a scary insight into the mind of a ginger person
Friday, December 17, 2004
Decorating
Then it'll be baubles-a-plenty and the oh-so-difficult question of "do I go for the lit up waving Santa, the 6 foot inflatable Rudolph or the rooftop nativity scene complete with flashing star in the east and kamikaze Jesus?". The dilemmas we face in this modern 'National Lampoons Christmas Vacation' world we live in.
I blame Asda and Walmart myself.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
porkies
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
From BBC website -
"A woman given up for adoption at birth will try to pick out her long-lost father from a line of impostors in a new US reality TV show. Fox TV's Who's Your Daddy promises $100,000 to the contestant if she correctly identifies her father. It opens with the contestant being introduced to a panel of eight men, each of whom must convince her that he is her real father. If she guesses correctly, the contestant wins the jackpot - otherwise the money goes to the successful impostor. "
Dear God what is the world coming to.
Monday, December 13, 2004
new job!!!
Once I'd got over my fear of the switchboard, and mastered the art of calculating 3 x 28pence for the many employees who come and buy stamps for their Christmas cards, the rest was a breeze!! I still have a slight fear of the DHL man, and I'm suppressing the urge to sing "You never close your eyes any more when I kiss your lips.." over the tannoy... but in all I'd say this has been an good experience.
There's periods of mind-numbing boredom, interspersed with sheer chaos as the phones are ringing, the visitors arriving, employees chatting and e-mails "bringing". High powered stuff I can tell you!!!
And why am I here... well my management books tell me to occasionally roll up my sleeves and get on down with the workers. So when my afternoon receptionist called in sick I decided it was time to mingle with the real people. After all, how can you manage them when you're terrified of the equipment they use.
and it seems I'm not too bad at it. A cheery smile is my forte, I have no nails to file and I've already read last weeks Heat magazine and Hello isn't my cup of tea, so I'm the perfect (if somewhat overpaid) option!!!
Friday, December 10, 2004
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
cards & knickers
As well as sending the cards - I posted a pair of knickers to a random stranger too. All part of a "knicker chain" - bit like a chain letter but without vodoo curses if you bin it, and the hope/bonus that you might get 36 pairs back to you in the post(all clean one would hope). If you're a female mate/relative reading this then be prepared - there's probably a letter in the post for you as we speak! Blame Lizzie Nash/Tozer, it's her fault!
Thursday, December 02, 2004
improvements
Ok I’ll stop whinging now and try and write something that people must not want to throw me out of windows for! Life got a bit depressing due to high workloads but I need to chill out today as I had to go back to the nurse for another blood pressure check yesterday and it was still high. I was hopeful that losing weight would make a difference but clearly not. Perhaps I’m just naturally a high blood pressure person – must be a redhead thing. I don’t shout, just get my blood boiling instead!
So onto happier things, well it’s Thursday, and I have Friday off which makes effectively Friday! I’m out tomorrow night celebrating a friends 40th – how scary is it that I have friends who are 40…..! Then on Sat I get to dress up as a Mexican and drink tequila – fabbo!
Christmas shopping is taking it’s toll. I may try and get some more done tomorrow but it’s all such hard work. But in a way the idea of buying things on the internet just doesn’t really work for me, it’s like you loose a bit of the Christmas vibe if you don’t get stressed in Boots, want to karate-chop the little old lady in the queue in front of you and run screaming through the streets wearing nothing but tinsel and reindeer deely boppers shouting “bah humbug”.
The other exciting thing is my living room is about to change colour. God I hope I like it, interior decoration was never really my forte, as those who saw the living room in my last house would agree!
Monday, November 29, 2004
brief respite
Such as seeing The Incredibles on Sat.
..... and eating Yorkshire Pudding for my tea
....... and fitting into a pair of size 12 jeans for the first time in years
............ and getting a big hug off my man
but other than that I'm still fed up.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
it's not getting better
Work is pants, weather is pants, life is pants,
pant pants elasticated pants.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
blues
Thursday, November 11, 2004
dilemma...
Monday, October 11, 2004
ouch...
I woke up this morning and wondered if, during my deep slumber, some devious dwarves had played tug of war, using my arms as the rope. I had no idea quite how forcefully I was holding onto the steering wheel of the go-kart yesterday until I tried to raise my hand at 7am to turn off my alarm and found I couldn’t. It’s agony. I can hardly move my hands to type this.
