Ruby Wax and lack of obsessions

Ruby Wax


So like BlackLOG   I have also been to see the same performance of Ruby Wax who was in Bishops Stortford for one night only.  I took Pinkele along with me - she provided the wine gums.  The evening got off to an exciting start when I got to speak to the major of Stortford whilst trying to park the car.  Poor Pinkele didn't recognise him, obviously she doesn't read the local paper each week, or attend the sort of local events at which our major is likely to turn up.  It is a local joke that he is in the paper most weeks, the record apparently being 6 photos in one issue!  Anyway he very kindly pointed me in the direction of alternative parking spaces - what a nice man.


So onto Ruby.  She was good.  Smaller then you would imagine, and wearing a slightly too tight top and jacket which she had to keep pulling down.  We particularly enjoyed the bit about what pilates can do for you, especially if you take five classes every day, and the school sports day with the mums who can only discuss their latest frocks.


Birthdays


My mum (or Ma as she likes to be referred to!) turned 80 this weekend.  cue:  big family (well bigish) meal at The Harpenden Hotel and then tea back at the house.  And thankfully my dad (or Pa as he likes to be called) was well enough to enjoy the day.  It was touch and go, first of all he's 89, and  secondly a few weeks ago as he landed up in hospital with dizzy spells and was stuck in there for four weeks.


My sister in law made the cake - she has a small cottage industry going.

Slightly wrong notes - but it's the happy birthday song

89 and still drinking

The Birthday Girl

Obsessions

Am happy to report I have no current obsessions, i.e. no jigsaw craze, DS game, re-decorating the house (although this obsession does need to be kicked in soon) series of books, gardening.   

Actually I'm not doing much at all at the moment apart from getting myself to work and back, and attempting to keep on top of the house stuff.   Failed this morning and had to send boy No. 1 to school with his old games kit as the current one was discovered in the washing machine late last night, unwashed!  Never mind, shorts are meant to be short!

Friends Reunited

I keep getting emails from this site, which I promptly delete without reading.  However, clicked on a link today and wasted a happy hour trying to remember friends surnames so I could have a nose and see if they are a. still alive and b. done anything interesting.   I will now probably forget to go on the site for another 4 years, but I did find out some interesting stuff.

And finally the weather.........

I have given up trying to understand weather.  Two weeks ago we had hail stones and now it's a heatwave.

Taken back in the Spring with no snow, hail, or rain, at Anglesey Abbey

My Computer Snores

It's Alive - Or Something's Trying To Get Out

Have just plugged the headphones in, in order to listen to the latest installment of a drama series on Radio 7,  to hear what can  only be described as snoring - or maybe heavy breathing.   This is amazing - my computer is alive.  On the other hand it could be a creature from another dimension that's got trapped whilst coming through the crack in the wall..........

Doctor Who

OK I am a massive DW fan, and Matt Smith is shaping up to be one of the best Doctors ever in my opinion.  I love the twitchy fingers thing going on, and showing a shouty angry side this week with River Song.

Pot Holes

For those of you still playing the pot hole game, there's a fantastic new level on the A120 going up the hill out of Standon/Puckeridge and also a few sneeky numbers in Beldam's Lane - enjoy!

Mothers Who Can't Park But Drive Big Cars

Was parked and quietly doing a soduko waiting for school to come out on Friday when this stupid women:-

a.  Turned up late

b.  Misjudged the size of space left behind me

c.  Couldn't be bothered to move further down the road (away from the school), park and walk, so

d.  Got out of her car and asked me to move forward a bit.  ( I pointed out to her that I would then be overhanging someone's drive) but I obliged because I am nice.

e.  Stupid women then backed her car in and bumped into Cedric

At this point I had an epithany as I discovered how protective I am of Cedric (he's my very first brand new car and still only a few months old) as I flung myself out and banged on stupid women's window, she said "thank you so much for moving" and I said "No........You've just hit my car".  I did manage not to shout this although I might have sounded slightly hysterical and my teeth were clenched.  She then said "I didn't feel anything" (duh)  Me: "Well have a look". 

Luckily for her sake there was no damage to Cedric, otherwise there would have been blood.

Stupid woman.

Finally...........

The computer's settled down into a breathing routine now, 3 deep breathes, 5 seconds pause, 3 deep breathes, etc. etc.   it's really quite creepy.

Lack of Musing

So what's been happening in the world of Midge.

In a nutshell: work, school production, kids, cleaning, gardening, washing the car, rugby, eating chocolate, theatre, musical, cinema.... all the usual stuff.


Theatre


After our first visit to Hampstead Theatre and being so impressed with the size, value of tickets, time to get there from Stortford, etc. we went back with Steve and Pam in tow to see the RSC's production of Dunsinane.  

http://www.rsc.org.uk/content/8770.aspx  

We were worried it would be a bit highbrow, but there was comedy, death (lots), good battle scenes and even snow. Some of the story was told from a young soldiers viewpoint which really brought across the fact that some of these soldiers would have only been in their early teens. This only had a short run, but hopefully it will be performed again before too long. Steve and Pam were so impressed they were back four nights later to see it again.

