What I do

Yes, this is part of what I do.  

Care to guess what language this is?  Facebookers are excluded because you already know.

This is a CDC publication targeted at immigrant communities to prevent the spread of certain communicable diseases.  I look at the English source and the translated target side by side on paper, and mark up anything that I think needs changing.  Then I pass it to my fellow QC spec for back up - she runs her eye over it, adds things and discusses with me anything she finds noteworthy.  Then I annotate our notes in the PDF document that was produced by the Graphics department - with edits for Graphics, and questions for the Translator.

Graphics implements their changes first if possible, otherwise their further issues are addressed by the project manager, then the PDF goes to the PM who passes it to the Translator to have the questions addressed.  

In the photo, I am re-annotating the PDF for Graphics in a second round, according to the Translator answers which came in a detailed table.  This being an incomprehensible language to me, it took a lot of shape-hunting and at times I was zoomed in at 400%.  Here, the translator has addressed my issue that "sick" and "not sick" are not bolded in the translation.  The Translator says he did bold it originally in the document he sent to Graphics, so I have written a note to Graphics here to ask them to either bold it again or enlarge the font slightly, if bolding is not possible.  

Another issue was that the title on the poster used different characters to the identical title on the leaflet, and the Translator then provided a better phrase.  I also marked a LOT of stray characters here and there which Graphics will remove.

So, that's sort of what I do and hope it makes more sense for those of you who are still mystified as to how I perform my job.  Don't worry, you're not alone - sometimes I wonder too!

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Last weekend we didn't do photogenic things, probably because we met up with some of his friends on Thursday night to watch the opening of Star Trek.  It was an amazing movie and I recommend you go see it.  Afterwards we all went for dinner so he didn't escort me home until way past midnight.  Obviously, we both paid for that wild episode on Friday and felt too lazy for an epic weekend although we accomplished much.

On Saturday:

• Ate lunch at Cici's Pizza - yay for jalapenos!
• We searched high and low at the mall for a Scrabble game, and dropped my boots off at the cobbler's bench
  
• Went to the grocery store for baking supplies
  
• Baked Magic Cookie Bars, which are delicious by the way, and we have both eaten a couple of squares every night this week, and they're still not finished
  
• Ate dinner at a really good Indian restaurant in Bethesda and listened to a young white jazz band (and they were amazing) outside the Haagen-Dazs down the road
• Played Scrabble and ate our baked goods.  He won.  We're both good with words, but he's a better strategist and I'm a better speller.  So he'd say, "Livvy, how do you spell the word for..." and give the definition and I'd supply the spelling.  And then when I gave up he helped me, and we finished all the tiles, but he still won.
• On Thursday, Jeff said, "Livvy, we make a good team in the kitchen."  I agreed.

On Sunday:

• Went for brunch at the Pancake House in Bethesda
• We hung out at the fountain, watching people out on their best behavior with their mothers all dressed up for Mother's Day
• Also watched children and dogs, as usual
• See, told you it was boring but we like it
• And we had ice cream at H-D
• Then he went to the driving range for the first time this year.  He's got some snazzy golf shoes.

Not done yet.  On Monday (!):

• He picked me up after work and we went to the mall to collect my boots and have his shoes shined
• Had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen.  If you have one near you, I highly recommend the mango tandoori chicken pizza, my new favorite
• Although I was in one of my nice London outfits, I said he looked so much more presentable than I did in his pinstripe suit and nice tie, and he said, "Livvy, if I look presentable it's because I'm with you."
• Awwwwwwww....!

OK, that's enough for now.  As I get home so late in the evenings, I can only visit you all in bits and bytes.  I do miss being able to spend lots of time on blogs now, and I'm sorry.  I am still trying to tinker with my schedule so I can find the right balance.  I'd like to go to work earlier so I can come home earlier, but this week I could not effect such a change, so I will keep trying...

Prep

I'm 94% better now, but it was "one of those days" including lady blahs.

But also, I was feeling trapped in my bubble of silence with the remaining congestion in my head.

I went grocery shopping and caught up with all the things on my list.  I do like watching the total plummet as soon as they scan the store card at Safeway.  It's like a game:  "How far will it drop today?"

I bought Drano for my bathtub, but afterwards shone a light down the drain and was shocked as I extracted a bundle of long blond hair about the size of a small cat.  *gak*

It's going to rain on Thursday, so I guess I will stay in and do my NY State and Federal tax returns.  Wooooooooo.

Mostly, though, I am just waiting for the interview on Friday.  Monday to Friday is a long wait.

I've been studying the company website, which is ridiculously informative and as a result I don't have enough questions.  What's really cool is that I must be able to obtain security clearance.  That's a valuable commodity in this town.

The interview is at 11am.  I may wear my brown pinstripe trousers from London.  Possibly not a jacket, as it's a casual environment.  The QA director sounded very amiable on the phone and his emails are the politest I've ever received from a potential employer.  I hope this is an indicator.  I have to say, the company values are very much like my own, so that's good.

