Poker and Chores

So, 22 lengths at the pool this morning with Andrew and Alex. A relaxed afternoon doing some more house jobs, sewing on buttons, cooking soup for the week, sorting the lounge. As a reward I think we are going out to dinner on Tuesday night. A bit indulgent, but something to get us over the dreary weather. The snow has inevitably turned to rain ... my most hated of all precipitation.

Andrew and Erika cooked a lovely casserole this evening before Erika proceeded to trounce, Andrew, Alex, Charlie and myself at poker. I should know better really, though I do recall making the arrangement earlier in the week to play 'Run for President'. Dammit, should have stuck to my guns.

Below Zero

My word, it has been cold today. After my fun snowy excursion in town, I got off the bus to find that the world had changed into that strange super-frozen cyclone from the film 'The Day After Tomorrow'! I actually ran home from the bus stop, as the cold was making me gasp slightly in surprise.

A lovely day though, starting with 30 lengths of Brixton pool completed with Alex. Arms ached a bit, it has been a while, and realised that my main problem with pool swimming is boredom. As much as I like the sensation of being in the water, it does make you feel like a fish in a tank going round and round and round ...

Ran into Laura's friend Kate in the pool, who looked happy and healthily pregnant. Good to see her, it has been a while.

Then off into town after yummy mozzerella salad lunch to do some exploring, photo taking and thinking to take me on into the next stride of my book. With a little detour via the stinky cheese stall at Borough market :) Started off at Marylebone, then London Bridge, then Monument and beyond, then home. Need to spend some reasonable amount of time at the V&A at some point, perhaps tomorrow. But the whole city, especially City itself, looks splendid in the snow, like a film set. Clearly I have seen 'Bridget Jones' Diary' too many times.

Then back to the freezer of Brixton, but was happily warmed to jump into our centrally heating flat (thank goodness) to find Charlie, Alex, Andrew and Erika playing Super Mario Kart. Joined in and did pretty well whle we nibbled at cheese and pizza. Andrew and Erika disappeared off to see Avatar, while Alex and Charlie proceeded to thrash me at Ingenious. Sigh.

Cement my disappointment by spending the rest of the evening with Charlie defrosting our fridge freezer (the first time in 3 years, well overdue). Not sure if we were very efficient, putting the food outside on the window ledge which was definitely at very low temperatures, using paper towels, a bath mat, a spatula and a hairdryer to hack away at the thick tundra that our freezer had become. But it is done now, another good household task complete, along with the bedroom tidying, study tidying, lounge tidying etc. Who need Spring to clean?!

Any tips on efficient freezer defrosting are very welcome for the future though!

Tomorrow, we are all pootling round to Andrew's at 6 for dinner, a casserole apparently. Bring it on, winter indulgence and extra carbohydrates!

#I've got a peaceful, easy feeling ...#

A relieving and yet still quietly challenging day. An end to a funny week really, what with being back at work, the snow, the trip on Tuesday and my snuffly cold, which is now improving (perhaps it was that apple I ate this afternoon).

A chilled out evening writing with Charlie in the Hive (2000 words, not bad!), joined by Alex for a quick drink (a cup of tea, no less) before heading home. Spent the rest of the evening very relaxed, cleaning the Berocal Cofaneto (well overdue!) and making a mess of myself in the process before QI and bed. Ahhhh ...

... swimming at 11 tomorrow as ice has temporarily halted the running plan. Bring on a relaxing weekend!

Brrrr!

This picture was on the BBC website, incredible really. And it is apparently going to be -20 tonight. The office was sparse today, amusingly the more senior you are, the further away you live (in the 'burbs), and the less likely you were able to get into work. I struggled against the fountain of snot pouring out of my head and decided to go into the office after all, although two out of my three meetings were cancelled due to snow stopping play.

Have finished sorting the study this evening, it is refreshing to have everything neatly in its place.

Have started reading one of my Christmas presents from Erika and Dan, 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman. Even having barely read the first chapter I am inspired and wrapped up in the rich winding tapestry of the journey. In fact, Neil Gaiman's blog is one of the few I read, full of library cats, a British life in Minnesota, and a vision of a creative man strolling through life.

The exhaustion of 2010

Woke up this mornin coughing and spluttering with an ever growing mountain of white tissues by my bed. I am a little frustrated that I have yet another cold, possibly another symptom of not running for 5 months, but it seems a little unfair. Am I really that unhealthy? Clearly more orange juice needed.

Worked from home today, more due to my delicacy of health rather than the snow. there was barely any falling until the afternoon in Brixton, but when it did it was splendid. Great tufts of fluff falling from the dusty white sky.

Managed to make some progress tidying the study this evening too. Charlie has been running his 30th birthday/Easter plans past me too ... sounds like great fun!

Sunshine forecast for tomorrow. Not for poor Mr Brown though, seems like my director was right when he said a leadership battle is imminent. I guess they are trying to get it done with as much time as possible before the election so they have a new spangly leader who can face nice Mr Cameron with pizzazz.

