Assorted Ramblings...

I've just paid some bills online, and had to invent yet ANOTHER password for something.

I get that some of this stuff is an extra layer of security, all well and good. But if we're not supposed to write passwords down, how the hell are we going to remember them all?

I admit, I've taken to using the same usernames and passwords for practically everything - but it really pisses me off when a site won't let me have a particular password because it doesn't have the required number of letters/numbers/capital letters. That means I have to think of a new one, and they're the ones I'm likely to forget. The one I've just used is for Verified by Visa, which I've changed 3 times in the last couple of months. I'll have to change it next time as well, because all the easily memorable passwords are ones I've already used.

I think that next time I'll just enter a random bunch of numbers and letters, because whatever I put in, I'll have forgotten it by the next time!

Well, I wouldn't put money on it, but today was gorgeous.



( pics under here! )

So much for Sunday being a "day of rest".

This morning, I ironed for 2 hours; put in and hung out a load of washing; went to the shops; made cheesecake, a dozen jam tarts, jelly and then toad-in-the-hole for lunch - needless to say, all the cooking was accompanied by copious amounts of washing up.

Needless to say, I was pretty wiped this afternoon!

But the cheesecake was bloody awesome :-)

Talk about a contrast. Compared with a couple of weeks ago, today was sunny and fairly warm - I could almost have been fooled into thinking that Spring had arrived!

But yes, I made it out of the house! I'd anticipated having to trek around for a bit because I had a number of different things to get for Abigail's room, including a new duvet, curtains, lampshade, rug and other bits and pieces. Fortunately, though, I decided to make our first stop at the local Range and I managed to get everything I wanted (and other stuff, too!) there. Which was just as well, because I really hadn't been looking forward to lots of too-ing and fro-ing.

So the room is done and Abigail couldn't wait to go to bed tonight! I'll try to post a couple of pics tomorrow.

We spent the afternoon sorting and putting away - God, how exhausting. It's good because it gives you the opportunity for the clear-out you've been putting off, but on the other hand, it takes bloody ages! And invariably leads to other sort-outs and clear-outs when you realise that certain items of clothing are tatty and need throwing out, so it's time to get out the stuff you've put aside and go through that... it's self perpetuating. So there will be more tidying up tomorrow.

I'm still not feeling 100%, but then that's to be expected. What I hadn't counted on though was the fact that my backside is still bloody sore and that I still can't sit for long periods. I've been sitting here updating my CV and writing my letter of resignation, and doing a bit of general "pottering" - and I'm going to have to lie down after I've finished this because I'm so uncomfortable. I've not been taking painkillers because they tend to have a certain side-effect which could make me even more uncomfortable (!), but it looks like I might have to take some when I go back to work next week.

I still have to write my job application, but that will have to wait until tomorrow when I can think about more than how much my a**e hurts!

Mr Caz told me earlier that he went swimming today. To the Over Fifties session. *snigger*

The woman at the desk, who probably recognised him from when he takes the girls, looked at him a bit suspiciously and pointed out that the session was only open to people over fifty.

He thanked her for the compliment and said he'd still like a ticket, please.

But then she asked if he was over sixty, because then he'd get in for free.

Some people don't know to quit while they're ahead, do they?

1. I updated Windows Mail yesterday to the new version and I don't like it. The colours are all wishy-washy and they've moved stuff, like the "send and receive" tab. And they've taken away the little icons on the toolbar :( Bastards.

2. I've had one of those days where I'm sure I have a hundred and one things to do, but I'm buggered if I can remember any of them. And I hate that feeling, because I'm sure I'm going to forget something important.

3. I need to make a list. :)

It was so nice not to have to get up before dawn this morning...

The girls and I sent Mr Caz packing this morning and we had a girly morning getting manicures and pedicures (or, as Abigial termed it, a "pedicle" :-)).

I've managed to finish marking one set of books - so two more to go. Hopefully, the rest won't take me quite as long - I just want to get them out of the way so they're not hanging over my head for the rest of the holiday.

I finished the Christmas cake yesterday - now I think it's time to make some mince pies.

Sunday. No kids home. Bit of a lie in, followed by some pottering about doing stuff- ironing, marzipanning (a new verb!) the Christmas Cake, nice bath before heading around to mum's for lunch.

That was the plan at 9.30

It was pretty much shot by 9.45.

Mr Caz had to pop to the shops to pick up a few things for the kids' lunches tomorrow. He took my car - I got it back from the repairers last week. Oh, it's not actually been repaired yet. I mean the incident was only about ten days ago, and clearly, the replacement wing-mirror that I need is on a slow boat from China. Or rather, seeing as the car's a Mitsubishi, Japan. But it's driveable and we need the second car, so rather than leave it at the garage while we wait, we thought we'd swap cars so that Mr Caz can use mine for local trips while I use his for work and back.

