.... Macmillan cancelled on me this morning. Me! I virtually run the organisation...
But this did allow me to run DD to MRI for her good news ears appointment. Apparently she now has the best hearing in Christendom.
Off to the cinema tonight with Mr Y to see that Paul Raymond movie. Should be interesting because I remember Soho back in the day.
Have also now booked Amsterdam flights and hotel. Aged Ps are doing their bookings (they fly from Cardiff) through a travel agent.
Got a bit drunk last night (now have a restocked vodka freezer) watching Mad Men with DD. She also watched The Village but I think I may have dropped off during that :-) I'm blaming the gorgeous lasagne meal cooked by Michele rather than the tumblers full of vodka...! That's all. J
Oh, I also want to say hello to Carole who sent me a lovely retirement card and letter. Thank you. J x
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
I'm on a pub crawl. On a train....
Thursday saw me and Lesley off to see the 20th anniversary tour of Rent. In Manchester for one night only. The place was packed with squealing drama students but not in a bad way. It just meant they were really up for the show which was good as usual. Just one or two niggles - they had some issues with the sound and lighting at times but nothing serious. My main concern was that they'd mucked around with the Christmas Song. Only the best song ever in the show. It didn't need no tweaking. The cast were superb though. I particularly liked the woman playing Joanne. Lesley enjoyed it too.
Friday was coffee with Michele at Rylands for a catch up. Good to see her and she, bless her, had made me 6 (yes count them) lasagnes with accompanying garlic bread (I know. Garlic. And bread). Thank God there was room in my freezer on account of there being no vodka there. Incidentally saw carer in chief yesterday and remonstrated with her about the fact that I'd been left with no vodka. She however informed me that we're on a break...
Thence to The Rising Sun to say farewell and good luck in your new jobs to Gordon and Jane. Lesley and I trotted off to The Midland later to meet with carer-in-chief and Michelle for proper (vodka based) drinks. Lesely went home early and the rest of us then did a tour of local Italian restaurants looking for one with a table free (Triple dip? No chance). Eventually settled in Croma. Not been there since before my first cancer. And very nice it was too even though I ate Denise's food and she ate mine.
Yesterday was the aforementioned pub crawl on a train starting in Chester at around midday and then stopping at various pubs near stations on the route back to Manchester. I think I lasted for about 6 or 7 pubs before I had to retire tired and emotional. The others proceeded on until they eventually had a curry in Hale. I enjoyed myself though. Got home and cooked myself one of Michele's lasagnes and very nice it was too. Luckily this made just enough room in the freezer for me to pop in a bottle of Absolut that I'd picked up at Sainsburys on Manchester station... :-) All is now right with the world. And that's all for now. J x
Friday was coffee with Michele at Rylands for a catch up. Good to see her and she, bless her, had made me 6 (yes count them) lasagnes with accompanying garlic bread (I know. Garlic. And bread). Thank God there was room in my freezer on account of there being no vodka there. Incidentally saw carer in chief yesterday and remonstrated with her about the fact that I'd been left with no vodka. She however informed me that we're on a break...
Thence to The Rising Sun to say farewell and good luck in your new jobs to Gordon and Jane. Lesley and I trotted off to The Midland later to meet with carer-in-chief and Michelle for proper (vodka based) drinks. Lesely went home early and the rest of us then did a tour of local Italian restaurants looking for one with a table free (Triple dip? No chance). Eventually settled in Croma. Not been there since before my first cancer. And very nice it was too even though I ate Denise's food and she ate mine.
Yesterday was the aforementioned pub crawl on a train starting in Chester at around midday and then stopping at various pubs near stations on the route back to Manchester. I think I lasted for about 6 or 7 pubs before I had to retire tired and emotional. The others proceeded on until they eventually had a curry in Hale. I enjoyed myself though. Got home and cooked myself one of Michele's lasagnes and very nice it was too. Luckily this made just enough room in the freezer for me to pop in a bottle of Absolut that I'd picked up at Sainsburys on Manchester station... :-) All is now right with the world. And that's all for now. J x
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Update
Strange but true - I actually received a complaint whilst I was typing that last post... :-) J x
It's Been A While...
