Can't Help Acting on Impulse
OK I'm impulsive by nature and I'd been half-debating getting myself a new bike, and as usual when a little idea pops in my mind it's hard to ignore it. So hence the reason on Friday night after work I find myself wheeling out of Evans Cycles with a brand new sparkly mountain bike (see above). It's lovely and I'm really chuffed with it all shiny and new. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that Evans Cycles (now making a strong contender for my favourite shop) employs really cute Aussi/Kiwi/S African male assistants. They are gorgeous!!! So felt that I couldn't leave empty handed. Bike was in the sale and they have given me a free service in 2 months to check that all is well with it wearing in.
www.evanscycles.com (now please give me free stuff for this plug!)
So this explains that why on Saturday morning I was out in the feezing cold on my brand new sparkly bike. I'd wrapped up warm in the new fleeces that I got for Xmas, and was very glad for my new waterproof trousers to keep my legs warm and dry. Small problem with the bike in that it wouldn't select the 3rd gear on the front cog, nor would it get 8th gear on the rear cog. Just needs some fettling with the cables. It did mean that I was out with a mere 14 gears, one less than my old bike!!! I need my dad at times like this, he's a real bike expert, pity he lives in Carlisle - still a trip to the Aussie boys at EvansCycles is something to look forward to!
The biggest shock of the morning was the amount of people up and around at 10 am on a Saturday morning!! My morning ride took me past 2 golf course both filled with people on the tee, including some on the 16th at the Muni, so they must have set off at silly o'clock. Saw quite a few lefties on the course - 3 in fact - so it reminded me that I should arrange some more golf lessons as I haven't even attempted my swing since I played at Haigh Hall in September.
Also cycled past a couple of kids football matches being played on a bobbly up-hill pitch. There was a little tubby lad in goal leaning against the goal post which made me giggle, meanwhile all the kids were playing a kind of 1-9 formation!! Could hear lots of screaming mums and dads offering encouragment (and some choice words) to their offsprings.
It really is a different world on Saturday morning when I normally lounge around in my pjs watching Soccer AM and making a big brunch. I did feel very good when I got back from my ride and still had plenty of time before I had to head out for my hair cut at Peewees in Manchester. Got into town in plenty of time so got some gossipy mags to read whilst getting my hair done - no matter what time I get there Danni is always late!! Hairdressers perogative. Danni is rather lovely father of twins and recently married looks like an extra from Oliver Twist all skinny with blonde curls, completed the look today with a tweed flat cap and scarf in a jaunty knot at his neck. As usual hair took about 2 hours to get done but I wasn't that fussed and buried my nose in the news of Jennifer Aniston's new wardrobe and Cameron and Justin's split.
Finished the day with a babysitting promise for my friend Sally and her son Alexander. It was Sally and Rob's 7th wedding anniversary so I said that I'd mind Al for them so they could have a meal out, they don't get out much!! He was as good as gold and didn't wake up once... Well I think he didn't, as I fell asleep on the sofa after eating pringles and watching the World Wildest Police Chases III. What a waste of a new haircut!!!
The Goon Show
Preview…
All things come in threes so they say, Buses, Star Wars Trilogies, the Bee Gees (until recently) so it wasn’t a huge surprise to learn that the next round of the FA cup would feature Bolton V the Ar$e for the third year in a row. This tie will have the added feature of being played at the sparkly new Emirate Stadium the first time the teams will meet in the new setting, as the 3-1 league thumping was carried out at our home.
With the annual Ar$e bashing already undertaken this season, it might be harder to predict which manager is happier about the tie. Gooners are unbeaten at the Emirates including a very late win against the Mancs, they are also fighting to get into the final of the Carling Cup at the expense of their highly regarded neighbours the Spuds.
