emailed me to say she had made a "faux pas" with the info about car parking charges she provided me with! Nice one. We're just going to pen in the amendment.
The Bourne Identity is on. It's a good film. I think I've read the book. My brother's got it.
Hey, my iPod arrived. It took me a while to get it working, as it wouldn't fit properly into the USB port on my computer, so I had to buy a USB extension cable. The guy in the shop tried to sell me the wrong type, but luckily I persuaded him not to. It is great to be able to listen to so much music on the train and the iPod is a lot better to carry in my bag than my CD player. And, once I got the lead, I found it easy to use.
I really need to wash my hair, but this is another thing I can't be bothered to do.
Well, I can't avoid it any longer - must do invitations.
Is this the most boring blog you've ever read? Vote now.
The Bourne Identity is on. It's a good film. I think I've read the book. My brother's got it.
Hey, my iPod arrived. It took me a while to get it working, as it wouldn't fit properly into the USB port on my computer, so I had to buy a USB extension cable. The guy in the shop tried to sell me the wrong type, but luckily I persuaded him not to. It is great to be able to listen to so much music on the train and the iPod is a lot better to carry in my bag than my CD player. And, once I got the lead, I found it easy to use.
I really need to wash my hair, but this is another thing I can't be bothered to do.
Well, I can't avoid it any longer - must do invitations.
Is this the most boring blog you've ever read? Vote now.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Monday, October 31, 2005
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Miow/Baa
A sheep and cat montage. The one on top is Tyson - a cat I used to live with. Moody whatsit, but we were friends. The sheep lived down the road from me. The fluffy black one underneath is my parents' cat, and the other you've already met.
Someone else's cat
This little monster has adopted two friends of mine. He started hanging around outside the house, and eventually persuaded them to let him in. Then he got food, then he got a space on the floor, then he got a blanket, now he has a bed etc! He's cute though, and it's nice to have a pet. I miss my cat - well, my parents cat (see next post for a glimpse of the fluff-monster).
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Sukkot and stuff
http://www.aish.com/holidays/sukkot/default.asp
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm
Jewish Year 5766 : sunset October 17, 2005 - sunset October 24, 2005
I know Sukkot has now finished, but I thought I'd write about it anyway! Well, I'm not going to write all about it because you can click on the links above if you want to find out about it in depth. We had a CCJ meeting last Sunday, which was good, although we didn't get much sorted out because we started late and there was a Succah party straight after, which people had started arriving for. We did get to eat Kosher Haribo though, so all was not lost. There is a study tour to Israel/Palestine in December (28th - 5th Jan), organised by the YES (youth) section of CCJ, which should be really good - I went on a similar trip in 2000, which was brilliant - probably the best thing I've ever done. Just thought I would get a plug in there! For more details click here and have a look at the CCJ website.
Clocks went back this morning, so we got an extra hour in bed, but it got dark early, and it will continue to get dark earlier and earlier, until December the 21st or thereabouts - the joys of going back to Greenwich Mean Time.
On Friday I watched possibly the cheesiest film I've ever seen - The Librarian: Quest for the Spear, starring the lovely Noah Wyle (ex-ER). It was made for US cable TV and it shows, but although it was awful it was awful in a so-bad-it's-good way. It's actually had some surprisingly good reviews, and it is a lot of fun, as long as you don't take it at all seriously. In all fairness, it does not take itself seriously at all, and Mr W is obviously playing his character with tongue firmly in cheek and a twinkle in his eye. We (a whole group of librarians!) sat through it cringing at some points and groaning in others - but overall we were smiling, so I guess the film acheived its object. The plot is basically Indiana Jones meets The Mummy, with a librarian as the hero. Unfortunately for librarians, the film doesn't exactly sweep away the old librarian stereotypes, but at least it says that librarians have to be educated, and of course he turns out to be a hero in the end. How could a librarian be otherwise? For some reviews click here
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm
Jewish Year 5766 : sunset October 17, 2005 - sunset October 24, 2005
I know Sukkot has now finished, but I thought I'd write about it anyway! Well, I'm not going to write all about it because you can click on the links above if you want to find out about it in depth. We had a CCJ meeting last Sunday, which was good, although we didn't get much sorted out because we started late and there was a Succah party straight after, which people had started arriving for. We did get to eat Kosher Haribo though, so all was not lost. There is a study tour to Israel/Palestine in December (28th - 5th Jan), organised by the YES (youth) section of CCJ, which should be really good - I went on a similar trip in 2000, which was brilliant - probably the best thing I've ever done. Just thought I would get a plug in there! For more details click here and have a look at the CCJ website.