.... but no complaints yet. I'm guessing certain people are away!
So London was fab. Even Fig liked A Chorus Line which was a turn up for the books. Rent will be next you mark my words. And we both really enjoyed our backstage tour from Danny Xmas Room (thank you Danny you're a darling, and thank you Jude for arranging it). We then went for a meal/drink in this fabulous little Soho restaurant called Mele & Pere where their martinis are mixed using their home made vermouth. And very nice they were too. We then trekked over to Kings Cross to drink more drink and watch our friends Topping & Butch in cabaret. They really are quite clever but the crowd left something to be desired... Got back to the hotel quite late.
Sunday saw me, Donna and Sarah tramping over Hampstead Heath to Parliament Hill (not Primrose Hill as previously advised - it was the dogs in 101 Dalmatians that went there) in the glorious sunshine. The views over London are stupendous and you can see all the major landmarks. We sat in the sun for a couple of hours catching up and putting the world to rights (and Sarah has offered to darn my favourite Issye Miyake socks for me - yay- I love her!). We then walked back into Hampstead for lasagne at Carluccio's - honestly I live on those at the moment. Yum. Sunday night was early to bed as I was knackered.
BREAKING NEWS - just been to the freezer for a Daddy's little helper only to find out I've run out of vodka. How on earth has that happened? I think I need to speak to my carer about taking her caring duties seriously....
Monday was a day to myself so it was a stroll down to the South Bank, a walk along the river followed by a coffee in the Royal Festival Hall and then a quick tour of Tate Modern. After that I walked past St Paul's, through the City (all those young thrusting bankers in expensive suits) to the Royal Courts of Justice where I sat in on a trial for an hour or so. V interesting it was too as it was a civil trial involving a jury and not many of those happen (only certain civil trials qualify for a jury). This one involved a woman who had been accused of assaulting the police and was bringing this prosecution alleging malicious prosecution by the police. She had purple hair and so I was convinced of her guilt. After that it was, of course, a quick hop and a skip to Number One Aldwych for two of the best martinis in London. And thence home via First Class where they were dispensing free vodka (I should have asked for a bottle to bring home).
Yesterday was necessarily a quiet day.
Back into the thick of things today with a Board meeting of the South Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group which I attended as a Macmillan representative - I know! Thence to the hairdresser for a cut from the lovely Cameron. I asked him to be a bit quicker as I had helpline duties but all to no avail. We got enmeshed in the details of his love life and I turned up 10 minutes late at the LGF. No calls tonight though so chatted to the lovely Precinct, the very pretty ginger new boy and also discovered Westeros.org online. OMG. My next few weeks online browsing has now been set...!
And finally, MORE BREAKING NEWS, Alex Kingston will be playing Lady Macbeth opposite Kenneth Branagh at the Manchester International Festival. I may well have died already and gone to heaven (even though it doesn't exist).
And, and, and... Rather than going home to Swansea in late May as originally planned my mother has decided she would rather we all went to Amsterdam. I suspect this may be a different kind of holiday to the last time I was in Amsterdam with young Figgy. We both have sealed lips on what happened then. Ask him once I'm dead. He has my full permission to divulge at that point. :-) and that's all for now. Off to catch up on Masterchef. J x
So London was fab. Even Fig liked A Chorus Line which was a turn up for the books. Rent will be next you mark my words. And we both really enjoyed our backstage tour from Danny Xmas Room (thank you Danny you're a darling, and thank you Jude for arranging it). We then went for a meal/drink in this fabulous little Soho restaurant called Mele & Pere where their martinis are mixed using their home made vermouth. And very nice they were too. We then trekked over to Kings Cross to drink more drink and watch our friends Topping & Butch in cabaret. They really are quite clever but the crowd left something to be desired... Got back to the hotel quite late.
