"Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education." - Mark Twain

Further notes to the Smashmouth post...

Firstly, I don't really want to buy the world a toke...I have no desire to do that. A coke (the drink, obviously) maybe, but not a toke.

Secondly, okay, unlike the My Vitriol post, it isn't the way I feel... actually a lot of it is, but you know what I mean. There isn't a situation that's made me feel like that in particular, unlike the My Vitriol one. I don't know if that will make sense to anyone but me... the fact is, I like Walkin' On the Sun... I think it's a fantastic song and that is why the lyrics are there!

Goodnight, God bless

Darkest
xxx

Smashmouth

It ain't no joke I'd like to buy the world a toke
And teach the world to sing in perfect harmony
And teach the world to snuff the fires and the liars
Hey I know it's just a song but it's spice for the recipe
This is a love attack I know it went out but it's back.
It's just like any fad it retracts before impact
And just like fashion it's a passion for the with it and hip
If you got the goods they'll come and buy it just to stay in the clique

So don't delay, act now, supplies are running out
Allow if you're still alive six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow there may be a tomorrow
But if the offer is shun you might as well be walkin' on the sun

Twenty-five years ago they spoke out and they broke out
Of recession and oppression and together they toked
And they folked out with guitars around a bonfire
Just singin' and clappin' man what the hell happened
Then some were spellbound some were hellbound
Some they fell down and some got back up and
Fought back 'gainst the melt down
And their kids were hippie chicks all hypocrites
Because fashion is smashin' the true meaning of it

So don't delay, act now, supplies are running out
Allow if you're still alive six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow there may be a tomorrow
But if the offer is shun you might as well be walkin' on the sun

It ain't no joke when a mama's handkerchief is soaked
With her tears because her baby's life has been revoked
The bond is broke up, so choke up and focus on the close up
Mr. Wizard can't perform no godlike hocus-pocus
So don't sit back, kick back and watch the world get bushwhacked
News at 10:00 your neighborhood is under attack
Put away the crack before the crack puts you away
You need to be there when your baby's old enough to relate

So don't delay, act now, supplies are running out
Allow if you're still alive six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow there may be a tomorrow
But if the offer is shun you might as well be walkin' on the sun.

"If you ever drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let 'em go, because man, they're gone." - Jack Handy

I met Martin (hereafter known as non-brother Martin) from http://www.christianchat.co.uk today... it was good fun, he's just like he is online. Very easy to talk to, very easy to get along with. We didn't do much, mainly sat around and talked but it was good fun.

I think John at work is growing a beard... how could he do that to me???? Stef said I should tell him not too but I don't think he'd listen! I guess it's up to Stef to protect me...

"Have you been drinking from my chemistry set again?"

I should probably add a bit more on to yesterdays teeny tiny entry...

As part of the NVQ we have to do an enhancement unit which was hard to choose for me as the rest of the optional ones are all to do with stuff I don't deal with- customer service, stock taking, finance etc so in the end Jade said I could do the Word Processing one from the Computer NVQ so I'm doing that. The good thing about that is that it also means I don't have to do it all in the workplace (which for the business admin one you do) so Jade said to take in some documents I've word processed to college next week (I have to be there at 9: EEK!) and then she can tell me what I need to do to fulfil any of the criteria the work I've done hasn't fulfilled, I can do a piece of typing or whatever.

There you go, now you're up to speed!

"I can't get enough of you baby..."

Sometimes I get the feeling Stef doesn't want to talk to me. Hmmmmmm paranoia.......

"Should we be discussing this in front of Mr Johnson?"

I have to have completed my course at college by the end of July. Help!!!!!

My Vitriol

It's gone on far too long
And you'll never know
And I'm a foreigner at home
For you know it
I'll be gone

Me, yeah
It's all of me
It's all of me, yeah
Can't you see
You've taken all the life that's left in me
And what for?
Please don't ask me I don't really know
I don't know

Everything I do
It's like I'm the only one
And I'm a foreigner at home
For you know it
I'll be gone

Me
It's all of me
It's all of me, yeah
Can't you see
You've taken all the life that's left in me
And what for?
Please don't ask me I don't really know
I don't know

I don't know.

