I came to the conclusion that flexible working may be one of the best things that's happened to me. It's a pleasure working longer days when there is a day off at the end of it. I had my first day off this week and used my time wisely. I did some long-overlooked jobs at home. I went shopping. I watched some of my huge backlog of TV shows. Oh, and I even wrote some blog posts. All in all, a big success.
I also learned that I can cope with these unseasonably below-zero temperatures which we have been experiencing over the past week. I guess that the built-in menopausal "central heating", which usually has a negative impact on my quality of life over the summer months has been a positive factor in the winter (apart from over-heated public transport or department stores/shopping malls which remain a nightmare). You would usually expect these temperatures in January, for example, but November has skipped the autumnal and gone straight to winter. On the plus side, there hasn't been any snow, or sleet, but these days have also been sunny and bright as well, making the extreme cold much more bearable.
Yesterday I was also reminded about how much I hate shopping, something which I once used to enjoy. The enjoyment has been replaced by tiredness, exhaustion and sheer panic when being confronted with the Christmas shopping crowds. It would appear that the Christmas season is getting earlier every year as well. I've seen several houses with all their lights and decorations up since last week. Oh well, each to their own.
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Friday, 25 November 2016
Thursday, 5 March 2015
Taking stock
Beginning the third month of the first quarter of 2015, and only three weeks away from the start of British Summer Time - yes! - although that feels like a long way off, as it's just been bitterly cold for weeks, and thanks to that very chilly wind it feels even colder than it was at the beginning of the year. I guess that's nothing though, compared to the outrageously cold winter weather which affects many countries at this time of year.
My last post on here was pretty hopeful: I'm settled into my part-time working routine and making it count as I'm continuing to tackle the decluttering and neglected jobs at home, and even found myself in the garden yesterday!
Unfortunately my fitness regime crashed after about a week: I pulled a muscle in my back/shoulder area after carrying some very heavy shopping and was in a lot of pain for a while. And then a lot of other stuff in my life just spiralled out of control over the last fortnight, with the result that the fitness plan was replaced by binge/emotional eating yet again to cope with it all. I don't really want to write about all that stuff, suffice to say that the strain of the past couple of weeks has left me feeling upset and exhausted and I just want to get my life back on track again.
Anyway, some good news as faithful travelling companion and I are now planning our spring holiday (expect an announcement in the next couple of weeks) so this will be my target to get fit and shed a few pounds. What I am most looking forward to is improving my walking fitness, and not feeling so tired/lethargic all the time. I have a mountain of draft blog posts to finish/post but have been too tired lately, so I will get round to posting them eventually :)
In the meantime, there's an exercise bike calling my name....
My last post on here was pretty hopeful: I'm settled into my part-time working routine and making it count as I'm continuing to tackle the decluttering and neglected jobs at home, and even found myself in the garden yesterday!
Unfortunately my fitness regime crashed after about a week: I pulled a muscle in my back/shoulder area after carrying some very heavy shopping and was in a lot of pain for a while. And then a lot of other stuff in my life just spiralled out of control over the last fortnight, with the result that the fitness plan was replaced by binge/emotional eating yet again to cope with it all. I don't really want to write about all that stuff, suffice to say that the strain of the past couple of weeks has left me feeling upset and exhausted and I just want to get my life back on track again.
Anyway, some good news as faithful travelling companion and I are now planning our spring holiday (expect an announcement in the next couple of weeks) so this will be my target to get fit and shed a few pounds. What I am most looking forward to is improving my walking fitness, and not feeling so tired/lethargic all the time. I have a mountain of draft blog posts to finish/post but have been too tired lately, so I will get round to posting them eventually :)
In the meantime, there's an exercise bike calling my name....
Sunday, 1 September 2013
August.
So, how was August then? Well, quite frankly, August was rubbish.
The unseasonably hot weather of July gave way to more traditional Scottish summer weather - i.e. lots of rain and four-seasons-in-one-day although it has to be said that the temperatures were still fairly agreeable and all in all, it has probably been one of the best summers in years, weather-wise.
However, this month the stress of the working week which has built up over the last few months crossed over into my personal life and I found myself unable to handle it all - anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia and a very noticeable personality change from a usually happy, cheerful person to a sour-faced miserable wreck. Although when you reach that low point there is only one place to go, and that's up. And there are always some sobering things in life which make you realise just how lucky you are.
