Gaga rocks: Born This Way at the Grammy. Spinny hair too. Yay. That's all. J x
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Busy Week
So Lincoln was good. Lots of really positive, relevant discussions and action plans formed to take things forward and responsibilities assigned. Fantastic. Then back to Manchester for a meeting with my colleagues and to feed back on all the positivity, action etc. Of course they rained all over my parade but fear not dear readers. I remain in a positive frame of mind.
Saturday night was fantastic: another "film night". It was DD's turn to pick a film and talk about it and she had picked Schindlers List. A film which I'd never got around to seeing before. And what a fantastic film it is. To be fair you're never going to be able to find actors thin enough to portray emaciated Jews so it can be difficult at times to get the full effect of the deprivation when you're faced with a whole load of plump, well-fed actors. That said, I had a tear in my eye at one point and felt that Mr Spielberg had made a good fist of it.
Ralph Fiennes as the commandant was incredible. Both repulsive and attractive at one and the same time (just my type judging by past boyfriends!). A fine acting turn I thought. Liam and Ben did well too.
I'd be interested to know what you, my bloggees, would choose as your film and why. Please share your thoughts and also let me know what film you think I will choose when it comes around to my turn.
Michelle did her usual magic with the nibbles which were scrummy. Another busy week ahead so I'll update you next when I can. That's all. J x
Saturday night was fantastic: another "film night". It was DD's turn to pick a film and talk about it and she had picked Schindlers List. A film which I'd never got around to seeing before. And what a fantastic film it is. To be fair you're never going to be able to find actors thin enough to portray emaciated Jews so it can be difficult at times to get the full effect of the deprivation when you're faced with a whole load of plump, well-fed actors. That said, I had a tear in my eye at one point and felt that Mr Spielberg had made a good fist of it.
Ralph Fiennes as the commandant was incredible. Both repulsive and attractive at one and the same time (just my type judging by past boyfriends!). A fine acting turn I thought. Liam and Ben did well too.
I'd be interested to know what you, my bloggees, would choose as your film and why. Please share your thoughts and also let me know what film you think I will choose when it comes around to my turn.
Michelle did her usual magic with the nibbles which were scrummy. Another busy week ahead so I'll update you next when I can. That's all. J x
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Far Too Long
Sorry dear readers for my unaccounted for absence from this blog - almost a month! The only excuse really is that I have been quite busy. I won't have space here to recount all my exploits but as far as I can remember - and in no particular order - here goes.
Andreas Scholl was a huge disappointment. This was partly accounted for by the fact that I hadn't realised what a counter-tenor was. It seems a bit of a superfluous voice to me. None of the strength and oomph of a tenor voice and without the beauty of a boy soprano's voice. Sorry all you counter-tenor fans out there.
Loved loved loved The King's Speech. Fantastic film and fantastic performances. Hated Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Looking forward to seeing Black Swan and, later in the year, the new Harry Potter and, should it ever get made, The Hobbit.
Been to London for a weekend for Bryn's birthday. Saw Woman in Black (and hated it) and had a fab cruise up the Thames to Greenwich - which ended up with us being marooned (marooned!) in the middle of the river whilst we waited for the tide to go down so we could get under one of the bridges. As ever we had lunch in One Aldwych which we just all adore and which makes the best martinis.
Mrs T came to stay which was, as ever, a huge pleasure. Even if it did cost me a little more than I'd imagined - around £5000 in the end as someone took my card details over the weekend and went on a spending spree. Hopefully that's all been sorted now. But we did see the China exhibition at Manchester Museum and the Intuition exhibition at The Whitworth. The former was disappointing (not enough stuff) and the latter was brilliant - a really refreshing collection of artists.
Last night was a cancer charity quiz in Flixton. Anyone who even half knows me must know my views on pub quizzes. And anyone who knows me a little better will know my views on Flixton. So all in all not a highly anticipated night and, to be fair, it was fairly rubbish. But, looking to the positives Bryn & Michelle drove there and back (thanks guys), the soup they'd put on specially for me was tasty (thanks Paul) and we won a selection box! There was also a complete nutter-woman there to laugh about and some barman eye-candy.