"Tonight I'll just let go...."

*sigh*

"He's no good. His feet are all wrong."

I got a text from (and I hate to admit this) an ex boyfriend today- I'm his 'friend' apparently, though in his dictionary friend must mean someone you text when you want to let them know a girl has rejected you or if a girl has shown an interest as they are the only times he texts me!

Anyway, he started going out with a girl he met in a pub last week and, already, things have started to go wrong. Now I don't mean to sound horrible but I predicted this as soon as he told me. This guy has NO idea how to interact with girls at all- he says totally inappropriate things and can't seem to hold a normal conversation at all. He says things that normal people would never feel the need to say, especially not to someone they've been going out with for a day or so. Most of the stuff he says is so inappropriate and I don't know how he can not see that it isn't the kind of thing you say to someone. And, to me at least, very untrusting (is that a word?). I really think he has some kind of mental 'issues'- the way he acts and talks etc has made me pretty certain something is wrong. At the very least, he must have mild depression.
He's also totally dependent on the relationship from the very SECOND it begins- take, for instance, a girl he started talking to online last year. Within days of first talking to her, before they'd even planned to meet or spoken on the phone or anything, he was telling me she was 'the one'. When I questioned how he'd come to that conclusion as he didn't even know the girl, he got really stressed with me. Another example would be when he'd been talking to a different girl online for a few weeks, an American girl, and he told me 'when' (not if) he moved to America (bearing in mind he'd been speaking to her for a few weeks and again, that was only via the net, they hadn't spoken on the phone at all) he was going to get a tattoo and a piercing. When i asked him why he didn't get a tattoo and piercing now if that's what he wanted, he cunningly chose to ignore it!

Speaking of piercings, he decided that he wanted to get his ear pierced so... he was going to ask his mum (bearing in mind he was 21 at the time) but he was too afraid to just ask her straight out so he wrote her a note on the computer and left it for her. She said no... he didn't get the piercing. Weird or what??

If this sounds a little harsh, I'm sorry, but I honestly do believe that their is something wrong with him mentally. I know I'm not expert in mental health or something, but having known him for about 2 years (maybe over), I have reached the conclusion that their must be SOMETHING wrong with him.

"Speak the truth, but leave immediately after."- Slovenian Proverb.

Today was, again, sooooooo dull. I think it started on Tuesday night. There's nothing like knowing I won't be seeing Stef for 3 weeks to make me feel meh.

Pretty much the only interesting bit was when we were discussing M's (I'm not going to say her name out of respect for her... if she really is...) deep voice and E and Other M both admitted that when they first met her they wondered if it was a guy who'd had a sex change! That would make the council a little more interesting, eh?? That sparked at least 10 minutes of conversation before we realised we'd better check she wasn't in the filing room... Luckily for us all, she wasn't!! It kept us laughing for a while though...Poor lady (...or is she??!!!) (Before anyone sues me- though why anyone who wasn't her would sue me for this is beyond me- I'm joking! She's female, I've been assured!)

"I'm bored with wearing dresses, fancy or not."

Guess what?? I'm still thinking the same as I did yesterday... told you it wasn't anger talking!!

Work was sooo dull today... I had photocopying to do and that's pretty much all I could do as the network crashed for 6 hours so we couldn't save or print anything.... now, that should tell the organisation how stupid it is to rely on computers so much... will it? Nope. Same thing'll happen a few months down the line and we'll be in the same position yet again... or we'll have a power cut or..well, there are many possibilities. And to top it off, the whole paperless office thing... we get through reams and reams and reams of the stuff each day... how is that paperless? Everything we do on computer (emails, file copies etc) we have to print off... how is that paperless??