Come on Friday morning...*sigh*

Bah Humbug

I'm packing, packing, packing and have run out of steam. Not that much stuff, but it's confusing, like putting a bomb site into small containers.

When I was younger, I liked packing suitcases, but in recent years the chore became more frequent and for less exciting reasons than going on holiday. I even have a selection of weekend and overnight bags packed at the ready but packing still doesn't get easier. "I'm packing" makes it sound like I have a gun. I actually would have a few years back, if I'd taken a certain job!

Anyway, isn't it funny how it's easy to organize other people, but not yourself? Like how therapists need therapists...

It was quite warm yesterday at 58F/14C and it was lovely just wearing a light coat. Apparently, it went all the way up to 70F/21C in Washington. I bet people were in short sleeves there. I hope the trees didn't get confused, because it will be cold again on Saturday.

I went out to meet friends last week and this week, but due to my continuing NASM series, didn't tell you about it. I will do that when I get settled because I've been eating some delicious things and I took photos :)

The moving guys come on Saturday morning, bright and early. It will be cold and cloudy in NYC, and dull and dreary in DC. Oh dear. That must be what's blowing in with the gales we've been having today. The house moves, I swear! My bed was swaying this morning. The first time we had gale-force winds last year, I thought we had ghosts because I couldn't see anything moving, I can only feel it.  One of my friends says I should get a dog and call it Toto, but I am certainly not moving to Kansas.

I will talk to you all in a few days. Be good!

DC 5.0

I went to the National Air & Space Museum yesterday, as promised. There was so much to see and learn, I felt as though I'd been knocked over the head with knowledge. I love that the museums in DC are FREE so I can go back as often as I like to see whatever I wish, and eventually take it all in, all the museums...I am also glad they're gathered in one place so I don't have to hunt for them.

Anyway, I took loads of photos, but I can't decide which ones to share and I haven't sorted them out either. Didn't think I'd drop the ball on this trip, did you? I know, neither did I.

Instead, I will take more pleasure in sharing with you some miscellaneous images.

Today was my last day in DC, and you will not be surprised to hear that I don't want to leave even though I will be back in only a couple of weeks. I had that trembling anticipation in my heart today, when I just knew I was going to enjoy my life here. 

It feels right. I feel that I belong.

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Carlye begging while I eat my morning yogurt.  There is sometimes a long string of drool that forms on each side of her jowl.  But she is very patient.


Ah, tasty reward!  Liberte is an awesome yog, by the way, it only costs 99c here (it's a dollar more in NYC for some reason) but it's from Quebec and is organic, unsweetened, and I usually choose the pear flavor.  It has 6 grains:  rice, buckwheat, barley, oats, wheat, rye.  Yum!


When I walked into Georgetown yesterday I went into Banana Republic for the first time ... and made a purchase.  Also, someone complimented me on my haircut, and someone else helpled me choose this black velvet blazer over a maroon one (it was too purply and not burgundy enough for my taste.)  It was on sale and there was an extra 30% discount at the register.  Original price $175.  Guess how much I bought it for????????

It had to be good, if someone on a budget couldn't say no.  Even better, it was so warm today, 60F/15C that I couldn't wear my coat but needed a jacket at times.  Seriously, the breeze was warm.  And yesterday was freezing.


The Metro.  All the stations are similarly laid out, very clean and uncluttered.  Signage is clear but subtle.  There are info boards announcing arrival times, and the trains come frequently (unlike in NY where everyone stands around for 10-20 minutes craning their necks).  About a minute before the train arrives, the lights along the platform flash.  The trains are extremely quiet and smooth and create auxiliary power when they brake.  The driver announces the next stop and tells us on what side the doors will open.  There is no space between the train and the platform.  And no stairs - every platform has escalators up to the main level, and there are escalators up to street level.

It only took 95 cents (and half an hour) to use the bus and metro from northern G'town to the Smithsonian!

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Today I walked exactly 5 miles.  At 3pm I headed up to the Cathedral for 4pm Evensong, but by the time I got there it was only 3.10pm and so to kill time I continued walking up Wisconsin Ave towards my new neighborhood.  At 3.30 I was halfway there and decided not to turn back.  At 4pm I arrived in F.H., so then I decided to walk 10 minutes from there to Connecticut Ave where I will soon be living.

A very pretty Kay Unger dress at Neiman Marcus in Friendship Heights ($450, ouch).  It was a gorgeous day and a Sunday but there were not many people out and about.  It feels more like a town than a city.  Over the past few years in London, I've gotten used to tripping over and bumping into people, even in the local grocery store in Bay Ridge.  I'm not used to feeling uncrowded, though that may change in the summer when more tourists hit town.


One of the houses down the spacious residential streets in Friendship Heights.

Cat in the bag.  He chose this over the larger Banana Republic bag nearby.

Odd n Ends

THE PUPPY, or Craig Ferguson's monologues

Last month, 3 days after the election, I was watching Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show on CBS.