But at least I had fun I guess, although Mrs Hardy owes me a drink for unceremoniously ramming me into the tyres on the semi-finals. Her reinforcement of the “women driver” stereotype at that moment will no doubt have suffragettes spinning in their graves for the rest of the week. Although I’m just bitter as she beat me overall – revenge will be mine next year…..
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Went out for dinner with Tim, a Sagga friend, last night and we were discussing the various difficulties of taking on a Chairman’s role within Sagga (theoretical I hasten to add, neither of us would actually want the job).
The question I had is what is the role is actually there to do – is it to manage the meetings but effectively allow the committee to steer the agenda and make the decisions. Is it to set the agenda yourself and get the committee to follow you? Or is it to simply act as a focal point and administrator to ensure that things do actually happen, it’s just your job to tie it all together. Not having been on the committee for many years it’s hard to remember how the process works. The one thing we both agreed on was it would be very difficult trying to manage a committee meeting where you are disagreeing with someone and they can effectively turn round and tell you to shut up because they’ve changed your nappy.
Now you don’t get that kind of problem in business and they don’t teach you how to deal with that on any training courses I have been on.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
peace restored..
But enough culture I say, off to see Wimbledon at some point this week.... Paul Bettany....mmmmm..theres a ginger bloke for me to drool over, add him to the (small) list of sexy ginger men - which currently only exists of 1 other, Eric Stoltz (in his Memphis Belle/Some Kind of Wonderful stage rather than Mask or Pulp Fiction I hasten to add.....)
Ah the ginger gene is calling for reproduction.....
Thursday, September 30, 2004
help...
S'not fair.
By the way, on another note - to help my Administrator who is writing an essay on time management, does anyone know what Fayol's Wheel is all about???
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
work experience
But then again, I guess I'm just one of those HR Managers who likes cheap labour.
Monday, September 20, 2004
'nuff said
The general theme of the horses I bet on at the races yesterday was their amazingly consistent ability to lose their jockeys. Still, I think it's fair to say I was the most enthusiastic gambler there and I get 10/10 for my optimism if nothing else.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
it doesn't take a maths genius....
2 x poppadums
1 x naan bread
1 x roast dinner
1 x lemon meringue pie
2 x bottles of red wine
1 x chicken tikka masala
2 x onion bhajis
1 x samosa
= me dreading going to weightwatchers tonight.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Mondays
Yesterday I moved my house about, actually cleaning behind cupboards and also moved my computer upstairs, so now I write my blog listening to Radio 5's interview with Paul Bettany about hisnew film Wimbledon - yum can't wait, not only is a damn fine looking bloke, but he's ginger too!!!
Fimally, watched Goodfellas last night on DVD, one of those films I have meant to watch for ages but neer got around to. Loved it.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
all is well
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
thanks to mad and si J...
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
update
As it happened, I did manage to fall asleep in the one ten-minute space of sunshine within the week – just long enough to burn my nose so at least I did get some kind of a tan out of the holiday. Unfortunately I also got called from work every day bar Thursday which didn’t lead me to manage to relax much. But never mind.
Camp itself was great fun. Work went on as usual. I “supervised” painting in a typical “Haigh” manner and gave encouragement and support to my troops “you’ve missed a bit” “that’s looking great” so I’m sure I added a great deal of value to the whole process. I did feel the need to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty on the odd occasion, I seemed to remember reading in one of my HR management books that it’s good to get down on the shop floor with the workers and show them that you understand their world. But I made sure that I was covered in green/silver paint so that everyone knew I’d done some work.
I spent a couple of hours driving round the West Midlands Safari park along with hoardes of other families. Didn’t take my soft-top car for obvious reasons so wangled Rachel’s company car and got in free as she had a return ticket. Makes the whole experience so much more fun when you know you haven’t paid. The lions and tigers were very impressive, as were the giraffes and camels – camels don’t half look stupid when they run!
Also escaped camp and spent the day with Rich at Symond’s Yat, doing things that we hated our parents making us do when we were kids - i.e. going for a walk and appreciating nature. All very worrying and mature. Next stop national trust membership and thermal underwear.
So now it’s back to dull drudgery of work, with the sun shining outside and my heart a sinking at the mindless crap that people get stressed about in this place. Luckily I have Friday off and am off on a canal boat that evening with a plan for good wine, great company and lots of fun and laughter. Only 2 days to go…..
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
better now
Work's hard and tough at the mo tho', some difficult things going on. But was approached by a headhunter today and the jobs sounds intriguing so have agreed to meet up with the agency guy - oh how very mature and professional.
Spent a lovely weekend down in Dorset camping, sat on the beach, drank wine in the tent, ate fish and chops on Poole harbour. Great stuff. Shame the diet went out the window, ho hum, you've gotta live eh!
