Bored

I am bored out of my mind. I've never had time off work before. I've had time off sick (and quite a lot of it when I worked in the banks, yet none since starting my new job in March) and I've had time off to go to Edinburgh and the odd few days here and there, but this is a whole new league of boredom. I can't even be bothered to go shopping. It's far too busy. I was planning to go to Southampton to see James and Lucy and perhaps up to Nottingham for new year but the weather's a bit too cold and I don't want to drive when it's icy. The good news is that Kerry is on her way back from Bristol as we speak so I am going to go round hers to help her construct furniture and then maybe go and meet Suzanne and Nalini for a quick drink and say hi to everyone. New years eve is still a blank but I know I will be somewhere in London. I'm at my brother's house at the moment loading songs onto Jack and he's now about two thirds full. I've got loads of comedy loaded too which is ace. He's just wandered into the lounge to discover that I am watching Star Wars on TV and he can't believe I didn't tell him it was on. He has the trilogy on VHS and I got him the Gold edition DVD boxset for his birthday and he's seen it a million times so I'm not sure why he's bothered to have missed 30 mins of something he's already seen. So back to my new years eve plans. It's going to be a mixture of Kerry and Suzanne at the moment. It'll be ok whatever I do but if I go to Suz's it'll be mostly couples which won't make for much fun when the clock strikes midnight. I know where I'd like to be and who I'd like to be with but that doesn't seem very realistic at the moment.

I've planned this week quite badly I spose. I really should have planned stuff to do although I spose it's nice to do nothing. I spent the first few days in bed til 1pm so I've forced myself awake at 9am for the past two days. The last thing I want to do is become nocturnal in the space of a few days. It'll be bad enough getting up for work on Tuesday. I need to go and visit Tom's house too and see if he still wants me to move in if I like it. I am really excited about the prospect of living really close to town - and to work. Suzanne has pretty much moved me in already. She and Nalini only live about 5 mins away from where I could potentially be living so she has enlisted me to do some marathon training but I can't quite see that happening. It would be very exciting. Kathryn says that as far as she remembers Tom's house is really nice and she found her way to the tube quickly and easily (she was incredibly hungover). Even if the room is as small as Kez's I don't think I'll really care so long as I can fit a bed and some drawers in. Best not get too excited about it though.

And I wonder when my first trip to Glasgow will be? That's very exciting too. And it's nearly my birthday. I am thinking of dropping the comedy idea and just getting a room in a pub - then I can sit down and make sure I get to talk to everyone. It'll be interesting to see who comes along. I've made sure most of my friends know to keep 21st free. It'll be three weeks on new years eve. God, I'm boring myself now. I'm going to nip into the office on my way to Kerry's so I can get my password for picking up my work emails online. I should have taken it with me but totally forgot. I might be able to do some work over the next few days if I have it. I can certainly email a few people anyway.

Boredy boredy bored. I'm waiting for Kerry to call me so I can jump on a train. I spose I'd better drive home so I can get the train from there...

I'll write about Xmas another time. It was a normal Xmas. Fairly hard work mum-wise and it was over in a flash.

Last night

Ended at 3.30am and I made my way home on the glorious night bus. We went
dancing in a really nice little club which played very cool music indeed...
I was sorely tempted to spend the night in the office but then correctly
decided to go home. I had a really great night which lasted a surprisingly
long time. It went very quickly. And now it is 3.30pm and I have been in
the office for about 20 mins. I was rudely awakened by my brother
constantly ringing me to arrange when to meet and my nan and grand-dad's to
give them their present. My dad even got involved when we'd decided on
12.30pm, prising me out of bed at 12pm so I got there in time. Which I did.
But my bastard of a brother didn't show up til 1pm so I could have had an
extra 30 mins of sleep. Well, of trying to sleep but not being able to. So
my dad called him and gave him a b*llocking!! Ha ha ha.

I am feeling decidedly cream crackered today and am drinking peppermint tea
in the hope of cleaning out some of the toxins from my body. I made sure I
ate something small and drank a pint of water before I went to bed which I
think must have helped. I dread to think how I'd feel if I hadn't. I can't
believe it's Christmas tomorrow.. working off Regent St is beginning to make
me feel like Xmas is a permanent season... the lights have been up for
months, it'll be odd when they take them down. The crowds of people in town
today are just awful... thank god I had the sense only to leave my Xmas
shopping to the weekend before. I just got something for Sam which I am
quite pleased with so I think I am more or less done. Hooray.

Looking forward to sleeping and lazing around when I get home.

Christmas Eve Eve

Another hectic day. I am going to come into work tomorrow afternoon I
think. Still so much to do and I'd rather get it out of the way before Xmas
and relax during my week off if its still a week off - I may have to come
in and work on a new thing we've got going on. I also just spoke to little
Dan who is talking about new year's eve and going to a bar near his flat and
then wandering back. I'm not even all that interested in drinking loads,
it'll be nice to see Dan and Shirl, and of course I can go and visit a 5
months pregnant Katie Ketchup. The plans for London are either something
with Kerry which will involve not much booze, something with Poppy, Jason
and Mark which will involve a lot of alcohol and not much sleep - or
something else as yet undetermined. As long as the weather is ok to drive
then Nottingham with little Dan is looking good.

It is so frantic here today and very exciting. I love it here so much, I am
so lucky. But I like to think I deserved a break from banking after nearly
6 years of being unhappy. We are currently drinking wine and eating the
nibbles that we didn't get through at Sal's last night. I am off to meet
someone at 7pm and then another hectic day tomorrow... and I still have to
get a main present for Sam... bloodyhell.

Oh I meant to say, when my mum dropped me into Bromley yesterday morning
when my train was cancelled, we were sitting at traffic lights and something
dropped onto the roof of the car. We both jumped and I said it must be a
branch. Then something else hit and my mum said "fuckinghell" and I
couldn't believe it!! I am going to get a lot of mileage out of that!! She
soon apologised but I was too tired to start taking the piss!!

Today has been such a brilliant day. The best I've had in ages. Loads has
happened work-wise and also non work-wise and then tonight is going to be
great too. I've totally swung the other way and have decided not to go home
and get my car but to get a cab home on expenses so I can get there with
everyone else and have a bit of a drink, but not too much cos I am going out
for more drinks tomorrow night and that's how things get out of control. It
would be silly not to take up the offer of free food, drink and cab! I
texted Julian to wish them luck for the awards tonight, I'll have my fingers
and toes crossed for them - unfortunately I won't be going to this one so
someone else will have to do the honours with the Boosh stickers!

I'm in the mood for dancing...

Went out with uni mates to one of my usual Soho haunts last night. It was
really brilliant seeing everyone again and as a result I have a possible
place to live in North London - just need to go and check out the room. It
sounds quite small but there's a lounge with sofas and a dining room which
will make a nice change cos I spent all my time in my room whenever I'm
home. Since my parents got rid of the sofa and brought in uncomfortable
upholstered chairs there's no point me sitting downstairs, when I can just
lay out on my bed. And it'd be living with my friend and one other guy -
and they have a cleaner (cos they're boys). It's well within my budget and
I wouldn't be constrained to contracts so I really hope the room is nice and
the area too. It's Holloway Road-ish so that's nice and near to the Hen and
Chickens!! Tom said I could check it out for a week - that would be great
in itself. So who knows maybe I might move out some time in January!! And
another one of my friends who has more money even than my brother said he's
been looking for someone to take to Mauritius for new year. He organises
conferences and earns an absolute packet and he's been offered some all
inclusive deal for 10 days for about £650. He really wants to go so much
that he'd pay for someone to go with him. Why didn't he ask me sooner..!?
I doubt it will materialise but its a nice thought, although it's an 8 hour
flight. Nalini's family is from Mauritius and I've always wanted to go so I
might see if he really meant it!! So long as its a twin room..!

Drank a lot of Cobra and Tiger beer last night - those massive bottles and I
felt completely exhausted on the train on the way home. It was double
freezing as I walked home from the station - so much so that today I have my
hat and I intend to wear that and my parka on the way home tonight. Going
round to Sal's to watch The Last Chancers - can't wait!! And the British
Comedy Awards are on tonight too so fingers crossed for the Boosh. I'm not
hungover today which is great, I'm just knackered but that's mainly due to
Connex South East. I was going to have an extra 40 mins in bed and just be
10 mins late but I decided to be good and get in early to sort stuff out.
But when I got to the station my train was cancelled and the next one wasn't
for 40 mins. Jumped in the car with my mum cos she was heading to Bromley
and after getting stuck in heavy traffic I managed to get to Bromley South
and got on a fast train to Victoria and then jumped on a bus. I hate the
tube, buses are much comfier and you can see where you're going. I was
about 10 mins late in the end so I should have just got up late. I might
just get the later tomorrow. Will save me buggering around if the train is
cancelled again. Last day at work tomorrow - hooray!! Although there is a
chance we'll have to come in to work on something that we're 50% sure is
going to happen... that is if I'm not in Mauritius of course!! Ha ha.

Xmas Cheer

Our Xmas drinks last night were brilliant! It was really nice the five of us just sitting round on the sofas eating nibbles and drinking wine. I had a glass of champagne and a vodka and coke and then didn't fancy drinking any more. We also found out that we are all getting a crimble bonus which I cannot believe!! It's not a huge amount of money but I wasn't expecting it at all and I think I'm going to put it to one side and either go on a weekend break (if I can find someone who fancies it) or put it towards a new computer. I've never had a Xmas bonus in my life...

I am really tired today. Yet again I didn't drag my arse out of bed until 8.40am which is one of the best things about my job and starting work at 10am. I have to brave the post office in a while... have a package to send to my uncle and my new aunt full of birthday treats. I bought him the flying book that I got cos he is scared of it, not that he has tried it but I think he thinks he has claustrophobia too cos he doesn't like trains either according to my dad. Someone bought him a return ticket to New Zealand as a wedding gift so he's going to have to get on a plane at some point. I am really looking forward to seeing him lots next year when I go up and down to Glasgow.

