I’m not ‘boring’. I’m English.
Archive for April, 2007
Date For Your Diary
Apr 25th
Y’know, becasue it’s important.
The whole being on the net, being off the net nonsense will end… END I TELL YOU on 12th May 2007 willl the installation of broadband at my new and shiny house. I will then be a regular everywhere as I slouch in front of the TV or outside in my back yard (I have a yard!) with my Mac on my knee, enjoying the ‘net the way it is supposed to be enjoyed. Wirelessly.
Massive apologies for my severe crapness recently. The moving, being ill, a heavy heavy work schedule and relying on someone else’s internet have all contributed to my unbelievable unreliability.
But new house, new way of thinking.
The recent lack of Camel (with the scary message from AQHost appearing instead) was all due to my bankcard being locked (because I forgot my PIN number) and me being unable to make any payments with it at all. Fun.
The long asnd short of this is I will be around (but not really) for the next couple of weeks but on the 12th May I will return revigoured, refreshed, re-energised and lots of other good ‘re’ words.
So, bye for now. I’ll be back… (Did I really just say that?!)
[tags]new start, apologies[/tags]
20 something
Apr 12th
30 is apparently the new 20. So, why, at 29 do I feel as I should be kicking up daisies?
How just one of many conversations, on Tuesday, about my ‘surprising’ age went:
Foot in Mouth Person:”Oh, it’s your birthday? How old are you?”
Me: ”29″
FIMP:”29?! But you don’t look that old.”
M:”Er… thanks?”
FIMP”No, what I meant was you don’t look like you’re one year from 30.”
M:”But 30′s not old.”
FIMP: “Well, no, but staistically you are more likely to be hit by lightning than get married after 30.”
M: “Stop quoting Meg Ryan movies to me – they’re full of crap.”
FIMP: “I know, but doesn’t it…”
M:”Feel true? No… … … Yes.”
FIMP: ”Only a year to go then.”
M:”Thanks, really, thanks.”
And about 10 minutes later, an email arrived from the same person listing lots of different dating sites.
When I got home I discovered that my internet (well my neighbour’s) had died and I had no way to communicate with the ouutside world. So, feeling very sorry for myself I watched CSI while drinking a big glass of something very alcofrolic… and then hid under my duvet all alone… Sigh…
Yesterday I had the day off (my Birthday holiday) and I spent it shopping with my Mum buying things for the new house. I know own everything I will possible ever need for the kitchen… and have only to get bedding and then I’m ready to go.
Today, we were having a discussion about being old (with a 17 and 18 year old) and I felt really really… well, fine to be honest until they, too, started on the 30 thing (as one of the guys is turning 30 on Saturday.) So, I can only gather from all this that I have 1 year to get eveyrthing done before it all falls apart!
Am now going to call Virgin to get t’internet at home switched back on!
[tags]birthday, one year to 30[/tags]
Chocolate Holiday
Apr 8th
I went to church today. With my Mum and several hundred other people. Two kids were being baptised today and every single rude relative and friend of the parents showed up. They talked through the prayers, they talked through the sermon, they talked going up for communion and they wandered up and down the aisles with screaming/yelling/annoying kids. Grrrr… But, you know, it was a normal service… Church of England – bless…
In there I saw someone I used to go to school with. She’s recently got married, had a kid and apparently added 20 years to her age. My dear sweet Mum looks younger than her! So, of course, I had a mini heart attack wondering if I looked that old. God, I hope not. Not that 20 years older than me is old it’s just… oh, you know what I mean…
But, onto the importance of today. Two thousand years ago a wonderful thing happened. The people of Mexico and Cetral America, including the Maya and Aztecs, discovered that the seeds of the cacao tree were freakin’ delicious. To celebrate this miraculous discovery we hold a day of gorging ourselves on the stuff, mostly shaped like the seeds (but some call them ‘eggs’ – because they’re crazy)
and bunnies because, well, they’re cute.
Oh, bugger the history lesson – I love me the chocolate.
Right, I am going to watch BBC’s Pride & Prejudice with my Mum while I try to persuade her to switch the TV over to Grey’s Anatomy…
[tags]Easter, church, chocolate,[/tags]
Sucky
Apr 8th
I really shouldn’t have got up this morning… well, yesterday, well, any point this week.