Friday, July 30, 2004
Monday, July 26, 2004
all good things....
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
puzzle
oops, didn't think about that one.
Sunday, July 18, 2004
over the hill
- Bag of Werthers originals
- Various leaflets on haemerroids, chillblains and avoiding broken hips
- Bottle of Grecian 2000
- Various Viagra emblazoned goodies
- Bunion plasters
- Caravanning magazine
I think he appreciated it but I think I may need to have my 40th celebrations in secret!
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
since my last post I have...
- eaten too much
- seen Shrek 2 (v good, love the movie references, esp Titanic and Mission Impossible)
- eaten too much
- had friends from USA over
- got completely and hopelessly Lost in Translation
- suffered banoffee pie torture
- laughed my socks off at the array of goodies with my mate in Ann Summers
- eaten too much
- Bought lots of clothes that are a size smaller than I used to wear
- eaten and drank too much
- Been to a nightclub 2 nights in a row and realised I'm too old to do that any more
- Cried for no apparent reason
- Laughed for many reasons
- eaten a curry - yum (never thought I'd say that)
- fallen out with my cats for bringing in a live bird, getting bored and leaving it to crap all over my living room
- made up with my cats coz I love them
- saw the bit in The Italian Job where spiderman appears (yes rob I accept it does happen, I will stop taking the piss now)
- had a good chat with Fraser on the phone and told him we miss him
- ... oh and eaten WAY too much
Monday, July 05, 2004
culture vulture
The Sunday reception was the biggest thing I have ever experienced, with over 650 guests! (I don’t know that many people). It was very odd as I didn’t really know what the proceedings were like, and as I had nothing to compare it too. The apparent chaos could have just been individual to this wedding but I have a distinct feeling it’s fairly normal. In a UK wedding we have drinks, food, speeches and then disco – where no-one dances until the last 3 songs! At this wedding the reception started at 1.30. We had some starters, then the disco started, then 2 hours late the bride and groom turn up, do some dancing and ritual cake ceremony stuff, then there is more food whilst all the time the dance floor is jam packed with grannies/kids and young’uns alike getting on down. It was mayhem, but great fun. The outfits were amazing, really beautiful and the colours fantastic. Everyone seemed to be having a great time – and my favourite bit was a chocolate fountain, wow – sheer heaven. You put strawberries and marshmallows on a kebab stick and held it under the fountain….. wow! Just like a mini version of Charlie and the chocolate factory… oom pa loom pa dobety doo….
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Now I'm off to lie in the bath, read a trashy novel and eat a flake. Yes a Flake... oh boy, I've saved up enough points this week and I am SO looking forward to the sweet taste of chocolate....
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
dried out
The best thing about Saturday for me was the fact that everyone just pitched in, no-one complained, we had a laugh even though it was really bad weather and I got to hang out with my mates but felt my halo shining as I did it. It justified the bottle of wine I got through on saturday night anyway, and the long lie-in on Sunday morning.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Monday, June 21, 2004
let's see if this works
It's a knock-out!
Anyway, the point of this story was that I’d mentioned, after looking at a photo of myself ten years ago, how red my hair was then, compared to now. Whilst I accept that the majority of the blondness is due to artificial means, it has also lightened naturally too, and whatever the cause I’m now considered strawberry blonde. My mum is extremely concerned that I may not be recognized as a Ginger if ever I need to have an operation, and that I might wake up due to having too little anesthetic.
I’ve promised to make sure I tell any doctor of my plight (how embarrassing would that conversation be…!), but feel I should now consider the options should it be an emergency. Perhaps a tattoo or one of those emergency bracelets like the ones diabetics wear, saying “ALERT – this girl is a Ginger, even through she’s in denial, please knock her out properly”.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
I think I need a holiday...
Monday, June 14, 2004
Spent yesterday walking a bit of the Wychavon Way, or Whichever Way as I decided to call it cause we got lost and wandered for quite a while in a wheat field. I have also decided that the Sagga activity was sponsored by Kleenex, what with the sneezing coming from laura and I. She was suffering far more than me though, poor thing! Probably wasn't helped by the busy farmer who was churning out the dry grass in one of the fields we walked through.
Friday, June 11, 2004
still in lust
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
I like driving in my car..
Being shallow is great. who needs Maslow's hierachy of needs.... Food? pah!, Shelter? double pah!.... Self-actualisation? ... Who gives a toss about "realising my own potential for self-development"? I say give me a convertible and I've reached my peak.