Change of plan...

Apparently we're having Xmas drinks in the office tonight so shopping is going to have to be postponed. I can see it being postponed until Xmas eve now... And then on Wednesday we are all going round Sal's to watch the show going out live on telly to have more drinks so that's three work Xmas dos. Nice. And that's not counting our work outing to Jeremy Lion's Xmas show.

I just spoke to the guy I have a crush on, on the phone. He is way out of my league but I can dream. He is far too good looking for me for a start, not that I am putting myself down but he really is gorgeous, he has eyes you can get lost in and from what I saw, he has a very nice body too. And relax. He is very intelligent, creative and a few years younger than me too. You didn't need to know all that but its nice for me if I come to read back over this. I haven't fancied anyone nice for ages.

Anyways... heard from my mum and she is ok, she said she's in a lot of pain which isn't good, obviously, but she should be ok in a few days. She's planning on dragging me round the shops on Xmas eve so she obviously anticipates a speedy recovery. Me, Rob and Sam are going round my Nan and Grand-dad's on Xmas eve too, to deliver their Xmas present which is the same as we got them last year. A home made hamper made up of their favourite things, which is quite a mish mash given they have very odd taste. We'll probably take them out for lunch too.

I am a bit bored this afternoon. Its really freezing in London - there was ground frost when I left the house today and even with a parka, gloves and scarf I was still very cold. And even when I popped out at lunch it was still freezing. I reckon we're going to have a white christmas in London this year. That'd be ace except I am hoping to drive round to see David and his friends on Xmas day. I'll see how many Xmas lunches I can have - like the episode of Vicar Of Dibley that I saw last night.

Morrissey

Wow - what an amazing weekend. Let me start with the best bit of the weekend which was seeing Morrissey at Earls Court. It took a while for the arena to fill up and then the lights went out and there was a real buzz of excitement. The back drop came down to reveal big letters spelling the great man's name which then lit up. The music started, the band came on with Mozza, took a bow and then ran to their corners of the stage and started to play How Soon Is Now? I nearly fell over, I never thought I'd ever hear that song live and it was just incredible. Morrissey's voice is amazing - H was looking at the big screens to make sure he wasn't miming. He came out dressed all in black but for a dog collar and throughout the evening changed his shirt about three times. At one point he took his shirt off in full view of our beady eyes and threw it into the crowd. His between song banter was really funny and he'd give clues as to what the next song would be. He asked if we had all done our Xmas shoplifting yet and I thought he couldn't possibly be about to play Shoplifters Of The World but he did!! Every time he started to play an old Smiths or Morrissey song I jumped up and down with excitement. And when he came on to do an encore and started to play Last Night I Dreamt, I couldn't believe it. That is the song whose lyrics I posted up on here a month or so ago, but he played it without the 1m 56 build up. It was quite a quick gig - about an hour and 15 mins but I don't think it would have been long enough even if he'd played til midnight. I was hoping for Hairdresser On Fire or Sister I'm A Poet but maybe next time... he did say there are goodbyes and there are farewells... and I'm saying farewell.... MORRISSEY ROCKS!!

Here's the setlist.

How Soon Is Now
First of the Gang to Die
November Spawned a Monster
Daddy's Voice
I Like You
Redondo Beach
Let Me Kiss You
Munich Air Disaster
Bigmouth
Friday Mourning
The More You Ignore Me
I Have Forgiven Jesus
Irish Blood, English Heart
Shoplifters
Crashing Bores
There Is A Light
You Know I Couldn't Last
Encore: Last Night I Dreamt

Aqualung was a far more civilised affair, sitting down in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the Southbank. We caught the end of the first band on who were quite a mellow bunch and by complete coincidence were playing a Smiths song... can't remember which one but it will come back to me. Then Matt Hales came on to introduce the next person which happened to be his little brother, the gorgeous Ben Hales. He has released an album (which I have and is brilliant) and introduce Duke Special (the "special" N. Irish singer who supported the last tour and was fairly boring) to sing the song. He has got a lovely voice and Ben's song sounded lovely. Then Matt came back and said he was contacted by a singer to write some songs... he introduced Melanie Blatt who was ok - obviously the songs were good cos Matt helped write them... then Duke Special came and entertained us with his own songs, ably assisted by Ben Hales. It was a bit of a Hales love-in. Then came the mighty aqualung who played the two B-sides I was hoping for, and Tongue-Tied but not Extraordinary Thing which H was hoping for. Another gig that should have gone on and on and on and on. It was a lovely cultural evening.

On Sunday I got up at about 11.30am and caught the bus into Bromley to do a bit of Xmas shopping. On Saturday I nipped into W. Wickham but there wasn't really anything that would have done for Xmas presents. Still, its good to support local businesses if you can. Managed to get a fair bit in Brommers but still have lots to do. I have to stop myself from spending too much money on people. I love buying presents but I really can't afford it... I got Kerry what I was trying to get from John Lewis but from somewhere else and I got a few things for most people. I always feel I've let myself down if I don't get nice presents but that's just stupid. Thinking of braving Oxford St after work tonight but I value my life too much so I might give it a miss. Ended up staying in last night rather than seeing some comedy that I really wanted to see, but as a result I feel fairly refreshed today.

My road at home isn't very Xmassy at all. Not that I can complain cos its not like we have any decorations up. We have the Xmas tree and that's about it. Mum won't let us have lights because obviously they will catch alight and burn the house down. The WW high street lights are by no means a threat to Regent St either... in fact walking home from the station to my house isn't Xmassy at all. We put fairly lights and rope lights up around the office on Friday and we have two silver Xmas trees too - I also have fake snow resting on my monitor - so there is a Xmas vibe going on here but it's still not sunk in that the big day is on saturday. We're going round to Sam's mum and dad so we are guaranteed loads of nice food.

My mum went into hospital this morning. She should be ok - if there was even a chance of her not being then she'd have gone on and on about it by this stage. She didn't even make me give her a kiss before I went to work this morning so I am taking that as a good sign. I hate hospitals, they make me feel ill. Visiting my grand-dad last year was a first for me and didn't do much to change my mind. When I went a month or so ago it was ok but I was an out-patient and it was a newly built hospital which was actually very nice indeed. She should be calling me early afternoon to tell me what's going on so fingers crossed.

Very busy at work still, really looking forward to having so much time off - all of those lie-ins, brilliant!! I won't know what to do with myself - want to pop up to Nottingham for some sales shopping and to see Kate before she drops, and also down to Southampton to see James and Lucy so hopefully I can do all that in a week and a bit. Have to pop round to Suzanne and Nalini's at some point too to check out their new gaff and help with painting and have a cup of tea.

Last week I saw someone who I used to really fancy and up until that point still did a little bit (despite being ruthlessly dumped). Now I am very pleased to say that I have no idea what I saw in him in the first place. Well I do, but it all seems to be an act which he can switch on and off whenever a suitable female comes along... he seems to be working his way through most of the girls I know so I am very glad to be well out of it. I'd still like to be friends and I'm sure we will be but at least that's another valuable lesson learnt. Men aren't to be trusted and in contrast to the Aqualung lyrics... it is indeed safer never to love than to risk your heart. Also another Aqualung lyric made me smile the other evening was from Tongue Tied... "lying beside you, longing to touch you," which is how I felt one night last week when I had to share my bed with someone who I always thought was really nice and very good looking but since that night have quite a large crush on. Nothing will come of it but it's nice to have someone to make your heart flutter.

Still here...

Jeez, I'm not going to have time to do anything when I get home.. I was
hoping for a relaxing night of preparation. Just as well I kind of half
packed last night. Have had to miss seeing H too which I am upset about but
then I'll see her Friday and Saturday for the two best gigs ever.

Just received a text from someone who I thought was ignoring me and didn't
want to be my friend anymore and it made me smile and lifted a weight off
me. Someone mentioned something about me on someone else's blog which
wasn't very nice so presumed that was it but perhaps there were cross wires
and propaganda. That's why my November resolution was to call people when
they text rather than texting back - if I can. I will text back on this
occasion though seeings I am too rushed to have a protracted conversation...

I am sure I'm going to forget to take something tomorrow. I have my flight
reference and passport in my bag - I have petty cash and train times to get
to stansted. I have clothes for the party and also the night after... I
think I have my hotel room to myself tomorrow night which would be good.
It'd be nice to share with Sal but if I am drunk it'll be nice not to have
to suffer in front of someone. I have my sunglasses packed too for the next
morning...and my enjoy flying book. It's going to be great - now I know how
planes work.. it's just the accelerating that makes me go a bit silly... as
far as I remember. It's been 7 years since my last flight.

I wanna go home.. its just gone 8pm. I am going to be too tired to party.
No, actually I won't. I'm never too tired to party. At this rate I'm going
to miss the bloody Last Chancers going out on E4 tonight. Typical.

Party prep

Luckily I'm not going to get home from work until quite late tonight -
therefore I'll have no time at all to think about the flight. I am more
excited than anything at the moment. I've not had a moment to think about
anything for about a month so it's crept up very quickly. I've spent today
making badges, writing Xmas cards, doing press stuff and going to the bank
and post office in preparation for tomorrow's big Xmas party. Should be
great fun, I'm really looking forward to it. We're all meeting at 10.30am
at Stansted Airport by the check in desk. I am going to make sure I'm there
by 10am. Ooh, I feel like I'm going on an adventure. I'm about half way
through my enjoy flying book so I'll finish that on the way home tonight and
on the way to the airport tomorrow. I didn't want to tell my mum I was
going until I landed but she scuppered my plans. I told her which company
we're flying with and she looked at me slightly worried which does my
f*cking head in. She's like a vortex sucking out my enthusiasm and
optimism. I can't stand people who moan and fret all the time and sadly my
mum is like that a lot of the time. I am scared of flying but I'm doing
something to get round it - I don't want to spend my entire life getting
trains everywhere.