So I am starting September with a new, blank page and ready to write a much happier story. After all, September is always my main holiday month, with two weeks off work and a lovely city break to look forward to, and I am back blogging again which always makes me happy :)
The unseasonably hot weather of July gave way to more traditional Scottish summer weather - i.e. lots of rain and four-seasons-in-one-day although it has to be said that the temperatures were still fairly agreeable and all in all, it has probably been one of the best summers in years, weather-wise.
However, this month the stress of the working week which has built up over the last few months crossed over into my personal life and I found myself unable to handle it all - anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia and a very noticeable personality change from a usually happy, cheerful person to a sour-faced miserable wreck. Although when you reach that low point there is only one place to go, and that's up. And there are always some sobering things in life which make you realise just how lucky you are.
So I am starting September with a new, blank page and ready to write a much happier story. After all, September is always my main holiday month, with two weeks off work and a lovely city break to look forward to, and I am back blogging again which always makes me happy :)
Monday, 22 July 2013
My big fat summer
Who'd have thought it? The summer of 2013 has been a surprising revelation. More or less, since the end of May, the weather up here has been, on the whole, dry, warm and pleasant...and the last couple of weeks have given us continental temperatures which are more Greece than Glasgow. Holiday clothing (and all the horrors that brings) has replaced the usual anoraks and umbrellas which symbolise the relentless rain and low temperatures which characterise our Scottish summer. Usually, if we get a couple of dry days, that's our summer.
But having a few weeks of sunshine, dry weather and clear skies has completely changes our lives and given us a glimpse into what life could be like if we actually had proper, defined seasons. People are smiling more, they're in a better mood, they're being nicer to each other. We're all happier.
For the first few months of this year I struggled, not just with my usual winter blues/SAD but also with stress and anxiety, and completely lost my confidence. (One particular benefit of this nice summer has been the vast improvement in my mood and getting my confidence back, particularly at work, which has helped me through all the challenges presented by a heavy workload and staff shortages).
However, in the first half of the year, I turned to comfort/binge eating, gaining a stone over a short period, and my physical health plummeted. Where I previously power-walked uphill to work, it became a struggle to even power-crawl.
You will know from previous posts that I did try to get the weight off, but these were only very short-lived with no commitment. Over recent weeks, the realisation about what I've been doing to my body became very apparent, firstly going on holiday and then during the recent hot spell. All those summer clothes hanging in the wardrobe, which can't be worn because they don't fit any more. Going into fitting rooms and not recognising the person staring back at me. How did I allow this to get so bad? It has finally given me the motivation to do something about it.
But having a few weeks of sunshine, dry weather and clear skies has completely changes our lives and given us a glimpse into what life could be like if we actually had proper, defined seasons. People are smiling more, they're in a better mood, they're being nicer to each other. We're all happier.
For the first few months of this year I struggled, not just with my usual winter blues/SAD but also with stress and anxiety, and completely lost my confidence. (One particular benefit of this nice summer has been the vast improvement in my mood and getting my confidence back, particularly at work, which has helped me through all the challenges presented by a heavy workload and staff shortages).
However, in the first half of the year, I turned to comfort/binge eating, gaining a stone over a short period, and my physical health plummeted. Where I previously power-walked uphill to work, it became a struggle to even power-crawl.
You will know from previous posts that I did try to get the weight off, but these were only very short-lived with no commitment. Over recent weeks, the realisation about what I've been doing to my body became very apparent, firstly going on holiday and then during the recent hot spell. All those summer clothes hanging in the wardrobe, which can't be worn because they don't fit any more. Going into fitting rooms and not recognising the person staring back at me. How did I allow this to get so bad? It has finally given me the motivation to do something about it.
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Sc-hot-land!
And before you ask, this isn't going to be one of those posts complaining about how hot it is (but just a tiny, tiny request - could you please turn the temperature down to about 21/22?).
Compared to the last couple of years, we've actually had quite a decent last few weeks which probably constitutes "summertime". From May into late June, the sun remembered to come out, the rain actually remembered to go off, and the temperatures were just perfect - for us, that would be the 21/22 degrees as stated above.
Then we were plunged into winter again, and even had to resort to central heating. In June!