He does a great opening monologue and the big topic of that week was "What dog will the Obamas choose?"

So Craig weighed in with:

The Obamas say they won't buy a puppy, they will rescue one. Now, when Barack Obama says he will rescue a puppy he doesn't mean he will just take it from the pound, he means he will take it from a burning building using his superpower of Hope. I don't know why Barack Obama is going to rescue a puppy. Many people think he could just make a puppy out of moonbeams and angel farts.

Here is a sample of the usual:





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THE POET, or the East Village flaneur

No more than 16, he was so typical of the more artsy parts of this city.  A skinny kid with the clear skin, angular features and long legs that so often foreshadow a career in modeling. Lounging against the subway doors in his skinny jeans, retro sneakers, floppy sandy hair.  The cream pages of his leather journal filled with delicate handwriting. After a couple of stops created seats, he sat beside me counting his couplets and I glimpsed two lines:
Oh my love, my love, my love
Why do I (something something something) at your feet (etc.)

A delay on the N train held us at the platform and I could sense him watching people, taking in the details, noticing the world around him, and fidgeting because he was too cramped to express his creativity.  For a moment, he reminded me of me.  When the empty R train arrived, we both ran for it and he sat opposite me, scribbling away in his journal and flipping his hair until his stop came and he loped off.

Finely Tuned

Oh, somebody get me out of here. I hate when this happens - it's like when a relationship ends. I have a slump, staying in for days at a time, essentially housebound. I have not left the house since....hm, let me think....probably Friday when I went out with the girls. Oh, no, I did take a walk by the water on Monday evening. Sure, I have a grocery list, but there's stuff in the freezer. I even have to make returns at some stores in the city, but there's time left on the receipts...

At least it's not so bad "slumping" in a city I like. Still, I am officially bored and disgusted with myself. I feel like I need to tell myself off, like a wayward child, or get someone in here to drag me out. I was going to go out today, but maybe I will do it tomorrow. Needless to say, my phone takes a vacation sometimes too. However, on Sunday I put on Handel's Messiah and loosened up my vocal chords for a few hours. It was the first time in about....oh, two years? Felt so good.

Of course, when these stay at home periods end, my first forays out into the real world hit my senses like a wave.

So, to the point. It's going to rain tonight. Today was somewhat overcast, fairly mild, and a breeze started up in the afternoon. As darkness fell the breeze picked up. It's not cold (18C (66F)), but it is refreshing. I stood on the steps with my sleeves rolled up, taking in lungsful of air, and I had one of my life moments...

Leaves rustling on the trees and clattering along the sidewalk.

Cozy yellow lamps and pumpkins on people's porches, and the streetlights casting pinkish hues over houses and cars.

Pale patches of cloud scudding across an indigo sky.

A church bell ringing a few blocks away, carried to my ears on the wind.

After a few minutes the spell was broken, but I had enjoyed the feeling.
Then I thought I would come back and share that moment with you.



A poignant image of St Christopher, bearer of Christ, at St Patrick's Cathedral

Bits n Bobs

At this very moment I am watching on BBC Four a documentary about the Crooners (Sinatra, Deano, Nat King Cole et al) and they've got to Tony Bennett.

The narrator said, "Tony was born in 1926, at the height of the Great Depression..."

Tell me what is amiss with this line. And somebody fire that researcher. And the narrator for not spotting it. And the producers

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I thought of so many things to share with you today.

I was the last person out of the office at 6.30pm. Don't worry, I left at 7pm last week, as two consultants were quibbling over whose work I got to do first, but I was only the second to last then.

Well, if someone gives you meeting papers to copy, assemble, and bind for the last post at 5pm, and it's 3pm, then they're not going to bind themselves and they are just going to have to go on Monday.

What's more the master copy was out of order and I spent half an hour unmuddling myself and reshuffling the papers. I think I got it right. I've only just got the hang of assembling these things, and am now just about familiar enough with administration reports, Trustee reports and accounts, quarterly reports, business plans, and so on, to be able to look at them and understand what they are.

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Last night I had a dream. I was seeing all manner of 20s/30s jazz and dance being performed onstage. It was like a mishmash of "Anything Goes", "Thoroughly Modern Millie", the Charleston, Fred Astaire, and the Radio City Rockettes.

I started crying and wailed, "See? I told you I was born in the wrong decade!"

Oh to live in the 20s


When "sex appeal" was invented. At this early level I think I'd be in with a chance!

How to dance the Black Bottom


How to dance the Charleston



My Dad taught Vanessa and me the Charleston one day at the dorms. (He had been a dancer in his youth and was a champion at the Twist.)

The flappers were pretty wild 80 years ago, considering that Queen Victoria was still alive when some of them were born. But despite their so-called wildness, if we went back in time would we find them surprisingly naive? Or would we be scandalised at just how louche they really were?

What do you think?