Sunday saw me, Donna and Sarah tramping over Hampstead Heath to Parliament Hill (not Primrose Hill as previously advised - it was the dogs in 101 Dalmatians that went there) in the glorious sunshine. The views over London are stupendous and you can see all the major landmarks. We sat in the sun for a couple of hours catching up and putting the world to rights (and Sarah has offered to darn my favourite Issye Miyake socks for me - yay- I love her!). We then walked back into Hampstead for lasagne at Carluccio's - honestly I live on those at the moment. Yum. Sunday night was early to bed as I was knackered.
BREAKING NEWS - just been to the freezer for a Daddy's little helper only to find out I've run out of vodka. How on earth has that happened? I think I need to speak to my carer about taking her caring duties seriously....
Monday was a day to myself so it was a stroll down to the South Bank, a walk along the river followed by a coffee in the Royal Festival Hall and then a quick tour of Tate Modern. After that I walked past St Paul's, through the City (all those young thrusting bankers in expensive suits) to the Royal Courts of Justice where I sat in on a trial for an hour or so. V interesting it was too as it was a civil trial involving a jury and not many of those happen (only certain civil trials qualify for a jury). This one involved a woman who had been accused of assaulting the police and was bringing this prosecution alleging malicious prosecution by the police. She had purple hair and so I was convinced of her guilt. After that it was, of course, a quick hop and a skip to Number One Aldwych for two of the best martinis in London. And thence home via First Class where they were dispensing free vodka (I should have asked for a bottle to bring home).
Yesterday was necessarily a quiet day.
Back into the thick of things today with a Board meeting of the South Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group which I attended as a Macmillan representative - I know! Thence to the hairdresser for a cut from the lovely Cameron. I asked him to be a bit quicker as I had helpline duties but all to no avail. We got enmeshed in the details of his love life and I turned up 10 minutes late at the LGF. No calls tonight though so chatted to the lovely Precinct, the very pretty ginger new boy and also discovered Westeros.org online. OMG. My next few weeks online browsing has now been set...!
And finally, MORE BREAKING NEWS, Alex Kingston will be playing Lady Macbeth opposite Kenneth Branagh at the Manchester International Festival. I may well have died already and gone to heaven (even though it doesn't exist).
And, and, and... Rather than going home to Swansea in late May as originally planned my mother has decided she would rather we all went to Amsterdam. I suspect this may be a different kind of holiday to the last time I was in Amsterdam with young Figgy. We both have sealed lips on what happened then. Ask him once I'm dead. He has my full permission to divulge at that point. :-) and that's all for now. Off to catch up on Masterchef. J x
Friday, April 19, 2013
Let Slip The Dogs of War
So, I've managed to scan stuff into my computer. How clever is that? More than that I think I've also managed to send the scanned documents to someone. I'm such a techy nerd.... The documents in question are my pension calculations which are nonsensical and I've sent them off to the union war dogs for them to get their teeth into and get me lots more money. That's the plan anyway. :-)
Saw Sara today for coffee (peppermint tea in her case) and she looks very good. Her blood pressure is also doing well. She's now on aspirin (I thought they'd stopped prescribing that?) and statins and other drugs too and will be so for the rest of her life. But at least she's alive and well which is good news for all of us who are her friends. :-)
Off to London tomorrow to see A Chorus Line with the delight that is Fig followed by a backstage tour of The Palladium which I'm very excited about. Sunday is a walk over Hampstead Heath to Primrose Hill for an apparently spectacular view over London. Not decided what I'm doing Monday yet but I'll let you know.
Mother's side effects starting to kick in now so she's not feeling too happy but this will pass. Doesn't make it any easier though. She has my fullest sympathies.
That's all. J x
Saw Sara today for coffee (peppermint tea in her case) and she looks very good. Her blood pressure is also doing well. She's now on aspirin (I thought they'd stopped prescribing that?) and statins and other drugs too and will be so for the rest of her life. But at least she's alive and well which is good news for all of us who are her friends. :-)
Off to London tomorrow to see A Chorus Line with the delight that is Fig followed by a backstage tour of The Palladium which I'm very excited about. Sunday is a walk over Hampstead Heath to Primrose Hill for an apparently spectacular view over London. Not decided what I'm doing Monday yet but I'll let you know.