...Actually I guess, on reflection, the MX5 meets my social and self-esteem needs (and maybe my shelter when I have to live in it because I can't pay my mortgage for the petrol costs).
Monday, June 07, 2004
too hot to handle
Sunday, June 06, 2004
wow
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
post bank holiday blues
So only 3 more days till the weekend, except for me it's 2 more days of work and then a geology field trip to Dorset with the Design Engineers to look at rocks. I have my hammer and chisel at the ready...and will report back on saturday.
Thursday, May 27, 2004
and there's more....!
Life is good
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
day of rest
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
surviving
happy bloody birthday.
Sunday, May 23, 2004
Blondes have more fun...
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Friday, May 21, 2004
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
countdown to 31
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
oh dear
so in all life is ok. my sisters anniversary (congrats by the way - oh how I wish I could still fit into that bridesmaid dress - nearly there...). 11lbs lighter than 2 months ago but no real difference in how I look, although I'm sure the excess drinking will take that back a few pounds - still if you can't do it on the run up to your birthday when can you! In all, life is pretty good and I am smiling inanely at my cats. bless 'em.
Friday, May 14, 2004
On a serious note
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
unsuitability or compatability?
"So he is married/alcoholic/dislikes children/has huge gambling debts/too tall/vegan/trekkie/BNP supporter/control freak/submissive/into historical re-enactments/doesn't like chocolate/thinks blue nun is a good wine/watches Jackie Chan movies/only speaks serbo-croat/sleeps with the light on/doesn't eat his greens/talks with his mouth full/is allergic to cats/cross dresses/leaves the seat up?"
It's an interesting perspective on what blokes think is "unsuitable". As for me, I'd expect a blokes mates to be asking "is she too young/ginger/into camping/mify obsessed/into sacking people/always posting her passport/setting off house alarms?"
Worrying isn't it!
Hmmm
Monday, May 10, 2004
Sunday, May 09, 2004
don't panic...
Saturday, May 08, 2004
it's getting worse..
Thursday, May 06, 2004
praise be
as for tonight, well I need to recover from my uncharacteristic cleaning-fest which happenend last night. yes I have a tidy and clean house for the first time since, oooh probably the pancake party! I rewarded myself with 2 hours of Alias on DVD - bliss!
Monday, May 03, 2004
the evil that men do lives after them....
so, back to the real world of work tomorrow. well not exactly, off to aberdeen for a meeting. How ridiculous is that!
Friday, April 30, 2004
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Monday, April 26, 2004
thank god for that!
You are a GRAMMAR GOD!
If your mission in life is not already to
preserve the English tongue, it should be.
Congratulations and thank you!
How grammatically sound are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
good to know I'm not letting the side down - if a little delayed..
so tired
My stories will be forthcoming, but for now, I need sleep.... rest well my friends, for tomorrow I regale you with tales of drunken debauchery (actually that's not true, we behaved ourselves and we didn't buy a straw donkey or sombrero, hope you're proud)
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Friday, April 16, 2004
survived!
night!
Lord of the Twiglets
I have twiglets and a bottle of red wine and I'm prepared to use them...
Thursday, April 15, 2004
HR + PMT = OTT
This particular prat wasn't even directing his criticism at me, rather my predecessors but the incessant complaining just gets me down. I'm good at my job and just wish people would take me as an individual not a stereotype.
so there.
and yes I have PMT.
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Sunday, April 11, 2004
happy easter
Rescued a "damaged" teddy bear from a shop in Marlborough, we're working though his problems - I believe the damage to be more psychological and hopefully his feelings of abandonment will subside. He seem to be settling in here in cheltenham, and the cats have taken a liking to him - need a name for him though.
Now back in cheltenham trying not to feel sad and lonely on a easter sunday night :-( Good job I've got my new teddy bear.
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
crap adverts
Sorry if you get different adverts to me... guess that'll mean bugger all.
Monday, April 05, 2004
You'll never walk alone
Encouraging comments such as "good job you are single - you'll never pull looking like that" and "do you still look like that bloke from the Singing Detective" have really kept my spirits up thorugh this trying time.
I thank you, one and all
Saturday, April 03, 2004
Dot-to-dot
PS - watched the Hulk last night, has to be one of the most boring films I've seen in a long time. Takes itself far too seriously and is WAY too long in my humble opinion. But then again, it could have been simply due to my all-encompassing bad mood.
