Challenge Sis: Life Change #2 May 7, 2008

Spoke to my older sis last night who is planning a complete life change.  It’s her second, in the last few years, and  I can’t work out if she’s completely bonkers or entirely brave - probably a bit of both.

Sis worked for the BBC for over 10 years in London as a studio manager for the World Service, but then jacked it in, got a redundancy pay-out and had Life Change #1.  This involved moving to Carlisle, taking up a new outward-bound instructor job, working shifts at minimum wage, learning archery, climbing and kayaking, and buying a run-down building in France to transform into a gite with her other half. 

Surely this is enough of a challenge for one lifetime?

Not for big sis, she informed me last night she’s leaving her outward-bound job (to be fair, it barely pays enough to cover a week’s supply of value beans) - and her and her Boy are buying a wine merchants in Carlisle!

So, Life Change #2 will see Sis moving from a job where she’s had to take 14 over-excited Brownies on a rope walk to one where she’s a leading connoisseur and sales person on fine wines.  Cue an intensive wine course, a licensing thingy and a whole lot more enthusiasm. 

I don’t know anyone else with the balls to undertake not one, but two complete changes in their lives.  You gotta give it to the girl, she’s jumping in with both feet - I just hope the water’s warm!

 

 

Good and bad… May 6, 2008

Good decision - watched The Last King of Scotland on Sunday. Brilliant film.

 

 

Bad decision - watched it late at night, with the girls, and went home to an empty house to sleep alone (Boy on stag do).  The result was a vaguely sleepless night cos of all the scarey bits!

Musing on music May 2, 2008

Just been reading this article about wedding ceremony music. The author is perhaps right that the entrance music isn’t heeded as much ‘cos everyone’s looking at the Bride’s hair/dress/makeup (is she crying already?!).  However, being a b2b, I definitely now notice every single aspect of someone’s special day, from the music, to the place settings, to the hair. Sorry, but I am obsessed!

The wedding we went to the other weekend had the Pachabel Canon in D as their entry tune, which I loved.  Even better, they walked out to the Test Match Special tune - both being involved in Cricket, this was a great touch and made everyone laugh.

Nothing really springs to mind when thinking of our wedding choons, I did get a free wedding music CD in the last edition of a magazine, so I’ll have to have a look at this.  The Boy was keen on incorporating ska wherever possible, and I bet he’ll suggest something from the Wurzels too. I am NOT having ‘I am a cider drinker’ sung at my our wedding!!!

Gross self harm avoided with Pilates April 30, 2008

I’ve been hating my ribcage for years.  It’s not deformed, it’s just big, and wide.  I’m a broad gal, and no matter how slim I get (believe me, I got mega skinny once when dumped by an ex - the “malteser and grief” diet there) - the rib cage still pokes out and makes me look broad.

I’ve always thought that just hacking a couple of the bottom ribs out would make a big difference in creating a slimmer silhouette.  But, it seems, I can now avoid the break/remove rib plan - with the altogether more serene Pilates.

 

We did some exercises last week where the aim is to flatten the rib cage, you have to kind of “think” your muscles into moving in a certain way  - it’s not easy, this Pilates lark you know - and then stretch whilst pushing ‘down’ on the ribs.  Anyhoo, I wasn’t convinced until I stood up and lo and behold, after just a wee bit of work, the ribcage did feel slightly flatter to my body.  A few of the girls felt it up and confirmed that I did have a large ribcage (yah, thanks!) - had they felt me ribs before the class, I think they would have noticed a difference.  I certainly think I did.

So  - now I’m well motivated to keep up the Pilates in the hope of achieving a less massive torso.  I do actually enjoy it, I’m not just going now I know I can sort the ribs and avoid running into things at high speed in the hope of breaking them, but it’s a heck of a bonus!

If/when I get spare time… April 24, 2008

I’m going to make these

Where have all the nice boys gone? April 22, 2008

Why is it that so many good-looking, non-freaky girls I know are still single?

Many of my gal-pals have no bloke on the scene, and no prospects in the offing - and I really can’t work out why.

They don’t look like this:

 

OK, nor do they look like this:

They are just lovely, normal girls.  Aside from looks, they are all nice people who have hobbies, interests, senses of humour, good jobs, intellect and good taste.  How come they are still on that shelf?

I’ve been pondering for a while. So, here’s a few theories (feel free to object or add as you see fit):

1. These women lead busy, fulfilled lives.  They don’t have enough opportunities or enough time to meet likely men who could be potential matches. Speed dating attracts wierdo-beardos, and dating sites aren’t up to much (i’ve been told, ok!)

2. These women are so ace, that they intimidate men that they meet. 

3. When they do meet men, they are mostly freako-beakos, and single for a reason. 

4. Is it simply a numbers game? Perhaps there are more lovely women than there are lovely men.  All the decent ones have gone.

5. Men that they meet are scared of failure, and hence reluctant to start something. 

6. This article  says blokes regress into man-boys, unwilling (unable) to commit (which may relate back to point 2).

One of my lovely single mates is convinced she is going to turn into Samantha from SATC - able to attract men, but not the right kind, and therefore turning into an ageing man-eater.  I can’t see it happening (she’s a good few years younger and is way more dignified) but I feel I need to take action and get the ball rolling for some of them.   I would love to take credit for a future wedding occasion (as my matchmaker is getting for the Boy and me).

OK then, let’s think - dating sites are out, so’s speed dating, and most of my male mates are in couples already.  Gone are the days of promenading down the main street after the dinner dance going courtin’.  Many single men are single for a reason.