Clocks went back this morning, so we got an extra hour in bed, but it got dark early, and it will continue to get dark earlier and earlier, until December the 21st or thereabouts - the joys of going back to Greenwich Mean Time.
On Friday I watched possibly the cheesiest film I've ever seen - The Librarian: Quest for the Spear, starring the lovely Noah Wyle (ex-ER). It was made for US cable TV and it shows, but although it was awful it was awful in a so-bad-it's-good way. It's actually had some surprisingly good reviews, and it is a lot of fun, as long as you don't take it at all seriously. In all fairness, it does not take itself seriously at all, and Mr W is obviously playing his character with tongue firmly in cheek and a twinkle in his eye. We (a whole group of librarians!) sat through it cringing at some points and groaning in others - but overall we were smiling, so I guess the film acheived its object. The plot is basically Indiana Jones meets The Mummy, with a librarian as the hero. Unfortunately for librarians, the film doesn't exactly sweep away the old librarian stereotypes, but at least it says that librarians have to be educated, and of course he turns out to be a hero in the end. How could a librarian be otherwise? For some reviews click here
Mayfly
I did a course on effective communication through assertiveness this morning, and all I could think to say about it in my other blog was 'it was interesting'. 'Interesting' is probably my most oft used adjective, because I can never think of anything more descriptive to say about things. I think it's good to find things interesting, and at least it's better than saying something was 'nice'. But my lack of adjectives make me look decidedly un-interesting, so really I should think of something else to say. The fact that I've managed to write a paragraph on my own use of the word 'interesting' says it all really. I'm not really doing anything to smash those librarian stereotypes.
Gosh, work is stressful at the moment, due mainly to the woman from last week: the saga continues, with me making various errors and not helping things. This was not entirely my fault, being somewhat due to the fact that I wasn't told something which I could have done with knowing to ease the situation. I could possibly even have avoided the whole thing occuring in the first place. Maybe I was told and I just forgot, but I don't think so.
Ahh Lost... I hadn't seen it for a few weeks but have just half-watched the latest episode whilst writing this. I've found the episode summaries on Wikipedia - some of the second series is also there now. It's all very curious... and of course, interesting.
Gosh, work is stressful at the moment, due mainly to the woman from last week: the saga continues, with me making various errors and not helping things. This was not entirely my fault, being somewhat due to the fact that I wasn't told something which I could have done with knowing to ease the situation. I could possibly even have avoided the whole thing occuring in the first place. Maybe I was told and I just forgot, but I don't think so.
Ahh Lost... I hadn't seen it for a few weeks but have just half-watched the latest episode whilst writing this. I've found the episode summaries on Wikipedia - some of the second series is also there now. It's all very curious... and of course, interesting.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Chocolate teapot
Work was stressful today. I was in a meeting when a lady came to see me about paying her fines off (I think). To cut a long story short, I wasn't there and she got cross, insulted one of my colleagues, swore at another and insulted some students who were in the queue. I had to send an incident report to the BB.
Also at work, miscommunications/lack of communication abounded (if a lack of something can abound), with me the one looking ignorant at the end of the line. The big boss is away, and I have several things to talk to him about, the above woman being one of them. Anyway, hopefully tomorrow will be better.
It does help to get things outside of oneself and put thoughts on paper...and the library cartoons help somehow. I am so fortunate that my colleagues are so good and often have the ability to turn a bad situation into a funny one. My office is full of comedy geniuses. I will try to share some of their output sometime!
Also at work, miscommunications/lack of communication abounded (if a lack of something can abound), with me the one looking ignorant at the end of the line. The big boss is away, and I have several things to talk to him about, the above woman being one of them. Anyway, hopefully tomorrow will be better.
