*Falls asleep face planted in keyboard

So here I am... spent most of my pay on Christmas presents and boozing at numerous parties and now pretty much skint so Im like lets do some logo jobs for this freelance thing I do.. so I take on 6 jobs then realise that I have basically one night to do them all. I didnt get to sleep til like 2am, well staying asleep for that extra hour wasnt the smartest ideas but I felt like I would be somehow cheating myself if I skipped ahead and read the last chapter only. Anyways turns out we get paid before Christmas so I feel like Im on some heavy medication for nothing. Not only that but I need to pack tonight and clean and water plants and generally be constructive. Now what the hell is that all about?

Meanwhile back at the ranch I received my Dutch workbook - pity it doesnt say you really need the cds/tapes that go with it when you order it. I have about 2 days (less even) to learn to hold a conversation. Obviously Im in a state that is really conducive to learning a language as well so that helps. Ive realised that the Belgium/Netherlands way of speaking English if you cant speak Dutch isn't maybe the best way of learning. I mean if you are in a place (like say France) where they refuse to speak English you are going to learn to speak it pretty damn quick when you cant eat, find a place to sleep or purchase alcohol. I mean this is how it would go "Excusemoir, parlous vous English" (*adopts fake French accent) "You dare to speak Engels in my country" *slap... *french person walks away... I mean Im really just taking the piss out of French people in a light hearted manner but you get my drift... On the upside next time I play charades Im going to be an absolute champ at it.

I wish I had the energy or motivation to give you some good links but I cant be bothered right now and I do have some work to do... Feel free to purchase items recommended by me at Amazon because it means I make money and that would be nice.

I suppose I should say merry christmas so yeah merry christmas. Hope Santa brings you something nice, or at least something alcoholic.

*Sings Christmas Songs

Only a short post today.. I've had a migraine the last few days and today I have spent most of the day in bed. I couldn't face another day staring at the screen with my head throbbing and feeling like I was going to be sick.. lovely hey?

Weekend was busy, few drinks down the Clerky on Friday, busy day doing stuff in the house Saturday.. managed to cook some minestrone soup and read 2 newspapers - Guardian and The Independant. I felt cultured. Phil bought me a nice bunch of pink & white lillies which are in the corner of my room.. it actually smells really nice not like accumulating road stuff from the highway. A girl from work was having a party (Happy Birthday Sophie) and we went to her folks apartment in High St Kensington. It was the most amazing apartment... and it wasn't you usual chip and dip party fare but beautiful sandwiches and cheese boards and crackers... I tihnk I finished about half a box of these wheatgerm crackers & brie! oops! Sunday I had to drag Phil shopping so I could get presents for his family and he could buy presents for them and me. It only took us a couple of hours and Ealing Broadway was definitely a lot quieter than Oxford Street. I even picked out this really nice ring that was my Christmas present from Phil... nothing like a bit of bling for Christmas!

Only a few more days and I still havent got my learn dutch workbook... not happy Jan! I was supposed to be speaking Flemish by now!

Here are some links that might come in handy from the morning news... Merry Christmas!
How to write a thankyou note
Writing the Family Update Letter.. ick!

So tireds

So tireds! After having to babysit a very drunk Phil on Wednesday after returning from a boozy client/team lunch that lasted 6 hours and get him home in one piece I was already pretty shattered... So I wasn't exactly primed for a big night (but like that has ever stopped me) last night we had the Office Christmas party at the Vibe bar. Free alcohol and our company is an equation for shenanigans. We had a quiz (and I was on the winning team - free champagne!) and a raffle (my lucky number 7 didnt win me anything.) and then more drinking.. and some more drinking.. and some dancing.. and more drinking... Phil took it easy for the first time at a company bash ever. We walked home from Brick Lane to Bethnal Green when the bar shut at 12:30.

Now thankfully it is 6pm and I can go home! Definitely a quiet night with some DVDs!!

Very cool site.. Lots of cool links...
kottke.org :: home of fine hypertext products

Who Links to me... No one...

The sad truth about who links to me

I had a look at this blog and saw this link.. I was like sweet and then I realised I have no links. Having no links in the blog-world is like having no friends in the real world. Gutted. Oh well, such is life.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I don't have much to report today. Have lots of work to do. Havent done something cultural for ages either. Really want to go check out the Turner Prize at the Tate Britain but haven't had the time or motivation. Still have more Christmas shopping to do as well!

Best be getting back to work...