In recent days however, the real hot summer has arrived, with temperatures heading up to 30 degrees. Now regular readers will know that Scotland is not known for its good weather - a "good spell" is two dry days in a row. So as you can imagine, it doesn't take much for all the "weeds" to come out - and I'm not just talking about my much-neglected back garden here - as the parade of fashion disasters hits the streets. I'm still in a state of trauma from the guy with the 9 months pregnant belly and the dangerously low-slung shorts who was walking in front of me all the way down the road on the way home yesterday.
Being the pale-skinned impersonation of a milk bottle that I am, I take the same precautions at home as I do abroad: cover up and slap on the factor 50+. So please excuse me if I don't want to join in the sun-worshipping. But a few more weeks of dry, reasonably warm weather, would do nicely.
Compared to the last couple of years, we've actually had quite a decent last few weeks which probably constitutes "summertime". From May into late June, the sun remembered to come out, the rain actually remembered to go off, and the temperatures were just perfect - for us, that would be the 21/22 degrees as stated above.
Then we were plunged into winter again, and even had to resort to central heating. In June!
In recent days however, the real hot summer has arrived, with temperatures heading up to 30 degrees. Now regular readers will know that Scotland is not known for its good weather - a "good spell" is two dry days in a row. So as you can imagine, it doesn't take much for all the "weeds" to come out - and I'm not just talking about my much-neglected back garden here - as the parade of fashion disasters hits the streets. I'm still in a state of trauma from the guy with the 9 months pregnant belly and the dangerously low-slung shorts who was walking in front of me all the way down the road on the way home yesterday.
Being the pale-skinned impersonation of a milk bottle that I am, I take the same precautions at home as I do abroad: cover up and slap on the factor 50+. So please excuse me if I don't want to join in the sun-worshipping. But a few more weeks of dry, reasonably warm weather, would do nicely.
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Sunshine!
It's such a rarity to have a day without rain, or gale force winds, and even more rare to have a warm day. Today, unusually, we had a beautiful dry and warm day. It is probably the only dry and warm day we have had for months, and life will be back to normal tomorrow with the return of the wind and rain :(
Needless to say, my back "garden" a.k.a. jungle, hasn't seen a lawnmower all year. Until today when we had the annual ritual of the first cut of the year, closely followed by me complaining all night about aches and pains and how flippin' exhausted I feel. In other words, the usual.
The little fitness regime does seem to be paying off though, as I am actually beginning to feel fitter and today I was able to walk uphill and downhill without the aid of the knee support bandages. Getting there slowly but surely!!
Needless to say, my back "garden" a.k.a. jungle, hasn't seen a lawnmower all year. Until today when we had the annual ritual of the first cut of the year, closely followed by me complaining all night about aches and pains and how flippin' exhausted I feel. In other words, the usual.
The little fitness regime does seem to be paying off though, as I am actually beginning to feel fitter and today I was able to walk uphill and downhill without the aid of the knee support bandages. Getting there slowly but surely!!
Monday, 1 April 2013
Snow is falling all around me...
....well not actually at the minute, but the fact remains that the last few weeks have been pretty freaky on the weather front as we had a lot of snow, which as usual managed to bring the place to a standstill, and some very icy winds which made Scotland feel more like Siberia. Last week it was snowy and sunny at the same time. You know all about that British obsession with the weather? Well, who can blame us when it's so unpredictable! At least the snow has stayed away for Easter weekend.
During one of the coldest spells a couple of weeks ago, the boiler at EuropeCrazy HQ developed a major fault which resulted in us being left with no heating/hot water for various periods of time and a continuous 48 hour spell. No wonder I was comfort eating (more about that later....)
I thought it would be a good opportunity to post a pic of my two little Easter chicks. Aren't they cute? These are knitted by the mum of one of my friends at work, who is shortly due to deliver a little chick of her own in May. There's a massive baby boom in my office at the moment which makes me wonder -was the TV really that bad a few months ago?? :)
So what happened to the fitness regime, I hear you ask? Well, sad to say, it crashed and burned. The snow/bad weather put paid to my long outdoor walks, I've been comfort eating and snacking relentlessly, and some days I'm so mentally and physically exhausted that I have no energy to exercise after work.