It does help to get things outside of oneself and put thoughts on paper...and the library cartoons help somehow. I am so fortunate that my colleagues are so good and often have the ability to turn a bad situation into a funny one. My office is full of comedy geniuses. I will try to share some of their output sometime!
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
iPoding
I have ordered an iPod, which (sadly) I am rather excited about. It is almost my first foray into music downloads. The last time I tried it was a semi-successful go with Kazaa 3 years ago. So, it will be interesting to learn about some 'new' (well, new to me) technology.
I've transferred most of this blog so far from another site, as I thought it would be more convenient to have both my blogs hosted by Blogger. I prefer the layouts here, and the site is easier to use. Even though I'm a librarian I still have my technophobic moments!
Did some more wedding-related stuff at the weekend. Have ordered bridesmaid's dress - had a less minute change of mind about the colour. It was going to be red, and now it's (indigo) blue. I think it will suit H better, but there will now be no red at the wedding! Instead of red roses we've gone for cerise ones - I know it sounds bad, but they look good in real life! We went to see the florist in the afternoon. Decided on the cerise roses, and cream ones and...thistles! Hopefully it will work out ok! The florist knows what she's doing anyway.
Got my jumpers out today, and wore a scarf to work for the first time this year. Must be Autumn....
"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness"...I can't remember who wrote that. Possibly John Betjeman...I will find out.
I've transferred most of this blog so far from another site, as I thought it would be more convenient to have both my blogs hosted by Blogger. I prefer the layouts here, and the site is easier to use. Even though I'm a librarian I still have my technophobic moments!
Did some more wedding-related stuff at the weekend. Have ordered bridesmaid's dress - had a less minute change of mind about the colour. It was going to be red, and now it's (indigo) blue. I think it will suit H better, but there will now be no red at the wedding! Instead of red roses we've gone for cerise ones - I know it sounds bad, but they look good in real life! We went to see the florist in the afternoon. Decided on the cerise roses, and cream ones and...thistles! Hopefully it will work out ok! The florist knows what she's doing anyway.
Got my jumpers out today, and wore a scarf to work for the first time this year. Must be Autumn....
"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness"...I can't remember who wrote that. Possibly John Betjeman...I will find out.
Train from Greenwich
The cleaner at Mr C's work is hording bogroll and bleach. There are now 30-40 large packets stored in the [building], in various locations. He uses the bleach for cleaning the floors, sinks, the tops of the desks, the coffee mugs, the kettle and the inside of the drinking water tank. He asks all the new people for their birthdays, and uses them as his lottery numbers for the week. Mr C and colleague were just unlucky, but [a previous female employee], because her birthday numbers came up a week before, and not the week he put them in, the cleaner decided was a witch.
We are now on way back at Bromley South but the train just thought it was Dover Priory. It has now come to its senses. We saw a mouse on the underground today - on the track bed. It felt the vibrations of the approaching train and ran to the side of the tracks - he must have had a little hole there.
We met parents after eating at Subway. Vege Delite. We went to the museum for tea (cup of) - mum and I had tea, men went to Nelson and Napoleon exhibition, then had tea (and cake - walnut and banana). Then mum and I went to the induction service. It is a lovely church - Hawkesmore. Large chandelier - now lit with electric 'candles'. Excellent choir - it was worth going just to hear them sing. Quite a long service - communion + loads of people. Went to pie shop afterwards. Men had pottered about while we were at church. Had veg pie and mash. D paid £7.00 for four meals (2 x double p&m, 2 x v p&m) - so either v cheap (even cheaper than usual) today or they didn't charge him enough. Could have been right as the meals are really cheap there. Compare to £8.00 for 2 subs and a drink in Subway!
We have just gone through St Mary Cray.
We watched the doc about Elizabeth I on TV on Fri(?) night. Good, esp costumes and background - Elizabethan London backdrop etc.
I am going to try to play my flute this week, to see if it helps me de-stress. I will buy a music stand from the music shop near work. I must also pay £50 into my new bank account, otherwise they might close it. I've got some Diet Coke in a can, which I've not had for a long time. I love the Tube map. I could look at it for ages. I love the layout, and the names of all the stations - they (many of them) hint at the history of their particular corner of London. A great book to write would be a history of London using the Tube map, but it's probably already been done.If I ever feel I have the time (feeling I don't have the time is not the same as not having the time) I will investigate.