The bit where the English Army disguise themselves as a forest.

 Musical

Staff outing to see Sister Act. Enough said.


Actually it was a good night out.



Cinema

As my two blog followers will already know - we now have a 3D screen in The Empire. So over Easter I have experienced How To Train Your Dragon, and The Clash of The Titans, whilst wearing two pairs of glasses at once!

Ongoing Battle with Sky

Not long ago (about a year) we changed from Virgin TV to Sky, the idea was to have the whole package, TV, phone and broadband.  So far we have the TV, and very nice it is too.  There was only one instance with it didn't work, but the technical fault was a minor snowdrift on the dish - fixed by the use of a broom.

However, we are obviously difficult customers as we wanted to keep our phone number.  This is the phone number that moved with us from our previous house, and from BT to Virgin so we couldn't see a problem with moving it again from Virgin to Sky.  Problem  is Virgin didn't want to let Sky use the number.   But this is our number, we've had it for over 19 years.  Stamps foot.  Mr Imo has had to cope with all the phone calls over the past year trying to get this sorted out and finally we had a break through over Easter.  Sky had had words with Virgin about giving them the number and were sending out a BT man (they use BT apparently) to reconnect us to the BT line which was now Skyline.   The BT man came, he unscrewed some wires, said they were all too old, and he would have to put a new line in, meaning having to dig up the drive.  Our drive is only 18 months old, no way are they digging it up!  and we are already using one BT line for Mr Imo's work and a second line can't be stuck onto it due to the old wires!!!!!!!  Once the BT Man had gone we remembered that we had had two lines through BT before going onto Virgin.   Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  

Finally...........

Am at Pinkle's on Thursday and am going to recruit new blog followers, even if it kills me.

We've been to the Theatre Darling and the 2010 latest Craze

OK so I admit it, is has been more than a few weeks since the last blog and there really is no excuse for this, apart from the fact that we have been out and about.

The Theatre

We went to see Darker Shores at Hampstead Theatre.   The theatre's lovely, it only seats something like 150 so is small and intimate, and we were only four rows from the front so could even see the actor's pores.

This was a ghost story, although it wasn't really very scary, although a couple of the loud bangs did make me jump, but then just a balloon popping will make me jump so that's not saying much.  However, it was a good story, it did keep us guessing as to who the ghost was, and how all the characters were connected and the illuminations were very clever, i.e. a typewriter typing on it's own (well obviously it was the ghost but we couldn't see him at that point) and the body coming up under the blanket on the bed, whilst water cascaded down underneath, before the body sat up and walked off.  Very clever, obviously the actor had been pushed underneath from the back of the bed, there was a lift system, etc. etc.  Julian Rhind-Tutt was gorgeous, I know I have weird taste, although his Southern drawl left a bit to be desired, and did cause Mr Imo to do his own (admitedly quite good) impressions all the way home.

The bit when the audience laughed.... they weren't meant to!

Less than a week later and we went to Stratford Upon Avon, with the boys, to see Arabian Nights.  This was brilliant, it was aimed at kids, but it was brilliant.   The production was tied together by the girl telling stories to the king she had married, every night, for a thousand nights, in order to stop him chopping her head off.  Not the sort of person you really want to be married too.  One of the stories was told with the use of puppets, which was very clever, but was my least favourite part of the whole play.

The Bit with the Puppets

The Latest Craze for 2010

Anyone can take part in this craze, in fact, you have probably already been taking part for the last few weeks and haven't even noticed.

You will need the following:-

a car
the ability to drive your car
quick reflexes

The rules are very simple.  

1.  whilst out driving your car try to avoid pot holes at all costs.

Points are rewarded for the following:-

1.  Quick avoidance tactics, however points will be deducted if you hit something or someone.

2.  Knowing where all your local potholes reside, resulting in smooth avoidance maneavours.

3.  Advanced avoidance tactics.

FAQ's

What are the points -  it's up to you, just don't cheat

Are there secret levels to be opened - yes.  These can be found anywhere near a pothole which is massively deep and wide.

Is there an advanced level to be played - yes.  It is called driving around all the potholes that have been repaired by the local council, but are so badly done they have been turned into loads of little hillocks topped with flying bits of loose gravel.

What are Advance Avoidance Tactics - Anything that involves off road


Loyalty Schemes.

Why don't you get offered loyalty points for using the same brand, or product?  This occured to me whilst using a certain product which I have used once a month since my early teens.  I won't say what it is, but here's a clue, only the female of the species would have use for this, say no more.

So for just over 30 years I have used this particular brand, and what do I get for it.   Absolutely nothing, zilch.   pffffffffffft.  I could have made a fortune by now, or at least been allowed to collect points towards something useful like a bundle of hand towels, a handy kitchen roll dispenser, or even money off vochures towards purchasing the damn things for the following month! 

I really should get my act together and write a letter suggesting this to the company, but as it's taken me over 4 weeks to post up this blog, it's doubtful it will get done.

Maybe a petition on facebook, although I'm not on facebook.......