But with only 7 weeks to go until my holiday, can it be turned around? I think it can, although not with as significant results as I'd hoped for. If I'd continued the February fitness regime I might have been looking at a dropped dress size by now. Oh well these things happen....as that well-known saying goes, "the diet starts tomorrow" and it'll once again be time to start paying in sweat. And that's no April Fool!
During one of the coldest spells a couple of weeks ago, the boiler at EuropeCrazy HQ developed a major fault which resulted in us being left with no heating/hot water for various periods of time and a continuous 48 hour spell. No wonder I was comfort eating (more about that later....)
I thought it would be a good opportunity to post a pic of my two little Easter chicks. Aren't they cute? These are knitted by the mum of one of my friends at work, who is shortly due to deliver a little chick of her own in May. There's a massive baby boom in my office at the moment which makes me wonder -was the TV really that bad a few months ago?? :)
So what happened to the fitness regime, I hear you ask? Well, sad to say, it crashed and burned. The snow/bad weather put paid to my long outdoor walks, I've been comfort eating and snacking relentlessly, and some days I'm so mentally and physically exhausted that I have no energy to exercise after work.
But with only 7 weeks to go until my holiday, can it be turned around? I think it can, although not with as significant results as I'd hoped for. If I'd continued the February fitness regime I might have been looking at a dropped dress size by now. Oh well these things happen....as that well-known saying goes, "the diet starts tomorrow" and it'll once again be time to start paying in sweat. And that's no April Fool!
Monday, 26 March 2012
The feelgood factor
I'd have to say it was one of my smarter decisions, putting in for a day off work today. When I made this decision a couple of weeks ago, I thought it would be a good idea to take a long weekend to unwind and chill out after a few quite stressful weeks.
What I wasn't expecting was the beautiful, warm sunny weather and temperatures approaching 20 degrees! It was yet another gorgeous day which started off with me doing the annual springtime ritual of becoming "flame haired" again. Then I put on some summery clothing - including sandals!! - for a day out for some retail therapy with mum, rather than the kind of day I expected - sitting indoors, staring out at the rain battering off the window.
Everyone in their summer gear (and some pretty scary sights too - the fashion atrocities must have gone into treble figures today!) Remind me what month it is????
Of course it won't last and it will all be over by the end of this week, because the weathermen told us so. Guess we'd better enjoy our summer whilst we can :))
On the down side, I can't describe how much my legs are still hurting after Saturday's gardening marathon :((
What I wasn't expecting was the beautiful, warm sunny weather and temperatures approaching 20 degrees! It was yet another gorgeous day which started off with me doing the annual springtime ritual of becoming "flame haired" again. Then I put on some summery clothing - including sandals!! - for a day out for some retail therapy with mum, rather than the kind of day I expected - sitting indoors, staring out at the rain battering off the window.
Everyone in their summer gear (and some pretty scary sights too - the fashion atrocities must have gone into treble figures today!) Remind me what month it is????
Of course it won't last and it will all be over by the end of this week, because the weathermen told us so. Guess we'd better enjoy our summer whilst we can :))
On the down side, I can't describe how much my legs are still hurting after Saturday's gardening marathon :((
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Summertime!!
Here in my part of the world, we usually only have two seasons: the cold rainy one and the slightly less cold but still rainy one.
So it is a very pleasant surprise to be sitting here at the end of March enjoying completely unseasonable summer-type weather. For the past 4 days the temperatures have risen, we can finally switch the heating off, and the sunshine is giving our spirits a much-needed lift.
I guess we will have to make the most of it, as come June/July it will be the usual "summer" weather.
Yesterday I spent four hours out in the garden, cutting grass and doing some intensive weeding work which I'm seriously paying for today, as I can hardly walk :(
So it is a very pleasant surprise to be sitting here at the end of March enjoying completely unseasonable summer-type weather. For the past 4 days the temperatures have risen, we can finally switch the heating off, and the sunshine is giving our spirits a much-needed lift.
I guess we will have to make the most of it, as come June/July it will be the usual "summer" weather.
Yesterday I spent four hours out in the garden, cutting grass and doing some intensive weeding work which I'm seriously paying for today, as I can hardly walk :(
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
When I am through with you
These showery days and chilly nights make it feel like summer is over :( however two days off work is good no matter what time of year it is. Apart from the retail therapy mentioned in the previous post, my long weekend also involved some decluttering and charity bagging, and actually finishing a book for a change - Mark Cavendish's "Boy Racer". Oh, and I've even made serious inroads into the "Damages" season 1 boxset at last, currently on loan from faithful travelling companion. This programme is very addictive viewing, and after each episode I just want to see the next one. Also, the theme tune (which gives this post its title) is very good too.