We are now on way back at Bromley South but the train just thought it was Dover Priory. It has now come to its senses. We saw a mouse on the underground today - on the track bed. It felt the vibrations of the approaching train and ran to the side of the tracks - he must have had a little hole there.
We met parents after eating at Subway. Vege Delite. We went to the museum for tea (cup of) - mum and I had tea, men went to Nelson and Napoleon exhibition, then had tea (and cake - walnut and banana). Then mum and I went to the induction service. It is a lovely church - Hawkesmore. Large chandelier - now lit with electric 'candles'. Excellent choir - it was worth going just to hear them sing. Quite a long service - communion + loads of people. Went to pie shop afterwards. Men had pottered about while we were at church. Had veg pie and mash. D paid £7.00 for four meals (2 x double p&m, 2 x v p&m) - so either v cheap (even cheaper than usual) today or they didn't charge him enough. Could have been right as the meals are really cheap there. Compare to £8.00 for 2 subs and a drink in Subway!
We have just gone through St Mary Cray.
We watched the doc about Elizabeth I on TV on Fri(?) night. Good, esp costumes and background - Elizabethan London backdrop etc.
I am going to try to play my flute this week, to see if it helps me de-stress. I will buy a music stand from the music shop near work. I must also pay £50 into my new bank account, otherwise they might close it. I've got some Diet Coke in a can, which I've not had for a long time. I love the Tube map. I could look at it for ages. I love the layout, and the names of all the stations - they (many of them) hint at the history of their particular corner of London. A great book to write would be a history of London using the Tube map, but it's probably already been done.If I ever feel I have the time (feeling I don't have the time is not the same as not having the time) I will investigate.
Train to Greenwich
I first wrote this on paper whilst on the train today...
On the way to Greenwich to meet parents to talk about looking after the house when they are away and also to collect post and also to go to Rev. X's induction into is new church (4pm). It is going to take us two hours to get from home to Greenwich, due to engineering works. Cannot believe it! M did not look at what time their train arrives, so they are not arriving til 2.15pm. We're getting there for 1.30pm - we hope. Hopefully pies from Goddards for lunch. Parents bringing sandwiches as they don't think there will be time for lunch before the service. D and Mr C not going to the service so not sure what they are going to do. Hopefully we will have time for tea afterwards at the Chinese. We may not get back til 8.40pm. I am not happy about this. But there is nothing we can do about it.
I am too tired for travelling so much - work tomorrow, which is getting busier all the time.
We've just passed Limehouse, and passed the church where I went with H to see about her wedding licence. Now we are going out of London to Greenwich. We went to Blackfriars and on the District Line to Embankment, the Northern Line to Charing Cross. It's a nice sunny day. My parents should have arrived at X five minutes ago. We should be at Greenwich in five minutes. We have just stopped at Deptford - where C Marlowe was killed.
We had to get off the train.
On the way to Greenwich to meet parents to talk about looking after the house when they are away and also to collect post and also to go to Rev. X's induction into is new church (4pm). It is going to take us two hours to get from home to Greenwich, due to engineering works. Cannot believe it! M did not look at what time their train arrives, so they are not arriving til 2.15pm. We're getting there for 1.30pm - we hope. Hopefully pies from Goddards for lunch. Parents bringing sandwiches as they don't think there will be time for lunch before the service. D and Mr C not going to the service so not sure what they are going to do. Hopefully we will have time for tea afterwards at the Chinese. We may not get back til 8.40pm. I am not happy about this. But there is nothing we can do about it.
I am too tired for travelling so much - work tomorrow, which is getting busier all the time.
We've just passed Limehouse, and passed the church where I went with H to see about her wedding licence. Now we are going out of London to Greenwich. We went to Blackfriars and on the District Line to Embankment, the Northern Line to Charing Cross. It's a nice sunny day. My parents should have arrived at X five minutes ago. We should be at Greenwich in five minutes. We have just stopped at Deptford - where C Marlowe was killed.
We had to get off the train.