Snowdrifters

Back in London after a jaunt up north on my first day back at work. Having planned the transport meticulously, it took an hour and a half to take a 15 minute cab ride, thus throwing everything out of kilter. Could be worse though, another meeting attendee was snowed into their house. It was beautiful though, with the snow delicately slinging to trees and a complete white out in some areas on our way home on the train.

It is somewhat strange to be back, which proves I must have had a good and relaxing break. With some internal changes going over the next few months, I am pondering what the Spring and Summer will bring.

Once again I have been struck down in my prime by the irritating snuffles, which is making my evening of sorting out become somewhat of an evening of sitting down and watching the Futurama videos I found at the local charity shop. Sweet indulogence ...

A Quick Note

Started the day off by running 5km with Alex, took us around 33 mins and 47 seconds. Not bad for two bodies full of Christmas cheer! In full training now for the BUPA 10km in May, will hopefully be enough to get me back to being as trim and jaunty as I was last summer.

Ended up NOT in the pub yesterday, instead everybody poured round to ours for board games (ok, Ingenious is great fun) and chatting. A lovely, friendly way to start the new year.

So, the final 24 hours of freedom will be spent hastily rushing through the sorting out I need to complete before returning to work, all the tasks I have been meekly avoiding whilst getting my Zen back.

And I think it is back. The level of relaxation reached when leaving the spa with Andrew on Wednesday was pretty good and, despite a brief hiccup, has not left me since.

The only mild concern is a gradual leak from my right nostil and a slight tenderness in my throat. The beginning of something? Surely not ... aaaaa .... aaaaaatchooooooo!

Fresh, Bright, Shining and New!

And a happy new year to all!

Feeling bright and spangly after a refreshing new year of fun quizzes and games at Andrew's, and having overdone it on the 30th, not having overindulged last night. Hence, here I am starting off the new year well slept, feeling bright and ready to take on the new decade.

It was a good night last night, Alex truly does run a good quiz. We were slightly thwarted by Tony's ability to recall all Prime Ministers, Monarchs, Olympic locations and football managers since the dawn of time, but it was a well fought fight. And the ridiculous spiky lighting up toys were an excellent prize and highly entertaining and disturbing at the same time.

A lovely cosy evening in ... and a new dawn is here. To the pub at 3pm ...!

Early New Year's Deliberations

So, yet again, my new year's resolutions need to include learning the ability to stop guzzling wine like it is orange squash. Had a very fun evening at Andrew's last night, as he and Erika cooked for me, Charlie, Laura, Alex, Mum and Dad. The yummy fajitas were followed by a particularly amusing (aren't they always?) game of the hat game. My abilities were somewhat impeded by my intoxication.

So, after a fitfull night's sleep as my liver attempted to remove the poison from my bloodstream, Alex popped round for a run at 11 which literally jogged me into recovery. We kept it short, after all it has been a few months since I last ran. And the Wii Fit's verdict was not too bad after a few months of busyness, eating and not excercising - 10st 7lb.

So, it has been a lazy day, having a bath and watching films. Laura has gone out to surround herself with London's inimitable wonders. Charlie is doing his essay. I believe Mum and Dad are out again attacking the shops, and expect Andrew and Erika will be having a relaxing day together.

Tomorrow is Claridges and Karaoke. A good opportunity for me to practise my '2 glasses is plenty' technique.

Boxing Clever

Another cosy, yummy, fun day with the family. Got up fairly late to have a brief breakfast before going for a long walk around Brixton. Through Brockwell Park where children were playing with new toys, some cool kids with robust remote controlled cars, and some whingy kids with pointless plastic rubbish.

Then we wandered round to the Brixton windmill, my first viewing of what is an incredible echo of Victorian Britain in our back yard. It is so hidden, not even visible from the Windmill pub which bears its name. No wonder Alison loves it so much.

Then, after 2 hours of strolling, we wandered back to 206 to have a lovely mushroom risotto before going our separate ways. Andrew to Heathrow to pick up Erika T from her Christmas visit to Hungary, Robin and Marion to Redhill before going back to France.

Mum and Dad stayed back with me to indulgently watch 'Trading Places', as film that is both naughty and witty, also almost 30 years old now, whilst still perplexing me with the stock exchange futures market.

And now we have a bit of peace and quiet again ... I say again, because I presume we were peaceful at some point this year. It only really occured to me today that we have a full week off next week ... such joy! The possibilities are endless, Spa London? The V&A? Shopping on the Kings Road? Drinks in Bar de Musee? Little Fish has to write his essay, which I will help with, so it is even quite helpful if I am out of the house keeping out of his way.

And Laura comes to stay tomorrow, which will be great fun. A bit of time to catch up over a whole year ... a house still full of booze and food ... a 'to do' list that is both flexible and interesting ... be still my beating notebook!

Tidings of comfort and joy!

Have had a splendid Christmas Day, surrounded by family in our little flat in Brixton. The mulled wine, desert wine, red, white and beer flowed freely as we noshed upon the ducks, Alouitious and James, and played Monopoly (Dad and I declared ourselves joint winners to avoid further hours of torment and delaying of the Christmas tea).

Poppy and Max were delightful, presents were sweet, useful and compelling all at once. Walking is being saved till Boxing Day.