I'm certainly not stuck for things to do during this blogging break. Work, rest, and play. On Monday I even slotted in a game of Beehive Bedlam at teatime and got to level 13 then decided to quit whilst I was ahead. Not for me the complicated world of modern gaming (although my fondness for The Sims will never die) but give me Bloobs or Beehive Bedlam and I'll be happy for the rest of the day.
I'm certainly not stuck for things to do during this blogging break. Work, rest, and play. On Monday I even slotted in a game of Beehive Bedlam at teatime and got to level 13 then decided to quit whilst I was ahead. Not for me the complicated world of modern gaming (although my fondness for The Sims will never die) but give me Bloobs or Beehive Bedlam and I'll be happy for the rest of the day.
Friday, 3 June 2011
Happy Friday and the sun is shining
A rarity here: a dry day, some sun to go along with it, and allegedly 25 degrees. Which is about the hottest I can stand - any higher and it gets unbearable. We're never happy :)
Anyway, I lost 1lb this week, despite the excesses of the bank holiday weekend....going in the right direction.
Anyway, I lost 1lb this week, despite the excesses of the bank holiday weekend....going in the right direction.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
December 2010: cancelled due to adverse weather conditions
Well, they've cancelled everything else so they might as well just cancel the month too :(
It has probably been the most surreal two weeks I can remember for many years. 15 days ago in my part of the world, a lot of snow fell in a very short time and the country was paralysed for days. Drivers couldn't drive, non-drivers couldn't get public transport because the snow hadn't been cleared from the roads or the railways, because we are ruled by a terminally incompetent government whose only goal in life is Scottish independence! How could we be independent when we can't function in a few inches of snow????
As I made my way home from work on Monday 6th December, through a main street of early-closed shops and pollice directing traffic, it then got worse. At least I live locally and could walk home - but many were stranded overnight on motorways in cars and buses for almost 20 hours.
It didn't get any better as the week progressed - with almost eerie scenes of shops closed because people couldn't get out to work in them, there were food shortages because the delivery vans couldn't deliver, no-one's getting their online shopping and don't even start me on the mail deliveries....meanwhile in my little corner of the public sector, our office stayed open with a skeleton staff, and life went on. Until a frozen pipe and a flooded bathroom had other ideas and forced me to stay home.
Happily that situation was resolved and the 'big thaw' finally arrived, providing a couple of days' respite. But it wasn't to be long before the snow returned, bringing even colder temperatures, icy pavements and tougher walking conditions. Christmas lunches and parties were cancelled all over the place, and my big weekend of Christmas night out (Friday) and Shakira (Sunday) was also put in jeopardy....although it all went ahead - with a few anxious hitches, but nothing as bad as potentially expected.
Now the bad weather is affecting the rest of Britain, and everywhere else is getting the same story. Maybe it's time that the powers-that-be started thinking of this country as a "snow country" and get all the appropriate structures in place. But then that would probably be a bit too much to ask....
It has probably been the most surreal two weeks I can remember for many years. 15 days ago in my part of the world, a lot of snow fell in a very short time and the country was paralysed for days. Drivers couldn't drive, non-drivers couldn't get public transport because the snow hadn't been cleared from the roads or the railways, because we are ruled by a terminally incompetent government whose only goal in life is Scottish independence! How could we be independent when we can't function in a few inches of snow????
As I made my way home from work on Monday 6th December, through a main street of early-closed shops and pollice directing traffic, it then got worse. At least I live locally and could walk home - but many were stranded overnight on motorways in cars and buses for almost 20 hours.
It didn't get any better as the week progressed - with almost eerie scenes of shops closed because people couldn't get out to work in them, there were food shortages because the delivery vans couldn't deliver, no-one's getting their online shopping and don't even start me on the mail deliveries....meanwhile in my little corner of the public sector, our office stayed open with a skeleton staff, and life went on. Until a frozen pipe and a flooded bathroom had other ideas and forced me to stay home.