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

Tracey has said Stef and i can't stay at hers in a few weeks... the last weekend of the month is her and Duncan's time together, apparently. Even though:

a) They spend every weekend together anyway
b) they know I dont get to see Stef very often
c) There is no reason why it HAS to be that weekend... it could be this weekend, for instance
d) People go to see them because THEY say they can
e) they have EVERY other weekend to be together
f) Why anyone would actually WANT to spend more time with Duncan is SO beyond me it's gives me a headache...


And before you think it, yes I'm mad but I will be thinking exactly the same tomorrow! I'm soooooooo annoyed. I really cannot wait until I can move out of here.

"You're going very fast, young lady"

I had my first driving lesson for a while today- it went well which is always good!! I did parralell parking, which, I have to say, I was a little nervous about it but it went well- John (driving instructor) said my 2nd attempt couldn't have been better!!! Yay!!! The rest of the lesson I was doing stuff I'd done before- roundabouts, the parkway, country driving, emergency stop... all good stuff!
I've missed driving... it's so fun!!

I do, however, want to know who stole my 11 - 1 spot! 1:30 - 3:30 is a silly time!!

Stupid, stupid girl.

John invited me out for a drink after work today- I, stupidly said no. Oh boy am I regretting it now. That was probably the only invitation I'll get this year (or, if things continue like they have been doing), my whole life *sigh*

I wonder why I'm so stupid?? When did this happen? It seemed to sneak up on me.

Force-feeding lies but calling it freedom

I am almost (but as you can tell, not quite) speechless at the audacity of politicians and government workers in general (myself and my colleagues not included. I can totally believe our audacity...........just kidding). Though I (and I'm sure many others) have long felt this, my distaste with them today is caused by one Mr Alan Faulkner, Executive Member for Environmental Services, Torby Council. Why, you may ask, am I bothered about some guy in a council that isn't even remotely near me? This should explain it...

The said Mr Faulkner has decided that the local crematorium has to remove it's cross. His defence is that "We live in a diverse, multi-faith society and many people have no specific beliefs at all. The facility at Torquay Crematorium is a ceremony hall, it is not a chapel." The arrogant git (I was going to use stronger words then but decided against it) then added "It is not our intention to offend or upset anyone by removing the cross from the wall." Well Mr Faulkner, you HAVE!!

I have friends from mnay different faiths (and indeed none at all) and not one of them would ever be offended at the sight of a cross. Crosses are associated with places of spiritual importance (except when it's hanging around some townie kid's neck) and plenty of non-religious people find some kind of peace at these places. The cross is a symbol of our faith- anyone who is offended by that should not be pandered too.

If the Muslim community were asked to remove thier religious symbols (such as the crescent moon on a Mosque) because local Christian's were offended, what would their reaction be? I am sure I am not alone in thinking that Christians would be criticised for being prejudiced. Why are people like Mr Faulkner only ever prepared to kiss the ass of 'newcomers' to the country while no concern is given to the religious belief's and practises that have been practised in this country for centuries?? Why are we the ones who always seem to suffer??

And the worst things is this is just the start...

In God we trust- may the cross go on before us...

Darkest (not afraid to show who she is and what she believes)
xxx

You know the buzz you get when someone is watching you do something, clearly impressed?

I was messing around in the garden, doing flips and stuff, and our next door neighbour was watching. At one point he was watching me rather than watching his daughter showcase her bike riding skills or something- poor girl!
It all reminded me of 2002- one of the best summers I have ever had (albeit pre-Stef). I don't think I have ever spent as long in the garden as I did that summer! As I'd finished my GCSEs, I had a longer summer than usual and I spent most of the day and from about 7pm until it got properly dark (about 12, 1am) in the garden listening to some good CDs (RCHP- Californication, 3 Doors Down- The Better Life etc) laying on the grass. Sooo cool!!
I kept getting distracted today though- there was a hot air balloon above the gardens and it was quite depressing because as I watched it get further and further away I wanted to be in it. If it's not 2002, I don't want to be here.

Anyway, hopefully I'll be out of here before I rot,

Tired and loney hugs

Darkest
xxx

P.S Happy birthday Bethia!

P.P.S. Sorry, just realised I did quite a few posts today.

I'm a Joyberry, get me out of here!!