I spent a stupid amount of time at work yesterday, got home late (for a good reason), saw and spoke to friend and ahd a night of reminising about 80s cartoons (Slocakian neighbout showed us some mad Russian cartoons on YouTube).
That all broke up about 11-ish and then I started wok.
I woke up at about 4:30am with little squares on my cheek where the Mac had tried to become part of me. I dragged myself off to bed for a few hours, woke up late (forgot to set alarm) and then hurried to work.
Today, the 5th of April is the day that account departments up and down the land both dread and look forward to with a masochistic delight. It is the end of the financial year and at our place that usually means a frantic sorting out of invoices and wanging them all into the database. Well… not this year. Everyone looked calm, and there was only a frantic drinking of caffienated products to indicate that anything was going on.
My job today was two-fold – look after my own department and make sure all the data was correct in the other two departments so that when I ran the end of month reports tomorrow there would be no problems. No problems at all.
One was an easy check through – a few things to change and all was done. The other. Oh good lord. It’s such a mess. The person that controls it has either decided to leave and doesn’t care about her job anymore or really really doesn’t know what she is doing. But, no, that can’t be true. She would have asked… right?
The data that is missing needs to be put in before the reports can be run. So tomorrow, instead of being a couple of hours, is now a full day with a possible definite of having to go in on Saturday too!
I don’t wanna, I wanna sleep! Waaaaaaaaahhhhh!
But the unselfish part of my brain is digging in and pushing me towards the door.
I finished work tonight at 7:30 and have taken an hour or so off to pay attention to my blog (hello, I’ve missed you, I’m sorry for the neglect, I promise you’ll have my full attention next week… late next week), and buy Easter eggs for the family. And that’s when the next thing happened. I forgot my PIN number for my card. I stood at the cashpoint and remembered it had a 4 in it. I could remember my old one… but not this one and I’ve had it for about a year! And then I locked my card so now, even if the number comes back to me, I cannot withdraw any cash. Bum.
And with the bank holidays it will take FOREVER to get it reset. FOREVER!!!!!!
But the good thing… I’ve found a house and will be moving in two weeks! The house (that’s right with an upstairs and a downstairs) is perfect, 3 bedrooms huuuuuge bathroom, fabulous kitchen and a landlord (well, lady) that I know and trust implicitly. All is great. I’m a little worried about rattling round the place on my own but it’ll be fine. Fine.
Now, back to work (avoidance)!
Update: I was in fact so tired I didn’t realise I hadb’t actually posted this until now… And, yes I am stll working so will post later… possibly… 
[tags]work, more work, moving, forgetting things, sleep on Mac[/tags]
All Work and No Play…
Apr 3rd
…is what I am doing this week.
You know what you have that feeling like you are going to explode? All day I couldn’t relax, I felt like my skin was too tight and was totally up for either a) screaming at someone; b) dancing like a lunatic; c) walking out. Luckily, I did none of them. The thing that was irritating me? Ex-hell. As usual.
My macro, that I have been writing for the last 2 weeks, kept failing on things that it shouldn’t have failed on. I updated my Office package and still it failed. I went on forums and tip pages and group pages and, yes, even the Microsoft pages and everything advised me I was doing the right thing but still it crashed. Grrrrrr…
And now I have one more day to finish it (as on Thursday I have to present the damn thing and start on the next one. I am giving up one of my bank holidays to get the damn thing done. That;s how much I like my bloody job. News came through about pay rises this week and I am very happy. Happy enough to be able to afford to move at the end of the month. Hurrah!
So, yes I am sick of this:
I hate this keyboard. It’s too attached to the damn PC (which I can’t believe people use) whihc doesn’t work even though my code is right! Grumble, whinge.
But the only thing that was keeping my going today, other than the fact that my officemate was having just as bad a day, was this:
Yes, the thought of my blog and getting one step closer to making it better. One. Step. Closer.