Happily that situation was resolved and the 'big thaw' finally arrived, providing a couple of days' respite. But it wasn't to be long before the snow returned, bringing even colder temperatures, icy pavements and tougher walking conditions. Christmas lunches and parties were cancelled all over the place, and my big weekend of Christmas night out (Friday) and Shakira (Sunday) was also put in jeopardy....although it all went ahead - with a few anxious hitches, but nothing as bad as potentially expected.
Now the bad weather is affecting the rest of Britain, and everywhere else is getting the same story. Maybe it's time that the powers-that-be started thinking of this country as a "snow country" and get all the appropriate structures in place. But then that would probably be a bit too much to ask....
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Heavy snow...!
We really shouldn't be getting snow at this time of year, but as I look out the window at 10.00 am on a Sunday morning, a few inches of snow have fallen overnight and at the moment it's so heavy that it's virtually zero visibility. Apparently it's about minus 4 degrees today.
But it's nice and warm in here - fingers and everything else crossed that the new central heating system doesn't let us down over what's going to be a long long winter.
In the meantime, Christmas is going on all around us - yes, the world's most insignificant Christmas lights are back, and in traditional control-freak style I've got most of my Christmas shopping done. At the moment though, I can't totally focus on the forthcoming festivities if I'm honest: my mum's still very sick and the only thing that matters is looking after her and helping her get well again.
My other focus at the moment is losing weight of course: this week I stayed the same, which I was quite happy about, considering there's not been much in the way of exercise due to a nasty recurrence of my back problem.
This is all beginning to sound like the blog of doom and gloom isn't it....don't mean it to sound like that, as my mood is significantly lighter than it was a week ago, and I feel as if I'm coming out of the dark tunnel. There are always some nice, happy things going on too, and I really need to write about them as well, because I'm a glass-half-full kind of person after all :)
But it's nice and warm in here - fingers and everything else crossed that the new central heating system doesn't let us down over what's going to be a long long winter.
In the meantime, Christmas is going on all around us - yes, the world's most insignificant Christmas lights are back, and in traditional control-freak style I've got most of my Christmas shopping done. At the moment though, I can't totally focus on the forthcoming festivities if I'm honest: my mum's still very sick and the only thing that matters is looking after her and helping her get well again.
My other focus at the moment is losing weight of course: this week I stayed the same, which I was quite happy about, considering there's not been much in the way of exercise due to a nasty recurrence of my back problem.
This is all beginning to sound like the blog of doom and gloom isn't it....don't mean it to sound like that, as my mood is significantly lighter than it was a week ago, and I feel as if I'm coming out of the dark tunnel. There are always some nice, happy things going on too, and I really need to write about them as well, because I'm a glass-half-full kind of person after all :)
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Brrr.
A surprisingly sunny day followed by a surprisingly chilly night. I'm sitting here at EuropeCrazy HQ pondering whether or not to a) put the heating on; b) get the hot water bottle looked out; or c) retrieve the industrial-strength dressing gown from the wardrobe.
I guess summer's over then :(
I guess summer's over then :(
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Rabbits, ringtones and other random stuff
Having formed such a bond with Cuddles over the past 8 days, both my mum and I now admit that we have to let go. She is not a pet after all; she is a wild rabbit and we can only hope that if and when she leaves us (most likely soon), that she move on to a place where she is happy and free to roam.
I seem to have discovered a previously hidden talent for producing made-to-order ringtones. Having done one for my own phone (this is going to be a really difficult guess, right? Clue: "I was aiming for the sky") I did one for my friend at work who wanted a specific song which was in the charts a couple of years ago, and she's very happy with it. Just call me Jamster. Only without the Crazy Frog. Brrrrr-ding-ding-ding...aha happy memories - NOT!
The diet, or whatever you call it, has completely gone off the rails this week. With about 8 weeks to go until our as yet undecided summer holiday, I still haven't given up hope. Will need to get a grip. You can tell how committed I am at the moment, so committed that I went out with faithful travelling companion to our fave local Cantonese restaurant.
The weather - everyone's favourite conversation topic - has been depressingly wet for the last couple of weeks, just call it monsoon season. The shops are still full of summer clothes, but you wonder what's the point of buying them when you're probably only going to wear them for one week on a summer holiday abroad? Thus I have hit on a credit-crunching solution. If I go to a hot country in September, as is likely, I will wear last year's summer holiday clothes, which have been unworn since last summer's holiday. And the ones from two years ago, and so on. Because I haven't seen anything in the shops which I like better than what is already in my wardrobe.