Thursday, April 01, 2004
Ginger and proud
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
My mood has temporarily improved. I'm no longer harassing my friends with bored text messages and some have even taken pity on me and asked me to go out of an evening. The beautiful weather justified a trip to the pub straight from work yesterday to sit outside and enjoy the sun - too bloody cold and we went in ater 10 mins but the excuse was a good one. Now off to see Starsky and Hutch at flicks with some other friends, they must have developed some kind of rota system to babysit me and keep me amused, and stop harassing them all.
Friday, March 26, 2004
Blue Peter competitions I have known
I think the BBC should do a documentary on the kids who won that competition, dunno why, I just envy them. I'd love to have that as my claim to fame, as opposed to my mum going to the same school as Nerys Hughes. It's not quite the same really is it?
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Shopping
So there I sat, Saturday afternoon, clicking away in the vain hope that I wouldn't spend as much as if I had to walk past the CD/DVD section. Failed completely in that respect but managed to get through the whole process without seemingly ordering 47 Fray Bentos pies by mistake. So returned from work yesterday very excited and waited with bated breath. Stupid really as I knew exactly what I'd asked for.
As my sister suggests, it would be even more fun if they included a random item to make the experience more fun - a bit like grown-up lucky dip?? ...maybe there's a marketing ploy there.
Anyway, I'm converted, no more queues or squeaky trolley wheels for me..bring on the easy life!
Sunday, March 21, 2004
Friday, March 19, 2004
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Titanic and the Last Samuria are the best!
Monday, March 15, 2004
Sunday, March 14, 2004
Wanted - one social life
Actually that said.. I do have a social life during this week as I am off to the races on Wednesday - corporate hospitality no less, sweetie, dahhrling... So if there are no blog entires after that I've either won a shed-load of cash on an outside bet and have gone off to live in Barbados, or have pulled a rich but very drunk Irishman whom I persuaded to marry me.....
Failing that I'll tell you all about it Thurs, "Bring on the Pimms!"
Saturday, March 13, 2004
not making sense
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Cleaning - just say no kids
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Personal Space and mobiles
Coming back was much more civilised, but the best part was sitting in a carriage where a mum was reading "Thomas the Tank Engine" out loud to her son. All the businessmen with their financial times were trying to pretend they were interested in the market share of French Connection, but when mum had to stop mid-story to get off, you could see everyone was really frustrated to not find out if Edward was ever going to get out of the mud he'd been stuck in.
On my way back to cheltenham I had the unfortunate experience of sitting next to a David Brent clone with his mobile stuck to his ear. I started to count the number of times he said the name of the guy he was on the phone to - it's a real bugbear of mine, I find it so patronising - and the number of times he went "y'know" - another pet hate I have. The best bit was when he phoned a customer who had clearly been unhappy with his "service" and started to try and slime his way back into their good books- within about 3 minutes we went into a tunnel and he lost the connection. I was pissing myself - how not to impress an already disgruntled customer!
Overall, screw the whopping salary and cool urban lifestyle, give me a twenty minute drive to work, in the company of Terry Wogan/Jonny Walker, my own personal space and ability to sing my socks off to my hearts content... I'm happy!
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Monday, March 01, 2004
We didn't like to say, but we knew some "victor meldrew" has always been in you
I shall ignore that comment Mr Stephens
PS - Only joking!
PPS - Better correct the capitalisation or the punctuation-police that is Mad will get you!
for your eyes only
(Is it doing a blog that brings out the victor meldrew in me, or was it lying there dormant...just waiting for the right opportunity to surface?)
Sunday, February 29, 2004
C is for cookies...
Yep Busted won out... I love being a rebellious aunt - it was "cool actually" according to the 8 year old.... Also bought her a Cookie Monster - for those not at Simon's birthday, this is a talking puppet who states poignant phrases such as "me tummy is empty, me need more cookies" or "C is for cookies, that's good enough for me". Si got it for his birthday and we all loved it. The risk was that perhaps an 8 year old wouldn't appreciate a present that us 30+ year old's loved after numerous glasses of rum punch.. My hope was that she wouldn't like it and would give it back to me! Unfortunately (or fortunately) she liked it - not sure the same could be said for Sal and Jon... I think it could possibly incite road rage.
Re-vamped colours!
Wicked!
Friday, February 27, 2004
Birthdays
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Rinse and spit
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Pancakes
Managed to work out how to record a ringtone on my new funky mobile. It now tells me I've got a message by people shouting "arse" - oh the high levels of maturity at 1am.
Sent Mad a text on Sunday morning telling her to get me and Karen a cup of tea - most disgruntled to realise she's done a midnight flit and I had to make my own. so rude.