I Liked Norway Too

For so many reasons... ;-) J x

Eurovision Was a Triumph

But not for UK. Had enormous fun texting Fig till my fingers bled during the contest. Italy was my favourite followed by Russia. Albania was dreadful. That's all. J x

Catch Up

So its been a busy week, as ever. Was in London on Tuesday to get some training for the Civil Service Fast Stream Mentoring programme. It was fun but was astonished by the number of people there in their twenties, fresh faced from University and yet already working with Ministers and the like. Clearly the HMRC graduate-entry programme is somewhat different to the usual fast stream programme. No regrets though... Was out at B&M's for dinner on Friday but unfortunately Bryn was quite unwell (now feeling better thank God as he had us all a bit worried) so we didn't do a lot of New York planning. Never mind, plenty of time. DD and I caught the tram home in the pouring rain. Then off to Leeds yesterday for a garden party at Sarah & Hugh's. It was looking good when I set off because it was so sunny in Manchester I had my sunglasses on but by the time the train got to the other side of the Pennines it was grey and cold and miserable. Had a good time at the party anyway and met some lovely people and caught up with others I hadn't see for a while. Also watched their nesting box live feed (they cost about £200 apparently) which was quite exciting... for a while. Think I'd rather spend my money on a shirt which, coincidentally, was what happened yesterday morning. Lovely Madras check shirt from Gant. Unfortunately I managed to dribble chocolate from the chocolate fountain all down it! Memo to self: marshmallows will never feature in your list of manageable foodstuffs... But I did manage to catch sight of Caitlin Moran in Harvey Nichols. I'm a big fan of hers but luckily managed to restrain myself from going up to her and gushing like a chocolate fountain. Also saw a gorgeous jacket in Calvin Klein Collection. The bad news is it costs £795. The good news is that Harvey Nichols has a 50% off sale on Wednesday and the jacket is in it. Not sure I'll be buying though (these are austere times after all - memo to Fig: please do not add a comment detailing the price of clothes I've purchased in the past - that was all long ago and far away). We'll see. Aso this week had the pleasure of watching Salford Amateur Operatic Society's show "60 Glorious Years". Which was a trip through all the musicals they've done over the past 60 years since they were formed. All of them. 60 years. In a church hall. In Eccles. But very excited about booking tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar at the MEN in September. Some bizarre actors involved (Chris Moyles as Herod? Melanie C as Mary Magdalene?) and I understand that Mr Lloyd-Webber will be doing one of his TV search for a star things to find the person to play Jesus. But I think the musical should work well in an Arena. Its a big show with a big story and big music. I'm particularly ken to keep an eye out for the "leper-acting" (you'll understand that comment Fig). Finally, cannot sign off without mentioning the sad loss of Donna Summer. All gay people of my generation will understand that my love for her music is not without complications. She found God and said some stupid things about AIDS but her music was era-defining and she kept going for a long time. I'm sad she's died. That's all. J x P.S. Her dancing wasn't always the best.... :-)

Back in the North

Easy journey home. Traffic not bad at all. Ma & Pa doing much better. Looking at them coming to stay with me for the jubilee bank holiday. On the down side, looks like I might not be able to go the match tomorrow after all... :-( That's all. J x

Hope This Works

Its hilarious. Its really funny on its own but if you've seen the video "it gets better" telling kids its OK to be gay then its hilarious...

Beautiful Day

... so everyone is feeling better. Have been to the local botanic gardens this afternoon which are just lovely. Mother, of course, had to pass comment on the fact that whilst it may all look lovely now it wouldn't look so good once all the plants were dead! Honestly, that woman's glass is never half full. Tried inflating my tyres using Dad's tyre-inflator-machine-thingy but that seems to be broken so I'll have to do it in the garage on my way home as my tyres are looking a little saggy! Also went to a garden centre this morning - Wyevale - which was actually rather nice. Lots of Union Jack stuff around though but not any bunting. Anyone got any idea of where I can lay my hands on some Union Jack bunting ready for the jubilee weekend? Looks like the Aged Ps may be coming to Manchester for that weekend too all being well. Home tomorrow and then, hopefully, football on Sunday. That's all for now. J x

Still Raining...

...but Aged Ps seem to be feeling a little better today. Had a trip into town this morning and then Ma & Pa went for a pub lunch whilst I continued to wander around town visiting Debenhams (as bad as I imagined) and Topman (the Swansea store not being as nice or as trendy as the Manchester one). I remain a fan of Topman though for its brave philosophy in bringing fashion forward clothes to the people who can't afford proper fashion. Off to the Swansea botanic gardens tomorrow. Mother's appointment with the consultant has been cancelled though on account of the consultant being unwell so I won't be able to accompany her which is a shame. Consultant heal thyself! That's all. J x

Lovely Day in Swansea

So am off to the National Botanic Gardens. But on my own. Mother isn't up to it and father would prefer to stay home and look after her. We may go to the Swansea Botanic Gardens locally later in the week en famille. Mum isn't having a good time of it this time (just had third cycle) but I guessed the effects would be somewhat cumulative. At least she's now half way through the treatment which is good (although she's feeling so rotten she can't focus on this at the moment). Hopefully I'm a distraction just by being home. That's all for now. J x

Home Once More

So made the journey down to Swansea today. Roads were pretty clear and it didn't rain much at all (apart from just outside Bridgend - which is pretty normal!). Ma & Pa seem OK. Mum is a bit wobbly and craving beetroot but otherwise OK. And Dad hasn't coughed at all yet which is good. Have various doctor/hospital trips to make with them this week and then back up to Manchester on Saturday. Hopefully going to see City play on Sunday - the deciding match - but having dangled a ticket in front of my face DD is now having second thoughts... Never mind, I'll watch on telly anyway. Will be great for them to win the league. Everyone else is OK as far as I can tell. So its all looking good at the moment. Have my hernia consultation on 18/05 and following my conversation with Pat the nurse over dinner on Friday (at the very lovely Maggie & Paul's - the soup, nettle and wild garlic, was to die for and there is now some sat in my freezer, yum) it looks as though it isn't my stomach poking out but rather my liver which is a little more worrying although I'm not sure why. Anyway, we'll see what the doctor says. That's all. J x

Come on City

Nearly there... :-) J x

Was I Exaggerating Mary? Please don't watch if you're easily offended. But if you do have a sense of humour press Play now! J x