Work has just been manic - I've been taking lots of "management action". But it just takes up so much time and its exhausting. Loads of meetings next week including 2 days in Lincoln so have a load of work to do this afternoon too. Phew. Hopefully it won't be so long before I blog again. Love to you all. That's all. J x
Andreas Scholl was a huge disappointment. This was partly accounted for by the fact that I hadn't realised what a counter-tenor was. It seems a bit of a superfluous voice to me. None of the strength and oomph of a tenor voice and without the beauty of a boy soprano's voice. Sorry all you counter-tenor fans out there.
Loved loved loved The King's Speech. Fantastic film and fantastic performances. Hated Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Looking forward to seeing Black Swan and, later in the year, the new Harry Potter and, should it ever get made, The Hobbit.
Been to London for a weekend for Bryn's birthday. Saw Woman in Black (and hated it) and had a fab cruise up the Thames to Greenwich - which ended up with us being marooned (marooned!) in the middle of the river whilst we waited for the tide to go down so we could get under one of the bridges. As ever we had lunch in One Aldwych which we just all adore and which makes the best martinis.
Mrs T came to stay which was, as ever, a huge pleasure. Even if it did cost me a little more than I'd imagined - around £5000 in the end as someone took my card details over the weekend and went on a spending spree. Hopefully that's all been sorted now. But we did see the China exhibition at Manchester Museum and the Intuition exhibition at The Whitworth. The former was disappointing (not enough stuff) and the latter was brilliant - a really refreshing collection of artists.
Last night was a cancer charity quiz in Flixton. Anyone who even half knows me must know my views on pub quizzes. And anyone who knows me a little better will know my views on Flixton. So all in all not a highly anticipated night and, to be fair, it was fairly rubbish. But, looking to the positives Bryn & Michelle drove there and back (thanks guys), the soup they'd put on specially for me was tasty (thanks Paul) and we won a selection box! There was also a complete nutter-woman there to laugh about and some barman eye-candy.
Work has just been manic - I've been taking lots of "management action". But it just takes up so much time and its exhausting. Loads of meetings next week including 2 days in Lincoln so have a load of work to do this afternoon too. Phew. Hopefully it won't be so long before I blog again. Love to you all. That's all. J x
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Retraction
In the previous post I say "sorry if anyone is offended". Actually, I'm not sorry. Its just a bunch of guys kissing and there is absolutely nothing offensive about that at all. And if you are offended then you probably shouldn't be reading this blog anyway. So there!
On a more conciliatory note I have decided to include a link to the text of President Obama's speech in Tucson. I read it and it practically moved me to tears. I think this will go down in history as one of the most important and passionate speeches ever made. Please take the time to read it and share your thoughts with everyone else. (it doesn't show up very well but you just need to click on the word "link" in the paragraph above to be taken to the speech).
That's all. J x
On a more conciliatory note I have decided to include a link to the text of President Obama's speech in Tucson. I read it and it practically moved me to tears. I think this will go down in history as one of the most important and passionate speeches ever made. Please take the time to read it and share your thoughts with everyone else. (it doesn't show up very well but you just need to click on the word "link" in the paragraph above to be taken to the speech).
That's all. J x
Just Because
Video attached because -
* I really like the song and
* It has lots of pretty boys kissing in it
Sorry if anyone is offended.
In other news, I'm feeling 100% better. I've had a brilliant week at work where I've achieved loads. I've also been given line management responsibilities for 2 additional members of staff (non-trainee Grades 7) which, I suspect, is going to prove a bit of a challenge. But you know me, I love a challenge. Sometimes.
Had my first vodka martnis of the New Year last night (so I must be feeling better) and then back here to watch some Mad Men with DD. Unfortunately didn't get to go to the football yesterday (the offer of a ticket was cruelly withdrawn at the last moment) but hey ho. It was only against Wolves anyway even if there were loads of goals scored. The week ahead holds the prospect of Andreas Scholl atThe Bridgewater Hall. No idea what he's like but he comes highly recommended. And then its that latest Narnia on Wednesday at the cinema. No Peter this time unfortunately but looking forward to it anyway. And then its down to London for the weekend to see The Woman in Black. No idea what else we'll be doing down there but lunch at Number One Alwydch is definitely on and I love that place... That's all for now. Happy Sunday everyone. J x
* I really like the song and
* It has lots of pretty boys kissing in it
Sorry if anyone is offended.
In other news, I'm feeling 100% better. I've had a brilliant week at work where I've achieved loads. I've also been given line management responsibilities for 2 additional members of staff (non-trainee Grades 7) which, I suspect, is going to prove a bit of a challenge. But you know me, I love a challenge. Sometimes.