First week of April

Except that I do want to complain about the 2.5 hour commute I endured on Tuesday morning. There were no eastbound services on the Tube, and I work at the eastern end of the Metropolitan Line. And it had taken 45 minutes southbound, stuck in a tunnel for half of it, to find that out! Followed by 3 buses and then a 15 minute walk.

Oh, not to mention a power outage on the entirety of the line I live along, on Thursday evening. Some people were stuck underground for 3 hours.
Fortunately it started before I left the office and so I took the Met line and a bus.

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My suburban street (spacious Edwardian houses) on a typical grey day. Once upon a time it was probably tree-lined with these huge trees, but they have been lopped to halt the damage caused to the house foundations.



I went for a little ramble last week because it was still light when I left the office!
Here you see Spitalfield's old shops.



Spitalfield's new shopping street next to the shiny ABN Amro building (see top left corner), Spitalfields Church, and the old shops opposite all span centuries



Christ Church Spitalfields, 300 years old, restored in 2004 not as a church but a venue



Lincoln, the life of the party, taking a nap whilst trying not to miss a thing.



With my honorary nephew, taking a guess as to where the phonecam was pointing, hence all the empty space.



Alicia and me covered in grins.



Snow on Saturday, my early birthday present.



Very wet clumpy snow which fell off soon after and melted.

Another spree

Okayyyy, so I went shopping AGAIN, this time with my mother. (She doesn't know about the first one though, so shhhh.) But I replenished her supply of White Musk!


1) So my hands smell of violets when I wash them...mmmmmmm...Italian toiletries are ace.

2) You know I like buttons. Well, here are some square ones on a sweet top by Nougat. The lacework yoke isn't bad either.

3) One of the Nine West sport luxe collection. I was not looking for boots but they were an unbeatable 71% off (£115 down to £34). You can never have too many boots in a climate like this.

4) Black soap made to an ancient Moroccan recipe of extra virgin olive oil with extracts of cinnamon, eucalyptus and cedar. I cannot stop sniffing at it, the aroma is divine. Cedar gives the pungency of cinnamon a pleasant roundness - cinnamon gives the flatness of cedar a pleasant spiciness - and eucalyptus balances both with its refreshing cleanness.

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And look, it's not dark anymore when I leave the office after 6pm!

Spree Lantern Fruit

Suitably random title for an unthemed post.

I have been working hard the last couple of weeks, and we are now mostly caught up, so the other day when I got to leave at 5pm, I treated myself :)




1. Shelli Segal, bless her for making jackets in size 2. Ready for summer in linen and cotton. (My classic LBD is also "off the Laundry line".)
2. A pleasant reunion with Etienne Aigner, and in sky blue. (One of my fave pairs of shoes were by him.)
3. Some random tiny leather belt that sits discreetly on the waist. (For when I don't want a noticeable buckle.)
4. A cream t-shirt with gorgeous crocheting and lace on the yoke. (Took it home, read the label and laughed. Once again I display my penchant for Danish clothing...)

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I completely forgot to share pictures from Chinese New Year.


Paper lanterns on Gerrard Street, Soho, Chinatown's main thoroughfare



Later on, lantern light displays at Oxford Circus


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Also, a couple of weeks ago I bought a dragon fruit because Vanessa had one in Thailand and said it didn't taste of anything. The perfect reason to try it when I saw one on sale. I would try it again, just in case that particular shop wasn't carrying the best specimens.


The crimson fruit of a Mexican cactus



Tiny, crispy black seeds scattered in non-juicy flesh. It tasted almost of nothing, though I could detect a slight rooty earthiness to it.

Tag tag double tag

Minstrel tagged me, but how am I ever going to do this? Six years in London and not that much to show for it, despite living in Paul McCartney's neighbourhood for three of them...In fact, I should also have bumped into Kate Moss, Noel Gallagher, Jude Law, Sienna Miller, et al. as well.

But here goes:

The rules:

• Link to the person who tagged you.
• Leave a comment on their blog so that their readers can visit yours.
• Post the rules on your blog.
• Share the seven (7) most famous or infamous people you have met. Or go with the original 7 weird things about yourself. Or with Sandra's change and list your 7 favorite writing websites. Lots of choices!
• Tag 7 random people at the end of your post.
• Include links to their blogs.
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven (In)famous people I have met or seen face-to-face:

1. Liza Minelli - during intermission at a showing of Curtains in New York. However, she was on TV here in London last week and I totally forgot I'd seen her in NYC!

2. The 11th Duke of Marlborough - at a gala banquet at Christie's. He looks like a slim version of Churchill. (The Spencer-Churchill family resemblance is strong. Compare Diana's father Earl Spencer too.) I also saw his grandson Alexander S-C, who made a speech.

3. At school I used to be friends with the niece of the man who invented the Bic pen.

4. My mother's childhood friend Nalini became Miss Guyana 1974. Later the two of them moved to London, where Nalini met my uncle, an artist who only dated titled ladies or models. This is how my parents met.

5. A former classmate is exiled royalty. There's also a friend who knows Prince Harry. And another friend of mine introduced me to his school chum who is a lord.