If we turn our attentions to the superwhites, Big Sam might not have been too chuffed at the Arsenal’s ball popping out of the bag. A disappointing January (when compared to award winning December) has seen a league slump descend starting at the Scousers, a dire draw with Citeh and something that went on at Boro (we turned up and some goals went in, or so I heard). The best thing about January has been the FA cup itself with a super-dooper team performance at Donnie Rovers with the new boys showing some flashes of class, which has since been mislaid. On the optimistic side we took Doncaster apart at their new ground and now we face another one, see the omens have already been written. (Straws and clutching springs to mind)
The local goons (I mean gooners) seem fairly confident that they can lie to rest the Bolton hoo-doo with proclaimations of “You lost 5-1 at the weekend to Boro, and we beat Man Utd! What is that all about???! I do fancy us to finally put one over on you, and score two or three goals!”
They are a bit worried about how many times the teams have been drawn together claiming “A conspiracy at the FA” Not being terribly bright one Goon believes “If Bolton keep playing us and winning, Sam won't need new players and therefore no bungs will happen and as a result the game will be cleaned up.” Funny considering they have the proven bung-taking manager.
They are all unanimous in their favourite ever Bolton V Arsenal moment “Diouf getting sent off.” Quite ironic as the boy they love to hate won’t be able to attend due to a small incident with a red card up in smoggy-ville.
So will this pave the way for introduction of Stelios or a rare start this season for Ricardo Vaz Te? Can Nic repeat his earlier herorics against his former employers? Whatever Big Sam decides he will have to ensure that the back line, shakier than a house of cards built on a big plate of jelly, is sorted out as Arsenal will be delighted in getting their scoring shoes into our defensive frailness. The only blessing is that Arsenal saviour and car salesman doesn’t historically thrive in the rough and tumble environment and six-ton Julio Baptisa seemingly is rolled out for Carling Cup games only. Rumour has it that Robin Van Persil may not feature due to only having one foot.
With all this in mind, and wanting to save face to Gooners everywhere, I believe that Bolton will undoubtedly win and win comfortably. First FA cup final at the new Wembley, Jussi says he believes (even if he doesn’t get to play) and 2,000 eager superwhites on a free jolly courtesy of Phil’s wallet (yes I know it was just the travel, and if you live in London anyways you don’t get it free). The Ar$e will lose eventually at their new home, so Sunday will be as good a day as any to start that. And I forsee Wenger throwing his tie off in a big French strop as his nancy boys demonstrate that once again they don’t like it up them.
Come on you whites.
Especially for me!!!
What a week so far!!! No netball on Monday night so had a go on my PS2 Eye Toy game. It’s mental and I’ve no idea how it works but you get a camera that you plug into the PS2 and it shows you on screen surrounded with blue and red discs that you have to hit and kick and punch. Only there aren’t any wires or anything it’s magic.
The rearranged Kylie concert took place on Tuesday and she was brilliant, if it isn’t a bit too weird to say out loud, but I think I have the tiniest of crushes on Kylie, she’s gorgeous, stylish, slim and I want to be her when I grow up! The only palava was getting my cousin into Manchester as she can’t drive and won’t get the train. Managed to get her into the right place, more by luck than anything else, as she rings me up to say “I’m near a Starbucks”. Could be any of the 100000000 Starbucks in the city. Anyways we meet up, have some food and then head to the Arena. I’m very proud of myself as I resist the urge to buy yet another tour t-shirt I do have about 200000 of them.
Kylie was much better and she seemed in very high spirits, as this was her last show in Manchester as she moves onto London. We had an extra song at the end (or she says that at every concert she does!) and I’m glad that she started from the beginning rather than half-way point that she finished on the Saturday. She brought out Dannii again to do the “kids” duet but we were all expecting her so it wasn’t the same.
Tonight sees me at the Arena again! England V S. Africa International netball. Looking forward to this and perhaps getting some tips from the experts, who no doubt will be six foot tall and half my age!!! No Tracy Neville as she is still recovering from a serious knee injury, it’s very wearing on the joints with lots of jumping. More importantly going for a drink and a pizza afterwards with the netball girls. It is thirsty work watching international athletes!!!