And, ladies and gentlemen, the Queen!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Day!

How jolly!!

Met up with Mum, Dad, Robin, Marion, Charlie, Andrew and Rachel H from work in the pub for a snifter of mulled wine, swiftly followed by some gay and gleeful carol singing at St Martin's in the Field. We all puffed out our chests before launching into the 'Glooooooria'! A lovely church and an interesting service. Then we strolled on down to Pizza Express for a low maintinence dinner before heading home.

So, the presents and food are bought and waiting. The cooking planner is finally done. Chestnuts on a pre-roast setting. Now some well deserved hours of sleep before the full joy of Christmas sets in!

Merry Crimble :)

Oh the weather outside is frightful ...!

Ok, so it can't be too bad a day at work if you can play Bobby Darin's 'Let it snow' while the good white stuff is making the sky fluffy outside.

Katherine and Rich's wedding yesterday was very sweet and elegant, though what with few tube trains and a 1 and a half hour delay on the mainline track we almost didn't get there. But we did, and she looked absolutely beautiful in the surroundings of Fonmon Castle in south Wales, with a happy hubby at her side. Mr and Mrs Mackin are spending a quiet honeymoon and Christmas with their dog Poppy in a cottage in Cornwall, sounds delightful!

At least the late train meant that we should get a refund ... every cloud! But we were a bit sleepy getting back at 1am, Christmas seems to mean consecutive late nights at the moment.

Out and About in London Town

For those who know Charlie and I well, we are not recognised as being people who go out clubbing to bars in town of a weekend evening. So, tonight was a refreshing change as we went out to Islington to brave the cool night air. We first popped in to Veronica's, a collegues at FTF, who was hosting a mulled wine and merriment session at her house just off Essex Road.

We then pootled back to Upper Street to join Hannah Bunting, a B'ham Uni friend of Charlie's who we last saw in Tokyo (where she lives) when we were on our honeymoon.

So, a couple of drinks, much jolly chatting, pondering and reminiscing. And an early morning awaits us tomorrow as we are going to Katherine and Rich's wedding in South Wales, in what looks like a most beautiful and stately castle. Fabulous!

Fa-la-la-la-laaaah-la-la-la-laah!

Much busyness

What a busy Christmassy week, finishing Christmas cards, working, partying ... all so tiring, staying up till 1:30am most nights. Saw 'Avatar' on Weds, a great film, though not as ideal as all that.

Work party this evening, a triumph of dancing and good food.

Hail to tomorrow morning's lie-in!

No 'Authority'

So, Joe won the X-Factor, and takes a step into the heady and oh so temporary world of British celebrity. Fair dues, he was the best singer, but after a few weeks of steady corruption, the angelic smile may well turn into a naughty grin.

It is a magic formula to democratise the music industry live on tv every week. After all, that is what has made the Internet so popular. And, in a creative world with full democracy, there is no authority ... no authors ... how to find what is truly good amidst all the dross.

But on to more important things, spending a weekend in Spalding with my parents, Charlie, Matthew, Andrew and Erika T. Was as relaxing and pleasant as Christmas should be, with a full turkey dinner we were completely spoiled.

Lots to prepare this week in anticipation of Christmas. Cards to write, food to plan, and we are also going to see Avatar at the IMAX on Wednesday, after Charlie joins me for a bit of an informal work drinks and dinner ... should be lots of fun, as long as the relentless flow of work finally begins to stem a bit before Christmas starts in full.

More Tiny Animals!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/10/colchester-zoo-baby-pygmy-hippo

Who would have thought the Guardian would have so many column inches spare for such tiny animals?!?!

Looking forward to a Smithy Christmas this weekend. Only 10 working days left till proper Christmas, lots to do but having lots of fun planning food, making cookies etc.

Still enjoying having what seems like extra time, now I have finished my Marketing course for this term. Having done lots of jobs today I am indulging in the last of the season episode of Scrubs ... and maybe I will have a bath ... ahhhhhhh!

Have a Break, Have a Fortnight's Holiday ... I wish :)

So, today the news broke about Kit Kat in the UK converting to Fairtrade, and I am pleased that the resulting publicity has been braodly positive, tempered by realism.

It has been a lot of hard work, and we cannot underestimate or take for granted the renewed engagement we have with this global behemoth of a company. But having seen how much support cocoa farming in Cote d'Ivoire needs, and having been inspired to consider the higher questions of social justice and the people involved by Dr John Sentamu, you realise how much the partnerships involved in Fairtrade are needed. Not only to redistribute a fairer distribution of money to those at the bottom of the supply chain, but also to develop partnerships across the supply chain, leading to further transparency and trust ... not simple, and not quick, but the candle is lit.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/6730155/Nestles-Kit-Kat-goes-Fairtrade.html

To quote the Archbishop, when all the teeth chew together, you can eat meat. Don't be a single tooth!

The burden of responsibility, the greater good and my last two days ...

Here ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7yqlTMvp8

More brevity ... or should that be less brevity?

Off to Bonn for a couple of days tomorrow, then hopefully over to Birmingham to see newly engaged Miranda (and hopefully Jess and Ruth too!).

Busy busy busy!