6. Charles Dance - British actor, in the deli meats aisle a few weeks ago at Waitrose on Finchley Road. He really couldn't decide between the Prosciutto di Parma and the San Daniele.

7. Princesses Beatrice & Eugenie, and their mother Sarah, Duchess of York - in the Harley Street area (lots of private consulting doctors). The girls got out of a chauffered dark car after Fergie pulled up in another one, and hugged her before she went on to enter one of the buildings with a bodyguard, and then the girls were whisked away once more.

However, my dad did much more hobnobbing in the glamour days, jet-setting with a Lady and dating a Rothschild. I bet his list would be really cool.

***

I tag any of you who know enough people to populate a list!

Incandescence

Well, it looks like I have to stay home until next Wednesday. Not out of choice: because my boss thought I'd be out for two weeks and my consultant for three weeks, and I want to go back on Monday, I compromised.

Also, apart from thinking I'm still contagious, my boss doesn't want me going out in public and catching anything else until I'm much healthier. :)
But I feel useless and am not used to being out of action for so long.
And I am fed up of these tablets, 7 more to go (1.5 days) - the thought of taking my midnight one a few minutes ago...ugh, queasy...

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Australia is banning incandescent bulbs in 2012. The US Congress has also passed a law for between 2012 and 2014. Oddly enough, they haven't got round to it here, of all places.

Did you ever think I would talk about lightbulbs? This means I really have nothing to blog about, plus my head hurts.

In Defense of Incandescence, an interesting and well-written article from Slate, which I enjoy browsing every day.

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OK, alright, I could tell you I've spent the week so far browsing jobs and house shares in my selected locations across the USA. I mean, I've checked in every few months since coming to London (really!), but I'm really keeping up with it now.

Do you want to know where I am looking? NYC, Houston, Austin, the DC Metro area, and Asheville, North Carolina.
Why:
NYC - I've got London under my belt and might as well give this a go for a while. I want to experience that dynamic energy that everyone talks about. Plus I have as many friends there as I do here, half of them from Houston.
Houston - I miss it, it's damn hot but I miss it and I have friends there. The way of life is affordable and it's a world class city with all the arts, NASA (!), a lot of culture, and not at all your Texas stereotype.
Austin - it's the small but hip and sophisticated riverside university town that is also the Texas state capital. 6th Street is the densest area of music in the country, hence the long-running Austin City Limits show on PBS.
DC - Do I have to explain? It's a bit of the south and a bit of the north, with that whole Federal vibe that I love. And many years ago we were looking at buying a B&B in the area between southern Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.
Asheville - I've had a thing about it since looking at the B&Bs there. It's pristine, artsy, cultured, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and it's right by the Biltmore Estate. Plus it's said to be America's happiest city.

You are not going to believe this...

...but I'm unwell again. OK, no sniffles or anything this time, but I've never been this unhealthy in my life. My skin is ow ow ow. Apparently it (shingles) happens to certain nerves during times of stress (check), depression (check), and when you're run down (check).

So yes, it was another miserable week struggling to work with severe delays going to and fro on every Tube line I use. I'm getting fed up of discussing it daily - that and the weather.

Took me an hour and a half to get home today. It should only take about 40 minutes, but on no single day has that ever happened. Signal failures, a person taken ill on a train ahead, severe speed restrictions, cancelled lines, etc. You name it, they do it. I am exhausted every time I arrive home, and will even skip social gatherings.

I live 8 miles (about 13 km) from the office. It takes an hour on a good day. How long does it take you to travel that sort of distance?

Sneaky

Oh dear me, I am being a bit naughty.

Having been unable to stay on the internet for long since moving in here, first because the provided wireless internet signal is weak at this height, and secondly because for the past few days the network has not even accepted my entry, I got fed up.

Landlord's son has promised to boost my connectivity with a plug in thing soon. Until then, I am very naughtily using my phone, plugged in to my laptop as a wireless modem using the mobile network. Sort of expensive, but not nearly as much as pay as you go dialup, and much faster. Anyway, you may remember the many other bills I'm no longer paying. So it evens out. Justified?

I got bored of not visiting all my fave blogs!

Many thanks to those of you who kept visiting even though you weren't seeing my face round yours.

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Rain, rain, go away and come again another day.

It's been raining for the past 2 weeks or more, and there's still more on the horizon.

This weekend I planned to put my wellies on and build my own ark. But it's toooooooooooooooooooo windyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I stuck my head out of my skylight last night and it took my breath away!

Don't be surprised if Great Britain separates from its moorings and docks in a foreign port pretty soon. That is, unless it doesn't sink first from all the rain which has nowhere to go.


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And another thing, you know those ridiculous "millions of dollars up for grabs because they can't find the next of kin/can't transfer foreign funds"-type spam emails?

I got the stupidest one today. Yahoo insisted that I had a new email, so I scrolled and scrolled and could not find it! You see, sometimes one of my friends' emails arrives a day late or so.

