Sparkle's Ribbon-ridden Den

Plans

2009-10-17T22:38:00.003Z

(Bloc Party)

Soo.... I no longer work at The End.
I'm in S and M.
And by that I mean Sales and Marketing! Not bondage!

It's fairly ridiculous. I had the pre-interview interview on a Wednesday. Got called back in for a day-long observation/interview on the Thursday. Got the job. Had to go in for a day of training on the Friday. Then start my 6 day trial on the Monday.
And due to the Managing Director being away on a busimess trip and me being off for a few days to Bloc Party in Sheffield , my trial actually ended being more of an 8 day thing!
But I passed it with flying colours and secured the job!

I would explain about what we do but you'd be bored.
The people are amazing. Everyone is so happy and confident and positive about everything. The morning is just full of meetings, motivational speeches, sales impacts, a few games, more talks about how to do better... and everyone is always high fiving each other.
No joke. I counted how many high fives I gave out/ recieved on one day... the total: 47.
I'm not a high five kinda girl. But it's the done thing at this place. You say Hello with a high five, you say Good Bye with a high 5, you say Well Done with a high five, you say Good Luck with a high five...

And the scary thing is: I'm becoming one of them. I'm around people who don't talk about negatives, people who are always smiling and joking, chatting about positive things, talking about how to do better, wishing each other luck... but also competing with each other in the sort of way that just makes you want to do better!

There's Sports Day every Wednesday morning... where whoever is in the office by 9:30am goes to the nearest park and we play rounders, football or touch rugby. Last Wednesday I scored 5 rounders for my team... and was the last person in... so my team regarded me as the MVP for the rest fo the day, despite the fact that we actually lost at the sports!
Ogo, the managing director, was on the winning sports team, and decided to take the competition to the office. Dividing everyone who didn't turn up for the sports onto the two teams... and set us a challenge.
The winning sports team got a point for winning at rounders and football. Then she told us that whichever team dropped the first sale of the day would get the next point. And then whichever team had the best average at the end of the day would get the final point.
Photos would then be taken at the end of the day of the losing team kissing the winning teams shoes.

Guess who dropped the first sale of the day? Me! Not even half an hour after getting to the territory!
We then proceeded to kick the other teams a$$... getting the best average. But due to train delays my sector didn't get back to the office until nearly 11pm.

We work on commission at this place... so even though we don't have to work on Saturdays, some people go in to build their averages up, and obviously earn more money!
I went into work today... we start earlier on Saturdays and finish earlier. So after we finished pitching at 3:30 in Porthcawl, my sector went to the funfair, and then ate ice cream on the beach.

Probably the strangest sight ever. 4 girls, all completely different, all dressed in office clothes and one guy in a suit... on a fun fair ride... then strolling along a beach with ice creams!
I think that may have been the first time I've really 'kicked back' since I've been in Wales. I've not had the opportunity to just hang out and do something fairly pointless just for the fun of it since I moved here! I've not really had anyone to do it with either... and I really enjoyed it.
I barely stopped laughing all day.
From Maria getting George to pitch to her on the ride because he was terrified of it. Robyn turning her entire mouth bright blue with some bubblegum flavoured ice cream. Robyn smooshing the remains of said ice cream in Becca's face. Becca chasing Robyn around the car park. Becca punching George in the leg everytime she saw a yellow car until he squealed like a girl. Maria practising how to say 'cheese twist'. Jac star-jump pitching. Robyn explaining how to play Bolt on the field.

Oh, and I'm already working on being promoted. I'm going to be in the New Leaders meeting on Friday... scary. Barely even two weeks at the company, including my 8 day trial and already the managing director thinks I'm ready to move up to the next level!

Think For a Minute

2009-09-29T14:24:00.003Z

(The Housemartins)

So my manager did it again.

I mentioned in the comments on my last post that I know he asked me out because the day after he asked me why I don't date, then made me have a 15 minute discussion about it! Even using the 'If me and you were going out..' example. (I won't even point out that it should be 'you and I')

His version of 'shifts' is kind of twisted too. I'm used to set hours. A sheet of paper pinned to the staff notice board a week in advance giving me dates and times for my shifts.
My new manager works completely alone, and if it gets too busy for him; he calls me up and expects me to get there ASAP.

This is bad for me for numerous reasons:
I can't make any plans for any evening because I MIGHT have to work.
I have to wait around all evening in work-suitable clothes and semi-decent make up, just in case he does call.
I have no idea how much I'll be earning each week.
I have to have my dinner really early so even if he calls earlier than normal I've had something to eat!
The list goes on...