Yo Monday!

So my birthday came and went, with lots of nice presents and phone calls and a big suprise! Got lots of bits and pieces, clothes, books, jewellery, body stuff, underwear and the cutest little dog (its a stuffed animal) which I have decided to call Steph.. after my cousin's Bec's Staffy (which died a few years back after a long & happy life). Got to speak to lots of my friends back home which is always nice. Even when they call at 7am (Dingballs!!!) The big suprise I cant tell you just yet but dont worry Im not pregnant/married/moving countries etc etc etc.

My 3 course meal on Friday night was severely delayed (by a monumental cock-up) no by Phil dragging me to the pub for just "one drink". So we didnt get home until about 9:30pm that evening... Dinner took ages and by the time I had finished the soup I wasn't hungry. So we put the rest of the stuff for the tuna kebabs & the peach & apple crumble and had it for a healthy Saturday brunch. Worked out OK in the end :) The meal at Belgo's was really nice... had a honey beer as well as a warm salad for starters and chicken with mushroom & cream sauce for mains. Phil got Filet American (some wierd looking raw meat gear which tasted quite nice) and Mussels Classique... Although there wasnt enough mussels for his liking. Both mains came with a big serve of fritten (chips) so someone owes me flowers!!!!

I was a bit disappointed with our seats for Chicago but it was still really a great show... I like the "They had it coming number" - I think Phil just enjoyed the girls in lingerie!! Hopefully I will get to see some more shows soon.

Watched lots of movies on Sunday (well a few)... I Robot & Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind.... I'd heard a lot of good reviews about Eternal Sunshine and it definitely lived up to expectation *adds to DVD purchase list. Definitely want to see this when it comes out - The Tim Burton version of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp

Wimbledon - Only a few more days for the public ballot. Going to send mine off today so hopefully Mum & I can go see it when she is here.

Birthday Blues

Today I woke up grumpy. Not just your normal grumpy but super grumpy. Its my birthday tomorrow and frankly I wish I could just go to sleep and wake up after New Years. See what I mean about grumpy? ;) Christmas & birthday are a hard time to be away from those you love. Especially hard when they come together so closely and at the time where British weather is at its best - rainy, cold, dark and miserable.

But what can you do? Just have to chin up tiger and get on with it. Im sure thats what Merrick & Rosso would tell me to do. Yeah nice work sport. Speaking of Merrick & Rosso and all things media - I have found a paper. The Independant was definitely the best read of all the papers I tried. It doesnt have star signs but it seems that only right wing trash has star signs... Oh well. If I really miss my West Aussie paper that much I can buy it for $4 a day and read it online. I had a gander at the online version and it looks pretty nifty.

The West Australian
100 Oldest dot coms
iPod your photo

Tonight Im cooking a 3-course dinner for Phil and I. I bought a healthy cookbook type thing for like £2.50 and got motivated. Unfortunately after having to shop and now actually having to cook Im not feeling so motivated. Pub anyone?? haha not really.. cant let my first shop in 3 weeks go to waste!

Leg Lamps

Apparently this is the perfect present for the man in your life...
Leg Lamp from A Christmas Story, Red Rider Leg Lamps - Products

Maybe not.

Today is my little brothers 18th birthday - I rang him last night and spoke to him while he opened his presents. He was very chuffed with his iPod & the little iTrip (so he can play it through his car stereo) but I wished I was there. He said he wasnt going out drinking after the pub but if I was home I would drag him there and make him consume large quantities of alcohol. Thats what 18th birthdays are about :)

Further news on my newspaper adoption scheme... Today I bought the independant. Its a nice tabloid size and has cooking/fashion articles. I did like the guardian but it was far too big. The feature articles were interesting but there is no way I have the time to read everything, every day. It is my first choice for a weekend paper though. I may go back to the Metro during the week but Im definitely going to buy a decent paper on weekends.

Best be getting back to work.. so tireds! I keep setting my alarm for 7:15am and then going back to sleep for another 20 minutes. Then I feel like utter sh*t for the rest of the day... Doh!

More great Christmas decorations.

George Bush decoration

Manda's newspaper adventures

Today I picked up The Guardian on my quest to adopt a paper. I didnt realise it was a broadsheet. I would have got a different one but The independant was all gone. Doh! So I tried to read the included sections that were tabloid size. So far it has been rather interesting - a bit more readable than the Times, which came across as somewhat stuffy and upper class. Not sure if it has star signs but it could definitely be a candidate for the weekend paper. Supposedly the arts section is good.

