Mmmm... didn't remember red wine could be so yummy. I'm rather proud of the fact that today I have done absolutely nothing productive. Apart from having a sauna. Not sure if even that qualifies as productive actually... Tomorrow I'll write Christmas cards, honest. And tidy up.

Found a picture of me and Colin from back when we were still happy. Don't know how he persuaded me to go out in a nightie though. Still, it was a brilliant night even if he had a few too many to drink. These days he seems so distant, what with this unfortunate incident involving the ex and the baby as well... *sigh*. I wonder if it will still work out for us.

Labels: my life

Ugh. I don't think this holiday idea was a good one. Feel all depressed. It's very hard to concentrate on being on holiday when people keep sending you emails with 'I need to know this asap' and 'when can you get this done by' etc... Just feel all guilty and bad :(. And I thought I'd do the holiday thing and sleep in, so I woke up after 12... and the day has just gone past so quickly, it's already getting dark. And it sucks to be on holiday alone. Umm. What else should I complain about?

Oh, I did wrap some pressies today, which was the highlight of the day.

Labels: my life

So, went to see the Matrix Revolutions today. Umm. Well. Let's just say the best thing about it was the trailer for Return of the King. Wooo, can't wait, it looked soooo good. Oh and the trailer for S.W.A.T. which wasn't too bad either, as it had a glimpse of Colin with his shirt off.... mmmmm.... Umm yes, where was I. Oh right, continuing with the ever expanding Xmas decoration gallery, here's a picture of my Acrylic Cone (yes, that's what it said on the box). And if you look close enough, some of you may spot their Christmas pressies in the background. :D



I thought some of you would like to see Johanna's growing bump, and the occupant, (see what a cute nose it has). It's so exciting. Can't wait to see what kind of a little boy comes out!

Still on holiday tomorrow, although it doesn't feel quite right. I keep on staring at the pile of work growing, thinking that there will be three times the amount to get done on wednesday...

Labels: my life

See, I found some funny starlights, that I got in the Everything's-A-Pound shop at one time or another. They take 2 C batteries and are still as dim as this. :D Very romantic though huh.



Yesterday we had a photoshoot with Eve and with the assistance of a very expensive light (thank you Johanna!) got quite nice photos. :) Still have a B&W film to develop, so don't know how those will turn out. I need a digital body for my Canon EOS. It's developed into a physical need now. And one of those kick-ass lights. Santa...? Anyway, here's one of Eve in colour.

It's snowing lots outside! I've got monday and tuesday off for Xmas shopping, maybe I'll get some nice winter shots as well. Life's quite good.

Labels: my life

Whee! I got the tree in. :D I know it's a *tad* early, but as I'm gonna spend so much of December in England, I'm allowed to enjoy some Christmas decorations... Really hard to take a decent pic of it though, as it keeps changing colour all the time. Umm.

Oh and the reason I'm not really writing so much in my blog these days, is that my DeviantArt addiction is getting worse and worse...

Labels: my life

I can't sleep these days. Too much stuff going around in my head I suppose. So today Stu went to the interview at the CTBTO in Vienna. Apparently the interview went well, which confuses things further, as it might be possible he actually gets the job... And they confirmed that if he would get it, he'd start in January. Great. Well, yes in some ways it would be really cool and an experience and all that. On the other hand, I'm not quite fed up with Finland yet. Oh, and they all speak german there. :D Oh well, I guess we'll just have to see what happens.

I sneaked the first Christmas decorations in today *and* wrapped some pressies. Maybe tomorrow's mission could be getting rest of the decorations (and the tree) up from the cellar.

Labels: my life

Mike has asked me to draw your attention to a petition to save Thornborough Henges (Britain's fifth largest ancient monument) from quarrying. Apparently he would have put it in the guestbook but didn't want to look like an 'internet hijacker/web squatter'. You never would dear :). Now, go sign it people.

I'm currently trying to get my head around the new magazine format, without ads. It means I can't just plonk a half-page ad into a feature when I run out of inspiration. Damn.

Also, if you didn't know this before, I hate periods.

Well, what the hell. I've become so addicted to DeviantArt, that I might as well just keep all my more 'arty' stuff on there and give you a link. It's under the mnoo logo now. And you can find all the wallpapers, that used to be on here, in my gallery on DA as well.

Er... I had something to say, but now my head's gone completely blank. This is not exactly an unusual occurrence in my life, but still rather annoying.

Well, Stu told me I have to post a link to London Nights at DeviantArt as apparently it's the best pic I've ever taken. That is debatable, but I suppose it ain't too shabby, even if I say so myself. Kinda getting into taking night shots at the moment. Prolly because it is, umm, dark all the time.

I think I'll go get a rum & coke now. Perhaps it'll jog my memory.

Oh oh, wanna see my new scarf first?

Ok, since Christmas is coming and all, I thought I'd copy Chris and Amy (who are greedy enough to do it all year round :D) and show you my wish list. I'm sure this makes all of your lives so much easier... :)

I just got a huge electricity bill today, which is nice. I'm seriously thinking of turning off the underfloor heating and putting woolly socks on... But then again... if you pay for it, why not use it. Also, somehow I can't seem to locate any food in this flat (Stu, where's it all gone?) and am feeling terribly hungry. Possibly hungry enough to get dressed and go to the shops. Does seem rather a drastic measure though. Perhaps I'll just sit here for a while and ponder these things through.