Anyway, I got called into work at 7:30pm Sunday evening. After we'd served everyone at the bar, done some glasses, and were just stood around he turned to me and asked me what my favourite takeaway was...
Me- Erm... a specific place around here? Or just generally?
Him- Generally.
Me- I guess... pizza or chinese, then.

Long silence.

Him- When we finish tonight... do you want to go out and get something to eat?
Me- I already had dinner, thanks.
Him- Just a drink then?
Me- No, I'm fine, thankyou!
Him- Ok then. I'll just sit upstairs and get drunk by myself.

Longer silence.

Then I went to clear some tables.

Surely he should have realised after the first time that I'm not interested?!

And he's constantly trying to get me to drink while I'm working. He'd tried to make me do a Jäger-bomber on Saturday. (Small glass of RedBull, with a shot of Jägermeister floating in it... so you drink both at once) I don't really like RedBull, I only drink it when I really need the energy... and I don't need the energy at 11:30pm on a Saturday when I plan to be home and in bed in the the next hour! And I don't like Jägermeister.
He went "Come on, you work behind a bar so you need to get on the booze!".
Erm... ok. Part of my job is making sure that I'm serving alcohol to those legally allowed to buy and consume it. i.e. any one over the age of 18 that isn't already intoxicated.
Half the time it's a judgement call, and how can I make decisions like that if my judgement is impaired because I'm drinking on the job?
Alright, one wouldn't hurt. But if I drank every single alcoholic beverage the manager offered me throughout the course of a night I'd be hammered!

I need a new job.

Anyone Else But You

2009-09-23T14:08:00.003Z

(The Moldy Peaches)

Ok... more updates on the Laura is awful at dating front!

So a few months when I was still working at the Manor I had a crush on one of the regular customers... he came in every Thursday with a bunch of friends. To the Thursday Manor Staff the group was known as 'the geeks' because they were such motley collection.
There was Mark, (the one I liked), he was strawberry blonde, average good looks, very lovely and always chatted to me if he was at the bar and it was quiet. All other members of staff referred to him in private as 'Laura's boyfriend'.
There was a small one, he was shortish, thinnish, wore glasses, had dark side-parted hair, slightly goofy teeth... and we all referred to him as 'the weedy one'.
There was the french guy, who was average looking, if a little *ahem* 'round'.
There was a spanish girl, who was tall and thin.
A really tall lanky guy.
A short girl. who was also kind of 'round'.
And a couple of others. But you get the picture!

Mark was always so nice, we'd chat about Shakespeare shows we'd both been to see recently, our jobs, other members of staff at the Manor... so imagine my consternation when the Weedy One asked for my number!
I know it's shallow... but he really wasn't my type! I've never been into short, thin guys. Or even those traits separately. I'm not attracted to short guys because it would mean I couldn't wear high heels when going otu with him. And I don't like thin guys because I always think I'm going to break them when I touch them!
I just told him that I'm not going to be Leicester for long, as I was moving to Cardiff soon, so I didn't really see the point in starting 'anything'. (Which was no lie!)
And yes, I did feel really bad about shooting him down like that. But what annoyed me even more: that it completely blew any chance I had with Mark.
Why would he ask for my number if he knew I was moving soon? Why would he ask for my number if he knew one of his friends had? And that I'd rejected him?!

Anyway.
So I was at work last night... another pub, just in Cardiff this time. The manager is a nice enough guy, called Tom, I'm not sure how old he is... I'd say early to mid twenties.
We were waiting for a delivery of stock before we could open the place last night. Only the delivery was over an hour late. So we killed time by playing Pool and chatting.
The delivery arrived, we put it away, opened the place, and then closed it down again a couple of hours later (after last orders, naturally!). We then sat down and had a drink and discussed when he wanted me to work, what it should be like, etc. And then started chatting about general stuff, like music.
I then realised it was 12:15am and should really be on my way home because I was tired and hungry. So I got my coat, and had just stepped out the door, when he appeared at the door to close it behind me.
I turned to say "I'll see you at 8 tomorrow then."... when he went "Are you busy tomorrow morning?"
I thought he just wanted me to come in and help him set the bar up or whatever... but I didn't really want to. So I said "Yes... I think so. I'm sure I have something planned but I can't remember what!"
To which he replied, "Oh, I was just gonna ask if you weren't busy, maybe you'd like to meet up for coffee or something."
I freaked out, and said "I don't like coffee."
He said, "Tea then!"
I replied, "I don't like tea either!"
He came back with "Juice, squash, water, whatever you want!"