Anyway... its 6pm now and we have so much left still to do. We've 200 Xmas
cards to send out by the end of the day.

And relax...

I think I'm going to fall asleep in a minute. That was great. Its a
strange sensation feeling a muscle going back into place.. but also
satisfying. Not seeing Lynds tonight now, might see Kez or might just go
home and lay down - even though that's how I came to be in my stiff-neck
predicament to start with!

I have forgiven jesus

Well, we went to the Frank Skinner show last night and what a surprise -
Morrissey was on. Who knew?! What a coincidence!? I jest of course. I
knew all along. I was in the same room as Morrissey and he sang his new
single twice and even smiled. He is a truly gorgeous man. It was very
exciting and I had a grin plastered across my face the whole way through. I
am honoured to have been so close to the great man and now cannot wait til
next Saturday when we see him at Earls Court. There should be quite a large
group of us heading down... H, Sophie, Neil and some others I cannot mention
for birthday surprise reasons. Sadly Morrissey didn't come into the green
room after the show - he is far too important for that. Davina McCall and
Lee Francis were there. Davina came over to us to ask if she could steal
the plate of crudites cos she was hungry and Lee Francis (Avid Merrion) was
talking in his native accent which was hilarious. Sounds like a cross
between Derby and Yorkshire which is possibly the least attractive accent in
the country. Pops and I found it v funny.

Saw JFD briefly but he had to zoom off to edit the show for tonight. He
looked fantastic and was commanding everyone's attention - it was so nice to
see him and he was on peak form. He asked me how I was, and I knew exactly
what he meant, which was sweet cos we only spoke to him for a minute before
he had to dash off. Me and Pops stayed for ages chatting, eating all the
nibbles and drinking all the wine and I ended up getting the last train home
from Waterloo. On my way to the station I picked up a message from Mark F
so gave him a call back. Despite it being nearly midnight I knew he'd be
awake or on his way home from a gig so I gave him a call and spoke to him
from the moment I got onto the train until the moment I got to the traffic
lights in West Wickham. I haven' spoken to him properly for ages and
haven't seen him for even longer. Things are going really well for him at
the moment which I am very pleased about. He's going to hang by the office
one day soon for lunch.

Joy of joys!! I just went out to get lunch and on the way down the stairs I
dropped my keys between the lining of my coat and my pocket. When I delved
down to retrieve them I found something I thought I'd lost.... my glove!!!
Hooray!! And I made an appointment at 4.30pm to go and have a 10 minute
massage. I cannot wait, it's going to be the highlight of my day. I hope
it works. It's only a tenner so I might do it regularly if they're good,
my shoulders tend to get quite knotted. It might have something to do with
my chair being a bit low down for my desk. Then again it might not. We are
doing secret santa at work so I think I'm going to buy a £10 Relax voucher
for my person. I'd love it if someone got me one of those.

Today is a good day. Its the first day in a while I've been early to work.
Since Edinburgh I've been the first one in almost every day, 20 mins early
but over the past week and a half it's all gone wrong. Can't physically
drag myself out of bed before 8.30am. It's just lucky I start work at 10am
and don't have to work in a stupid bank anymore. All in all, this year has
been one of the best ever I think. I've met so many brilliant people who
have enhanced the fun quotient of my life and have finally got a job I love
(most of the time!) Despite having a lack of cash, quality of life far
outweighs that.

I haven't bought a single Xmas present yet. I don't even know what to get
people. I am getting my hair cut on saturday (including the introduction of
a fringe - which will annoy me after about 3 minutes) at about 11am so I
think I'd better have a mosey on round the shops then. I'm not spending a
quarter as much as I usually do. I'm not getting presents for many of my
friends apart from the odd few that I see all the time or would like to see
all the time. I would list them here but a few of them read this so I don't
want to give the game away. I must remember to tell my parents not to buy
me the 2005 AA UK Road map for Xmas this year. I get one every year but the
country doesn't really change a huge amount in 365 days.

Panic on the streets of London.

Good god, do I need a massage!? My neck is absolutely killing me. I think
I stayed in bed for too long on Sunday cos I couldn't lift my head off the
pillow. I do know someone who is very good at massages but sadly I don't
have them to hand anymore. I might pop into the drop in place in Soho for a
10 minute massage later. I definitely need to do something about it.
Probably lying in bed until 8.30am every day isn't the answer. Any offers?

The Xfm gig on sunday was fantastic and I now must but the Kasabian album as
a matter of urgency. Wasn't impressed by Razorlight at all. I don't think
I've ever seen anyone quite so arrogant and full of it as Johnny Borrell.
He doesn't really have the songs to back it up either. They have a few good
songs but me and Suzanne were pretty bored through most of their set.
Embrace were good. The lead singer actually can sing despite all the
rumours that he can't. He seemed to have a point to prove too and kept
doing loads of warbling. It started at 5.30pm and we left at 11pm unable to
last any longer. I have never stood up for so long in my life. Went back
to my car and spent about 30 seconds genuinely believing that my car had
been stolen. I come to expect it every time I leave my car in London. But
then I wandered up the road a bit and found Tony. Phew.

I ended up not going out with uni mates on Saturday night. We were all a
bit lacklustre and skint so called it off. We are so rubbish. I was just
so pleased to get home and I can't begin to tell you all how ecstatic I am
that TABBY IS OUT OF THE X FACTOR - hooray!!! As Joe Cornish sarcastically
said on Sunday before introducing The Zutons, "he really does epitomise what
it means to be a rock star doesn't he?" to which 5,000 people all screamed
with venom "NO!!" So that's another weekend wasted sending texts for Steve,
G4, Paul Burrell and Joe Pasquale. I need to hide my phone from myself on
the weekend. Oh and there was the record of the year too. I voted for
Maroon 5 and Natasha Bedingfield. I'm not ashamed to admit that.

Managed not to go out on Monday night which was nice too - went home to try
and un-stiffen my neck but it's clearly not worked. Last night we went to
the monthly quiz at the Phoenix which was really funny. There was a picture
round, and audio/music round and then "general" knowledge. We did well on
the first two rounds but fell down on trivia. I stunned the team with my
knowledge of the periodic table and music sleeve designs and we managed 8th
place but we were only 7 points short of winning and 5 points short of 3rd
place. There was a small set-to when we clashed about the date of the start
of the first Gulf war. It was a really funny night, we did ok for our first
time and intend to take the prize money home next month. We were called,
quite unoriginally, "Santa's Little Helpers." Which, believe it or not, was
the best of a bad list of names we came up with.

My Morrissey tickets have come through the post for the Earls court gig
which is desperately exciting. The pair I am keeping are bulk standard
boring run of the mill tickets and the standing ones Ive sold on ebay are
beautiful. I am going to scan them and show you all how lovely they are.
In fact, I wonder who the special guests are...might have to do some
research, surely its bound to be someone brilliant! And the night before I
am seeing the delectable Aqualung which is very exciting too. Another sit
down gig which is frankly a relief after the endurance test that was the Xfm
winter wonderland.

Less than a week to go til the Xmas party too. I am thinking about the
flight now but only cos I have started reading my enjoy flying book again.
I am sure I'll be anxious and nervous but hopefully I'll avoid the panic
attack. It'll be so nice to be in Glasgow after an hour rather than six on
the train... bit of a pain to get to Stanstead but who cares. It's a new
adventure. Which I shall be repeating numerous times next year.

There also seems to be more and more things I want to go to happening on Wed
15 December. I have a plan of action and intend to fit 3 into one night...
Alternative Alternative Walk, Noel at UCL and IAFS Xmas bash. It'll take
some logistical planning but I reckon it can be done. Busy busy busy.

Working Weekend

Stayed at Kerry's last night after Spank! (You Love It!) and jumped on a bus into town with the Howard clan. I said I'd pick up a bag from Mulberrys for my brother, which is on New Bond St, so I thought I'd come into work for a bit while I'm about and have so much to do. That was at 12pm and now its nearly 4pm. Meeting uni mates in town so it seemed pointless going home. We're going out round Soho so I'll just stay here til 6.30pm and go and meet them then pop back here to pick up my stuff before going home tonight. Really looking forward to seeing everyone but also looking forward to my bed and not having to get out of it until about 2pm tomorrow. The Xfm gig starts at 5.30pm so at least I get the day to myself. I am definitely going home tonight!!

I've got loads done - tidied up the office and my desk to start with... I think that's why I feel so swamped, cos my work area is a bit of a state. When it's in order I find it easier to concentrate on other things. I think my bedroom is tidy at the moment too - not that I've spent a huge amount of time there recently. Need to work out when to move out, as I keep saying, its a reminder for me more than anything else.

On Wednesday I am going to the Frank Skinner Show recording cos a certain Manc crooner is going to be on and a certain lovely director has invited me and Pops along. If you take a look to the right and look at the countdowns you might be able to work out who it is... I will say this though... Aqualung are from down south.

I'm going to finish doing what I am doing and then head out onto Regent Street to look round a few shops before getting some food and coming back to the office to get ready to go out. I pretty much live in this place recently! I'm not going onto Oxford Street cos it looks like a complete nightmare. Its bad enough during the week, never mind at the weekend. I am very pleased with myself for coming into work today. I think it had to be done. I can get so much more done when I'm the only one in the office.

So I shall stop this and get on.

10 Print "Look Around You" 20 Goto10

I have got the Look Around You theme tune going round in my head.

Another busy day. The weeks are speeding by really quickly now. Xmas party
is drawing ever nearer but thankfully I've not had time to think about the
flight. I just need to dig out my book and I should be fine. There should
be at least 6 of us on the plane journey too so it might even be fun!!
That's in... however many days it says down the side there.

Went on the second alternative alternative walk last night and then onto
Cheese & Crackers. I'm not sure where I'm getting my energy from at the
moment. Stocks are depleting though.

YOU LOVE IT!!!