Although I don't like the winter weather, I love winter fashion more than summer clothes. I love coats and boots and winter hats and scarves and big cosy cardigans....can't really say the same for short shorts and vest tops. Or the ultimate summer wear for that matter: an anorak.
I seem to have discovered a previously hidden talent for producing made-to-order ringtones. Having done one for my own phone (this is going to be a really difficult guess, right? Clue: "I was aiming for the sky") I did one for my friend at work who wanted a specific song which was in the charts a couple of years ago, and she's very happy with it. Just call me Jamster. Only without the Crazy Frog. Brrrrr-ding-ding-ding...aha happy memories - NOT!
The diet, or whatever you call it, has completely gone off the rails this week. With about 8 weeks to go until our as yet undecided summer holiday, I still haven't given up hope. Will need to get a grip. You can tell how committed I am at the moment, so committed that I went out with faithful travelling companion to our fave local Cantonese restaurant.
The weather - everyone's favourite conversation topic - has been depressingly wet for the last couple of weeks, just call it monsoon season. The shops are still full of summer clothes, but you wonder what's the point of buying them when you're probably only going to wear them for one week on a summer holiday abroad? Thus I have hit on a credit-crunching solution. If I go to a hot country in September, as is likely, I will wear last year's summer holiday clothes, which have been unworn since last summer's holiday. And the ones from two years ago, and so on. Because I haven't seen anything in the shops which I like better than what is already in my wardrobe.
Although I don't like the winter weather, I love winter fashion more than summer clothes. I love coats and boots and winter hats and scarves and big cosy cardigans....can't really say the same for short shorts and vest tops. Or the ultimate summer wear for that matter: an anorak.
Thursday, 1 July 2010
The summer of limited blogging, disappointing football and hating my hair
July already. Recent weeks have been very nice, weather-wise, you could almost call it a summer. And it even feels more like summer when you get the chance to get out of town and get down to the seaside, as I did yesterday (along with faithful travelling companion of course).
I've rediscovered Sunshimmer by Rimmel lately, which is a joy for someone like me who could very easily get mistaken for a milk bottle in an identity parade, and is the ideal short-term solution to avoiding fake tan disasters.
Putting EuropeCrazy (the blog) on hold for a few weeks (all things being well, it's back on 19th July) has allowed me to concentrate on some stuff at home - mainly decluttering, nothing too exciting - as well as the daily ritual of watching the World Cup, which has been one massive anti-climax so far. Although having said that, we've missed the football over the last couple of nights....normal service resumes tomorrow. And then it will be time for my favourite sporting event of the year: Le Tour, which begins on Saturday.
Happy summer things aside, I'm going through a lot of stress right now. (I'll give you a clue: in the work/life balance, it's not the life bit) On the one hand, I'm trying to get fit to deal better with it all, on the other hand I have completely crashed into a phase of comfort eating. You can't win :( But I am still very thankful that I have a job at all, in this current climate. And in spite of everything, I do like my job, and I work beside lots of lovely people too.
The thing I really hate at the moment is my hair. You can tell I'm not any happier with it since it was cut a few weeks ago. As time goes on it's beginning to resemble a bad footballer's mullet. *Stands in front of mirror and recites 'it will grow back.....it will grow back...."*
I've rediscovered Sunshimmer by Rimmel lately, which is a joy for someone like me who could very easily get mistaken for a milk bottle in an identity parade, and is the ideal short-term solution to avoiding fake tan disasters.
Putting EuropeCrazy (the blog) on hold for a few weeks (all things being well, it's back on 19th July) has allowed me to concentrate on some stuff at home - mainly decluttering, nothing too exciting - as well as the daily ritual of watching the World Cup, which has been one massive anti-climax so far. Although having said that, we've missed the football over the last couple of nights....normal service resumes tomorrow. And then it will be time for my favourite sporting event of the year: Le Tour, which begins on Saturday.
Happy summer things aside, I'm going through a lot of stress right now. (I'll give you a clue: in the work/life balance, it's not the life bit) On the one hand, I'm trying to get fit to deal better with it all, on the other hand I have completely crashed into a phase of comfort eating. You can't win :( But I am still very thankful that I have a job at all, in this current climate. And in spite of everything, I do like my job, and I work beside lots of lovely people too.