Labels: my life

So, I'm back in Finland. Although everything's gone mad back at the office, printers have the wrong flat plan, IT department has relocated our directory so poor Matt is having trouble making pdf's like I showed him through watched folders, which don't exist anymore, proofs are being sent to wrong places etc... All in all, I'm feeling really guilty for just leaving. Should have stayed until it was all cleared. Oh well, not much I can do now other than try to help as much as I can via email.

Weather is rather lovely and sunny here. And I even bought a stripy scarf from the airport just in case it was going to be freezing.

Labels: my life

I woke up today with new resolve. I've been working away like a woman possessed, with the result, that I only have about ten pages to send down to the printers tomorrow. Yay me! I get to go home tomorrow after all (touch wood). Feeling rather sticky and swooshy, but still about 50 times better than yesterday. Bad news is that Rachel is going to be off for a lot longer than expected, which will most likely mean a repeat performance of this madness next month. And will make life a lot harder throughout the month... Oh well. All the best to R though. Get well soon.

I think I'm going to head home in a bit and start packing. :D

Labels: my life

I always thought I was good at dealing with pressure. That belief is really being put to test now... Work is just a nightmare and on friday I found out this week I get to cover for TWO people instead of one. Which means I probably won't be going back on wednesday. Great. Funny how no-one cared to mention that before... Also, some sleazy criminal type person is emptying my account, which isn't very nice. So that means I have to run between HSBC and the police station trying to sort it out when I *really* wouldn't have time, or brain-space, to deal with it. Oh yeah and Stu's going for an interview... in Austria. Head's just going 'aaaaaaarrrrrrrgh' and I constantly feel like crying, and then hate myself for it because I AM GOOD WITH STRESS aren't I?

At the weekend I went to Saffron Walden, which was relaxing up to a point. At least dealing with other peoples bigger problems puts your own ones into perspective. Also, when a 5-year old asks me if I want to have a bath with him, surely it means I've still 'got it'?

And yesterday I took photos of Rayleigh, as requested by Eve and Stu. And I climbed up a bloody big hill in the rain just for you two.

Now back to hell.

Labels: my life

Have infernal itch in the sole of my foot. Nothing helps, not even banging foot against the leg of my chair. Humph. I'm still rushed off my feet, so this is going to be another short one. It's a very bad hair/clothes/face-day, but I promised Stu a pic so here it is. Pretty poor attempt at an american smile as well. Don't get nightmares.



And then just for us girls, here's a shot I took last night going home from work....

Labels: my life

Greeting from the Xmas-crazed England. If you want to know how my trip here went, you can read last months entry. Pretty much the same lovely scenario, albeit now it was a 'hydraulic leak' instead of 'buggered landing gear'. I am sooo busy at work I have no idea if I'll have much time to write anything, but I'll do my best.



*Hugs* to Stu.
(And chin up Eve! Can't be all that bad... You'll be Mrs. Williams soon enough.)

Labels: my life

Just to divert your attention away from snuffers and urinals I shall give you the opportunity to find out your Hobbit and Elf names. My Hobbit name is apparently Tigerlily Brandybuck of Buckland and my Elf name Tári of Dorthonion, which I quite like.... I wonder if anyone's waiting for the last LOTR as eagerly as I am. Well, maybe that bloke who went to the last one in a Gandalf outfit.

Labels: surveys etc.

All hail the candle snuffer.



Anyone want to start a meaningful conversation about my new rugs? No?

I didn't get my fairy lights! They were temporarily out of stock. Shocked I am. Still managed to fill a bag with er.. stuff though. Well, everyone needs a candle extinguisher (is that a word?), surely. And an orange rug... Hmm. Still, now we're going to have to go back at some point and get the lights... *sigh*. What a tragedy...

Labels: my life

Why did the Bangles sing '...just another manic monday, I wish it was sunday...'? I hate sundays with a passion. Even on monday I wouldn't wish it was sunday. Sunday somehow spells the end of everything. Fun, Sleep, control over your own life... It is without a doubt the most depressing day of the week. At least monday comes with a promise of possibly a better week and a new weekend at the end of it.

The weekend has been nice though. Have been spending some girl-time with Helmi, which has been due for some time. Even though on some grand scale of 20-something's, I have become a boring old person and don't enjoy 'big nights out' that much anymore, I did enjoy a nice Thai meal (well, when have I refused food...), drinks in the local and more drinks (eat your heart out Chelsea Clinton) back at the flat with some good conversation and films thrown in. All in all, a very nice weekend. Oh and check out Helmi's new piercing, that she got in Moscow of all places.



Today is a complete non-starter however. I woke up less than an hour ago and it's again pissing it down outside. I think some serious slouching in front of the telly is the only thing in the agenda for today. And tomorrow I get to go to IKEA. Yay. Who said mondays suck?

Labels: my life