Holidays at home
It's been a busy week, even though I've only been in work 3 days. Came back from 2-day intro course (mostly obvious, but will save me a large amount of time later), during which the university administration frustrated me again and the accessibility fail made my head spin, to find, of course, a metric fuckton of work. Managed about 25 site visits over 2 afternoons (go me!), left work at 9pm on Thursday, but it was worth it. I got to go to my dentist in the morning (which is actually a pleasant experience: I love my dentist, he's really good and efficient and doesn't hurt me very much at all. And he listens to what I say), rolled in about 11:30 and finished all my essential work in time to leave at 5:35, which was only 5 mins late!
Went for early dinner at Wagamamas with my dad. He seems very down and secretly angry about things at the moment - he didn't get the job he really wanted, which would have allowed him to come back to the UK more, and when I spoke to my mum on the phone (she refused to come out for dinner with us because, frankly, she wasn't in the mood), it sounds as if he's still claiming that he "thought she wanted" a divorce, IOW *really* Not Getting It. Or back-pedalling furiously. Still not sure what's going on there, but I do think my mother's patience is really wearing quite thin, and rightly so. So, he was a bit grumpy at dinner, and was diverting rage by grumbling about bureaucracy and PCGM. May well see him again today though, when he might be a bit perkier - we told him all about the #24 bus (which he was not aware of) and advised him to do his DVD shopping at Fopp first, and get more bargains. He seems quite unconnected to London these days, which isn't really surprising I suppose.
After that, we went to the rather swish Everyman Cinema in Hampstead, joining hazyjayne & doseybat to watch 'The September Issue', a fascinating documentary about Anna Wintour and American 'Vogue', all set around the creation of the flagship autumn issue. In one sense, almost nothing of any note occurred, but in another, it was intriguing. While purporting to offer a glimpse into the workings, and the personalities, behind the facade, I suspect the viewer comes away knowing Wintour no more deeply despite having acquired more facts for the brane. It's a visual treat, though, not just for anyone who's interested in fashion (although it's definitely worth watching if you are) but for all those with some interest in the construction of beautiful images - unsurprisingly, the film has many of those. Grace, the senior stylist (an ex-model herself), is a fascinating character and the main interest of the film is about the civilised struggle between her vision and Anna's. It's most engaging. Oh, and apparently Sienna Miller has "lacklustre hair".
We then had a late but nice dinner (desperately needed to stave off the horrible hunger gripes which seem to be the result of the enforced eating regime caused by antibiotics - AARGH! I finish today and I'm SO glad, not being able to eat between meals is driving me insane! It's in my nature!) at an 'Indian Tapas' restaurant just up from the tube. They were quite lovely, and we had fascinating conversations about language and culture.
I'm really glad I worker harder during the week to make the effort to enjoy my Friday. I'm usually shattered and just want to sleep, but it was really nice to be able to take the time to see people and do things. I hope I can do it more, although obv uni will mean I have *less* free time and probably less energy :-/ Still, good stuff. And now I have a WHOLE WEEK OFF (except Thursday, which is uni enrolment day) to potter and tidy and relax and do preparatory reading and generally sort out my life. Love it.
Today, alextiefling has gone out to collect his brand new shiny brogues from BB, ordered at the Vegan Fayre. Yay! Also, we have a huge bag of sale clothes from Traid to try on (for those who are interested, Traid on Westbourne Grove in Bayswater are having one of their regular, awesome sales: everything is £3, except jackets and coats which are £5. I think it finishes on Wed, and they're not open on Sun, but do go if you're looking for cheap nice clothes, cos they have some great stuff), so maybe there will be some new shiny things which fit me. Double yay! Then, maybe family visits later. Might go to Reptile if we have the energy & inclination, will see how that goes. And then off to voodoo_canape's tomorrow morning to watch 'Dead Snow', and Rose McDowall gig tomorrow night. Mm, time off. Holidays at home. They're the best.
Went for early dinner at Wagamamas with my dad. He seems very down and secretly angry about things at the moment - he didn't get the job he really wanted, which would have allowed him to come back to the UK more, and when I spoke to my mum on the phone (she refused to come out for dinner with us because, frankly, she wasn't in the mood), it sounds as if he's still claiming that he "thought she wanted" a divorce, IOW *really* Not Getting It. Or back-pedalling furiously. Still not sure what's going on there, but I do think my mother's patience is really wearing quite thin, and rightly so. So, he was a bit grumpy at dinner, and was diverting rage by grumbling about bureaucracy and PCGM. May well see him again today though, when he might be a bit perkier - we told him all about the #24 bus (which he was not aware of) and advised him to do his DVD shopping at Fopp first, and get more bargains. He seems quite unconnected to London these days, which isn't really surprising I suppose.
After that, we went to the rather swish Everyman Cinema in Hampstead, joining hazyjayne & doseybat to watch 'The September Issue', a fascinating documentary about Anna Wintour and American 'Vogue', all set around the creation of the flagship autumn issue. In one sense, almost nothing of any note occurred, but in another, it was intriguing. While purporting to offer a glimpse into the workings, and the personalities, behind the facade, I suspect the viewer comes away knowing Wintour no more deeply despite having acquired more facts for the brane. It's a visual treat, though, not just for anyone who's interested in fashion (although it's definitely worth watching if you are) but for all those with some interest in the construction of beautiful images - unsurprisingly, the film has many of those. Grace, the senior stylist (an ex-model herself), is a fascinating character and the main interest of the film is about the civilised struggle between her vision and Anna's. It's most engaging. Oh, and apparently Sienna Miller has "lacklustre hair".
We then had a late but nice dinner (desperately needed to stave off the horrible hunger gripes which seem to be the result of the enforced eating regime caused by antibiotics - AARGH! I finish today and I'm SO glad, not being able to eat between meals is driving me insane! It's in my nature!) at an 'Indian Tapas' restaurant just up from the tube. They were quite lovely, and we had fascinating conversations about language and culture.
I'm really glad I worker harder during the week to make the effort to enjoy my Friday. I'm usually shattered and just want to sleep, but it was really nice to be able to take the time to see people and do things. I hope I can do it more, although obv uni will mean I have *less* free time and probably less energy :-/ Still, good stuff. And now I have a WHOLE WEEK OFF (except Thursday, which is uni enrolment day) to potter and tidy and relax and do preparatory reading and generally sort out my life. Love it.
Today, alextiefling has gone out to collect his brand new shiny brogues from BB, ordered at the Vegan Fayre. Yay! Also, we have a huge bag of sale clothes from Traid to try on (for those who are interested, Traid on Westbourne Grove in Bayswater are having one of their regular, awesome sales: everything is £3, except jackets and coats which are £5. I think it finishes on Wed, and they're not open on Sun, but do go if you're looking for cheap nice clothes, cos they have some great stuff), so maybe there will be some new shiny things which fit me. Double yay! Then, maybe family visits later. Might go to Reptile if we have the energy & inclination, will see how that goes. And then off to voodoo_canape's tomorrow morning to watch 'Dead Snow', and Rose McDowall gig tomorrow night. Mm, time off. Holidays at home. They're the best.