Not Blogged For Ages

Sorry. Off to Lymm for a couple of nights but will bring you all up to date when I get back, I promise. That's all (for now). J x But, P.S. Dr Who. How exciting?

Watching the football...

... with Ms DD. God the Spanish players are cute. Especially the goalie. I did look up his name but have had a little too much to drink (pay attention, Ms DD is involved in this story) to remember it. Anyway he's cute. Am recording Kinky Boots as Ms DD wants to watch that too. We're into extra time at the moment and who knows where we'll end up. Exciting times. That's all. J x

Well it may be...

...a fantastic hotel but they can't make a vodka martini to save their lives. What is it with bar staff these days? Don't they train them or anything?

Opera was OK. Dennis O'Neil wasn't in it - was some other chap. Who was actually was rather good. The princess was fabulous though but Aida was a bit shrill I thought. And not that many tunes. You can't beat Mozart for tunes but I'm afraid on the evidence so far Verdi leaves me a little cold (Falsatff & Aida).

Now back in my room and watching the Amir Khan fight. I hate boxing but Amir is just soooo cute. That's all. J x

Died & Gone to Hotel Heaven

In the Ramada in Birmingham and just been upgraded to a Business Class suite on the 18th floor. Can see for miles Unfortunately its miles and miles of Birmingham but upgraders can't be choosers! Having some drugs and lunch before heading out to Harvey Nicks and Selfridges for a spot of sale shopping. Then to Aida tonight (WNO production with Denis O'Neil). Not seen it before so am quite excited at the prospect of elephants (should there be any - I'll let you know). Out with DD and Gill & Brian last night for a drink or 6. Went to Fellicinis which we haven't been to before and very nice it was too. Good for watching semi-clad students walking past the widow on their way to a night out in Manchester. Conversation was wide ranging and ridiculous at times as it should be after a few VMs. That's all for now. I'll blog later as have complementary wi-fi in my suite... J x

Still Not Mended

But that means I get to sit at lots of other desks and interact with different people so its not all bad. Although it is a pain having to go back to my desk when I forget the stapler and stuff. Anyway, off to London tomorrow so hopefully it will be fully functioning when I get back.

Car had its MOT today. £300. Not too bad when you consider its age and that price included a revamp of the air con and a new tyre.

Invite to go to Liverpool (City of Culture?) on Friday with Ms DD & gang but too busy and am off to Birmingham on Saturday and meeting Mark now on Friday evening anyway. Still want to go and see the Klimt though. I see that the Pool is copying Manchester (it was ever thus) by having a "parade" of that stupid lamb banana thing in mockery of our Cow Parade (which was ace). Even Bath are getting in on the act with a Boar Parade. Where Manchester leads...

Get my feedback on my application on Thursday (if you remember I "negotiated" myself some) so I may let you know what was said depending, obviously, on what was said. Also been roped into interviewing people (its supposed to be the other way round!) on Friday now. Its not as if I haven't already got enough to do but when one's Business Unit Head asks one can only say yes! Actually, I don't mind really coz its quite fun plus good practice for when I am on the other side. That's all. J x

Unexpected

Well the show was absolutely marvelous. And there was so much of it too. Some really exciting and inspirational works. Shall spend the rest of this evening looking up the websites of my favourites. Then after a bit of a rest it was off to the cinema to see Gone Baby Gone. Absolutely fantastic film. CAsey Affleck is a real find as an actor. And OMG, who on earth would want to live in America. What a nightmare place full of nightmare people. And so many guns. In order to recover we had to repair to Podium afterwards for a martini/glass of champagne or 3. Both late for work this morning! Taking car for MOT in the morning so late again. Hope my bloody computer has been mended by the time I get in. That's all. J x

A Quiet Morning...

... spent watching Brad and Angelina recorded last night. I like that film (Mr & Mrs Smith).

