Bloody Hell

Almost forgot to tell you. Mrs T stayed last night and she is looking fabulous. Healthy, tanned (with a little help from a major cosmetics company!) and full of life. How anyone who has moved to the middle of nowhere and works in a castle can look happy and healthy is beyond me but it clearly works for her. Its clearly agreeing with Kev to who looks lithe/ripped depending on who you talk to... That's all. J x

Rain Rain Go Away

Checked the weather report for Saturday this afternoon and it had 2 rain drops on it. It now has one so hopefully things are looking up for Tatton Park. Sam is joining us this year and it will be interesting to hear what he thinks of the proceedings.

Royal Exchange tonight for Hay Fever. Very good if you put your Noel Coward hat on - that's the only way he works these days. The cast were fantastic although only one of them hit the triple score of Eastenders, Casualty and The Bill on their CV.

Closing date for BLM jobs tomorrow. Luckily I won't be too worried about it because I'll be flat on my back in The Moon on a birthday do. That's all. J x

24/7

This is the title for a "new theatre writing" festival thing in Manchester. For "new writing" read "amateur". Went to something last night in the basement of a record shop. Apparently some of the actors had been in Coronation Street. Its pretty hard to find an actor in Manchester who hasn't been in Coronation Street though. It was entertaining enough but a little amateur for my tastes. Went to Zinc bar beforehand (very busy and very hot) and The Moderne afterwards (cooler and less busy, well virtually empty actually - I don't predict a long life for The Moderne, which is a shame in some ways since its about the only bar in Manchester one can get into late night and be guaranteed of a vodka martini and a seat).

Not much planned for the rest of the weekend (which is good since still catching up after Tuesday night (I know, it takes time these days!). Currently unable to take a shower or do any washing on account of my water having been turned off (United Utilities are doing something outside the flat). Got Mrs T staying on Wednesday night (although I'm in Birmingham all day) and it will be really good to see her. DD is popping by to say hello so we'll probably have to save the dancing round the flat in our pyjamas until later on (since DD doesn't own any pyjamas - I know, how does she survive?). That's all. J x

And It Gets Worse...

Had a chum from London/Eastbourne staying for a couple of nights. She was delivering some really high powered training course on all things international - including Rotterdam apparently. It was great to see her because its been a while since we've got together. But God am I hung over today. It all started out innocently enough. Me her and Steve met up in Panacea and then we went to the Hilton (23rd floor along with all the tourists) because she hadn't been there before and you have to go up at least once. And then of course, Ms DD turned up and it went from bad to worse. Neither of us can remember getting back to the flat. And we felt crap this morning. But I managed to get through a meeting in Blackburn (thank God I wasn't driving) and then brought in a huge settlement this afternoon so all in all not too bad at the end of the day.

Went to see Mamma Mia with Jim at the weekend. What a rubbish film - same criticism as I had about the stage show. Its really a pop concert and not a musical and therefore shouldn't sell itself as such (in my humble musical theatre opinion). You'd never find Sondheim cobbling together someone else's songs and making a fortune out of it and that's all I'm going to say on the matter. Off to bed early tonight to recover. That's all. Oh apart from to say great news from my uncle and aunt who've had some good health related news although Jane still isn't too well. I'm thinking of them all at the moment. J x

Its Been Ages

So sorry for that dear readers. Its been another busy week. My application form for the Liverpool/Warrington jobs has gone and has been received by the appropriate person (good job I checked though because she hadn't received it first time). The closing date is 01/08 and the applications are being sifted week commencing 04/08 and interviews are week commencing 18/08. The closing date for the Manchester job is 29/08 so I don't need to fill that in until I know one way or the other on the Liverpool one. Its a bit annoying because Liverpool has the job I want whereas Manchester has the location. Having said that, the Manchester job is quite attractive and I'm sure would provide plenty of challenges.

Saw Karen this week as she was in town on Wednesday. It was great to see her and we got drunk in Panacea (where else?) before she caught her train to Nottingham. It was like she'd never been away (wait a minute, it was me that went away wasn't it!).

Out to the Hilton last night with DD and others to celebrate a promotion. Had one more VM than I'd intended. No harm done though except I can't remember whether or not I phoned Sarah to discuss her staying next week so I'll have to phone her today and apologise if we've already had the conversation!

Builder has been on site 3 days this week and not done all that he should have. Don't know what I'm going to do about this. I suppose if he keeps attending then we'll carry on with him but if he disappears again then he can forget it (I know, I've said it before). We'll see. That's all. J x

Busy Week

But no builder. Sadly. That's his lot now though. I've been more than fair and he can now go and whistle for the rest of his money. Now begins the search for an alternate builder. God its depressing.

Can't remember what else is news. Oh yes, am filling in another promotion application. This time for a job in Liverpool (or Warrington). Would prefer the latter but don't think I'm able to choose. We'll see. I'll let you all know how I get on. Hopefully will at least get an interview this time. They've also advertised my boss's job. But the closing date for applications for his job is later than the interview dates for the Liverpool job. I think if they offer the Liverpool one I'll have to take it as there's no guarantee I'd get the Manchester one. Shame they didn't come about the other way round really. Hey ho. Wish me luck. That's all. J x

Ooooooh, Dr Who

What did you think? I'm not so sure. No new Doctor? Were we happy with the explanation? I'll watch it again (Sky + is fantastic) and post again. That's all. J x

So Where to Start?

Well, Lymm was good. An excellent conference. Learned a lot and met some great people - also learned never to go and stay in the Lymm Hotel since the beds were really uncomfortable. It was worth it though and I came away feeling energised and enthused. The Local Compliance Director also complimented me on one of the points I made!

Cannot believe how excited the whole world seems to be at the prospect of tonight's Dr Who. Its all anyone talks about (apart from Ms DD who does occasionally say other things, such as "shall we have another" - the answer is yes...). All flights now sorted for Madrid and am looking forward to that although its a way off yet. Its also the same month I go to Venice so it will be pretty hectic.

Did the helpline on Monday night and had a call from someone whose partner was just about to be sent down for benefit fraud. Found that call quite difficult because all I wanted to do was scream at the guy "but he deserves it" rather than listen to him going on and on about the injustice of it all because it meant that they might lose their council house. Of course I didn't and I was supportive and helpful and all the rest of it.

Saw the designers on Thursday. The builder is getting a final chance (I know, I know) but it really is the final chance. We'll see. He's got a list of things to do by next Friday and if they're not done he's off the job. Went to Heals this morning with Ms DD and ordered a load of new furniture.

Theatre last Sunday for Jim's Showcase. About 7 different am dram companies doing excerpts from the musicals which turned out to be a lot more fun than it sounds...

Saw the hospital dentist last Thursday (after an hour's wait) and he seemed happy with the way things are looking and gave me the go ahead for some crowns. Which unfortunately don't get done on the NHS so are likely to cost me a fortune.

Mother not too well at the moment. She's got a really sore throat and is finding it difficult to eat. I suggested that she try an Ensure Plus (since I have a stash at their place) but apparently it just made her feel sick. Thank God it doesn't have that effect on me or where would I be?

Off to Canal Street tonight after Dr Who so will blog again soon. That's all. J x