Nothing Changes

So it was all the usual crap with John. I really won't bore you with it here. Suffice to say that we're not speaking (again)! Went to see Sex and the City though and really enjoyed that. Going again Sunday with Michelle. In the meantime its back to the usual routine. Meeting DD for drinks this evening at Panacea, out on Canal Street on Saturday and then back to work on Monday and will find out sometime next week whether I'm to be interviewed for the job or not. Also whether my builder will ever turn up again! I have to say though that even though its not finished yet I'm looking forward to spending some time in the flat on my own. Have treated myself to Grand Theft Auto for the PS3 so will probably be spending a chunk of the weekend on that. Also next week should be meeting up with Newcastlewench who is breezing into town for something probably top secret and very important. Wil be good to see her as she will be brimful of news and I haven't sen her for ages. That's all. J x

As One Chapter Closes...

...another begins. Fig has departed for sunnier skies in Brighton whilst another Southern traveller journeys North. Sunday was spent at the art gallery (a rather good exhibit by a Chinese guy with a double-barreled surname with just too many syllables for me to remember) and in the Northern Quarter (jeans for Fig and a book for me) followed by drinks with DD at her place (no longer our place - I hardly knew my way around anymore) and then at Cloud 23 and Podium. Yesterday, it has to be said, involved quite a lot of Playstation 3 although we did make it out to the cinema to see Indiana Jones. What a load of pants. It really is a bad film.

Anyway, have to get on with cleaning and changing the beds as John and Conor arrive lunchtime. And its raining again which I'm sure will please them immensely. Not. I'm not sure how much time I'l have to blog with 2 guests to entertain but I'll update you as and when I can (but after the last couple of months I'm sure, dear readers, that you're already overwhelmed by the number of blogs there have been to read over the last few days so a break may be welcome...). That's all. J x

Fairy Schmairy

Trip to Ilva to look at cheap garden furniture yesterday - and God it did look cheap so we didn't buy any. Bought DD a present though (not cheap looking, obviously). Also called in at Roche Bobois to look at very expensive furniture (very nice but just a little too French). Thence to a little shop called M Scene which is just the best shop with the most fantastic stuff in it. Also spent quite a lot of time on the PS3.

Before the theatre met up with DD for a drink in The Midland. We wouldn't normally go there because the service is not great but The Radisson was just rammed. Ordered a VM and was asked whether I wanted a dry or sweet one. I was horrified. Sweet martini? Who ever heard of such a thing although the bartender was insistent that there was such a creature. Having googled the term this morning I discover that the sweet martini actually predates the dry martini. Who knew? The Midland was playing host to the chavest wedding on earth. The outfits had to be seen to be believed. The bride (even without her tattoos) was a sight. The dress was your worst nightmare of a dress only shorter. And the bridesmaids. Oh my God. Don't even get me started.

Anyway, thence to The Library where we saw what had been renamed as "Rock" (previously The Fairy Godfather of New York). It was a really interesting play all about the relationship between Rock Hudson and his agent. It was only slightly marred by the fact that Bette Bourne couldn't quite remember all his words. However, the guy playing Rock was to die for and got his kit off as well!

And then home were we spent some time on the play station before retiring at a reasonable hour. Today hasn't been decided on yet but may or may not include Manchester Art Gallery, The Northern Quarter and/or Canal Street but will certainly include Sainsburys. Watch this space. That's all. J x

Arndale Schmarndale

Didn't make it to the Arndale. Fig got a shirt in Kendals instead. We then headed for the Arndale but only made is as far as a couple of espresso martinis in Harvey Nicks. From there we went to Urbis which had 3 exhibitions on. Matthew Williamson (quite interesting but I don't think he has a big enough body of work to merit a full exhibition yet). I think the fact that he's from Manchester originally is why Urbis have put one on. There was then an exhibition on urban gardening which should have been good but wasn't. Finally an exhibition on Manga which was interesting if a little disturbing. We then had coffee in The Modern. Nice spoons. Incidentally, I only have 2 spoons left as the builders appear to have stolen all mine. Why would they do that? Thence to Selfridges and then home where we spent a happy couple of hours on the PS3.

Out for a couple of drinks before the theatre. First stop, new bar Ithica - not sure, they've clearly spent a lot of money on it but it didn't quite work for us although their VMs were very good. So then we went to that old stalwart Panacea where our second favourite barman has cut all his hair off.

After this it was the wondrous Blethyn in The Glass Menagerie. Not an easy play to watch but it was very well done and all the actors were very good. Adrienne informs me that there are a few internal candidates for my (new) job so I've got my work cut out there. Then we went to The Modern (again) and saw in Fig's birthday (Happy Birthday honey) and then back home for another hour on the PS3 before bed. We appear to be stuck at the moment on a particularly difficult throwing task. But we persevere. That's all. J x

The Good, The Bad and....

.... the f***ing builders.

No news on builders actually, I just liked the way that line read. Scarlet Pimpernel was fun last night - a bit of a sub-Les Mis musical but none the worse for that. The 3 main leads were all very good and it was fun trying to spot Jim on the chorus in all his different costumes and wigs. We sat with Mark from the Helpline and him and Fig got on like a house on fire - they both have the most amazing memories for obscure bits of film and TV ephemera.