Why is it that someone will say we don't get to speak enough, then be out when we have the chance? I know I'm being stupid and pathetic about this btw. I think, at the end of the day, I'm just jealous that he has a life! And I'm not as much a part of it as I would like to be. That's it really- I don't mind him going out at all, I just wish I was there to go out with him.

A traitor with the Ribenaberry alliance??

I have decided, further to my earlier post, to become an advocate for Ribenaberries. AS I am a Joyberry and have previously been purple [haired], I have decided that it is my duty to defend Ribenaberries (and other purple berries) and their rights.

VICTORY!!!

*Start Victory parade* I have chocolate!!!! Mmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! It took a lot of effort but I am not finally in the direct contact of a Strawberry Creme (are they still called that??). Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!
I cunningly walked past the bookcase (after waiting until 2 out of the 4 other people in the office had left the room. One of the remaining ones only works in the afternoon on Wednesday so she didn't see my earlier dips into the box) and casually dug out a chocolate. I think I got away with it!! At least no one has mentioned it so far, thus I don't look gluttonous but I don't drown in the insanity caused by failing to call upon the help of a chocolate lifeguard. YAY!!!

The problems of being an addict...

I have a headache. It may be withdrawal [from chocolate] symptons or it could be thinking about chocolate too much. Maybe both.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!

I am in the consuming, intense, overwhelming, inescapable grip of a chocolate craving. At this point nothing I could say or do will help ease the yearning unless it involves me eating something thickly covered in sweet, sweet, delicious chocolate. What it is, I do not care.
Now, that problem could be easily solved as, calling out my name in it's sweet, chocolatey-goodness filled voice, begging me to take a bite (to which my stomach is saying "Yes, yes, yes!"), is a nearly empty box of Quality Street from it's home on the bookcase a metre or two away from me. I am not sure how much longer I will be able to resist it's taunting cries until I have no choice but to pounce on the delightful purple box and devour the contents.
At this precise moment, only one thing is holding me back. I have succumb to their powers twice already today- it would seem they have a control over me, a control which is so hard to fight off, despite all my longing for it to be so.
I do not want to appear gluttonous to my colleagues nor do I want to deprive them of the life enhancing confectionary within the beautful box that looks like an explosion at a Ribenaberry convention. Surely that would go against the Human Rights Act? (Depriving people of chocolate, not exploding a Ribenaberry convention. Though that may do. Though they're not humans. Maybe there's a Ribenaberry Rights Act. I may look into it, they deserve rights too. I may be a crusader for the cause.)
anyway, predictably, this craving will not cease and as such it is important I give into the craving before it drags me into the pool of insanity which is guarenteed to drown me if I do not embrace the chocolate that is my lifeguard. As I do not want other people to know, this is going to have to be a somewhat undercover operation. This is going to take all of my James Bond-esque undercover skills plus some military ones I'll have to pick up as I go along. In the office environment, however, certain aspects are inadvisable. A commando crawl to reduce my visibility, for instance, would not be suitable (and I'm not sure if the office carpet gets cleaned enough for me to want to risk it). Hmmm... this is going to take some thinking...

And my final expulsion...

And what is it with tall people? There is really no need for it. By the way, I don't look up at you much because I value my neck!!

(Okay, I'm joking [apart from the last bit], I have nothing against tall people.)

Vented hugs

Darkest
xxx

P.S. *breathes out* And relax....

And while I'm raving...

what is it with people moving in with their boy/girlfriend after a short time (even if it is a 'long' time for a relationship), before they've even had a chance to get to know each other and then being surprised when they find out that it isn't all rainbows, butterflies and happy flower fairies after all? It's hardly surprising that living with someone you don't know particularly well isn't going to be as smooth and problem free as you were naive enough to presume, is it?? And, by the way, one argument a day is neither normal or healthy!!!

And another thing...