Have I Got News For You
Everyone at the moment has news…
One girl in my office has just got engaged, her boyfriend took her away for the night to a luxury hotel for a slap-up meal and over coffee he proposed, very romantic.
Another girl returned from maternity leave on Monday after her second baby, and has announced she is expecting her third; I’m impressed that she has had the energy and the inclination to go for number 3!!!!
A guy in my team has a couple of dates lined up which is exciting news to go and meet someone new for the first time, so hope to catch up on the situation there.
So all in all everyone has exciting news except for me… I guess I shall work on the No News is Good New theory.
Well apart from Kylie has rescheduled the Saturday concert that was cancelled part way through, now will be on Tuesday night, which is just fabbie news all round. The only thing to consider now, can I wear the same new top, or do I have to wear a whole new outfit?? Well that will give me something to ponder on the way home as it looks like it will take 10000 hours. There have been really high winds all day and many of the motorways have been shut living in the city gridlocked. If I’d been a clever bunny I would have brought my gym stuff and gone for a work out. But I’m not, so I can’t.
Wally
Better The Devil You Know
So the weekend finally arrived after dragging its heals and I was sooo excited.
First live footie match of the year following my trip away, and first concert of the year Kylie at the MEN Arena.
I was reasonably confident about the match against Citeh. We’d already beaten them at their place a few weeks ago, when I was in Canadia-land, and since then we’d gone onto a reasonable run ensuring that Big Sam won the Manager of the Month award for December. Of course I should have taken that for the doom symbol that it was!!!
I’ve never been more bored in all my days. The game finished 0-0 and the most exciting thing was the final whistle. I cheered myself up throughout the game by planning my Kylie concert outfit. I’d bought a gorgeous black strappy floaty top that had a green ribbon that tied round my midrif, a cropped green cardigan to cover my shoulders. I then debated if I should wear cropped trousers or jeans, I figured that my grey skinny-fit jeans with the silver belt would be perfect with my brown knee-length boots. I then spent the second half deciding if I should straighten my hair or use my new curling tongs to add some bounce to it. I decided on curly, as it had been raining most of the day and that straight would look terrible with frizz. To finish off the outfit I concluded that my green felt cap would look perfect, I do love green!!!
Game finally and tediously over, made it back home through the torrential downpour and got ready. Did curl my hair and I was pleased with the result. Drove into Manchester and got to the Arena. Admired the tour merchandise and bought a drink and ran to my seat to see Kylie resplendent in her pink corset and pink feathers.
The show opened with Better the Devil You know. An absolute classic and followed with a song that the Scissor Sisters had written for her. Kylie then said she hadn’t been feeling well, but didn’t want to cancel the show and disappoint everyone. She said that Will Young was in the audience and the camera panned to show him sat with his twin brother (mmmmm yess!!!)
She left the stage and 20 minutes later returned in a costume change, a leopard skin catsuit. She did a few more songs and then left the stage. She returned to say, that unfortunately she would only be able to do one more song as she really wasn’t feeling well. A guy in the crowd shouted “just stand there for 2 hours!” but she wasn’t going to be convinced and she was joined on the stage by her sister Dannii who dueted on the song “Kids” doing the Robbie Williams bit…. And then she was gone!!!!!
We were all sat there kind of half-expecting for her to come back and carry on, in the end they had to switch on the main lights and started ushering everyone out. You could see teenagers desperately ringing on their mobiles “Dad, it’s finished now can you come and get me???” I had to feel sorry for them, hanging around Victoria Station until their lift arrived. Me, I was OK ran back through the rain to the Bug and was home well before Match of the Day (no point watching that anyways!)
Still no word yet on if the concert will be rescheduled or if we will get a refund, I guess that they are consulting their lawyers to see what they have to do as part of the show went ahead. I totally appreciate that her health must come first, it’s not that long since she was given the all clear from cancer.
Just disappointed that my first big weekend of the year was a bit of a disaster, but I hope the Aussie Pop Pixie will be back Spinning Around very soon.