Wedding stuff
Hello, today I have actually done some wedding-related stuff. This is quite a relief as I/we hadn't done much for a while, and parents are getting twitchy. So today I phoned the photographer (not in but will ring back), took some people off the guest list (sorry guys) and we decided on favours for guests. At least a few things done. Also yesterday booked appointment at dress shop to look at bridesmaids' dresses with H, and will ask mum to make an appointment at the florists for a couple of weeks' time. Will be phoning her tonight.
Need to get in touch with person making the invitations. They are supposed to go out at the end of October, and I would like to see an example of one before she sends them. The person making them is a friend from Uni who is good at that sort of thing, as well as being reliable.
Things still to do/book:
- Photographer (will hopefully be done tomorrow)
- Flowers
- Cake
- Send invites
- Place cards
- Honeymoon hotel
- Evening meal booking (half-done)...
I phoned the potential restaurant last night to make a booking, but the wedding is not til Feb, and they said they don't take bookings so far in advance, so they have pencilled us in. I have to ring back to check next week, after the guy has had a word with his boss to check it's ok. We will be 17-20 people, so it is quite a few for them to fit in. Wouldn't have tried to book so early, but Dad thought we should. Poor Dad, I think he is worrying about quite a few things to do with the wedding at the moment - hence we are trying to get some stuff done to appease him and reduce his worry-load.
Anyway, in other news, my boss has got a new job (I may have said this before), and she will not be operating in our department at all for the next couple of months while she gets settled into her new role, and sorts stuff out. As a result, her jobs have been divided up between different people, and so far I am going to be looking after her people with 'comments' aka complaints, problems etc. These include mainly people who haven't paid their fines and have found various reasons why they think we should waive them (much like the aforementioned member of staff). So, could be fun! By the end of the 2 months the powers that be should have some more idea of how the plan is going to do, what roles people will be taking on etc., so then I will have more of an idea of what I will be doing on a more permanent basis. Also, I may have a new boss, if they replace the old one! So, interesting times ahead!
If anyone knows where I can get personalised chopsticks could they please let me know? Thanks.
L
Need to get in touch with person making the invitations. They are supposed to go out at the end of October, and I would like to see an example of one before she sends them. The person making them is a friend from Uni who is good at that sort of thing, as well as being reliable.
Things still to do/book:
- Photographer (will hopefully be done tomorrow)
- Flowers
- Cake
- Send invites
- Place cards
- Honeymoon hotel
- Evening meal booking (half-done)...
I phoned the potential restaurant last night to make a booking, but the wedding is not til Feb, and they said they don't take bookings so far in advance, so they have pencilled us in. I have to ring back to check next week, after the guy has had a word with his boss to check it's ok. We will be 17-20 people, so it is quite a few for them to fit in. Wouldn't have tried to book so early, but Dad thought we should. Poor Dad, I think he is worrying about quite a few things to do with the wedding at the moment - hence we are trying to get some stuff done to appease him and reduce his worry-load.
Anyway, in other news, my boss has got a new job (I may have said this before), and she will not be operating in our department at all for the next couple of months while she gets settled into her new role, and sorts stuff out. As a result, her jobs have been divided up between different people, and so far I am going to be looking after her people with 'comments' aka complaints, problems etc. These include mainly people who haven't paid their fines and have found various reasons why they think we should waive them (much like the aforementioned member of staff). So, could be fun! By the end of the 2 months the powers that be should have some more idea of how the plan is going to do, what roles people will be taking on etc., so then I will have more of an idea of what I will be doing on a more permanent basis. Also, I may have a new boss, if they replace the old one! So, interesting times ahead!
If anyone knows where I can get personalised chopsticks could they please let me know? Thanks.
L
Hello Tuesday!
Tuesday! Today was quite good. Lots of amusement in the office. I am going to get more responsibility now Boss has got a promotion - not sure if I will get the pay rise to go with it though. Hmm. Well, you never know. I always seem to write my blog on a Tuesday night. I wonder why that is. The TV is really loud. Maybe it's just the adverts.
And now it's the news. Apparantly it is bad syntax to start a sentence with 'and'. I am not so sure.
Had driving lesson today. It was ok, although I stalled in the middle of a roundabout, which was a bit dangerous! Did a good reverse round a corner though. I actually prefer the manouveres to driving around, which I believe is unusual.
Annual check up at the hospital for heart on Friday. Not sure what doctor will say as I couldn't do the MRI scan.