Rock On

Xmas holidays were decided today and I get Xmas eve and then the whole of the week after Xmas off work - that's the most ever!! How cool. I can do stuff and do last minute Xmas shopping instead of working in a bank like what I am used to. This is the best news ever! So my last day at work is 23rd December and I start up again on 4th Jan. Yippeeee!!

I've had a good day today. Been to visit Noel and Julian, which is becoming a frequent and welcome event, done loads of work and am generally in a good mood despite massive hang over from the LAFTAS last night. I spent ages talking to Trevor and Simon so now I can die happy. They are the nicest people in the whole wide world. Also managed not to slap Victor from BB5 round the face - that took great restraint. The cheeky girls were there and one of them was dancing with this guy who flung her around. She seemed to be enjoying it until he swept her down and banged her head on the floor. Initially I was worried for her safety but when she looked fine I began to find it as funny as everyone else. They really are very lean indeed. There isn't an inch of fat on them. And rather than looking anorexic they look quite good. I tried not to stand too near to them.

Noel and Julian were there of course and I, I mean, someone was going round putting Boosh stickers up on the loaded posters - right on the ladies rude bits. Julian seemed very impressed with my covert operations.

I've spent the train ride to work looking through some of the monstrosities
that my brother has on his itunes and are therefore on my ipod, Jack. These
include - Glen Medeiros's "Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You" as well as
the theme tune to the cartoon "Gummy Bears" and other songs that I daren't
mention or I would fear for his safety.

Had a really nice night with H last night talking endlessly about
everything. We haven't properly been out since before she went away
travelling last January so it was long-overdue. We went to the Slug and
Lettuce for a quick drink then onto a really cool Japanese place which I
will be frequenting from now on. We had this pancake thing that they make
in front of you - it was delicious and along with everything else we only
spent about £14 each. I am desperate to go back now. Have to try and
think of people to take along. I am now out every night until next
Wednesday when I will hopefully get the chance to sleep. And that includes
Sunday. I am going to have a breakdown from exhaustion. Then I start back
up again and only have 5 days of not going out (at the moment) before the
big Xmas day. I am not sure if that's such a good thing but it should be a
fun December at least and I imagine it'll go very quickly. I have more or
less nothing lined up for January or the new year which is probably just as
well. I should just about be recovered for my birthday on 21st.

Mistletoe and wine

OH MY GOD!!!! I have just found out who is coming along as a guest (of someone else who is probably more exciting!) to our Xmas party in Glasgow. I am going to have to try my best to look so cool and not go on about how much I love what this particular person does... I'd best stay away from the evil drink or it could all end in intense embarrassment. For me. As usual. I thought I recognised the name so I did a Google search along with a word which would definitely have brought his name up if it was who I thought and IT IS! And relax. He'll probably turn out to be a complete git. Still... I will be the consummate professional as usual. AAAAAAAARRRRgh! I am off to purchase a British Airways flight for the aforementioned celebrities now.

In more exciting news - there are still 3 more big bands to be announced for the Xfm show that Suzanne and I are going to this sunday. Christian has hinted numerous times and I have guessed that one of them is Babyshambles which is great - wonder who the other two might be. I am hoping for a reformed Blur and Aqualung. EEk I've just had a thought - it might be Morrissey - or The Smiths!!! (are we all beginning to understand why this blog is called The Optimist!?)

Mental Monday

An unknown number called my mobile when I was out shopping on Saturday. I missed picking it up by a matter of moments but whoever it was never left a message. I found it very frustrating. I only normally answer unknown calls during Edinburgh but was feeling bold. Another one of life's little mysteries.

I spent most of Friday night at my brother's loading CDs onto his itunes and the rest of it putting them from his PC onto Jack. Its very exciting cos I can use my CD car converter kit with it and also my mini-speakers which will be good for when I go up and down to Scotchland next year. Until I get my own imac/ibook it's not quite as exciting as I'd hoped. It's not really the Susan-specific juke box I had hoped for... Of my own taste it only has the following albums on it - 6 x Smiths, 2 x Morrissey, Delays, Suede, The Divine Comedy, Moulin Rouge, Maroon 5, Keane... the rest of it is absolute pap courtesy of my bro's appalling taste in music. He does have the new Killers album which he borrowed from his friend, which is great news cos I love them, but that is his one redeeming feature. So I have to wade through a load of Acid Jazz, Hip Hop and RnB before finding my stuff - it's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

At lunch I went for a wander round the new apple shop. As a result Jack has a nice pink leather case and a shiny new remote control. I am a bit worried about the white headphones though cos when you have them on in public it does tend to scream out "PLEASE COME AND STEAL MY IPOD!!" That'll be Mr. Apple's next cash-in idea then. So there is a slight air of anti-climax around poor little Jack. It's not his fault, it's my brother's and my lack of imac.

Learnt more about what I am going to work on in Glasgow. I've been promoted again, this time to Line Producer, which is frankly hilarious but very exciting!! I am also going to be production manager on a radio project too! Nice. That'll teach the BBC for not employing me as a trainee Radio producer - now I have TV and radio covered... mwah ha ha ha!

Mobile-less

If anyone is trying to call me or text me today and thinks I am being incredibly rude by not replying, please don't because I have continued what seems to be a monday morning tradition of leaving my mobile at home. I can still access voice messages but in this day and age people tend not to bother with voice calls and send texts instead. I count myself as one of those people. So call me at work if you're trying to get hold of me... and if you don't know my work number or where I work then you shouldn't be trying to get hold of me to start with!

Jack Morgan BSc

I had a really wierd dream last night but I can only remember the very end. I think it was an amalgamation of a number of things. Firstly I dreamt that we were in some kind of shopping centre or it might even have been the departure lounge/shopping area of an airport. For some reason me and Sharon were about to fly somewhere (which is stupid seeings we are both terrified of flying) but I (obviously) had my ipod with me and was frantically trying to download songs. We went to get some food from an Irish theme burger place. Not like supermacs which is an actual Irish burger place and is very nice indeed. This place had people putting on Irish accents for seemingly no reason at all which no-one seemed to think was ridiculous apart from us. Then I woke up. I can't remember the whole of it but I woke up feeling very confused indeed. Thankfully we never boarded the plane. Make of that what you will.

I charged my beautiful ipod (a.k.a. Jack Morgan BSc - the decision has been made) last night so he is primed and ready to go to my brother's tonight along with my entire CD collection. I skimmed through the instruction booklet and was distraught to find out that if I load songs onto Jack using a PC and then load the itunes software and use a mac to upload songs it will mean losing all the songs already loaded onto Jack. Bloody apple fascists. I wonder how soon they will market the component which means you won't have to lose your songs... and I wonder how much they'll charge for it. So now I am not sure what to do. I think I might just load on enough songs to be getting on with over this weekend and then wait to see if I ever get a laptop from work/pleasure or an imac at home. We have macs at work. I need to look into that and see if I can swap from mac to mac and still lose the songs. Grrr. I can't wait to swan around town with a tiny little Susan-specific juke box in my pocket.

I am incredibly tired at the moment. Not entirely sure why, although I think on Wednesday night I should have gone straight home - even though it was a brilliant night out. Not leaving the house this weekend other than to sit in my brothers lounge to watch telly while loading songs onto Jack. Oh and I might pop into the shops in Bromley on Saturday to cheer myself up and get a Xmas party outfit! Must make sure I find an mp3 of little mouse too - seeings that is why I plumped for the name Jack. Going to put loads of comedy onto Jack too - how exciting. But also not excited by the prospect of losing everything when I switch to a mac. There's bound to be a way around it.

I must do work on the Boosh site too this weekend... I have so much still to do. Transcribing Paul King, writing up Stuart Murphy... putting the main Boosh interview online, doing all the old stage stuff... putting the fans Boosh art up as well as a gallery and a few other new features. Have beautiful pile of Boosh CDs next to my desk waiting to be signed and sent to their expectant and dedicated owners. Also need to do some flyering and promotion for the BBC2 run. I could do with coming into work but there's no way I am doing that. I need to sit and convalesce in my room (perhaps with the odd trip to a few clothes shop to break the monotony of watching endless soap omnibuses).

I watched the climax of the Maya/Dev/Sunita story when I got in on Wednesday night and it really put me on edge. When the corner shop blew up and it seemed as though Sunita and Charlie went with it I couldn't believe it - even though it is obviously only a soap. And then when they both emerged from the flames and Maya tried to drive her car into them I was absolutely terrified and felt like I was there. It was horrible. But what a fantastic story line - Maya blowing up all of Dev's shops in turn and him not realising it til it's too late that Sunita was asleep in the last one. They ruined it at the end of Wednesday night's episode though. The final shot was of Maya's crashed car and the inferno in the corner shop in the background with Dev and Sunita in the forefront facing each other and looking tired and longingly into each other's eyes. If that had been me I would have been screaming my head off, crying and running over to the car to make sure that the bitch was dead! It was amazing. But also, not real. It is very important that we are all aware of that.

Going to spend my lunch break looking at extras for Jack. First priority is a hard case for when I inevitably drop him.

November so far

Its arrived! My lovely 20gb ipod. This is what he looks like.



It is beautiful and I will be spending
all of my free time over the coming days round my brothers house so I can
use his laptop to put songs onto it. I am undecided as to what to call my
ipod. It is currently between the following...

Number 3
Doctor Six
Little Mouse
Jack Morgan (BSc)
Tommy

I am currently liking Jack and Tommy the most.

So for my reference here is what I have been up to for the past weeks.