Mother's side effects starting to kick in now so she's not feeling too happy but this will pass. Doesn't make it any easier though. She has my fullest sympathies.
That's all. J x
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Update
So Tuesday was Mum's chemotherapy session and after she'd had it we took a walk to the local Maggie's Centre (Swansea has one and Manchester will be getting one at The Christie). It's a fantastic building (all the centres seem to be architecturally significant) and the women we spoke to there seemed really nice. They offer all sorts of classes such as relaxation, art therapy etc. I think Mum (and possibly Dad) may take advantage of some of them. We also went out for a pub meal in the evening down the Mumbles which was nice.
Wednesday was the auction which went better than any of us could have hoped for so that was good and then I set off for the journey home (at about 1600). Was dreading hitting all the rush hour traffic but luckily I seemed to miss it all. Not sure how that happened. Got back to Manchester about 2030. Was great to see the Aged Ps who seem to be both doing quite well at the moment. It even looks as though we may get some time together in Portugal.
Today was the Macmillan Programme Board meeting which I ensured was "messy and difficult" by asking some awkward questions. I now seem to have been landed with the task though of canvassing all patient opinion on cancer services across Greater Manchester. That should keep me busy! That'll teach me to be messy and difficult.... Will also be attending the Board Meeting of the South Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group (the organisation that has - sort of - replaced the Primary Care Trust) next week too to talk about the patient experience. It's being held in Wythenshawe which is lucky as I also have a cancer patient support group meeting in Wythenshawe on the same day. Then have to rush back to Manchester for a hair cut.. phew!
Have also now sorted out all my London activities which is good and which doesn't include getting blown up at the marathon. I don't know what it is about me and marathons as the Paris one was being run whilst we were over there too.
Seeing Sara tomorrow for coffee/herbal tea. It will be the first time I've seen her since her heart attack but reports tell me she is doing really well which is a big relief. I'll report back once I've seen her.
But with all this stuff going on I'm finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with all my friends. I'm considering picking a pub and holding a drop in session once a month so that everyone can come and check up on me if they wish. What do my blogging buddies think about this as an idea? Let me know in comments. And that's all for now. DD round tonight to catch up on Mad Men. Curry is on the menu.... Yum! J x
Hailstones currently hammering down outside. There does seem to be an awful lot of weather around at the moment.. J x
Wednesday was the auction which went better than any of us could have hoped for so that was good and then I set off for the journey home (at about 1600). Was dreading hitting all the rush hour traffic but luckily I seemed to miss it all. Not sure how that happened. Got back to Manchester about 2030. Was great to see the Aged Ps who seem to be both doing quite well at the moment. It even looks as though we may get some time together in Portugal.
Today was the Macmillan Programme Board meeting which I ensured was "messy and difficult" by asking some awkward questions. I now seem to have been landed with the task though of canvassing all patient opinion on cancer services across Greater Manchester. That should keep me busy! That'll teach me to be messy and difficult.... Will also be attending the Board Meeting of the South Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group (the organisation that has - sort of - replaced the Primary Care Trust) next week too to talk about the patient experience. It's being held in Wythenshawe which is lucky as I also have a cancer patient support group meeting in Wythenshawe on the same day. Then have to rush back to Manchester for a hair cut.. phew!
Have also now sorted out all my London activities which is good and which doesn't include getting blown up at the marathon. I don't know what it is about me and marathons as the Paris one was being run whilst we were over there too.
Seeing Sara tomorrow for coffee/herbal tea. It will be the first time I've seen her since her heart attack but reports tell me she is doing really well which is a big relief. I'll report back once I've seen her.