Had my first vodka martnis of the New Year last night (so I must be feeling better) and then back here to watch some Mad Men with DD. Unfortunately didn't get to go to the football yesterday (the offer of a ticket was cruelly withdrawn at the last moment) but hey ho. It was only against Wolves anyway even if there were loads of goals scored. The week ahead holds the prospect of Andreas Scholl atThe Bridgewater Hall. No idea what he's like but he comes highly recommended. And then its that latest Narnia on Wednesday at the cinema. No Peter this time unfortunately but looking forward to it anyway. And then its down to London for the weekend to see The Woman in Black. No idea what else we'll be doing down there but lunch at Number One Alwydch is definitely on and I love that place... That's all for now. Happy Sunday everyone. J x
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Calm Down Dear
Having spent all evening chopping and cooking and liquidising I just can't settle down now (and there's sweet FA on the telly) so I'll carry on with a domestic theme and do some housekeeping. On my laptop. There's just so much crap accumulated on it that it will be fun or cathartic or some such thing to clean it up. So that's what I'm going to do. Now. I shall do this whilst listening to some Wanda Jackson - an inspired Xmas gift from my very good friends Bryn & Michelle. Come on everyone, lets shake a chicken in the middle of the room....
"The Least Important Most Important Thing"
Its a Mad Men quote and I love it. Just remembered it and so I thought I would share it here before it wanders away again along with most of the rest of my memories. I can't even remember the context now but I'm guessing it was something about prioritising... That's all. Have invited DD round for some home-made soup tomorrow and so now I have to go and home make some. J x
Oh My G....
Whilst browsing all things Les Mis on YouTube (see earlier postings) I came across this.... abomination. Please God someone puts a stop to this before it happens.....
Les Mots D'Origine
So I'm sat here listening to the original concept album for Les Miserables in your actual French. Its really interesting because its very recognisably the modern Les Mis we all know and love and yet quite different in many ways (even apart from the fact that it is in French). Sadly some bits are better and some bits are dreadful so I'm never going to be able to look down my nose at anyone and say things like "well actually, I prefer it in the original French" which is of course one of the main reasons for purchasing the concept album in the first place. Tant pis (as I'm sure Fantine warbles at some point). Incidentally, the French have no-one to match the great Miss LuPone.
So this week has been interesting. I've been ill for most of it but struggled into work for a series of short days until I succumbed by Friday and took some personal time (officially "time off in lieu" or TOIL but I've decided to go with the Americanism "personal time" from now on just for the hell of it and because it will probably drive DD to distraction). She's been around all week. She turns up just as I'm going to bed and has snuck off before I get up in the morning - yes, its the cricket. Still its been nice to find her here on those nights when I've had to get up to throw up or do drugs or whatever. Feeling better now anyway so should be fit as a fiddle by Monday ready for a busy week.
Have decided I will go to Portugal this year. Have also decided to go to London with the Aged Ps for my Dad's birthday in February and will purchase tickets for Les Mis for his present (its what he wants and I don't mind at all as I love the show - this will be my 4th time). No-one well known in it at the moment though. But its such a strong show that as long as they can hold a tune they'll be fine.
DD has purchased me a beautiful orchid to apologise for making me watch so much cricket which was nice of her. She'll be popping around tomorrow for our start on Series 1 Mad Men (she bought me the box set for Xmas) and some of my delicious home made soup. Which I've yet to make. Better get on then.... That's all. J x
So this week has been interesting. I've been ill for most of it but struggled into work for a series of short days until I succumbed by Friday and took some personal time (officially "time off in lieu" or TOIL but I've decided to go with the Americanism "personal time" from now on just for the hell of it and because it will probably drive DD to distraction). She's been around all week. She turns up just as I'm going to bed and has snuck off before I get up in the morning - yes, its the cricket. Still its been nice to find her here on those nights when I've had to get up to throw up or do drugs or whatever. Feeling better now anyway so should be fit as a fiddle by Monday ready for a busy week.
Have decided I will go to Portugal this year. Have also decided to go to London with the Aged Ps for my Dad's birthday in February and will purchase tickets for Les Mis for his present (its what he wants and I don't mind at all as I love the show - this will be my 4th time). No-one well known in it at the moment though. But its such a strong show that as long as they can hold a tune they'll be fine.