Anyway, he took my car and about five minutes later, he calls me to say that the car has broken down. The brakes locked up and he stopped bang in the middle of the main road. Luckily, on the weekend, that's not a very busy main road, but he was lucky the car behind him didn't smack into the back of him. Someone helped him to get the car around the corner, where it's currently parked on a double yellow. But that involved towing the car without the back wheels moving, so that's probably a couple of new tyres I'm going to need as well, on top of everything else.

I have breakdown cover, so I called them. They sent someone fairly promptly, but they need a different lorry (!) - despite the fact that I'd told the people on the phone that we thought the back brakes had locked. That message didn't get through to the guys at their local garage, because they were under the impression that the car had konked out and wouldn't start.

So now Mr Caz is waiting for the breakdown truck to arrive to bring the car back here. Luckily, there's a guy down the road who's a mechanic and who does the MOT and servicing etc. and he'll be a damn sight cheaper than a garage, but it's yet more expense AND inconvenience that I just don't need right now.

I'm not in the mood to do anything, now. The place is a tip, my hair looks like something the cat dragged in and the last thing I feel like doing is being out of the house for the afternoon because I have a lot to do. That I don't want to do, but which needs doing. Don't get me wrong - I have no problems at all with my parents, and I know that my mum will be happy for me to do whatever I need to do, but I would far rather sit indoors with a sandwich, a large bag of crisps and a load of chocolate.

:-(

Just got back from a day in London with Elinor. I took her to the Coliseum to see the English National Ballet's production of Sleeping Beauty. I was telling her that when I first discovered a love for classical music, when I was about eleven, I joined the local record library and I used to get out as many records per week as I could. I remember that when I first heard Sleeping Beauty I kept getting the set out over and over again. I think I must have worn a groove in the grooves!

There are still bits in the score that bring a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes, even though it's that familiar to me that I could probably sing the entire thing from start to finish.

It was a lovely looking production - the costumes had this whole Louis Quatorze thing going on and were goregous. Elinor absolutely loved it and came out dancing!

We then made for the nearest Starbucks in the company of teresadivicenzo, where we indulged in toasties, chocolate cake and gingerbread lattes amidst talk of Josh Groban, Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo. A pleasant time was being had by all when Jaz suddenly realised that some bastard had half-inched (= pinched) her bag.

I remember the last time I had a bag stolen. That first few seconds where you're looking around you, feeling sure it's there, and then that sinking feeling when you realise it really is gone. And then the panic as you start to think of all the things you need to do - cancel cards, chequebooks (because we used them a fair bit back then!) think about how you're going to get home, get into the house and all that crap. It's a bloody pain in the arse.

:hugs Jaz:

The end of another... well, I was going to say long week, but to be honest, none of them seem that long, these days.

And it's two weeks until the end of term - thank God.

It's funny, but every teacher I've spoken to, either in person at school, or via various fora and blogs has said the same thing - that for the last week or so, the kids have been 'orrible. I can only attribute this to the fact that we're all tired. It's been a long term; staff will have done 15 weeks (of actual teaching) and the kids will have been in school for marginally less time, and we're all knackered.

This is always the case in the autumn term though - it's the longest term of the year and the one with the least holidays. Well, other than half-term, NO holidays.

But although it's December, and the kids - my own and those at school - are starting to talk about Christmas, it just hasn't sunk in that it's only about 3 weeks away now. I'm probably so focussed in just making it to the end of term in one piece that it's all passing me by. I haven't bought a single card or piece of wrapping paper. I've bought a couple of presents for the kids, but otherwise, Mr Caz is going to have to take care of it all. I'm just too tired.

But... when I do get around to getting cards, if you'd like to receive one, please drop me an email with your address (and your name!) and I'll do my best to oblige :)

I had a pretty crappy day yesterday. I don't know why, but most of my classes were real PsITA, even the ones which are usually okay. Those are the days when I end up wondering whether I really know what the hell I'm doing in a classroom.

I was cheered up when I (finally) got home to find my DVD of Iron Man had arrived - but I only managed to watch an hour of it before I had to go to bed. Otherwise, I'd have fallen asleep on the sofa!

( the rest )

I leave you with this -

Just back from a short break in and around London and I thought I'd post some pics. We've not been away for a "proper" holiday this year - instead we've had odd days out here and there, which have probably cost us just as much, but what the hell! So we did a fair bit of walking and sightseeing - took the kids to The Sound of Music one evening, which Elinor and I have seen, but the others hadn't. It was the first time Abigail had been to a show so she was very excited and behaved herself beautifully - she asked "Daddy, what time does the film start?" - awwwww!