But with all this stuff going on I'm finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with all my friends. I'm considering picking a pub and holding a drop in session once a month so that everyone can come and check up on me if they wish. What do my blogging buddies think about this as an idea? Let me know in comments. And that's all for now. DD round tonight to catch up on Mad Men. Curry is on the menu.... Yum! J x
Hailstones currently hammering down outside. There does seem to be an awful lot of weather around at the moment.. J x
Monday, April 15, 2013
Still Here...
... in the land of nothing happening. Except of course stuff did happen today. Saw the consultant this morning and it looks as though Mum will be receiving 6 cycles of chemotherapy which she is disappointed about. She'd hoped for just three (she gets her third dose tomorrow). But the consultant says that if she has 6 cycles then she may qualify for the new radiotherapy treatment offered in London (the "Cyberknife" - which sounds very scary indeed). Anyway, she'll have a scan on the 24th followed by another consultation on the 29th and we'll know more after that. Mum was also given some new anti-sickness medication - 1/4 tablets to be take once daily and they are the same tablets as I was given. Except that they'd already been split into quarters by the time they were given to me but Mum was given whole tablets plus a little plastic tablet splitter which meant she had to split them herself (or rather that I had to do it for her). Does this actually save money?
Other than that its been a quiet day. Took my father for a stroll around the park to see if his new water tablets are helping his breathing and, on the evidence today, they do seem to be working. The daffodils in the park were lovely.
Spoke to the pension people on the phone today and they might actually pay me my pension now (although I'm still in dispute with them over the whole calculation broohouha). Also looks as though my boss is now getting the money I'm owed for the work I actually did sorted out as well. If things carry on like this I might actually be able to eat any day now... :-) (I am joking of course, anyone's who has seen me recently will know that it am eating very well indeed).
And that's about all for tonight. Love to all my blogging chums out there. J x
Other than that its been a quiet day. Took my father for a stroll around the park to see if his new water tablets are helping his breathing and, on the evidence today, they do seem to be working. The daffodils in the park were lovely.
Spoke to the pension people on the phone today and they might actually pay me my pension now (although I'm still in dispute with them over the whole calculation broohouha). Also looks as though my boss is now getting the money I'm owed for the work I actually did sorted out as well. If things carry on like this I might actually be able to eat any day now... :-) (I am joking of course, anyone's who has seen me recently will know that it am eating very well indeed).
And that's about all for tonight. Love to all my blogging chums out there. J x
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Here I Am
In somewhat damp and overcast Swansea. Of course it's not damp and overcast in my heart though as City are through to the FACup Final. Where they will meet Wigan. Nuff said.
Am also not damp and overcast because my (newly forgiven) friend Jude has managed to arrange a backstage tour of the London Palladium for me and Fig when we're there next Saturday for A Chorus Line. I simply adore this musical (Fig hates it but loves me and so is making this a gift for me) but have never seen it on stage before. Very excited. On the Sunday I am being taken on Hampstead Heath (oo er Missus) by my friends Donna and Sarah. Again this will be a new experience for me. Have not yet planned my Monday but it may involve the light exhibition at The Hayward. All this and a disabled rail pass works for First Class too! Hurrah.
This past week I have -
* Had my tooth glued back in again by the dentist (a piece of hard Parisien bread had put paid to it). Not my usual one though as he was away :-( But Alex seemed nice too. Well, that is right up until he told me that I'm not to put anything hard or sticky in my mouth....
* Attended a Macmillan conference on lung cancer services. That was interesting. Dr Yvonne was on my table too which was fun. She was a vision in coordinated burgundy. And she has a Mercedes with personalised number plates. It's no wonder I like her. Have concluded though that I am not may be a typical lung cancer patient. It seems the majority belong to something called "the lower socio-economic groups". I don't even know what that means. Does it mean they shop in chain stores or something?
* Enjoyed myself immensely at my Manchester leaving do. To be honest I don't remember a great deal about it which is usually a good sign. I don't think any karaoke was involved though.
* Taken part in a Helpline Steering Group meeting making lots of plans for signing off our current crop of trainees.
* Had lunch with and gone shoe shopping with the lovely DD after we'd been on a break for a few days following Paris.