And finally

My aim this week is to find where the spellcheck function is, so I can post my blog with no errors.  Am hoping blackLOG will have the answer for this one!

And I know it's here somewhere as I have used it before, but now it's hiding.

Don't Panic

Apologies

Yup sorry to everyone who's been waiting avidly for the latest in the life of Imo.  Put it down to working in a school, stupidly telling that school that a.  you can play the piano and b. no you don't mind at all playing for the Nativity Play, The School Christmas Concert and the School Carol Service, and then spending every spare minute practising endless Christmas music.   The piano always breathes a sigh of relief when we finally hit the end of term.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

Sent Mr Imo out for the Tree last weekend to the Christmas Tree Farm in Stansted where the trees have a happy factory free life growing in fields with lots of fresh air, wind and rain.   They'd sold out!   How the heck can you say you've sold out of trees whilst standing in a hut on the edge of the field still full of trees.  Surely chopping down just one more is neither here or there.  He came back via Home Base who were also treeless.

Mr Imo was sent out again on what was now being called the 'Great Hunt for the Last Available Tree' with orders not to come home without one!  The tree he brought back (it was the last but one from the man who sells logs in Takeley) was slightly bald in places, but now it's tastely covered in a few decorations, it hasn't dropped one needle.

Look what I made

Plus the others that didn't make it to the podium

And finally.........

After all my panic over getting ready for Christmas I did make it - although putting up holly this afternoon nearly had me flinging the whole lot out into the melting snow - that stuff hurts!

Have a very Happy Christmas.


Imo

Is it a sign of getting old - forgetting how old you are?

BIRTHDAY GIRL

Have spent the day being the birthday girl.  This meant spending the two days prior to the day baking and icing not one but two (large) cakes for the Staff Room.  Actually this is worth the effort once a year, as:-

1. you get lots of people at work smiling at you and generally being nice, and

2.  you can sit back and make the most of other cakes/biscuits/sweets, etc. in the staff room for the rest of the year and not feel at all guilty.

Then I got lunch at Michelle's house, along with a couple of other friends.  Actually I get lunch most weeks at Michelle's but today's included getting to blow out a candle and eating  yet more cake.

Had some good presents and have only got to change 3 things - 2 because of sizing and 1 coat from Jo Browns as when I was carefully undoing the stud popper thingies one of them broke off leaving jaggy metal bits! Not good.

Tomorrow is Mr Imo's birthday, we are the same age for one day before he jumps ahead of me again and lands in the second half of being in his 40's. haha.

We are off to the O2 tomorrow to watch some men play tennis in the APT top 8, and there's also a Christmas market and some sort of make your own music/rock through the ages exhibition as well, so we're going up early after depositing boys at the In-Laws, so we can buy I can buy Christmas decorations, we can re-live the 80's music scene and get something to eat before watching tennis balls being bounced launched around a tennis court.

Getting Ready for Christmas Part 3........

Um.  Oh no actually I have managed to buy, wrap and deposit family presents at the parents last Sunday. 


Some Pictures.  Please note the detail to composition, lighting, contrasts, etc....

Let Your Child join Cubs Today

The year I turned No.1 Boy actually into a book for World Book Day

Effects of the Credit Crunch

The French prove they can have a sense of humour

Friday the 13th

Dentists


On Friday I popped into the dentist for what I thought would be a quick 10 minute appointment to have a crown fitted.


I won't go into the details of what it's like to have a crown fitted. Those of you who have not had the experience (yet) can live in blissful ignorance. Those who have gone through the process will know that having the temp. crown taken out and the new crown stuck in, is the quick and easy bit, basically it's just a bit of gluing, sanding down and most importantly the bit with no pain!


Do you ever get those moments when you are suddenly in a situation that makes you feel you are stuck in a very bad comedy sketch?


First of all my dentist is Spanish, I'm sure he's a lovely person but I really struggle to understand his English.


Dentist: "First of all I remove the temporary crown".


Me: "OK"


Dentist: Takes first attempt at removing crown. Then lowers me down a bit more and has another go. He is now putting some real effect into it.* Changes the angle and has a third go, resulting in a good cracking noise.


Me: "Have you got it".


Dentist: "Not quite". Fourth go (more cracking noises) and the crown flies out and lands on my leg.


Me: "Yuch"


Dentist: "Ah". We all play a game called 'hunt the crown'.


Lucky me, the crown is out along with half of the prep work which I'd gone through hell to get done a couple of weeks ago.


Dentist: "I will have to do some prep work on your tooth. This is going to cost you eighty pounds but as it was my mistake I will not charge. These things happen".


Me: "Ah". (I don't converse much at the dentist).


To cut a long story short:- He drilled. It hurt. It shouldn't have hurt. It did hurt. The drilling is not hurting you, it is just the cold air. It hurt!!!!


However the new tooth is in, and I have moved my 6 month checkup from December to February - reprieve!


Getting Ready for Christmas Part 2


I have brought an advent candle.


Finally.........


Am looking forward to watching the new Doctor Who tonight, and am hoping the boys won't get nightmares about people melting in water! Or me for that matter.



* Don't read this bit out of context, and get the wrong idea.