I found that I could sort by unread and guess where this email was!

At the very beginning of my account, dated 9/18/99, right after my "Welcome to Yahoo! " message from 8/19/04.

Now that, I call sneaky. What do they ever accomplish by sending this crap?

Internet phantom

Apologies for not coming around the blogs still. I've had no internet this weekend, and of course spent the 3 weekdays I was home falling asleep over my laptop before I even finished reading my emails, let along the blogs :(

I properly rested this weekend, though....I think.

If you click on the comments from my last post you will see my replies to you all, you're so lovely!

As for the room, there's a pause in packing away things. So still some suitcases around as we can't be bothered to move the furniture from in front of the eaves storage doors. *sigh* So no room pics yet.

London last week and this coming week will continue to be drenched in stupid rain. I remember once there was a thing called the sun, but that's not been seen within living memory.

I am fed up of sleeves and layers, fed up of gloves, scarves, hats, umbrellas, and fumbling with them in the street and when I sit in the Tube. I am fed up of looking down and not up. I am annoyed at the way my bag handles always pop off my shoulder when I wear coats.
And I really detest getting up in the dark and going home in the dark.
I've had it with twisting my ankles on the crooked paving stones in the street.
I am also really miffed at the way the trains are delayed every morning and I can't get anywhere without diversions now.

And don't even get me started on UK politics.

This morning I was watching some political commentary programme and something occurred to me (and at the time I wrote a most eloquent and succinct blog in my head and hope I can keep it that way, though I usually get too loquacious).

David Cameron (erstwhile Tory candidate) came on and was mentioning how when Gordon Brown first took over after Tony Blair stepped down, there was supposed to be an election. This is what I don't get about British politics.

Tony Blair:
I'm leaving Downing Street next summer.
No, I'll be out in the spring.
I'll call an election.
No hang on, 3 more months.
I'll not call an election.
Well, no, give it another month.

Gordon Brown has long wanted to be PM, but this is not the way to do it. He moved into Downing Street. The Tories were ahead in the polls. He cancelled the election. (Note that I am not giving any direct cause and effect there.)

But this is not a democratic process is it? PMs can call elections or cancel them as is their wont. Shouldn't there be a time limit? Oh, and also, Blair could have stayed for as long as he wanted, or called another election but he wouldn't have won. They are thinking of instituting a 2-term limit as in the US.

So David Cameron is in limbo. Imagine if Hillary (notice how she's dropped the Rodham she so distinctly started out with?), Obama, McCain, and Edwards suddenly had to abandon their campaigns tomorrow...

Wikipedia Meme

I got this meme from Matt, our resident grump :P
I know, it's been Meme mania on the blogs lately. Anyway, it's fun and here's what you do:

"Go to the Wikipedia home page and click random article. That is your band's name. Click random article again; that is your album name. Click random article 15 more times; those are the tracks on your album."

Band - Lemon Pepper

CD - Mangrove Lake

1. Marlin, Texas
2. Henry Selwin-Ibbetson, 1st Baron Rockwood
3. Russian Cruiser Almaz
4. AMA Formula Xtreme
5. Vladimir Solovyev
6. Sailor Suit
7. Gudrod Bjornsson
8. Operation Joint Forge
9. Princess Niloufer
10. New Beaver, Pennsylvania
11. Keesseyrehaa
12. Juzo Itami
13. Middenmeer Aerodrome
14. Starship EP
15. A Drink and a Quick Decision

Good aren't they? (I really should have read them though...)

*************

Was watching a segment on BBC Breakfast the other day about how women love to splurge on bargains they can wear to pieces and then throw out, and how they also love to spoil themselves with the occasional designer indulgence. There were two women on the BBC sofa, one dressed in spikey heels, animal print dress, typical blonde fashionista looks. The second was a fashion editor of The Guardian...and guess who she was dressed like? ...*drumroll*... Ugly Betty! Yes, it happens in real life! Seriously: Grey skirt, black tights, clunky Mary Janes. And wait for it........a Royal Blue knitted vest over a satin maroon shirt with a motif that looked suspiciously like polka dots.

Um, what was I supposed to blog about?

This past week at work has been hectic because businesses like to get things done in the last quarter, before Christmas.

It gets dark by 3.30pm now, so you've barely digested lunch when you look out the window and it's pitch black! About 7 hours of daylight.

I met up with some friends the other evening at Waxy O'Connors, a maze-like pub in Soho. I've always heard about it, but never visited. The key feature is a tree in the middle, around which is wrapped the stairs to the lower level.

Would you believe I was asked for my ID by the bouncer at the door? I made some noises of disbelief and slight offense, so while I was digging for my wallet (thank GOODNESS I still walk with my Texas driver's license), he asked me how old I was. I said "30". "Never!" he said, shaking his head. Now, if I didn't carry my license with me, what else would I use? My passport? Can't walk around with that every day...

The 10 of us (or so) gathered in the Church Bar here.