* Bought a shirt and a pair of shorts for Portugal. At Mrporter.com - my favourite internet store.
* Driven to Swansea and upset my Mum by not liking the soup she'd made me :-( SorryMum.
* Completely failed to tidy my flat :-)
And I'm exhausted by all that so taking it easy in Swansea apart from the hospital visit, the auction, the coffee at friends...
Hope you all have a fab week and ill be back in Manchester Wednesday night ready for another Macmillan thing on Thursday. That's all. J x
Am also not damp and overcast because my (newly forgiven) friend Jude has managed to arrange a backstage tour of the London Palladium for me and Fig when we're there next Saturday for A Chorus Line. I simply adore this musical (Fig hates it but loves me and so is making this a gift for me) but have never seen it on stage before. Very excited. On the Sunday I am being taken on Hampstead Heath (oo er Missus) by my friends Donna and Sarah. Again this will be a new experience for me. Have not yet planned my Monday but it may involve the light exhibition at The Hayward. All this and a disabled rail pass works for First Class too! Hurrah.
This past week I have -
* Had my tooth glued back in again by the dentist (a piece of hard Parisien bread had put paid to it). Not my usual one though as he was away :-( But Alex seemed nice too. Well, that is right up until he told me that I'm not to put anything hard or sticky in my mouth....
* Attended a Macmillan conference on lung cancer services. That was interesting. Dr Yvonne was on my table too which was fun. She was a vision in coordinated burgundy. And she has a Mercedes with personalised number plates. It's no wonder I like her. Have concluded though that I am not may be a typical lung cancer patient. It seems the majority belong to something called "the lower socio-economic groups". I don't even know what that means. Does it mean they shop in chain stores or something?
* Enjoyed myself immensely at my Manchester leaving do. To be honest I don't remember a great deal about it which is usually a good sign. I don't think any karaoke was involved though.
* Taken part in a Helpline Steering Group meeting making lots of plans for signing off our current crop of trainees.
* Had lunch with and gone shoe shopping with the lovely DD after we'd been on a break for a few days following Paris.
* Bought a shirt and a pair of shorts for Portugal. At Mrporter.com - my favourite internet store.
* Driven to Swansea and upset my Mum by not liking the soup she'd made me :-( SorryMum.
* Completely failed to tidy my flat :-)
And I'm exhausted by all that so taking it easy in Swansea apart from the hospital visit, the auction, the coffee at friends...
Hope you all have a fab week and ill be back in Manchester Wednesday night ready for another Macmillan thing on Thursday. That's all. J x
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Apologies
People are complaining (again) that I'm not keeping up to date with this blog. Sorry but I've been a bit busy lately. Off to Swansea tomorrow where life is a lot slower so will update you all from there... J x
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Safe & Sound
We're back. Whilst I had a fantastic time in Paris it was good to be back in my own bed again. Journey was fine. Just taking it nice and easy today. :-) J x
Sunday, April 07, 2013
Sunshine
Finally. Spring has arrived in Paris. Spent some time today sat in the sunshine in the Tuileries gardens. Proper lovely it was. Had attempted to get into the Musee D'Orsay but the queues were ridiculous so we gave up. Out tonight locally for a meal and found a fabulous Italian restaurant. I had a pasta dish for the main course which was prepared by pouring some grappa onto a wheel of Parmesan cheese, flaming the alcohol and then scraping off the softened Parmesan which was then used in the pasta sauce. Fabulous. Also rediscovered the Americano cocktail that I used to adore when I lived in Toulouse. Relatively early night tonight as have journey home tomorrow. We leave Paris about 1600 and get back to Manchester at around 2100. How fantastic is that for a train journey? Will see you all soon therefore... :-) J x
Saturday, April 06, 2013
Something Witty in French
Arc de Triomphe was a triumph. Views are spectacular. Had to stop half way up the stairs though to catch my breath. But I wasn't the only one out of breath. Ritz less successful as its closed for refurbishment. Went to Napoleons Bar (best olives I've ever tasted and Lesley went nuts for the barman's nuts) then to William Bar (über trendy but now called something else). Had a great evening and got very drunk on vodka and sweet martini! I know.