You Look Familiar
New Year's Eve was a party round at my Sister and Brother-in-law's house with about 100000 people invited not including the 2000000 kids who turned up. I say kids, but some of them looked like walking trees all long and lanky... And the hair!!! Longer than mine!!!
I'd got into the party spirits, well vodka and 7-up woohoo and was dancing with Zoey my 5 year old daughter of Vicky my cousin. (I don't know why she has a "y" on her name?? Zoey that is, I know why Vicky does otherwise she would be Vick) The party was in full flow and I'd already been texted at 7pm by the whole of England celebrating midnight 5 hours earlier.
So there I was dancing away to the "Scissor Sisters" when 2 women (wives of my B-I-L work colleagues) pointed me out and said that they recognised me. "Not possible", said B-I-L "She's from England, you don't know her. She's only been here a week." "Hmmm," Said Canadian women, "We do know her, she's Ashley from Coronation Streets Wife".
Now at the time, when B-I-L told me this, I wasn't too bothered.... I don't watch Coronation Street but the odd times I've seen a CS actress on the TV in these celebrity reality shows, I'm always seeing the girl with the red curly hair around Manchester, so I was vaguely amused to be mistaken for a real life actress... Until I got home and googled the said actress.
WHAT!!!????
I was super done up, favourite green sparkly top, best underwear, skinny fit jeans, sliver belt, contact lenses, super-straightened hair, big on the eyes, sparkly eyeshadow.... It was the best I'd looked all holiday and I was mistaken for down-trodden Ashley Peacock's Missus...
Geessh!!!!!!!! I guess the eye care system isn't too great in Canada.
Not Me on New Year's Eve
Back to the Land of the Living
Just about caught up and adjusted my body clock to stop the wide awake feeling at 3am and nodding off at 4pm, which didn't make me popular at work.
Had a wonderful break in Canada catching up with family who live out there, including my nephews who are now 13, 10 and 9 and my neice is 5. My cousin's children are 5, 3 and 2. As a girl without kids it was quite an experience. However it was amazing seeing them excited fit to burst on Christmas Eve, and then watch them opening their presents on Christmas Day.
I did amazingly well this year, quite embarrassed at my haul really:
2 x Take That Live DVDs
2x Gary Barlow autobiography
Peter Kay autobiography
Chris Moyles autobiography
perfume
2 x black jumpers (different designs thankfully)
Purple Reebok hoodie and matching purple Reebok t-shirt
Tons of cycling gear including waterproof long trousers!!!
Camelbak
Jamie Oliver cookbook
Best Boy Band in the World - Double CD - it's fabby
On Beauty by Zadie Smith
The Time Travellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Kooks CD
Pink Golf Balls
Brian (from Family Guy) keyring
Huge frying pan (?)
Giant bar of chocolate
As for my birthday:
Nano Ipod engraved with my name - how clever!!!
Take That CD
Scissor Sisters CD
Necklace and matching earings
Bench belt
Red Giliet with fur lined hood and red mittens
high heeled fluffy mules (like something from a tarts boudoir)
pink tea-towels!!!!
2007 diary
plus money from which I bought loads of clothes!!!! Hooray!!
No suprise that my suitcase weighed 15 kilos on the outbound trip and 21 kilos on the return! Now just have to rearrange my small house to fit everything in!!!!!
Back to reality with a bump !!!!
Neglect!!
I can only offer my humble apologies to the neglect and uncare I have shown my blog over the last few weeks. In mitigation I can only offer:
1. I was proper poorly with a cold/cough from hell
2. It was almost Christmas and had to arrange things
3. Christmas work party (was fun!)
4. I went on my holidays...
5. It was my birthday so I gave myself some time off....
I don't expect any sympathy for my poor-ness but I'll endeavour to be better at writing during 2007.
So Happy 2007 To everyone!!!
I'm off to bed now, landed at Manchester airport at 6.30am need some sleep now