So again, I just came out with "I know I have something planned for tomorrow morning though. I can't remember what I said I'd do, but I know I promised my housemate to do something with him."
He just when "Ok then, maybe some other time."
Me: "Yeah, sure! I'll see you tomorrow at 8 then! Bye!"

WTF!?!?!?!? WHY!?!?!
Was he asking me on a date? Because I really hope not. I'd never date him, for numerous reasons:
1. he's my boss, so it would be complicated.
2. he drinks way WAAY too much. (I mean seriously, I've never seen him drinking a soft drink. It's all alcohol... all the time. He ALWAYS has a drink on the go.)
3. he smokes WAAAY too much. (Again, seriously. He pops outside at least 3 times every hour to smoke!)
4. he's really not my type.

I KNOW it's really shallow... but there needs to be some sort of physical attraction.

So now I obviously don't want to go into work tonight. I'm just going to have to keep a constant supply of excuses not to see him outside of work. And I will not sit around after work to chat with him again... unless it's specifically work related.

In conclusion: it's not that I have a problem getting dates... it's that I have problem with the people offering dates!
Just ONCE I want someone I actually LIKE to ask me out!!

Where Is Home?

2009-09-22T10:58:00.002Z

(Bloc Party)

When all my friends went off to uni last year, then came home at Christmas they were all calling their places at uni 'home'. And I guess if you go by the whole 'home is where the heart is' thing... and they loved uni enough then that's their home.
I have yet to feel like that about Cardiff. Don't get me wrong, I love it here. I can do pretty much anything I want. John's lovely (most of the time!). And the city is nice (well, what I've actually been able to see of it is!).
But I still feel like Leicester is 'home'.
Then again, I've only been here a week, so maybe that will change after a while!

And! I'm already really excited for Sparkly House Con 2010! I will say: I think only TBFer's are invited (though I doubt anybody else really reads this... if anyone!).
So if you are from TBF: Come! You're very welcome to attend Sparkly House Con 2010. Just register you're interest with me or John via email, facebook, PM on TBF, etc.... or even on the blog itself!
Even if the only people who came were the ones that had already registered interest, it would still be awesome!

Another Hole In The Head

2009-08-28T01:03:00.002Z

(Nickelback)

I'm quite dysfunctional. Just thought you should know.

I think way too much.
I'm in my head.
All the time.

I worry too much too.

Maybe I should try to stop?

And just..... be.

Everything

2009-08-03T12:40:00.005Z

Michael Buble

I've just had to clear my purse out because I have way too much crap in it.
I like to clear the change out too. I don't like 1's, 2's, 5's, or 10's. I never get rid of them! So I put them all in a jar. Then every month or so I'll count them all up and exchange them with my mother... so she can add them to her 'money jar'... then she'll go put it all in her building society.

So now all I have in my purse is the important stuff.... which includes:
18 old train tickets
3 old London Underground tickets
An old London Underground map
My National Rail pass
2 old theatre tickets
1 old Alton Towers ticket
Front door key that I NEVER use

I don't know why I like to carry that crap, the key, the rail pass, and the map are ok to carry I guess.... but who needs 18 old train tickets?!
When I'm bored I like to go through them and remember the trips...Coventry, Sheffield, Nottingham, London St Pancras, Cardiff, Barry Island...

Then I have all those little card holding gaps full with my important plastic cards... like:
National Insurance card
Marstons Privilege card
Library card
Dentist appointment card
My new debit card
Provisional Driving Licence (purely for ID purposes, I've given up on driving!)
and my NHS Organ Donor card.
(You'll notice I don't have any credit cards... that's because I only like to spend money that I know is mine, and not have to worry about saving to pay off debts incurred by spending money that I don't have)

So that's pretty much everything in my purse right now...
Within a few days there will be more reciepts and bus tickets I'm sure.... but I always clear them out sooner or later. It's all the stuff listed above that I like to keep in there for various reasons.

I turn 20 in less than a month... scary.
And I move to Cardiff in just over a month.... even scarier.

Blink

2009-07-24T00:29:00.004Z

(Chameleon Circuit)

Everytime I blink more money is taken out of my bank account.

I called the bank Monday night when I realised what had happened, alerted them to the issue, got them to change my Verified by Visa password, and got a number to call in the morning.

I called the number on Tuesday morning, explained the situation again, gave the details of the two transactions not authorised by me, cancelled the card, froze the account, got a new card sent out, and made sure the matter would be looked into by the fraud department.

Wednesday... waited for the new card.