I enjoyed it, but I have the same reservations as before - the kids are good, the woman singing the part of the Abbess is fantastic but the Maria is pretty average vocally - she had a very nasal tone, which started to get on my nerves about half way through! But then, I'm picky about things like that.

Anyway, on with the photos!

( Maybe it's because... )
So we're home and, apart from Elinor's birthday on Wednesday, hoping to have a fairly quiet week before I go back to work next Monday (ick).

It's Christmas Eve, there's not much on the telly (that I haven't already seen) so I've opened up my unfinished fic folder.

Yes - *sigh*. I am writing porn at Christmas.

Do you think Santa will mind?

So I've done three loads of washing, two baskets of ironing, made a couple of batches of mince pies and iced the christmas cake.

I think it's time I said Merry Christmas! and Happy Holidays! to all of you out there in LJ land.

I've had fun meeting you here and fun meeting some of you in 'real life' and am looking forward to hooking up with more of you next year. I never in a million years would have believed, a couple of years ago that I'd make some really good friends via teh internet, but I'm glad to have been proven wrong.

So thanks for letting me spend time with you, chatting, snarking, mocking, whatever it is we do... I hope you have a truly wonderful festive season and send my very best wishes for 2008.

I'll be around periodically over the holidays - so maybe when you're all zoned out on turkey and Christmas pud we can groan together about the amount of food we've consumed. And discuss which of those New Year's resolutions we're going to be incapable of keeping come January 2nd.

Cheers!

I had a great time helping hooloovoo_42 out at her blogathon entry this year. I at least managed to get about 4 hours sleep overnight, which was more than she or teresadivicenzo got, but I still needed a nap this afternoon!

Last I heard, she'd been sponsored to the tune of over $400 - so thanks to all of you who pledged and dropped by 24hrs_of_sorkin to join in the competitions and discussions and stuff. The money she's raised is going to Tipitina's Foundation, and if you want more info on who they are and what they're doing, it's all in the links at the comm. And if you didn't get to stop by, but would like to donate, there's a link there you can use, or you can just go to their website at www.tipitinasfoundation.org.

Part of my contribution to the proceedings was a number of picspams - of Brad, Matt, Josh & Donna and the guys and girls all dressed up in tuxes and posh frocks - and I was thinking that, once I've regained something approaching normal consciousness, I'll dig them out and re-post them here so you can all enjoy the pretty if you didn't get to see them yesterday.

( other stuff... )

So. I've got my copy of THE new book... and I can't get past the first page. Seriously, I'm just... meh. I've read the first page about three or four times and can't summon the enthusiasm to turn it. I read the last couple on the weekends they came out, but I'm clearly not going to do that this time. Oh well.

It might be because I'm completely knackered. Whatever has been propping me up for the last couple of weeks must have left my system because I got home from London at lunchtime, ate lunch and passed out on the sofa for a couple of hours. And I had six hours or so sleep last night, which I haven't had for a while.

I met up with teresadivicenzo, jhava, loreley_se, bigtitch and laura1b in London last night and we all trolled off to see Joseph at the Adelphi. It was really great - a fun show and a fabulous time was had by all. I think it's pretty much sold out until Feb, but if you want a colourful (!) evening out with good music and quite a few laughs, then it's definitely worth checking out. It was wonderfully camped-up - tongue firmly placed in cheek (and I'm a great believer that if you're going for the send up, then you have to go the whole hog!).
And Lee was excellent - very pretty, very sweet and very funny.

And don't get me started on the singing snake, the camel and the multicoloured sheep. Not quite the animal axis of evil, but... *shrugs*

What else? Oh yes - end of term yesterday, yay!

Another year flown by, and I'm still working more than one job, but at least it's down to two rather than three. I finished up at one school on Thursday, and I can't say I'm sorry not to be going back there. It was good experience, and I had a really good boss and the staff I worked with were great, but I don't think I could have taken another year of some of those classes! From Sept, I'll be teaching 2 days at a secondary school and 3 days at a local primary school - full time money, but it'll still be like doing two full time jobs, given that I'll still be doing twice the amount of planning. And I'm trying to complete my induction period so it's going to be a busy year. Again. But if my calculations are right, I hope to be finished with that sometime in February, so it'll be one less thing to worry about.

In the absence of anything much to watch on the telly (the few shows I've been watching have all finished for the summer and Studio 60 doesn't start here for a couple of weeks), I've found myself turning to the radio a bit more...