Wed 24 - Comedy Revolution @ Bread & Roses
Tues 23 - Stewart Lee @ Soho Theatre
Mon 22
Sun 21
Sat 20 - Caireen's for dinner
Fri 19 - Date @ Soho Theatre
Thurs 18 - Alternative Alternative Walk
Wed 17 - Keane @ Brixton Academy
Tues 16 - Keane @ Brixton Academy
Mon 15
Sun 14 - Amused Moose Camden
Sat 13 - Johnny Vegas & Friends @ Union Chapel
Fri 12 - Kerry's for dinner (and rest of weekend)
Thurs 11
Wed 10 - Bro's for dinner
Tues 9 - Worked til 8.30pm
Mon 8 -Worked til 10pm
Sun 7
Sat 6
Fri 5 - Spank (You Love It) @ Albany
Thurs 4
Wed 3 - UCL
Tues 2 - Drink with Lynds
Mon 1 - Comedy Tank @ H&C

Also finding out more details about Glasgow. I'll be going up for 2/3 days
a week starting from around the week of my birthday up until mid-February
and apparently it works out cheaper to bring me back to London for
weekends/the odd few days so that's good news and it means I can still plan
things. And I'd better get to liking flying cos its far quicker and cheaper
than trains or cars. It'll be exhausting though all that travelling and it
gets into stanstead which is an absolute pain in the arse to get home from.
Shame I don't live in North London. I'm not sure about when to think about
moving out now. On one hand it'd be great to live North so its quicker and
easier to get home from Stanstead but then is there really any point if I'll
only be there for half the time...

I've been looking at flights lots of them around january and february are
99p each way which when you add tax makes about £20 return. That's just
stupid! So if anyone fancies popping up for the weekend then that would be
nice. I'll definitely stay for one weekend so I can shop and have a wander
about. I should have *some* birthday money that'll need spending. Very
excited about the whole thing. I think.

Another stressful day today. Things are piling up but I am getting through
them gradually. I realise last night on my way home how lucky I am and how
much I love my job (most of the time). I'll have been a year in the same
job come March which is a miracle. You never know, I might even get a pay
rise so maybe then i would be best to wait til then to move out - I think
I'll be entitled to a pension on my anniversary which I think I'd better go
for. I don't have a house so I might as well have a pension as I get closer
to thirty. That's just reminded me of a Blur song - End Of A Century.

The lady at work who comes in a few times a week has decided to move into
the main office with us and sit behind me which is nice but it seems she is
one of those people who needs to think aloud, clear her throat the whole
time and basically provide a general soundtrack to everything she does. It
is beginning to drive me mad, especially now she has just added whistling
and singing to her repertoire.

Keane

I haven't got round to saying how incredible Keane were last week. I must
sit down one weekend when I can actually use the proper blogger pages to
format stuff and write everything down. I am desperately trying *well I
would if I had the time but I am still desperate to try* to find a copy of a
song called Animal which shows off his voice of perfectly.

The first night there were about 7 of us altogether which is probably the
most people I've ever been to a gig with and we were about a third of the
way back. The second night was just me and Suzanne and we managed to get
down to the second row - thanks to a cat fight which pushed everyone around
and us to the front!

They played the same set each night and the lead singer said more or less
the same things every night too. I am fairly sure they were filming a video
too which would explain that - and the fact that they wore the same shirts
both nights. I would have loved to have gone to the third night too cos it
was the last London date and the last date of the tour but I think that
would have finished me off. It is nice to go to gigs in Brixton cos its
really easy for me to get home from. Well, relatively easy. The only gigs
I have lined up now are Aqualung, Morrissey, I Am Kloot and Embrace - oh and
the Xfm winter wonderland which should be great - the confirmed acts so far
are Razorlight, Embrace, The Departure, The Zutons, Kasabian and the band
which wins Christian's Rock School. I have voted for Outlaw so fingers
crossed for them!

Porn

Ended up going to the meeting where we mainly talked about porn. Very
educational indeed. I didn't have a huge amount to contribute to the
debate!

So much to do...

I went on a course at the very last minute on Friday. My bosses decided to
get me on it at 11am, I got there at 11.30am but the course had started at
10am. I didn't seem to miss much and everyone seemed very nice when i got
there given that I was an hour and a half late. I don't think I learnt all
that much more than I did on the first part of the course a month or so ago
but it did consolidate everything I learnt. It was good but I really didn't
want to spend any time out of the office when I didn't have to. When I
walked through Carnaby St today I realised it was the first time in ages
that I've been out at lunchtime. Which is probably for the best given all
the tempting shops round here. I am going to have to try preventitive
measures with my cold as well cos there's no way I can take time off ill. I
used to think I was quite good at prioritising but I seem to be awful at it
when everything is due at once. Whichever task I do it always seems to be
the wrong one. I'll get there in the end. I am taking on a massive task at
the beginning of next year. It is exciting but also very scary cos it's
totally beyond me - and that's not just me being modest. It is! It'll be
a steep learning curve but if I get the credit for the job I'll be doing
then that'll be amazing.

We are supposed to be having a meeting this afternoon too but I'll have to
skip that - and I am trying to organise a uni reunion but I'm going to have
to pass that onto someone else as well. I had to miss going to Nottingham
last weekend cos of the icy roads so I might give it a go this weekend -
just the saturday for a night. But not if the roads are icy again.
Apparently Kate's bump is showing so I'll have to go and see that to believe
it! No rest for the wicked.

Coming down with something...

I am liking this pink template a lot. It ties in well with the new pinkness
of my wardrobe.

I cleverly lost all my links when I changed the template of my blog the last
time so I am slowly rebuilding them. I need to locate my countdown code as
well cos I have no idea how many days there are until I see Aqualung and
Morrissey and I *need* to know.

Christmas is looming very bloody quickly. There are about 5 weeks to go I
believe - must get a countdown for that too. My mum is on about getting a
bigger tree this year. I normally buy so many presents for everyone that
they don't all fit under the tree but I think if we have a bigger tree this
year it's going to go the other way. I'm not really spending very much at
all - cos I don't have wads of cash like I did last year. I am getting my
parents two things which can fit in envelopes and then probably not much
more. I am getting my brother a couple of DVDs (hopefully using a friend's
discount) and I have no idea about Sam. Other than that I am only buying
substantial presents for my Uncle and new Aunt and my Nan and Grand-dad. We
got a load of their favourite food and drink and made them their own special
hamper last year (another one of my amazing ideas - feel free to steal) so I
might do that myself this year.

I worked out the other day that between now and Xmas there I currently only
have 14 evenings where I don't already have something to do or somewhere to
go. That is an exciting prospect which will probably leave my bank account
even more worse for wear.

Fantastic news today. After a mere 2 months of waiting, Boots.com have
FINALLY said they are processing my refund. However, this still hasn't come
through. I bought the medium sized ipod from John Lewis last night using the
card which should receive the refund so when everything has gone through it
should leave me about £80 to play with. I am going to ask for ipod
accessories and money for Xmas so I should be fully kitted out by the new
year. Speaking of which, I should find out when I am off over Xmas.
According to the schedule of the production I will be managing there are 2
weeks off over Xmas but I doubt that applies to me, just the producer. I
think the old jaunt up to Glasgow is more or less definite now, just waiting
to find out when I'll be off and for how long. It could potentially be over
my birthday in which case they should fly me back. Or I may volunteer to
pay the extra and get the train! All depends on how the flight in 3 weeks
times goes. Well, more on how I feel rather than how it goes cos obviously
it'll be fine. I need to dig out my book again.

I've just got back from my lunchtime wander down Carnaby Street and saw Sam
from the second series of Pop Idol who was presumably filming inserts for
TOTP Saturday. He tried to stop me but I rushed on by. I am beginning to
look a bit pale and ill. I can feel the cold coming on... hopefully I'll
get it out of the way for the excitement of next week. And from next week
it really is going out more or less the whole way up to Xmas. So if you
have any invitations for me and Kerry to come to your Xmas parties, best let
us know asap!!

Did nothing at the weekend except drive to Caireens with some food and then
watched DVDs and drove home again.

Manic Monday

I had a really lovely weekend in central London which has made me even more
determined to move out in the new year. Must work out how on earth I am
going to afford it. I am doing it even if it means bankruptcy! If only
someone would just give me wads of cash. That would help speed things along
a bit. I am looking at Paddington/Kings X/Tufnell Park/Kensington *dream
on* - anywhere walkable to work. Or at least busable from all parts of
central London at all times of the day and night.

Had a bit of a panic this afternoon when Suzanne emailed to see what time we
are meeting at Brixton tonight for Keane. I've not been home since Friday
morning and I'm really tired, haven't washed my hair, have a rucksack full
of my life to carry and don't have any Keane tickets on me so I prayed that
she was wrong. And she was, thank goodness. Suz had written it in her
diary under the wrong day, it's tomorrow and Wednesday that we're going.
Must dig out the tickets for the wednesday gig tonight. I haven't been to a
music gig in ages, probably since before the festival. That's most unlike
me. Must go to more. It's at Brixton too which is nice cos its quite easy
for me to get home from there. Morrissey and Aqualung are coming up of
course. I've been banging on about those for a while now.

On Friday I went straight to Kerry's after work and she had dinner ready for
me, bless her - she will make someone an excellent wife - and then we went
for a wander about and ended up by the canal and then in the Canal Cafe pub.
Newsrevue was on and we were glad not to be going and Kez was especially
glad not to be in it - I really like how they've done the pub up, its much
nicer than before. It used to be a bit of an old man's pub. We sat
drinking tap water for about 30 mins then got restless and walked home to
have some peppermint tea before bed. I think they might find they have one
ashtray less than they thought - that's all I'm saying.

Saturday was spent in a cafe in Camden thinking of ideas for our sitcom and
they flowed quite freely seeings most of it is from our real lives and the
real people around us. We had more peppermint tea and a snack before
heading into the market. We found an amazing shop which sold really
beautiful tops and found ourselves buying Kylie style tops - I have no idea
when I will ever wear mine though. It is pretty glam and almost entirely
backless. And everything was quite cheap so we're going to have to head
back there one day soon and do the whole market. Met Suzanne for the Johnny
Vegas benefit at the Union Chapel later on that evening and we were all very
disappointed and cold and a bit bored. Johnny was compering and he was just
awful. He went on for so long that we lost the will to live at about 10pm
and left. Suzanne jumped on a bus and Kerry and I decided to wander back to
see if anyone good was on and managed to catch the end of the wonderful Lee
Mack. Mo Mowlam was there cos she

We woke up quite late on Sunday but walked all the way from Paddington to
Fulham Road to go to the cinema to watch Bridget Jones which was more of the
same but still very funny. Then we walked back again, had a quick
peppermint tea and a sit down and then were off back out to Camden to the
Amused Moose.