Thursday, I checked my account online to see if the two lots of money had been put back into my account. They had, BUT another transaction showed up. One not made over the internet.... so it took two days to process before showing up on my status.
An £86.50 parking ticket!!
I called up again and enquired about it, the woman on the phone said it was paid for in Birmingham. BIRMINGHAM!?
I told her it wasn't me... and she said she'd look after it and take it to the fraud dept. too.

Ok. So I just checked my account again.... because I'm obviously paranoid now.
And there's a transaction for 12.50 Euros. EUROS?!?
AND. AND I've been charged £25 for going into an overdraft that wasn't my fault!
So not only do I have some robbing, hacking, bastard taking my money.... I have the incompetant, robbing, bank taking my money!!

Is it really too much to want the money I earn? I work damn hard at a crappy job on a crappy wage for that money. It is the spoils of my labour, and I don't want some thieving low-life to spend it on jewellery or parking tickets.... and I don't want to bank taking even more as soon as my pay checks come through because the thieving low-life is spending more money than I actually have!!

It's mine! Leave it the hell alone!

I don't even want to think about what will have gone out of my account by morning....

I Need Some Sleep

2009-07-23T10:05:00.004Z

(Eels)

I'm barely sleeping these days. I don't get to sleep untill 3ish... and for some reason I wake up at 7!
I'm useless on 4 hours sleep.
I've had a lot on recently, stuff that is bound to take an effect on my sleeping, I guess.
Some of it includes:

My bank account got hacked, and somebody decided to spend all my money, plus some I didn't have. So my account is frozen right now, my card has been cancelled and I have to wait for new EVERYTHING! And it's going to take a while before I get my money back.
I'm getting a cold. Not Swine Flu thankfully!
I've started freaking out over packing for Cardiff. What books do I take? How much of my general crap should I take? What do I do with the stuff I leave? As my mother is threatening to turn my room into her new 'laundry room'!
And I'm waiting for a bunch of stuff to arrive through the post... and it's taking FOREVER! So I tend to wake up early in anticipation of the postman FINALLY dropping the stuff through the letterbox. But it has yet to happen.

There's other stuff, but none that I can really explain on a public blog. If was about me, then yes.... but it's about stuff at work. So I'll keep quiet!

Oh, and Jude is leaving today. One of my closest friends at work. It's her last shift today, then she's moving to Iverness, Scotland. I don't what I'll do without her. She's the one I like to gossip with because she's knows everything about everyone, and actually has a brain. When it's just me and her on a Saturday morning, setting up the bar and restaurant, we like to have a hot chocolate and talk non-stop untill the manager comes down stairs. We have lots of little jokes that make us laugh when we're having a crap shift. And she's the only one who gets my 'Eh?' that signals a possible double-entendre.

Oh well, only about seven weeks untill I leave the place too!

Situation

2009-07-13T13:57:00.004Z

(Yazoo)
So I work all weekend... I get in from work at around 11:30pm on a Friday night... get up at 9am Saturday morning, get to work for 11am... get home for around midnight... get up on Sunday at around 11...get to work for 3pm... and get home at around 11:30pm.
The few hours I get on Sunday morning are spent tying to 'relax'.
I don't eat at home at all over the weekend... I tend to grab food if and when I can at work.

So when I got home on Sunday and was asked to make 40 muffins today for my dad to take to his Stroke Club tomorrow... I said yes. Because that was the nice thing to do.
I cancelled my plans to go shopping and have lunch with Re, just so I can spend the day making muffins once Fiona got home from work with the ingredients!

Only... when I got up this monring and went into the kitchen.... it actually looks like a bombsite. Nobody filled the dishwasher yesterday... because nobody emptied it. Nobody bothered to do ANYTHING to the kitchen! There are empty cake boxes balanced on stacks of filthy plates. Empty juice cartons standing on the counter. Dirty spoons in dirty mugs.
There isn't a single surface that is clean... or even clear of used crockery!

And NONE of it was used by me! I haven't even been in the kitchen for the last 2 days!
And yet... for some strange reason.... because I'm the one that has to make the muffins... I'm the one that has to clean the kitchen up!
I told Fiona I wouldn't do it... because she never does it if none of the stuff is hers. She just shouted at me, saying that she wasn't doing it either, she bought the ingredients, so I'd just have to find space among the filthy pots and pans to make the muffins!
Yeah.... except there isn't anything to make the muffins WITH. Because it's all dirty and piled up on all the kitchen surfaces!