The Now Show really should be required listening for anyone with a sense of humour and a brain - last week's item featuring Chewbacca singing Nessun Dorma made me laugh so much it hurt. I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue is still hilarious and I'm really enjoying the afternoon series on The Making of Music, which I usually manage to catch on the drive home from school. That's followed by an hour of music over on Radio 3 by the composers featured in the programme. Makes me realise how little I listen to these days and how much I miss it. *goes to dig out some CDs*

Oh - and I know that many of you aren't reading any Studio 60 fic (and with good reason - most of it's crap) - but here's a good one - Jumping out of Windows by imperviousness. I beta'ed it, but I'm not biased :)

I've been trying to find something to say about yesterday's long awaited (God, were they!) events, but haven't been able to come up with much.

I've never been a fan of Tony Blair's - although I can see what it was about him that "seduced" so many, and have certainly admired some of his performances at Question Time in the House of Commons.

There are those who say that for the past ten years, we've witnessed the triumph of appearance over content, of "spin" over "facts."

Maybe.

But then politics has been about spin for a long time really - it's just that for the first time, we got someone at the helm who knew how to make it work for him most of the time.

I was skimming through stuff on the internet this morning, and came across this, from Boris Johnson. Now, Boris is barking half the time, but...

suddenly I felt a sense of desolation and morosity that we had lost Tony Blair, and I can tell you the exact moment when I caught the bug and joined the national mourning. It was the moment Gordon Brown opened his mouth, and, with every word he uttered, the mercury of my mood started to sink and the clouds rolled in.

... I think he got that pretty much right. The difference in manner, in personality between Blair and Brown is striking, (and I can't speak from personal knowledge of either, I should point out, so I'm just going on what I've seen on the box) and I can see Brown suffering by comparison. Boris goes on to say in that article about how much of Brown's speech yesterday was about "working" - the point being I guess that where Blair was flamboyant, Brown seems to be living up to his image of the "dour Scot." Maybe that's not a bad thing, though. Maybe his "earnestness" will be just what some people need after the diet of "spin" they feel they've had to endure for the past ten years.

Oh - by the way. Does anyone else out there think that sending Tone off to be a Middle East Envoy is like standing at the top of a sand-dune, waving our arms and saying "here's the blue touch-paper guys?"

Or should we just pin a sign to his back with a little arrow on that says "Kick Me."?

And people are worrying now that Blair might become a Catholic? Yeah, because we've all got so little else to worry about. Never mind that fact that kids are leaving school unable to read, write and add up, or that buying a normal-sized house in this country is something which is already waaaaay out of the financial reach of many people on average incomes.

I'd better stop there.

Best part of yesterday though was Mr Caz channelling Toby - "It's not right, surely, that Brown is Prime Minister and no-one's elected him."

He does surprise me sometimes! :)

ETA - Oh God. As if things weren't bad enough already...

AARRRRGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Bloody technology!

One of my USB memory stick thingys has died. It was fine yesterday, but today - kaput. Luckily, most of the stuff that was on it was backed up - it was mostly fic - mine and stuff I'm beta'ing for other people. But there were two documents on it that I hadn't had a chance to back up, that included big chunks of newly written stuff.

Bugger.

I only wrote it yesterday, so hopefully, I'll be able to dredge it up from my brain.

But if anyone out there, who's far more techno-savvy than I am (which, let's face it, is practically EVERYBODY!) has any ideas, I'd be only too pleased to hear them!

:(

I just heard a story on the news about how four women had been in court today and were found guilty of encouraging two toddlers to fight each other. I mean fight - like, hit and punch each other in the face.

Yes. You read that right.

Not only did these women encourage the kids to fight. They filmed it.

You read that right as well.

In the footage, a boy in a nappy (aged 2) was called a "wimp" for not hitting his sister (aged 3) back after she struck him.

Oh, and did I mention one of the women was the kids' mother, another their grandmother and the other two were their aunts?

The father, who's been serving in Iraq apparently found the video, and handed it to the authorities.

The grandmother told police - "I didn't see any harm in toughening them up - I done the same with my own children."

As if that wasn't bad enough (and no, I wasn't just talking about the grammar) these women got a one year suspended sentence and 100 hours community service.
What. The. Fuck?

This is child abuse! Plain and simple. The judge said the women didn't pose a threat to society. Well, yes, I can see that, but these women need to be punished and somehow made to see that what they did was wrong! Yes, the prisons are overcrowded, and there are lots of people there who probably shouldn't be there - I mean, locking someone up for not paying their television licence? Yeah, great idea. Those are the people who should be out doing the community service, not these bloody women, who are clearly deranged!

/rant.