At the gig in Camden last night you could hear the music being played
downstairs and all of a sudden my ear tuned into "Girl Afraid" and all I
wanted to do was go downstairs and dance. Kerry and I didn't quite make it
to a dancing establishment over the weekend which was a shame but we did
spend most of our time in the flat listening to "More More More" by Rachel
Stevens on repeat. And drinking peppermint tea. As you may have gathered.

Got to work for about 9.30am today which was good. Took half an hour on the
bus. I am going to live round Paddington. Ideally in the million pound
flats like Kez's but that is clearly never going to happen. Unless I find
myself a rich boyfriend or something. I'll buy a lottery ticket this week.
Even a tenner would come in handy.

Been very busy at work today and it's been ups and downs - meeting Dave
after work for a quick coffee and then heading straight home. Cannot wait.
I can;t remember what state I left my room in though. It's always a
surprise... It'll be nice to be home with all my creature comforts. And in
my own bed. And the lovely power shower....

Morrissey Tickets spare

If anyone reading this wants to buy 2 standing tickets to see Morrissey on
18 Dec email me cos I have a spare set. They cost £77 altogether with
booking fee. It's drawing ever closer and I am getting ever excited. Had
more excitement today - probably more exciting than seeing Morrissey - but I
won't reveal that until the day of the event - in a few weeks. Suffice to
say I am digging out my sexiest dress for the occasion!

Morrissey and Aqualung within two days is just too much for a girl to deal
with. December is going to be ace. I am going to make it ace. Can't say
November has been all that much cop. Not as bad as August though.
Obviously.

Manic Thursday

I'm still so bloody busy. And my headache is worsening, I think it might be
something to do with my glasses, I'm not really sure - either that or my
sleeping pattern being a bit wierd. I can normally fall asleep anywhere
within about 10 minutes (so long as I can lay on my front) but recently its
been taking me a while to drift off and I've been waking up a lot during the
night. I'm like a bloody baby. "For god's sake, he's only a baby..." (That
will probably only make sense to one other person who might be reading
this).

Finally managed to take my top back to Monsoon and get my £55 back rather
than having the same top in two sizes. That would have proved a very costly
mistake. Just got back there within the 28 days limit. I am still awaiting
my bloody Boots ipod refund. Bastards.

I haven't had a chance to even breathe today!

Manic Wednesday

When I was walking to Charing Cross last night I saw the Evening Standard
boards saying "England Soccer Legend Dies" and thought nothing of it until I
got over to the departure boards and saw on the big BBC News screen that it
was Emlyn Hughes. I think my face just dropped when I saw that. When I was
little I used to sit on my dad's knee and watch him on A Question Of Sport.
I thought he was great cos he was so funny and just seemed like a really
nice man. Its so sad, perhaps more sad than John Peel because of the lead
up to his death. He was only 62 - another young death. He reminded me a
bit of my dad and my uncle cos they're the kind of people who everyone loves
and they'll do anything to help anyone. I know I never knew him but that's
just the impression I got when I was younger.

Another late one last night - left work at 8.30pm - the night before was
10pm. Had my hospital appointment today which went ok and now I'm at work I
feel really tired and have a massive headache. I don't think I slept very
well last night, I remember dreaming that I was about to be attacked and
then every time I woke up and drifted back to sleep again I dreamt that I
was recalling the whole experience to someone else, so I lived through it
about four times which wasn't all that nice.

I have got so much work to do at the moment with numerous different
productions and its hard to know what to do first, especially when my boss
is constantly throwing things my way. I might stay late again tonight -
especially as I didn't get in til 1pm. I'll get there in the end. I'd
rather be rushed off my feet and a bit stressed out where I am than anywhere
else though. This week has been a stark contrast to last week - out every
night except Thursday but only cos my body wouldn't physically allow me to
stay awake. I've been at work for 25 hours so far this week - and that's
with this morning off. Not sure I can face anything tonight, might take my
brother's Gold Edition Star Wars Box Set round so he can finally have his
long-awaited birthday gift. Or I might just go home and sleep.

Christmas Party Challenge

I could have sworn I posted this up a long time ago but I can't see where
it's gone.

The Kerry and I have set ourselves the challenge of seeing how many Xmas
shindigs we can go to this year. Normally I don't go to one at all cos I'm
never normally employed after the festival until late October and even if I
am invited I have to pay cos I'm a temp or I've not got to know people well
enough to want to take a night out of my life to bother mingling with them.

I already have one definite party in Glasgow - for my work - I plan to stick
around here for as long as I can - but other than that... so if you'd like
the Kerry and I to brighten up what would otherwise be a dull Xmas party,
send your invitations to missturnbull@yahoo.co.uk and we'll try to squeeze
you in. Go on, it'll be a laugh.

AAAAAAAARGH!

I'm going to Glasgow on 14th December!!!!
ON A PLANE!!

Better dig out my book and read it again. I am really excited.
I think.

Spent the weekend doing absolutely nothing at all. Haven't had one of those
lazy weekends for a very long time. I think the past month or so and
especially last week finally caught up with me. I totally underestimated
both how tired I was on Friday night and also how long Spank would go on
for. It finished at 12.30am and it was by no means the best Spank I've had.
So to speak. Colin & Fergus were great, the highlight for me - I didn't
even realise they were on - I think there was too much stand-up for a gig
which, for me, works best as a character, double-act, sketch comedy night.
James and Leon were great, they get better every time I see them. Justin
was lingering around but sadly wasn't one of the acts. Saw The Baron and
The Duke which were mesmerising and Katy Brand was on too. Didn't get to
see her in Ben's show at the festival but I she didn't particularly blow me
away.
After an interesting combination of night buses I managed to get home by
2.15am by which point I was just about managing to stay awake. I've never
been more pleased to get home.

On Saturday I was supposed to go to work but there was engineering work on
my train line and it was too warm in my bed to leave. All weekend. Did
some work on the Boosh site and watched all of the soaps' omnibuses. And
tried to sort out my credit cards. Apparently I am what's known in the
trade as a credit tart; moving from one 0% credit card to another. Rather
than just trying to pay it all back. Which is what I am doing now, it just
still makes sense to have it on 0% while I'm trying to do so. I'm not made
of money... far from it. Which is why I got a succession of 3 night buses
home on Friday night instead of getting a cab for £30... though I think the
night bus is safer...

Best be off and do some work now. I've found a cunning way of posting to my
blog without having to go to the blogger site which is handy seeings my mac
doesn't let me on that site. Very handy indeed. Means I can post to my
heart's content. God I have so much work to do.

When I was reunited with my phone last night there was one text from Kathryn which was reassuring. It’s nice to know someone cares. If only to tell me that she can’t seem to email me. Today I am tying up loose ends at work and making sure I get as much done as possible before having my first two days off work since starting (except for the festival but I was in work mode and was on call for the whole time so that doesn’t count). I have no means of personal CD/tape player for the journey which means I am just going to have to just sit there and ignore my parents. Or wear my headphones and put the lead in my pocket thereby making them believe I am listening to music and can therefore not engage in coversation with them. If I just tell my mum at the beginning of the journey that a) I don’t have a boyfriend, b) I’m not a lesbian and c) Yes I am moving out, then I don’t think therell be anything left that she feels she needs to ask me. Having said that, it might be a prime opportunity for me to get them to agree to buying a flat with me… but not round the corner from them, someone in town. That will never happen so I think I’ll stick to my imaginary walkman idea.

I am quite tired again today, not that I went out last night. I think its cos I slept too well. I had quite a disturbing dream, the details of which I won’t be sharing with anyone – I imagine there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for it but I hope not to dream about the same thing ever again for all eternity. I have been falling asleep more or less as soon as my head hits the pillow recently. Again I think its cos I’ve been working hard all day for the past 7 months at my new job, rather than surfing the net and passing the time as easily as possible as I did in the banks. I sleep on my front as well which is really really comfy if you can cope with it. I watch telly before I go to bed, hit the sleep button for 30 mins, turn over and drift off to sleep probably within about 10 mins. Lovely. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, beds are a miracle of science. I sincerely hope that whoever was monarch at the time of its invention knighted Mr. Bed and thanked him on behalf of future generations. I love my bed. And I love to sleep.

I realised today as well that my dad, as best man at his brother’s wedding, is going to have to give a speech. I’m really looking forward to it. My dad is brilliant, I am almost certain that I get my amazing sense of humour from him. My dad or Peter Sellers that is, except I am related to the big goon on my mums side – which leads me to think that can’t be the case. My mother has a very strange sense of humour. Me and my dad are much more alike. My brother is like more like my mum. He is quite tight with money too. That is one thing us girls should be thankful for. We may have to suffer the pain of childbirth (should we choose to unleash our genes into the world) but at least we don’t have to give speeches at weddings. I would be particularly rubbish at that. I froze and broke out into a mild sweat in the office on Friday when someone came in to use the cameras and filmed me in order to practice. In my defence, he wasn’t the best interviewer and he should have prepared his questions more carefully, but I was the only one in the office and I hated every minute of it.

It’s evening now and the day has passed very quickly yet again. Got to be at Kings X to catch the 9am train to Newcastle but thanks to my stupid mum who lost the stupid tickets almost as soon as I gave her them, we have to get there in time to collect them and given that its at peak rush hour time I’d say we’ll have to be there at 8am. I have friends who live near Kings X and who will let me stay over so I can saunter across the road whereas my parents don’t and will be catching the train almost as soon as they go to bed tonight.