Am I being totally unreasonable?
I was the only person who worked over the weekend... Mother didn't work... Fiona didn't work... (Father obviously can't work)... even Oli didn't work (not that I expect him to clean our kitchen). So how come I'm the one that has to clean the kitchen?
I work all weekend, don't use any dishes, pots, pans or cutlery, I give up one of my days off to do something nice for a member of the family... and yet I'm still expected to clean up after everyone? So I can DO the nice thing?!

I wouldn't have a single problem tidying the kitchen IF I'd made even a little bit of the mess! But I didn't! I don't have a problem with cleaning up after myself... I'd clean the kitchen after I'd made the muffins... but why should I have to do it before AND after? If none of the before mess is mine?

And you know what? Angry and annoyed as I am, I'll still do it. Because if I don't I'll just get A. shouted at by various people, B. the silent treatment from various people, or C. a combination of both.
It really sucks that I have constantly have to back down on things like this. That I have to go against what I believe in ... simply to keep the peace.

I'll tidy the kitchen, make the muffins, tidy the kitchen again, recieve a word of thanks, maybe a few criticisms over the quality of the muffins, and that will be it.
Then I'll be back to being treated like the leper of the family. Back to normal.
Because I can't sit downstairs, in the living room, with the rest of the family, and be sociable with them, without getting torn to pieces with their silly little jibes about being a hermit, about being a lesbian, about being the black sheep of the family, about being a bitch.

Just because I like to spend time alone in my room, I'm a hermit.
Just because I haven't had a boyfriend, I'm a lesbian.
Just because I'm a vegetarian, I'm the black sheep.
Just because I stop my mother and sister making silly remarks about people on the TV, I'm a bitch.

I always feel so welcome in my own home.

Still, only two months left of it!

Yeah, sorry about the rant. I'm just annoyed, because I know I'm weak and can't stand up for myself.

Tighten the Verses

2009-07-07T17:42:00.002Z

(Get Set Go)

So, you may or may not know by now: come September I am moving to Cardiff. More specifically, I am moving into the same house as John/Welshcakes/Damascus/House.

Simply because I'm sick of Leicester. Nothing and nobody ever changes here! So I am... changing my address at least.

Now the problem. When I get there I will obviously be in need of a job. I have over a years experience of bar work... so that is the obvious choice.
With a little bit of research I have got the addresses of four decent pubs within walking distance of my new residence. And will be sending my CV to them asap... but I will also need to send a letter explaining that I am looking for a job but currently still live in Leicester so an in-person-interview isn't really possible, but a telephone one is a reasonable option!

So, although I know at least two points to include in the accompanying letter... the rest is a mystery! All the mumbo-jumbo that needs to surround the facts is proving elusive.
I can't even find the right words for the intro!

This is why I could never be a writer.... the only way I can explain is by comparing it to a jigsaw.
One where all the pieces are scattered around the room... now I have to find them and try to fit them together in the correct way!
And while I like the idea of the finished article and know it needs to be done.... I just can't find the will to do it.
I know it will take effort, so I'd rather put it off!

Summer in the City

2009-07-03T00:03:00.002Z

(Regina Spektor)

It's summer.
I hate summer.

I want snow.
Rain.
Clouds.
Wind.
General coldness!

Awful night tonight. Extremely busy the whole night. We ran out of all the pint glasses....so we'd beg the waitresses to collect some dirty ones for us to stick through the glass washer between customers. Normally we finish just after 11... depending how many people are hanging around.

We didn't finish till midnight tonight.

When I got home I decided I deserved a drink. A REAL drink.
So I poured a double measure of Archers...topped it up with lemonade. (This is where I explain we have one of those fridge/freezers where the fridge is on top and the freezer underneath) I put the lemonade back in the fridge... closed the fridge door while opening the freezer door. And took a huge chunk out of my little finger.
It hurt so I did the automatic thing of holding it tightly in my other hand untill the pain had receeded a little. I let go so I could look at it... and it started pouring with blood. So I mopped the blood up as best I could, and wrapped a plaster round it (I couldn't bring myself to pull the flap of skin off).... now blood is starting to seep through the plaster.
It still hurts like hell.
And because I had to wrap the plaster round the knuckle I can't even bend the finger!!

The biggest annoyance is that I can't find my Pirate Plasters! So I'm using a boring old skin-coloured one!
I want a black one with skull and crossbones on it!

Maison Des Lunes

2009-06-16T23:20:00.004Z

(Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical)

So Tom's back at the Manor for the summer.
It's strange. He's actually really irritating me.
He's got 'Master of the World Syndrome'.