DD has purchased me a beautiful orchid to apologise for making me watch so much cricket which was nice of her. She'll be popping around tomorrow for our start on Series 1 Mad Men (she bought me the box set for Xmas) and some of my delicious home made soup. Which I've yet to make. Better get on then.... That's all. J x
Monday, January 03, 2011
New Year...
...new illness! Yes, dear readers, I've been ill again. But after all it is somewhat of a New Year/Xmas tradition. Luckily it didn't hit until New Years Day afternoon. We were still in Leeds so I spent the evening and night between bed and the toilet throwing up. I think it was the same thing I had not so long ago and Dr Aged P (Mother division) has diagnosed it as norovirus. Looking this up on the internet suggests she may be right as you can get that multiple times and the papers suggest there's a lot of it about at the moment. Anyway, had Nurse DD here all last night looking after me (whilst simultaneously keeping an eye on the cricket) and I'm feeling better today although still a little weak. Made it to Sainsburys this afternoon though and have had some yoghurt and blueberries which have stayed down so fingers crossed I'm over it. My temperature has come down too.
NYE itself was a bit of a mixed bag. Mix-ups over whether we'd booked a "New Year's Meal" at the hotel - at £70 - we hadn't! Whether one could wear their beautiful new bowler hat at the Sky Lounge Bar even if one had pre-booked a table (one couldn't). Nor could all one's friends who had hilariously all purchased bowler hats from a joke shop wear theirs either... Did find a really nice friendly small bar near the hotel though and we had a real laugh with Jools Holland (can't believe its not live) in the hotel bedroom afterwards. Met up with Sarah and Hugh on NY day lunchtime and it was good to see them both. And then the lurgy descended. Hopefully won't have to go through this again for a while. That's all but I hope you all had a really good time too and I wish you all a happy and healthful New Year. J x
NYE itself was a bit of a mixed bag. Mix-ups over whether we'd booked a "New Year's Meal" at the hotel - at £70 - we hadn't! Whether one could wear their beautiful new bowler hat at the Sky Lounge Bar even if one had pre-booked a table (one couldn't). Nor could all one's friends who had hilariously all purchased bowler hats from a joke shop wear theirs either... Did find a really nice friendly small bar near the hotel though and we had a real laugh with Jools Holland (can't believe its not live) in the hotel bedroom afterwards. Met up with Sarah and Hugh on NY day lunchtime and it was good to see them both. And then the lurgy descended. Hopefully won't have to go through this again for a while. That's all but I hope you all had a really good time too and I wish you all a happy and healthful New Year. J x
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The Eve of The Eve
Nearly there. Off to Leeds tomorrow but for today its unpacking, washing and general preparedness stuff. And, oh, did I mention martinis at Sakura at 1830 with DD and chums? Ah, its good to be back! That's all. J x
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Home Sweet Home
Back in the land of Northerners. An uneventful trip home. Quite foggy but traffic not too bad. Settling down for an evening of aloneness. Missing the Ageds but it is nice to be home. No idea what I'll do tomorrow but DD will no doubt feature in the evening... That's all. J x
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Dull Day
Woke up this morning and the world looked dull - the rain had washed away all the pretty snow. Went to Cardiff and it was pretty dull with some pretty dull shopping (apart from mother who was able to exchange everything I'd bought her for Xmas). Came home again . Ageds watching cricket highlights - dullsville. That's all. J x
Monday, December 27, 2010
So Cute
Today was "family day" in the Lewis household. Its the traditional day after boxing day when we have my cousin and her family over for tea. Its always great to see Mary (my cousin) and her husband Barrie as they're lovely people and good company (despite being Man Utd supporters). We also get Richie, their son, who has some quite severe learning disabilities and consequently finds it very difficult to interact even with his parents much less with any more distant relatives. Having said that its always good to see him as he's part of the family and he was looking particularly well today. There's also Laura - their daughter - and her two children Ellie and Dylan. Ellie is your typical precocious 7 year old - who was particularly boisterous and exhausting today but Dylan, at 4 years old, is just the most gorgeous child in existence. He is blonde, beautiful and gifted with the sweetest nature. As always happens, when they go through for their tea I reman in the living room (there isn't room at the table and I don't eat anyway!) and the children, who always finish their food first come through to jump all over me whilst their mother and grand parents get time to have an adult conversation with my parents. i just love looking after the kids and, as always, feel a passing pang of regret at not having any of my own particularly when, as happened today, Dylan just falls asleep on top of me. However, it really is only a transient feeling. I couldn't (and wouldn't want to) cope with them 24 hours a day 7 days a week. And then finally, its a relief when they go home and that's it - Christmas Tradition - over for another year.