After finally locating my phone charger at work and now having the capacity to bring my phone back to life, I have spectacularly left my phone at home today. This is always a depressing thing to do as I can more or less guarantee that there will be no text or voice messages for me and the only missed calls will be from me trying to track it down or my mum trying to track me down. There will be about twenty reminders which will have popped up throughout the course of the day, reminding me to do things which, as a result of having left my phone at home, I won’t have remembered to do. Such is the wonder of the phone reminders.

I bought the final parts of my wedding outfit yesterday. Let’s tot it all up.

Brown angora wrap top - £55
Brown wool mix trousers - £65
Brown suede jacket - £40
Pink vest top - £8
Pink suede shoes - £25
Breast Cancer Awareness Pants - £4
Pink bra - £5
Pink corduroy bag - £5
Necklace - £8
Bracelet - £5
Ring - £5
Ear-rings £5

So that’s a grand total of… (drum roll)…. £230 = the most expensive outfit I have ever worn in my life. It does look pretty bloody great altogether though, even if I do say so myself. I had to get new jewellry cos I couldn’t wear silver as I normally do cos it doesn’t go. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. I really need a watch to finish it off though…

And apparently it is customary to have a different outfit for the evening. That depends on how cold/hot the hall is going to be. I do have a black, white and grey swirly halterneck top which I was planning to wear with an incredibly short skirt but what with my parents being there I will try and dig out a pair of black trousers… I am hoping I can keep the same thing on all night – get the most out of my expensive outfit and then I can take the other top back to the shop – I can’t imagine I’ll be dancing at all cos I’ll have no-one to dance with. Kathryn is suggesting I might meet the man of my dreams but I can’t think who that could possibly be, given it will have to be someone either my uncle or his future wife is friends with or someone who lives in Newcastle or I’m related to. None of those criteria would be ideal.

I am liking this song a lot at the moment. It takes 1m56s to build up to the lyrics.

Last night I dreamt
That somebody loved me
No hope, but no harm
Just another false alarm

Last night I felt
real arms around me
No hope, no harm
Just another false alarm


So, tell me how long
Before the last one ?
And tell me how long
Before the right one ?


The story is old - I KNOW
But it goes on
The story is old - I KNOW
But it goes on


Oh, GOES ON
And on
Oh, goes on
And on

Emotions that I’ve been trying to blank from my mind for about 10 weeks are beginning to come to the forefront of my mind and I really wish I could suppress them again. With hindsight they are slightly intensified and it’s made me realise how much I hated being at the festival this year. Maybe next year I won’t do the whole thing, then it won’t be such a rollercoaster of emotions, although it’s not really the festival’s fault. It’s mostly mine for being over optimistic, unrealistic and trying to please everyone all the time and failing miserably and ending up getting hurt.

I spent the weekend thinking feeling really anxious which is why I decided not to drink on Saturday night when me and Dan went out. I had a horrible Edinburgh dream that night and woke up feeling even more confused. I’m just lucky I like my job otherwise I wouldn’t be very happy at all, stuck in yet another bank I imagine. I wonder where I would be now if I hadn’t got my job? I wouldn’t be friends with Kerry, Poppy, Mark or John FD either. It’s all about timing and the timing of me starting my new job couldn’t have been better.

I am sad to announce that so far Kerry and I have had a grand total of NO INVITES to other people’s Christmas parties. This is very disappointing but I guess it is still mid-October and people are only in the midst of planning their yuletide celebrations. You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s already Xmas if you worked off Regent Street like I do. More or less every shop has got Xmas decorations and gifts dotted around.

My stupid work email didn't work when I sent my blog entry to my email... today has been a bad day overall.

I am determined to have a good day today. I had a really brilliant weekend in Nottingham. I lost an hour somewhere on Friday evening – for some reason I thought it was 5.30pm and I still had another hour of work until I realised 20 mins later that it was 6.50pm and my train from Kings X was at 7.30pm. I zoomed out of the office and got there in plenty of time only for the train to be delayed. It was a GNER train so I should have expected it. I used the internet on my phone for the first time to see if I was going to make my connection at Grantham and it told me that I wouldn’t. And it was right.

Anyway I got to Dan’s at 10pm and spent the next few hours laying on his new sofa which is a long-overdue purchase. He’s really made his flat look lovely. I wish I had my own little flat like Dan’s. He has a living room with tiny kitchen and a bedroom and a tiny bathroom but its big enough for one and its really cosy. Like a true gentleman Dan let me have his bed and he slept on the sofa, although I suspect he was waiting for an excuse to turn it into a bed and have a go on it himself. We spent the whole afternoon shopping, Dan is such a great person to take to the shops, he’s very patient, gives good advice and doesn’t mind being dragged around. He’s perfect boyfriend material, but not for me! Got my wedding outfit more or less from Monsoon. I got a gorgeous brown cashmere wrap jumper thing and a pair of brown wool trousers with a barely visible pinstripe running through. The two items came to £120 and I nearly fell over, but remarkably the trousers fit brilliantly so I might have to splash out and get some more from there. It a rare thing to find trousers that fit me… I just don’t have the patience. I saw a really lovely pair of brown and pink shoes as well but I couldn’t find the left shoe to go with the right. Oh well. I have bought a pair of pink suede ones for £25 which will hopefully go with my outfit. Now I need a pale pink camisole to go under my cashmere top and I am sorted. Oh, and a top to go with the trousers for the evening – or an entirely different outfit! Not long to the wedding now, I’m really looking forward to it – and wearning my new get-up.

I bought a toaster for work from ASDA cos it was a ridiculous £5.95… so this morning on my way in I stopped off at Tescos to buy bread, crumpets, marmite, marmalade and jam! I do get excited by the stupidest little things. But now I can have breakfast and I won’t have my lunch so early and I will be ablet o concentrate in the mornings instead of longing for lunch time to come around. Well done me.

Also I found out today that there is a possibility that I might be going to Glasgow for a few weeks around December/January (hopefully not over my birthday) to work on a production that we have coming up – how exciting is that?! I’ve never been to Glasgow. I won’t know anyone but what the hell, I can have a wander about, it’ll be a new experience and a new city for me to explore. Not that I’ll have much time to myself but it’ll be time away from London and I could even go to a few comedy clubs while I’m there. It looks fairly certain so fingers crossed. Just so long as I don’t miss any cracking comedy down here. I might insist on getting the train too, although hopefully I’ll have been on a plane and proved I can enjoy flying by then. Spoke to Little Dan about going away somewhere in the new year too – a European city break for a weekend – that would be ace. But finances may yet prevent that. Especially given how much my wedding stuff has cost me – although I intend to get very good wear out of the top and the trousers. I shall be wearing them at every given opportunity.

Dan and I went out on the Saturday night too –despite the fact that we were knackered. We ended up being very middle-aged and trying to avoid places where there was a queue for the bar, no seats and loud music. Nottingham seems to be doing downmarket somewhat. That’s partially me being a snob but Dan was in agreeance. I felt so overdressed in my cords and parka – it was raining and freezing you see, but this didn’t stop a lot of “ladies” wearing skirts which even Dan thought left too little to the imagination, really tiny tops and no jackets!! I wouldn’t have been so repulsed if any of them had the figure to go with the clothes. I’m all for wearing whatever you feel comfy in but there must have been parts of their bodies with a very reduced supply of blood.

Just read on chortle that Richard Dreyfuss has dropped out of The Producers with Lee Evans but Nathan Lane has stepped in – in my opinion that’s even better – reunite the pairing in Mouse Hunt…

I'm trying to update my blog - i can only do it from home which is a pain in the arse and I am so busy at work I just about have time to breathe. But its good and I am still loving my job. Just as well cos I am there for the bulk of my time.

Anyway, I can't update my blog from work which is a pain - I did type a really long catch up entry but I have a really nasty feeling that I'm not sure where I saved it at work. Ho hum.

On Wednesday afternoon Kerry popped into the office cos I was going to film her telling a 5 min joke for an audition tape. We intended to do it in the office during my lunch break but one of my bosses decided we should take one of the swanky cameras, with a mic and headphones and go outside and do it. So we did – we headed over to Soho square, and the shopping centre off Carnaby street and had such a laugh. I am so lucky that I’m allowed to do things like that as part of my job but it’s only cos Kerry was in one of our productions – which is how I know her. We shot a few times on different locations and then came back and edited it together really really roughly. Hope she gets the job! I might have to take up my vocation as a director/producer.

I have bagsied myself a new keyboard from one of the newer macs. I was getting fed up with my tiny keyboard and no-one uses this new one so it is now mine to keep. It so much easier to use and a lot more responsive and doesn’t seem to care so much about my nails being too long. How sad is my life that it has come to me getting excited about having a new keyboard at work. I need to get out more.

As I was on the last train home the other night, having been drinking at UCL I found myself getting a little bit nostalgic about pre-Edinburgh days. I kind of wish the festival had never happened or least had happened a few months after it did. I think my life might have turned out slightly different – it might not have, but I would have had more of a chance to see if it could have done.

I fell asleep during Coronation Street last night and woke up half way through Monarch of the Glen – gutted. I stayed in especially. I wanted to go and see Alex, Tim & Mark and their extended sketch gang but it was doomed from the start of the weekend. Yesterday I had my first day off since coming back from Edinburgh and I think everything just hit me. I didn’t have a chance to do anything

Last night I successfully had a night out on the old tap waters. We went to the café and there must have been some kind of football match on cos there were literally no more than 18 people in the audience but it is normally packed. The line up advertised was MC Julia Morris, Al Pitcher, Gary Delaney, Andrew Clover and Rob Rouse, but in reality the first two were replaced by MC Drew Barr and Ninia Benjamin. Ninia was really great but I’m just not keen at all on Drew Barr. I find him quite samey and slightly predictable but Ninia got everyone warmed up which saved the night from going weird. Me and Kez shared some yummy nachos and talked about our impending jaunt to Spain amongst a million other things. It was nice to see Rob again. We couldn’t actually remember the last time we saw each other but decided it was at least a year ago. He was looking very well indeed and was telling us about his pet duck – he emailed us a picture of her, bless him. That’s just the kind of pet I’d expect him to have – there’s not really anything convential about Rob.