He comes back and suddenly Becki and I are just useless girls. He's the man and should be doing everything, because obviously we (being girls) haven't the faintest clue how to run a bar.
For example: I was pouring a Fosters shandy for someone. It didn't have a brilliant head, so I put the glass down on the drip tray and flicked the pump lever a couple of times to stop and start the flow of lager... causing the drink to froth a bit leaving a decent head!
After I'd flicked the lever up and down a few times the shandy was fizzing up quite a bit... Tom standing behind me goes "Oh, well done, you've wrecked that now!".
Now, having been a bar maid for over a year, I like to think I know something about the job. I can pour an almost perfect pint of pretty much anything! From Mansfield Cask Ale to a Diet Pepsi.
So I replied "Give it a second, let it settle."
And he just came going "No, you've ruined it!"
After a second it settled and it had a perfect head on it, almost exactly 1cm.
I tried not to gloat... just satisfyed myself with a smug little "See?" before handing the pint over to the customer.
Tom's response was "Oh yeah, it's a good one if they like a pint of froth! That was all fizz."

What!?
I mean, really?!

It's like he can't admit that I am actually a decent bar maid. I don't need his help or advise because I know how to do things myself.
He may have been working behind a bar for longer than I have... but if you counted the fact that he's away for months at a time, and I do 5, sometimes 6 or 7, days a week... I reckon I've clocked up more time serving behind a bar than he has.

He keeps coming out with little things like, "Oh yeah, now I'm back I'll do the bottle skips and bins".... because as girls we obviously can't manage things like that. We always got the magical bar fairies to come in at night and do those jobs for us.

Some may say he's trying to be helpfull. But he's not. He's being patronising, condescending, and really very annoying.

Anyway enough whining about that idiot... and onto another!
Barker.
Barker was off last week with the mumps. One saturday I was in the staff room during my break, and was on Jasper the laptop because I'd taken him along as entertainment. Barker was chatting to me on Facebook saying she wanted to come into work.... I called her a leper.... and she asked what that was. In the end I told her to google it.
I also made her read the wiki page on mumps so she understood a little more about how contagious it was.... when she finally came back to work she spouting all sorts of facts about mumps that she'd got from wikipedia!

In other news, Jude's elder sister, Vicky is back from teaching in Austria and is working at the Manor again. It's nice to have the extra help.... because while she knows everyone and can chat and get along nicely with them, she's still at that stage where she's obviously a bit hesitant and isn't bitching about anyone yet!

So yeah... that's about it. I'm off to Sheffield tomorrow for a night out on the town (Re's birthday celebrations).
Then I'm going to Alton Towers on Friday!! Very excited about that, I love Alton Towers and haven't been in a few years. I just hope it doesn't rain... and that I get to ride Nemises at least twice! I'll take my camera so there should be some pics.

I Broke It All In Two*

2009-06-06T22:54:00.003Z

(Erasure)

To Anyone Who Has Tried To Contact Me In The Last Week

I don't know what's wrong with my phone (actually I do, I dropped it), but it's gone seriously spaggy.
The sound only works occasionally... and on those time that I can actually hear it ringing, it seems to enjoy cutting the call off or turning itself off all together when I try to answer it.
I can't get into my texts because the screen freezes.
And atm it refuses to hold a charge.

So if you need me for any reason, the interweb is your best bet!

From
Laura

*I didn't actually break my phone in two... it's in one piece. Just!

Changes

2009-05-29T11:29:00.003Z

(Butterfly Boucher)

Lots of changes should be happening soon... hopefully. And now I've dug out my old webcam that has a built in mic, I've been toying with the idea of Vlogging.

Yes or No?

Maybe, perhaps?

Should I do it just to document the events in the next 4 months?

And yes, I will reveal the 'changes' on Tuesday... when everything is set in stone.

Exterminate, Regenerate

2009-05-28T14:39:00.003Z

(Chameleon Circuit)

Re made me listen to some music on the way back from Stratford on Monday. It was 'Trock' music... otherwise known as Time Lord Rock.
This is my favourite so far, it's difficult to believe the band is made up of British boys around 18 and 19 years old!

Enjoy.

Believe It or Not

2009-05-24T02:23:00.002Z

(Nickelback)

Somebody called up the Manor this morning... Jude answered with the regulation "Good morning, The Glen Parva Manor, Jude speaking, how can I help?"

The person on the other end of the line replied with "Could you tell me, is that the Glen Parva Manor in South Wigston?"

Jude's reply was along the lines of "No, funnily enough, it's the Glen Parva Manor in Glen Parva!"

I mean really!