Weather has been mild today and we've had rain so a lot of the snow has melted. Fingers crossed we may get a trip to the Nat Bot Gdns tomorrow... That's all. J x
Weather has been mild today and we've had rain so a lot of the snow has melted. Fingers crossed we may get a trip to the Nat Bot Gdns tomorrow... That's all. J x
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Nightmare
Its happened again. Bloody cricket. Where does it come from and why does it go on so long? Endless days of people throwing balls at other people. Anyway, so once again I am being left to my own devices so that the Ageds, despite seeing what happened this morning and knowing the outcome, watch the "cricket highlights" (a contradiction in terms if ever there was one - like "sports personality" (thank you Dawn & Jennifer)). So I'm spending time with you, dear readers, again.
No other news really. Looks like the weather is going to improve over the next couple of days so we may get a trip out to the National Botanic Gardens if I'm really lucky. Sounds as though the Ageds don't want to go to Portugal this year so I'm a bit torn. Do I go on my own or do I use the money to go somewhere else? Its the week following the wedding so, given the huge numbers of days off arising from Easter & the nuptials, it might be better to go away at another time. I'd like to go back to Valencia and try and see an opera at the same time. However, having watched the "Best Operas of 2010" on telly this morning I learn that Barcelona has the biggest (and best?) opera house in the whole of Spain so it might be good to go there too. We'll see. That's all for now. Hope you're all still enjoying it all. J x
No other news really. Looks like the weather is going to improve over the next couple of days so we may get a trip out to the National Botanic Gardens if I'm really lucky. Sounds as though the Ageds don't want to go to Portugal this year so I'm a bit torn. Do I go on my own or do I use the money to go somewhere else? Its the week following the wedding so, given the huge numbers of days off arising from Easter & the nuptials, it might be better to go away at another time. I'd like to go back to Valencia and try and see an opera at the same time. However, having watched the "Best Operas of 2010" on telly this morning I learn that Barcelona has the biggest (and best?) opera house in the whole of Spain so it might be good to go there too. We'll see. That's all for now. Hope you're all still enjoying it all. J x
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas Time
Sod the mistletoe, bring on the wine. Lunch has been consumed, Aged Ps are snoring on the sofa which gives me a bit of blog time. Had some fab presents - a display case (bespoke, made by a local carpenter and very very nice), a Gant scarf (which I purchased myself for them to give to me but I love it) and, drum roll, a bowler hat! How clever are the Ageds? I've wanted one for ages and not got around to buying one and they just went onto Amazon, casual as you like, and snapped one up. And it fits and it looks brilliant. Shall be wearing it everywhere from now on (I have it on as I type) and becoming a complete bowler hatted bore (as opposed to just the ordinary type of bore).
Also heard from one of my Team and he's proposed to his girlfriend and she's said yes which is great. Another Team member found out this month that his wife will be giving birth to a boy - trust me, it don't get much more heterosexual than life on my Team...!
And that's about it so far. Watched Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds in Singing In The Rain this morning and decided that I will have a birthday party in 2011 and the theme will be "Hollywood" so get your thinking caps on now. All blog readers are invited - even if I don't like you! That's all. Merry Xmas. J x
Also heard from one of my Team and he's proposed to his girlfriend and she's said yes which is great. Another Team member found out this month that his wife will be giving birth to a boy - trust me, it don't get much more heterosexual than life on my Team...!
And that's about it so far. Watched Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds in Singing In The Rain this morning and decided that I will have a birthday party in 2011 and the theme will be "Hollywood" so get your thinking caps on now. All blog readers are invited - even if I don't like you! That's all. Merry Xmas. J x
Whilst Browsing...
... YouTube I discovered this. Me, Bryn & Denise are actually in it! See if you can spot us...
Friday, December 24, 2010
P.S.
Loving the new blog look. Very cool, very 21st century. Very me therefore. Ha ha ha ha ha ha... etc. (Miss Gulch). J x
So Here It Is...
... well, almost. Hopefully you will find a YouTube video below. Happy Xmas everyone. P.S. Not killed the Aged Ps. Yet. That's all. J x
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