Off to the degree show of Manchester School of Art this afternoon followed by who knows what. I wonder if I'll do a Maurice Saatchi and buy up a whole collection? I'm guessing we're unlikely to see anything as gorgeous as The Egg though... (Actually, is it called The Egg or something else? - I've no doubt Lil will be able to tell us). That's all. J x

Incidentally

Have managed to negotiate myself some feedback on the job application so I'll let you know where it all went horribly wrong... That's all. J x

Football

Ms DD came round last night to watch the football - Netherlands v France. What an exciting match. Some alcohol was consumed, it's true, but I'm not hungover this morning so it can't have been too much. Laundry & cleaning this morning and then into town this afternoon. Canal Street with Mark tonight and no plans at the moment for Sunday. Need to get some plants from Albert Square at some point though

Nothing more to report on the flat at the moment. The floor has been finished and looks fab and I'm promised that most of the rest of the stuff will be finished by the end of June. We'll see. I'm not too bothered and its good living back in my own place (although of course I miss the sofa-bed desperately...). That's all. J x

Busy Busy Busy

God, I'm never out of the office it seems. Still, really enjoying it at the moment. Checking the Job Adverts at least 3 times a day! I will get promoted, I will get promoted....

Spoke to Mrs T this week and she's making a pilgrimage to Manchester soon but as ever everyone wants to see her. I've been relegated to a week night. What's that all about? Also getting rather excited about all the fab pantos that the Figlet and I can go to at Xmas (Barrowman in Birmingham, Luft in The Wizard of Oz - I know! - and Mary Poppins).

There's a programme on TV at the moment about the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and there's a picture of 2 of Figlet and mine's friends in the exhibition this year. How exciting! That's all. J x

Oooooh...

... new iPhone. Very nice. Very sexy. Very just the thing for getting over disappointment... That's all. J x

Not Even an Interview

Bastards. And no feedback either. How on earth is one supposed to improve one's applications if one isn't told where one failed the first time round? Really depressed that I didn't even get an interview. But I'll get over it. One day. Give it a couple of years or so... That's all. J x

Monday Apparently

They won't announce the job results until Monday and interviews won't now be carried out until July because of the large number of applications (19). So please still keep everything crossed... J x

And Still No Bloody Word

DD says its because they don't announce the results until the Friday of the week in which they sift the applications. And she would know of course...

Builder is still on holiday until Monday apparently. I remain calm and centered...

Did help line shift tonight and got "signed off". I'm now qualified to answer the phone on my own. Whoppee! That's all. J x P.S. Happy birthday Karen, sorry the card's late.

Still no word...

...on the job (or on the flat - apparently the designers are meeting with the builder tomorrow rather than today). Half a tooth fell out of my mouth when I got back last night. Not sure whether this counts as a karaoke injury and whether or not I should be suing my union. Anyway saw my (very cute) dentist today and he says its nothing to worry about because there's no decay involved. He's warned me to stay away from karaoke bars for...oh... the rest of my life! That's all. J x

Oh What a Night

Still not heard anything on the job...

Met dearest Newcastlewench for a martini or 2 (she had 2 I had one plus a coffee) from work. Great to see her and I have to say a special thank you to her for texting me a picture of her cat. Thence to Tiger Tiger for a night of karaoke with my union colleagues. What a fantastic idea karaoke pods are. If you've never used them before I urge you to give them a go. They are so good. Some genius had decided to organise the evening around Eurovision so we were divided up into national teams and all had to vote on the other teams' efforts. I was Norway along with 3 others. What chance did we stand? Anyway each team had to choose song and then sing it to the other teams which meant a lot of pod swapping. What a brilliant way to break the ice. Needless to say things soon descended into chaos. Everyone sang everyone else's songs and the voting quickly became political (just like the real Eurovision!). Anyway thanks to agreeing a "lets give each other top marks" deal with several other teams (sorry Sweden, Iceland and Spain) Norway finished about half way up the table. The Netherlands won and Spain came last. Manchester are now hoping for a mention in the Union's next journal publication.

I'll keep you posted on the job situation. Love to Jane as always as she goes through all the crap of chemotherapy. That's all. J x

SATC II

Went to see it again tonight. Still fab. That silver Chanel bag that Carrie has at the beginning is fabulous. Thence to the 23rd floor of the Hilton for a cocktail or 3. Very nice. Nervous about job news next week. Rest assured you will all be the first to know... Jane (my cousin) not doing too well at the moment (she's currently at the low point of her chemotherapy) but hopefully she'll pick up soon. All my best wishes for her though. That's all. J x