This morning was a slow start but went to Notre Dame. It's all a bit tacky in there now just on account of the number of tourists. Walked for miles looking for a recommended restaurant for lunch only to find it closed. Went somewhere expensive where we didn't like the waiters instead. Bought a shirt using the money from my leaving present. Thank you guys. Now having a lie down at the hotel then out to some trendy bars later. Will update you with exploits tomorrow.
Sending out big love to Sara who is in hospital following a heart attack. She sounds like she's doing OK but we'll find out more when we're back. That's all. J x
This morning was a slow start but went to Notre Dame. It's all a bit tacky in there now just on account of the number of tourists. Walked for miles looking for a recommended restaurant for lunch only to find it closed. Went somewhere expensive where we didn't like the waiters instead. Bought a shirt using the money from my leaving present. Thank you guys. Now having a lie down at the hotel then out to some trendy bars later. Will update you with exploits tomorrow.
Sending out big love to Sara who is in hospital following a heart attack. She sounds like she's doing OK but we'll find out more when we're back. That's all. J x
Friday, April 05, 2013
Paris Fatigué
God Paris is exhausting. Walked from the hotel this morning (we're virtually in the banlieue) to the Louvre and then spent a couple of hours there but saw only a fraction. DD and Lesley did the big stuff whereas I saw more obscure bits (my favourite being the Byzantine art - all gold and sparkly - but not as over the top as Napoleon's apartments). Now at hotel for a lie down (they're still out there). Arc de Triomphe and the Ritz this evening. :-) Bonne journee a tous. J x
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Arrived In Paris
Journey was great but hotel is a little underwhelming. But its an adventure. Currently the French parliament are discussing same sex marriage if you're interested. Denise has found a gay porn channel on the telly but I haven't... :-) Thats all. J x
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
It's All Over
Today is my last day in HMRC. If anyone has any official secrets they want to tell me about you'll need to do it today. Although, to be fair, I'm still covered by the Official Secrets Act going forward...
It's a sad day but I still have lots to look forward to. I'm ending homophobia in football (again) this afternoon and then I'm off to Paris tomorrow morning. Then it's a conference on lung cancer the day after I get back from Paris. And, I've now found a project that involves being gay and having cancer all at the same time. It's like there's someone out there creating projects especially for me. Watch out for the gay/cancer/expensively dressed project soon... :-)
Now all I need is some money to pay for all this.... That's all. J x
It's a sad day but I still have lots to look forward to. I'm ending homophobia in football (again) this afternoon and then I'm off to Paris tomorrow morning. Then it's a conference on lung cancer the day after I get back from Paris. And, I've now found a project that involves being gay and having cancer all at the same time. It's like there's someone out there creating projects especially for me. Watch out for the gay/cancer/expensively dressed project soon... :-)
Now all I need is some money to pay for all this.... That's all. J x
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Stuff I Forgot To Mention
So whilst in London I shared a room with Lesley. It was a dream. That woman is lovely.
There was an unfortunate underwear incident. Unfortunately I am bound by human decency and the bonds of friemdship from revealing the exact nature of the incident or indeed the names of the people involved. Rest assured the incident will be seared on my retinas for evermore.
Denise and I had a row. Shocking I know but she and I do occasionally fall out. Rest assured I have since apologised (even though it wasn't my fault).
The Somerset House do was truly amazing. All the vodka consumed helped.
Dr Yvonne officially told me I am overweight. Not yet obese but I am well on my way. I need to sort this out somehow. I suspect that now I am no longer going to work and physically chastising my team (honestly that was the best bit) I am not using up the calories I was before. I either need to do more exercise or eat less food or drink less alcohol. Since Dr Yvonne has told me to drink more alcohol and Nurse Jackie has similarly encouraged me I shall need to work on the two former things.