Actually slept at the flat last night. Had to hover the bed before I could make it up though - all that dust. Had a surprisingly good night although Fig claims to have heard some United fans still celebrating. And indeed, word from DD towers this morning is that there were more celebrations going on last night.

We're off to The Arndale (I know) this morning followed by a couple of exhibitions and maybe lunch at Urbis. And then our Brenda tonight. Will update as and when party lifestyle and hoovering allows. That's all. J x

Guess What?

No f***ing builder this morning. It really is unbelievable. You'd think that as a tax inspector I would have come across my share of liars but even the worst tax cheat isn't as bad as these builders. At least tax cheats have the honesty to dislike you. Builders are all smiles and laughs and then they stab you in the back. The last thing they said to me when they left was see you in the morning. They weren't here when I got here at 0800 and they're still not here and the main chap has turned his phone off. They did send "George" however. He is almost like a "negative builder" in that he is so inept that once he's finished a job you're in a worse position than you were when he started it. He's attempted to make sure that the bathroom door closes correctly. I have to wait until the paint dries to test if this is true. I fully expect it to fall off its hinges once I try it. I'll keep you posted. Fig arrives at 1530. Looking forward to seeing him and we're off to see The Scarlet Pimpernel am dram musical tonight. Trust me, compared to my builders its going to be like a night at the Royal Opera House... That's all. J x

Fingers Crossed...

... we might be getting there with the flat. They're back tomorrow morning until lunchtime by which time I should have 2 functioning bathrooms (with doors). A working heating and hot water system. Carpets in the bedrooms and most of a living room floor. Lighting is all ready to go and I think the telly and stuff may work. All that should be outstanding then is a wardrobe and a bookcase and the fiddly bits that just make life that much easier. As I say, fingers crossed. That's all. J x

Hiya (as they say in Wales)

You may already have read the stuff below in the comments section of my previous post. This was due to a hideous publishing disaster beyond my control. I do apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Time will indeed tell young Figster although quite what it will tell remains to be seen. DD still away. She should have arrived in St Petersburg by now (Aeroflot willing) although I have yet to receive a text confirming this. Its been good for her to be away actually as I imagine I would have been pretty impossible to live with this week as have spent all week (yes, all week dear readers) filling in a job application. HMRC doesn't do things by halves and if you want a new job there are hoops to jump through for days. It doesn't help of course that once you've filled the damn thing in so that you believe that God himself (alright, or herself) would give you a job, along comes a certain Scottish lady (and I use that word under advisement) who says that your application is absolute pants and you have to start again. Having said that, once I'd taken on board all her ideas as well as those of another trained sifter and someone who has actually done the job, it was in fact 200% better. They're sifting in week commencing 02/06 and interviews are in week commencing 09/06 if needed. So keep your fingers crossed everyone.

News elsewhere? Flat still not ready. Anyone surprised? No, I didn't think so but I have assurances that I will have at least one functioning bathroom by the time young Figster arrives and we can just work the rest out as we go along. I've started bulk buying vodka already (canny investors out there might want to consider investing in Absolut and Grey Goose shares now). A full programme of theatre visits has been laid on for said birthday from the amateur production of Scarlet Pimpernel. The Musical! (who knew?) to our Brenda in that Tennessee Williams thing and our Bette in that Rock Hudson thing. Sunday night will be our night to howl...

John and Conor arrive on Tuesday and plans are afoot for things to do from that plasticised corpses thing to a day trip to Blackpool (can't wait) to a trip round some football ground. Actually I'm hoping the PS3 will be up and running by then and we can just leave Conor playing that and John and I can go out and get drunk! More vodka, I know. My liver is a pretty resilient organ though.

No other news for now. Book Group on Monday - Angela Carter's Wise Children which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm now reading the new Philip Pullman (having read The Book Thief in between - fantastic) but not got into it yet.

Tuesday of course sees the return of DD with, no doubt, tales of holiday romances and a million photographs. Looking forward to seeing her again since its been lonely in her flat without her.

Christies on Thursday (hello lovely lovely Debbie) - she always reads the blog before I turn up so that she can shout at me about sunbathing - before picking Fig up from the airport in the afternoon.

That's all. J x

And so I'm back...

...from Portugal. Had a very restful week apart from the sleepless nights worrying about the apartment! Still, the weather was good and although I wasn't supposed to sunbathe I did allow myself half an hour a day so I at least have a little colour to show for the holiday. Monarch flights were, as ever, Monarch flights and all that entails... I'll go BA next year because at least you get a nice flight (even if they do always seem to be delayed). Spent the time out there relaxing, reading, walking on the beach, only a little bit of shopping and, since with the Aged Ps, alcohol figured in there somewhere. All in all a good holiday.
Apartment not finished (well what did you expect?) but progress has been made. At least I have most of a floor laid now. Will be moving back in next weekend come what may and then have Fig visiting from the Thursday and John & Conor from the Tuesday.
Back to work tomorrow and have a million and one things to do o it will be a busy week. I'll blog again next weekend and let you know how the move is going. DD is off to Moscow and ST Petersburg from Tuesday until the following Tuesday so will be moving myself (which is probably for the best anyway). That's all. J x