I really wish people would STOP saying they miss someone they haven't seen since that morning and won't see until that evening. Grrrrrrrrrr!! Try going a month without seeing them, THEN tell me you miss them! I understand missing someone when they're gone, even if it's only a short time, as I go through that with Stef but when you're going to seem 7 or 8 hours later I don't think it really counts. And definitely don't say how hard or horrible it is because you have NO IDEA!

"Always drunk, going crazy, you better believe it..."

Please, please, please will somebody explain to me exactly what is this country's obession with alcohol? It seems ever other person (with the exception of my friends and family) cant' have a good time unless significant amounts of alcohol are involved, which is, in my humble opinion, very pathetic. I really don't know why it is- to forget problems would be a usual one, I guess, but drowning a problem in beer/spirits etc doesn't solve the problem, just lets you ignore it for a while, then return to it feeling fragile or tired or.. the same as before. Either way, it does no good. I haven't been drunk for nearly 2 years and even then it wasn't a conscious effort (I just didn't realise how much I was drinking) and I have never been so drunk that I couldn't remember what I had done the day after or passed out or anything and have I only had depressing nights out since then?? No. Even on my 18th I didn't get drunk, though I did have a few drinks. I know some people will be shocked by that... in fact, they'll probably have to have a drink to recover...
I really don't see the how anyone can think it's good to spend every weekend getting drunk (even more so when it's a deliberate effort). And what exactly is the point of getting so drunk you can't even remember what happened when you wake up the next day??
I apologise if I'm sounding preachy, I just really don't understand. I just don't see the point of it. I know loads of people who are able to confirm that alcohol is not a necessity for a good night out.

Beer... the cause and solution to all life's problems!!

(Or something that- thanks Homer!)

"Naturally your entrance is grand..." Hmmmmm...

I just got back from collecting a package and as I walked into reception at the TH it was silent. Not normally a problem but my heels are possibly the loudest thing KNOWN TO MAN!! As I walked in everyone looked at me and as I walked past my heels made sure I retained their stares! How embarrassing. It was like being on a catwalk or something. That would have been okay if I was elegant (and it would've taken an Audrey Hepburn level of elegance to pull it off) but anyone who knows me or has seen me will confirm that I am not elegant in any way, shape or form so I had no chance!!

Oh happy day...!

There was no college today as Jade was off sick which meant I got to spend a beautiful afternoon in the garden listening to music and talking to Stef....what could be better??

Lives are wasted, hearts are broken...

It’s been a quiet day, so far. I’m doing I.C.Os (Interim Care Orders) at work this week (as I missed them last week due to being in Soton) so I’ve been doing them. Apart from that I’ve taken some files over to Regency with John (who is very tall. I almost wish he wasn’t so nice as I feel like I shouldn’t like anyone who is so tall. Up to average height I can deal with- anything above that…. EEK!!) and I’ve started some college work, mainly just writing notes so I can do it properly at college tomorrow. *yawn*
Prity just got back from a meeting (of sorts) that started at 9- wow! I couldn’t imagine being in a meeting that long. I wouldn’t want too. Though it was Adoption Panel so that would be quite interesting, I’d imagine. It would put a lot of realism on things too- here everyone we deal with are just names, at the Adoption Panel there are photos of the kids. That might make it worse though, in a way. Putting a face to the name would make it hit home more, I guess. Faceless names in horrific situations might be easier to deal with than names that conjure up a picture of a once innocent child that now has to live with the fact that their childhood has been lost and possible future social skills, relationships and families broken.

"When you find that things are getting wilder, don't you want days like these?"

I have had a fantabulous day!! This morning at work I had to pop down to Costa to get Manny and whoever he was having a meeting with (Counsel, I think) a coffee and Manny (very generously) said I could get something for myself too so I got myself (or he got me) a hot chocolate (sooooo much nicer than Starbucks). While the guy was serving me, another guy (hereafter known as Goth Guy, if I mention him again) came to help and they were bantering between each other and occasionally me and it was sooooooooo funny!! I know I may not be the best person to judge as I’m quite easily amused but these guys are, I promise, genuinely HILARIOUS!!! It was so funny and that, coupled with a few hot chocolate and not too much work (but enough so I wasn’t bored) made it a fantabulous day. It could only have been better if Stef had been here.