I've also not told you about the karaoke leaving do. What a fantastic do it was. It started in the office with a 7 page speech from Richard (a team member) accompanied by a slide show (thank you all my bastard friends for supplying pics - you know who you are). I also received £250. What a fabulous sum. And a letter from Lin Homer. I was really touched by this and the effort that had gone into obtaining it.
Thence to The Cotton Mill and karaoke. I took part in Daydream Believer (solo number), I Got You Babe (me and Richard who was channeling my PS) and Bohemian Rhapsody (me and all the boys). All the girls did Delilha for me. Karl did This Charming Man and Richard and Sam did Let's Get Ready To Rumble. Fucking fantastic.
And that's all. Have been drunkenly texting Fig tonight whilst watching Andrew Lloyd Weber. It happens. That really is all. J x
There was an unfortunate underwear incident. Unfortunately I am bound by human decency and the bonds of friemdship from revealing the exact nature of the incident or indeed the names of the people involved. Rest assured the incident will be seared on my retinas for evermore.
Denise and I had a row. Shocking I know but she and I do occasionally fall out. Rest assured I have since apologised (even though it wasn't my fault).
The Somerset House do was truly amazing. All the vodka consumed helped.
Dr Yvonne officially told me I am overweight. Not yet obese but I am well on my way. I need to sort this out somehow. I suspect that now I am no longer going to work and physically chastising my team (honestly that was the best bit) I am not using up the calories I was before. I either need to do more exercise or eat less food or drink less alcohol. Since Dr Yvonne has told me to drink more alcohol and Nurse Jackie has similarly encouraged me I shall need to work on the two former things.
I've also not told you about the karaoke leaving do. What a fantastic do it was. It started in the office with a 7 page speech from Richard (a team member) accompanied by a slide show (thank you all my bastard friends for supplying pics - you know who you are). I also received £250. What a fabulous sum. And a letter from Lin Homer. I was really touched by this and the effort that had gone into obtaining it.
Thence to The Cotton Mill and karaoke. I took part in Daydream Believer (solo number), I Got You Babe (me and Richard who was channeling my PS) and Bohemian Rhapsody (me and all the boys). All the girls did Delilha for me. Karl did This Charming Man and Richard and Sam did Let's Get Ready To Rumble. Fucking fantastic.
And that's all. Have been drunkenly texting Fig tonight whilst watching Andrew Lloyd Weber. It happens. That really is all. J x
Back In The Land Of Snow And Ice
Back safe and sound in Manchester after my adventures in the big smoke. London was good. Saw the Pompeii exhibition at the British Museum. Very good and very interesting.
The main reason for the visit though was the theatrical experience in the basements of Somerset House. Truly incredible venue, the basements are cavernous and like a rabbit warren. The experience was fantastic. The event is a little complicated to describe fully here but involved domestic appliances taking over the world. It also, rather unexpectedly, involved a lot of the actors taking off all their clothes and wandering around naked. Quite different!
Of course we spent most of our time eating and drinking! One of the best places was Smiths in Smithfiled Market. It's owned by that chap off Masterchef (not the bald one) and was a fabulous venue (although a little expensive).
Now have a couple of days to recoup my energies (whilst washing and ironing) before heading off to Paris. It's all go....
Last night saw Game of Thrones back on our screen. Just as fabulous as ever. That's all. J x
The main reason for the visit though was the theatrical experience in the basements of Somerset House. Truly incredible venue, the basements are cavernous and like a rabbit warren. The experience was fantastic. The event is a little complicated to describe fully here but involved domestic appliances taking over the world. It also, rather unexpectedly, involved a lot of the actors taking off all their clothes and wandering around naked. Quite different!
Of course we spent most of our time eating and drinking! One of the best places was Smiths in Smithfiled Market. It's owned by that chap off Masterchef (not the bald one) and was a fabulous venue (although a little expensive).
Now have a couple of days to recoup my energies (whilst washing and ironing) before heading off to Paris. It's all go....
Last night saw Game of Thrones back on our screen. Just as fabulous as ever. That's all. J x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)