We made a giant pile of bags and coats in the centre of the room and just mingled. It was like the UN, with people from all over the world (7 countries represented), but I still call them the Aussies because they're the ones who arrange all the outings.

Waxy's is very popular, so although it was fascinating to look at, speaking was a challenge. The meetup last week was more chilled as we were in a pub with no music to shout over. But thanks to the smoking ban, it is a pleasure to leave a bar or a pub smelling as fresh as you did when you went in. No red, burning eyes either.

Any ideas for my next blog?

EYE LIKE

Have I just invented a new Tag? If so, YOU are tagged! :)

Christopher, thank you for the inspiration.

TASK - You have to post items in colours you find yourself instinctively attracted to. Items you would touch in a shop, things you'd want to take home with you, so they have to appeal aesthetically too.

These pics were originally seen in my blog nearly 2 years ago: Oh no no no
My penchant for these colours were pointed out years ago by Vanessa when we were living at university. So my taste is constant, but I wish I had time to add some fluffier things.

My favourite colours include mint, sage, robin's egg blue, seafoam green, heliotrope, mauve, lavender, turquoise, jade...Behold:

Photo offensive

Sort of ought to go on a photo offensive of London, in case one day I complain: "I wish I'd taken more photos of London when I was there..."



Someone at the apartments has this fancy little Audi sports number.





The largest Hindu temple outside of India is of course in London.




The Lloyds of London building.
As some of you know by now, I love taking upshots of the tops of buildings.


**********

Friday afternoon I left the grey suit company early and went for the handover with the PA at the art dealer (Mr AD), and after an hour of familiarisation, she left to go on her holiday, and I was thrown in at the deep end.

I finally get to do the things I have been waiting to do, and then I panic. After my first attempt at answering the phone and forgetting what to say, I think I will be fine, though the buttons throw me off still. I also had to call a shipping company to remind them of a needed quote, and then call them again to absolutely ensure that the painting will be in Ireland before next Friday evening to be hung in the dining room for dinner.

I ended up staying until 6.45 pm, with Mr AD, going through various images on the hard drive, assigning them to the correct files and naming them descriptively. The knowledge in his head needs to be organised into a framework. Anyway, when we were done, he said he could tell that I had an ability with the images. I did not know I would stay that long before I started on Monday, though.

Then I wended my weary way to an Aussie party at Ruby Blue, a stylish club with a dance floor, booths, and themed lounges. The group I joined was another going away party where I knew no one, Mr Gorgeous Eyes was at home with tonsilitis, so he gave my number to A.N. a friendly New Zealander who had informed me of the venue that morning. He was at the houseleaving party last week, we weren't introduced and I only glanced at him for 3 seconds in a group before leaving. However, he's the sort who takes you under his wing, so I was introduced to countless people.

The whole group were a mixture including Aussies, Kiwis, Brits, and all very professional, cosmopolitan people, not your stereotypical types. In fact, there were two typical Aussie lads there like the ones in the Fosters beer ads, and they stuck out like sore thumbs.

However, I spent most of my time chatting with a couple of Austrians. One of them reminds me very much of my friend Jason in Houston who is undergoing pilot training at the moment; both clean-cut and straight. He texted me today and we are meeting for a drink tomorrow after work, by the way...We're both going abroad next week so decided to meet up sooner rather than later.

**********

Not a day goes by when I am not reminded of Houston or Texas - the Austrian is in oil&gas and has been to Houston. Yesterday I watched a load of Animal Cops Houston. Right now I am watching From the Earth to the Moon and seeing Mission Control in Houston. And last night my old roomie asked me yet again when I was going back.

I was recounting to my mother the day my dad took me to the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Until the security measures occasioned by 9/11, they held an annual Open Day. We wandered amongst the buildings, went on mini-tours, saw the original Mission Control, fiddled with a scanning electron microscope thereby withering an ant's antennae, got a big NASA bag and filled it with goodies as we went along, including a bumper sticker I treasured for years, and one of those US Government-issue ballpoint pens they all use. Even 40 years later, there was still a general air of "something happening" within those unassuming 1960s-style buildings.

**********

50 Things

Not sure if I've done this before, but thank you Christopher for this diversion:

1. Is it cute when guys kiss you on your forehead?
Yeeeeees...*sigh* It feels sort of protective.

2. A big poofy dress or a short party dress?
A short classy party dress, seeing as I am not going to a 1980s prom anytime soon.

3. What would you do if you received a long love letter?
A letter? What is that? :P

4. Group dates or single dates?
I like both very much!

5. Do you hate it when guys act different around their friends?
I don't hate it, but it certainly is eye-opening and shows a different aspect of someone.

6. Are diamonds a girl's best friend?
They are my birth stone, but find them somewhat boring. I prefer opals.

7. Is your hair up or down?
As it is short, it is neither.

8. Do you straighten your hair?
No, I love my curls.

9. Whats your favorite girly magazine?
I don't really have one, but at the salon I like to skim through Vogue, and another one whose name escapes me.