The thing I really hate at the moment is my hair. You can tell I'm not any happier with it since it was cut a few weeks ago. As time goes on it's beginning to resemble a bad footballer's mullet. *Stands in front of mirror and recites 'it will grow back.....it will grow back...."*
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Hacked off...
...my hair, that is. Yes, lots of my lovely long hair is gone after this morning's trip to the salon...got 3"" off the length, and there are now lots of choppy layers.
Maybe a bit too short for now, but it will grow out and that's when I become really happy with it.
Now off out again for retail therapy. The sun is shining, the weather is warm.....summer is here again (ok we've had three days of it, which is usually as much as we can expect)
EDIT 4.35 PM: Matalan was pretty rewarding, although one of these days I'll actually try on a sun-dress which is more flattering than all the ones around at the moment which make me look even fatter than I am already :(
Maybe a bit too short for now, but it will grow out and that's when I become really happy with it.
Now off out again for retail therapy. The sun is shining, the weather is warm.....summer is here again (ok we've had three days of it, which is usually as much as we can expect)
EDIT 4.35 PM: Matalan was pretty rewarding, although one of these days I'll actually try on a sun-dress which is more flattering than all the ones around at the moment which make me look even fatter than I am already :(
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Volcanic ash cloud continues to spread :(
After last week's eruption in Iceland, the volcanic ash cloud continues to spread across Europe with no sign of abating : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8627720.stm
With the closure of airspace all over Europe, and the uncertainty of when things will be back to normal, we decided not to book our spring break (due to depart two weeks from tomorrow) until we know what's happening.
Watch this space...
Needless to say the havoc created by the closure of airspace all over Europe has caused tempers to rise, and of course it has also created an unlikely internet celebrity - the "I Hate Iceland" guy from Edinburgh Airport :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34mHZgP9vkc
With the closure of airspace all over Europe, and the uncertainty of when things will be back to normal, we decided not to book our spring break (due to depart two weeks from tomorrow) until we know what's happening.
Watch this space...
Needless to say the havoc created by the closure of airspace all over Europe has caused tempers to rise, and of course it has also created an unlikely internet celebrity - the "I Hate Iceland" guy from Edinburgh Airport :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34mHZgP9vkc
Monday, 12 April 2010
Sunshine! (Part 2)
Two dry, sunny days in a row. We're definitely not used to it :)
Unfortunately this was enough to bring out all the summer-fashion-casualties whom I witnessed whilst out shopping at lunchtime. It was enough to make me bring up my lentil soup, and bearing in mind that I wasn't feeling too great again today, then that wouldn't have taken much!
Not really much to report otherwise...I'm still having a bit of a job adjusting back into reality after my Swedish trip. Reality pretty much sucks actually, it's boring me right now, and I can't be bothered with it. I treasure my nightly escape into blog-land....
Unfortunately this was enough to bring out all the summer-fashion-casualties whom I witnessed whilst out shopping at lunchtime. It was enough to make me bring up my lentil soup, and bearing in mind that I wasn't feeling too great again today, then that wouldn't have taken much!
Not really much to report otherwise...I'm still having a bit of a job adjusting back into reality after my Swedish trip. Reality pretty much sucks actually, it's boring me right now, and I can't be bothered with it. I treasure my nightly escape into blog-land....
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Sunshine!
I'd forgotten what a blue sky or sunshine actually looked like after all these months of snow and rain! Yes the sun is shining, the sky is blue and I've been overwhelmed to turn my blog from withered brown to bright green as a celebration of spring. But, like the weather, it's subject to change. I'd actually been experimenting with new, non-Blogger-supplied templates today but it was all too complicated so it was back to something I felt more comfortable with.
It's been a nice weekend and the good news is that it's set to continue.
Holiday-planning is still ongoing, and there should be an announcement by the end of the coming week. The previous front-runner has now been overtaken by another front-runner!
Got lots of other things to do this week so there will be minimal blogging.
See ya!
It's been a nice weekend and the good news is that it's set to continue.
Holiday-planning is still ongoing, and there should be an announcement by the end of the coming week. The previous front-runner has now been overtaken by another front-runner!
Got lots of other things to do this week so there will be minimal blogging.
See ya!
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