Happy bunny hugs

Darkest
xxx

Blast from the past.... II

And now to the looong weekend...

27th May
It was sooooooooooooooooooooooo good being in Soton again!! Stef's mum and dad (hereafter known as Lorraine and Steve) always make me feel soooooooooooo welcome!! It was really hot in both Crapville and Soton. The air conditioning on the train from Waterloo was broken in the carriage I was in too, which was fun. After we got back to Stef's we had a drink then washed Steve's car. In the evening we watched Anchorman, which was pretty funny.

28th May
Stef and I went into town today. We were meant to be meeting one of his friends but he had another commitment so it was just Stef and I. It was good fun. I could happily spend all day wandering around with Stef. In the evening we went to see Stef's sister (hereafter known as Charlotte) in a female version of The Odd Couple. It was sooo funny and she was fantastic in it- she's one of those very pretty, very talented types. Lucky for some!! I felt sorry for one of the cast though- she was awful. She kept slipping into a Lancashire accent, which didn't really work!!

29th May
We went into Whitely today- we had a hot chocolate and a piece of chocolate cake in Starbucks. The hot chocolate was foul. If I'm going to pay the earth, I at least expect something that tastes NICE!!!

30th May
Stef, Lorraine, Steve, Charlie and I went to Arrendal (sp?) today. We spent hours walking around the castle, watching hand to hand combat and jousting (though not necessarily in that order!). After that we went into a cafe and had some food (that's probably an unnecessary detail).

31st May- Stef's birthday!!!!
Stef and I went into Winchester today. I treated him to a meal in Pizza Express. Mmmmmmmmmm pizza. After that we wandered around a while before going back. I was supposed to be leaving that evening but the thought alone was so depressing I couldn't face it so we cunningly 'didn't notice the time' and missed the train. Oh dear, how disappointing.

1st June
We went into town today- I got Stef a Darth Tater Mr. Potato Head. Sooooooooooooo cool!!! And unbelievably hard to get hold of- EVERYWHERE had sold out!! Except Argos, luckily for me- may God bless Argos abundantly!

The Government are always trying to get more people to use public transport…this is an example of why people don’t:
Before we left, Stef and I checked the train times online. The train I was going to get would have got me back to Crapville at 11:45 (pm, obviously). All was fine until I got to Kings Cross. The train I was supposed to get didn’t exist. There was a WAGN train (which I always try to avoid) which left just before I got to the platform. The next train to Crapville was 23:21 which was also a WAGN or there was a GNER one at 23:30 so I had to get the 23:30 one (as the 23:21 would’ve got back to Crapville later than the 23:30 one). There are normally quite a few trains to Crapville. I got back to Crapville at about 12:30. Stoopid trains!!

Anyway, that’s pretty much up to date now….

Tired hugs

Darkest xxx

Blast from the past... I

Firstly, my birthday weekend....

Friday was the worst I have ever experienced...normally it's hard but this was UNBELIEVABLY hard... time was dragging soooo much...still, as always, totally worth it when I got downstairs at work and saw Stef sitting there, even if he didn't recognise me because of my new hair. Speaking of which, my hair feels so much better now it's shorter and neater. Anyway, it was soooooooooooooooooooooo good seeing Stef after what felt like the longest day EVER!!! I've never known time to drag as much as it does while I'm waiting to see Stef.
We didn't do much in the evening, just watched TV (Derren Brown- sooooo much better watching it with Stef) and DVDs snuggled up together............perfect!!

21st May
I had a driving lesson in the morning- my first in 4 weeks so I was a little worried that I'd be terrible but it went okay. I did a looooot of roundabouts and the parkway- there were road works so I spent most of it doing 40mph but as soon as I could I put my foot down!!
In the evening Stef, Tracey (sister), Duncan (Tracey's boyfriend), Biggie, Martin (brother) and I went to see Star Wars. I won’t say too much in case anyone hasn't seen it but it's a very cool film! The end of an era and I got to share the moment with Stef- YAY!!