Other ideas, anyone?

 

 

Proud, Loud and the Crowd April 21, 2008

Yes although it sounds like a wierd story book, the title is my summary of our last rugby game of the year yesterday.  It was a winner takes all clash against the mighty Loughborough who are never to be taken lightly.  Although we’d won earlier in the year, we knew it would be the toughest match ever - whoever came out on top, topped the league (I’m passable at maths but even I struggle with the RFUW’s systems for leagues - a bit more clarity would be welcome, guys!).

Anyhoo, I took my pre-match place amongst our band of merry supporters in the bar ahead of the game.  An exceptionally good selection of buffet items was on the table before me: scotch eggs, pork pies and Ken’s home-made pickled onions.  A few pear ciders later, the game was ready to begin and from the off, my stomach was all aflutter (not because of excessive pickled onion consumption, you understand).  Myself and another girl decided our supporting tactic was to chant the John Barnes England rap as per Gavin and Stacey, which was a good way of distracting me from my ever increasing nerves.

The only way to describe the game is “epic”.  It is seriously the hardest game I’ve seen our girls compete in.  It could have gone either way; there were moments of great drama (a near-try for them, switched to a penalty to us) and some immense tackles (at least 2 dump tackles included). 

LOUD - Throughout, I’m quite convinced I sounded more like a screeching washer woman than a serious supporter.  My voice got higher and higher and raspier and raspier.  It’s a wonder I wasn’t told to shut it.

The story was ending Loughborough’s way as they managed to grind it out and get over the line to go 5-0 ahead.  Despite massive efforts from the girls, it was all over. 

PROUD - This was one of those immense games where every single player gives 100%.  They couldn’t have tried harder and I was so so disappointed for the girls.  But I was also hugely proud that they achieved the highest ever league position in the history of the side, and gave Loughborough a serious run for their money. 

Finally - the CROWD.  Once again, Olney supporters were there in all their glory, which for some included the coveted pink and grey striped blazers.  I’m reckoning we had at least double the supporters that the home side had, and what other away fans would turn up with a pre-match buffet and half time mulled wine?  I love our club, I’ve never played for a women’s team that was better supported by everyone from across the rugby club.  We had texts coming in from people in the Olney club bar, others who play for the mens team and absent players - everyone was on side and rooting for us.

So, the season concludes with a very very near miss.  Loughborough are through on points difference and go to the play-off game next week.  Having been a spectator for most of the season due to the ropey knee, I have to conclude, it’s been a funny old year in Olney Rugby.  Still, we’ve got plenty of socials to look forward to, the National 7s, and then another chance next year to properly crack this league.  Come on the girls!!

 

 

Is Jonno up to the job? April 18, 2008

So, Johnson’s in, at the expense of Ashton.  I feel soz for Ashton as he’s been treated shabbily by the RFU but some of his decisions have been dodgy - not selecting Sinbad, keeping Mark Regan on too long etc.  Jonno could be just what England needs.

I’ve just finished reading Martin’s biography and it was a great read.  He’s a simple bloke, who does what he thinks is right, without a palava, and with integrity.  It means he’ll walk in with a lot of respect already in place - amongst players and the RFU management.  I just hope that he is given the room to operate as he sees fit; not as the RFU want to shape him.  They really need to give him free rein and trust him.  I know I do. God that sounds corny!

On another note - what does Rob Andrew do anyway?

 

Fitness..at any cost. Apart from where dignity’s concerned April 16, 2008

I got back from a run earlier in the week and decided I still had energy enough to do something else.  So the stepper got dusted off and the trampette un-elegantly manhandled from it’s usual behind the sofa position.  Daytime telly on, pint of water nearby, and I was off.

 

After 10mins on the stepper, I moved on to the trampette and ‘ran’ on it with high knees and arms pumping for all of a minute.  I would have done more, I could have done more - but I happened to see my neighbour pull up in his car opposite (light afternoons, the curtains are open).  Utterly mortified that he may see me bounding like a loony through the bay window, I promptly hopped off, grabbed the nearest mag (Viz, of all things) and bundled onto the sofa whilst trying to look normal. With a sweaty face and bad scraped back hair. And Viz magazine, upside down.

 

OK, so why should I care if the nice neighbour (old, not someone I’m trying to impress) saw me?  I go out running and do other sports in public view, after all.  I think it’s just the fact I’m doing it in the living room -  there’s something slightly shameful about exercising in your front room when there’s perfectly good parks to run round, gyms to visit and leisure centre changing rooms to be disgusted by.  I think the trampette just made it worse.  Of all things to be doing, jumpin’ around is not the most elegant. 

 

I think in future, whenever I wang on the Thai-Bo vid or decide that I will use the gym ball, I must shut the curtains. 

Wedding ethics v saving dosh April 15, 2008

Was on the Moneysavingexpert’s site yesterday looking at the wedding forums and reading in despair about Brides that are getting their frocks shipped in from China.  Although you only pay about a 10th of UK prices for your dress, I’m not keen on this, for a number of reasons:

 - although the pic of the workers shows a clean, happy environment, can we be sure this isn’t a PR pic/vid?

 - even if the sewing room conditions look nice - we don’t know how much these poor peeps are getting paid (likely, next to nowt)

 - surely sending a picture of a design you want copied infringes copyright somehow?

 - shouldn’t we be supporting our own UK dress designers? 

Anyway, despite this scarey thread there were some other dead useful ones which have given me more ideas.  I found when out running yesterday that a good way to make time pass and get through the route is to contemplate these ideas on table decorations and seasonal flowers…