10. What's your favorite mascara?
No.7 Natural Definition

11.do you get your nails done?
Sorry to say, I don't. They are healthy and flexible so cannot take polish of any kind. Sometimes I buff to a high shine - perfect substitute for flaky varnish.

12. Small or large purse?
Depends on the outing. Usually a medium, but I have an awesome big Calvin Klein bag in tobacco leather, perfect for overnighting, that seems to swallow things whole, and yet nothing gets lost. I regularly waste time rummaging in much smaller bags!

13. In your purse, what are your must haves?
Wallet, keys, travel card, pen, notebook, mints, Burts Bees tinted lip balm and Ted Baker lip gloss, mirror, handkerchief

14. Jeans or skirts?
More often jeans because it's raining, and it's not usually hot enough for skirts here. You could count on the fingers of both hands the number of times I have worn a skirt this year in London.

15. Do you wear clothes/shoes/jewelry that's uncomfortable?
No, I am like the princess and the pea. Can't stand discomfort. As I have weak ankles, stilettos are out, but classic or kitten heels are fine.

16. Do you text message a lot?
In the UK, it is the only way. People text so much, you have to make an appointment for a phone call, and for the first time in my life I feel guilty for calling someone out of the blue!

17. What would you do if you got pregnant?
I just wouldn't. OK, but if I did, I'd keep it.

18. What's your favorite color?
Shades of blue-green

19. Heels or flats?
Walking in London requires flats. I have a good selection of comfortable driving moccassins. I have worn heels out on a normal day and ended up stepping home like a cat in a puddle.

20. Did you ever cry during a romantic movie?
Nearly. Would have if I were alone.

21. Would you ever leave the house without make-up on?
No way.

22. Walmart or Target?
I love Target! I wish they would open a Target here just for me!

23. Do you wear collared shirts?
No, they overpower my little neck.

24. Do you like preppy boys?
If this is referring to their fashion sense, then yes.

25. Are you spoiled?
Probably, so I seem to have slipped somewhat, because I rarely got what I wanted when I was younger. Now, I buy myself something after every interview, as a treat. That's a bit spoilt if you ask me.

26. Do you think lip gloss is the best?
Yes, I have awful lips but Ted Baker lipgloss is the one that is best absorbed and lasts for hours, even half a day. I also like the menthol tingle it gives on first application.

27. Do you own any big sunglasses?
Not the chunky half-face ones out now. Mine are medium recent classic shapes.

28. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
For a day at work, about two hours unrushed - this includes breakfast of course.

29. Do you like to wear bandaids?
No, not even when I've cut myself, unless it's really bad.

30. Do you like skater boys?
No, not preppy enough, haha!

31. Do you often wish there was something you could change about yourself?
Yes, I'd give myself a more laid back personality.

32. Gold or silver?
Silver. I don't like the colour of gold, and it looks so cheap nowadays.

33. Do you like to receive flowers?
Yes, I don't get nearly enough.

34. Do you like surfer boys?
See answer to skater boys, although surfers may be the lesser of two evils.

35. Do you dress up for the holidays?
What, in a tiny Mrs Santa Claus dress? It's usually too cold for that around here.

36. Do you like to wear dresses?
I do when it's hot, but we've had no summer :(

37. On a scale of 1-10 how much do guys confuse you?
Oh dear, probably about 7.

38. In the last 48 Hours have you hung out with a guy?
Wrong week to ask me that. No. I might next week, though.

39. Do you wear lipstick?
No, only tint and gloss.

40. Would you date a guy shorter than you?
Goodness no.

41. What is the youngest you would date?
I don't know. I don't usually go for younger in any way, but I have been pursued by a 21 year old (no thanks), and American Boy is 27, which I didn't know when we met.

42. What is the oldest you would date?
I once met an interested 35 year old, but as I look so young, I doubt I'd go for anyone over that.

43. What do you notice when you first meet a guy?
Eyes, smile, voice, how they look at you, hands

44. Is it hot when guys sweat?
Well, they certainly don't sweat when it's cold, do they? :P
OK, OK. Depends what they are doing when they are sweating! ;)

45. What is the best possible feature in a boy?
I cannot decide.

46. Do you like making eye contact?
Yes, but a bit shyly.

47. Did you ever picture your wedding dress and wedding?
Did I? Maybe a long time ago...

48. Do you worry about your boobs?
You mean, the ones that aren't there?

49. Would you kill for chocolate?
What sort of a stupid question is that. Of course I would....n't.

50. Did you ever spend all day/night getting pretty for a guy?
ALL day? What can possibly need doing that takes that long? So no!

51. On a scale from 1-10 how fun is shopping?
Ah, it was a 7 or 8 until I moved and had to furnish a house, and now I am totally off it for the foreseeable future.

52. Do you freak out if you miss your favorite shows?
I am slightly disappointed but I learn to let go. I miss Lost, but may catch it on reruns or something.

53. Do you yell a lot?
I am very soft-spoken, but have been known to be snappy, specially these past few weeks.