Mr Blue Sky

2009-05-12T23:32:00.003Z

(ELO)

The past few days have been lovely weather-wise. Lots of very blue skies, with the occasional white fluffy clouds.
And a mean wind.
So while, it's nice to sit inside and admire what a lovely sunny day it is, I don't go outside because it's actually rather cold.

It's hard to believe that little more than a month ao it was still bitter cold and feeling like winter... now it feels like summer.
Where the hell did spring go?

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past was awful. Even Fiona admitted it. The acting, the scripting... bad and bad!
Rom Com? No go. I laughed in two places, and even they weren't that funny.

The best part of the whole experience was the ice cream. The Ben and Jerrys scoop shop at the Vue now does Mint Choc Chunk!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fiona doesn't understand why I like mint ice cream, she says it's like eating toothpaste.

I wish I could be bothered to write longer blog posts these days... but I can't. Maybe when I have an interesting topic, or am feeling philosophical... untill then you'll just have to put up with my random ramblings about boring everyday stuff and events.
Too bad.

Sunday

2009-05-12T00:41:00.003Z

(Sia OR Bloc Party... same song title, completely different songs! Try them both though..)

Fiona and I used to get up on Sundays and go to the cinema to see something that we'd both agreed on. Then we'd go home and I'd have just enough time to get changed and walk to work for 3pm.

For some reason or other this little routine stopped a couple of months ago.

However, tomorrow/today, for the first time in weeks, we both have the entire day off.
Although it'll be Tuesday, we're going to the Manor for lunch (my treat), then we're going to see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. (Her choice, she loves Jennifer Garner.)
I'd rather go see Star Trek, Coraline, I Love You Man or X-Men Origins... but Fi would rather indulge her girl-crush on Garner!
Also, if she has no interest in the movie we don't go to see it. But if I don't have an interest in the movie she'll persuade me using the argument 'Fine, we wont see anything at all then!', because she knows I'm a pushover and would rather go to the cinema, spend time with her, and see something I couldn't care less about, than miss it all together because I wouldnt let her have her own way.

When it comes to Fiona, the relationship is completely on her terms, because if it wasn't; there wouldnt be a relationship at all! Sad, no? That I have to let my 21 year old sister get her way all the time or she'd throw a tantrum like a 3 year old and stop speaking to me for a certain amount of time (depending on my crime).

No wonder I'm emotionally F'd up!

Same Old Stuff

2009-05-08T22:57:00.002Z

(The Feeling)

I could moan about how crappy work is.
I could moan about my 'superior' on the bar.
I could moan about how shitty, rude, ignorant and impatient the customers are.
But I won't.

I could moan about how I always feel tired these days.
I could moan about how I always look tired these days.
I could moan about how it doesn't matter how much sleep I get, because it doesn't seem to help.
I could moan about how I want to hurt people because they're so damn difficult to communicate with.
But I won't.

I could moan about how I just got home from work, and have to be up in 8 hours to get back to Idiot Convention Meeting Place.
I could moan about how every night just recently seems to be Night of the Talking Morons. And the Manor is their sanctuary, where they can meet like minded (or no-minded) indivduals.
But I won't.

(Maybe a little moan then.....

How fucking hard is it to LISTEN to what I say then DO what I say?! Rather than going 'Yep, ok.' over what I'm trying to say and then doing the EXACT opposite of what I said? Press the big fucking green button FIRST to confirm the amount. THEN enter your pin. Then press the big fucking green button again. I know it's different to what you're used to... but it's still not rocket science.)

What's This?

2009-05-05T12:54:00.002Z

(Danny Elfman, Nightmare Before Christmas)

A night off?!
A day when 6pm is my own? I haven't had one of these since.... oh, last Tuesday!

However, my mother will be at work, as will my sister. Leaving me with my father. Which is tantamount to leaving me alone. He stays in his room, or watches TV in the living room... and goes to bed around 9pm. Leaving me to my own devices.

So I find myself at a loose end.
I may watch Stardust... or Star Wars (wide screen TV with surround sound... can I resist?!), eat mac and cheese, then lots of ice cream and chocolate.

I do have 4 hours to kill before my alone-time. What to do till then?
Tetris?

The tetrominoes are trying to steal my soul.

Unchained Melody

2009-05-04T22:37:00.003Z

(The Righteous Brothers)

I was in a really bad mood yesterday after work. But my mother gave me a lift home, so I didn't have to walk.
She realised I was in a bad mood, and for some reason decided that turning Unchained Melody up full blast and making me sing along would put me in a better mood.
And surprisingly, it worked!