Of course, that one step is a big one now I have discovered that the blue and sand colours (new ones not like these ones) that I chose really don’t go and made me eyes do weird things after a bit. I think lunchtime tomorrow will be spent mixing colours, until I am satisfied…. SATISFIED? DO YOU HEAR ME? EVEN IF IT TAKES HOURS!!!!
But there again, if I take a really long lunch I’ll just have to stay at work later to finish stuff and I like coming home in the light.
See what happens tomorrow…
[tags]work, excel is a big pos,[/tags]
Last Week of the Year
Apr 2nd
There are four whole days left before the new year starts. And I have two major major projects to complete before then (doesn’t help that Friday is actually a Bank Holiday… does mean it will be quiet though!) and I am basically running on empty.
Everytime I sit down to start blogging I either remeber how to create a chart in VB or I climb under my desk and rock back and forth with teh stress of getting it all finished in time. Fun. I mean I know I will get it finished in time; I am no stranger to no sleep and working all the hours God gives me but… what can I do when Excel keeps crashing. RunTime Error this Mother Fugger!
I logged a polite version of a call to our IT department and the sweet sweet darlin’ up at IT gave me admin rights for the day to sort out what I needed. Oh, the temptation to install iTunes was large but I just have my Mac sitting on the corner of my desk singing it’s little heart out!
Speaking of musc (yes I know it’s the worst segue in some time but live with it, I’m tired), as a work avoidance tactic I filled in this meme also done by Snackie and Dave.
First meme in months!
Of all the bands & artists in your collection, of which one do you own the most albums?
Alanis Morissette. Everything she’s ever done. I love it, her music is my comfort blanket. If I’m down, she helps me wallow; if I’m up then she makes me want to laugh and giggle and be alive.
What was the last song you listened to?
A Hundred Ways To Be A Good Girl by Skunk Anansie.
What’s in your CD player right now?
The Very Best of Nina Simone. I’ve just put it on my iTunes and… now it’s back in it’s case.
What are your favorite instruments?
Cello.
Who’s your favorite local artist/band?
I know Preston has bands and I have seen some of them but I’ll be buggered if I can remember any of their names.
What was the last show you attended?
Oh my God… it was a while ago…. Jamie Cullum, Preston, 2004. I have plans to see bands this year…
What was the greatest show you’ve ever been to?
The Chemical Brothers at Glastonbury 2000. Not really a show but… intense? Jeez Louis!
What’s the worst band you’ve ever seen in concert?
Republica who opened for Bryan Adams. They were hostile towards the crowd who really didn’t want to scream, but mostly went for a beer.
What band do you love musically but hate the members of?
U2 – Bono annoys me… have no idea why.
What is the most musically involved you have ever been?
In school choirs since the age of 4, church choir for 13 years, high school musicals, Blackppol and Fylde Light Opera Company, random concerts here and there and a lot of drunk karaoke.
What show are you looking forward to?
The Police… they will announce more daes – they have to!
What is your favorite band shirt?
The only music t-shirt I own is a Bryan Adams one which is a painting t-shirt.
What musician would you like to hang out with for a day?
Alanis Morissette – she just seems fun. Seriously.
What musician would you like to be in love with you for a day?
Danny McNamara (of Embrace), because, (to steal Dave’s word – damn.
What was your last musical “phase” before you wised up?
Grunge of the Seattle kind – then I realised I just looked a tit in the ripped jeans and old cardigans
Sabbath or solo Ozzy?
Ozzy.
Did you know that filling out this meme makes you a music geek?
Just one more string to my geek bow.
What was the greatest decade for music?
The 80′s.
What is your favorite movie soundtrack?
Score-wise Gladiator by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, Soundtrack – High Fidelity.
Who is your favorite artist who is much better live than on a recording? Jamie Cullum
Do you have a hidden desire to be a popular musician? Doesn’t everybody?
Not a popular one – a back street singer would be good enough for me.
Have you ever used drugs to enhance the music experience?
Nope, I like to hear me music clearly. Although singing along while drunk always makes you sound better! 
What was the last song you heard that gave you a chill?
Strange and Beautiful by Aqualung.
Where would you be without music?
In a loony bin, music has saved me many times.
[tags]music meme, work insanity, bloody Excel, [/tags]