22nd May
Stef, Martin and I had lunch at mine (well, mum, dad and mine) today. As it was my birthday the next day, this was like a pre-birthday roast. Yummy!! Mmmmmmmmmmm chicken!!
Anyway, after lunch Stef and I went for a walk- we were going to play on the swings at the park but they were all in use so we went by the river instead, which is always lovely. When we got home we played The Pea Game (proper title- Race Against Time but in our family it's always been known as The Pea Game. One of the best board games EVER!!). After that mum and dad took us back to Tracey's and we watched TV, I read a tacky magazine and later managed to scald myself with hot (HOT!) chocolate, plus throw it on Stef by accident (sowwy Stef).

23rd May- My birthday!!
We (mum, dad, Stef and I) went to Kings Lynn today. I don't remember it being so depressing before! Maybe I was just too young to notice! Anyway, the only reason we were there was for the Old Gaol House Museum which was really cool. We spent a while in there, then when we had finished we went back to the car and then on to Hunstanton. We had lunch in a nice little cafe overlooking the beach (though the tables weren't lined up with the windows so you had to lean back to look out) and then we went to The Sea Life Centre, which was really cool. I want a dog shark! And an otter. And, of course, my long term dream...a jellyfish (Stef won’t let me have one but I'm working on it...)
When we got home I opened my presents. I got....

· The Best of Bruce Dickinson from Martin
· The smaller Playmobil Pirate Ship from Tracey and Duncan
· £15 of John Lewis vouchers from Anna
· Money from Auntie Yvonne and Uncle Rog
· The Best of Van Morrison from Steve and Lorraine
· Tyranny of the Soul by Bruce Dickinson (his new album) from mum and dad
· The Simpsons Hit and Run, Ramones Anthology and.... (and this is one of the most amazing presents I have EVER got in my life....) a signed picture of Bruce (!!!!!!!!!!) (My Hero!!!!!!) from Stef- is it any surprise I love him????? (Stef, not Bruce)

Smoke 'em, smoke 'em, smoke 'em if you got 'em...

What is it with people and smoking?? I know it's addictive and all but surely some motivation (i.e. being pregnant) would help??? I just saw a girl (two points: a) Yes, girl. Not woman. b) Predictably a townie) in town, blatantly pregnant (okay, she could just be fat but you can see the difference between a fat woman and a pregnant woman-or in this case, girl. Saying that though, it is never advisable to pat a woman on the stomach and ask when it's due unless you know for a fact she is pregnant. And NEVER say it to a man!!), blatantly smoking. Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!!!! SHOW SOME RESPECT WOMAN!!!! I mean child. I feel sorry for her poor kid though, it's probably choking as we speak.

I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired, thanks to the exploits of the (loooooooooooooooooong) weekend, and even more so due to the crappy trains (see next entry)! Still, it was totally worth it. I'd spend all night at Kings Cross if it meant getting an extra day with Stef (WOAH!!! Slushy!). I'm going to have to go to bed early tonight. It sounds so appetising (so to speak) when I'm dragging my sorry, sorry ass out of bed first thing in the morning and while I'm (very) close to falling asleep at work but now I'm a bit more awake I know it's going to be so hard. *sigh*

And my final news for today: After getting rid of Talky McTalkerson (NB that isn't how it sounds, it was nothing to do with me, I promise) I now have someone else sharing my desk (and worse, my computer). He's here to help us with bundles *pauses for (Stef's) laughter)* Luckily for me, he doesn't talk to himself and so far, he seems very nice. Phew!!!

Anyway, back to (the near impossible) work...

Hugs and sloppy (but tired) kisses to you all....

Darkest
xxx

P.S. I miss Stef already!! I know I miss him as soon as he's gone after a weekend too but this is worse because in the 6 days I was with him, I got used to being with him, I got used to watching TV with him, waking up with him, going out with him (in the literal sense), going online with him...etc etc and it SUCKS sooooooo much being without him *sigh*

P.P.S I'll respond to the tag next entry, if I have time!