Just To Get High

2009-05-02T23:12:00.002Z

(Nickelback)
I've never taken any drugs in my life... unless you count ibuprofen, cocodomol, and my inhaler! Yes, I occasionally enjoy an odd night out improved with alcohol. (Or spend a couple of hours in a Wetherspoons wih Re eating burgers abd drinking pitchers of woo woo.).

However, I do need a specific fix every saturday evening.
It's known as Chocolate Fudge Cake.
I like it hot, with chocolate split ice cream.

Without my fix of CFC on a saturday I wold be crawling by 8pm... and digging spoons in customers eyes by 9pm.
With CFC, I'm happy, bouncy, chatty, lively...

I'm sure it's just the sugariffic boost that does it. And not because I really AM addicted to chocolate fudge cake... and can't handle a saturday evening wihtout it!

I Don't Like Mondays

2009-05-01T23:27:00.003Z

(The Boomtown Rats)
Usually I like Mondays... they are my saturday. However, I don't like bankholiday Mondays.
They're mean!
It means I only get one day off in nearly two weeks!
I doubly don't like them with the amount of bar staff we have at the moment.
The girl who sorts the rotas out likes to act the martyr and puts herself on all day on sundays... and again on bankholiday mondays. She's also put herself on all day today (saturday)... which means she gets to go early and I have to finish closing the bar down by myself... and don't get home till about midnight!

No matter. I just have to make the most of Tuesday. But chances are I won't do anything... as usual. Read, maybe watch a film, read some more...
It seems like a complete waste... but I hate having to get up early and do a load of stuff on my only day off.
I find keeping company to be so tiring. You have to watch everything you do, everything you say, make sure you're not forcing them to do something or go somewhere they don't want to. You have to keep checking if they're ok, that they don't need food, they don't need a drink, etc.

This could tell you a few things about me...
1. I'm socially retarded, which is why being in public is such an effort.
2. I need to relax a bit more and be myself rather than trying so hard to be a considerate and interesting person.
3. It's no surprise I'm single, and should continue being so. Because I'll never be comfortable with any sort of company!

Anyway... I should get to bed. Have to be up in 8 hours... for a 13 hour day. Oh JOY!

My Favourite Game

2009-05-01T00:39:00.003Z

(The Cardigans)
Masochism.
It's a funny thing. I find there are two types. Physical and mental.
Most people are a fan of the latter. Some are a fan of the former.
I'm a fan of both... but this will be about the latter!

Why, when you know nothing can happen, do you spend your time thinking about them, waiting for them, trying to come up with something to say...
The answer I come up with is: I'm a stupid, desperate, masochist.

And I have to make it so obvious to everyone... I can't suffer in silence. I have to drag others into my deranged little world. And then spend hours kicking myself if things don't go well.

Life would probably be soo much easier if only the physical form of masochism existed.
Unfortunately, as humans, we can't seem to refrain from inflicting pain on ourselves.

Oh, to not be human!

I'm not emo... really. I'm just mentally punishing myself, as always, for having absolutely ZERO self-control (and it's not the usual good lack of self control I normally exhibit, ie. eating a whole tub of Chocolate Fudge Brownie in one sitting).
It's the "I know absolutely nothing can happen for various reasons, including turning his friend down, but I'm going to check the door every time I hear it open just in case it's him, so I can make small talk about ice, theatre trips and other silly inconsequential things." type of no self-control.

And you know what? He's so nice and polite... he's probably gay.
That would be just my luck.
Even that thought won't stop me.
I probably DO enjoy the pain!

Ain't Nothing Wrong With That

2009-04-30T00:29:00.002Z

(Robert Randolph and the Family Band)
Re is still determined to see all of Shakespeares plays. I'm not so ambitious... I just want to see all the comedies and tradgedies. (I've never been a fan of the historicals).
We saw As You Like It in March.
We saw the Tempest earlier in April.
We will be seeing Julius Caesar in May.
Then Romeo and Juliet (at the GLOBE!!!) in June.
Then The Winters Tale in July...

Re is seeing A Midsummer Night's Dream in August with her family.... so I'll be making her go again, to see a different version.

I mentioned needing to finish work by 3 on the 25th May (bankholiday) to Bekki because I have tickets to see Julius Caesar (by RSC no less!) and Marlz laughed and said "Oh, you and your plays! You're probably the most cultured person I know... and I'm probably the chavviest YOU know!"

a. What's so wrong with enjoying theatre?
b. I'm no where near as cultured as I'd like!
and c. I know WAAAY bigger chavs than Marlz!

On another note, my dvd collection is growing beyond my control. But, I keep it alphabetized! Yes, I'm one of THOSE people!