My little brother asked me what I want for Christmas and I had no idea! He cant order anything online because he doesnt have a credit card and he cant buy me dvds because Im in a different region... and I couldnt think of anything else!! Maybe I should ask him to make a donation to a charity? My housemate Andy does that instead of buying and receiving presents. Its a very nice thing to do. I felt quite guilty having spent so much money. Having said that I enjoy spoiling those close to me.

I saw this the other day... I want one!! Lomo cameras

Prozac Nation?

GPs giving Prozac to thousands who don't need it..

Today I made the decision that I would adopt a newspaper. Coming from Perth with its great choice of papers (You can have any one as long as its the West Australian or Australian) I found having to pick a paper and therefore display to all to see my political and religious beliefs. You have right-wing, left-wing, upside down wing, tabloid, soft porn, conservative, liberal and far too many others to mention. Frankly it was a little too hard. So I stuck to grabbing the Metro on the tube and the TNT, both of which are paid advertisements.

So on the great road to adopting a British newspaper and becoming a little more interested in whats going on in this country - I thought I would try out the Times.

So far its not looking too bad but it immediately loses points for lack of star signs. It appears to be a relatively unbiased paper with some interesting articles on whats going on now as well as a decent arts section. Supposedly the travel section isnt too bad either. Tomorrow I think I shall give the Independant a go. Once I have a daily paper sorted - Ill need to pick a weekend paper. Phew.. Its all too hard.

Not much to report on the weekend.. watched Mystic River [2003] on Saturday, Went to a party Saturday night and didnt move most of Sunday.. This weekend its my birthday, and its my little brother's 18th birthday on Thursday. I wish I was home for it but will just have to keep myself busy. Going to see
Chicago which should be good and to Belgo for dinner. Even get to catch up with my housemate Liz, who I havent seen for 3 months. She has been in South America learning Spanish.. Lucky her!

Lunch time now... Wil try to remember to bring my photos to update that section...

Heart Attack

My housemate just gave me a heart attack. He came home and our security alarm was going mental and it looked like the house had been burgled again. Luckily it was all ok because I had all my presents ready to send. He is currently guarding them with a baseball bat for me :)

Thank God its Friday, last hour of work to go. Been a particularly productive day which is good because then it goes fast. Still buggared from my big shopping mission last night and then the following wrapping session. Going to send them all tomorrow morning.

Anyways Im going to do some work now... Might try and add a winter theme to my site... Considering it is now freezing over here and all.

Drinking Habits?

Whose round is it next??? I'll have one of those... ;)
WPVI.com: The $10,000 Martini

Welcome to the Jones Soda Store
For all those who like to open a can of whoop ass from time to time!

Run and Hide, Christmas is coming...

Its officially December now and therefore all advertisers are now pummeling us with Christmas messages, Christmas advertising, crap Christmas songs while your Christmas shopping, crap decorations.... You know what Im talking about.

Due to the (cough cough) efficiency of Royal Mail all Christmas parcels have to be sent to Australia by the 6th December (or late October if you are too tight arsed to pay for Airmail... frankly who the hell is that organised?) so since November I have been planning and purchasing Christmas presents for family and friends and some other random people I feel compelled to buy Christmas presents for. Now, before Monday, I must purchase, wrap and send all the remaining presents to Australia. So tonight I will go shopping. In Oxford Street. With every man and his dog there. Yay. Next year you can all sod off.. don't worry Im joking (although I may change my mind within 15 minutes of getting to Oxford Circus.)

Aside from the Christmas shopping - on Tuesday I went to see Snow Patrol at the
Brixton Academy. Except before we went there, we were out drinking with work people at a Belgian pub Dovetail. That only means one thing - Duvels... Not only do they turn you into a devil but they also turn on the blah blah syndrome meaning that you have an inability to shut up. Most of you are thinking that I have the BBS all the time... but really Im not that bad... Anyways, I heard a lot more of Blah Blah than I did of Snow Patrol and what I did hear I wasnt overly impressed with. They were ok but I didnt walk out of there going OMFG like some concerts (Tool, Pearl Jam)...

Didn't do much last weekend, pub after work Friday - I do remember one of our directors purchasing vodka shots for us all, we were at the Russian bar across the road Potemkin and then Saturday was just a quiety... watching some dvds and playing xbox.

Anyways best stop here before you think I really have BBS!!!