You know what? Sometimes I think about stuff that is happening in the world and for a moment I think it was a bad dream, but then I realise it is reality. For example, terrorism, Iraq etc. I always thought the 'good' side would win, but my own country isn't doing the right thing, and we are not safe anymore. I'm not really very old, but the world has changed so much since I was a child, even since I was at University. Such a different world now. Shame we didn't realise how fortunate we were then.
Does anyone know the song 'The night I heard Caruso sing'? One line says 'I thought of having children but I've gone and changed my mind'. (See below). That's how I feel 99% of the time. I don't think it is a good idea to bring children into this world. Maybe things will get better though. We will see.
It's a beautiful song. Apparantly it is on the album Idlewild (the album by Everything But The Girl, not the band Idlewild)
I'm sorry this post is so negative. Maybe it's cos I watch the news whilst I write!
And now it's the news. Apparantly it is bad syntax to start a sentence with 'and'. I am not so sure.
Had driving lesson today. It was ok, although I stalled in the middle of a roundabout, which was a bit dangerous! Did a good reverse round a corner though. I actually prefer the manouveres to driving around, which I believe is unusual.
Annual check up at the hospital for heart on Friday. Not sure what doctor will say as I couldn't do the MRI scan.
You know what? Sometimes I think about stuff that is happening in the world and for a moment I think it was a bad dream, but then I realise it is reality. For example, terrorism, Iraq etc. I always thought the 'good' side would win, but my own country isn't doing the right thing, and we are not safe anymore. I'm not really very old, but the world has changed so much since I was a child, even since I was at University. Such a different world now. Shame we didn't realise how fortunate we were then.
Does anyone know the song 'The night I heard Caruso sing'? One line says 'I thought of having children but I've gone and changed my mind'. (See below). That's how I feel 99% of the time. I don't think it is a good idea to bring children into this world. Maybe things will get better though. We will see.
"The highlands and the lowlands are the routes my father knows,the holidays
at Oban and the towns around Montrose,but even as he sleeps, they're loading
bombs into the hills,and the waters in the lochs can run deep, but never still.
I've thought of having children, but I've gone and changed my mind.It's
hard enough to watch the news, let alone explain it to a child,to cast your eye
cross nature, over fields of rape and corn,and tell him without flinching not to
fear where he's been born.
Then someone sat me down last night, and I heard Caruso sing.He's
almost as good as Presley, and if I only do one thing,I'll sing songs to my
father, I'll sing songs to my child.It's time to hold your loved ones while the
chains are loose,and the world runs wild.
But even as we speak, they're loading bombs onto a white train.How can
we afford to ever sleep, so sound again."
It's a beautiful song. Apparantly it is on the album Idlewild (the album by Everything But The Girl, not the band Idlewild)
I'm sorry this post is so negative. Maybe it's cos I watch the news whilst I write!
Lily and Rose
Yesterday, I did some stuff on the family tree. I put in all the people I know about, or am vaguely aware of, then decided to look at the 1901 Census. After a few attempts I found my great-grandmother's household, which was quite exciting. There were nine people - my great-great grandmother, her children, her eldest son's wife and their child. My great-grandmother was a twin. My g-g grandmother was listed as head of the household, so not sure what happened to her husband. Maybe he had already died.
I can't believe it is Sunday night already. Monday again tomorrow (sorry to state the obvious!) I do actually like my job, but am not so keen on the commute.
Well, only five days til the weekend again. Hoping to meet with a friend from uni, but she might not be free.
Hopefully we will book the hotel for the honeymoon tomorrow. We're staying with Mr C's family in Malaysia for a bit, but we're also going to Singapore for a couple of days. If I'm still doing this blog then I'll tell you all about it!
L
I can't believe it is Sunday night already. Monday again tomorrow (sorry to state the obvious!) I do actually like my job, but am not so keen on the commute.
Well, only five days til the weekend again. Hoping to meet with a friend from uni, but she might not be free.
Hopefully we will book the hotel for the honeymoon tomorrow. We're staying with Mr C's family in Malaysia for a bit, but we're also going to Singapore for a couple of days. If I'm still doing this blog then I'll tell you all about it!
L
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