When I woke up this morning I couldn’t believe it was already time to get up and it was only the thought of it being Friday that prised me out from under my duvet. I am coming in to work again tomorrow but hopefully only mid-afternoon. I *must* have a lie in after the lack of sleep and Susan-time last weekend. I forgot about that but the whole script nightmare is why I am so bloody tired. I also need to tidy up at home cos it is an absolute state. It’s even getting a bit too untidy for me. Got shedloads to do over the weekend. Have to find Pops tonight to give her back her video camera then straight back home, although I gather we are having a tidying the office party at 5.30pm tonight which involves wine. I shall try to be good and decline and just focus on the tidying. Tomorrow night I am hoping to see Noel at SohoHo and then Kez is coming down for dancing after work at 10ish. Then its off to Bluewater with Suzanne on Sunday and potentially off to the H&C on Sunday to see my favourite group of ex-Footlights. That’s the plan but I daresay it’ll go wrong. I have two interviews to write up too – the Stuart Murphy one being most important.

Last night I successfully had a night out on the old tap waters. We went to the café and there must have been some kind of football match on cos there were literally no more than 18 people in the audience but it is normally packed. The line up advertised was MC Julia Morris, Al Pitcher, Gary Delaney, Andrew Clover and Rob Rouse, but in reality the first two were replaced by MC Drew Barr and Ninia Benjamin. Ninia was really great but I’m just not keen at all on Drew Barr. I find him quite samey and slightly predictable but Ninia got everyone warmed up which saved the night from going weird. Me and Kez shared some yummy nachos and talked about our impending jaunt to Spain amongst a million other things. It was nice to see Rob again. We couldn’t actually remember the last time we saw each other but decided it was at least a year ago. He was looking very well indeed and was telling us about his pet duck – he emailed us a picture of her, bless him. That’s just the kind of pet I’d expect him to have – there’s not really anything convential about Rob.

When I woke up this morning I couldn’t believe it was already time to get up and it was only the thought of it being Friday that prised me out from under my duvet. I am coming in to work again tomorrow but hopefully only mid-afternoon. I *must* have a lie in after the lack of sleep and Susan-time last weekend. I forgot about that but the whole script nightmare is why I am so bloody tired. I also need to tidy up at home cos it is an absolute state. It’s even getting a bit too untidy for me. Got shedloads to do over the weekend. Have to find Pops tonight to give her back her video camera then straight back home, although I gather we are having a tidying the office party at 5.30pm tonight which involves wine. I shall try to be good and decline and just focus on the tidying. Tomorrow night I am hoping to see Noel at SohoHo and then Kez is coming down for dancing after work at 10ish. Then its off to Bluewater with Suzanne on Sunday and potentially off to the H&C on Sunday to see my favourite group of ex-Footlights. That’s the plan but I daresay it’ll go wrong. I have two interviews to write up too – the Stuart Murphy one being most important.

Just back from lunch with the Kerry where we had a bonding and motivational chat and vented all our frustrations over a frapuccino. We’ve decided we’re going on holiday. To Spain. To stay in her parents’ villa which sounds beautiful. I am very excited. And also terrified of flying but it has to be done sooner or later. As such I have just bought a book from Amazon which Kathryn recommended to help my fear of flying. Although I think it’s more of a fear of the unknown quantity that is flying. Or a fear of being in something really really heavy which should not be in the air. It’s all my parents’ fault for not taking me anywhere involving planes when I was younger. So I’ve been checking out prices and I reckon a weekend in November is a goer cos that will give us a chance to save up and will give me a chance to read my book.

We made a list of things to do to cheer ourselves up and enrich our lives. We are going to go to classes at the gym together cos that’s more fun than going alone and looking like fools. And we’re going to go boogying more and also try salsa dancing. Not that we’re pathetic sad cases but we just decided we should go out more and do exciting things. We’re young, free and single. Well, Kerry is young but we are both free and single!

Last night was great. John FD looked fantastic and was in fine form. He bought desert from the posh new place that’s opened on Berwick Street – six individual cakes. They looked so incredible I took a picture on my phone which I’ll post up. They were just delicious but due to my sugar intolerance I began to feel a bit sick after the first mouthful but it would have been rude to turn down such beautiful and expensive deserts. We all sat about talking about men and how a lot of them aren't very nice, and looking forward to the future. John FD has some amazing things lined up which is brilliant cos he is a truly great man. Stupidly agreed to having a glass of wine with Poppy which could have been so easily avoided cos John FD is off the booze. I should have joined him but my willpower let me down yet again. I intend not to drink potentially until next weekend which will be a real achievement if I manage. We’ll see.

Going to the comedy café with Kez tonight which should be fun. She’s calling for me at work and then we’re heading over and I’m shouting her some food. Haven’t been there for ages. I do like the café, especially on a Thursday when it’s a fiver to get in. So tonight will be a no alcohol night at least. Cliff and Sarah are hosting their night on Battersea Barge tonight but I didn’t find out til me and Kez had already booked tickets for the café. Clark is on too so it’s a shame I miss my chance to see two thirds of the eels but everyone from work is going to go next month.

Either my email is broken or nobody loves me anymore.

This morning me and Seb looked up people we know on the BBC Comedy guide. Seb is on it, the git, and I have decided that I’m going be on there one day soon as a hot shot comedy producer. And all there is listed for John FD is Chucklevision and Killing Time, both of which are programmes to be proud of but I’ve seen his CV and not only does it contain more than those two shows, it is bloody incredible. I shall be writing to the BBC to complain… Speaking of the great man, he is hanging by the office at 7pm and we are heading over to Pop’s flat for fine food and conversation. John is providing dessert apparently and as far as I am aware I am just providing myself and songs of joy and tears of laughter of Edinburgh. I was thinking of seeing Jo Neary again tonight cos it was simply one of the top 5 shows from the festival but I’m not sure I can fit it in. From Pops’ I can jump on the Thameslink back to E. Croydon, jump on a bus and I’m home. God I can’t wait to move out of home.

We have a project meeting today so I have brought in milk chocolate hob nobs and tesco’s version of jaffa cakes. And I brought in some cereal for breakfast. Check me out. In fact, I also made my lunch so I had a whole bag of food to bring in today in an effort to cut down on spending. £5 a day on lunch is just too much money.

Myself and Sharon are both being stalked. Well maybe not stalked… harrassed. It started off quite worrying on my part whereas Sharon’s started off quite friendly and then both have degenerated into unwanted texts and emails and now voicemails. Neither of them are bad enough to warrant police intervention (just yet) but happily now we both just find it quite amusing and pathetic. Especially the extremes of mood that come across. You know, who can blame them. As Sharon and I have recently been advised, we are the best looking collection of girls who run a comedy website. Having seen the competition we realise this is some kind of veiled compliment.

I am hoping to see the Kerry soon. She has had some bad news so I am going to cheer her up. I think of her as my little sister and I have decided to make her a star. Not that she needs any help. That girl will go a long way, it's in her genes.

I was at work until 9pm last night... working on this script. Well, I wasn't working on it as such, I was listening and typing and trying to make sense of... I am knackered and got to work at 11.30am today which I think is fair. I didn't have a chance to do any of my stuff yesterday and I do have a fair bit to do before tomorrow. Oh well. At least I can sit at my own desk for a change. We were in the other room where the webcam is and I stupidly pointed this out to Sharon. As such she has made a Just Seventeen style photo story.. *HERE* - go to 13/09. It made me laugh except most of the pictures are the same and you can't really see the bored expression on my bored face. It was fun up until about 4.30pm and then I lost the will to live. Proceedings weren't helped along by the fact that my finger nails are really long at the moment thereby making it hard to type without making a million spelling mistakes, but I'm not cutting them off for anyone. I am a girl. Therefore I must have long and hair and long nails. I believe that's how things work. I am even wearing a skirt.

I have a confession to make. I have recently joined the Rick Astely news list. Please don't judge me. I found out last week that the quiffed wonder is playing at Ronnie Scotts at the end of the month but it's sold out. Gutted. When I was 10 I adored the man. I had pictures of him stuck all over my rough book and his was the first album I bought - on audio cassette. It cost £4.99 and I still have the tape in my car. I would have killed to see him when I was at school but even if I had the chance I probably would have struggled to find anyone to come with me. Anyway, its better that liking Bros. Whose greatest hits I must admit to buying a few months ago. Only for the classics though. I am also still a keen A-ha fan as well you know, and saw them at Wembley a few years ago. I am trapped in a late 80s/early 90s bubble - especially seeings how I've started listening to a lot of The Smiths, The Cure and James again. I like loads of contemporary stuff too but being skint means I can't afford to buy albums and have to make do with what I have in my dated CD collection. But as I said a few days ago, I am planning on buying an ipod very soon and stealing songs for free off the internet or from friends. There is one person I know who has a cracking load of songs on his ipod but I think I need to work on relations there before he lets me borrow it...

Going home after work tonight which will be an absolute joy. I need to sort my room out cos it is a tip - as it was when I randomly threw things in my car and set off for Edinburgh. The tidying up fairy failed to visit my gaff before I got home. And obviously I need to unpack. So much to do, so little motivation. Booked train tickets for my uncle's wedding at the end of October. For some reason I have decided to get the train up on the Thursday morning with my parents. At 9am?! But at least we'll get to Newcastle in time to do something or at least go shopping or something. I am going to ask the lovely Poppy if I might stay at hers on the Wednesday then its just a 1 minute walk across the road to Kings Cross and will give me an extra hour in bed. The tickets are only £20 return to Newcastle. An absolute bargain. I need to plan when to go to Nottingham so I can get an equally as inexpensive ticket for that jaunt.

I am very tired.